DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Farmers will produce a record-breaking corn harvest this year, surpassing earlier expectations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which has revised upward its estimate of this year’s corn harvest to 14 billion bushels. That exceeds last year’s 13.9 billion bushel record.

Soybean production also will set a new record at 3.8 billion bushels, beating the 2009 harvest of 3.4 billion bushels. Farmers are blessed with an abundant crop but cursed that it has driven prices lower. They are taking more control of their grain marketing by building more on-farm storage, holding onto the crop and timing the sale to maximize profit.

Rain fell at the right times and a cooler summer made for favorable growing conditions in the 18 states that produce 91 percent of the nation’s corn.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a Nebraska man died during an accident early Sunday morning. 20-year old Nicholas Polsley, of Bellevue, NE, was ejected during the crash that happened at around 4-a.m., and died at the scene.

Authorities say Polsley was driving a 1999 Chrysler westbound on Highway 370 just past Allis Road, when the car went out of control and entered the north ditch. The vehicle rolled several times before coming to rest on its wheels. An investigation determined Polsley was ejected through the sunroof of the vehicle. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

An official with the Audubon Police Department say two people were arrested August 5th on unrelated charges. In the report released today (Tuesday), Officer Matt Starmer said 30 year old Heather Nicole Daisy, of Estherville, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Harassment in the First Degree. The woman was brought to the Audubon County Jail, and later posted bond before being released.

And, 21 year old Cody Dewayne Peretto, of Audubon, was arrested last week on a charge of Aggravated Domestic Abuse Assault. Peretto was transported to the Audubon County Jail and held pending an appearance before the magistrate.

(12:40-p.m. News)

Officials with SIRWA (the Southern Iowa Rural Water Association) say that as of today (Tuesday, August 12th), the Boil Water Advisory remains in effect for customers in NW Adams, Montgomery, SE Cass Counties and the Cities of Grant, Carbon, Brooks, Bridgewater and Lyman; account numbers beginning with 047, 048, 081, 082, 084 and 005. If you have any questions, call 641-782-5744.

SIRWA customers who have been under the Drinking Water Advisory are supplied with water produced by the Corning Municipal Water Department. Currently, the Corning Municipal Water Department uses chloramines for disinfection of the drinking water. Chloramines are created by combining chlorine and ammonia. They are conducting a free chlorine burnout of their water distribution system. The Corning Municipal Water Department will be using free chlorine as their disinfectant for approximately the next 30 days.

Officials hope the free chlorine can be distributed throughout the SIRWA distribution system being served by the Corning Municipal Water Department by the weekend and the Drinking Water Advisory may be lifted at that time.

SIRWA customers may notice open flushing hydrants throughout the SIRWA distribution system during this period and possibly overflowing water storage towers. The flushing hydrants will be opened to allow flushing of the system to help remove sediment from the pipes and distribute the change in disinfectant. Overflowing water storage towers further aid in the flushing process.

Possible Noticeable Effects: It is important to understand that during this temporary change there may be some discoloration or cloudiness in the water and possibly a slight chlorine odor or taste. If this is experienced you may want to run the water through the tap until it clears. Minor pressure fluctuations and small air pockets may also occur. Hydrant flushing should remove a majority of the color and odor, but some may reach customer lines during the process.

Customers who use tap water for kidney dialysis at home should consult their doctor to advise them if any changes are necessary in their residual disinfectant neutralization procedures. Customers utilizing the water for aquariums should monitor both free and combined chlorine residuals.

A man wanted on a Federal warrant and another person were arrested Monday night on drug charges following a traffic stop on Interstate 80 in Cass County. The Sheriff’s Office reports Saul Muro and Bianca Azucena Muro, of Los Angeles, CA., were taken into custody just after 10-p.m., following a search of their vehicle near the Olive Street Exit (Exit 57).

The pair faces charges that include Possession with the Intent to Deliver Cocaine, and Marijuana. Saul Muro was also wanted on a Federal warrant with the U-S Marshal’s Service for amphetamine sales.

A search of their vehicle resulted in the discovery of 4 kilograms of cocaine and five pounds of marijuana located in a compartment under the driver’s and passenger side seats. The Muro’s were seen by a magistrate, who set their bond at $22,000.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Audubon, Mills and Sioux County K-9 units, and the Iowa State Patrol.

The Lenox Police Department reports a local woman was arrested on a felony charge of Child Endangerment, Monday evening, after authorities investigated an incident involving a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and swerving all over the road with a juvenile in the vehicle. The vehicle driven by 40-year old Holly Oliphant, of Lenox, allegedly reached speeds of over 100 mph.

Holly Oliphant

Authorities says when they arrived in Lenox, the juvenile took the keys to the vehicle in an attempt to prevent her from driving. Witnesses state Oliphant then attempted to slash the juvenile with a knife while attempting to retrieve the keys. Oliphant was arrested at the Lenox Police Department at about 7:30 PM and transported to the Taylor County Jail.

A Charge of operating a vehicle under the influence of narcotics is pending the outcome of chemical testing.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The November general election is less than three months away, and a new poll shows older Iowans are seeking candidates who will focus on improving their economic security. Nancy LeaMond, executive vice president with AARP, says their survey questioned likely Iowa voters age 50 and up, and found that due to the high cost of living, especially with health care and taxes, many older Iowans have made the decision to postpone retirement.

“For too many older Americans, including older workers and retirees, their income isn’t keeping up with their daily cost of living,” says LeaMond. “Across party lines, workers 50 and older are worried that a secure retirement could be out of reach.” LeaMond says care-giving is also a vital issue in this election for older Iowans, who want to stay in and receive care in their homes, allowing them to live independently as they age.

Another key finding from the poll, explains LeaMond, is older Iowans have had enough of political jargon and spin, and want to hear common sense solutions. “They say they haven’t heard enough about candidates’ plans for key issues like Medicare, Social Security, independent living and financial security,” says LeaMond. “”The message from 50-plus voters is clear: in a razor-tight election, candidates have an opportunity to reach these key voters by speaking about their plans on the issues. We think they’re making a huge gamble if they ignore them.”

Razor-tight is how the race for U.S. Senate in Iowa could be described, as older voters are evenly divided among the two major candidates, with about one-in-six still undecided.

(Iowa News Service)

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were arrested Monday. 23-year old Megan Lee Bachman, of  Glenwood, was arrested Monday afternoon at Gilliens Court in Glenwood, on a Warrant for Violation of Probation. Her bond was set at $2,000.

And 36-year old Heather Marie Hatcher, of Pacific Junction, was arrested Monday evening at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office on a Warrant for Violation of Probation. Her bond was also set at $2,000.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – An administrative law judge has ruled that a western Iowa bar once featured on a reality TV show should be able to continue serving alcoholic drinks. The Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil reports O Face Bar will be able to keep its liquor license. The Council Bluffs City Council had denied the bar’s license because of conduct in the business shown on a Spike TV show about reinventing struggling bars.

A March episode showed multiple fights in the bar and the use of profanity. One of the bar’s owners appealed the city’s decision to the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division. He claimed the show’s producers encouraged his staff to engage in staged fights and disorderly conduct for the cameras.

Atlantic School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein says there’s mostly good news to report when it comes to the District being taken off the Iowa Department of Education Association’s (IDEA) “Watch list,” for “Schools/Districts in Need of Assistance” (SINA/DINA)…those schools failing to live up to the standards of “No Child Left Behind.” He said the District was removed from the “watch” list in the categories of reading and math, based on the Iowa Assessment test results. He added that there’s not a lot of districts in Iowa that can claim that achievement.

The Atlantic High School is on a “Delay 2” schedule in Math. The IADE reduced the number of “Non-proficient” kids by 10-percent. In reading, even though the scores went up, officials didn’t reduce the number of non-proficient students. Last year’s bench mark was 100-percent. The Middle School is listed as a SINA 5 school, even thought the reading scores went up. In Math the school is in Delay 3, after reducing the number of non-proficient students by 17-percent.

The Schuler Elementary School is listed as a SINA 2 in both Reading and Math. The Washington Elementary School remains on the Watch list, after a “Smarter Balance” test, which the State of Iowa is dropping, so it remains to be seen how that will affect future scores. Amstein said also, the State is looking at developing a different type of ranking system.

The Iowa Legislature is supposed to look at the matter and implement a new system in the fall of 2015, that may replace the SINA/DINA list. He said thus far though, the District as a whole as made progress.

Amstein said also, 24 new teachers were welcomed to the District Monday morning, in advance of the first day of school on Wednesday. In other business, the Board of Ed approved a renewal of an SRO (School Resource Officer) agreement with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Corey Larsen will continue to serve in that role.