(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Coordinator Doug Reed, Thursday (today) said in a new release that “An open burning ban will be in effect immediately for all areas and jurisdictions in Pottawattamie County. The ban prohibits all open and controlled burning in Pottawattamie County, including all incorporated city limits within the county.”

With the lack of sufficient ground moisture and precipitation, fire departments have responded to several grass/field fires requiring the need for multiple fire departments to respond to fight these fires. The current dry conditions and dead vegetative fuels create the perfect conditions for fires to spread rapidly.

During these dry conditions, citizens are reminded to not throw cigarettes out from moving vehicles and discontinue burning yard waste, piled tree debris, and grass/agricultural ground during the ban. The ban will remain in effect until the county receives sufficient precipitation to alleviate the increased fire threat.

Violation of a burn ban can subject a person to criminal penalties as well as civil liabilities for any damages, losses, or injuries resulting from the fire.

Visit https://pcema-ia.org for more information on burn bans and the law. All residents are also encouraged to sign up for Alert Iowa at the website to receive alerts for fire danger, evacuation notices, severe weather threats, and community emergency notifications.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Police Department reports numerous arrests over the past three-weeks.

• On October 26th, 48-year-old Angela Glade, of Atlantic, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance (methamphetamine). Glade was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked in and held.
• On October 28th, 26-year-old Christopher Martin, of Atlantic, was arrested for Public Intoxication. He was taken into custody and transported to Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held.
• On 29th of October, Atlantic Police arrested 41-year-old Leslie Wiston Altamirano, for Operating While the Under the Influence. She was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked in and held.
• The next day (October 30), 34-year-old Edward Davenport, of Atlantic, was arrested for Simple Assault and Harassment 3rd Degree. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held.
• On November 3rd, Atlantic Police arrested 33-year-old Tyler Mills, of Atlantic, for Disorderly Conduct. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held. And, 41-year-old Matthew Ives, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault and Child Endangerment. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held.
• November 4th, Atlantic Police arrested 40-year-old Michelle Mahan, of Atlantic, for Simple Assault. She was cited into court and released. And, 42-year-old Ruben Sepio, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held.

Atlantic Police report the arrest on November 3rd, of 33-year-old Tyler Mills, of Atlantic. Mills was arrested for Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations, Interference with Official Acts, and Violation of a No Contact Order. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held. On the 5th of November, 20-year-old Beau Dickerson, of Atlantic, was arrested for Public Intoxication. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held.

27-year-old Megan Magers, of Atlantic, was arrested November 7th, for Theft in the 5th Degree (Shoplifting).  She was cited into court and released. 40-year-old Zachary Frank, of Atlantic, was arrested November 9th, for Criminal Mischief 1st, Burglary 3rd Degree and Theft 2nd Degree. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held. On the 11th, 25-year-old Joseph Atoliph, of Atlantic, was arrested for Criminal Mischief 4th Degree & Public Intoxication and two Cass County Warrants for Public Intoxication and Criminal Mischief. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held.

And, on November 14th, 27-year-old G Love Kovac, of Atlantic, was arrested  for Public Intoxication. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held.

AMES, Iowa – Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA), the leading grassroots organization supporting Iowa’s beef cattle industry, is pleased to announce Bryan Whaley as their new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective December 4, 2023. Whaley brings many years of experience leading successful teams, serving customers, and a deep-rooted passion for the cattle industry that will be invaluable to the future of the association.

Whaley most recently worked as the Director of Field Operations – North for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Before that, he was a regional extension education director for more than seven years. He has also worked with youth development in several roles with 4-H Youth Development through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Upon completing his first college degree, he was a classroom educator. Whaley holds a master’s degree from Iowa State University in agriculture education and a Bachelor of Arts from Simpson College.

The cattle industry is a part of Whaley’s daily life. He and his family own and operate Whaley Cattle in Eagle Grove, Iowa, raising Maine Anjou and Maine Angus seedstock. He has also been involved in many organizations that support the beef cattle industry, including regular membership with ICA, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and American Maine Anjou Association. Whaley is serving as the current president and board member of the Iowa Maine Anjou Association.

Bryan Whaley

“The search committee is very excited for Bryan to join the ICA staff as the new CEO,” said ICA Board President Bob Noble. “Those on the search committee were impressed with his experience leading teams, working with county committees, and his positive attitude toward the work ahead of ICA. The association has just celebrated 50 years, and Bryan’s energy and optimism will bring a renewed perspective to the association and be the perfect way to move us into our next 50 years.”

The hiring of Whaley comes at no better time as ICA heads into one of the busiest times of the year for the association. This will offer many opportunities for him to get out within the state to meet the Iowa beef cattle producers ICA serves.

“I am honored to have been selected to serve the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association,” said Whaley. “I am excited for the opportunity to serve the members of the association, but also the entire cattle industry in Iowa, and support the efforts nationally to advocate for the policies set forth by our members.”

The ICA Board of Directors and staff look forward to welcoming Bryan Whaley to the team and continuing our mission of serving Iowa’s beef cattle industry now and in the future.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Union County Sheriff’s Office today (Thursday), released information with regard to a non-injury, rollover accident that occurred November 1st. Authorities say a sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to a reported vehicle in the ditch just west of Dogwood Road, on 170th Street in Union County. When Deputy Noah Fargo arrived, he located a 2006 Chevy Malibu in the ditch, totaled (estimated $8,000 damage). The sheriff’s report said the vehicle appeared to be empty, with open beer cans and an open case of beer in the back seat.

An investigation determined the car hit the south side of a bridge and slid against it, causing the car to roll into the ditch and come to rest in a field just south of the road. A piece of the car was stuck on the bridge. Damage to the Union County-owned bridge railing was estimated at $2,500. The driver was subsequently identified as 58-year-old Christopher Lynn Franklin, of Creston. Franklin told authorities he struck a deer on his way home the night of November 1st. He claimed he wasn’t drinking at the time.

The report however, said evidence at the scene made it look different than Franklin described, because there was no evidence a deer had impacted the vehicle, and there was no deer carcass in the area. Franklin admitted to driven without a valid driver’s license. He was issued a citation for failure to show proof of security and liability. The citation amounted to nearly $797.00.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The latest Iowa Drought Monitor was released this (Thursday) morning, showing both the Severe and Extreme Drought areas have expanded slightly. Unfortunately, there isn’t much help expected anytime soon. There are some light rain chances early next week, but the 8-to 14-day outlook is leaning toward below normal precipitation. (Click on the graphics to enlarge)

(Radio Iowa) – A 38-year-old former state employee and therapist who worked at the State Training School for Boys in Eldora has been arrested and charged with sexual misconduct.  Sarah Jean Perry was charged with sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist, sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist within one year of service and for sexual misconduct with an offender.

The Eldora Police Department was made aware of sexual misconduct allegations against Perry at the end of last month. The investigation began after a resident was found with a vape pen at the school. The resident told staff it came from a therapist at the school who was also providing the contraband to as many as seven residents she was engaging in sexual acts with.

Perry was placed on administrative leave after the student made the accusation and she was later fired. The Boys State Training School is a residential facility for teenage boys. It provides a variety of services, including psychiatric counseling.

(Clive, Iowa) November 16, 2023 – Six teams of Iowa youth won scholarships while participating in the Senior Division of the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) Youth Swine Judging Contest. The event, which invites students from across the state, took place at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines last week. There were 120 teams represented in the Senior Division of the competition. The top teams came from Grinnell High School, Alburnett High School, Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School, the Winfield-Mt. Union Community School District, and Woodbury County in northwest Iowa. A total of 517 students participated in both the Senior and Junior divisions.

Cory Van Gilst, IPPA’s producer outreach director, says “We enjoy welcoming students who are really into judging livestock, as well as those who don’t get a ton of exposure to agriculture. This is a day out of the classroom—a chance to see pigs in person and learn about the pork industry.”

Top Senior Teams:

• The top team was Grinnell FFA 1, earning 761 points. Team members included Tristan Graff, Kolton Kline, Rylee Mauss, and Aden Wolfe, all of Grinnell. Each receives a $500 scholarship. Wolfe had the highest overall score in the competition.
• Alburnett FFA 1 had 729 points for second place. Team members were Lexi Geistkemper, Brady Hospodarsky, Jaxson Martin, Riggs Martin, all of Alburnett. Each receives a $250 scholarship.
• Gladbrook-Reinbeck FFA 2 earned 725 points and third place. Team members were Prycely Beard and Dylinn Blohm, both of Reinbeck, and Parker Schmidt, of Gladbrook. Each member earns a $125 scholarship.
• Grinnell FFA 2 placed fourth with 722 points and wins $125 scholarships for each team member. They are Peyton Davenport, Maggie Dayton, Zane Iverson, and Anthony Wolfe, all of Grinnell.

Tying for fifth place were Winfield-Mt. Union FFA 1 and Woodbury County 4-H 1, both with 717 points. All of those team members also receive $125 scholarships. Representing Winfield-Mt. Union were Eli Miller and Katie Miller, both of Winfield; and Kurt Beard and Quinlyn Smith of Morning Sun. Students on the Woodbury team included Grace Flannigan, Salix; Jacob Mitchell, Oto; and Kara Nelson, Pierson.

Top Junior Teams:

The top five junior teams are Buena Vista County 4-H 1 — first place; Greene County 4-H 2 — second; Carroll County 4-H — third; Creston 2 — fourth; and Greene County 4-H 1 — fifth. Each of the junior teams wins a plaque.

Points were awarded for each of the following activities: tests on meat quality and knowledge of commercial pork production; as well as judging four classes of hogs that required students to test their commercial gilt selection and market hog evaluation skills; score a keep-cull gilt class; and do a live carcass evaluation, which involved examining 10 pigs individually to determine each animal’s weight, loin eye size, and back fat, then comparing and ranking them on carcass value.

The day also included a demonstration of pork carcass fabrication and a seminar about careers in the pork industry. This is the 15th year for the event. Eldon C. Stutsman Inc., Iowa State University, the Pork Checkoff, Producers Livestock, and Smithfield Foods all partnered with IPPA for this year’s contest.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Board of Supervisors met in a regular session Tuesday morning, in Harlan. Shelby County Auditor/Board Secretary Mark Maxwell presented the Supervisors with the Certification (Canvass) of the Shelby County election results that were cast in Shelby County on November 7th, 2023. The results are shown below:

CANDIDATES ELECTED BY THE VOTERS OF THE RESPECTIVE CITIES LOCATED WHOLLY WITHIN SHELBY COUNTY:

Shelby County EMS Public Measure – Approved

City of Defiance Mayor – Mary Jo Schaben

City of Defiance City Council At-Large – Max Powers and Brian Kloewer

City of Defiance City Council At-Large To Fill a Vacancy – Bruce Feser

City of Earling Mayor – Janice A. Gaul

City of Earling City Council At-Large – Brandon Boger and Jill Schiltz

City of Elk Horn Mayor – Stan Jens

City of Elk Horn City Council At-Large – Danny L. Petersen and Kayla Creek and Kendall Petersen

City of Harlan Mayor – Jay Christensen

City of Harlan City Council Lincoln Ward – Troy Schaben

City of Harlan City Council Ward 2 – Richard Petersen

City of Harlan City Council Ward 4 – Jenny Kelly

City of Harlan City Council Ward 1 To Fill a Vacancy – Kyle Lindberg

City of Irwin Mayor – James Borcher

City of Irwin City Council At-Large – Richard Wiig and Jonna Willadsen

City of Kirkman Mayor – Matt Nielsen

City of Kirkman City Council At-Large – Dennis Baldwin and Terry Fiscus and John Doonan

City of Panama Mayor – Larry Keane

City of Panama City Council At-Large – Kathleen Ann Schafer and Linda Cogdill

City of Portsmouth Mayor – Donald Kenkel

City of Portsmouth City Council At-Large – Darci Paxton and Teri Dunn

City of Tennant Mayor – James Brantner

City of Tennant City Council – Mark Tearney and Paula Campbell and Tom Ewoldt

City of Westphalia Mayor – Christopher G. von Ahsen

City of Westphalia City Council – Brandon Eck and Bruce Goeser

The meeting then had comments by Chairman Steve Kenkel, and Chris Nelson of the financial auditing firm that performs auditing services for Shelby County. New Iowa Code involving budgets were discussed and reviewed. Mr. Nelson gave his initial thoughts on the financial report submitted by Shelby County for the year ended June 30th, 2023.

Mark Maxwell noted increasing carryovers and Capital reserves was discussed and the example referred to frequently was the air conditioning at the Courthouse next spring. New budget director Taryn Knapp was present to ask questions and receive information about budget preparation. The recently passed EMS public measure and implementation was discussed. Auditor Maxwell will create the needed accounts to get the financial details in order when the financial accounts are needed.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans are being encouraged to put down the cigarettes today (Thursday) and take part in the 48th annual Great American Smokeout. Emily Myatt, at the American Cancer Society, says it’s a push to get people to kick the habit. “This is a day for people who use commercial tobacco to create a plan to quit,” Myatt says. “We know quitting tobacco is so hard. So it’s a red-circle day on the calendar to say, ‘You know what, I’m going to quit today or I’m going to think about it or I’m going to make a plan to quit.'”

State health officials say about 17-percent of Iowa adults smoke and 10-percent of high school students. Surveys also find about five-percent of Iowa adults use e-cigarettes, while up to 22-percent of Iowa 11th graders vape.