(Radio Iowa) – Iowans of all ages and abilities need to be prepared for severe weather, but people with mobility issues — either due to a disability or age — need to be especially conscious of where they would seek shelter in case of emergency. Emily Holley, regional communications manager for the Nebraska-Iowa chapter of the American Red Cross, has issues with severe chronic pain and she walks with a cane. “For my family, we have a spot under the basement stairs that we get to,” Holley says, “however, if there was a time where I was unable to get down those stairs, we have a windowless room, the laundry room, where I would go.”

Holley says she has a “go bag” that contains an array of emergency supplies, like fresh water, non-perishable food, and a flashlight, along with other essentials, like a battery power pack to charge a phone. “Folks using various mobility devices, especially those that depend on electricity, you want to make sure that you have at least three days worth of power supply,” Holley says. “You want to make sure that you are able to utilize those devices that are helping you function.” Consider that safe spot in your house an emergency shelter and outfit it with whatever you might need, including snacks and medications.  “We always recommend folks have a battery-powered or crank radio so that you can hear what’s going on,” Holley says. “You also want to make sure that you have the ability to protect your head. I like to recommend that folks keep a bicycle helmet for each of the family members in that tornado shelter.”

The Red Cross has an Emergency App that’s free and Holley says it will come in very handy when you need it. “It gives lots of preparedness tips for people in different circumstances and different locations,” Holley says. “You can also set up warnings throughout the country. For example, my sister lives in Massachusetts, and I have her location set up, so in the event that some severe weather is hitting her location, I get an alert.” It’s important to plan what you’d do in an emergency and Holley suggests holding a drill with the entire family twice a year.

Find more tips at: www.redcross.org

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A man from Pottawattamie County was arrested Thursday afternoon in Red Oak. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 49-year-old Alan DeSantiago, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at around 4:30-p.m. in the 100 block of Coolbaugh Street. He was wanted on an active Montgomery County warrant for Probation Violation. DeSantiago was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports there were two recent accidents, one of which resulted in possible/unknown injuries and $5,000 property damage, the other caused over $5,000 damage to a local business.

Authorities say at around 1:08-p.m. Thursday, a 2010 BMW 328 driven by 37-year-old Heather Layne Green, of Creston, left the roadway of Sumner Street and entered the parking lot of Medicap Pharmacy, in Creston. The car jumped a curb and crashed into a City of Creston culvert, causing $5,000 damage. The vehicle’s airbags deployed upon impact.

Green suffered from minor injuries and was cleared by medics. Police say when she was asked what caused the accident, Green said she “didn’t know.” The report says it was apparent to officers the woman was driving south on Sumner, entered the pharmacy parking lot, and lost control.  The driver, Police said, seemed very confused but did not appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. She was released from the scene. Damage to her car was estimated at $6,000 and it was a total loss. No citations were issued.

The second accident happened at around 11:04-a.m. Wednesday, when a 2014 Ford Fusion driven by 89-year-old John Charles Beran, of Lenox, crashed into the A&G Restaurant and Lounge. Creston Police say Beran was legally parked in front of the business on Adams Street, and meant to apply his brakes, but accidentally stepped on the accelerator. His actions resulted in the car being propelled forward into the building, causing $1,000 damage to the vehicle, and $5,160 damage to the structure.

No injuries were reported, and no citations were issued.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with MAHLE Engine Components USA, in Atlantic, have announced plans to relocate much of the Atlantic plant’s bearing production lines to other company engine component facilities. While it’s anticipated the move will occur by April 2025, plating operations will remain in Atlantic.

Officials say the change is in response to continuously intensified competitive pressure.

MAHLE has 160 employees in Atlantic. The company says it aims to minimize the impact on the employees affected by the closure and find solutions that are as socially responsible as possible.

MAHLE Engine Components USA plant in Atlantic, IA

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Extension will be celebrating all things 4-H during National 4-H Week October 1-7. Now is the time of year for youth to join and participate in 4-H, a worldwide youth development program, hosted in Iowa by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Cass County 4-H will be hosting a Fall Fest on Sunday, October 8th from 2:00-4:00pm at the Cass County Fairgrounds. The community is invited to come out for an afternoon of family fun! Current 4-H members will be at the event to celebrate 4-H. All are welcome to join in on the fun and see what 4-H all is about.

“We have a variety of fun activities planned which will showcase some of the project areas with hands-on activities, games and fun at our Fall Fest October 8th!” says Katie Bateman, County Youth Coordinator with Cass County Extension. “A 4-H information booth and snacks will be available from 2:00-4:00pm!”

Fall Fest will be a fun event for all ages to come out and celebrate National 4-H Week! You are invited to follow Cass County 4-H on Facebook page, www.facebook.com/CassCoIAExt or search for “Cass County Iowa 4H” on Instagram.

Keep an eye out for Cass County 4-H members, volunteers, and supporters showing their 4-H pride during National 4-H Week. Many of our local 4-H clubs will be creating window displays in local businesses. Other clubs will be doing special events and activities during the week such as wearing 4-H shirts to school or doing service projects around their community!

In addition, the Iowa 4-H Foundation and Cass County 4-H are partnering to host the Iowa 4-H Giving Day (www.iowa4Hgivingday.org), a special 24-hour event, on October 3rd at noon until October 4th at noon. Each year on Iowa 4-H Giving Day, supporters and alumni across the state come together to financially support Iowa’s largest youth organization, to ensure these opportunities continue to be available to youth across the state and at the county level. 4-H supporters can donate online or in person to support programs at the county or state level!

“4-H is a year-round program for youth in grades Kindergarten through 12. National 4-H Week is a great time to show some the wonderful things 4-H offers to youth,” stated Bateman. “In fact, research has shown that young people in 4-H are nearly four times as likely to contribute to their communities and are twice as likely to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs during after school time.”

4-H is active in each of Iowa’s 99 counties and empowers youth to reach their full potential through many different types of experiences including photography, music, woodworking, sewing, livestock and horticulture. 4-H grows confidence, creativity, curiosity, courage, character and much more in youth. 4-H allows youth to use the skills that they learn to go out and make a positive difference in their communities.

Cass County 4-H has more than 300 4-H youth and 100 volunteers involved in the program. Interested in joining 4-H? Contact the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132 or visit the Cass County Extension website at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says the Biden Administration has reversed course and will not block hunter safety and archery programs in Iowa’s schools. Ernst says Biden made the decision after she pushed back on the idea of ending the popular programs.

(Radio Iowa) –  The Board of Regents has approved a plan for Iowa State University to tear down LeBaron Hall and replace it with a new building. I-S-U’s Shawn Norman says LeBaron Hall was built in 1952 and has had no significant renovation since its original construction. He says replacing the building would address their concerns and offer a contemporary learning environment to encourage independent learning and leadership development.

New LaBaron classroom design (ISU photo)

Students in the apparel, merchandising and design program would use the new production labs and teaching spaces. Construction is expected to start in September 2024 and will be completed by summer of 2026. The estimated project budget is 39 million dollars to be funded by private giving and university funds.