Des Moines, Iowa – The 2024 Governor’s Volunteer Awards will be held 2-p.m. Tuesday, June 25th, at Ankeny High School (1155 SW Cherry Street, Ankeny). Governor Reynolds will recognize individuals and groups during the special ceremony. More than 400 awards are being presented this year.

Individual awards will be presented to southwest Iowans, including 13 people from Clarinda, and one each from Guthrie Center, Glenwood, Carson, Oakland, Villisca, Neola and Shenandoah. Group winners include: The Carson Community Rodeo; Friends of Lake Anita State Park; The Manning Regional Health Care Center; and Shenandoah Medical Center. (View the complete list of Award recipients HERE)

It is estimated that over 85 communities in Iowa were served by this year’s honorees. Coordinated by Volunteer Iowa, a program within the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS), the Governor’s Volunteer Award program—now in its 40^th year—provides an easy way for Iowa nonprofits, charitable organizations, and government entities to honor their volunteers with a prestigious, state-level award.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says “Those being recognized are the people who invest in others without expecting anything in return—except, of course, for the fulfillment that comes from doing their part to give back to their community. This collective impact is nothing short of remarkable.”

SAC CITY, Iowa — Officials say FINAL autopsy results indicate a western Iowa truck driver whose body was found about a mile from his abandoned semi, did not die as the result of a homicide. Because there was no crime involved in David Schultz’ death therefore, officials will not release more information about the cause of death, and the case is considered closed.

The 53-year-old Schultz, from Wall Lake, went missing in November  of 2023.  His body was not found until April, 2024, when his remains were discovered in a farm field.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation released an update the day after he was found, saying PRELIMINARY autopsy results showed no signs of trauma or serious injury and that foul play was not suspected.

(Radio Iowa) – The Marion man accused of killing four people has entered a written plea of not guilty. Thirty-four-year-old Luke Truesdell is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the alleged attack with a pipe that happened in a building in rural Linn County on June 5th.

K-C-R-G T-V reports that Truesdell is asking for a speedy trial. Investigators say 44-year-old Romondus Cooper, 26-year-old Keonna Ryan and 33-year-old Amanda Parker died in the attack. While Brent Brown was taken to the hospital in critical condition and later died.

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services director Kelly Garcia says the closure of the state-run Glenwood Resource Center is nearly complete. The last resident moved into the community Tuesday afternoon, according to Garcia. “So as of (Tuesday) night, she said, “there were no residents left at Glenwood.”

Glenwood has provided residential care for Iowans with severe physical and intellectual disabilities. After federal investigations raised concerns about the welfare of residents, Governor Reynolds announced two years ago that Glenwood would be closed on June 30th of this year. Garcia says it was important to make that decision public, to give residents, their guardians and employees time to plan for the transition.

Garcia said “…The closure decision I think a few folks are still grieving and that is understandable.” U-S Justice Department investigators cited the facility for subjecting residents to unethical experiments and for providing poor medical care to residents.

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services director Kelly Garcia spoke with Radio Iowa on June 19, 2024. (RI photo)

Garcia says because of those federal reports, she had to hire part-time, temporary medical staff because full time clinicians would not take jobs at Glenwood due to its reputation.

About 150 residents were at the facility when its eventual closure was announced in April of 2022. Direct care workers and other staff were offered quarterly bonuses to stay on the job.

Garcia says over 200 employees are staying through June 30th and they’ll get another bonus of 10-thousand dollars.

The Glenwood Resource Center campus covers nearly 400 acres. After July 1st, about 20 state employees will work to maintain the campus until the property is turned over to the community. Garcia says January 1st is the target date for the transfer.

Some Glenwood staff members have taken jobs at other state-run facilities, including the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown and the Woodward State Resource Center which provides temporary residential services to Iowans with disabilities. Garcia says a few of the direct care workers at Glenwood are providing in-home care to former Glenwood residents.

(Clarinda, Iowa) – The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports 15 arrests dating back to June 6th. Most recently, those arrested include:

• On June 17th: 58-year-old Timmy Jay Blank, of Council Bluffs, for Arson in the 2nd Degree; and 37-year-old Isaac Calvin Hayes, of Farragut, for Violation of Probation.
• There were three arrests June 15th in Page County:
  • 19-year-old Taylor Douglas Lattin, of Shenandoah, was arrested for Public Intoxication, Disorderly Conduct, and Interference with Official Acts.
  • 47-year-old Amber Jean Russell, of Clarinda, was booked into the Page County Jail to serve time.
  • And, 60-year-old James Vincent White, of Clarinda, was arrested for Assault on a Peace Officer.
• On June 14th, 35-year-old Vanessa Ranae Dugan Jones, of Clarinda, was arrested for OWI.
• On the 13th of June, 33-year-old Bradley Aeron Haley, of Clarinda, was arrested by Page County Deputies, on an active warrant for Violations of the State Sex Offender Registry. Haley was later transported to the Cass County (IA) Sheriff’s Office.

You can read about the other arrests and persons who were cited in Page County, here: 6-7-24–6-18-24

(Audubon, Iowa) – The Audubon Area Chamber of Commerce Director has suddenly resigned. The Chamber announced today (Wednesday), former Director Mercedes Johnston, “abruptly resigned on Friday June 14th, 2024,” sighting personal reasons. No other details were provided. A native of Colorado, Johnston began her duties as Chamber Director in Audubon, in April, 2023.

In a statement on social media, the Chamber wrote “When we hired Mercedes, we had three candidates, one turned the position down and one did not want to work any hours outside of when the office was open (which is just not feasible). The director position requires a lot more hours than the chamber has funds to pay. This year’s board members voted to compensate this by giving two weeks paid vacation.

“The Chamber has actively been searching for board members, and now a new director. In the past, this has really been an issue to fill these positions. One of the biggest fundraisers the chamber does each year is the community banquet, and with so many other groups and organizations in need, people don’t have the time, energy and resources to do it all – so it seems that usually the Chamber fundraiser is one that people, understandably, remove from their calendar.

“Each year, the Chamber is responsible for selling over $10,000 in Chamber Bucks that is in turn, put directly back into our businesses and community. We organize and host the Hometown Christmas gathering, featuring Santa Claus, which is a community staple. We take a huge role in helping organize the annual T-Bone celebration. We organize “shop local” events, sell Audubon memorabilia and are always working to put our community’s name out there. In saying all of this, we are struggling to make ends meet, finding board members and now finding a new director.

“We are looking for input from our Chamber Members and community members, because, as always, we really want to do what is the best for our members and community. With these struggles at hand, is this the time that we make some major changes to the Chamber?

“We would really like input from the community. We put a poll on the Audubon Chamber Facebook page.
We have some decisions to make. We have three options:
1. Hire a new director.
2. Make it a Board run Chamber. It would take a lot more hard-working, willing to put in the time and effort board members to fulfill this option.
3. Disband the chamber as of January 2025. We would fulfill all community obligations until then.

“We would really appreciate input from you. We have put together a survey-on-Survey Monkey that we would be most grateful for you to complete!” A link to the survey can be found on the Audubon Chamber’s Facebook page.

Comments are also welcome by mail, to:
Audubon Chamber
421 S Park Place
Audubon, IA 50025

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Rotary Club is excited to announce that they will again host their Annual 4^th of July Flight Breakfast featuring the Pancake Man. Rotary members invite the public to join them for this fun local tradition!

The Atlantic Rotary 4th of July Flight Breakfast is scheduled for Thursday, July 4th, 2024 at the Atlantic Airport, located at 59706 Airport Road just west of Atlantic.

Breakfast with The Pancake Man will be served by Rotary members from 7-11 AM, featuring $8 all you can eat pancakes with sausage and drinks.

Pilots from across Southwest Iowa and beyond are invited to fly into the airport for breakfast as well, and all fly-in pilots will eat for free. The public will be able to enjoy watching the planes take off and land at the airport while enjoying a meal.

All proceeds from the flight breakfast support Atlantic Rotary Club Service Projects.

Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand will visit southwest Iowa on Thursday, June 20, as part of his 100 Town Hall Tour across Iowa’s 99 counties. Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend.  Stops include:

Harrison County Town Hall
Missouri Valley City Park
800 W Huron St, Missouri Valley, IA 51555
9:30am-10:30am

Shelby County Town Hall
Potters Park
1200 Grand Ave, Harlan, IA 51537
1:15pm-2:15pm

Audubon County Town Hall
Albert the Bull Park
111 Circle Drive, Audubon, IA 50025
2:45pm-3:45pm

Cass County Town Hall*
Atlantic City Park
Across from Cass County Courthouse, Atlantic, Iowa 50022
4:15pm-5:15pm
* During this appearance, Auditor Sand will spend time at Produce in the Park following brief remarks at the bandstand. Members of the press and public are welcome to ask questions.