Le Mars-based ice cream maker Wells Enterprises is expanding its production facility in Dunkirk, New York. Chief Operating Officer Mark Meyer says the expansion will more than double the facility’s current production, and add 200 new jobs to the local workforce.

Meyer says the increased production in New York will take some of the pressure off the other production facilities with the growth in demand for novelty and packaged ice cream.

He says Le Mars will remain the key in their production.

The company says Wells produces more than 200 million gallons of ice cream per year and distributes products in all 50 states. Wells has nearly four thousand employees across the country.

During day two of the Iowa Utilities Board hearing on the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline project. Glen Alden (all-DEEN) of Klemme says he’s had to hire a lawyer.

Alden says as a township trustee he’s concerned emergency responders in the township have little information about how to respond if the proposed pipeline ruptured.

Hollis Oelmann (OHL-man) raises corn and soybeans on a farm in Hardin County. After the pipeline route through his farm was projected on a screen in the hearing room, Oelmann told regulators he was seeing the actual route for the first time.

Oelmann says a tractor pulling a grain wagon in that area during harvest would weigh around 50 tons. Oelmann says he sees no upside to having the pipeline on his property. Summit Carbon Solutions has said the pipeline will benefit corn growers by making ethanol carbon neutral and opening up new markets for the fuel.

Whether it’s having a discussion about politics with an in-law, or just walking outside to get the mail, it can be a true challenge lately to keep our cool. With a third consecutive day of a statewide excessive heat warning, some Iowans who don’t have air conditioning are turning to community cooling shelters. National Weather Service meteorologist Richard Mamrosh (MAM-rosh) says if you don’t want to leave your house, there are literal steps you can take to chill out.

The experts suggest you skip outdoor activities unless you absolutely need to be outside, or do those chores early in the morning or in the evening when it’s cooler.  Mamrosh says it’s also wise to keep an eye on loved ones in the heat.

High temperatures this afternoon are forecast to be several degrees hotter than Tuesday or Monday, topping off in the upper 90s and low hundreds, with heat indices well into triple digits.

Iowa’s Attorney General says the settlement of a dispute with the four largest tobacco companies will lead to more money for the state.

Attorney General Brenna Bird says Iowa is one of nine states that were still involved in the long-running legal action over payments from the 1998 settlement agreement with the tobacco companies. Bird says the settlement will lead to extra payments of more than 171 million dollars over the next six years.

Iowa law requires that 78 percent of the payments be used to pay down the state’s debt to bondholders and the remaining goes to the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund.

Fundraising is underway to help finance demolition of three buildings in downtown Villisca. One of the buildings — the Rialoto (ree-AL-toh) Theater — has been a landmark in the southwest Iowa community. Villisca City Councilman Tripp Narup (NAIR-up) is president of the Rialto Board.

The Rialto was closed in 2017. Narup says it’s a miracle the theater has stood as long as it has.

The price tag to just fix the theater’s structural issues was 850-thousand dollars. The two buildings on either side of the theater are attached and are targeted for demolition as well. A second phase of the project calls for construction of a covered outdoor space for community activities like concerts, plays and the farmer’s market in Villisca.

The Iowa West Foundation has awarded a 100-thousand dollar grant to help finance demolition of the buildings, but the grant comes with a requirement that another 25-thousand dollars be raised locally for the tear down phase.

Gale & Ann Fisher of Montgomery County were inducted into the 2023 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, Aug. 20. Ninety-one Iowa counties participated this year and selected 127 inductees for their outstanding service and dedication to 4-H. Inductees or their surviving family members were presented a certificate by the Iowa 4H Foundation President, David Bolte, and Interim State 4-H Program Leader, Mitchell Hoyer, as they were introduced on stage.

Gale and the late Ann Fisher grew up participating in 4-H. Gale was a member of the East Sunrisers 4-H Club and Ann was a member of the Peppy Farmerettes 4-H Club. They lived the values they learned from 4-H and instilled those values in their children, Jerry, Kim, Vonda, & Darrin.

Ann was a leader of the Busy Boosters 4-H Club for many years. She conducted sewing and baking workshops. She wanted every girl to go home with a finished project. Kim and Vonda recall having to rip out several seams because they just weren’t good enough, but she never stepped in and finished for them. Ann was an avid baker and loved sharing her knowledge. She conducted workshops all over the county. Since her passing in 2016, her family gets together each November to bake her recipes and sell the goods at the Villisca Craft Show and then award the best pie baker of the Montgomery County Fair with a pie server. Her legacy continues.

Gale started showing livestock in 1951. He remembers taking livestock to the baseball field to show. Gale has always supported the kids with their 4-H projects. He not only helped his kids but also his nephews, neighbors, grandkids, great-grandkids, and friends. He wants to see any youth that has the desire, to have a livestock project. He still raises lambs and participates in the Adams County Rural Development program that matches lambs with kids. Currently, the 4th generation of the Fisher family is showing and participating in 4-H.

Counties select inductees for their exceptional work in contributing to the lives of 4-H members and the overall 4-H program. Many inductees serve as club leaders, youth mentors, fair superintendents or fair board members, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach county council members, county youth council members, fair judges, financial supporters, chaperones or ISU Extension and Outreach staff members. The inductees have demonstrated dedication, encouragement, commitment and guidance to Iowa’s 4-H’ers through the years.

“We are honored to recognize these special individuals, for their advocacy and dedication to the Iowa 4-H program,” shared Iowa 4-H Foundation Executive Director, Emily Saveraid.

“This is a great way to honor the volunteers and staff across the state of Iowa that generously give their time and talents to foster positive partnerships with our 4-H youth,” said Tillie Good, Iowa 4-H staff and volunteer development manager.

The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was initiated in 2002 to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of 4-H. A summary of previous honorees was on display at the 2022 Iowa State Fair in the 4-H Exhibits Building. These summaries are also available at the Iowa 4-H Foundation office in the Extension 4-H Youth Building at Iowa State University. Information about previous inductees to the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame also is available on the Iowa 4-H Foundation website, organized by year and by county. Go to www.iowa4hfoundation.org/ and under the heading “What We Do” select “Recognizing Service” then “Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.”

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office has put out a plea for the public’s help in finding a man involved in an assault.

On Sunday, July 30th during the early afternoon, an assault took place on the side of the road on Olive Street, just south of Interstate 80.  Officials report the assailant was described as a larger statured male with short hair and beard; red with some gray mixed in.  The male was reported to have been driving a pickup truck, possibly white in color, and a second person was accompanying the assailant.  It was reported that the male pulled to the side of the road, approached a vehicle, struck the victim through window, pulled the victim out, and continued to assault the victim.

If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Atlantic, IA at 712-243-2206.

If you are driving on U.S. 34 from the east city limits of Creston to Thayer in the coming weeks you need to be aware of a road construction project that may slow down your trip.

Starting on Tuesday, August 29, until Thursday, September 28, weather permitting, construction crews will need to close lanes on U.S. 34 so crews can mill the center line rumble strip and place new asphalt on the roadway with rumble strips.  A pilot car and flaggers will assist you through the work zone from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.  A 16-foot lane width restriction will be in place during this project.

Help keep everyone on the road safer.  Drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones.  As in all work zones, you should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

Tanner Cisar, an Atlantic HyVee Assistant Store Manager received company’s Legendary Customer Service Award in a surprise ceremony on Wednesday.

District Store Director Darin Turner described what the award means.

Tanner was surprised at his selection and humbled.

Turner says there are some prizes that go along with the award.

Tanner’s picture will also be placed on the side of a HyVee semi and he received a gold employee badge.

Atlantic Police arrested three people in connection with a robbery on Friday, August 18.

22 year old Rey Moton of Exira was charged with control of a firearm by a felon, first degree robbery, first degree burglary, first offense possession of a controlled substance and fifth degree theft.  Moton was booked and held on on 50-thousand dollars bond.

Two 17 year olds from Exira, Kyle Looper and Xavier Prine, were charged with first degree robbery, first degree burglary and fifth degree theft.  Both were charged as adults.  They were transported to a juvenile detention center in Council Bluffs.

In a news release, Police said they were notified Friday afternoon about a robbery at 1503 Ash Street.  The victim was able to provide enough information about the suspects and their vehicle for the police to get a description.  Soon after the report, an Atlantic Officer located a vehicle and suspects matching the description at a residence in Atlantic.  All three were detained for investigation.  Police executed a search warrant at 404 Olive Street and located a firearm that was suspected to have been used in the robbery.

Atlantic Police were assisted by the Cass County Sheriff’s office, the Iowa State Patrol and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

No other details have been released.