The Co-chair of the Cass County Salvation Army’s Bell Ringing campaign announced today (Wednesday), that donations so far this year have exceeded last year by more than $1,000. Teresa Kanning told the Board of Supervisors during her report this morning, that the campaign has raised $7,813, and there are still a couple of more days to go before the campaign concludes for the year.

Last year’s campaign raised $5,300. Kanning, and Campaign Chair Duane McFadden remind you there are still opportunities for you to volunteer a couple of hours to help raise funds, by ringing the bell at the Atlantic Hy-Vee, Fareway and Wal-Mart stores. To sign-up for a shift, please call Duane McFadden at 712-249-0939. Saturday will be your last chance to ring the bell, and help the local chapter of the Salvation Army. The funds raised by the campaign stay in Cass County. 

Over the course of past year, the funds were made available for such programs as “Shop with a Cop,” providing gift cards to local schools to assist students in meeting various needs, assisting stranded motorists and transient individuals,  fans for distribution by West Central Community Action Center, and, back packs to be distributed by the administrative staff.

This year the Cass County Salvation Army unit also partnered with the Parents as Teachers Program, to purchase car seats for the program’s use.

The State Director of USDA Rural Development in Iowa says funds from USDA Rural Development continue to have a dramatic impact on communities across the State.

Bill Menner, USDA Director of Rural Development in IA

Bill Menner says in 2011, the agency awarded $431 million in direct loans, guaranteed loans and grants to help create and/or retain 1,900 jobs, improve infrastructure and services in 80 communities and assist 2,000 families with home purchases. In addition to generating jobs, Menner says  USDA Rural Development investments are creating ongoing economic opportunities in rural America that will pay benefits for years to come. Funds from the agency’s programs help modernize essential water systems, build clinics and hospitals, support renewable energy systems, energy conservation, and ensure affordable housing for rural residents.

From new hospitals to increased, affordable housing to thriving small businesses, Menner says USDA Rural Development has been a partner in a number of great projects in rural Iowa during the past 12 months including:  

• The Clarinda Regional Health Center…which has provided health care services in southwest Iowa for more than 70 years…is opening a replacement critical access hospital in January 2012 thanks to a nearly $19 million loan from USDA Rural Development. The project created more than 400 construction jobs over an 18-month period and will ensure continued employment of the 170 hospital staff. 
• The Hotel Iowana, built in 1920 in Creston, which had been vacant for many years, and was an eyesore in the community’s central business district.  Menner says earlier this month, thanks in part to a $1 million loan from USDA Rural Development, the historic building has new life and re-opened its doors as a senior living apartment complex. Menner says throughout the construction progress there were approximately 60 workers on the site full-time, many of them from areas outside of Creston, creating a tremendous impact on the local economy, both for hotels and for restaurants.

Menner says “Our agency is eager to build on the success of the past and help foster an even brighter future for rural Iowa. If you have an idea on how jobs can be created in rural Iowa, or how a rural community can improve the quality of life experience for their residents, give us a call today.” The number to call is (515) 284-4663. More information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available online, at www.rurdev.usda.gov/ia.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were arrested following a high speed chase Tuesday night that began about four-miles west/southwest of Oakland, and ended four-miles west of Griswold. Sheriff Jeff Danker says the driver of the vehicle, 25-year old Gary E. Graham, of Oakland, faces a charge of Aggravated Eluding, while the unidentified passenger was later released.

Danker says the incident that led to Graham’s arrest began at around 10:05-p.m. Tuesday, when a deputy, who was on routine patrol, clocked a 1997 Lincoln Continental at 91-miles per hour near 370th Street and Highway 6. When the deputy stopped the vehicle and attempted to speak with Graham, the car sped off. The enusing pursuit through rural Pott County finally ended when the car’s right front tire fell off, and the vehicle entered a ditch near the intersection of Highway 92 and 500th Street, in Pottawattamie County.

Graham reported told authorities he drove off because he didn’t want to lose his license. He was being held in the Pott County Jail on $2,000 bond.

Iowans who need to come up with a last-minute gift for that hard-to-buy-for person may be able to find something appropriate at the American Red Cross website. Tammie Pech spokeswoman for the agency’s Siouxland chapter, says they’re offering a host of options for gifts you can give to deployed soldiers or people in need — in honor of anyone you choose. “There are military calling cards, there are disaster comfort kits, there’s blankets, there’s vaccinations for children across the world,” Pech says. “Whatever is near and dear to your heart, they’re going to have something for you.” 

Whether it’s helping American troops overseas or helping victims of a tornado, she says the website “www.redcross.org/gifts” offers a range of items in a range of prices. The least expensive gifts include a set of three Red Cross blankets for $18, or a phone card for a deployed service member for $20. Plus, she says, you don’t have to worry about mailing anything as you can notify the gift honoree electronically, via email. “When you purchase your gifts on there, you have the option of sending an e-card so even if that person isn’t where you are or you want to send them a note about it, you can certainly print it, wrap it up and give it to them so it feels like they’re opening a gift,” Pech says. “You can also send them the e-card which is a really great way to send something across the country or across the miles and say ‘I really thought about you and this is a really special gift I wanted to give in your name.'” This type of gift is uplifting and can help to save lives, so Pesh says it’s both precious and enduring.

“Ninety-one cents of every dollar that’s donated through the Holiday Giving Catalog and to the American Red Cross goes directly to services,” Pech says. “We feel that’s really important and also, your gift is tax deductible, so that’s a neat thing at year-end that people need to know.” With donations of $100, $200 and $300, gift-givers will also receive gifts ranging from an aluminum water bottle to a messenger bag to a family first aid kit. 

(Radio Iowa)

The trial for a Defiance women charged with possession of methamphetamine and felony third-degree burglary, is scheduled to take place next month in Shelby County District Court. 18-year-old Sarah Nicole Caswell is accused of burglarizing a residence on Durant Street in Harlan on June 28^th.  While in the home, Caswell also allegedly damaged the residence.  Caswell also faces a Misdemeanor charge for allegedly being in possession of a small baggie of meth, which she allegedly tucked into her pants, and was discovered after Caswell was arrested on an outstanding warrant November 10^th. 

Caswell entered a plea of not guilty to the charges on December 12^th. Her pre-trial conference will take place on January 9^th, with trial set for January 31^st in Shelby County District Court. If convicted, Caswell faces a maximum sentence of six years in jail, with additional fines totaling $6,500.

w/ Ric Hanson

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For the second time in about three months, someone has released horses from an animal rescue facility near Glenwood. According to Omaha television station WOWT, someone opened the gates at the Hooves and Paws Rescue Shelter, letting loose the horses, endangering not only the animals’ lives, but those of motorists traveling on a nearby highway. All of the horses were returned to the corral, but Hooves and Paws owners Bill and Gina Stoops aren’t so sure they will stay put.

The couple got a frantic call Tuesday morning warning them that the horses were out, and dangerously close to the highway. Fortunately, the recovering horses couldn’t travel very far. Bill Stoops told the TV station all he had to do was shoo them into the corral and shut the gate. Three people also stopped by to lend a hand.

Stoops said the next time someone tries set the horses free, he will be ready for them. He says heavier chains and locks have already been added, and security cameras are being installed. The Mills County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the incident, along with the reported theft of at least two cameras stolen from their mounts on a nearby recreational trail.

w/ Ric Hanson

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NORFOLK, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a vehicle has hit the Nebraska boyhood home of Johnny Carson. Police say an SUV plowed into the front of the two-story home Tuesday afternoon in Norfolk. The vehicle caused extensive damage to the porch, which collapsed. The vehicle ended up in the entryway. Norfolk Police Chief Bill Mizner says the driver was taken by ambulance to Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk. His identity and condition weren’t immediately released.

Audubon County Sheriff Todd Johnson says an Exira man just released from the Cass County Jail on Monday, was arrested again on an outstanding warrant out of Audubon County. 44-year old Mark Wayne Rydl was taken into custody on a charge of Failure to Appear on a Driving While Barred charge. Rydl was being held in the Audubon County Jail on $2,500 bond. He’s scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 26th.

The Sheriff also said no injuries were reported following two separate accidents Monday morning, in Audubon County. The first occurred at around 7:30-a.m., on Highway 44 near Heron Avenue. Johnson says 51-year old Sandy Jean Andersen, of Audubon, was traveling west on Highway 44 when she lost control of her vehicle on the icy curve. The 2005 Subaru slid sideways into the north ditch, went over a field drive and rolled several times. Damage to the car was estimated at $10,000.

The second accident happened about a half an-hour later, on Highway 173, near 280th Street. Sheriff Johnson says 64-year old Marcia Louise Nelson, of Kimballton, was traveling south on Highway 173 when she lost control of her 2001 Chrysler on an icy curve. The vehicle rolled over after entering the east ditch, sustaining $5,000 damage in the process.