A report in the Guthrie Center Times says a fire in a pickup truck last Friday morning (Nov. 11^th) in Panora was caused by a mobile meth lab mishap. Police in Panora told the paper the Panora Fire Department was called at 11:30-a.m. to a vehicle fire at the Troy Downing residence. An investigation determined the 1999 Dodge Ram pickup registered to 34-year old Frank Howey, Jr., of Panora, began with a meth lab inside the vehicle.

Local authorities notified the Iowa Narcotics Division. A follow-up investigation resulted in Howey being arrested on felony charges which included: manufacturing methamphetamine (under five grams); possession of drug precursors; and, receiving precursors. Howey was also charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was being held in Guthrie County jail on a $20,000 cash only bond. His preliminary hearing, which was to have been held yesterday (Thursday), was instead continued until Monday (Nov. 21^st). 

In addition, 36-year old Troy Downing, of Panora, was arrested on a felony charge of furnishing a precursor, and prohibited acts, an aggravated misdemeanor. Downing posted a $10,000 cash  bond Monday afternoon and was released from Guthrie County jail. 27-year old Brooke Whitney, of Panora, was arrested on a felony charge of with furnishing a precursor. She was being held in the Guthrie County jail on a $10,000 cash only bond. Her preliminary hearing was set for Nov. 21^st.

Home sales and prices were both up in Iowa last month compared to a year ago. Iowa Association of Realtors president Dale Gross reports 2,606 homes were sold in October — 287 more than October 2010.  Gross said prices climbed just 2.1% over the year with the average sale price last month at $138,739. The October report did show homes are spending more days on the market. Last month, the average number of days on the market was 109 – up from 105 days in October 2010. But, Gross notices things are beginning to turn around.

“Earlier on in this year, it was 120 days and now we’re back down to 109. So, that says we’re selling homes quicker at this point in time,” Gross said. He credits a growing agriculture economy and lower interest rates. “The underwriting rules are a little more stringent and difficult, but if somebody really wants to buy a home, four-percent interest rates and 30 year notes are out there,” Gross said.

Gross, who lives in Atlantic, just recently took over as the new president of the Iowa Association of Realtors.

(Radio Iowa)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The rural economy in 10 Midwest and Great Plains states appears to be on the upswing. A survey of bankers released Thursday finds the farm economy growing at a “very healthy pace.” The Rural Mainstreet Index jumped from 52.9 last month to 58.4 this month, the highest since June 2007. Anytime the index, which ranges from 1 to 100, is above 50, it suggests the economy will grow.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who oversees the survey, says the results were helped by farmland price growth, which continues at a rapid pace. The farmland price index rose to 75.4 from October’s 66.9 – the 22nd straight month the index has been above growth-neutral 50.

The survey covers Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.

Atlantic – The Iowa Department of Public Health recently announced Iowa’s first influenza case of the season.  Denise Coder, Cass County Home Care Community Health Coordinator notes, “With this fall’s warm weather, it’s difficult to remember that seasonal influenza is right around the corner.  The first Iowa case reminds us all to do those things we need to in an effort to protect our health.”

There are several things area residents can do to protect themselves.  First and foremost, get an annual influenza vaccination! The Centers for Disease Control now recommend a flu shot for everyone ages 6 months and older.  Cass County Home Care has established two additional opportunities to obtain a flu vaccination.  Both of these events will be held at the Cass County Home Care office, located at 1500 E. 10^th St., Atlantic.

Monday, November 21 from 9 am – 12 pm

Wednesday, November 30 from 5:-00 pm – 6:30 pm

Injectable and mist forms of the vaccine are available.  The fee is $25, and Medicare, Medicaid, hawk-i, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurances will be accepted.  For those interested, staff will also conduct blood pressure screenings at no charge.

Area residents are also encouraged to practice the three C’s, in an effort to stay healthy:  Cover your coughs and sneezes; Clean your hands frequently; and Contain germs by staying home when ill.

For more information about influenza prevention, visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm or call Denise Coder, Community Health Coordinator at (712) 243-7475.

A 15-year old Lenox boy faces a felony theft charge, following an investigation into two separate burglaries. The unidentified male was charged with Possession of Stolen Property having a value in excess of $1,000. The charge is a Class-D Felony, and stems from an investigation into a burglary at Hugh’s Feed, and a residential burglary in Lenox. The charge was filed with the Juvenile Court Officer.

Police in Lenox said today (Thursday) assault charges have been filed in juvenile court against two male students at the Lenox Middle School. The charges were filed after police investigated a report Wednesday morning two boys, ages 12 and 13, wrestled a 13-year old male to the ground and kicked him repeatedly while he was on the ground. The victim sustained minor injuries and was transported by private vehicle to a doctor. The names of the juveniles were not released.

The Cass County Community Foundation (CCCF) today (Thursday) announced $20, 900 in grants were awarded Monday to various nonprofit agencies within the County. CCCF Chair Nicholas Hunt said with these most recent grants included, the CCCF has distributed $713, 875 over the past 11-years to qualifying groups and organizations. The most recent grant package includes $1,000 from the Lawrence E. and Mary J. Turner Endowed Fund, to the Friends of the Atlantic Animal Shelter, and $1,000 from the Griswold Community Development Endowment Fund to the Cass County Historical Society, and $500 from the Triumph Endowed Fund for Cass County, to the City of Marne.

The following organizations received grant monies from the Cass County Community Foundation this week:

• The Anita Foundation: $2,000 to install a keypad entry system and surveillance cameras.
• Atlantic Coca-Cola Center and Museum: $2,500 to repair the museum roof.
• Atlantic Park and Recreation Dept.: $2,400 to replace equipment at the Sunnyside Public Pool.
• Cass County Conservation Board: $1,000 to purchase a projector & digital camera for the Environmental Education Dept.
• Cass County Historical Society: $2,000 to repair & paint trim on the Museum.
• Lewis Public Library: $2,000 for new carpeting.
• City of Marne: $2,000 to finish construction of the City Park shelter.
• City of Massena: $500 to Support health & fitness programs for CAM Middle School students.
• Friends of the Atlantic Animal Shelter: $2,000 to repair damaged equipment & make building repairs.
• Lewis Town & Country Boosters: $1,500 to replace the existing floor covering in the Lewis Community Center.
• Southwest IA Mental Health Center: $1,000 to purchase an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED).
• Zion Lutheran Church: $2,000 for the Little Lambs Preschool Outdoor classroom/science center & lockers.

All grantees met the criteria as Cass County nonprofit agencies or organizations with charitable missions, in the areas of civic, cultural, health, education and social services. Only Organizations providing services in Cass County were eligible. For more information about donating or establishing an individual foundation or fund, contact any CCCF Board member, or Dennis Nissen at 1-800-794-3458.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department reports a Casey woman turned herself in to the sheriff’s department this (Thursday) morning. 42-year old Connie Jae Emgarten faces a charge of Theft in the 2nd degree. The charge stems from an investigation into a theft which occurred at a business in Kimballton, on October 8th. Emgarten was released from custody after appearing before a magistrate. Her preliminary hearing on the charge was set for December 5th.

Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer is asking for your help in locating a dog who bit a man after he freed it from a trap. Palmer says Steven Wiese, of Shenandoah, was releasing a dog from a trap Tuesday afternoon, when the brown, mixed-breed animal wearing a yellow collar, bit him on the hand, causing an injury. The incident happened about five-miles north of Essex, on D Avenue, near the Montgomery/Page County line.

Authorities contacted residents in the area in an attempt to locate the dog and/or its owner, but neither was found. If you have any information about a dog fitting the description mentioned, please call the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 712-542-5193.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Thousands of trees damaged or killed by floodwater from the Missouri River will be removed in the next few months along Interstate 29. Most of the trees are between U.S. Highway 30 and the north side of Council Bluffs. The Iowa DOT says the removal of the trees will cost about $150,000. Nebraska Forest Service expert Graham Herbst says debris in the floodwater caused damage to trees that led to decay. In other cases, floodwater choked off oxygen to tree roots. The Iowa DOT says it will wait for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to determine how it will manage the Missouri River in the future before deciding when to replant trees.