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Biologist: Rabbits and skunks can pass bird flu to ducks

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A government wildlife researcher says he’s found that rabbits and skunks can become infected with the bird flu virus and shed it enough to infect ducks, evidence that small mammals could contribute to the spread of bird flu on farms.

National Wildlife Research Center biologist Jeff Root says his experiments have shown striped skunks and cottontail rabbits in captivity in his laboratory have indirectly transmitted a strain of bird flu to mallard ducks after they’ve shared food and water sources. Root says it’s important now to figure out how likely it is such transmission across species happens in the wild.

Last year bird flu resulted in the death of 48 million birds in 15 states. Scientists hope to find how it gets from wild birds to farms and spreads.

Tiny Morning Star Chapel to Host Vow Renewal Ceremony During Tivoli Fest May 27- 29

News

May 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Danish Windmill in Elk Horn says “It’s going to be a big ceremony at one of the world’s smallest chapels and everyone’s invited.” “Generations of Love,” is the theme for the 36th annual celebration of Danish heritage, Tivoli Fest, which takes place Memorial Day weekend in the Danish Villages of Elk Horn and Kimballton, Iowa.

Couples are invited to participate in a mass wedding vow renewal ceremony that will be performed by Mayor Stan Jens outside of Morning Star Chapel, a tiny chapel built by a Danish immigrant carpenter, Charles Johann Walensky, in 1951, when he was 83 years old. The Chapel was originally located on Walensky’s property in Waterloo, Iowa, as a place for people to meditate, pray, and relax. Since 1951, there have been more than four hundred wedding ceremonies held at the Morning Star Chapel. The Chapel now stands on the historic Danish Windmill’s grounds.

The festivities will kick off Friday night with a Bachelor and Bachelorette Party at the Elk Horn Fire Station featuring the Iowa Craft Beer Tent and live music by Diego Garcia.

Saturday there will be a collection of wedding dresses and Danish immigrant wedding portraits on display at the Elk Horn Town Hall where you can sample a Danish Smørrebord. That evening is the Rehearsal Dance featuring the Iowa Craft Beer Tent and live music by Darla Hansen and her band Local Suspects.

A wedding brunch with Æbleskiver and Medisterpølse is planned for Sunday morning. A Danish Kransekage wedding cake competition will be held immediately following the vow renewal ceremony.

This event is strictly for vow renewals only and you don’t have to be Danish to participate. Each couple will receive a Tivoli Newspaper of events and a special vow renewal certificate. A small contribution of $10.00 per couple is requested to go to the Chapel’s maintenance fund. Register online at http://www.danishwindmill.com/tourist_info/renew-wedding-vows.asp.

Enjoy a weekend of Danish festivities featuring a fun run, parade, fireworks, Strøget Danish Walking Street, Viking encampment, folk dancing, food and more! Download the Tivoli Fest schedule of events at http://www.danishwindmill.com/pdf_docs/Tivoli-2016.pdf.

18-year-old sentenced in Sioux City student’s drug death

News

May 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – An 18-year-old has been sentenced to prison in the drug death of Sioux City high school student.  A judge on Tuesday sentenced Rose Mouw, of Sioux City, to 10 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and delivery of a controlled substance.

Mouw admitted to selling synthetic marijuana to 18-year-old Austin McCloud, who was a senior at West High School in Sioux City. He died in April 2015 after smoking the drug. Mouw previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but her Tuesday sentence was part of a plea deal with prosecutors.

Loess Hills Wildlife Area and State Forest becoming a bird conservation area

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says a public ceremony to dedicate the Loess Hills Wildlife Area, Loess Hills State Forest, Preparation Canyon State Park, and a 42 mile section of the Loess Hills (including the Loess Hills National Natural Landmark) as Iowa’s newest Bird Conservation Area (BCA) will take place on Friday, June 3rd, at 3-pm.

The event will be held in conjunction with the Loess Hills Prairie Seminar, at the Loess Hills Wildlife Area/Loess Hills Prairie Seminar grounds, located at the intersection of 178th St. and Oak Ave., about three miles northwest of Castana.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting the dedication that will include brief presentations and the unveiling of a special Bird Conservation Area sign. There will be refreshments, and following the ceremony there will be a short hike within the adjoining Sylvan Runkel State Preserve.

This unique area is one of western Iowa’s most species-rich grassland/savanna/forest habitats. Bruce Ehresman, DNR wildlife diversity program biologist, says “Designating this complex as a Bird Conservation Area will add to its recognition by indicating its importance for nesting and migratory grassland, savanna, and forest birds. It provides important nesting habitat for declining grassland birds, such as grasshopper sparrow, western meadowlark and northern bobwhite; for declining savanna birds like red-headed woodpeckers and state endangered barn owls, and for declining forest birds like wood thrush and yellow-billed cuckoos; plus the area provides migration stopover habitat for a large number of other bird species suffering nationwide declines.”

This area also is rich in cultural history, from the extended time period when it was inhabited by American Indians to the time when Euro-Americans, including Mormons, arrived and settled. It is anticipated that this new BCA will attract bird enthusiasts from throughout the region and beyond. Watching wildlife is a $318 million industry in Iowa, and more birders visiting this area will support the growing local tourism economy and encourage investment in local bird conservation.

The public is welcome to attend this event and is encouraged to stay to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Loess Hills Prairie Seminar, a weekend of learning and fun. Bird appreciators and all wildlife conservationists are asked to help celebrate the dedication of this important Bird Conservation Area and also to promote the conservation of birds and their habitats.

ARLENE ROMANCY KROGSTAD, 99, of California (later date)

Obituaries

May 17th, 2016 by Jim Field

ARLENE ROMANCY KROGSTAD, 99, of California died Wednesday, May 11th in Sacramento, CA.  Services and Inurnment for ARLENE ROMANCY KROGSTAD will be held at a later date.


Burial in the Harlan Cemetery.

ARLENE ROMANCY KROGSTAD is survived by:

Sons:  Richard (Christine) Krogstad of St. Bonifacius, MN; Larry (Sandra) Krogstad of Roseville, CA; Roger Krogstad of Marshfield, WI.

7 Grandchildren

9 Great-Grandchildren

Cass County Farmer’s Market Voucher Distribution

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Connections Area Agency has announced that the state is continuing the Farmers Market voucher program for older Iowans.  With this program, seniors meeting income requirements can obtain vouchers that they can use at participating area Farmers Markets to buy $30.00 worth of fresh, locally grown produce.  If you have questions about eligibility, please call 800-432-9209 ext. 1010. The Cass County Distribution of Farmer’s Market vouchers will be held on Tuesday, June 14th from 9:30am-12:30pm at the Cass County Extension office located at 805 W. 10th Street in Atlantic.

If you are interested in obtaining a booklet of vouchers, please plan to be at the distribution.  There are a limited number of booklets, so distribution will be on a first come, first served basis.

Program Criteria:

  • Must be at least 60 years of age or older
  • Annual income must be less than

$21,978          Single

$29,637          Married

  • Only one original application allowed per individual.  No photocopies or duplicate applications allowed.  Married couples can jointly apply on one application.

Mills County Sheriff’s arrest report (5/17)

News

May 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office is reporting numerous arrests took place over the past week. 53-year old Donald Barrien Harwick, of Pacific Junction, was arrested Friday on a warrant for OWI/1st offense. On Saturday, 63-year old Lindsay Ludwick Husa, of Beatrice, NE., was arrested in Pacific Junction, for Serious Injury by Vehicle, Reckless Driving, Failure to Yield to a Pedestrian, and Failure to Reduce Speed.  That same day, 20-year old Matthew Robert Thompson, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Mills County for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

On Sunday, 53-year old Ronnie Lee Fisher, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for OWI/1st Offense, and 49-year old Orrie Lee Gordon, of Malvern was arrested for Driving While Barred and Fraudulent Use of Registration. On Monday, 49-year old Carl David Galvan, Jr., of Glenwood, was arrested by Mills County Deputies for Interference with Official Acts.

Mills County accident under investigation

News

May 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County say an injury accident that took place May 10th remains under investigation. Their initial report says a 1996 Nissan driven by Kevin Deitchler, of Mineola, was eastbound on Barrus Road, west of 250th Street at around 4:15-p.m., when the car slipped onto the shoulder. Deitchler tried to bring the vehicle back onto the roadway, but lost control, causing it to cross over the center line, where the vehicle collided with a westbound 2001 GMC truck, driven by Matthew Brindisi, also of Mineola.

The impact spun the truck around before it entered the north ditch, followed by the Nissan. Deitchler was flown by Life Flight to Creighton University Hospital. A report on his condition was not released.

Harlan Police – Accident report (issued 5/17)

News

May 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Police in Harlan say four accidents were investigated from May 4th through the 10th. On May 4th, Ann Hammer, of Harlan, was attempting to back out of a parking space in front of the Casey’s General Store at 1006 Chatburn Avenue, when she accidentally stepped on the gas pedal instead of the brake. Her 1994 Ford struck the building, causing an undetermined amount of damage to the structure.  The vehicle sustained $500 damage.

On May 7th, a 2002 Ford driven by Zachary Jones, of Harlan, was traveling south on SW Avenue, when Jones momentarily looked away. When he did so, his vehicle dropped off the roadway and as he tried to correct the path, the vehicle struck a Harlan Municipal Utilities light pole, resulting in the street light breaking-off. Damage to the light pole was estimated at $850. The vehicle sustained $5,000 damage. Jones was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

On May 10th, vehicles driven by Tyler Andersen, of Kirkman, and Jennifer Schechinger, of Harlan, collided as both were headed west on Chatburn Avenue. Andersen didn’t see Schechinger’s vehicle change lanes, and struck her driver’s side door, causing a total of $750 damage.

That same day, a vehicle driven by Jessica Anderson, of Harlan, was driving through the Harlan High School parking lot, when it struck a pedestrian in the crosswalk. No one was hurt, and no citations were issued.

Harlan Police report (5/17) – numerous arrests

News

May 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Harlan Police Department have released a report on arrests and incidents that occurred from May 5th through the 13th. On May 5th, several juveniles were referred to Juvenile Court for Criminal Mischief, when officers were notified of graffiti written on the Terkildsen Center. Those cited into court include: 11-year old Caden Stevens; 8-year old Gavin Stevens; 8-year old Jadin Stevens, and 8-year old Tegan Bissen, all of Harlan.

On May 6th, Harlan Police arrested 20-year old Marcus Morgan, of Harlan,  and 21-year old Joshua Haggerty, of Kirkman. Haggerty was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Morgan was charged with Prohibited Acts penalties and cited for Driving Under Suspension as well as failure to prove he had vehicle insurance.

On May 8th, several persons were charged following a disturbance that reportedly involved a gun. Officers called to the 2100 block of Lincoln Avenue, arrested 51-year old Randall Hess and 19-year old Jodie Cardine, both of Harlan. Both were charged with Disorderly Conduct. Cardine was also charged with Possession of Alcohol by a person under age, Child Endangerment and Assault. Charges were filed with the Shelby County Clerk of Court, charging 28-year old Kimberlee Green, of Harlan, with Child Endangerment. Also, cited into Juvenile Court for Minor In Possession, was 14-year old’s Lauren Pash and Randi Hess, both of Harlan.

Also on May 8th, 24-year old Brandon Barnum, of Shelby, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense, following a traffic stop. He was also cited for Driving While Suspended, Violating the conditions of a restricted license, failure to provide proof of insurance, and speeding.

On May 10th, 30-year old Eugene Cardine, of Harlan, was arrested for Public Intoxication and Violation of a No Contact Order. A complaint was also filed with the Shelby County Clerk of Court, charging Kimberlee Green with Violation of a No Contact Order.

On May 11th, Harlan Police cited into Juvenile Court, 11-year old Caden Stevens and 8-year old Gavin Stevens, both of Harlan. In Juvenile Court, Caden Stevens was charged with Theft in the 3rd degree, while Gavin Stevens was charged with Possession of Stolen Property. The charge are with regard to two cell phones having been stolen from the men’s locker room at the Wellness Center, in Harlan.

On May 12th, 67-year old Stephen Tasto, of Harlan, was arrested for Trespassing, after he allegedly entered a residence without consent, to discuss a noise complaint from the night before. Tasto was cited, given a court date and released. On that same date, 40-year old Jill Steinkuehler, of Harlan, was cited for allowing her dog to run at-large, after the dog allegedly injured a jogger.

And, on may 13th, 58-year old Joleen Olson, of Harlan, was arrested for Intoxication in Public, and Trespass, after officers in Harlan responded to a report of an out of control, intoxicated person.