Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers child care provider training, which has been approved by the Department of Human Services and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The training helps providers identify, recognize and implement best practices relative to nutrition, physical activity, health and safety for children under their care. An upcoming training, Gardening with Children, will be held in Atlantic on March 29th.

Gardening promotes healthy lifestyles, early learning experiences, social development, and environmental stewardship among preschool children. Childcare providers will engage in experiential learning gardening activities (crafts, learning activities, literacy, container gardening basics, and taste testing).

This will be offered at the ISU Extension and Outreach office, Cass County in Atlantic on March 29 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. There is a $15 fee and is partially funded by a Boost for Families (Cass, Mills, Montgomery) Early Childhood Iowa grant for professional development.

Registration is required by March 22, using the online DHS training registry or by calling 712- 623- 2592 (ISU Extension and Outreach- Montgomery County). The class will be taught by Barbara Fuller, MA, RD, LD Nutrition and Wellness Specialist and Kim Brantner, Family Life Specialist, ISU Extension and Outreach.

(Press Release)

A Union County man who pleaded guilty to two counts of first degree murder back in January is dead, in what appears to be a suicide. An official with the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Oakdale, told WHO-TV in Des Moines, that 37-year old Jerry Dillinger was found hanging from a bed sheet, in his cell.

Dillinger was brought to the University of Iowa Hospitals where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight. Foul play is not suspected, but an investigation into the death is underway.

Dillinger plead guilty January 22nd to the murders of Michael Robinson and Loretta Dillinger. Loretta Dillinger’s body was found Dec. 2nd in a farm pond near Lorimor. Robinson’s body was found near a house in Thayer.

Authorities said Loretta was Jerry Dillinger’s ex sister-in-law. Robinson was the boyfriend of Dillinger’s niece.

Officials with TravelIowa.com say the communities of Greenfield and Orient are currently being featured as iconic American destinations as part of a Dream Trip Giveaway. Shawna Lode, Director of the Iowa Tourism Office, says “We know that travel in Iowa has the power to help families reconnect through meaningful experiences. This Dream Trip Giveaway is a great way for the Iowa Tourism Office to showcase our communities and family travel opportunities in front of a national audience.”

The Iowa Tourism Office partnered with publisher Meredith’s Midwest Living magazine to grant a dream trip to Iowa. The five-day, four-night getaway will wind the winner through communities that exemplify Americana – like Greenfield and Orient. The winning traveler will stay at a variety of boutique hotels; dine in restaurants that range from gourmet to local comfort; and adventure across Iowa via land, water and air. Winners will also receive a $2,000 VISA gift card.

Communities featured in the Dream Trip Giveaway include: Urbandale, Winterset, Orient, Greenfield, Indianola, Pella, Eldon and Moravia. Featured attractions include the John Wayne Birthplace and Museum, National Balloon Museum, American Gothic House and many more. Read the full itinerary at traveliowa.com

To find out more about the trip and register to win, visit traveliowa.com. Entry deadline is February 29. TravelIowa says tourism in the state generates more than $8.06 billion in expenditures, employs 66,500 people statewide and generates $374 million in state taxes.

For more information, visit traveliowa.com, call 800.345.IOWA, or stop at any Iowa Welcome Center. Travelers can find additional Iowa travel inspiration on the Iowa Tourism Office blog, Facebook page, Twitter feed, Pinterest boards, Google+ page, Instagram, or YouTube channel.

Three people have been arrested in Atlantic, two of them for assault. The Atlantic Police Department reports 35-year old Matthew Stahl, of Atlantic, was arrested Wednesday for Serious Assault causing injury. And, 29-year old Justin Knutsen, of Atlantic, was arrested Tuesday for Domestic Abuse Assault by impeding air flow. Knutsen also faces charges that include Going Armed with Intent, Operating a vehicle without the owners consent, and Criminal Mischief in the 5th degree.

The A-PD says also, 25-year old Devin Register, of Atlantic, was arrested Wednesday on a Cass County warrant for Theft in the 4th degree.

All three men were booked into the Cass County Jail.

(9-a.m. News)

(In an update to our previous reports) – Four people were injured during a single vehicle accident on Atlantic’s southwest side, Wednesday afternoon. Atlantic Police Officer Devon Hogue said Zachary Dill, of Atlantic, was driving a Ford Expedition at around 1:20-p.m.. As he was exiting the south drive from the Casey’s General Store at 911 S.W. 7th Street, and intending to turn right onto 7th Street/Highway 6, Dill failed to straighten the steering wheel. The SUV left the road to the west and entered a deep ditch. The vehicle came to rest on a concrete culvert underneath southwest 7th Street, or Highway 6.

Dill and three other people in the vehicle, 9-year old Scott Dill, 37-year old Tammy Dill, and 7-year old Noah Dill, all of Atlantic, were transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The SUV sustained $10,000 damage during the mishap. Zachary Dill was cited by Police for Failure to provide proof of insurance.

We’re past the half-way point of winter and propane prices are holding steady, a big relief to Iowans who heat their homes with the fuel, especially after a record-setting price spike two years ago. Harold Hommes, a fuels analyst with the Iowa Department of Agriculture, says there’s a huge surplus of propane right now, setting up an unusual situation. “The prices have stabilized,” Hommes says. “Our weekly survey had propane at $1.01 per gallon which is unchanged for the last three weeks. Even prior to that, we had a change of mere pennies.”

Two winters ago, a propane shortage pushed propane prices to five-dollars a gallon. Hommes says unless there’s a prolonged cold spell, prices likely won’t budge, since spring will be here soon and demand will drop.  “A lot of times at this point in the calendar, we’re looking at seeing some significant bump-ups as we get into winter and demand pull starts rearing its head and we start seeing an uptick in propane prices,” Hommes says. “But so far, they have remained absolutely flat for nearly a month now.”

Given the laws of supply and demand, the nation’s supply of propane is plentiful which is keeping prices very low and steady. “Inventory levels are at around 74-million barrels,” he says. “To put that in perspective, two years ago when we had that shortage, the nation was down to about 25- or 26-million barrels. We’re at three times those levels.”

While we’re just above a dollar a gallon now, liquid propane was retailing at $1.60 a gallon a year ago. In January of 2014, Iowa hit record high prices for L-P at just over $5 a gallon. About 183,000 Iowans heat their homes with L-P.

(Radio Iowa)

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office reports three, recent arrests. Officials say 28-year old Andrew Kaipus, of Lenox, was arrested Tuesday on a Monona County warrant for Probation Violation. His bond was set at $5,000. On Feb. 6th, a 17-year old female was charged with Simple Assault. The teen was referred to Juvenile Court. And, on Feb. 5th, 52-year old Rafael Rodriguez, of Creston, was arrested in the 400 block of W. Illinois Street in Lenox, for Criminal Trespass. His bond was set at $300.

The Sheriff’s Office said also, no injuries were reported following an accident Feb. 4th. 30-year old Zachary Matney, of Corning, was traveling east on Taylor County Road J-20, near Highland Avenue, when he lost control of his 2006 Nissan pickup on the slick road. The vehicle hit a power pole in a ditch, and sustained $2,500.