(Sidney, Iowa) – Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope, today (Monday), said there were 19 arrests that took place from November 14th through December 4th. Beginning with the most recent arrests:

• 33-year old Derrick Miller, of Nebraska City, NE., was arrested Sunday, for OWI/1st offense. He was later released on bond.
• There were four arrests on December 2nd:
  • 41-year-old Danielle Denny, of Omaha, was arrested for Theft in the 5th, and Failure to Appear. She was booked and then released.
  • 34-year-old Steven Wentland, Jr., of Riverton, was arrested for Domestic Abuse/3rd offense, Contempt of Court, and Simple Assault. He was later released on bond.
  • 35-year-old Lyndsey Cottrell, of Des Moines, was arrested Dec. 2nd in Fremont County, for Violation of Probation. She was being held on $20,000 bond.
  • 31-year-old Larry Joseph West, of Randolph, was arrested for Violation of a Court Order.
• On December 1st, 37-year-old Megan Rasmussen, of Randolph, was arrested in Fremont County, for OWI/1st offense and Driving Under Suspension. She was released on bond.
• On November 29th, 55-year-old Mark Gosch, of Nebraska City, NE., was arrested in Fremont County for Possession of a Controlled Substance (PCS), and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia. He was later released on bond.
• On the 27th, 36-year-old Mallory Lawrence, of Tabor, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. She was released on bond.
• The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office says 33-year-old Zachery Decker, of Dickinson, ND., was arrested Nov. 26th, for PCS, and Poss. of Paraphernalia.
• Three arrests were reported on Nov. 23rd in Fremont County: 37-year-old Robert Dingess, of Portland, OR, was arrested for PCS and Poss. of Paraphernalia; & 40-year-old Louisa Homan, of Hamburg, was arrested for False Reporting to 911, and, 25-year-old Tia Campbell, of Omaha, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. She was released on bond.
• On the 18th, Robert Fender, 55, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for PCS/3rd offense, and Poss. of paraphernalia. Bond was set at $5,000.
• On Nov. 17th, Deputies arrested 47-year-old Billy Foster, of Clarinda, for Poss. with the Intent to distribute (more than 5 grams)/Meth, and Theft in the 1st Degree. He was being held in the Fremont County Jail on $60,000 bond.
• On Nov. 16th, Amber Fichter-Harris, 28, of Shenandoah, was arrested for Unlawful Poss. of prescription drugs, PCS, and Poss. of Paraphernalia.
• Five people were arrested on separate charges Nov. 15th, in Fremont County:
  • Edward Bailey, 63, of Hamburg, was arrested for being a  Fugitive From Justice. He was released to another agency.
  • Brian Barrett, 41, of Hamburg, was arrested for Leaving the scene of an injury accident. He was released on bond.
  • Michael Doe, of Columbus, OH, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. He was later released on bond.
  • and Sara Cramer, 45, of Hamburg, was arrested for PCS. She was released on bond.
• And finally, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office says 37-year-old Eric Ambler, of Coralville, was arrested Nov. 14th, for Failure to Appear. He was released on time served.

DES MOINES, IOWA – Governor Kim Reynolds, today (Monday), announced the newly created Iowa Entry-Level Driver Training Program to provide more opportunities for interested truck drivers to obtain their commercial driver’s license (CDL) in Iowa.  The Governor says “Truck drivers play such a critical role in meeting our supply chain demands– ‘If you got it, a truck driver brought it’. Like the rest of the nation, Iowa, too, has a high demand for truck drivers; and in order to meet that demand, we need innovative solutions that reduce barriers for anyone interested in obtaining a CDL license. This new program will break down barriers that currently exist for obtaining a CDL and provide support to organizations who sponsor these critical training opportunities right here in Iowa.”

The new Iowa Entry-Level Driver Training Program will provide $6 million to support employers, nonprofits, or related organizations who sponsor or partner on key training programs designed to prepare potential drivers for CDL skills or knowledge tests. The grant program hopes to remove costly barriers and, ultimately, create more drivers with CDL licenses across the state.

According to Beth Townsend, Iowa Workforce Development Director, “The Entry-Level Driver Training Program provides more opportunities to obtain a CDL, but it also makes it easier for employers to recruit and train their own drivers. This effort…” she says…”will also make our state more competitive in these high-demand fields by helping employers offer the right training when and where their workers need it.”

Earlier this year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration implemented Entry-Level Driver Training, requiring all new drivers to undertake additional training requirements on top of existing CDL standards. Current CDL training can be costly and/or limited, making the pathway to obtain or upgrade a license more difficult despite a much higher demand for drivers. All training providers and drivers are required to meet all Federal driving standards under the ELDT program.

Grant funding for the Iowa Entry-Level Driver Training Program will reimburse eligible organizations in Iowa that offer these critical training programs either in-house or through partnerships with certified training providers. If the program is provided in-house, reimbursement can be used on instructor wages, curriculum materials, and maintenance needs. If the program is offered via outside training providers, reimbursement must go towards Entry-Level Driver Training program tuition.

Additional requirements:

Eligible applicants: Iowa-based employers, employer consortiums, and non-profits who employ Iowa CDL drivers and provide Entry-Level Driver Training either in-house or through partnership with third-party certified training providers.

Funds are administered as reimbursement only following documented training certification and a CDL exam within 30 days of a participant’s first day of training (first day of either behind-the-wheel or theory).  Applications will be accepted at IowaGrants.gov beginning on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 and are due on Friday, February 3, 2023, at 11:59 AM.  (Note: IowaGrants.gov will undergo scheduled website maintenance and will be unavailable December 2-12)

Visit this link for more information on the grant, its requirements, and the application process. A webinar will take place on December 13 at 3:00 PM to provide more information on the grant and a Q&A session. Interested employers are encouraged to participate (Registration link).

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – A man from Nebraska was sentenced on a drug and weapon charges Friday, in Pottawattamie County/Council Bluffs U-S District Court. Authorities says 38-year-old James Michael Milbourn, of Omaha, will serve 12-years in prison following his plea of guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

On February 26, 2022, law enforcement encountered Milbourn in his car which was parked in the front yard of a residence in Council Bluffs. Located in plain view on the front passenger seat of the car was a bag that contained methamphetamine, a digital scale, and a loaded firearm. Milbourn intended to distribute the methamphetamine and possessed the firearm for personal protection of his controlled substances. Milbourn has multiple felony convictions which preclude him from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

The Council Bluffs Police Department and Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force investigated the case, which was prosecuted by the U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

(Radio Iowa) – The state expert who tracks the deer population in the state says the herd has been healthy this year. The D-N-R’s Tyler Harms says Hemorrhagic Disease has been a problem in the past — but not this year. “The hemorrhagic disease has been pretty low this year so not a main concern of ours — obviously chronic wasting diseases is still a big concern — and we’re continuing our intensive surveillance efforts across the state,” he says. Harms says they’ve held several public information meetings on C-W-D.

“In Jefferson, Iowa, Glenwood Iowa and Decorah, Iowa, all very well attended and very obvious that folks are concerned and passionate and willing to help with the management of this disease,” Harms says. “We did also just have a virtual public meeting, had at about 225 folks attend that meeting as well. So, really grateful to our hunters and our citizens for taking an interest in learning more about what we all can do to slow the spread of that disease.” Harms says they keep track of the disease by asking hunters to donate samples during the season.

“Especially in areas where we’ve detected Chronic Wasting Disease in the wild, to consider providing a tissue sample for testing for chronic wasting disease, it’s a very valuable contribution to helping us monitor,” he says. The first shotgun deer season is underway now and wraps up on December 7th.

(Des Moines, Iowa) -State Auditor Rob Sand today (Monday) issued an advisory alerting Iowans to a potential phone scam in which the caller identifies themselves as a representative of the Iowa Auditor of State Office (AOS). A concerned citizen notified the AOS Office on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, that they had received a phone call from a person inquiring about their mortgage. The caller also stated that they knew the concerned citizen’s name, address, and height.

“The Auditor of State Office will never call you to inquire about your mortgage or personal finances,” said State Auditor Rob Sand. “We have alerted the Iowa Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division.” The Federal Trade Commission offers the following advice to identify and avoid phone scams:

• Scammers might pretend to be from a well-known organization or agency like the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration, or Medicare. These agencies will never call you to request financial information.
• Scammers often claim you’ve won a prize. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Scammers may pressure you to act immediately or pay in a specific way.
• Never give your personal or financial information to a random caller.
• Talk to someone you trust before acting on a caller’s request for money or information.

To learn more about protecting yourself from scams or to report a scam, contact the Iowa Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division at 515-281-5926 or consumer.consumer@ag.iowa.gov.

Questions for the AOS Office should be directed to 515-281-5834 or info@aos.iowa.gov.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors are set to meet during their regular, weekly session, beginning at 9-a.m., Tuesday. The meeting, as always, is in their Board Room inside the Cass County Courthouse, in Atlantic.

On their agenda, is a presentation from Group Benefit Partners’ Ryan Berven, with regard to 2023 Benefit Renewal Options. The Board is expected to act on approving a Fiscal Year 2021-22 Urban Renewal Report, and, act on the hiring of Tamara DeVall as an Auditor’s Clerk.

DeVall would be paid $18 per hour, with a One-dollar increase at 90-days, assuming a positive performance evaluation, and, another One-dollar raise following a second, positive performance evaluation.

An update on maintenance and activities in the Secondary Roads Department, is expected from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Board of Supervisors will meet in their regular weekly session, 9-a.m. Tuesday (Dec. 6,2022), in Harlan. The meeting takes place in their Board Room at the Courthouse. Auditor Mark Maxwell says, among the items on the Board’s agenda, is discussion with regard to increase the number of Supervisors from 3- to 5-members. The Board is expected to act on:

• A Utility Permit for the Nishnabotna Valley REC
• A West Nishnabotna Water Trail Memorandum of Agreement
• and, a Resolution for the 2023 County 5-year Program (Secondary Roads Dept.)

The Shelby County Supervisors will discuss and act on the matter of a Jail Administrator/Sheriff Secretary, A grounds use permit for the “Roar into Harlan” Summer 2023 event, and evaluations and budget discussion/notification. The Board will discuss Public notification pipeline issues facing Shelby County, and, they are expected to receive a report from Todd Valline, with the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Barb Hofeldt, owner of B Designed, on Thursday, December 1st, 2022. The Ambassadors welcomed Barb as a new Chamber Member and viewed her showroom.

Barb Hofeldt graduated with an Architectural Engineering degree from Iowa Western in 2003 and went on to work for various businesses in her Interior Designing career. For the last three years, Barb has created her own small business and is located under Brymons Interiors. Barb’s favorite part of the design process is seeing the final product and comparing to the “before.” Barb shared with the Ambassadors that she can start a project with as little as a napkin drawing to as much as a clean slate in a new build.

B Designed specializes in cabinetry, countertops, backsplashes, and flooring and enjoys meeting clients and creating the kitchens bathroom or closet of their dreams. Barb works with a team of flooring and countertop installers and has great recommendations of other professionals for any project need.

Front Row (Left to Right): Kelsey Beschorner, Barb Hofeldt, Connie Wailes.
Back Rows (Left to Right): Elaine Otte, Rick Mericle, Victoria Gibson, John Gibson, Anne Quist, Bill Saluk, Leah Muhlbaur, Jeremy Butler, Lana Westphalen, Dr. Keith Leonard, Kathie Hockenberry, Donnie Drennan, Dolly Bergmann.

B Designed is located at 416 Chestnut Street, under Brymons Interiors. For more information call 402-680-4745 or visit https://b-designed.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department reports 41-year-old Gregory James Clair, of Creston, was arrested Thursday night (12/1/22) at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center. Clair faces charges that include 18-counts of Sex Abuse of a Child Under 12, four-counts of Incest, and two-counts of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child. He was being held in the Union County Jail on a $495,000 cash or surety bond.

Authorities said also, 35-year-old Brandon Hurshel Whitfield, of Creston, was arrested at a residence in the 300 block of Pine Street, Friday morning, on two Union County warrants. The first warrant was for Failure to Appear (FTA) on a charge of Eluding/speeding 25 mph or more over the legal limit. The second warrant was for FTA on an original charge of Domestic Abuse Assault (With injury of mental illness)/1st offense. He later posted bond and was released from the Union County Jail.

And, 44-year-old Michelle Robin Spaulding, of Creston, was arrested following a traffic stop Sunday morning. She was charged with OWI/1st offense, and later released on bond.

The Creston Police Department said also, that a woman residing in the 800 block of W. Adams Street, in Creston, reported Saturday morning, that her green, Chevy Suburban was stolen from her driveway. The vehicle does not run, and has a broken-out back window. The loss was estimated at $500.