(Radio Iowa) – Tyson Foods is operating a new feed mill in northwest Iowa. It’s a replacement feed mill and adds 69 acres to Tyson’s turkey complex in Storm Lake. Nearly six dozen farmers within a 60 mile radius of the community supply the majority of turkeys processed at the company’s Storm Lake plant. Joe Hedden, Tyson’s Associate Director of Live Operations in Storm Lake, says the mill is providing high-quality feed for the turkeys.

“It gives us some great opportunities to help with the bird quality and animal welfare,” Hedden says, “and overall, all around it was a great decision.” The company’s turkey plant is operating at full capacity. “We’ve got three full shifts,” Hedden says. “It’s just the best thing that we’ve done is to open up a new feed mill here.”

Tyson feed mill in Storm Lake. (KAYL photo)

Tyson also operates a pork processing facility in Storm Lake and about 3000 people are employed at the company’s pork and turkey plants in Storm Lake. Tyson held an official opening for the towering feed mill today, but it’s been operating for several months.

The most recent data available indicates Iowa has more than 400 mills that grind grain and soybeans into specialized feed for livestock and poultry.

(Mt. Ayr, Iowa) – The Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Union County was arrested Friday night, on charges that include Disorderly Conduct, and Harassment of a Public Official. Authorities say 21-year-old Jaxson Andrew Welcher, of Creston, was arrested at around 8:15-p.m. and booked into the Ringgold County Jail. His bond was set at $300.

Jaxson Welcher

“Any potential criminal charges identified above are merely allegations and any defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports three male inmates at the Jail were presented with separate warrants, Tuesday afternoon:

• 30-year-old Richard Lee Alan Jacobs, of Council Bluffs, was served with a warrant for Violation of Probation. He was being held on a $2,000 bond.
• 34-year-old Delshonte Lavaille Barber, Sr., of Council Bluffs, was presented with a warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense.
• and, 35-year-old Kyle Steven Johnson, of Council Bluffs, was presented with a warrant for Theft in the 5th Degree. Bond was set at $2,000.

Each of the inmates were turned back over to Corrections Staff after receiving and acknowledging their warrants. They were then returned to their respective jail cells.

(Crescent, Iowa) – A traffic stop in Crescent Tuesday morning on a pickup pulling travel-trailer with an expired registration, resulted in the arrest of two people on multiple charges. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a Deputy stopped a 2004 Ford F-150 pulling a 1988 Fleetwood travel trailer camper in the parking lot of the Casey’s Store in Crescent, at around 9:30-a.m.

Upon smelling the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, the driver, 39-year-old Ashley Nicole Blank, of Clarinda, and a passenger, 43-year-old Michael Gene Landon, Jr., of Council Bluffs, were detained. An investigation resulted in the recovery from inside the vehicle, of drug paraphernalia and marijuana. A Conservation Officer arrived on the scene and charged Blank and Landon with a camping violation, since neither subject paid for two-days of camping at the Hitchcock Nature Center. The pair were taken into custody and transported to the Pott. County Jail, where Corrections Staff found methamphetamine inside Blank’s property.

Ashley Blank was charged with: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Poss. of Marijuana; Child Endangerment and Possessing contraband in a secure facility, along with two-counts of Camping Violation on Public Lands. She was also cited for the expired registration on the travel trailer.Bond was set at $8,300.  Michael Gene Landon, Jr., was charged with Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia; Poss. of Marijuana; Child Endangerment; and Providing a False Name to law enforcement. His bond was set at $3,600.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Department reports four arrests and property damage accident. Last Friday, August 12, 2022, Cass County Deputies arrested 32-year-old Nicholas Wright, of Atlantic, for OWI 2nd Offense.  Wright was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance.

There were two arrests on Sunday (8/14), in Cass County: 29-year-old Taylor Christensen, of Red Oak, was arrested for OWI 1st Offense.; And, 61-year-old John Jamison, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI 2nd Offense.  Jamison and Christensen were transported to the Cass County Jail, booked-in, and held pending later release on their own recognizance.

On Tuesday, August 16th, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 52-year-old Travis Keoppel, of Adair, on warrants for Sexual Assault.  Keoppel was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held.

Late Friday morning (Aug. 12), Cass County Deputies responded to the area of 800 Maple Street, in Anita, for a two- vehicle accident.  An investigation determined a 2003 Suzuki XL7 being operated by Robbie Metheny, of Anita, was backing out of a driveway, while a 2011 Dodge Caravan being operated by Kelsey Frazier, of Ames, was operating South on Maple Street.

When Metheny failed to yield the right of way while backing, the vehicles collided on Maple Street.  The 2011 Dodge Caravan sustained an approximated $5,500 worth of damage while the 2003 Suzuki sustained an approximated $1,500 worth of damage.  No injuries were reported during this accident.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – A teen from Atlantic showed the Champion Shorthorn Breeding Heifer, Tuesday, at the Iowa State Fair. Colton Becker showed another Breeding Shorthorn Heifer earning a second-place finish in his class. Colton is the son of John and Abby Becker.

Photo: Mike Plagman, Eric Plagman, John Becker, Abby Becker, and Showman Colton Becker.

(Harlan, Iowa) – Officials with the Harlan Police Department report two arrests occurred over the past week. On Sunday, 30-year-old Winston Joseph Leal, of Harlan, was arrested following a call for service. Leal was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Domestic Abuse Assault. And, on Aug. 11th, 33-year-old Brett Jay Crippen, of Harlan, was arrested for Driving While Suspended, following a traffic stop.

There were three property damage accidents in Harlan over the past near 12 days. One of the incidents occurred Aug. 6th at 7th and Willow, as Becky Rold, of Harlan, was delivering mail when the Jeep she was driving struck a mailbox. On Aug. 8th, vehicles driven by Michael Cooper, of Persia, and Jill Rudy, of Atlantic, collided at 7th and Market Streets, in Harlan. And, on Aug. 11th, vehicles driven by Tela Schwery, of Panama, and Susan Jensen, of Harlan, collided at 9th and Pine in Harlan.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa and several other states have reached an opioid agreement with a drug maker based in Ireland.The agreement says Endo International will provide up to 450 million dollars to participating state and local governments. It bans the promotion of Endo’s opioids and requires Endo to turn over millions of documents related to its role in the opioid crisis for publication online.

Endo filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Tuesday night, and the agreement resolves allegations that Endo boosted opioid sales using deceptive marketing that downplayed the risk of addiction and overstated the benefits. Further details of the settlement and the amount of money each state will receive are still being worked out.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  Atlantic Rising, in partnership with West Central Community Action, the Atlantic Police Department and New Life Church, are helping kids get back to school by filling backpacks with school supplies just in time for school. “Our community is always willing to step up in times of need. With costs of all items and materials going up, we wanted to do our part in helping the children in our community feel excited and prepared to go back to school,” Kelsey Beschorner, Atlantic Rising Board Member said. The organizations have already received an overwhelming number of backpacks and are asking the community to help fill them with much-needed school supplies. The items most in need are the following:

Crayons
Markers
Colored Pencils
Highlighters
#2 Pencils
Blue & Black Pens
Large Eraser OR Package of Pencil Top Erasers
Scissors
Notebooks
Wide ruled spiral notebook
2 Pocket Folders
Headphones or earbuds
Calculator- TI-30 or higher
Pencil Tool Box/Bag large enough to fit most supplies
On August 19th, members of Atlantic Rising and West Central will help fill and deliver the backpacks and school supplies to the surrounding Cass County schools in anticipation for school starting on August 23rd.

“We recognize that back-to-school time can be hard on families. We are so grateful for the continued generosity of this great community that allows us to uphold this tradition,” Beschorner stated. If you, or someone you know, are in need of community resources, please contact West Central Community Action at 712-243-5421. If you are interested in learning more about Atlantic Rising, contact 712.243.3017 or kelsey@atlanticiowa.com.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Deputy Auditor Doreen South reports nomination papers were filed Tuesday for a seat on the County Soil and Water Commission. Greg Zellmer has filed for re-election to the non-partisan post.

The Auditor’s Office will update persons who have filed their nomination papers, on a daily basis, as necessary. Previously, the Auditor’s Office reported:

• Chad Becker is running for the Agricultural Extension Council. And,
• Mike Klocke is running for Hospital Trustee.

The filing periods for the November 8, 2022, General Election are:

• U.S. Senate, U.S. Rep and State Office: August 1 – August 27 (5:00 p.m.)
• Partisan County and Township Offices: August 8 – August 31 (5:00 p.m.)
• County Ag. Extension, Soil and Water, and Hospital Trustees: By August 31, 2022 (5:00 p.m.)