Lloyd & Sharon of Cass County were inducted into the 2024 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, Aug. 18. Ninety-three Iowa

Lloyd and Sharon Roberts photo submitted for Iowa 4-H Foundation Hall of Fame Nomination

counties participated this year and selected 125 inductees for their outstanding service and dedication to 4-H. Inductees or their surviving family members were presented a certificate by the Iowa 4‑H Foundation President, Jeff Murphy, and State 4-H Program Leader, Mitchell Hoyer, as they were introduced on stage.

The commitment, passion, and contributions that Sharon and Lloyd Roberts have left in Cass County have made an indelible mark on the lives of many people and the community. For over 30 years, they have been active 4-H parents, with all four of their sons participating in Cass County 4-H. Lloyd served as a Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent for Rabbits, and as a night guard at the Cass County Fair. Sharon volunteered in the 4-H Exhibit building and assisted with check-in during judging. Along with these volunteer opportunities they also became a host family for a 4-Her from North Dakota.

Counties select inductees for their exceptional work in contributing to the lives of 4-H members and the overall 4-H program, said Katie Bateman, Cass County Youth Coordinator. Many inductees serve as club leaders, youth mentors, fair superintendents or fair board members, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach County council members, county youth council members, fair judges, financial supporters, chaperones or ISU Extension and Outreach staff members. The inductees have demonstrated dedication, encouragement, commitment and guidance to Iowa’s 4-H’ers through the years.

“We are honored to recognize these special individuals, for their advocacy and dedication to the Iowa 4-H program,” shared Iowa 4-H Foundation Executive Director, Emily Saveraid.

“This is a great way to honor the volunteers and staff across the state of Iowa that generously give their time and talents to foster positive partnerships with our 4-H youth,” said Tillie Good, Iowa 4-H staff and volunteer development manager.

Kurt Roberts (Lloyd and Sharon’s son) accepting the honor at the Iowa State Fair August 18th at the 4-H Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was initiated in 2002 to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of 4-H. A summary of previous honorees was on display at the 2022 Iowa State Fair in the 4-H Exhibits Building.  These summaries are also available at the Iowa 4-H Foundation office in the Extension 4-H Youth Building at Iowa State University. Information about previous inductees to the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame also is available on the Iowa 4-H Foundation website, organized by year and by county. Go to www.iowa4hfoundation.org/ and under the heading “What We Do” select “Recognizing Service” then “Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.”

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A Cass County woman was arrested Friday morning in Red Oak, following an investigation into an incident at the Tractor Supply Store, in Red Oak. According to Red Oak Police, 31-year-old Ashley Dawn Eden, of Griswold, was arrested at around 10:15-a.m., for 5th degree theft, and unlawful possession of a prescription drug.

Eden was taken to the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 bond pending further court proceedings.

(Atlantic, Iowa – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by First Whitney Bank on Friday, August 23rd, 2024, to celebrate the completion of the 300 Chestnut Street Apartments.

Paul Gude, CEO and President of First Whitney Bank, shared about the 4-year process of acquiring and renovating the building began with working with the Southwest Iowa Planning Council to secure a Downtown Housing Grant. Paul thanked the City of Atlantic and SWIPCO for the diligent work, and said it was very important to use all local business to get the project done. From the appliances to the Wi-Fi it all was all done locally.

Pictured Left to Right: Anthony Drogo, Trey Cappel, Lucas Mosier, Eric Steinhoff, Kyle Lenderman, Garrett Eblen, Chris Parks, John Bricker, Rob Clausen, Janet Cappel, Dr. Keith Leonard, Sonya Clausen, Kennedy Freund, Lana Westphalen, Dolly Bergmann, Krysta Hanson, Megan Sramek, Bill Saluk, Elaine Otte, Alisha Wagner, Jason Nicholas, Paul Gude, Jeremy Butler, Jennifer McEntaffer, Anne Quist, Scott Bennett, Jake Olsen, Jeff Christensen, Bailey Smith, Jeff Gude, Kelsey Beschorner

The upstairs apartments include two, two-bedroom apartments, and two, one-bedroom apartments. The building includes a commercial space on the lower level, that will be “completed to order” for the tenant that moves into the space. Paul shared there are a few prospects in the works to occupy the commercial space.

For availability and information about the 300 Chestnut Street Apartments, call First Whitney Bank at 712-243-3195.

(Radio Iowa) – A death investigation is underway in Charles City after the discovery of two bodies in a house. A Charles City Police Department Facebook post about 1:30 pm Thursday afternoon alerted the public of the investigation and that “there is no reason to believe there is any danger or risk to the public.”

CCPD was dispatched to a residence in the 1000 block of Court Street in Charles City shortly before noon. There, Chief Hugh Anderson says upon entry to the home, two people were found dead. The Iowa DCI was notified and assisted with the incident and the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the scene.

At this time, no names are being released as authorities work to contact family members.

(Radio Iowa) – At least two more Iowa schools have recently moved to ban smart phones from high school classrooms. Casey Berlau, the superintendent of Carroll Community Schools, says cell phones were already prohibited in elementary and middle school classrooms in the district, but the ban now extends to the high school. High schoolers will be allowed to put their cell phones, smart watches and ear buds in their lockers.

Each class lasts for 41 minutes and Berlau says without the distraction of a cellphone, students are likely to be more engaged in what’s happening inside the classroom.

Dallas Center-Grimes recently adopted a policy that bans cell phones from high school classrooms. In May, Des Moines Hoover High School administrators announced students would not be allowed to use smart phones, AirPods or other personal electronics during the school day. High schoolers in Ottumwa may take their phones to school, but have to store the devices in their locker all day.

(Radio Iowa) – A cabinet-level federal administrator is in western Iowa today (Friday) to encourage people who’ve seen their homes and livelihoods damaged or demolished by this year’s severe weather to lean on Uncle Sam. Isabel Casillas Guzman heads the U-S Small Business Administration and tells Radio Iowa that the S-B-A isn’t just devoted to helping small businesses recover.

Guzman is in the Adair County town of Greenfield, which was hit by an E-F-4 tornado in May that killed four people and destroyed 153 homes. It’s been an especially bad year for severe weather in Iowa, with significant damage in multiple counties from storms, flooding, straight-line winds, and a record 122 tornadoes.

Guzman plans to visit Greenfield businesses as well as the S-B-A’s Greenfield Disaster Recovery Center which opened earlier this month.

Photo of tornado damage in Greenfield by Melissa Ehrman Johnson

She also plans to host a meet-and-greet with homeowners to hear about their recovery needs. Why haven’t more people in Iowa’s disaster areas signed up for S-B-A assistance? Guzman says there can be many reasons, ranging from pride to a lack of trust to a lack of knowledge about what’s available.

This afternoon, the administrator will hold a roundtable meeting in West Des Moines with federal, state, and local stakeholders, along with business owners and non-profits, to discuss tornado damage recovery efforts. She says the agency’s loans are very affordable.

Before flying back to Washington D.C. later today, Guzman plans to meet with the owners of BLK (black) & Bold in Des Moines, the first black-owned nationally-distributed coffee company, as part of celebrating National Black Business Month.

(Massena, Iowa) – A semi tractor-trailer load of bottled water was delivered to Massena this (Friday) morning, while the city remains under a Boil Order. The water was donated by the Atlantic Hy-Vee Store. City officials in Massena are asking residents to please come to area near City Hall and take no more than two cases to start, so that everyone may have the water who needs it.

The Boil Order, which was issued Thursday, remains in effect until further notice. The Order was issued after a chemical pump malfunctioned, causing chlorine residual levels to become low. The city has replaced the chlorine injection pump, and the affected area is being disinfected and flushed.

Photo courtesy Cass County EMA/ Mike Kennon,

Bottled water may be used as an alternative to boiling the tap water, when used for drinking, cooking and/or food preparation, as well as brushing teeth.

(Red Oak, Iowa) The Red Oak Fire Department Fire Prevention Program is pleased to
announce the launch of its new Youth Firesetting Intervention Program. The purpose of the
program is to foster a cohesive partnership among the community, local fire departments
as well as local law enforcement to reduce the number of fire related injuries and deaths by
providing evaluation, education and redirection assistance to youth who exhibit fire setting
behaviors.

The Youth Firesetting Intervention Program is a national program overseen locally by the
State of Iowa. The Youth Firesetting Intervention Program and Juvenile Intervention
Taskforce is a division of the State Fire Marshall’s office.

Using nationally accepted practices the intervention program will interview and evaluate
any youth who are recommended to the program. Referrals can come from a variety of
sources to include the juvenile justice system, mental health counselors, parents and/or
legal guardians, local law enforcement, state certified fire investigators or local fire
department personnel.

The nationally accepted practices would include utilizing the state recommended Juvenile
with Fire screening tool. This tool includes parent and/or guardian interviews and
interviews with the youth. Answers are scored on a scale of 1 to 3 and determine the
recommended course of action. The course of actions typically include intervention
through education. The intervention staff may recommend counseling as well. After the
interview and educational session is complete, the intervention program will follow up with
the family, typically at 30, 60, and 90 days.

The goal is to educate youth who exhibit fire setting behaviors on the dangers of fire to
include loss of life, severe injury and property damage. This program is available at no cost
to the families affected.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report 26-year-old Ashley Dawn Eblen, of Creston, was arrested late Thursday night, for Public Intoxication, and Interference with Official Acts. Eblen was arrested at around 10:40-p.m. and transported to the Adams County Jail, where she was being held in a $600 bond.

And,  at around 8:30-p.m. Thursday, Creston Police arrested 40-year-old Michael John Schiel, of Prescott, for Driving While Suspended. Schiel was cited and released on a Promise to Appear in court.