(Radio Iowa) – The executive director of the Iowa Regents’ Lakeside Lab says they’re seeing an increase in toxic blue-green algae in the Great Lakes. Mary Skopec says after years of drought, the lakes are filled with high levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and contaminated sediment. It’s a combination that causes the algae to grow, especially when things warm up.

“It’s very concerning. The lakes are our drinking water source, and we want to make sure that we don’t pull those toxins into our drinking water. But when people are recreating being exposed to that can be quite, quite damaging to health,” Skopec says. There are more than 70 places, where the shorelines have also collapsed, compounding the problem. Skopec says people can still swim in the Iowa Great Lakes but need to watch out for debris and stay away from water that looks green and murky and occasionally bright blue.

Blue Green Algae on West Lake Okoboji. (photo by Sheila Brummer)

“Obviously don’t want people or pets in that water. We know that dogs can succumb to the toxins within hours.” Skopec says the good news is E. coli testing in almost a dozen spots around the Great Lakes showed levels meeting recreation standards.

(reporting by Sheila Brummer, Iowa Public Radio)

Des Moines, IA — After a year-long deployment to the Middle East, 150 Soldiers from the Iowa National Guard’s 831st Engineer Vertical Construction Company (EVCC) are returning home.

Those Soldiers were federally activated in September 2023 to support Operation Spartan Shield under U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), a region encompassing 27 countries including Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This federal activation was the unit’s first since 2005 when they were deployed in support to war on terrorism. During their deployment, the 831st EVCC completed over 50 construction projects, contributing more than 60,000 hours of troop labor across seven U.S. bases in Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, and Kuwait. These projects significantly enhanced the protection and operational capabilities of U.S. Forces in CENTCOM, particularly for Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve.

In recognition of their exceptional service, the unit received numerous awards: 7 Meritorious Service Medals, 87 Army Commendation Medals, and 65 Army Achievement Medals, alongside many coins for excellence.

A welcome home ceremony is scheduled for July 19, 2024, at the Des Moines Airbase, located at 3100 McKinley Ave, Building 100, Main Hangar, Des Moines, IA. They will arrive at 3:35 PM with the ceremony to commence shortly after arrival. Iowa National Guard senior leadership, distinguished guests, family, and friends will be in attendance to honor the returning soldiers.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – A single-vehicle accident late Sunday morning in Pottawattamie County, claimed the life of a man from Nebraska. According to the Iowa State Patrol, 21-year-old Andrew Grutel, of  Omaha, was driving a 2000 Chevy truck eastbound on Interstate 80 near mile marker 9, at around 11:22-a.m.

The vehicle abruptly left the road and rolled over. Grutel – who was not wearing a seat belt -was ejected during the crash. He was transported by ambulance to Mercy Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Department reports four arrests last week, include the arrest of two Cass County men. Sheriff Jeff Vandewater says 64-year-old Joseph Anthony Frontado, of Atlantic, was arrested by the Iowa State Patrol on July 7th, for OWI/2nd offense. His arrest took place at around 8:55-a.m. on Highway 92 near 270th Street. Frontado has a BAC of .139%, which is well above the .08% legal limit to drive. He was released later that same day on a $2,000 cash or surety bond.

29-year-old Kyle Lynn Wilson, of Griswold, was arrested in Adair on July 8th, for Theft in the 2nd Degree, with regard to trailer that was reported stolen out of Guthrie Center, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The drug charge was the result of a search by a K9 Unit alerting to the odor of narcotics coming from the vehicle. A probable cause search resulted in a marijuana grinder being located in the back seat. Wilson was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $5,000 cash or surety bond.

On July 12th, 39-year-old Luke Daniel Hommes, of Fontanelle, was arrested in Adair, on an Adair County warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault/2nd or subsequent offense. Hommes was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $10,000 cash-only bond. And, on July 13th, Police in Stuart arrested 53-year-old Skeet Weston Miller, of Menlo, for Public Intoxication, and 2nd Degree Harassment. Miller was on parole at the time of his arrest. He was released later in the day on his Own Recognizance.

(Sidney, Iowa) – The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office has released a report on arrests occurring during the first two-weeks of July. Those arrested include:

• On 07/03/2024, Jamishia Laron Misirlija, age 43 of Lawrence, KS, was arrested for Violation of Probation. She is being held without bond pending a District Court appearance; Jessica Lee Jurey, age 45 of Hamburg, for Assault-Simple and Criminal Mischief 5th Degree. She was released on $600 bond; Jules Lee Daniel Gould, age 30 of Essex, was arrested for Contempt-Violation of a No Contact Order. He is being held on a $300 bond; Alexandra Dawn Lasley, age 43 of Essex,  was arrested for Possessing a Controlled Substance-1,2,3rd and Viol No Contact Order-Domestic. She is being held on a $5,000 cash/surety bond.

• On 07/04/2024, Fremont County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Lee Alfred Miles, age 48 of Tabor, for Failure to Appear/Contempt Ct. He was released on $300 bond; Paul Lowell Otten, age 63 of Riverton, was arrested for Possessing a Controlled Substance-1,2,3rd, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Driving While Barred. He was released on $2,000 bond; Eustine Tanyaradzwa Choto, age 33 of Randolph, was arrested for OWI-1st Offense and Interference with Official Act. She was released on $1,000 bond.

• On 07/07/2024, deputies arrested Leslie Ann Davison, age 57 of Shenandoah, for Possessing a Controlled Substance-2nd. She is being held on a $2,000 cash/surety bond.

Choto

Davison

Gould

Jurey

Lasley

Miles

Otten

Misirlija

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Police Department is investigating a break-in and the theft of six dirt bikes from Nishna Valley Cycle, in Atlantic. The incident happened at around 3:30-a.m., today (Monday, July 15, 2024).  At approximately 3:34-a.m., the Cass County Communications Center received a call from a security company of door and motion alarms at Nishna Valley Cycle in Atlantic.

Officers with the Atlantic Police Department arrived on scene by 3:35-a.m., and found that there was damage caused to the front of the building and there appeared to be missing inventory. A preliminary review of on-site cameras show a U-haul type vehicle back into the east side doors causing them to break. Three individuals enter the building and loaded six dirt bikes into the back of the vehicle. The vehicle then left the parking lot. Surrounding counties were notified and the dirt bikes have been entered as stolen. There was a time delay between the event and the security company notifying the communications center.

Still-frame image of one of the suspects, from surveillance video

Atlantic Police were assisted by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. No other details are being released at this time. Authorities says “If you have information regarding the incident please call the Atlantic Police Department at 712-243-3512.” Nishna Valley Cycle shared video of the incident on their Facebook page, you can view that video here: https://www.facebook.com/NishnaValleyCycle/videos/1046743313484786/

Here is a list of the motorcycles that were stolen:

(Atlantic, Iowa)— Officials with Cass Health have announced the founding of the Cass Health Nurses Honor Guard. Cass County is now the fifteenth county in Iowa with a local chapter.

Founded in 2003, the national organization has more than 250 groups across the United States. The Nurses Honor Guard is a volunteer program made up of current and former nurses that attend the services of nurses who have passed away, as well as parades, honor walks, living tributes, and more. The Nurses Honor Guard dresses in the traditional white uniform, complete with a cap and cape. During a funeral service, the ceremony is brief; it takes about 5 minutes and consists of reciting the Nightingale Tribute and laying of a white rose, symbolizing the nurse’s dedication to the profession. After the Nightingale Tribute is recited, a triangle is rung after a roll call for the nurse. The nurse’s name is called three times, and the triangle is rung after each call of the name. After the roll call, the words are spoken that the nurse is officially released from their nursing duties. A lit Nightingale lamp is carried up at the beginning of the ceremony and is then extinguished and presented to the family.

Cass Health’s Director of Nursing Supervision, Sara Beth Jones, RN, BSN started the local chapter after hearing about it through social media. Jones says “After seeing a service being held, I did a deep dive into searching for what chapters we have in Cass County, only to discover we did not have one. I was immediately touched and felt moved to be a part of something to honor both living nurses and those who have passed on. Being a part of this is very rewarding.”

Current or former nurses interested in joining this volunteer organization can call 712-243-7575 for more information.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Adair County will meet this week on Tuesday, instead of their normal Wednesday. During their 9-a.m. session at the courthouse in Greenfield, the Adair County Supervisors will canvass and make official, the results of the West Central Valley CSD Special Election. They will also discuss and act on a courtyard use permit, a temporary liquor license, and Homestead/Military Disallowances.

County Treasurer Brenda Wallace with present her Semi-annual report to the Board, as well.

The conference phone will still be used for those who cannot attend in person and can be accessed by using the following dial in information:

Dial in Number: (605) 313-6157 Access Code: 526272#

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors regular meeting takes place 9-a.m. Tuesday, in the Atlantic courthouse Board Room. Among the discussion and/or action items on their agenda, is:

• Consider allowing Dennis Daniels to set-up a “Boots on the Ground” food truck in the courthouse parking lot, on multiple occasions.
• Action on a recommendation by the Emergency Medical Services System Advisory Council, with regard to the amount to be specified in a Nov. 5, 2024 election, ballot measure.
• A request from CADCO to contribute Valley Business Park interest toward a revolving loan fund.
• A request from Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue for ARPA funds to purchase mobile and portable radios for a School Resource Officer (SRO), for slightly more than $11,430.
• Passing a resolution canceling warrants that are over one-year-old,
• and, the appointments of: Heath Larsen as Cass Township Clerk (replacing Max Potter, whose resignation was accepted May 7th), and Brandon Laverty as Cass Township Trustee (replacing Heath Larsen).

You can view the rest of the agenda and electronic instructions on joining the meeting if you are unable to attend, in this PDF: Agenda – 2024.07.16 – for Publication