The Adair County Sheriff’s Office, Monday (Today), said an Atlantic man was being held in the Adair County Jail on $250,000 bond, on an Adair County Class-D Felony warrant for Willful Injury-Bodily Injury. A criminal complaint states against 53-year old Rex Dean McDermott states that on Oct. 30th at around 11:07-p.m., Adair County Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call from a woman residing in the 1800 block of Highway 92, Fontanelle. The call was with regard to someone beating on her door, saying “help me, help me.” A deputy arrived on the scene to discover a female on the edge of the road, flagging him down. The Deputy observed a woman from Massena was covered in blood.

The woman told the Deputy the man she was with pulled her out of a pickup truck and began to punch her and hit her with a wooden object. A further investigation determined the victim had been with McDermott, and that he had been with him and another man two nights prior, when McDermott was arrested by Cass County deputies. The woman identified McDermott as the man who allegedly struck her. The victim suffered a laceration above her right eye, bruising and swelling of the face and pain in areas where she was struck by the wooden object.

A warrant was issued Oct. 30th, and McDermott was arrested on Nov. 4th.  He made his initial appearance in court on Nov. 5th, during which the judge issued a No Contact Order. His preliminary hearing was set for Nov. 12th.   Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater says the standard Class-D Felony bond according to the Iowa Supreme Court is $5,000. The Sheriff was uncertain why the Judge chose to set McDermott’s bond as high as he did.

On Nov. 3rd, 49-year old Gary Alan Victor, of Bridgewater, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. He was released the next day on a $1,000 cash or surety bond. Also arrested Nov. 3rd, was 38-year old Michael Gail Steward, of Fontanelle. He was taken into custody at the Adair County Sheriff’s Office for Violating a No Contact Order at his parent’s residence. He was released the same day on a $1,000 cash/surety bond. And, as previously mentioned, 19-year old Brooklyn Leon King, of Jamestown, NY, was arrested on charges of Eluding and Interference with Official Acts. His cash or surety bond was set at $2,000.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts has announced new restrictions requiring masks in some circumstances to slow the spread of the coronavirus, but he still rejects the idea of a statewide mask mandate. Ricketts said Monday that masks will be required at businesses where employees have close contact with customers for more than 15 minutes, such as salons and massage parlors. At bars, masks will be required when people aren’t drinking or eating. The state set another record Sunday when 794 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19, a more than doubling of virus-related hospitalizations in three weeks.

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate and Hy-Vee are honoring Iowa’s veterans and active duty military members this Wednesday. Hy-Vee stores celebrate Veterans Day each year by offering a free breakfast to all veterans and active-duty military members as a way of thanking them for their service. The breakfasts will be served curbside at Iowa Hy-Vee stores this year. Hy-Vee will also distribute the Secretary of State’s “Honor a Veteran” postcards with each breakfast, encouraging customers to pay tribute to a friend or loved one.

Approximately 30,000 “Honor a Veteran” postcards were sent to Hy-Vee stores across Iowa for use on Veterans Day, which is this Wednesday, November 11. Cards will also be available at customer service counters at Hy-Vee stores. The veterans receiving the postcards at Hy-Vee can write a tribute to a fellow soldier, submit their own information to receive recognition from the State of Iowa, or give the card to a loved one to post an acknowledgement. The postcards will be returned to the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office and tributes will be posted online at HonorAVet.net and Facebook.com/HonorAVeteran.

The person making the tribute and the veteran being honored, if they are still with us, will both receive an ‘Honor a Veteran with Your Vote’ lapel pin in the mail. The lapel pins are red, white and blue, and in the shape of the state of Iowa. Secretary Pate encourages recipients to wear them while voting.

Des Moines – Since August 10, 2020, Iowans, insurance companies, agents and contractors have worked together to help Iowa recover from this devastating weather event. As of November 2, 2020, more than 200,000 claims have been reported.  Of those claims, nearly 160,000 claims totaling more than $1.6 billion have been paid already.  Insurance companies are holding more than a billion in reserves to be used for the remaining claims. Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen said “The Iowa Insurance Division has been monitoring the insurance industry’s response to the Derecho and the industry’s role in Iowans’ recovery efforts.”

“As policyholders pursue claims under their insurance contracts,” Ommen says “We encourage property owners to continue to work diligently with their insurance company and agent as they obtain the necessary repairs.  Adjustments can take time, but we have seen other challenges, including early cold, snow and some shortages of materials and contractors.  Delays in replacement of grain bins have garnered attention. Further weather concerns with winter inching closer places concern on whether to wait until spring to make repairs to the roof, siding, etc.”

He said also, “If a consumer believes the insurance company is providing less than what is promised in their insurance contract, they can file a complaint with us at the Iowa Insurance Division.  We will review the contract and claim details.” The claims process includes work by each party, the policyholder and the company, reviewing the insurance contract and working together to come to a resolution ensuring that the terms of the contract are adhered to.  These discussions are opportunities for the policyholders to share information, pictures, estimates, statements for the company to consider as they make a determination on what will be covered as per the contract.  Contractors are prohibited by law from negotiating the insurance claim on behalf of the policyholder.  It’s important to keep the lines of communication open with your carrier to continue to work through the differences or the disparate views on the restoration of your property.

“Given the extremely large number of claims, our office has received just over 90 complaints overall related to the derecho,” Ommen said.  “Complaints filed with our office can range quite broadly but some of the primary areas we are seeing are what is covered under the insurance contract, what the payment amount should be, and what the process is for handling additional or supplemental damage.” Unique complaint areas generated from the derecho are delays in the inspection process, delays in actually getting the repairs made, delays in communication.

Ommen said. “The Iowa Insurance Division is here for consumers if they need to file a complaint.” Iowans needing to file a complaint with the Iowa Insurance Division can do so at https://iid.iowa.gov/insurance-consumer-complaint.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Des Moines school district has requested a waiver to move completely to online learning as state figures show coronavirus infections and hospitalizations remain high. The Des Moines school board approved the waiver late Sunday. It’s up to the state Department of Education to grant a waiver. Superintendent Tom Ahart notes Polk County’s average virus positivity rate has topped a state-mandated 15% threshold for districts seeking to shift to online instruction. The state on Monday reported 4,212 new confirmed COVID-19 cases. Three more people have died, bringing the state’s virus death toll to 1,845. A record 1,034 virus patients are being treated in hospitals.

(Radio Iowa) – An effort is underway to save a derecho-damaged cow sculpture done by Norma “Duffy” Lyon — who sculpted butter cows at the Iowa State Fair for more than 40 years. It stands near the town of Toledo and is one of the only large-scale works Lyon did that was not made of butter. It’s known as the “Cow Calf” sculpture — and the head of the calf was ripped off by the derecho. Toledo Mayor Brian Sokol tells K-C-R-G T-V the city wants to help. “I think we really owe it to not only the community but the Lyon family to continue this tradition and the legacy of the family and rebuild this butter cow,” Mayor Sokol says.

Despite the damage, they were able to find all the missing pieces, including the head of the calf. Now their plan is to not only put it back together but preserve it for the long haul. Duffy’s son Eric says the plan is to have it bronzed, which comes at a cost. “Maybe in the 50 or 60 thousand (dollar) range,” Eric Lyon says. “So it’s a lot of money, we think it’s a worthwhile project that will do the community well for a long time.” Mayor Sokol says they are looking for sources of funding.”We’re gonna hit as many grants as we can but it’s still going to take you know several thousand dollars’ worth of private donations,” Sokol says.

The Iowa State University Foundation has a sculpture fund to create a bronze replica of the Cow Calf sculpture for display at the Veterinary Field Services Building. The project is estimated to cost more than 100-thousand dollars which they are fundraising for currently. The mold from that project will then be used to help bronze the original sculpture in Toledo, which will save on some of the cost there. Mayor Sokol said donations for the efforts in Toledo can be sent directly to the city or to the chamber of commerce.

Two people were arrested on separate charges recently, in Glenwood. At around 12:30-a.m. Monday (Today), 55-year old Denise Paula Winchester, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in the area of Bunge/Wabash Avenues, and charged with OWI/1st offense. And, at around 1:45-a.m. Friday, 37-year old Christopher Patrick Schoening, of Glenwood, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. He was being held in the Mills County Jail without bond.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to get a kick start to your holiday shopping, and join Atlantic retail businesses for a Holiday Open House this Saturday, November 14th, beginning at 9 AM. Businesses will be offering a holiday sneak peek as well as treats, giveaways and special promotions. Participating locations include: Atlantic Motor Supply, Aunt B’s, Bonnesen’s, Brown’s Shoe Fit, Brymons Interiors, Cappel’s Ace Hardware, Farmhouse & Flowers, Hanson’s Fine Jewelry, Something For You, Soul Sister’s Boutique and The Franklin Market/The Picker’s Parlor.

For the fourth year, The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce is offering AtlantiCash at a discounted price as part of their Holiday Promotion, sponsored by First Whitney Bank & Trust. This Saturday only, discounted AtlantiCash will be available at the Chamber from 9 AM – 12 PM or till supplies last. AtlantiCash will come in packs of $100 for $80, a 20% discount. Merchants can purchase up to three packs. Payment must be made at time of purchase in the form of cash or check only. There is a first-come, first-purchased basis. Social distancing and masks will be mandated when entering the Chamber.

Pick up your Christmas Brochure from area retail businesses, like the Chamber on Facebook or follow on Twitter to find dates and details to celebrate Christmas in Atlantic. You can find a complete list of activities at www.christmasinatlantic.com.

Capture the Christmas magic with #MyAtlanticIA and post to the Atlantic Area Chamber’s Facebook page or Instagram (AtlanticIowaFan). Contact the Atlantic Area Chamber with any questions at chamber@atlanticiowa.com or call 712-243-3017.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office Monday (today), says the Union County Secondary Roads Department reported to the Union County Sheriff’s Office back on Oct. 21st, that someone took batteries, lights and fuel from a dozer, while it was parked at 160th St and Clarke Union Ave. The machine was valued at $1,000. And, a man from Bridgewater reported Sunday evening, that sometime between 4 PM and 9 PM Saturday, someone cut the transmission line on his 2001 Nissan Frontier, while it was parked in Lorimor. There was no dollar amount of the damage given in the report.

The Union County S/O reports also, 23-year old Israel Carrizales, of Texas, was arrested at around 2-a.m. Wednesday, in Afton. He was charged with OWI/1st offense and later released on $1,000 bond.

A traffic stop on a stolen SUV Friday afternoon in Pottawattamie County, resulted in a pursuit, and the arrest of a Nebraska man on several charges. The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office reports a Deputy initiated the traffic stop on a Jeep Grand Cherokee belonging to a Nebraska woman, at around 12:30-p.m.  The suspect, 22-year old Antoine W. Bushnell, of Omaha, was arrested and charged with: Felony Eluding and Felony Theft in the 2nd/Motor Vehicle; Interference with Official Acts; Reckless Driving, and Unlawful possession of a prescription drug. He was being held in the Pott. County Jail on a total of $11,000 bond. A female in the vehicle, 20-year old Jaden Ann Klein, of Lincoln, NE., was arrested and charged with Theft in the 2nd/Motor vehicle, and Interference with Official Acts. She was being held on $5,300 bond.

Sheriff’s officials said also, 30-year old Clinton James Durfey, who was wanted on a warrant for Voluntary Absence from Custody, turned himself-in to the Sheriff’s Office, Friday afternoon. After the warrant was confirmed, Deputies transported Durfey to the Pottawattamie County Jail, where he was turned over to Corrections staff. Two inmates at the jail were served with separate warrants, Friday, for Violation of Probation. They were identified as 32-year old Ryan Charles Juhl, and 27-year old Jorden Clyde Points, both of Council Bluffs.