(Red Oak, Iowa) – Montgomery County Auditor Jill Ozuna reports, ” Pursuant to Code of Iowa Sec. 50.51, the Secretary of State’s Office has ordered a post-election audit of the November 7, 2023, City/School Election. By random selection, Precinct 5 City of Grant Mayor Race will be the precinct audited. The polling place location for Precinct 5 is the Elliott Community Building.

“The Montgomery County Auditor’s Office will conduct this audit on Wednesday, November 15 starting at 9:00 a.m. The audit will take place in the Supervisor’s meeting room in the Courthouse, 105 E Coolbaugh Street, Red Oak. Said proceeding shall be open to the public.”

(Radio Iowa) – An elderly central Iowa couple was killed in a car crash last night (Sunday night). Des Moines police say a Buick was turning at an intersection when it was struck on the passenger side by a Camaro. The Buick hit a utility pole and overturned, killing both occupants. They’re identified as 76-year-old Fred Lehman, and his 79-year-old wife, Mary. Both were from Des Moines.

Police say the driver of the Camaro was an 18-year-old Des Moines man.

Fred & Mary Lehman (Picture supplied by family via DMPD)

A news release says witness statements and evidence at the scene indicate a significant contributing factor in the crash was — the Camaro traveling at a high-rate of speed.

The teen driver’s name has not been released and there’s no word yet on any charges.

(Radio Iowa) – The board that governs Iowa’s three state-supported universities has shortened its name and released a new logo. A state government realignment law took effect July 1st. It shifted the Iowa School for the Deaf and Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired to be part of the Iowa Department of Education. The Board of Regents, State of Iowa, which previously managed those two organizations, is now to be known as the Iowa Board of Regents.

The board’s new logo includes this line: Governing Iowa’s Public Universities.

The Iowa Board of Regents has released a new logo today. A spokesman for the board says it was designed internally.

A news release from the Iowa Board of Regents describes the new logo and tagline as fresh, simplified — and a future-focused look for the Board of Regents’ brand.

On July 18th, Governor Reynolds unveiled a new logo and slogan for Interstate welcome signs and state agency websites. The Iowa Board of Regents has created its own branding. A spokesman for the board says the logo was designed internally.

(Radio Iowa) – Long-range weather forecasts predict favorable conditions in Iowa for Thanksgiving next week, while the travel forecast indicates it’ll be a very busy holiday on Iowa’s roads. Brian Ortner, spokesman for Triple-A-Iowa, says their estimates are showing a significant boost in Thanksgiving travelers for our region of the Midwest, which contains Iowa and five other states.

In the months since the COVID-19 pandemic ended, we’ve seen a steady increase in travel numbers for Iowa and across the country, as Ortner says many people are taking a “YOLO” attitude. “Back in late August, there was an initial survey done of our AAA members, asking them why they’re traveling now and why they’re traveling in more numbers, and a lot of them said because it’s the ‘You Only Live Once’ belief, and people want to get out and spend time with friends and family.”

When people make plans to take a trip, gasoline prices often won’t make an impact once their decision is made, but Ortner says it’s a nice bonus when pump prices fall in correspondence with a holiday. “If we look at the price per gallon today, on average across the state, we’re at $3.05,” Ortner says. “That’s a great number and there are some spots around the state that are even less than that $3 level. We compare that to a year ago at this time, we were at $3.51 a gallon so, more than 40 cents difference.”

The motor club says about four-point-three million people in our region will be traveling over Thanksgiving, with three-point-eight million going by motor vehicle and another 231-thousand will be flying. “We’re at a new high for what we consider ‘other travel,’ so that’s cruises, trains, bus and that sort of thing,” Ortner says, “and a lot of folks are heading for those destination cruises. That number is up almost 13% over last year.”

Nationwide, Triple-A projects 55-point-four million people will be traveling at least 50 miles from home over the four-day Thanksgiving holiday.

Republican Randy Feenstra, who represents Iowa’s fourth congressional district in the U.S. House, is co-sponsoring a bill called the Farm to Fly Act. It’s designed to spur development of aviation fuel made with a range of plant materials.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel produced with corn-based ethanol already has a 15 percent lower carbon intensity rating than petroleum-based available fuel.

The aviation industry currently accounts for 10 percent of U-S greenhouse gas emissions.

Republican Ashley Hinson, who represents Iowa’s second congressional district in the U.S. House, is another co-sponsor of the bill. Hinson says it would provide clarity about how U-S-D-A programs will support Sustainable Aviation Fuel development.

A little less than 16 million gallons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel will be produced this year. The Biden Administration has set a goal of producing at least three billion gallons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in the U-S by 2030. The fuel can be made from corn and other plant materials — and even cooking oil.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Department reports three recent arrests:

On Nov. 10th, 43-year-old Donna Marie Ott, of Des Moines, was arrested in Greenfield, for Disorderly Conduct-Fighting/Violent Behavior, after she walked away from the Adair County Memorial Hospital, where hospital staff had received verbal confirmation of a 48-hour committal. Ott was escorted back to the hospital to be returned to her room, but she became belligerent and had an altercation with a nurse, allegedly threatening the staff with physical contact. Ott served a two-day court ordered sentence and was released on Nov. 11th.

On Nov. 8th, 35-year-old Jeffrey Forrest Stonehocker, of Redfield, was arrested in Stuart, on an Adair County warrant for Forgery. He was released later that same day on a $3,000 cash or surety bond.

And, on Nov. 6th, 31-year-old Taylor Jay Edelman, of Adair, was arrested by Adair Police, for OWI/1st offense following a traffic stop at 11th and Cedar Streets. An investigation determined Edleman was intoxicated. He blew a .201 on the Breathalyzer. Edelman was released later on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

(Fort Dodge, Iowa) – Police in Ft. Dodge have arrested two men suspected of being involved in a home invasion, Sunday night. 29-year-old Zachary R. Andrews, and 30-year-old Blake A. Peterson, both of Fort Dodge, are charged with Burglary in the 1st Degree, a Class-B Felony. Andrews faces an additional charge of Assault with a dangerous weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor.

Authorities say the Webster County Communications Center received a call about a burglary to a residence at around 9:57-p.m., Sunday. Information gathered by officers from the victim indicated the two suspects forced their way into the residence and brandished a firearm before leaving the home.

As part of an investigation, a search warrant was issued this (Monday) morning, the two suspects were located, and taken into custody. Investigators are continuing to follow-up on the incident. Anyone with information about the crime is encouraged to contact Ft. Police. Information may be submitted anonymously via Crime Stoppers.

“As with all cases, Mr. Andrews and Mr. Peterson are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

(Radio Iowa) – A YouTube channel that’s profiled more than 800 independently owned restaurants will feature a restaurant along an eastern Iowa river that has a “Wall of Honor” for Vietnam veterans. Roger Zearley is co-owner of the Riverbend Pub and Grill in Manchester. “I think it started with me getting a missed call and listening to a voice mail and going: ‘Is this real or not? Did they really call me?’ And so I called back and, yes, it was ‘America’s Best Restaurants’ and we had a good conversation,” Zearley says. “We had some things that they thought were very unique.”

Representatives from America’s Best Restaurants were at the Manchester pub last week to film their morning prep and lunch hour and visit with customers. Host Luis Rivera says he walked out on the restaurant’s deck that overlooks the Maquoketa River, turned back around toward the building and was overwhelmed by what he saw. “The biggest service member wall that I’ve ever seen in my entire life. It was just impressive.

“Wall of Honor” at Riverbend Pub & Grill in Manchester, Iowa. (KMCH photo)

I had heard about it, but I had never seen it. This thing’s two stories tall. It’s unbelievable and then to have all the Iowans that perished during Vietnam listed alphabetically — it’s a lot,” Rivera says. “It’s pretty overwhelming just standing in front of it, so that was amazing.”

Zearley says local vets asked a key question when the current owners bought the restaurant. “‘Hey, would you keep these signs on the side of this building?’ And we’re doing a full remodel. We got involved with Brian over at Manchester Signs and he helped design that along with a lot of vets that helped us put this together,” Zearley says. “…The Wall of Honor is all about the vets and we’re just proud that it’s handing on the side of Riverbend.”

Producers of America’s Best Restaurants say the episode about the Manchester restaurant will be posted on their YouTube channel in the next seven to nine weeks.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Red Oak Police Department is hosting its 8th Annual Toys for Tots drive. The event serves children and families who may not otherwise experience the full joy of the holiday season. Officials say last year, more than 150 children from Montgomery County had toys delivered to them so they could enjoy the holiday. Donations of new, unwrapped toys for children from Zero-to 14, or, monetary donations, are being accepted through December 15th. Toys can be dropped-off at the Red Oak Police Department, or at any one of several local businesses.

Donations may be made payable to: Behind the Shields. Children sign-ups for the program are being accepted November 16th, from 3-until 5-p.m., at the Red Oak Fire Station, and on November 27th, from 5-until 7-p.m., at Red Oak Fareway Meat & Grocery. Please bring the child’s birth certificate or medical card as a form of ID. The deadline to sign children-up is December 1st.

If you have any questions, please call Amber Jennings, Red Oak PD Community Relations/Liaison, at 712-623-6500.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department reports the arrest on Saturday, of 23-year-old Brandon Good, from Malvern. Good was arrested for OWI/1st offense and Child Endangerment. He has since been released on a $3,000 cash or surety bond.

Glenwood Police said also, no injures were reported following a single-vehicle accident Friday morning. Authorities say the driver of a 2008 Ford Focus, 18-year-old Clark William Herrman, of Glenwood, told them the sun was in his eyes, causing him not to see a legally parked 2019 RAM 1500 pickup on the side of the road near 1705 Timber Lane.

The eastbound car struck the rear of the pickup, causing significant damage to both vehicles – a combined total of $13,000.  The Ford was able to be driven to Herrman’s residence, but it was leaking fluids along the way. No citations were issued.

And, Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report the arrested Sunday night, of 59-year-old Luke Joseph Soule, of Omaha, for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000.