Atlantic Police say no serious injuries were reported after an SUV struck a car this (Monday) afternoon at the intersection of 7th and Chestnut Streets. According to authorities, a 2006 Chevy Trailblazer driven by Amanda Gude, was traveling east on 7th and failed to stop at the signal light. Her SUV was struck on the driver’s side door by a 2009 Toyota Corolla driven by Sherry Toelle, who was traveling south on Chestnut and had a green light.

Toelle was reportedly transported by private vehicle to the Cass County Hospital, as a precaution. The accident happened just before 1:15-p.m. Gude was cited for failure to obey a traffic control device.

Food pantries in the state have been able to supply those in need with some vegetables this season there were grown by expert gardeners. Iowa State University’s Susan DeBlieck, says the Extension Department’s Master Gardener program partnered with the research farms to create donation gardens. “We partnered with our SNAP education staff to make funding available. Some of the funding available supported these donation gardens that were planted at seven of the Iowa State University research farms,” DeBlieck explains.

SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and DeBlieck says the Extension Education and Outreach Program provides education for low income families on how to prepare produce. The gardens were tended throughout the summer by Master Gardener volunteers who harvested seven-thousand pounds of vegetables. “All of those pounds of produce have been donated to nearby food pantries and food banks,” according to DeBlieck “And these demonstration farms are located all across the state and are really helping to build food security in particularly in rural areas.”

The gardens are located in Rock Rapids, Lewis, Kanawha, Ames, Nashua, Fruitland and Crawfordsville. The Iowa State Extension program has a long history of using demonstration gardens to help educate, and DeBlieck says this program fits in well with that tradition. “I believe that those started in the 1970’s and since that time we’ve been demonstrating different types of crops and different types of growing methods,” DeBlieck explains. “And so we chose crops that are wanted by food pantries. They are foods that store well, are easy to grow in Iowa, and look good on a food pantry shelf.” She says many of the vegetable you probably grew in your own garden.

They are green beans, sweet potatoes, cabbage, green peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, potatoes, zucchini, beets, cantaloupe, garlic and carrots. The food banks and pantries are expected to benefit from the educational demonstrations at the gardens. She says people who came out to the research farms got to learn about the things they could grow to donate to the local food pantry. You can find out more information about the demonstration programs and how you can become a Master Gardener online at: www.extension.iastate.edu/mastergardener.

(Radio Iowa)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is assuring Iowans that the state’s election is not rigged and says Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s claims of voter fraud only confuse voters. Monday’s comments by Pate, a Republican, were in response to Trump’s remarks and comments by Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad. Branstad said he agrees with the GOP nominee’s statements that there are efforts to cheat the system and that national media organizations are “colluding” with Clinton.

Branstad, a Republican whose son leads Trump’s Iowa campaign, said media bias and voter fraud are “one in the same.” Branstad expressed confidence in efforts of election officials to hold a clean election in Iowa, but added, “Nobody’s perfect.” An Iowa Democratic Party spokesman says it’s shocking Branstad didn’t reject Trump’s assertions.

The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency says the field and grassland Fire Danger category will remain HIGH until at least Thursday (Oct. 20th), when the rating may be upgraded to EXTREME. In the mean time, authorities are asking anyone who plans to conduct controlled burns to contact their local fire chief, first. Be sure and call 755-2124 also, with the location of your burn, so dispatchers can gather logistical data. 

If conditions continue to deteriorate and an EXTREME Fire Danger Warning is issued, absolutely no outdoor burning would be permitted unless you have a signed permit from the local Fire Chief. Fires on Extreme days can grow rapidly and pose a risk to the Health and Safety of the Community. If you have any questions please call 712-755-2124.

AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State University is shielding the names of several people who have traveled with President Steven Leath, including his best friend, a National Rifle Association Board member and a controversial athletics booster.

The university last week released records of flights that Leath took in the last 2 1/2 years, but redacted names of passengers who joined Leath on trips. His travel has come under scrutiny following an investigation by The Associated Press.

The university said the names were exempt from the open records law since they are current or potential donors. That position drew criticism from the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, which said the redactions make it impossible to judge the legitimacy of Leath’s travel.

The AP obtained passenger names from flight records that had been online.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office is asking for your help in locating an ATV stolen from a storage shed west of Coin. A Riverton man reported Sunday someone had taken a camouflage colored 2006 Kawasaki Brut Force ATV from his storage shed west of Coin.  The burglary and theft occurred sometime between October 9th and 16th, when a person or persons unknown forcibly gained entry into the shed and removed the ATV.

Anyone with information about this Burglary / Theft is asked to contact the Page County Sheriff’s Office or their local Law Enforcement agency.

Glenwood Police report two recent arrests. Today (Monday), 35-year old Kevin Petersen, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana. His bond was set at $1,000. And, on Saturday, 22-year old Michael Mortensen, of Blair, NE., was arrested for OWI/3rd offense. His bond was set at $5,000.

And, a Glenwood man reported to police Sunday, the theft of a motor vehicle. The 1999 red, Mercury Sable with Iowa license plate 149 XPP was taken sometime between 7:30-p.m. Saturday and 8:45-a.m. Sunday, from 11 N. Chestnut Street, in Glenwood. Anyone with information about the vehicle or theft is asked to call Glenwood Police at 712-527-9920 or 527-4844.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a man and woman from South Dakota were arrested Saturday for being Fugitives from Justice, and on other charges. 33-year old Misty Lee Hunter, of Box Elder, SD, and 29-year old Lee Daniel Messerly, of Rapid City, SD, were arrested in Glenwood Saturday evening.

Messerly was wanted for Eluding, Fugitive from Justice, Possession of a weapon by a felon, and reckless driving. His bond was set at $10,300. Hunter was arrested for Fugitive from Justice, providing false information, and unlawful possession of a prescription drug. Her bond was set at $5,300.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports also, 18-year old Dakota Michael Grund, of Glenwood, was arrested Saturday for Assault with intent to inflict serious injury. His bond was set at $2,000. 36-year old Michael Wayne England, of Emerson, was arrested Friday, on a warrant from Page County for Probation Violation. His bond was set at $2,000.

22-year old Tyler Allen Dittus, of Malvern, was arrested in Mills County, for Driving While Barred. His bond was set at $2,000. And, 19-year old David Patrick Robertson, of Omaha, was arrested Saturday for Disorderly Conduct. His bond was set at $300.

Iowa’s Republican governor says he trusts Iowa voters, but Terry Branstad says “there are attempts at voter fraud” that need to be stopped.  “I still have confidence that our…election system which is basically controlled by the states and by the local people that they’re going to do their level best to see that we have a fair and honest election,” Branstad says. However, Branstad says Iowa’s county auditors who are conducting the election won’t be able to catch all the cheaters.

“They try,” Branstad says. “They do their level best. Nobody’s perfect.” For instance, Branstad anticipates some out-of-state students will vote here in their Iowa college town, but also in their home state. Donald Trump says the election is “rigged” and he tweeted this morning that there is “large scale voter fraud” happening now as early voting is underway. Branstad says the mainstream media is “biased” against Trump and hasn’t given voters a “complete picture” of where the candidates stand on important issues. Branstad says he’s confident Iowa voters, though, are able to focus on what they care about.

“I’ve always supported the electoral process,” Branstad says. “I’ve always been proud of the participation we see in Iowa and I’m anticipating a great result.” A new Politico poll released this (Monday) morning found 81 percent of Trump’s backers think the election could be stolen from Trump. A Washington Post poll has found half of Trump’s supporters are “not confident” votes for president will be “accurately counted” this year.

(Radio Iowa)

The Union County Sheriff’s Office says three incidents of theft have been reported.  Last Friday, James McKnight, of Afton, reported that sometime between Thursday and Friday, someone stole a Stihl chainsaw, Dewalt 18 volt drill charger and an 18 volt Dewalt nut driver from his residence.  The items were valued at $550.

On Oct. 2nd, Greg Berning, of Osceola, reported that sometime between Oct. 1st and 2nd, someone broke into his tool trailer in rural Creston.  Approximately $20,000 worth of tools was taken.  Some of the items include:  Rigid Combo Kit 18V, Dewalt Planer, Rigid Compressor, Bostich tool combo kit, Bostich finish stapler, Porter cable rotary hammer drill, Makita palm sander, compressor, extension cords, Dewalt grinders, and hand tools.

And, on Sept. 30th, Ron Dunphy, of Creston, reported that sometime between September 26th and September 28th, someone went into a barn he owns in rural Afton and took a blue Yamaha 350 4-wheeler.  Also taken was a Dewalt portable drill, red tool box, wrenches, screwdrivers and other miscellaneous items.  Estimated value is $3,500.