(Glenwood, Iowa) – Officials with the Mills County Sheriff’s Office report a woman from Nebraska was arrested twice in five days. 24-year-old Alize Savannah Torres, of Omaha, was arrested Aug. 24th at the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, on a warrant for OWI/1st offense. Torres was arrested today (Tue., Aug. 29) at the Mills County Courthouse, ona valid parole violation warrant for being an accessory to first-degree murder. She remains in the Mills County Jail while awaiting extradition/transport to Nebraska.

The sheriff’s office reports also:

• 40-year-old Nicole Blanche Farley, of LaVista, NE., was arrested in Mills County for OWI/1st offense.
• 38-year-old Breeane May Fallin, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Aug. 26th on a Mills County warrant for Violation of Probation. She was taken into custody at the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office.
• 29-year-old Cyril Nsang Ngala, of Bellevue, NE., was arrested Aug. 25th in Mills County, for Driving Under Suspension.
• And, 43-year-old Katie Susan Church, of Glenwood, was arrested for Child Endangerment, on August 24th.

(Radio Iowa) – A western Iowa man is in jail, facing charges for a stabbing during a bar fight in Carroll. Police say 41-year-old John Michael Hanson allegedly stabbed another man several times during a fight early Sunday morning at Kerps Tavern in Carroll. Benjamin Badding, the bar’s owner, was flown to a Des Moines hospital for treatment of multiple stab wounds.

Hanson was arrested and has been charged with willful injury, a class C felony that carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. A judge approved a motion this (Tuesday) morning to increase Hanson’s bond to $250,000.

The unofficial end to summer this weekend is expected to draw thousands of Iowans to their state parks and waterways.  The DNR reminds users to abide by all safety measures to ensure a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend.

Boating Safety

Boaters headed out to a lake, river, pond or any other waterway should follow these safety tips:

• Plan ahead and avoid peak hours and large crowds of boaters.
• Park your vehicles and trailers in designated parking spaces NOT in grass areas or they will be ticketed and towed.
• Alcohol and boating don’t mix. Wind, sun glare and heat can enhance the effects of alcohol, hindering the operator’s ability to make necessary decisions.
• The same limit of .08 for operating a vehicle under the influence applies to boating.
• Always have a designated operator that avoids consuming alcohol.
• Wear your life jacket, it floats, you don’t! Any children under the age 13 must wear a lifejacket at all times on a vessel underway in Iowa.
• Every boat or vessel must have a wearable life jacket for everyone on board; a USCG approved throw-able flotation device is also required on vessels 16 feet or longer.
• Make sure there is a charged fire extinguisher on board, as well as a horn/whistle.
• Slow down and watch for other boaters or personal watercraft.
• Avoid dams and other hazards on waterways.
• Obey all posted warning signs and rules.
• Drain plugs and other water draining devices must be removed and/or remain open during transport to avoid the spread of invasive species.

Beach & Swimming Safety

Wherever you choose to swim this Labor Day weekend, whether it’s a backyard pool, a pond or lake, or a public pool, please follow these safety tips:

• Keep young children at arm’s reach at all times. Never, even for a moment, leave small children alone or in the care of another young child while swimming.
• Drowning is silent.
• Learn how to perform CPR.
• Avoid alcohol use while swimming.
• Alcohol is prohibited at some public beaches.
• Glass bottles are prohibited on beaches.
• Stay within the roped area of the lake.
• Swim with a buddy.
• Obey posted signs and flags.
• Wear a life jacket or some kind of personal flotation device.
• Use sunscreen and drink plenty of water as needed.
• Iowa’s public beaches do not have lifeguards on duty.
• Check for bacteria levels at state park beaches at: https://www.iowadnr.gov/things-to-do/beach-monitoring
• Because the beaches are busier this summer, staff are encouraging visitors to utilize the non-peak times and days. For the busier beaches/parks, the non-peak days usually include Sundays through Thursdays, and Fridays before 5:00 pm. If you plan to go to the beaches on Saturdays, the non-peak hours are usually before noon.

Parks staff may temporarily close parking lots when they become full and limit the number of visitors at that point. The DNR recommends visitors go to another nearby park or beach that is not as heavily populated. Visitors are reminded to only park in designated parking spaces. All violators will be cited by staff.

State Parks/Campgrounds Safety

This weekend will be another very busy one if you plan to visit a state park and campground, use these safety tips to ensure an enjoyable time:

• Pack snacks, food, water and personal hygiene products, including hand sanitizer, to bring along for hiking and utilizing the state parks.
• Stay hydrated with plenty of fluids.
• Don’t hike alone and always have some way to communicate if you get lost and need help.
• Wear proper outdoor attire for hiking.
• Plan ahead for your visit to our parks and campgrounds. If a parking lot becomes full at a park or campground, staff may temporarily close the parking lots and limit the number of visitors at that point.
• If there is no parking available, do not park in the grass areas or any other area that is not a designated parking spot. All violators will be cited.
• Utilize the parks during non-peak times, which often include mornings and evenings.
• If a park is heavily populated, find another nearby state park that is less populated.
• Don’t transport firewood, buy it locally.
• Be respectful of your neighbors camping around you.
• Slow down on park roadways and obey posted speed limit signs. Families and kids are often walking or biking on the roads.
• “Carry In, Carry Out”—please pick up any trash and carry out what you carry into the park. Be respectful and care for our natural resources.
• Campers should dispose of trash in receptacles, not burn it in the campfires.
• Check the DNR website for all of the latest closures.
• If you plan to fish, be sure to have a current fishing license. You can purchase one by visiting www.iowadnr.gov/fishing, or by downloading the Go Outdoors Iowa app on your smartphone through the Google Play store or the App Store. You can also purchase your fishing license at some local retailers.

Paddling Safety

Whether it be tubing, paddleboarding, kayaking or canoeing, paddlers are enjoying the splash of the water, scenic views, and wildlife viewing from Iowa’s rivers, rapids and streams. Stay safe each time you paddle with these simple safety tips:

• With very low water levels in central and western Iowa, due to drought conditions, some waterways are not suitable for paddling, often leaving paddlers stranded.
• Always know your river conditions before you go paddling. For the latest river conditions, contact Iowa DNR Customer Service at 515-725-8200 or your local county conservation board for updates.
• Let others know where you will be paddling, including what access to what access, and when you are expected to return.
• Always wear your life jacket. Kids under age 13 must wear a life jacket at all times. The vessel must have enough life jackets for all members on board.
• Avoid sandbar crowds and “rafting” up together. Tubers are reminded not to go in groups larger than 10 and don’t tie tubes to one another.
• Check the Iowa DNR’s interactive paddler’s map at iowadnr.gov/Things-to-Do/Canoeing-Kayaking/Where-to-Paddle for updates on real-time hazards like downed trees and log jams, strainers and bridge construction. Pay attention to the dam warning signs and know where dams are located before you head out on the water.
  Find individual water trail maps, including access points at iowadnr.gov/Things-to-Do/Canoeing-Kayaking/Water-Trail-Maps-Brochures.

The shorter days and more moderate temperatures make this fall a great time for gardening projects.  The Cass County Master Gardeners invite you to their annual Fall Plant Sale, set for Saturday morning, September 9, at the Cass County Community Center, 805 W 10th Street on the Fairgrounds in Atlantic. The sale will be open to the public to purchase divided perennials suitable for fall planting. Plants expected to be on the sale include iris (bearded and Siberian), peonies, daylilies, spring-flowering bulbs, hostas, perennial geranium, anemone, baptista, salvia, sedum, garden mum, rudbeckia, clematis, oregano and other herbs, lily of the valley, yarrow, houseplants including aloe and more. There will also be a large collection of gently used garden decor, pots, books, and tools for shoppers to explore.

The sale begins at 8 AM, and will be held in the front parking lot of the Cass County Community Center on the fairgrounds in Atlantic. Interested gardeners are encouraged to arrive early for best plant selection, as the annual spring and fall sales occasionally sell out before 10 AM, especially high-demand plants.

The Master Gardeners will bring perennials dug and divided from their own gardens to the fall plant sale.  Community residents are also welcome to donate plants, and members may even help you dig! Please call in advance and make arrangements to drop off donated plants before the date of the plant sale. All funds raised from the sale support local Master Gardener projects such as community garden spaces, educational activities, grants and scholarships.

Many perennials work well for fall dividing and transplanting, including daylilies, peonies, garden phlox, bleeding heart, coneflowers, speedwell, and more. Iris and hosta can also be transplanted successfully in early fall.  By dividing the plant when it is not flowering, all the energy it produces can be directed to root and foliage growth, so plants overwinter in place and come back strong in the spring.  Additionally, the cooler weather is easier on the plants (and the gardener!), and the plants generally do not use as much water as in spring and summer.  Plants should be placed in the ground as early in fall as possible, but most can be successfully planted up until the ground freezes.  The plants should also be adequately watered until the ground freezes, which is particularly important in dry years. If you have questions about dividing and caring for plants, stop by the Extension Office or visit the online Extension Store to pick up a free publication on dividing and caring for perennial plants in the garden!

To donate items, or for more information about these events and other Master Gardener activities in Cass County, please call the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132, stop by the office at 805 West 10th street in Atlantic, email Cass County Extension Director and Master Gardener Coordinator Kate Olson at keolson@iastate.edu or visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass.  You are also invited to follow the Cass County Master Gardeners Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CassCoMG to keep up with local events and tips for gardening!

Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is calling on federal bureaucrats to return to work in the midst of increased wait times for public services while taxpayers are also picking up the cost of maintaining mostly empty buildings in Washington.

To hold Washington accountable, Ernst is requesting an investigation of every major department and agency to determine the impact of telework on the delivery and response times of services, how much taxpayer money could be saved by consolidating unused office space, and what steps have been taken to adjust bureaucrats’ location-based salaries for those who have relocated and chosen to remain out of the office. Ernst would also like to know what the actual worksite attendance rate is for government employees at each agency.

“Growing up on a farm, I know what working from home actually means,” Senator Joni Ernst said. “It’s not fair to let the responsibilities of running an agency—and the country—fall on the shoulders of the hardworking public servants who are showing up while others are out golfing on the taxpayer’s dime. Frustrated Americans are being put on hold while too many federal employees are phoning it in. I’m calling out federal employees who refuse to answer the call of duty to return to work on behalf of taxpayers, veterans, seniors, and our great nation. It’s time to get back to work.”

Ernst is urging federal workers to get back to work because:

• Thousands of calls to the Department of Veterans Affairs from veterans seeking mental health services are going unanswered;
• Desperate travelers are waiting hours on the phone or in line hoping to speak with someone at the State Department about passport delays that are causing vacation cancellations;
• Seniors calling the Social Security Administration are increasingly being greeted with busy messages, waiting longer to speak to a representative, or having their calls go unanswered altogether as the agency shifts towards remote work.

Shelby County Election commissioner Mark Maxwell would like to remind all voters with the upcoming City/School and county wide public measure election, that if any voter intends to vote by mail please get the absentee ballot application in now.  This assists in making the election process more efficient.

The first day that the ballots can be placed in the mail is October 18th. The last day to place ballots in the mail is  October 23rd.  Please look on the Shelby County website under Documents >Elections.  A ballot application and other information is posted there for viewing or printing.

Shelby County voters may print out your own application and drop it off or mail to Elections 612 Court Street Harlan, Iowa 51537. Submit your application now to have your ballot mailed to you after October 18th. A ballot cannot be mailed to voters until October 18th.  Voting in person is allowed in the Auditors office starting October 18th during regular business hours. In the office voting will continue until November 6th, the day before election day.

If you have any questions regarding this election, please contact the Election Office at 712-755-3831 extension 6.

Extra state, county and local law enforcement will be on the roads during the upcoming holiday weekend as part of a special effort to crack down on problem motorists before they become a problem to others. Iowa State Trooper Paul Gardner, who’s based in Fort Dodge, says they’re intentionally putting out the word before the Labor Day weekend arrives, to get people thinking about safety.

Gardner says 40 people were killed on Iowa’s roads over the Labor Day holiday last year.

Saturday is expected to be a very busy day on the state’s roads, especially around Iowa City and Ames as Iowa and Iowa State are opening their football seasons at home, while U-N-I is opening its season away — facing the Cyclones in Ames.

The Iowa D-O-T reports there have been 247 deaths on Iowa’s roads so far this year, well ahead of the 213 deaths as of this date a year ago.

This (Tuesday) morning marks the start of the 16th annual effort to package millions of meals to help feed the hungry in Iowa, across the U-S, and in countries around the globe. Meals from the Heartland launches the massive mission with today’s corporate contest, where Hy-Vee spokeswoman Nola Aigner (EYE-gner) Davis says dozens of volunteers will be pitching in to assemble the meals in plastic bags, which are then packed into cardboard boxes.

That event, the One Step Challenge, is being held at the MidAmerican Energy RecPlex in West Des Moines. The larger “Hunger Fight” event runs tomorrow (Wednesday) through Saturday as many thousands of volunteers will be packaging meals at Hy-Vee Hall in downtown Des Moines. The goal is to produce and package four-million meals by the end of the day on Saturday.

There are two basic meals that will be assembled, a Hearty Pack, with rice, soy protein, vitamins, minerals and dried vegetables; and a Taco Mac, which contains enriched pasta, soy flour, and vitamin- and mineral-fortified cheese mix.

Individual and group registrations are being welcomed for shifts tomorrow through Saturday. Hairnets and gloves will be provided. Since 2008, Meals from the Heartland has provided more than 183-million meals to the hungry in Iowa, across the U.S., and around the world.
www.mealsfromtheheartland.org

Republican Congressman Zach Nunn says his race for a second term in the U-S House will get national attention.

The latest data shows Democrats have a 77-hundred voter registration edge over Republicans in the third congressional district. Last November, Nunn won Iowa’s third district seat in the U-S House by finishing just 21-hundred votes ahead of Democratic incumbent Cindy Axne. This summer, national Democrats began running online ads accusing Nunn of being part of the G-O-P’s anti-abortion crusade.

Nunn notes there will be no statewide races on Iowa’s 2024 General Election ballot.

Nunn says his congressional race, along with the U-S House races in Iowa’s other three congressional districts, will be the lead races in Iowa next year. No Democrat has announced they plan to run against Nunn in 2024. In Iowa’s first district, Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks will likely face a rematch with Democrat Christina Bohannan of Iowa City. Bohannan announced her 2024 congressional campaign earlier this month. Two Democrats say they’re running in Iowa’s fourth congressional district. One of the Democrats is Ryan Melton of Nevada, who ran against Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra last year, and the other is Ames doctor Jay Brown.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Secondary Roads Department, today (Monday), reports rown Ave. will be closed to traffic just north of 170th St. for approximately 3-4 days for a culvert replacement.