A break in has been reported at the Iowa Pioneer Music Museum in Anita.  Bob Everhart, curator of the museum, says among the items that were stolen were two unauthenticated Johnny Cash harmonicas.

Everhart says the break-in likely occurred sometime within the past week or two.  He says the break in was discovered Friday night during intermission of a show at the Oak Tree Opry. Everhart says the thieves broke into a hidden window in the back of the building.

Everhart says he doesn’t understand the motivation behind the theft of the two Johnny Cash harmonicas.  He says since they have not been authenticated, the harmonicas really don’t have much value.

Besides the losses from the stolen items, the museum will also need to repair the hidden window the thieves used to break into the building.  He says since the museum doesn’t make any money, a benefit has been scheduled to help pay for the $500-$600 repairs.  That benefit will be held on October 12 at 7 PM at the Oak Tree Opry.

So far police do not have any leads on the thefts.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports a single vehicle accident Saturday led the arrest of a Cumberland man.

Sometime on Saturday, 22-year-old Justin Dale Hardisty of Cumberland was driving a 1996 Jeep Cherokee south on 730^th Street when he lost control and went into the east ditch.

Hardisty was subsequently arrested for driving under suspension. He was released from the Cass County Jail the following day after pleading guilty to the charge of Driving Under Suspension.

Damage to the Jeep was estimated at $1,500.

Also on Saturday, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest 33-year-old Jon Allen Hansen Atlantic on a charge of simple domestic abuse assault.  Hansen was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released the following day on his own recognizance.

Iowa farmers are taking advantage of good weather by harvesting corn and soybeans and moving it to grain elevators or on-farm storage. The U-S-D-A’s weekly crop progress report this afternoon (Monday) is expected to show Iowa’s fall harvest well ahead of average for late September. Brent Larson, who farms in the Fort Dodge area, says dry weather is speeding the harvest but it’s also contributing to grain losses.

Larson says there is some corn down because of strong winds, plus, there just hasn’t been enough moisture so some of the corn is so dry that it shatters when it hits the corn head of the combine. Larson farms about 400 acres of corn and soybeans. He says the dry weather has allowed him to finish harvesting most of his crops already.

“The corn’s nice and dry for the most part and so are the beans,” he says. “The yields have been all across the board. It really depends on soil type. The heavier soils are yielding well and almost up to a normal, average crop, and the lighter soils are really quite poor.” Larson says it’s a concern for next year, too, because farmers may be planting in dry soil.

There doesn’t seem to be any reserve moisture, Larson says, “and if we go into next spring like this, with no more extra moisture, it’s gonna be nip and tuck to get next year going well.” Some weather analysts believe the long-running drought will finally break in October, while other forecasters fear it may last into spring.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrests of three people and two burglaries the past few days.

On Sunday, September 16, sheriff’s officials arrested 28-year-old Patrick Lloyd Bolin of Tabor for OWI 1st offense and insufficient headlamp.  Also that same day, 29-year-old Von Alan Morris of Ada, OK was arrested for criminal mischief 5th degree.

On Thursday, September 20, sheriff’s officials arrested 23-year-old Trent Kent Sunderman of Coin for public intoxication and trespassing.

On Monday, September 17, Patricia Shull of Farragut reported burglary 3rd degree, theft 2nd degree, and motor vehicle theft.

On Wednesday, September 12, Robert Stevens of Westfield reported 3rd degree theft.

w/ Brett Johnson

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A midnight curfew is going to be enforced immediately in Guthrie Center for area youth.

Guthrie Center Police Chief Mike Herbert tells the Guthrie Center Times that police will immediately begin enforcement of midnight curfews for those under the age of 18.  Although he says city ordinance has long been on the books, it has not always been enforced rigidly.

He told the newspaper that no particular incident caused the current enforcement of the curfew, but that there have been a number of small incidents that raised local concern.

More older Iowans are choosing to remain in the workforce well into their retirement years. A recent study found Iowans 55 and older account for nearly 20-percent of the total employed population in Iowa. Terry Hornbuckle, with the Iowa Department on Aging, says the economic downturn in 2007 and 2008 hit many retirees hard.

“Particularly, the newly retiring baby-boomers,” Hornbuckle says. “Their savings were cut in half and they’re choosing to stay (in the workforce) at least until they’re 70.” Although it’s against the law for employers to discriminate based on age, Hornbuckle says there are still businesses that reject older, qualified workers.

“There’s a sense in the community, with older workers, that you won’t recover your training costs or they’re not productive. Research dispels that…those are myths and stereotypes,” Hornbuckle says. This week is designated as National Employ Older Workers Week. Hornbuckle says older Iowans can bring a host of skills to any workplace – including experience and dependability.

“This age group probably has 20 good years of productive employment in their life, if not more,” Hornbuckle said. “And our society is aging much more healthfully, so (they’re) in better health and are capable of working much longer.” Iowa is among the top five states in the country for the percentage of residents who are 65 and older.

The Iowa Department of Transportation has announced the eastbound Interstate 480 to northbound I-29 bridge in Council Bluffs will close Wednesday and Thursday to make repairs.

Northbound I-29 traffic will be routed around the construction zone by traveling south on I-29, exiting at 9th Avenue (exit 53A), and traveling north on I-29. Motorists will want to allow some extra time in the morning hours to travel on this detour.

The roadway should be reopened to traffic by Friday, Sept. 28, weather permitting.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey posted speed limits and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles and wear seat belts.