w/ Ric Hanson

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A study finds rural areas across the Midwest are losing residents, especially in vital age groups. Jon Bailey, research director at the Center for Rural Affairs, says the center’s latest report shows many areas of the region are being caught between “bookend generations” of the youngest and oldest segments of the population.  “A major implication is that both of those, the youngest and oldest generations, tend to need more services than the middle-age, working generation,” Bailey says. “You have needs for schools and health care and other social and human services that go for the youngest and oldest in our population.” 

Bailey says without the working generation, those between the ages of 25 and 55, it would be difficult to fund vital services in rural areas.”That’s a huge issue for rural communities,” he says. “How are they going to keep up the services that our youngest and our oldest need when the people who work and pay the taxes are increasingly going to larger communities and decreasing in numbers in rural places?”  Bailey says significant federal policy changes are needed to help rural areas bridge the growing gap. He says, “There’s policy investments we can take, both at the state, local and federal levels, on how to make more investments in rural places to create more businesses and create more jobs and a lot of it is to just take advantage of the advantages that rural communities have.” 

The report recommends a Rural Renewal Initiative be created in the next farm bill, and that Congress commit 500-million dollars over five years to a Community Prosperity Fund to help rural areas stabilize. The Center for Rural Affairs is based in Lyons, Nebraska. 

(Radio Iowa)

A woman from Redfield was injured during a rollover accident Monday morning, in Dallas County. According to the Iowa State Patrol, 46-year old Dawn Marie Merrell, of Redfield, who was wearing her seatbelt, was transported to Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, after the pickup she was driving went out of control on an icy eastbound Highway 6/I-80, at the intersection with Dallas County Road P-58, or about two-miles east of the Earlham exit. The accident happened at around 6:50-a.m.

The woman’s 2001 Chevy Silverado pickup entered the south ditch and rolled onto its side before coming to rest on its wheels. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $1,500.

w/ Ric Hanson

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The Cass County Conservation Staff invites you to join them on January 7th at Atlantic’s  Schildberg Quarry, for a “Soiree with the Swans.” The Schildberg Quarry is located on the northwest edge of Atlantic, on the north side of Highway 83. Conservation staffers will be on-hand giving ten-minute presentations regarding the Trumpeter Swans every half-hour, beginning at 11:00 a.m., with the last one being presented at 2:00 p.m. There will also be time to view the swans through spotting scopes and witness random swan feeding sessions.

Soiree with the Swans long sleeved t-shirts ARE STILL available for purchase! Hot chocolate, cookies, grilled hotdogs, and other snacks will be provided free of charge with donations being accepted (for swan care).

IF THE WEATHER IS “BAD” OR THE SWANS ARE NOT AT THE QUARRY…the program will be held at the Atlantic Public Library from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. with a light lunch available. This event is being sponsored by the Cass County Conservation Board, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and the Atlantic Public Library.

Police in Red Oak arrested a local man Monday on a sexual abuse charge. 43-year old Richard Eugene Darrell, of Red Oak, was charged with 3rd degree sexual abuse in connection with an assault on an unidentified victim. Darrell was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $10,000 bond.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports an Atlantic man was arrested Sunday, on a drug charge. 24-year old Aaron Lee Ihnken was taken into custody on charges of Possession with the intent to Deliver/Methamphetamine, and Possession of Marijuana. And, 44-year old Marke Wayne Rydl, of Exira, was arrested Sunday on charges of Interference with Official Acts, and Interference with a Police Service Dog. Both men were brought to the Cass County Jail, where Ihnken was being held on $50,000 bond. Official say Rydl was released on his own recognizance, Monday.
Sheriff’s officials also report the arrest last Thursday, of 45-year old Angela Renee Johnson, of Cumberland. Johnson was taken into custody on a charge of Driving While Revoked. She was later released on $1000 bond.