COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports 41-year-old Lucas John Walk, who was convicted of Burglary 2nd Degree, Robbery 2nd Degree, Ongoing Criminal Conduct, and Habitual Offender (Property) in Pottawattamie County, failed to report back to the Council Bluffs Residential Correctional Facility as required on Tuesday, Oct. 1st.

Lucas John Walk (IDOC photo)

Walk is a 203-pound White male. He was admitted to the work release facility on July 10, 2024.

Persons with information on Walk’s whereabouts should contact local police.

(Radio Iowa) – A retired English teacher and author from southwest Iowa is releasing her third book, this time focused on Iowa’s underground moon-shining industry during the days of prohibition a century ago. Ann Hanigan Kotz (COATS), a Denison native who now lives in Adel, says “Moonshine By Moonlight” is the product of many months of study about that era.

Hanigan Kotz will be delivering one of her library lectures in mid-October that will cover the federal government’s crackdown on alcohol and the rise and fall of bootlegging in the state.

There are many tales of Chicago mobsters who would send their henchmen to Iowa in order to secure shipments of illegal booze to bring back to Windy City speakeasies.

Ann Hanigan Kotz

In addition to research, Hanigan Kotz says she’s done extensive interviews on the topic.

Hannigan Kots will appear at the Kendall Young Library in Webster City on October 15th. The book goes on sale November 12th. Advance copies of “Moonshine By Moonlight” can be ordered through Amazon and by Bookpress Publishing.

(Radio Iowa) -Pure Prairie Poultry (PPP) in Charles City is closing less than two years after they began operations. In a statement, George Piechel, one of the owners of the plant, said, “While we continue to explore options, including possible buyers for our operations, our efforts to restart the plant on a limited basis have proven unsuccessful. Without a viable operating plan, we are discontinuing operations at our Charles City production plant effective immediately.”

Plant employees were notified Wednesday afternoon their positions had been eliminated. Some 138 workers are out of jobs. P-P-P had sought to reorganize under Chapter 11 Bankruptcy with liabilities between 100 million dollars and 500 million owed to between 200 and 999 creditors, including over 500-thousand dollars to the City of Charles City.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has been granted an emergency court order to take immediate care, custody and control of approximately one-point-three million broiler chickens owned by Pure Prairie Poultry. The company notified state officials they were unable to purchase feed for the chickens on 14 Iowa farms the plant contracts with to grow broilers.

• On Monday, September 30th, 37 year old Rosann Dawn Randall, of Harlan was arrested for Violation of No Contact Order. On that same date, 42-year-old Keith Andre Smith, of Harlan, was cited for the same alleged offense.
• This past Sunday (September 29th), 35 year old Billie Jean Hazzard, of Harlan was arrested for OWI/1st offense.
• Last Saturday, Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 39 year old Jason David Bangford, of Harlan, for Driving while license Denied or Suspended.
• On September 27th: 31 year old Brian Daniel Green, of Harlan, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, and Driving while License Denied or Revoked; 30 year old Cherish Farata, of Harlan, was September 27th for Dommestic Abuse Assault – 1st Offense, and Interference with Official Acts.
• Two arrests were made on September 26th. 39 year old Christopher Neal McQuire of Omaha was arrested and transported to the Shelby County Jail on an Active Shelby County Warrant. And 54 year old Brent Allan Sorensen, of Harlan, was arrested after a call for service. Sorensen was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana 2nd offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

You can read about the other arrests, below:

(Radio Iowa) – The union that represents employees in Iowa prisons says it’s time for the governor to respond to a disturbing trend. AFSCME Council 61 president Todd Copley says union members report there have been at least 150 assaults on prison staff since January.

Copley held a news conference in the statehouse this (Thursday) morning and told reporters the staff in the state prisons fear retaliation if they raise safety concerns.

A spokesman for the governor says Reynolds knows correctional officers work in a hostile environment and that’s why she’s worked diligently with prison managers to increase staff and improve safety and security at the facilities.

AFSCME Council 61 president Todd Copley speaks at a news conference on Oct. 3, 2024. (RI photo)

Last week, the union said two prison employees were attacked by an inmate at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison. Copley says the inmate ripped the metal leg off a desk in his cell and used it as a weapon.

According to Copley, one of the guards was hit in the face and has a number of fractured bones, while the other was stabbed 11 times, tearing his uniform and scratching his skin. The Iowa Department of Corrections has said it doesn’t comment on open investigations.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon reports there will be a countywide burn ban in Cass County effective at noon today (Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024) and until further notice. There are currently 27 active countywide burn bans in Iowa.

Harrison, Shelby, Audubon, Guthrie, Adair, Mills, Monona, Crawford, Carroll and Greene are other area counties with active burn bans in place.

Kennon says a burn ban does NOT prohibit the following:  supervised, controlled burn for which a permit has been issued by the fire chief of the fire district where the burn will take place, the use of outdoor fireplaces, barbecue grills, properly supervised landfills, or the burning of trash in incinerators or trash burners made of metal, concrete, masonry, or heavy one-inch wire mesh, with no openings greater than one square inch.

Please contact Mike Kennon (712-254-1500) or your local fire chief if you have further questions on the subject of open burning.

Iowa Code Section 100.40 Marshal may prohibit open burning on request.
1. The State Fire Marshal, during periods of extremely dry conditions or under other conditions when the state fire marshal finds open burning constitutes a danger to life or property, may prohibit open burning in an area of the state at the request of the chief of a local fire department, a city council or a board of supervisors and when an investigation supports the need for the prohibition. The State Fire Marshal shall implement the prohibition by issuing a proclamation to persons in the affected area. The chief of a local fire department, the city council or the board of supervisors that requested the prohibition may rescind the proclamation after notifying the state fire marshal of the intent to do so, when the chief, city council or board of supervisors finds that the conditions responsible for the issuance of the proclamation no longer exist.
2. Violation of a prohibition issued under this section is a simple misdemeanor.
3. A proclamation issued by the state fire marshal pursuant to this section shall not prohibit a supervised, controlled burn for which a permit has been issued by the fire chief of the fire district where the burn will take place, the use of outdoor fireplaces, barbecue grills, properly supervised landfills, or the burning of trash in incinerators or trash burners made of metal, concrete, masonry, or heavy one-inch wire mesh, with no openings greater than one square inch.

(Radio Iowa) – The head of a state agency says she’s in negotiations that could launch a big project that would qualify for the state’s new “Major Economic Growth Attraction” or “MEGA” program incentives. Iowa Economic Development Authority director Debi Durham isn’t naming the company, but is sharing some details.

Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Iowa Finance Authority, who spoke Oct. 3, 2024 at Bluebird Hill near Atlantic. (Ric Hanson/Photo)

The governor signed a law this spring authorizing up to 93-million dollars in tax incentives for businesses investing at least one BILLION dollars on a facility.

To qualify for the state’s MEGA program, a project must cover at least 250 acres and be on one of the so-called certified sites around the state that are ready for development. According to the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s website, certified sites in Oskaloosa, Clinton, Princeton, Glenwood, Cedar Rapids and Ames would qualify.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Cass County ISU Extension say the anticipation is building for this year’s National 4-H Week, during which millions of youth, parents, volunteers, and alumni across the country will celebrate everything 4-H. Cass County 4-H will observe National 4-H Week this year by showcasing the incredible experiences that 4-H offers and highlighting the remarkable 4-H young people in our community who work to positively impact those around them. October 13th the community is welcome to join the Cass County 4-H Clubs with carnival games and learn more about 4-H at Fall Fest on the Fairgrounds from 2:00-4:00pm.

The 2024 National 4-H Week theme is Beyond Ready, which celebrates the program’s dedication to building a generation equipped for the future while being met where they are today. This year, 4-H is focused on helping youth be ready to lead, ready to serve, ready to build, and ready to conquer.

4-H believes that young people, in partnership with adults, can play a key role in creating a more promising and equitable future for youth, families, and communities across the country. Through hands-on learning experiences in areas such as agriculture, communication and the arts, leadership and civic engagement, healthy living, and STEM, 4-H members are equipped with the skills they need to be Beyond Ready and make a difference in the world.

Katie Bateman, County Youth Coordinator with Cass County Extension, says “We equip youth with skills for the future while meeting them where they are today. Through 4-H, we offer opportunities and experiences that shape youth into their full, authentic selves, enabling them to shine both now and in the future.”

In Cass County, more than 300 4-H youth and 50 volunteers from the community are involved in 4-H. For over 100 years, 4‑H has inspired families, shaped careers, and impacted communities. For more information on the Iowa 4-H Youth Development program, please contact the Cass County Extension office or visit the Iowa 4-H website at www.extension.iastate.edu/4h.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County (Iowa) Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Kathy Somers has announced in-person-absentee voting will take place at the auditor’s office in the courthouse beginning Wednesday, October 16th through Monday, November 4th, the day before the election, during regular business hours from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The auditor’s office will also be open for in-person- absentee voting, and other election business, on Saturday, November 2nd, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Voters wishing to vote by mail may request absentee ballots by contacting the auditor’s office, or by downloading the request form from the Secretary of State’s website and delivering it to the auditor’s office by October 21st. The Secretary of State’s website is sos.iowa.gov/elections/electioninfo/absenteeinfo.html.

Vote Early

Absentee ballots must be returned to the auditor’s office before polls close at 8:00 PM on election night in order to be counted. For more information about the November 5, 2024 General Election, contact the auditor’s office at 712-243-4570 or go to the Cass County elections website at casscountyia.gov/county-government/elections/general-elections/.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a woman from Glenwood was arrested Tuesday night on weapons charges.  69-year-old Teresa Ann Keller was arrested for Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon, and Reckless use of a Firearm. Her bond was set at $10,000.