(Creston, Iowa) – Three people were arrested on separate charges, Wednesday, in Creston:

According to Creston Police, 61-year-old Douglas Damian Baker, of Creston, was arrested for Public Intoxication. Baker was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on $300 bond.

29-year-old Blake Alan Mcdole, of Creston, turned himself into the Union County Law Enforcement Center on a Warrant. Mcdole was charged with Operating while under the influence 1st offense. He posted $1,000 bond and was released.

And, 40-year-old Curtis Lee Lamasters, of Creston, was arrested Wednesday and charged with 4 counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor – Cause to Act. Lamasters was being held in the Union County Jail on $1,200 bond.

Fremont County, Iowa – In an unprecedented move, the Fremont County Democratic Party announced, in a news release, that they reconvened on June 14 to nominate Chris Clark, an incumbent Republican member of the Fremont County Board of Supervisors. Clark is expected to accept the nomination and fill the party’s ballot vacancy for the Board of Supervisors in the November general election and is not expected to change his own party affiliation.

The release stated that Clark’s dedication to serving all Fremont County residents shows the coalition of support across party lines he has built during his time as Fremont County Supervisor. This nomination ensures that all Fremont County voters have the opportunity to be heard at the ballot box in November.

The Fremont County Democratic Party release says that they support all local leaders committed to making Fremont County a great place to live, work, and raise a family, regardless of party affiliation, and that Clark embodies these values and possesses the experience, vision, and professionalism necessary to lead Fremont County forward.

The release also says that the local democratic party remains focused on identifying and supporting all candidates who prioritize the needs of Fremont County over partisan politics and personal grievance.

Fremont County’s future is the priority. The Fremont County Democratic Party urges all voters to look beyond party labels and consider the values and dedication that Chris Clark brings to the Board of Supervisors when voting this November.

Officials with the 30+ year-old Pregnancy Center of Southwest Iowa, located just north of the Montgomery County Courthouse in Red Oak, say the facility has reached the point of needing replacement of the building’s cedar siding.  They have an immediate need for $21,500 to complete this project, of which $5,000 has already been raised.  The cedar boards are warping, nails are popping out and there are some small areas of water damage.   Board President Rod Goodemote said in a news release that the goal is to not only protect the building, but to maintain the current historic style.

The board is asking area residents to consider writing a check today (put siding fund in the memo) to support this project.  Goodemote also asks that this be shared with your church, employer, Bible study group, women’s group, etc. to help take care of the beautiful building the Lord has provided.

Goodemote adds that they need the funds as soon as possible so work can begin.

Donations can be sent to:  PCSI, 101 E. Reed Street, Red Oak, IA. 51566 or donate via paypal at www.pcsi.care.

The director of the Wapello County Conservation Board says you may see more deer on and along the roadways in warm weather. Rick Tebbs says deer are like humans and stay in the shade to keep cool during the day, and then go on the move to look for food as the sun sets.

Tebbs says the deer we are most likely to see while driving around this time of the year are very young.

Tebbs suggests drivers should go easy on the gas pedal while traveling at night.

Experts say you should not swerve if you see a deer in the roadway, as you may lose control of your car and put yourself in danger.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who use wheelchairs to get around can now zip right onto the sandy beach — or practically anywhere else — at Big Creek State Park in a motorized track chair that’s part wheelchair and part A-T-V. Chad Kelchen, a parks supervisor with the Iowa D-N-R, says the new Action Trackchair is designed to handle tougher terrain than a typical wheelchair.

Iowa DNR photo of a track chair in use

The track chair is the first of its kind for the agency as Kelchen says they noticed people with mobility issues would end up stranded -near- but not -on- the beach, which had to be frustrating.

The Trackchair can handle slopes of up to 30 degrees and it features a cushioned seat, an adjustable reclining backrest and a headrest. Its battery charge will last five to seven hours, depending on the terrain.

The 20-thousand dollar chair came to Iowa at no charge through a grant from the Ford Bronco Wild Fund, which is administered by the America’s State Parks Foundation. Big Creek State Park is in Polk City, just north of Des Moines.

(Radio Iowa) – State Ag Secretary Mike Naig says Iowa officials are taking a different approach compared to other states when it comes to bird flu testing. When a poultry flock has been hit by the virus, the testing protocol has been that poultry operations within a 20 kilometer radius are tested.

Results are expected soon and Naig says there could be a big bump in the number of bird flu cases confirmed on Iowa dairy farms.

Teams of U-S-D-A experts have been in the state analyzing each of the sites where bird flu has been confirmed among poultry or dairy cattle.

Naig says even dairy farmers OUTSIDE of the mandatory testing zones have contacted state officials to say they suspect cattle are infected with the virus. Dairy cows are quarantined while they’re sick, but are not euthanized.

The strain of bird flu that’s been CONFIRMED at EIGHT dairy operations in northwest Iowa over the past few weeks is the same. Naig suspects bird flu is more widespread.

The main hit to dairies where bird flu is detected is a drop in milk production, but Naig says some Iowa dairy cows have died after being diagnosed with bird flu.

According to the U-S-D-A, it’s older dairy cows that die after getting the virus. The National Veterinary Services Lab in Ames is processing the tests for highly pathogenic avian influenza in Iowa dairy herds.

Des Moines, Iowa – The 2024 Governor’s Volunteer Awards will be held 2-p.m. Tuesday, June 25th, at Ankeny High School (1155 SW Cherry Street, Ankeny). Governor Reynolds will recognize individuals and groups during the special ceremony. More than 400 awards are being presented this year.

Individual awards will be presented to southwest Iowans, including 13 people from Clarinda, and one each from Guthrie Center, Glenwood, Carson, Oakland, Villisca, Neola and Shenandoah. Group winners include: The Carson Community Rodeo; Friends of Lake Anita State Park; The Manning Regional Health Care Center; and Shenandoah Medical Center. (View the complete list of Award recipients HERE)

It is estimated that over 85 communities in Iowa were served by this year’s honorees. Coordinated by Volunteer Iowa, a program within the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS), the Governor’s Volunteer Award program—now in its 40^th year—provides an easy way for Iowa nonprofits, charitable organizations, and government entities to honor their volunteers with a prestigious, state-level award.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says “Those being recognized are the people who invest in others without expecting anything in return—except, of course, for the fulfillment that comes from doing their part to give back to their community. This collective impact is nothing short of remarkable.”

SAC CITY, Iowa — Officials say FINAL autopsy results indicate a western Iowa truck driver whose body was found about a mile from his abandoned semi, did not die as the result of a homicide. Because there was no crime involved in David Schultz’ death therefore, officials will not release more information about the cause of death, and the case is considered closed.

The 53-year-old Schultz, from Wall Lake, went missing in November  of 2023.  His body was not found until April, 2024, when his remains were discovered in a farm field.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation released an update the day after he was found, saying PRELIMINARY autopsy results showed no signs of trauma or serious injury and that foul play was not suspected.