Press release:

Cass County is going “green” the first week in October, with the help of local 4-H club members and leaders. It may be a different kind of green, but you’re sure to notice clovers and other decorations going up in local businesses as 4-H’ers paint the town green for National 4-H Week, October 2nd through the 8th.

Club members decorate the windows of local businesses to spread the word about 4-H, and compete for the honor of “best display”. Clubs also observe 4-H week in other ways, from distributing bookmarks in local schools to wearing their 4-H tee-shirts. Cass County currently has 15 4-H clubs with more than 275 members across the county, so you’re bound to see a clover pop up somewhere near you!

National 4-H week is designed to celebrate and share the leadership, citizenship, communications and life skills that young people learn in 4-H every day across the US. 4-H Members can enroll in project areas from Animals to Technology, learning about topics that interest them while participating in activities that help them grow individually and benefit their local communities. 4-Hers pledge their “Heads, Hearts, Hands and Health” to becoming better citizens!

In addition to local club events, the Cass County Youth Council will be helping with a booth at Harvest Fest on October 8th, from 10-4 at the Rock Island Depot in downtown Atlantic. All local youth are invited to stop by and have fun at a “4-H Photo Booth” where you can dress up as your favorite 4-H project and have your picture taken while you “Choose Your Adventure with 4-H”. County Youth Coordinator Susan Oliver will answer questions about the 4-H program, and you can pick up information on joining 4-H! “I love having opportunity to get in front of people and talk about 4-H, because I get to see firsthand how much the kids grow from their experiences,” shared Oliver.

On Sunday, October 9th, Cass County 4-H Members will participate in their annual County Convention where clubs and individuals receive recognition for their accomplishments throughout the past year. This event wraps up National 4-H Week, as well as the 4-H year, and energizes the 4-H membership drive happening during the month of October. Individuals interested in joining 4-H during this enrollment time, or those with questions about the program, are encouraged to call Oliver at the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132 or e-mail xcass@iastate.edu.

The Audubon City Council had their regularly scheduled meeting Monday night.

City clerk Lora Hansen says the Council approved new IT contracts to purchase five new computers. The computers will be placed at City Hall, the Police Department, and the City Maintenance Building. Previously the public works department did not have computers. A new city website will also be designed as part of the IT contracts.

Also at the meeting last night the council discussed vacating a portion of Davis Street, which leads to a dead end. A resident had requested to vacate the street, but no action was taken on the matter as the city attorney was not present.

Three people have been arrested in Adams County on drug charges.

On Monday, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant at 909 7^th St Apartment 2 where drugs and drug equipment were seized.

Three people face charges from the investigation. 18-year-old Michelle Herring was charged with procession of drug paraphernalia. 36-year-old Amy Crispn and 19-year-old Skylarr Lilly were each charged with 3 counts of child endangerment, one count of drug paraphernalia, gathering where controlled substances are used, felony procession with intent to distribute on real property, felony failure to affix drug tax stamp, and felony distribution to a minor.

No other details are currently available.

An 18-year-old from Harlan faces up to five years in jail on felony burglary charges.

On August 29^th, 18-year-old Spencer Allen Seyler of Harlan is accused entering a home at 906 Baldwin in Harlan. Seyler and another unnamed male caused about $1,500 damage to the home. The homeowner was not home at the time of the burglary.

Seyler was charged with felony burglary, which is a class D felony. If convicted, he faces up to five years in jail and a $5,000 fine. No trial date has been set.

The other male involved in the burglary has not yet been charged.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of a Glenwood man on drug charges.

On Friday at about 9:15 PM, 39-year-old Kenneth Benjamin McDonald of Glenwood was arrested near Norrell Avenue in Glenwood.

McDonald has been charged with several crimes, including: manufacturing, possession of a controlled substance Methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance marijuana, having no drug tax stamp, possession of drug paraphernalia, and interference with official acts.

McDonald’s bond was set at $12,600.

With fall officially beginning last week, Iowans can expect to start seeing the leaves changing colors.

This year, the DNR estimates that the northern half of the state will experience peak colors beginning around October 8. Here in southwest Iowa, the DNR says we can expect to see peak colors during the week of October 15^th.

The fall colors also provide a boost to tourism in the state. Iowa Tourism Office Manager Shawna Lode says a quarter of travelers in Iowa visit between September and November. She says, “those people are enjoying great fall festivals, u-pick pumpkin patches, apple orchards and, of course, beautiful and colorful scenery along the way.”

One of the fall activities the Iowa Tourism Office is highlighting is western is the Iowa Living Loess Tour, near Missouri Valley. On October 15 nine artisans in the scenic Loess Hills, including a lavender farm, aronia berry farm and woodworker, will offer special programs and discounts.

A two-vehicle accident Monday in Fremont County has led to two people being hospitalized.

At approximately 8:15 PM a pickup driven by Claude Gerhart of Kansas City, MO was traveling north on Highway 59. Gerhart was attempting a right hand turn onto 110^th street and was rear ended by a semi driven by Ruslan Sirotinskiy.

Two passengers in Gerhart’s vehicle were injured with non life threatening injuries. They included Glen Clarke of Grandview, MO and Edwardo Perez of Independence, MO. Both were transported to Shenandoah Memorial Hospital.

Sirotinskiy was cited for following too close. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Essex Fire and Rescue.

w/ Brett Johnson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (8.6MB)

Subscribe: RSS

The Adair County Board of Supervisors will have their regularly scheduled meeting Wednesday.

On the agenda is a report from County Engineer Charles Marker regarding the Urban Renewal Amendment. He’ll also discuss with the board the possibly closing a portion of 150^th street, which is between section 33 and 28 Lincoln Township.

Also on the agenda Wednesday: A discussion about township clerk wages; the SIRHA annual financial statement; a manure management plan update; and a resolution regarding Greenfield Municipal Utilities Board.

The meeting begins on Wednesday morning at 9:00 at the Adair County Courthouse Boardroom.

The Iowa Attorney General has dramatically increased enforcement of a law requiring excavators to contact Iowa One Call 48 hours before excavation.

The number of lawsuits filed has increased from an average of three filed per year from 1999-2009, to 13 lawsuits that were last year. The civil penalties also increased from an average of $13,500 from 1999-2009 to a total of $53,000 assessed last year.

Iowa Code, Chapter 480, spells out the responsibilities of anyone planning to dig. It also outlines the civil penalties that may be incurred if someone violates the code, including potentially substantial fines.

You can visit www.iowaonecall.com or www.call811.com for more information.