(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports two recent arrests. Just before 1-p.m. Friday, 25-year-old Cassandra Dawn Allen, of Tingley, was arrested at the Creston Wal-Mart store, for Theft in the 5th Degree, Concealing/destroying security property under $300. Allen was released on a Promise to Appear in court.

And, at around 2:52-a.m. Sunday, 33-year-old Andrew Wayne Long, of Creston, was arrested at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center. He was charged with OWI/2nd offense and transported to the Union County Jail, where Long was being held on a $2,000 cash or surety bond.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council will meet in a regular session beginning at 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, in their Chambers at City Hall. The Council is expected to act on an Order to appoint former Fire Chief Mark McNees to the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission, as a replacement for Roger Herring. The Commission serves as an advisory board to the City Council. Its seven members meet as needed, on the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30-p.m., in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall.

The Council will receive a report Wednesday, from Code Enforcement Officer Kris Erickson, and a request for funding from SHIFT ATL, for housing redevelopment. City Administrator John Lund says the non-profit organization is in the process of buying another house to “flip,” and the funds they have requested, if approved, would be used for rehabilitating the home. A similar agreement was reached with SHIFT ATL previously, and according to Lund, “went smoothly.” The withdrawal and repayment would all occur within FY Transfer 2024, and as such, would not negatively impact the City’s fund balances. After SHIFT’s presentation, the Council has the option to approve the request, or refer it to the Personnel & Finance Committee for recommendation.

The Council will also act on approving an Order for a Professional Services Agreement with the “Retail Coach.” The extension of the current agreement which is set to expire in August, is $22,500. That’s $10,000 less than the original contract price. During their last meeting, the City Council heard an update from Retail Coach President/Consultant Austin Farmer, and concluded that the extension is worth the additional expense, but also that results need to be made in 2023. To date,John Lund said the City has been provided with extensive cellular data in our trade area, and the company has executed the terms of the original contract to the City’s satisfaction.

In other business, of note, the Atlantic City Council will act to pass a Resolution “Creating the Position of Public Works Director,” approving the job description and setting of the salary. City Administrator John Lund says the Personnel & Finance Committee met last Fall to review a proposal to revamp the Street Superintendent position and create a position for Director of Public Works. That person would have authority over departments that the City Administrator oversees, and still report to John Lund. The individual would oversee/Supervise the Street Dept. (Which will become the Public Works Dept.), Parks and Rec Dept., and Code Enforcement/Animal Shelter.

Kirk Knudsen, who began working with the City of Atlantic’s Street Dept. on Dec. 19, 1985, is recommend for the promotion, which would pay an annual salary of $92,500, and would be effective the next payroll period. John Lund notes Knudsen has the experience, and has served as a critical asset to the City, controlling costs, boosting revenues, and is loved for his attention to details. Lund said “This promotion has been earned many times over,” and is recommending the Council approve the change in title and salary. In his report to the Council, John Lund will provide an update on a Wastewater Utility Rate proposal.

(Radio Iowa) – A coalition of Iowa health care providers, researchers, cancer survivors and others is releasing its five-year Iowa Cancer Plan. Rachel Schramm, program manager of the Iowa Cancer Consortium, says behind heart disease, cancer is the number-two cause of death in Iowa, so people need to take an active role in their health, and get regular screenings to stay healthy. “Whether that’s just an individual who’s scheduling that colonoscopy, or someone that hears this report and is like, ‘Oh, I should really ask my parents about our family’s health history,’ we really want just the everyday Iowan to take those steps to reduce the burden of cancer in their community,” Schramm says.

It’s projected 22-thousand Iowans will be diagnosed with cancer this year, while 63-hundred Iowans will die from it. The report says the pandemic continues to disrupt the diagnosis and treatment of cancer by closing health care facilities, disrupting employment and health insurance, and the fear of COVID-19 exposure. “Our health care systems are doing everything that they can to keep their environment safe,” Schramm says. “We know that cancer is most treatable when it is found and diagnosed early, so we really want to make sure that if people have put off a mammogram or a colonoscopy or a lung cancer screening, that they call their provider and make arrangements to do it.”

It’s estimated more than nine-million people missed cancer screenings nationwide because of the pandemic. Colonoscopies had traditionally been done starting at age 50, but in recent years, it was pushed back to age 45 — or younger if there’s a family history of colon cancer. Schramm says early detection and screening helps to ensure an early diagnosis and much greater odds of survival. “Lung cancer screening is kind of new for people,” Schramm says, “so definitely, if folks have a history of tobacco use, they should talk to their doctor about the screening that’s available for them.”

She says one goal of the Iowa Cancer Plan is to address the unique needs of communities including providing education, funding, and support for local cancer control projects. See the full report at: www.canceriowa.org.

(Radio Iowa) – An Iowa tax checkoff that sends funds to the Fish and Wildlife Fund has seen some ups and downs in recent years. D-N-R wildlife biologist, Stephanie Shepherd, oversees what’s called the Chickadee Checkoff. “During tax year 2020, folks were especially generous. So we did see a big drop in donations this year from 2020. But those donations in 2020, were really high,” Shepherd says. She says the bigger concern is the number of people who check the box and make a donation. “A decade ago, we had several thousand more people who were donating, and we’re down to just about, six-thousand people donating, they’re just being more generous with their donations. So kind of keeping us at the same level, ” Shepherd says.

There were 62-hundred Iowa taxpayers who used the Chickadee Checkoff in 20212– a drop of one-thousand from 2020. Shepherd says they want more people to know how the checkoff money is used in hopes of increasing donations. “It is the only program that has a 100 percent focus on all the wildlife you can’t hunt, fish or trap. So you know, game species game fish have other funding sources through hunting license, and fishing license dollars,” she says. “But non-game wildlife doesn’t really have doesn’t get a lot of money from those sources. And our major funding to support those species comes from the chickadee checkoff and the natural resources license plates.”

Shepherd says the Wildlife Diversity Fund is used for many different things. “Working to enhance habitat for non-game wildlife, finding areas to conserve for non-game wildlife and doing data surveys for species such as the Rusty Patch Bumblebee, which is a federally endangered species,” she says.  Some of the other species it helps are songbirds, bald eagles, salamanders, turtles, and monarch butterflies. Shepherd says a majority of people now are filing their taxes electronically, which she says can hinder donations. “With most tax preparers, you need to be very vocal that you’d like to donate to the Chickadee Checkoff or they will just skip right over it. Some tax preparers will even charge more if you want to donate on the contribution line. So you know, that’s a deterrent for folks,” Shepherd says. “And then also, if you’re using one of the electronic programs like TurboTax, or whatever, a lot of times it can just be easy to skip over or miss.”

She says any amount you can donate will help. “Folks can donate as little as a dollar on their state tax form….there’s four different charitable organizations on the tax form that are eligible for donations and you can throw a dollar at each of them and it makes a difference,” she says.  Shepherd says the average donation is 12 dollars. If you do miss the Chickadee Checkoff on your tax form, you can now donate directly to the Wildlife Diversity Program on the Iowa D-N-R website.

The Chickadee Checkoff has been on Iowa tax forms since the 1980s.

(Cumberland, Iowa) – Firefighters from Cumberland and Massena, along with Cass EMS personnel, responded to a residential fire southeast of Cumberland, Sunday evening. The fire at 70324 Richland Road was reported at around 6:09-p.m.  According to dispatch reports, the home’s owners were attempting to douse the flames in the ceiling, prior to firefighters’ arrival.

Cumberland Assistant Fire Chief Sean South tells KJAN News that the homeowner discovered smoke near an electrical box on the porch, and called 9-1-1. Upon arrival, fire crews found flames in the wall and attic of the residence. Crews cut access holes and were able to extinguish the flames.

Everyone got out of the home safely, and there were no injuries, but the house has extensive damage, according to South.

Waterloo, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Department of Corrections report 19-year-old Alexander Joseph Carman, convicted of Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon and other charges in Dubuque County, failed to report to the Waterloo Residential Correctional Facility as required, Friday.

Carman is a white male, height 5′ 6″, and weighs 138 pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on 10/20/22.

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

Alexander Carman (IDOC photo)

At least two area Board’s of Supervisors will hold (separate) meetings Monday morning, beginning at 9-a.m.  In Greenfield, the Adair County Board of Supervisors will hold a FY 24 Special Budget Work Session. No action is scheduled.

And, in Harlan, the Shelby County Board will meet to take action on approving ICIT IT System inspection/Analysis.

The Shelby County Board will also discuss and act on* Setting Stipend position pay for: FY 2024 for Dam Inspections* ($3,500); GIS Coordinator ($2,500); IT Coordinator ($2,500) and Zoning Director ($7,500)*.

(Creston, Iowa) – Authorities in Union County report two recent, non-injury accidents. At around 4:15-p.m. Saturday in Creston, a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 64-year-old Ricky Lee Hoadley, of Red Oak, was struck by a 2014 Buick LaCrosse SUV, driven by 19-year-old Maria Alexandra Groumoutis, of Creston. Creston Police say the accident happened at the intersection of Spruce and Howard Streets, when Hoadley stopped, but then continued into the intersection. His SUV was hit on the passenger side by the westbound Buick SUV, which did not have a stop sign.

The impact caused the side air bags to go off on the Jeep, which came to rest on the curb on the west side of Spruce Street. Damage from the crash amounted to $2,000. There were no citations.

The second accident happened Friday afternoon at 185th Street and U-S Highway 169, in Union County. The Sheriff’s Office reports a 2019 Ford Expedition driven by 45-year-old Vanissa Lynn Spencer, of Thayer, was slowing to turn into a private drive. The driver of a 2013 Dodge Avenger – 15-year-old Abigail Sue Neisemier, of Thayer – wasn’t paying attention, and was looking down to grab her phone. She failed to see the SUV was slowing, which caused her car to hit the SUV from behind.

Damage from the accident amounted to $5,000. No citations were issued.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Democratic Party’s state central committee has elected a former state senator who lost a 2020 congressional race by six votes as its chairwoman. Rita Hart was also the party’s 2018 nominee for lieutenant governor. “My focus is squarely on helping our party begin winning elections again,” Hart said. “…I’m under no illusions that this
will be easy and I know that it will take time.” Hart has been the leader of Clinton County Democrats for the past year. She says county parties need more support to be effective.

“Serving as IDP chair has never been an ambition of mine, but I do care deeply about the success of Iowa Democrats,” Hart said. “…I’ve seen time and time again how the policies that our leaders implement affect everyday Iowans.” Hart takes over as Iowa Republicans hold firm majorities in the state legislature and all six seats in Iowa’s federal delegation. Hart, a former teacher in two small school districts, won two state senate races in a predominantly rural district.

“I’ve won two races in a state senate district that Donald Trump carried twice,” Hart said, “and in my 2020 congressional race, we raised $5 million and outperformed Joe Biden by more than any of the other Iowa congressional races.” Hart’s election came in hour four of a sometimes turbulent meeting of the Iowa Democratic Party’s state central committee. Some members tried to delay considering changes in the party’s governing structure and questioned who was allowed by party rules to vote in the race for chair.

Brittany Ruland, one of the other two candidates who sought the job of party chair, said the meeting had been a bit more heated than everyone might have been prepared for.  “Whatever differences we might have, you know they really pale in comparison to what we’re looking towards what the Iowa GOP is doing right now,” she said. Ruland ran a key 2022 race that saw a Democrat defeat the Republican who was president of the state senate.

Democrats held their meeting virtually and it took more than an hour to tally the electronic ballots in the race for chair, which Hart won with 69 percent support.