Two companies were sentenced to probation for one year and ordered to pay millions in restitution in a federal fraud case.

A judge ordered Energae of Clear Lake and I-Lenders to each pay more than one million dollars restitution and to forfeit more than two-point-four million dollars. The sentencing is related to a scheme by Darrel Smith of Forest City and his brother David Smith, of Pocatello, Idaho. Court information shows Darrell Smith used money from his investment clients to pay expenses related to the operation of a now-defunct ethanol plant in Hopkinton.

Darrell Smith was sentenced in 2018 to more than 14 years in federal prison for his conviction of one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. David Smith, of Pocatello, Idaho, was sentenced to two months in federal prison in 2019 after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to obstruct, influence, and impede an official proceeding.

The Iowa D-O-T has canceled its fall in-person equipment and vehicle auction. Spokesman David Bollenbaugh (Boll-en-bah) says they just don’t have enough vehicles available.

He says they continue maintaining the trucks they have until they can get a replacement. Bollenbaugh says when they do get new trucks — it’s not very many.

He says the amount of time they normal keep trucks can vary — with the larger ones usually around for ten years before they are rotated out. Bollengaugh says they will continue selling the vehicles they are rotating out online. He says they will have several smaller trucks, a passenger van and some larger trucks for sale online — and the mileage will be more than what you would normally see in a sale.

Bollenbaugh says they hope to have another in-person auction in the spring where they will have inventory from the D-O-T and others.

He says they will keep trying to sell the items online until then.

Bollenbaugh says they have been doing some remodeling and will also have some office furniture available online. You can go to GovDeals.com to see the items the Iowa D-O-T has for sale.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest Tuesday morning of 52-year-old Chadwick Zucco of Red Oak. Zucco was arrested at 9:37 a.m. at 600 N Highland Avenue for Possession of 25.21 grams of Marijuana, 3rd Offense. He was booked in to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $5,000 bond.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest on Sunday, September 25th at 6:15 p.m. of 30-year-old Jamie Gene Neville of Red Oak. Neville was arrested for Driving Under Suspension in the 700 block of 7th Street in Red Oak. He was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $491.25 bond.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports one recent arrest and a few accidents.

On Friday, September 24th Deputies arrested 39-year-old Christopher Patrick Schoening of Glenwood on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault. He was arrested at 9:32 p.m. on Hershey Avenue and booked in to the Mills County Jail on no bond.

Also on Friday, September 24th two accidents were reported. At 10:50 a.m. at 188th Street and Highway 34 20-year-old Zachary Fischer was driving a 1997 Ford westbound on Highway 34 approaching the intersection of 188th Street. A 2022 Chevy driven by 58-year-old Patrick John of Mineola was traveling south and turning west onto Highway 34. Fischer stated he was talking on his cell phone and thought he had a green light. He collided with the Chevy. Fischer was shaken up and unable to recall many details of the collision. He had a small cut on his forehead but refused medical treatment at the scene. John was transported from the scene to Mercy Hospital for treatment of unknown injuries.

The other accident on Friday occurred at 4:36 p.m. when a 2014 GMC pickup operated by 83-year-old William Richardson of Thurman was attempting to back into a parking stall at the BP Gas Station on 190th Street. The vehicle struck the building causing damage to the building and the vehicle. No injuries were reported. It is unknown if Richardson’s foot slipped off the brake or he unintentionally hit the gas pedal.

On September 25th at 1:10 p.m. 21-year-old Zachary Updegraff of Hastings was driving a 2000 Ford west bound on Highway 34 near Kidd Road and went off the shoulder. He overcorrected and slid across all 4 lanes of traffic, sending the Ford into a rollover. The vehicle came to rest on its top on the eastbound side of traffic on the opposite shoulder. No injuries were reported and the vehicle was deemed a total loss.

Also on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. 37-year-old Marli Anderson of Glenwood was driving a 2012 Toyota north bound on 195th Street when the passenger tire blew, causing the vehicle to lose control and leave the roadway to the West. The Toyota then struck a tree on the property of 56910 195th Street. No injuries were reported.

The Creston Police Department reports two separate arrests on Monday.

At 4:05 p.m. 34-year-old Corry Donald Johnston of Creston was arrested at his residence. He was charged on 2 Union County Warrants for Failure to Appear. The first on a charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and the second on charges of Eluding-Injury, Drugs, or Particpate in a Felony, Driving While Barred, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Johnston was taken to the Union County Jail and held on no bond until seen by a Magistrate.

At 10:27 p.m. 53-year-old Timothy Dean Coleman of Lenox was arrested at the Casey’s store on Highway 34 in Creston. Coleman was charged with Driving While Revoked and taken to the Union County Jail where he later posted $1,000 bond.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors are set to meet this Tuesday morning at 9:00am in the boardroom at the Adair County Courthouse.

On their agenda is a resolution on a Living Roadway trust fund grant. They will also discuss the fiscal year 20 and 21 Loess Hills Development Audit and the Veteran’s Affairs building lease.

The Board is also set to hear from Kerry Aistrope and Terri Raasch with Ag Extension information and a roads update from County Engineer Nick Kauffmann. The agenda also includes a word from Blair Carney with discussion on 105th Street and Brown and Elk Avenues.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests this past week.

On September 19th Deputies arrested 37-year-old Abioseh O Sesay of Upper Marlboro, MD on Stuart Road for Possession of a Controlled Substance (3rd or subsequent offense). Sesay was arrested at 7:39 p.m. and taken to the Adair County Jail where he later posted $1,000 bond.

On September 20th at 11:36 p.m. Stuart Police arrested 48-year-old Jason James Masolini of Des Moines at the Stuart Hotel for Domestic Assault Choking/Bodily Injury and Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree. Masolini was booked in to the Adair County Jail and later posted $10,000 bond.

On September 22nd at 10:33 p.m. Adair County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 32-year-old Joshua Christopher Matthew Naujock of Greenfield at the intersection of Highway 25 and 260th Street. He was charged with OWI 2nd Offense. He was later cited and released.

Survey information released from the U-S-D-A shows a big increase in farmland values and cash rent. Iowa State University livestock economist, Lee Schulz, says the cropland increased 19-point-seven percent.

Schulz says this is one set of numbers in the overall picture.

He says high commodity prices are one of the big drivers of land values.

Schulz specializes in livestock and says that industry is having an impact on pasture land values.

He says as the commodity prices rise there’s competition for that land. The Fed Reserve recently raised interest rates again and Schulz says that is going to continue to impact land values along with the other factors.

Iowa State releases its annual land value survey in December.

Atlantic has entered the Iowa Cities Walking Challenge as part of Iowa’s October 5 Healthiest State Walk. However, to be counted in the challenge, all walk participants must be registered by midnight, Tuesday, September 27. To register for a walk visit http://www.iowahealthieststate.com/events/annual-walk/. To incentivize walk participation and registration, area businesses and organizations are donating door prizes. Winners will be drawn from all people who have registered for the walk by midnight, Tuesday, September 27.

All people participating in walks in Atlantic will be counted towards Atlantic’s Cities Walking Challenge, which provides funding to the cities with the most walk participants. A walk Atlantic-area residents may be particularly interested in joining is the walk from the Nishna Valley Family YMCA to Harl Holt Park and back on Wednesday, October 5 at 9:30 AM.
Participants will walk approximately two miles (there and back) along the newly renovated Bull Creek Pathway, learn about area recreational opportunities and trails, and enjoy refreshments from Hy-Vee and Fareway of Atlantic. A few lucky walkers will take a door prize, such as $25 gift cards from Brown’s Shoe Fit of Atlantic.

The Healthiest State Walk is a state-wide initiative that encourages people to “Walk More.  Connect More.” Anyone can register a walk, and workplaces, schools, churches, and other organizations  are encouraged to register a quick 30-minute walk anytime on October 5. For more information visit http://www.iowahealthieststate.com/events/annual-walk/.

The Healthiest State Walk is spearheaded by Iowa’s Healthiest State Initiative, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization with the goal of making Iowa the healthiest state in the nation. On their blog, Iowa’s Healthiest State Initiative shares many benefits to walking including increased energy levels and better sleep, as well as increased blood flow that leads to better cognitive functioning, improved memory, and reduced anxiety and depression.

What: Help us celebrate the renovation of Bull Creek Pathway trail in Atlantic! We’ll walk from the Nishna Valley Family YMCA north parking lot to Harl Holt Park and back.  Expect information on outdoor activities and trails in the area, as well as refreshments and a good time!

Where: Nishna Valley Family YMCA (1100 Maple Street, Atlantic, IA 50022). North parking lot.
Rain location: inside the YMCA

When: Wednesday, Oct. 5, 9:30-10:30 AM

Who: Anyone is welcome!

Cost: No cost! Free giveaways will be provided to participants. Door prizes will be drawn from
participants who have registered online by midnight, Tuesday, Sept. 27 at http://www.iowahealthieststate.com/events/annual-walk/.