Republican candidate Ron DeSantis is asking his supporters to ignore what he refers to as a “media narrative” that suggests Donald Trump will easily win the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential nomination.

Polls suggest DeSantis and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley are battling for second place in the Iowa Caucuses. In early December, DeSantis predicted he would win the contest. Last (Sunday) night, DeSantis talked about a political process he called messy.

Several hundred people who back DeSantis gathered in a West Des Moines hotel ballroom for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and an 11 minute speech from the candidate on New Year’s Eve.

DeSantis said…

DeSantis was the only G-O-P candidate who campaigned in Iowa Sunday.

A single-vehicle accident Sunday afternoon in south central Iowa claimed the life of a woman from Davis City. The Iowa State Patrol reports the crash happened at around 4:18-p.m. on southbound Highway 69, north of 120th Street, in Decatur County. Authorities say a 2006 Honda Accord driven by 45-year-old Amanda Beth Zelasko, for reasons unknown, left the road to the left and entered the east ditch, where it struck a tree.

Authorities say Zelasko, who was wearing a seatbelt, died from her injuries at the Decatur County Hospital.

(The following is a Press Release from the Clinton Police Department [in eastern Iowa]):

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports two people were arrested recently on warrants, and a warrant was served on a jail inmate.

At around Noon last Thursday (Dec. 28th, 37-year-old Douglas Edward Woodward, III, of Afton was arrested at the Walmart in Creston. Woodward was charged on two Union County Warrants for FTA (Failure To Appear)  on an original charge Violation of No Contact/Protective Order-Contempt of Court. He was taken to the Union County Jail and held without bond while serving his remaining jail time. And, at around 11:30-p.m. Friday, 31-year-old Rogelio Olivera-Martinez, of Creston, was arrested at 112 Manor Drive. Olivera-Martinez was taken into custody on a Union County Warrant for FTA on an original charge Possession of Controlled Substance- Methamphetamine/1st Offense (an Aggravated Misdemeanor). Olivera-Martinez was taken to the Union County Jail and held on $1,000 cash-only bond.

At around 12:04-a.m., Saturday, Union County Jail inmate, 20-year-old Garrett Neal Thomson, of Creston, was served with a Union County Warrant for FTA on a charge of Operating while Under the Influence (OWI)/1st Offense. Thomas was being held on $1,000 cash-only bond.

Creston Police say also, a woman residing in the 600 block of Grand Avenue reported Friday, the rear window of her car was broken out. The incident happened sometime between 10-p.m. Thursday and 11:45-a.m. Friday. The loss was estimated at $250.

(Clarinda, Iowa) – The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports six arrests took place from Dec. 19th through the 22nd. Four arrests occurred on the 22nd:

• 31-year-old Deaven Wayne Donner, of Shenandoah, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault.
• 29-year-old Changouth John Dum, of Omaha, was arrested at the Douglas County, NE., Sheriff’s Office, on a Page County warrant for Violation of Probation.
• 65-year-old James Linley Moses, of Shambaugh, was arrested on a Nodaway County, MO., warrant.
• and, 53-year-old David Aaaron Stoakes, of Shenandoah, was arrested Dec. 22nd for OWI/1st offense.

On Dec. 20th, Page County Deputies arrested 38-year-old Colbie Jo Sue Hunter, of Omaha. She was booked into the Page County Jail to serve time. And, on the 19th of December, 56-year-old Mark Eugene Greene, of Shenandoah, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, two-counts Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia.

There were 10 citations issued in Page County, from Dec. 16th through the 19th, seven of which were for speeding. One person was cited for Unlawful Passing of a School Bus Stop Arm, and one person was cited for Failure to Obey a Stop Sign.

There was also one accident in Page County. Deputies responded to the intersection of Highway 2 and A Avenue on Dec. 22nd. Authorities say Nichole Lynn Glassinger, of Shenandoah, was traveling east on Highway 2, just east of A Avenue, when for reasons unknown, her vehicle left the road, traveled through a field and struck a tree. Glassinger was transported to the Shenandoah Medical Center, for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A man from Red Oak was arrested early this (Saturday) morning on an assault charge. According to Red Oak Police, 50-year-old Fredrick Lee Miles, Jr., was arrested at around 1:15-a.m.for Simple Assault in the 1600 block of E. Summit Street, in Red Oak. He was transported to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on a $300 cash bond.

CLARINDA, Iowa – Official with the Iowa Department of Corrections, today (Friday), reported 66-year-old Joseph Charles Pray, who was serving a 45-year maximum term for the crimes of sex abuse in the 2nd and 3rd degrees out of Polk County, died from natural causes Wednesday afternoon, December 27, 2023. Pray died at Bryans East Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska where he had been housed due to chronic illness.

His sentence began on May 24, 2021.

One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to quit smoking, and a survey finds 70-percent of Iowa smokers -want- to quit, while 50-percent will -try- to quit in 2024. There are mixed messages circulating about how vaping might be able to help smokers to kick the habit, messages that are blatantly false, according to Erika Sward, spokeswoman for the American Lung Association in Iowa.

The U-S Food and Drug Administration has not found any e-cigarettes to be safe and effective in helping smokers quit, she says, and the Lung Association is urging smokers to step away from all tobacco and nicotine products, and not switch to vaping.

State health officials say about 17-percent of Iowa adults smoke and 10-percent of high school students. Surveys also find about five-percent of Iowa adults use e-cigarettes, while up to 22-percent of Iowa 11th graders vape. Breaking the addiction can be very difficult and the advice of a professional may be key.

Studies show the average smoker has to try seven times before they quit smoking for good.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Board of Supervisors will hold their 2024 Organizational session beginning at 9-a.m. Tuesday, January 2nd, in the Board Room at the Courthouse in Harlan. Here is the meeting agenda:

1. CALL TO ORDER/CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT
2. FULLFILLING REQUIREMENT OF IOWA LAW FOR BOARD MEETINGS
3. NAME CHAIRMAN OF BOARD –Action Item
4. NAME VICE CHAIRMAN Action Item
5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Action Item
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 19^TH, 20^TH and 21ST. Action Item
7. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS DECEMBER 31^ST Action Item
8. RECESS TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING 2024 BUDGET AMENDMENT-Action Item
9. EXIT RECESS-Action Item
10. Resolution 2024-9 Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Amendment-Action Item
11. CLAIMS AND TIME SHEETS PROCEDURES FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2024-Action Item
12. 1% PERFORMANCE RAISES FOR EMPLOYEES WHO QUALIFIED-Action Item
13. GIS CONTRACTS HMU—CITY OF HARLAN-Action Item
14. BOND APPROVAL FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS-Action Item
15. TODD VALLINE SHELBY COUNTY CHAMBER REPORT
16. RESOLUTION 2024-1 FROM THE SHELBY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SUPPORTING THE SHELBY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.- Action Item
17. BRANDON BURMEISTER-SECONDARY ROADS-

a. APPOINT SOLID WASTE AGENCY BOARD MEMBERS Stacey Ferry& Gene Gettys Action Item

b.2024 FUEL BID-Action Item

c. RESOLUTION 2024-7 BRIDGE EMBARGO RESOLUTION-Action Item

d. RESOLUTION 2024-8 ROADWAY EMBARGO RESOLUTION-Action item

e. Utility Permit-Rural Water work in Right-of Way-Action Item

18. CONSERVATION BOARD MEMBER appointment- Janet Buman Action Item
19. AUDITOR AUTHORIZATION REGARDING PAYROLL-ACTION ITEM Action Item
20. RESOLUTION 2024-2 APPOINTING COUNTY DEPUTY OFFICIALS Action Item
21. WEED COMMISSIONER APPOINTMENT Action Item
22. COUNTY HOLIDAYS AND MILEAGE CALENDAR 2024 Action Item
23. MEDICAL EXAMINER Action Item
24. COMP BOARD FOR CONDEMNATION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY MEMBERSHIP

Action Item

25. OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR PUBLICATIONS-NAMED Action Item
26. RESOLUTION 2024-3 NON-DISCRIMINATION AFFIRMATION Action Item
27. BONDING BROKER CALENDAR YEAR 2024Action Item
28. SUPERVISOR AND OTHER COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS FOR CALENDAR

YEAR 2024 Action Item

29. AUTHORIZATION ANY SUPERVISOR TO SIGN FARM PROGRAM DOCUMENT

Action Item

30. RESOLUTION 2024-4 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PUBLIC PURPOSE STATEMENT Action Item
31. RESOLUTION 2024-5 PARTNERSHIP-S.W. IOWA TRUST FUND Action Item
32. RESOLUTION 2024-6 COUNTY INSTITUTIONS OF MONETARY DEPOSIT Action Item
33. COUNTY HEALTH INSURANCE RATES AND PROCEDURES FY2024-Action Item
34. Recess Action Item
35. Continue Department Budget workshops