BLAIR, Neb. (AP) – A bomb squad has determined that a package found in a vehicle at the Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant poses no danger. The Omaha Public Power District says in a release that security workers noticed the package around 8:44 a.m. Friday. The vehicle was just outside what the district called the protected area of the plant. About 30 workers at a nearby warehouse were evacuated as a precaution, but the plant continued to operate.

The district says the Washington County Sheriff’s Office was notified, and a bomb squad from Omaha eventually was called in. The squad determined that the package didn’t contain any explosives. It’s not clear yet what the package did contain, if anything.

The Healthiest State Initiative and the State Fire Marshal Division are combining efforts to keep Iowans safe and a bit healthier. Organizers are encouraging Iowans to “Walk at the Whistle” next Wednesday, October 7th, as part of the fifth annual Healthiest State Walk.

Jeff Russell, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Iowa and co-chair of the 2015 Healthiest State Walk, says “The annual Healthiest State Walk is a great opportunity for Iowans to show their support for Iowa to become the healthiest state in the nations. For this year’s Walk, we’re encouraging Iowans to walk in conjunction with the traditional noon whistle used in many communities across our state or with fire drills that will be planned for that date.”

National Fire Prevention Week is October 4th to October 10th this year, and the Healthiest State Initiative is partnering with the State Fire Marshal Division to coordinate fire drills with walks for schools and businesses on October 7th.

Delta Dental of Iowa is presenting sponsor of the 2015 Healthiest State Walk. The Healthiest State Initiative is a privately led, public effort that engages Iowans and their communities throughout the state. It involves individuals, families, businesses, faith-based organizations, not-for-profits and the public sector in a broad-based, community-focused effort. For more information, visit www.iowahealthieststate.com.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing $35 million in federal grants to support farmers markets and other local farm programs.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Friday the distribution of funds allocated in last year’s farm bill to hundreds of local food marketing programs. Iowa farmers market promotion grants include $97,000 for Fort Dodge, $61,000 for Belmond and $35,000 for Creston.

The North Iowa Fresh food hub in Belmond gets nearly $100,000 to expand. The Nebraska Food Cooperative in Belgrade receives nearly $100,000 to develop and promote a local food supply network. The USDA says purchases of locally-produced food have reached nearly $12 billion as farmers increase direct sales to local grocers, institutions and restaurants. The number of farmers markets has surged to more than 8,500 from 5,200 in 2009.

An official with the Iowa State Association of Assessors (ISAA) says Cass County Assessor Brenda Nelson has been appointed by Jean Keller, President of the ISAA, to serve on the Legislative Committee of the Iowa State Association of Assessors. Nelson started her assessment career as an appraiser for Cass County, and then was appointed to her current position of Cass County Assessor in 2003.

She was re-appointed to a six-year term effective Jan. 2016 on Sept. 23rd, following a special meeting and vote by the Cass County Conference Board, which overturned an earlier vote of the Board that took place Sept. 3rd.

Cass County Assessor Brenda Nelson

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IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The bulk of Iowa’s jump in mumps cases has been reported at the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City. The state Public Health Department says 50 cases of mumps have been reported in Iowa this year – 30 of them on the University of Iowa campus.

The state usually has 10 to 20 reported cases a year, but there have been outbreaks, including hundreds of cases in 2006. Doctors say most of the current cases involve students who had met the university’s vaccination requirements. The viral infections symptoms include swollen salivary glands, fever and muscle aches. It spreads easily in confined spaces.

October 4th through the 10th, 2015, is National 4-H Week, and Adams County is celebrating the 4-H youth who have made and are making an impact on the community. Adams County 4-Hers are stepping up to the challenges of a complex and changing world. During National 4-H week Adams County 4-H clubs and members will be visiting with elementary students in Corning about what 4-H is about.

Students will get information about joining one of the three Adams County 4-H clubs to bring home to their parents. 4-H clubs usually meet at least once per month, elect officers, and throughout the year participate in many community service projects and activities as well as have their own individual projects.

Also during National 4-H Week, Adams County Extension will host the Adams Community Chamber of Commerce coffee at the Extension office in Corning. The office is located at 603 7th street in downtown Corning. According to Chris Nelson, Adams County Extension program coordinator, the coffee will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 9th and all interested adults and youth are invited to attend and celebrate 4-H with special 4-H cookies and coffee or ice tea.

Recent findings from Tufts University’s 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development indicate that young people in 4-H are three times more likely to contribute to their communities than youth not participating in 4-H. Notably, the Tufts research discovered that the structured learning, encouragement and adult mentoring that 4-H’ers receive play a vital role in helping them actively contribute to society and their communities.

There were more than 20,000 4-H club members and more than 10,000 4-H volunteers in the Iowa 4-H program in 2014-2015. In Adams County, more than 85 4-H members and 50 volunteers are involved in the 4H club program. 4-Hers do hands-on projects in program areas ranging from citizenship to communication, food and nutrition, leadership, livestock, pets, and science and technology.

4-H’ers are a living breathing, culture-changing revolution for doing the right thing, breaking through obstacles and pushing our country forward by making a measurable difference right where they live. Learn how you can join 4-H by contacting Bonnie Chafa, County Youth Coordinator at Iowa State University Cooperative Extension in Adams County at 641-322-3184 or e-mail to xadams@iastate.edu.

A distracted driver lost control of the tractor he was driving Thursday afternoon about four-miles south of Emerson, causing the machine to enter a ditch and hit a power pole. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says 32-year old Curtis Frazer, of Hastings, was driving a 2011 New Holland Tractor that was pulling a grain cart, when he reached for his cell phone that fell off the seat.

When Frazer reached down, the tractor veered toward the ditch, and by the time he tried to over-correct its path, it was too late. The tractor hit the power pole, causing it to snap-off, and continued into a corn field before coming to rest. The power lines laid down on the grain cart. A utility crew had to remove the lines before Frazer could be removed from the tractor and treated.

He suffered injuries to his right leg and ankle, and cuts from broken glass. Frazer was transported by Red Oak Rescue to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital. Damage to the tractor, owned by William Frazee, of Emerson, was estimated at $17,000.

Police in Red Oak, Thursday, arrested a teenager on Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree charges, following an investigation into an incident that happened Saturday evening in the parking lot of the Red Oak High School. 15-year old Christopher Owen Jones, of Stanton, allegedly caused $1,600 damage to a vehicle not owned by him. Jones was processed at the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and released to the custody of his parent.