(Clarinda, Iowa) – The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports 15 arrests dating back to June 6th. Most recently, those arrested include:

• On June 17th: 58-year-old Timmy Jay Blank, of Council Bluffs, for Arson in the 2nd Degree; and 37-year-old Isaac Calvin Hayes, of Farragut, for Violation of Probation.
• There were three arrests June 15th in Page County:
  • 19-year-old Taylor Douglas Lattin, of Shenandoah, was arrested for Public Intoxication, Disorderly Conduct, and Interference with Official Acts.
  • 47-year-old Amber Jean Russell, of Clarinda, was booked into the Page County Jail to serve time.
  • And, 60-year-old James Vincent White, of Clarinda, was arrested for Assault on a Peace Officer.
• On June 14th, 35-year-old Vanessa Ranae Dugan Jones, of Clarinda, was arrested for OWI.
• On the 13th of June, 33-year-old Bradley Aeron Haley, of Clarinda, was arrested by Page County Deputies, on an active warrant for Violations of the State Sex Offender Registry. Haley was later transported to the Cass County (IA) Sheriff’s Office.

You can read about the other arrests and persons who were cited in Page County, here: 6-7-24–6-18-24

(Audubon, Iowa) – The Audubon Area Chamber of Commerce Director has suddenly resigned. The Chamber announced today (Wednesday), former Director Mercedes Johnston, “abruptly resigned on Friday June 14th, 2024,” sighting personal reasons. No other details were provided. A native of Colorado, Johnston began her duties as Chamber Director in Audubon, in April, 2023.

In a statement on social media, the Chamber wrote “When we hired Mercedes, we had three candidates, one turned the position down and one did not want to work any hours outside of when the office was open (which is just not feasible). The director position requires a lot more hours than the chamber has funds to pay. This year’s board members voted to compensate this by giving two weeks paid vacation.

“The Chamber has actively been searching for board members, and now a new director. In the past, this has really been an issue to fill these positions. One of the biggest fundraisers the chamber does each year is the community banquet, and with so many other groups and organizations in need, people don’t have the time, energy and resources to do it all – so it seems that usually the Chamber fundraiser is one that people, understandably, remove from their calendar.

“Each year, the Chamber is responsible for selling over $10,000 in Chamber Bucks that is in turn, put directly back into our businesses and community. We organize and host the Hometown Christmas gathering, featuring Santa Claus, which is a community staple. We take a huge role in helping organize the annual T-Bone celebration. We organize “shop local” events, sell Audubon memorabilia and are always working to put our community’s name out there. In saying all of this, we are struggling to make ends meet, finding board members and now finding a new director.

“We are looking for input from our Chamber Members and community members, because, as always, we really want to do what is the best for our members and community. With these struggles at hand, is this the time that we make some major changes to the Chamber?

“We would really like input from the community. We put a poll on the Audubon Chamber Facebook page.
We have some decisions to make. We have three options:
1. Hire a new director.
2. Make it a Board run Chamber. It would take a lot more hard-working, willing to put in the time and effort board members to fulfill this option.
3. Disband the chamber as of January 2025. We would fulfill all community obligations until then.

“We would really appreciate input from you. We have put together a survey-on-Survey Monkey that we would be most grateful for you to complete!” A link to the survey can be found on the Audubon Chamber’s Facebook page.

Comments are also welcome by mail, to:
Audubon Chamber
421 S Park Place
Audubon, IA 50025

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Rotary Club is excited to announce that they will again host their Annual 4^th of July Flight Breakfast featuring the Pancake Man. Rotary members invite the public to join them for this fun local tradition!

The Atlantic Rotary 4th of July Flight Breakfast is scheduled for Thursday, July 4th, 2024 at the Atlantic Airport, located at 59706 Airport Road just west of Atlantic.

Breakfast with The Pancake Man will be served by Rotary members from 7-11 AM, featuring $8 all you can eat pancakes with sausage and drinks.

Pilots from across Southwest Iowa and beyond are invited to fly into the airport for breakfast as well, and all fly-in pilots will eat for free. The public will be able to enjoy watching the planes take off and land at the airport while enjoying a meal.

All proceeds from the flight breakfast support Atlantic Rotary Club Service Projects.

Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand will visit southwest Iowa on Thursday, June 20, as part of his 100 Town Hall Tour across Iowa’s 99 counties. Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend.  Stops include:

Harrison County Town Hall
Missouri Valley City Park
800 W Huron St, Missouri Valley, IA 51555
9:30am-10:30am

Shelby County Town Hall
Potters Park
1200 Grand Ave, Harlan, IA 51537
1:15pm-2:15pm

Audubon County Town Hall
Albert the Bull Park
111 Circle Drive, Audubon, IA 50025
2:45pm-3:45pm

Cass County Town Hall*
Atlantic City Park
Across from Cass County Courthouse, Atlantic, Iowa 50022
4:15pm-5:15pm
* During this appearance, Auditor Sand will spend time at Produce in the Park following brief remarks at the bandstand. Members of the press and public are welcome to ask questions.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County (IA) Democrats are hosting a “Green for Greenfield” garden party fundraiser this Sunday, June 23rd, from 5-until 7-p.m. The event is being held to assist the Greenfield community with tornado recovery. It takes place at the home of Dave and Barb Chase (2824 Country Club Dr.) in Atlantic.

All money raised at this event will be donated to the Greenfield Community Foundation. Enjoy good food and company in a relaxed garden setting for a good cause. The fundraiser will feature mini pizzas and bruschetta catered by The Flour Mill. There will also be a variety of beverages available.

Susan Olesen, a former teacher and long-time Greenfield resident, will be a guest speaker, providing an update on the status of the cleanup and recovery efforts. Be sure and bring your favorite lawn chair. In the event of rain, the fundraiser will be held indoors.

Anyone who wishes to support the recovery effort is welcome to attend, regardless of party affiliation.

(Radio Iowa) – The next three Monday’s will feature registration deadlines for next month’s Iowa Summer Games. The competition in Ames and the surrounding area will be the weekend of July 12th through the 14th and the 18th through the 21st. Spokesman Cory Kennedy says the first registration deadline is for many of the team sports.

Kennedy says the registration deadline for many of the team sports is June 24th

Kennedy says an official roster may be submitted at a later date.

Registration deadlines for many of the individual sports are July first and the eighth.

(Radio Iowa) – Tomorrow (Thursday) is the first day of summer, and high temperatures across Iowa are forecast to be back in the 90s by the weekend. Iowans who own dogs likely know that most pooches love to take a swim when it’s hot. If your canine likes to cool off in the water, the Humane Society’s Michelle Casey says there are a few things you should do to protect your pet.

Radio Iowa photo

Casey says you’ll need to do more than just towel off your dog after a swim to make sure the hound stays healthy.

She notes, there are also vaccines to help protect dogs from some parasites.

(Radio Iowa) – Sioux City’s police department is the latest in the state to acquire license plate reading cameras. Captain Ryan Bertrand says the cameras are not used to write tickets like speed cameras.

He told the city council this week the cameras will help them find targeted vehicles.

Bertrand says there are currently 13 departments in Iowa that use plate reading cameras. South Sioux City, Nebraska uses them, and they recently helped find a suspects who crossed the border out of Sioux City.

Sioux City police received an 85-thousand dollar grant to purchase the Flock System cameras along with Woodbury County. The city council in Sioux City approved a one-year contract to use the cameras.

(Radio Iowa) – The deadline is approaching to submit nominations for the 2024 Iowan of the Day Awards at the Iowa State Fair. Ten people will be singled out for the title during this year’s August event. The fair’s Chloe Hamaker says the Iowan of the Day program is an opportunity to recognize those people who are positively impacting their towns and their neighbors.

Winners of the Iowan of the Day receive a day of recognition at the fair, gate admission for four, 200-dollars in cash, use of a golf cart at the fair, V-I-P parking, and more. Hamaker says they have seen individuals from six to 90 years old receive the recognition.

Nominations from 2021, 2022 and 2023 will also be reconsidered. While there are no age limitations, Hamaker says nominees do need to be Iowa residents, and nominating someone is easy.

Nomination forms are available at blueribbonfoundation.org. All nominations are due by July 1st.

(Clive, Iowa) – The 2nd annual BBQ & Brew at the Ballpark takes place this Saturday, June 22 at Principal Park in Des Moines. Attendees can consume numerous offerings of delicious Iowa pork, sample Iowa craft beers and ciders, learn barbecue tips from a grill master, vote for their favorites in the Backyard BBQ Contest, meet local celebrities, and enjoy live music performances.

Your purchase of a ticket gets you all of that, and you’ll also be helping fight food insecurity in our state. Proceeds from BBQ & Brew at the Ballpark will benefit Iowa food banks, who are struggling to keep up with demand from families in need.

Linda Gorkow, Executive Director of the Iowa Food Bank Association, said “In the state of Iowa, we have an increase in food insecurity. Pork is a very valuable protein and every ounce makes a difference. 10 percent of Iowans are food insecure. The Iowa Food Bank Association works with 1,200 pantries across the state of Iowa and six food banks. We all work to help serve, and we couldn’t do it without friends like the Iowa Pork Producers and every individual that donates.”

Advance tickets cost just $20 at IowaPork.org. The second Annual BBQ & Brew at the Ballpark begins at 2pm Saturday, brought to you by the Iowa Pork Producers Association and Iowa Cubs, there is something for everyone at this event.

30 backyard barbecuers will be competing for more than $10,000 in cash prizes. For attendees, you get to sample the competitors’ delicious pork, plus Smokey D’s BBQ & Berkwood Farms will provide grilled pork loin sandwiches, and you receive 15 samples of beer from Iowa’s top craft breweries. Netflix Barbecue Showdown Champion Thryon Mathews, an Iowa resident, will be offering grilling tips in his Barbeque Boot Camp.

A panel of celebrity judges will pick their favorite pork offering from the 30 competitors. Iowa musicians will be performing throughout the event. Raffle prizes, including a Traeger grill, a Blackstone grill, Iowa Cubs package, and more will be available.  Attendees who prefer not to partake in the “brew” portion of BBQ & Brew can get in for just $15. Kids 5 and under get in free.

Fareway Stores is also serving as a sponsor of BBQ & Brew at the Ballpark and will provide resources and support for the donations to local food pantries. Visit IowaPork.org to purchase your ticket today. Tickets are $20 in advance, $30 at the door.