The calendar may say Spring arrived this week, but Iowans who suffer from allergies have been keeping tissues handy for weeks. Sneezing, runny noses and watery eyes are all too common for some of us, according to allergist Dr. Linda Ford, of Omaha/Council Bluffs. Dr. Ford says the warm winter is to blame for the latest burst of pollen. “If you’re having problems with your allergies and you think, ‘Oh, it’s much worse this year,’ it’s because there wasn’t a gradual increase in pollen. All the trees just started exploding.” Dr. Ford says the trees across much of Iowa usually release pollen much more gradually, but not this year.

“Starting at the end of February, we have been consistently counting pollen and as the weather got warmer, those trees just blossomed out and just exploded their pollen.” Ford says there are many good over-the-counter medications that can help stave off allergy symptoms.  “If that takes care of it, that’s fine and dandy, you don’t have to do anything else,” she says, “but if you have more severe allergies, a trip to your doctor is important because there are other things that can be done by prescription, such as the inhaled steroid nasal sprays.” Ford says rinsing out your nose with an over-the-counter or even a homemade saline solution can decrease the amount of pollen in the nose. Pollen can also cling to clothing so changing clothes after being outdoors can help.

(Matt Kelley/Radio Iowa)

The US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri says a Clarinda man was among 30 people who were indicted and charged by a federal grand jury, in connection with the distribution of methamphetamine in Northwest Missouri, Northeast Kansas, Southeast Missouri and Southern Iowa. 34-year-old Joshua Duane Dockweiler, of Clarinda, is among the suspects.

Dockweiler, and the 29 other people, most of whom were from St. Joseph, MO, allegedly trafficked more than 15 kilograms of methamphetamine, with a street value of more than $1 million dollars from January 1st, 2009, to March 14th of this year.  All of the suspects face charges of conspiracy to distribute and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Some of the defendants also face additional charges that included firearms possession and possession and delivery of methamphetamine. In addition, each the suspects allegedly participated in a money-laundering conspiracy over the same time frame, by conducting financial transactions that involved the unlawful proceeds of the drug-trafficking conspiracy.

An early morning fire has destroyed a machine shed in rural Cass County. According to reports, at blaze broke out at around midnight Wednesday, about 5-miles south of Massena. Massena Fire Chief Brad Lank said crews from Massena, Cumberland and Corning fought the flames which destroyed the structure on the Joe and Kathy Clinton farm. The couple reportedly heard explosions and looked out to see their machine shed engulfed in flames. Most of the building was already gone by the time firefighters arrived. In addition to the structure, several pieces of farm equipment, including a combine, five tractors, some 4-wheel ATV’s and a semi-tractor trailer were lost. Firefighters were at the scene about three hours. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department reports a Villisca man was arrested Tuesday, on a Department of Corrections warrant for Violation of his probation. 21-year old Benjamin Wyatt Barnes was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $7,500 bond. Barnes was placed on a two-year probation in February, after entering a written plea of guilty to a felony charge of Lascivious Acts with a Child. As a condtion of his probation, a judge had ordered Barnes to attend a Sex Offender Treatment program.  He’s scheduled to appear in court again March 26th.

The Sheriff’s Office reports also, 28-year old Matthew Gusman, of Red Oak was arrested Monday afternoon, in connection with an assault which alledgedly occurred in the 100 block of west Coolbaugh Street, in Red Oak. Gusman was held being held in jail on a $300 bond.

And, Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies investigated an incident of criminal mischief, Monday, in Stanton, after a woman reported to authorities someone broke the rear window of her car. The incident occurred either late Sunday night or early Monday morning. The damage was estimated at $300. No arrests have been made in connection with the incident.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports a Hamburg man was arrested Tuesday evening, following a call from a resident about suspicious activity, and shots fired. 40-year old David Shane Anderson was located and taken into custody without incident in a field by the Nishnabotna River. Anderson faces charges of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Possesion of a Controlled Substance. He later posted a $5,000 bond, and was released.

The Atlantic Police Department reports two arrests were made Tuesday, and one accident was investigated. Officials say 19-year old Alex Rutledge, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Probation Revocation. And, 18-year old Jacob Sweeney, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Simple Assault charge. Both men were booked into the Cass County Jail and held, pending a court appearance.

The P-D says also, Tanner Barr, of Clarinda, was cited for Failure to Yield while making a left turn, following a non-injury accident at the entrance to the Burger King restaurant. Barr was traveling west on 7th Street at around 7:15-p.m. and turning into the business entrance, when his vehicle was hit a an eastbound car driven by Makala Osborn, of Walnut. Damage from the accident amounted to $1,900.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is thanking partners across the state and promoting its educational programs during a statewide celebration this month. ISU Extension and Outreach Week, March 25-31, will include activities on the Iowa State campus, across the state and in Guthrie County. Terry Torneten, Regional Extension Education Director says “The weeklong celebration is just one way we can say ‘thank you’ to the many volunteers, community leaders, organizations, agencies and other partners who support Extension and Outreach work in Guthrie County.” 

Governor Terry Branstad will officially sign a proclamation on March 27^th, declaring the dates as Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Week. Guthrie County ISU Extension and Outreach Office will celebrate Extension week on Friday, March 30th, with an open house from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm at the Guthrie County Extension and Outreach Office, located at 212 State Street, Guthrie Center.  Everyone is welcome to come and meet the new staff and see what services they have to offer.  Refreshments and door prizes will also be offered. 

Iowa State University Extension provides researched-based information and education for communities, families, business and industry, agriculture and natural resources, and 4-H youth development as well as continuing education through off-campus courses, degree programs, service learning programs, noncredit conferences and seminars and educational materials.

A traffic stop on Interstate 80 eastbound in Council Bluffs, Monday afternoon led to the arrest of a California man, and the recovery of nearly 35-pounds of marijuana. Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department spokesman, Sgt. Dwayne Riche told KJAN News Deputy Brian Miller pulled a 2011 Dodge Nitro over for speeding at around 3:10-p.m. Monday, near the 5-mile marker on I-80. After speaking with the driver of the car, 30-year old Zachary Hunter, of Eureka, CA, Miller asked for but was denied, permission to search the vehicle. When Miller and his K-9 partner “Francisco” conducted a free-air search around the car, the dog alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle.

Sgt Riche says during a search of the vehicle, Deputy Miller located a cardboard box containing expansion spray foam. After the foam was cut away from the box, plastic bags of marijuana were found, amounting to 34.45-pounds. Hunter was taken into custody on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver, Prohibited Acts, and Violation of the Drug Tax Stamp. He was also issued a Warning citation for speeding. Hunter was brought to the Pott. County Jail and later posted a $5,000 bond before being released.

w/ Ric Hanson

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A man and woman from Shenandoah have been arrested following an investigation into stolen vehicle. 29-year old Curtis L. Mattox faces charges of 2^nd Degree theft, Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia. 30-year old Tamara Reynolds was also taken into custody on a charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Their arrests occurred at a residence in the 600 block of Northwest Road, in Shenandoah, and was the result of an investigation into the disappearance of a 2002 Ford Ranger pickup belonging to Mid-American Energy, early Tuesday morning. The vehicle was recovered that same day, in Shenandoah.

Mattox and Reynolds were brought to the Page County Jail. Authorities say Mattox was subsequently released after posting a $5,000 bond, while Reynolds posted a $300 bond before being released. Shenandoah Police say their investigation continues into the incident, with additional charges pending completion of the investigation.