Iowa’s cattle producers are asking their fellow Iowans to help find Iowa’s Best Burger in 2017. In this year’s quest, the Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) are encouraging you to nominate your favorite burger, whether it’s gourmet or down-home style. This is the eighth year the two groups are holding the annual Iowa’s Best Burger contest, which officially kicks off February 13. All nominations must be in the IBIC office by 5 p.m. on March 13, 2017.

In order to recognize these great burgers, IBIC and ICA are asking Iowans to nominate their favorite burger for the award, and those nominations can be made by mail, text, or online. Details about the contest, rules, and nomination forms are available on the Iowa Beef Industry Council’s website, www.iabeef.org. Burger lovers can also find a link to the online nomination form at the Iowa Beef Council Facebook page; or by texting BEEF to 313131. Photos of your favorite burger can be shared socially using #IABestBurger.

Katie Olthoff, Director of Communications for the ICA, says “There are three ways to nominate your favorite burger. We are accepting nominations online at www.iabeef.org; by texting BEEF to 313131, which will provide a link to the online voting page, or a paper nomination can be mailed to the IBIC office.”

The nomination period ends March 13, 2017. The top 10 restaurants with the most votes are eligible for the title of Iowa’s Best Burger. The top ten finalists will be announced on March 20. Finalists will receive a certificate and will be eligible for the secret taste-test of contest judges. The 2017 Best Burger in Iowa will be announced on May 1 and will kick-off May Beef Month.

In 2016, more than 6,200 nominations for 311 restaurants were received in the contest. The final winners in previous years are: 2016 – The Chuckwagon Restaurant, Adair; 2015 – The Cider House, Fairfield; 2014 – Brick City Grill, Ames; 2013 – 61 Chop House Grille, Mediapolis; 2012 – Coon Bowl III, Coon Rapids; 2011 – Rusty Duck, Dexter; 2010 – Sac County Cattle Company, Sac City.

Authorities say a Des Moines woman was murdered early this (Monday) morning by her estranged husband who was also killed during a police chase. Police and first responders were called to a home at 2:30 A-M on a report of a stabbing and found the body of 51-year-old Rasema Keco. The suspect was identified as her husband, 58-year-old Ekrem Keco. They no longer lived together and there was a no contact order on Mr. Keco for a child who lived at the house.

Within minutes, police in Altoona spotted the man’s vehicle but he refused to stop. During the chase, police say it appears Keco stabbed himself in the neck, then rammed the back of a semi-truck on Interstate 80 near Mitchellville and was killed. The woman’s death is the seventh homicide in Des Moines this year.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two Atlantic men were arrested on drug charges, Sunday. 35-year old Aaron Lee Latus was arrested for felony Possession of Meth 3rd/Subsequent Offense. Latus was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $5,000 bond. And, 26-year old Troy David Garrison-Romick, was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine 2nd Offense and Possession of Marijuana 2nd Offense. Garrison-Romick was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $3,000 bond.

On Saturday, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 42-year old Matthew Paul Hardick, of Council Bluffs, on a charge of OWI/2nd Offense. Hardick was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on $2,000 bond.

The Glenwood Police Department is reporting four recent arrests. Today (Monday), 31-year old Jacob Jones, of Glenwood, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. Jones was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail, until making an appearance before a magistrate judge.

Sunday, 18-year old Brandon Tappan, of Glenwood, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. He was also being held in the Mills County Jail until making an appearance before a magistrate judge.

Saturday, 25-year old Lyndsi Miner, of Glenwood, was arrested on charges that include Burglary, Serious Assault, Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree, and Domestic Abuse Assault. Miner was being held on a $30,000 cash bond or surety.

And on Friday, 40-year old Travis Handley, of Glenwood, was arrested on a Mills County warrant for Ongoing Criminal Mischief and Theft in the 2nd Degree. He was also being held on a $30,000 cash bond or surety.

From agriculture to communication events and visual arts, Iowa 4-H fair judges and those considering being a 4-H judge, a training will be Saturday, March 4 at the Carson Community Center in Carson, IA.

This judges training will prepare adults interested in working with young people and evaluating exhibits at county fair. The training will cover positive youth development, how to evaluate, educate and encourage during conference judging and 4-H exhibit expectations and guidelines. This training will be delivered by Iowa State University Extension & Outreach Youth Program Specialists and current 4-H judges. Subject matter workshops will include clothing events, communication events, ag and natural resources, photography, Family and Consumer Sceince area and more!

“We especially welcome those who are new to 4-H judging. We need more adults who can support youth in this way,” said Jane Hayes-Johnk, ISU Extension and Outreach Youth Program Specialist. Current judges, new judges, 4-H club Leaders, and others interested in working with youth and fairs are encouraged to attend. The cost of the training is $45 for all day or $25 for half day registration with an on-line pre-registration required to reserve materials and lunch at this web location:

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/judgestraining