The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a man and woman from South Dakota were arrested Saturday for being Fugitives from Justice, and on other charges. 33-year old Misty Lee Hunter, of Box Elder, SD, and 29-year old Lee Daniel Messerly, of Rapid City, SD, were arrested in Glenwood Saturday evening.

Messerly was wanted for Eluding, Fugitive from Justice, Possession of a weapon by a felon, and reckless driving. His bond was set at $10,300. Hunter was arrested for Fugitive from Justice, providing false information, and unlawful possession of a prescription drug. Her bond was set at $5,300.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports also, 18-year old Dakota Michael Grund, of Glenwood, was arrested Saturday for Assault with intent to inflict serious injury. His bond was set at $2,000. 36-year old Michael Wayne England, of Emerson, was arrested Friday, on a warrant from Page County for Probation Violation. His bond was set at $2,000.

22-year old Tyler Allen Dittus, of Malvern, was arrested in Mills County, for Driving While Barred. His bond was set at $2,000. And, 19-year old David Patrick Robertson, of Omaha, was arrested Saturday for Disorderly Conduct. His bond was set at $300.

Iowa’s Republican governor says he trusts Iowa voters, but Terry Branstad says “there are attempts at voter fraud” that need to be stopped.  “I still have confidence that our…election system which is basically controlled by the states and by the local people that they’re going to do their level best to see that we have a fair and honest election,” Branstad says. However, Branstad says Iowa’s county auditors who are conducting the election won’t be able to catch all the cheaters.

“They try,” Branstad says. “They do their level best. Nobody’s perfect.” For instance, Branstad anticipates some out-of-state students will vote here in their Iowa college town, but also in their home state. Donald Trump says the election is “rigged” and he tweeted this morning that there is “large scale voter fraud” happening now as early voting is underway. Branstad says the mainstream media is “biased” against Trump and hasn’t given voters a “complete picture” of where the candidates stand on important issues. Branstad says he’s confident Iowa voters, though, are able to focus on what they care about.

“I’ve always supported the electoral process,” Branstad says. “I’ve always been proud of the participation we see in Iowa and I’m anticipating a great result.” A new Politico poll released this (Monday) morning found 81 percent of Trump’s backers think the election could be stolen from Trump. A Washington Post poll has found half of Trump’s supporters are “not confident” votes for president will be “accurately counted” this year.

(Radio Iowa)

The Union County Sheriff’s Office says three incidents of theft have been reported.  Last Friday, James McKnight, of Afton, reported that sometime between Thursday and Friday, someone stole a Stihl chainsaw, Dewalt 18 volt drill charger and an 18 volt Dewalt nut driver from his residence.  The items were valued at $550.

On Oct. 2nd, Greg Berning, of Osceola, reported that sometime between Oct. 1st and 2nd, someone broke into his tool trailer in rural Creston.  Approximately $20,000 worth of tools was taken.  Some of the items include:  Rigid Combo Kit 18V, Dewalt Planer, Rigid Compressor, Bostich tool combo kit, Bostich finish stapler, Porter cable rotary hammer drill, Makita palm sander, compressor, extension cords, Dewalt grinders, and hand tools.

And, on Sept. 30th, Ron Dunphy, of Creston, reported that sometime between September 26th and September 28th, someone went into a barn he owns in rural Afton and took a blue Yamaha 350 4-wheeler.  Also taken was a Dewalt portable drill, red tool box, wrenches, screwdrivers and other miscellaneous items.  Estimated value is $3,500.

A Portsmouth man pulled over in Pottawattamie County after allegedly squealing his tires, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office says 58-year old David Kendall Owens was arrested in Neola, at around 1-a.m., Saturday, and brought to the Pott. County Jail.

And, a Council Bluffs woman was arrested for OWI/1st offense, Friday night, after she was seen driving erratically and at a high rate of speed, just east of the intersection of S. 24th Street and I-80, in Council Bluffs. 33-year old Jessica Ann Sullivan was taken into custody at around 10:55-p.m. and brought to the Pott. County Jail.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) today (Monday), announced a new joint initiative with the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) that should reduce the impact of reported foodborne illness in Iowa. IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk says “These departments have joined forces to establish a statewide one-call system Iowans can use to report illnesses associated with food poisoning. Once a call is made to the IowaSic hotline (1-844-469-2742), trained specialists will begin an investigation into the cause and source of the illness, which could greatly reduce the number of ill Iowans.”  

The 2013 Cyclospora outbreak, which was responsible for sickening at least 127 individuals in Iowa, Nebraska, and other Midwest states, is a good example of how foodborne illness investigations are conducted. During the 2013 outbreak, epidemiologists and food safety specialists, working in collaboration with the State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL), were able to trace the cause of the Cyclospora outbreak to fresh produce grown and packaged in Mexico. The contaminated product had been distributed to a national restaurant chain where it eventually was consumed by patrons primarily in Iowa and Nebraska.

Dr. Quinlisk said “Iowa was the first state to positively identify the cause of the outbreak, which permitted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to trace it back to the source. Had the IowaSic hotline and supporting processes been in place in 2013, it’s possible the duration and impact of the outbreak could have been reduced.”

The IowaSic hotline will be answered by IDPH specialists who will ask callers about the illness, symptoms, onset and duration, and also complete a history of all foods consumed for the past several days. Illnesses associated with foods purchased from or consumed at food establishments will be investigated by staff in DIA’s Food and Consumer Safety Bureau.

Food poisoning happens after eating or drinking contaminated foods or beverages, and occur at any time throughout the food preparation process, including growing, distribution processes, storage, cooking, and service. Often, foodborne illness is the result of cross-contamination, poor hygiene, or improper heating and cooling of prepared foods. If you suspect food poisoning after consuming an item from a restaurant, grocery store, convenience store, market or public gathering, call IDPH’s IowaSic hotline at 1-844-469-2742.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports a man from Bridgewater was arrested Thursday evening on an Adair County warrant for Ongoing Criminal Conduct/Criminal Network, Gathering where controlled substances are used, and Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense. 61-year old James Jeffrey Reese was released from custody Sunday evening on part or all of a $25,000 cash or surety bond.

And, 53-year old Patrick Russell Darling, of Greenfield, was arrested last Wednesday afternoon on a charge of Theft in the 5th Degree, for allegedly taking a bottle of vodka from the Greenfield Fareway Store without paying for it. Darling was later released on his own recognizance.