If you’ve ever considered getting some ink, southwest Iowa is the place to go for being needled this weekend. What’s called the Best in the Midwest Tattoo Convention is being held in Council Bluffs. An Omaha tattoo shop owner, who only goes by the name Smitty, organized the event. “We’ll have 120 booths and most will have two to three artists working out of each booth so there’ll be over 300 licensed tattooers there from all over the country,” Smitty says.

Some of the most well-known tattoo artists in the nation will be at the convention, showing off their colorful works and offering their services. Many have gained fame from reality T-V shows. “We’re going to have cast members from five seasons of ‘Ink Masters,’ including a winner and a runner up and a lot of the supporting cast,” he says.

In addition to the buzz of the tools used to create tattooes, there will be plenty of other things to catch your eyes and ears, including live music, magicians and “side show” acts. “It is a family event and suitable for your kids or your mother,” Smitty says. “Anybody can come. We have live entertainment that’s PG-rated. There’s a lot to take in. It’s almost sensory overload.” It is a competition with judging in various categories daily.

The convention runs today (Friday) through Sunday at the Mid America Center in Council Bluffs.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Creston are investigating the theft of a handgun that was left inside a vehicle. Authorities say a resident in the 600 block of N. Cherry Street reported Thursday that someone entered their vehicle that was parked behind the home, and stole a .40-caliber Smith and Wesson pistol from the vehicles’ center console. The incident occurred sometime between 11-p.m. Wednesday and 11-a.m. Thursday. The loss was estimated at $300.

Creston Police report also, 43-year old Kent Collins, of Winterset, was arrested early this (Friday) morning on a charge of Driving While Suspended. Collins was later released from the Union County Jail on a $300 bond.

The first of three legislative coffees scheduled to take place in Cass County for the 2016 session, will be held tomorrow (Saturday). Kenner Baxter, President of PRIDE (Progressive Rural Iowa Development Enterprise), says the event takes place beginning at 10 a.m., inside the Cumberland Fire Station at 216 Main Street, in Cumberland.

Representatives Clel Baudler, from Greenfield, and Tom Moore, from Griswold, along with Senators Tom Shipley, from Nodaway, and Jake Chapman, of Adel, have all been invited to attend the coffees.

Rep. Tom Moore (R), from Griswold

Rep. Clel Baudler (R), Greenfield

Sen. Jake Chapman, (R), Adel

Sen. Tom Shipley (R), Nodaway

Marne is the second host Saturday, March 5th, 10 a.m. at the Community Center, 403 Washington, Street, Marne. The final coffee of this session will take place Saturday, April 2nd, 10 a.m. at the Lewis Community Library, 506 West Main Street, Lewis.
Baxter says the meetings usually open with statements from the legislators, but then they’re open to discussion, questions and answers.

P.R.I.D.E. is sponsoring the legislative coffees. The economic development organization works on behalf of communities, businesses, and citizens for Southwest Iowa development. For additional information, contact Kenner Baxter, at 781-2395, or Clarke Gerlock at 712-774-5476.

Police in Red Oak Thursday night arrested a woman who is no stranger to them. Officials say 45-year old Shelby Joann Olivares, of Red Oak, was arrested just before 10-p.m. in the 200 block of W. 3rd Street, on a valid Montgomery County warrant for Violation of Probation. Olivares, who has numerous aliases and a long history of arrests, was being held in the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center on a $10,000 cash bond.

Jonnie Weeks

Bryce Still

Fred Almaguer

Sheriff’s officials in Adams County report three recent, drug-related arrests: On Thursday (Feb. 4th, deputies arrested Jonnie Weeks at around 11:30-p.m. on an Adams County Warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance. And, at around 5:30-p.m. Thursday, Adams County Deputies arrested Bryce Still on an Adams County Warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance.

On January 28th, Deputies in Adams County conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by Fred Almaguer. After further investigation, Almaguer was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Paraphernalia.

Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green reports officers with the Atlantic Police Department have take a pledge to keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of youth in the community. Known as “I-Pledge,” the program is a partnership with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD), to educate local retailers and to enforce Iowa’s tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product laws.

Due to a change in Iowa law, alternative nicotine and vapor products are now considered age-restricted products and will be part of the I-PLEDGE program’s compliance initiatives this year. Since the program’s inception in 2000, the statewide tobacco compliance rate has grown to 91%. By participating in the program, the A-PD Office has committed to do its part to increase the compliance rate even more this year.

I-PLEDGE places emphasis on retailer training. Clerks who successfully complete an online training course and then pass an exam will become I-PLEDGE certified. This allows a retail establishment to use an affirm­ative defense against a civil penalty if the certified clerk makes an illegal sale. Chief Green says “I-PLEDGE’s retailer training is a great way for clerks to prepare themselves to refuse illegal tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product sales. The training also assists retailers to ensure they maintain a compliant and responsible establishment.”

Although not required to retake the training if currently certified, ABD encourages clerks to repeat the training after October 3rd, in order to familiarize themselves with the newly age-restricted products.

Atlantic Police Officers will also be conducting compliance checks on local establishments as part of the I-PLEDGE program. Underage customers, under the supervision of law enforcement officials, will enter establishments and attempt to buy tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products. Clerks who make the illegal sale will be cited on the spot.

Criminal penalties for selling tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products to a minor include a $100 fine for a first offense, a $250 fine for a second offense and a $500 fine for third and subsequent offenses. However, handing out citations is not the intent of the I-PLEDGE program.

Green says “By partnering with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, we hope to educate clerks and maintain a com­pliant retail environment in our community. Moreover, we pledge to help keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of Iowa’s youth.” To take the I-PLEDGE training or search certification records go to www.iowaabd.com.