An Atlantic woman who has been instrumental in saving the lives of animals by contributing to their safety, health and welfare, was honored this (Tuesday) afternoon during a surprise gathering at the Buck Creek Dog Park located on the west side of the Schildberg Recreation Area, in Atlantic.

Mary Turner sits on the bench placed in her honor at the Buck Creek Dog Park.

Mary Turner, who for over 15 years, volunteered her services and much of her own money to the Atlantic Animal Shelter, has a bench with a plaque in her honor, located just inside the gates to the Dog Park. Mary was accompanied to the Dog Park by her husband Larry. He acknowledged she spent “An awful lot of time and effort and her own money…our money…into [the Animal Shelter]. And that’s fine, because she really believed in what she was doing.” Mary Turner said “I still believe it. I see a dog and I want to help them. Larry won’t let me take them home,” to which he responded “We’ve got one .” That drew laughs from those in attendance.

Mary said while she appreciates the recognition, she did what she did…writing grants for the Animal Shelter, buying food for the animals, and caring for them…because those dogs needed her. She said “I did it because those dogs didn’t have a home. If you look at a sad, sorry dog that doesn’t have a home and really needs one, how can you not [care]?” Larry Turner said her efforts led to a lot of dogs being adopted by loving families, but Mary said there were a lot of volunteers contributed toward the cause of finding homes for the animals. She praised the way the shelter looks now, and how much better it is for the animals.

The animals also have air conditioning for the warm months. Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring said Mary was a person who “made things happen” for the Shelter and the Animals it houses.

NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. (AP) – Authorities say a woman’s body has been pulled from the Missouri River just south of Nebraska City. The Nebraska State Patrol said in a news release Tuesday that the body was sighted and recovered Monday. Nebraska City radio station KNCY reports that a trapper notified authorities about finding the body north of the Omaha Public Power District plant around 6-p.m.

The patrol says the body hasn’t been identified. An autopsy has been ordered.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – An activist is urging Sioux City and Woodbury County officials to open an alcohol treatment center for Native Americans. The Sioux City Journal reports that Frank LaMere told officials at a forum Monday that a facility could help lower the disproportionate number of Native Americans arrested for public intoxication in Sioux City.

The city did have a Native American Alcohol Treatment Program that was funded by the Indian Health Service before it closed in 2005. The meeting was a follow-up to a September round-table discussion that focused on what community leaders say is a growing problem of alcoholism and homelessness in Sioux City.

Sioux City Police Chief Doug Young said that a ban on single-can beer sales, which had been previously discussed to curb public intoxication, would not be possible because the state of Iowa regulates liquor sales.

Officials with the Southwest Iowa Mental Health Center (SWIMHC) have announced Sarah Herzberg is now a licensed psychologist and health service provider in the state of Iowa. Herzberg has been with Cass County Health System for 19 years, and has been with SWIMHC for the last 11 years.

In a press release, she said “The doctoral degree and licensure allow me to serve the community by doing something I truly love. I will be able to see a broader range of clients, and hopefully cut down on patients’ wait time for first-time appointments.”

Sarah Herzberg graduated from the CAM High School, has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Iowa State University, a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Northwest Missouri State University, and recently completed a PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her background is in Counseling Psychology with training in diagnosing and treating a variety of issues such as depression, anxiety and other chronic mental health issues. Sarah also supervises clinicians who provide care through the SWIMHC school-based mental health program.

Southwest Iowa Mental Health Center (SWIMHC) partners with Cass County Memorial Hospital to meet the mental health needs of children, adolescents and adults. The treatment team includes professionals in the disciplines of psychiatry, social work, psychology and psychiatric nursing.

Many Iowans will be traveling across the state or across the country for Thanksgiving, but a few will be making international trips in the next week. The U-S State Department is issuing a rare global travel alert due to increased terrorist threats. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says America’s intelligence community is keeping closely attuned to any rumblings that may indicate trouble. “CIA, FBI use the word chatter,” Grassley says. “There’s a lot of chatter out there coming from all of the terrorist organizations that you can name, Boko Haram, Al Qaeda, ISIS, probably a dozen more you could name, seems to be a lotta’ chatter.”

There are reportedly no specific threats directed at the United States, but officials are warning Americans to be more vigilant after recent multiple attacks around the world. “I think it’s reasonable to take it very serious,” Grassley says. “I hope nothing comes of it. We had the same thing July the 4th, not too much came out of it. That’s because the FBI was on top of things and arrested several people before they had an opportunity to do any damage.”

The alert from the State Department says travelers abroad should avoid large crowds and crowded places, and exercise particular caution during the holiday season and at holiday festivals or events. Grassley says, “We saw what happened in Paris so I think we ought to listen to what the State Department says.”

The November 13th attacks on the French capitol for which ISIS claimed responsibility claimed 130 lives and injured hundreds. Other recent attacks struck in Denmark, Mali, Nigeria and Turkey. The travel alert will remain in place into late February.

(Radio Iowa)

A woman from Madison County was arrested Saturday at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. Sheriff’s officials say 39-year old Jaqueliene Juatriene Clabaugh,  of Winterset, was arrested on a Union County Warrant for probation violation. Clabaugh was being held for Union County in the Ringgold County Jail, on $2000 bond.