The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says more than $173,000 in 50 percent cost-share grants have recently been awarded to 74 of Iowa’s rural fire departments to aid their efforts in protecting Iowan’s and their property from wildfires. The grants offer valuable funding assistance for wildfire suppression, personal protective and communications equipment.

Among the fire departments that have received or will receive 2015 VFA grants, are those in: Creston, Elk Horn, Harlan, Irwin, Menlo, Onawa, Sidney, Stanton, and Stuart. The grants are made possible through the Iowa DNR Forestry Bureau, in cooperation with US Forest Service – State and Private Forestry.

Gail Kantak, fire supervisor with the DNR’s Forestry Bureau, reminds all fire departments of the importance of submitting Wildland Fire Reports whenever they respond to a wildland fire or provide assistance to a prescribed or controlled wildland fire. Wildland fire reporting forms are available at www.iowadnr.gov/fire.

Departments returning the reports receive priority points when the Volunteer Fire Assistance grant applications are scored. The wildland fire reports are compiled locally and nationally and are reported to Congress.

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst has retired from the Iowa Army National Guard after more than 23 years of military service. “Today is my first day as a full-fledged civilian,” Ernst says, with a laugh. Ernst, a lieutenant colonel who is the first female combat veteran to serve in the United States Senate, officially retired yesterday (Monday).

“It was really hard to step away from the National Guard, but it was a commitment that I had made in the campaign and I’m ready to move forward and separate from the Guard,” Ernst said. “It’s been such an honor to serving in the National Guard. I really truly served with some of the finest men and women in uniform. I will continue to serve them as a United States Senator.” Ernst was the commander of a battalion of 150 soldiers who did a 14-month tour of duty in Kuwait and Iraq in 2003 and 2004. After her election in 2014, she shifted to duty at Camp Dodge as the assistant to the Iowa Army National Guard chief of staff.

“Obviously serving as a United States Senator does take a lot of time, a lot of energy and I, of course, want to continue serving Iowans, but it will be in a much different capacity here in the United States Senate,” Ernst says, “and, of course, I would love to spend more time with my family as well.” Ernst in the past year has kept up her duty and training requirements.

“That’s where we do run into time constraints and I think my family has been on the short end of that,” Ernst says. “…I will spend more time, of course, with my family and more time out on the road focusing on the senate as well. I did the 99 county tour, was able to do that this past year, but this will allow a little bit more flexibility with that schedule.” Her husband is a retired soldier and the couple’s daughter attends Stanton High School. Ernst joined the Army R-O-T-C at Iowa State University when she was 19 years old, so she’s been in the military her entire adult life.

“And it is very difficult for me to step away because of the great people that I’ve had the opportunity to work with,” Ernst says. Ernst discussed her retirement with Iowa reporters during a conference call this morning (Tuesday). Ernst, who is 45, will receive a military pension when she reaches the age of 59.

(Radio Iowa)

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports 31-year old Anthony John Lesatz, of Audubon, was arrested Monday night on a outstanding felony warrant for providing false information on a permit to acquire firearms.

The charge is the result of an investigation into an application Lesatz submitted to the Sheriff’s Office. Lesatz was brought to the Audubon County Jail and held on $5,000 bond.

Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer, today (Tuesday), said his officers made six arrests over the past few weeks. On Sunday, 20-year old Angel Nicole Knowles, of Atlantic, was arrested for Driving Under Suspension. Knowles was later released on promise to appear in court.

Last Friday, officers with the Audubon Police Department arrested 21-year old Kaz Ryan Cozad, of Lamoni, for Disorderly Conduct. Cozad was transported to the Audubon County Jail where he was held to appear before a magistrate.

On Nov. 26th, 30-year old Scott Joseph Meislahn, of Dubuque, was arrested in Audubon for OWI – 3rd offense. Meislahn was transported to the Audubon County Jail where he posted $5000 bond.

On Nov. 25th, 27-year old Jessica Lynn Pedrin and 25-year old Heather Eileen Runkis, both of Audubon, were arrested for Disorderly Conduct. Both were released later on promise to appear in court.

And on Nov. 12th, Audubon Police arrested 56-year old Karla Jo Anderson of Audubon, on a warrant for Theft – 5th degree. Anderson appeared, and pled guilty, before a magistrate.

The Glenwood Police Department reports a man wanted by U-S Marshal’s was arrested Monday, in Glenwood. 37-year old Steven Horton, of Glenwood, was arrested on a warrant and was being held without bail in the Mills County Jail.