(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports two separate arrests took place last week. On Dec. 3rd, 44-year-old Donna Marie Ott, of Greenfield, was arrested on an Adair County warrant for Failure To Appear (In court) on an original charge of Driving While Barred. Ott was released Dec. 6th on her Own Recognizance, following an initial court appearance.

And, on Dec. 2nd, 53-year-old Trummer Lee Washington, of West Des Moines, was arrested on Adair County following a traffic stop for equipment violations. Washington was a passenger in the vehicle. He was charged with Violation of a No Contact Order that was issued in Dallas County, and for providing false information to law enforcement. Washington was released on a $300 bond after making an initial court appearance. Greenfield Police assisted with the arrest.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – This holiday season Iowans will gather with loved ones and it is a great time for an open discussion about the location of important documents which detail end-of-life plans. Officials with the Iowa Insurance Division (IID) say it’s never too early to create an end-of-life plan, which is a set of arrangements or decisions made in advance regarding the care, treatment, and personal affairs at the end of a person’s life. It typically involves preparing for the final stage of life in a way that aligns with the individual’s wishes, values, and goals. The discussion doesn’t have to divulge details you are not comfortable sharing, it just ensures the following information may be found in case of an emergency.

A will outlines how a person’s assets should be distributed after death. Trusts are legal arrangements that help manage how assets are distributed, potentially avoiding probate. A power of attorney designates someone to manage financial and legal affairs on your behalf if you cannot do so. All parties assigned to carry out these duties should have copies of these legal documents.

The IID encourages you to assemble a list of banking and financial accounts with the policy or account numbers, passwords, etc. Accounts should have updated beneficiaries or designate a payable-on-death designation. Consider consolidating financial accounts to one or two financial institutions. If using a licensed financial professional, ponder an introduction to those tasked with handling your affairs. Add trusted contacts to your financial accounts so that if there is a change in behavior or something seems suspect with the account, the contact may be notified.

This article provided by By Sonya Sellmeyer, Consumer Advocacy Officer for the Iowa Insurance Division

Outline information on life insurance policies, and if they are paid up. If assistance is needed in locating a policy after a loved one has passed you may use the free National Insurance Commissioners Life Insurance Policy locator service. Advance directives include a living will and a durable power of attorney for health care.  A living will is a document that specifies the types of medical treatments and life-sustaining measures a person wishes to receive or avoid in case they become unable to communicate their wishes.  A durable power of attorney for health care appoints someone to make medical decisions on behalf of the person if they are incapacitated (e.g., in a coma or terminal illness).

If there is a long-term care policy, know how the premiums are paid, and the requirements for benefits to start.  Request a designee on the policy who receives a notice if a premium is not paid. Discuss palliative care and hospice preferences for pain management and comfort care. Funeral and burial preferences should be communicated in writing.  Include any specific wishes or instructions, and if your loved one wants to be an organ and tissue donor.  Communicate any prepaid funeral policies.

Having discussions about the location of these documents and future legacy planning does not require someone sharing more about their finances than they desire.  It is about knowing where documents are kept and being able to assist with the care of a loved one when needed.  These conversations create transparency and understanding with everyone involved.

DES MOINES, Iowa — One person was killed and two others were injured early Monday morning in a West Des Moines crash. According to KCCI, the crash happened around 6:10 a.m. on Interstate 35 northbound at Mills Civic Parkway (Exit 70). Two inside lanes of northbound 1-35 were blocked for more than an hour as crews worked at the crash site.

West Des Moines police confirmed the fatality to KCCI around 7:15 a.m. No other information was immediately available.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Vision Atlantic say Rolling Hills Bank & Trust has donated $500,000 to Vision Atlantic’s transformative project, which will bring a housing development, new childcare center, and YMCA expansion to Atlantic. Keith Honke, President of Rolling Hills Bank & Trust said in a press release, Monday (today), “Rolling Hills Bank & Trust is very proud to be a supporter of the Vision Atlantic project. Rolling Hills Bank has a long history of giving back to the communities we serve. We have 12 banking locations located in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wyoming. We are proud to be a supporter of this project that will benefit the Atlantic community in many ways.”

As we’ve previously mentioned, Vision Atlantic, through extensive research and surveying of the community and surrounding region, identified three areas that will help increase Atlantic’s population: expanded childcare, quality housing and quality of life amenities. Construction of the 144 mixed unit housing development, 300 capacity child development center and expansion of the current YMCA facility is slated to begin late spring of 2025. Infrastructure work for the housing development and child development center is currently underway.

With substantial monetary support from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and local donors, $18.8 million has been raised in the past 12 months, 62% of a $30 million goal. In addition to the Lakin Foundation’s $8.6 million grant, Vision Atlantic has also received an additional $23 million from the Foundation, which will act as a line of credit and help Vision Atlantic construct homes in the Camblin Hills Housing Development. As the dollars are paid back each year, the Foundation will donate 5% of the interest paid back to Vision Atlantic, which will be used to help operate the child development center. The $23 million is not part of Vision Atlantic’s $30 million fundraising goal.

Pictured: Vision Atlantic Board of Directors Christina Bateman, Nick Hunt, Debbie Waterbury and Melissa Ihnen. Rolling Hills Bank & Trust President Keith Honke and Atlantic branch employees. (photo submitted)

Vision Atlantic’s Project Committee is actively working to secure the remaining $11.5 million needed to meet the fundraising goal. If you are interested in helping transform Atlantic, whether it’s through monetary donations or acts of volunteerism, please contact Vision Atlantic at visionatlanticiowa@gmail.com. Follow Vision Atlantic on Facebook for behind-the-scenes access to project updates or visit www.visionatlantic.org.

Vision Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to empower growth, enhance lives, and build a thriving community together through the economic development of Atlantic, Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa – State Treasurer Roby Smith is celebrating the holidays with an ISave 529 giveaway. “Visit ISave529.com before December 31 and register to win a $5,290 ISave 529 contribution,” Smith said. “It’s the perfect gift that can ensure your child’s dreams are as unique as they are.”

Family and friends can contribute to the account, making it a great gift-giving option during the holidays. “Investing in a child’s education will last a lifetime,” continued Smith. “Whether they become a doctor, teacher or artist, a solid education is the foundation of their success. Saving and contributing to an ISave 529 account could be one of the most important gifts of all; the gift of education.”

ISave 529 provides families a tax-advantaged way to save for education. Iowa taxpayers saving with the Plan can deduct up to $5,500 in contributions per Beneficiary account from their 2024 state income taxes. Additionally, earnings grow federally tax-deferred and qualified withdrawals are tax free. Qualified withdrawals can be used to pay for tuition, room and board, books, computers, supplies and other education-related expenses at any eligible education institution in the U.S. or abroad, including two- and four-year colleges, apprenticeship programs and trade schools. Funds can also be used for K-12 tuition, rolled into a Roth IRA or qualified student loan repayments.

Learn more at ISave529.com. Follow ISave 529 on Facebook, Instagram and X for current events and updates. For additional details about ISave 529, read the Program Description.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report seven arrests occurred over the past three days. At around 2-a.m. today (Dec. 9th), 37-year-old Kristine Lee Pearson, of Creston, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. Pearson was taken to the Union County Jail where she is being held without no bond.

There were three arrests Sunday, in Creston: 58-year-old Teresa Ann Moore, of Creston, was arrested for OWI/1st Offense. Moore was taken to the Union County Jail where she later posted a $1,000 bond; 20-year-old Keaton Micheal Ballinger, of Creston, was arrested and charged with 11 counts of Theft in the 5th Degree. Ballinger was taken to the Union County Jail where he later posted a $3,300 bond. And 42-year-old Nicki Renee Jones, of Creston, was arrested for Driving While Barred. Jones was taken to the Union County Jail where she later released on a $2,000 bond.

Two people were arrested on separate charges Saturday, in Creston: 60-year-old Robbie Allen Dohrn, of Creston, was arrested on a Union County Warrant for OWI/2nd Offense. Dohrn was later released after posting a $2,000 bond. And, 25-year-old Noah Alexander Young, of Creston, was arrested for Interference with Official Acts and on three Union County Warrants for: Failure to Appear on a Theft in the 5th Degree charge; and two warrants for Failure to Appear on Possession of Drug Paraphernalia charges. Young was being held in the Union County Jail on a $3,000 bond.

Friday evening, 43-year-old David Junior Richman, of Creston, was arrested on a Union County Warrant for Failure to Appear on a Probation Violation charge for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana. Richman was being held on a $5,000 cash only bond.

(Radio Iowa) – An emergency physician is urging Iowa parents and anyone else buying gifts for children this holiday season to closely follow the labeling and to only purchase toys, crafts and sporting goods that are age appropriate. Dr. Benjamin Orozco, with Gundersen Health System, says pay close attention to the packaging for age recommendations, but he stresses, that shouldn’t be the only deciding factor. “When you’re shopping for a toy, you need to consider all the kids in the house, not just the recipient of that toy,” Orozco says. “Disasters are rare, but there are about a dozen kids a year in the United States that die from a toy, and maybe 250,000 kids who get injured in some way by toys.” It’s crucial to use common sense when buying gifts for children, he says, especially if there are younger siblings in the house.

“We know that the most vulnerable for the catastrophic injuries from choking and ingestion are kids four and under, especially that toddler range where they’re going to be putting things into their mouth,” Orozco says, “and that accounts, unfortunately, for a few deaths every year from choking on a small piece or wrapping or a piece of a toy.” The hazards are different for older children and teenagers, and a full complement of safety gear is a must for many purchases. “Scooters account for most significant injuries. Think of your broken wrists, your bumps, bruises, but also sometimes significant head injuries,” Orozco says. “My advice is to put the safety equipment right with the toy. When you buy a scooter, it should come with a helmet and any other safety equipment that you want used with that item.”

He says agencies like the Consumer Product Safety Commission do a great job of keeping dangerous toys off the shelves, but occasionally, something will slip through. “There were some very powerful magnets that came out, they’re fun, teenagers can use them. They would stick together and if a small child ingested two of them, they could stick together and pin pieces of the intestine together, and their intestines would actually burst as a result of that,” Orozco says. “It’s really rare that something like that makes it onto the market before the dangers are recognized, but it does happen.” Some new toys are still coated with hazardous lead-based paint, typically items being imported from other countries, so beware. Orozco encourages the purchasing of games, balls, and other activity-related toys that get kids outside to play, to stimulate their minds and their bodies.

Gundersen Health System has clinics in Calmar, Decorah, Fayette, Lansing, Postville and Waukon, and a hospital in West Union.