The wildfire smoke from Canada is back over Iowa once again. Brian Hutchins at the D-N-R Air Quality Bureau says the hazy conditions a visible in parts of the state.

Hutchins says there’s enough concentration of the smoke that it is impacting air quality.

He says you should take note of you tolerance and make adjustments to how much time you will be outside.

He says the haze will be visible at least through today (Wednesday).

You can check current conditions in Iowa at the E-P-A website called Air Now.

Council Bluffs Police report that on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at approximately 8:35 a.m,. a party called the Council Bluffs Police Sergeants’ Office to report a juvenile being seen with what appeared to be a gun getting onto a school bus. The reporter did not have much information, as they had received this information from another party. The caller did have the number of the school bus.

The bus route was immediately identified and the schools that bus serviced were notified. Officers responded to those schools. The bus was located and stopped by officers. The bus video was reviewed and the juvenile was identified.

The juvenile (17 yr old male – student) was located was found to be in possession of a squirt /water gun.  There was no threat to the safety of students or staff members.

At this time there are no criminal charges for the squirt gun. The incident is being investigated by the Council Bluffs Community School District for any disciplinary action.

As a reminder, look-alike weapons at school are PROHIBITED and are a violation of Council Bluffs Student Code of Conduct.

Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports that on September 6th, Fremont County Deputies with the assistance of the Shenandoah Police Department conducted a narcotics investigation in the 2700 block of Highway 59 in Fremont County.  Deputies arrested 36 year old Fredreck George Steven Billings II of Shenandoah on charges of Delivery of Methamphetamine, less than 5 grams, Class C Felony; Drug Gathering, Class D Felony; Keeping a Premises of Vehicle for Controlled Substances, Aggravated Misdemeanor; Possession of Marijuana, Serious Misdemeanor
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Simple Misdemeanor.

Also, 47 year old Catina Jo Blank, age 47 of Shenandoah was charged with Delivery of Methamphetamine, less than 5 grams, Class C Felony; Drug Gathering, Class D Felony; Keeping a Premises of Vehicle for Controlled Substances, Aggravated Misdemeanor; Possession of Marijuana, Serious Misdemeanor; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Simple Misdemeanor.

And, 25 year old Chelsea Jenon Blank of Shenandoah was charged with Drug Gathering, Class D Felony; Keeping a Premises of Vehicle for Controlled Substances, Aggravated Misdemeanor; Possession of Marijuana, Serious Misdemeanor; Possession of Methamphetamine, Serious Misdemeanor.

Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports that on September 5th, deputies were called to Farragut for a report of an intoxicated male causing a disturbance.  Deputies arrived and made contact with 34 year old Mark Anthony Hardin of St Joseph, Missouri.  Hardin entered a boat on Hartford Ave and refused to exit the vessel.  After a short standoff, Hardin exited the boat and began resisting arrest by deputies.  Hardin was charged with Interference with Official Acts, Public Intoxication, and Unlawful Possession of a Schedule III controlled substance.

Cass Health’s Senior Life Solutions team is hosting a free community walk in support of National Suicide Prevention Month on Saturday, September 23, 2023 beginning at 6:30 pm at the Rotary Shelter at Schildberg Recreation Area.  The event is being co-hosted by Healthy Cass County, Cass County Iowa State University Extension, and Zion Integrated Behavioral Health Services.

The event will kick-off at 6:30 pm with a local speaker who will share their story on how suicide has touched their lives.  The walk portion of the evening will begin around 7:00 pm.  Participants will walk the trail loop at the Schildberg Recreation Area.  Information about mental health services and community resources as well as light refreshments will be available at the Rotary Shelter.

Karmen Roland, RN, Program Director of Senior Life Solutions said “Suicide Prevention Month is a chance to take time to stop and assess yourself and those around you to ensure those who need help have access to it and aren’t living at risk.  By raising awareness and educating people about the signs that can indicate someone is having suicidal thoughts or are possibly in danger of attempting suicide, we can help to prevent suicide from happening.”

If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call 911 immediately.  If you are in crisis or are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, call, text, or chat the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

For more information about the walk, call 712-250-8100.