(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Road Department reports beginning Monday, Sept. 16th, 210^th Street between Sheldon and Trenton Avenues, will be closed for a culvert replacement project. The road will be closed for anywhere from three-to five-days, or by no later than Sept. 20th.

210th St. in Adair County

(Radio Iowa) – A Mason City woman who was accused of embezzling thousands of dollars from an Osage Girl Scout troop she helped found has entered a guilty plea in the case. 30-year-old Kennika Gueller was originally charged with ongoing criminal conduct, a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison, as well as second-degree theft after authorities said she stole just under $6000 from the troop for personal purchases in Mason City, Manly, Charles City, Osage, as well as online.

A criminal complaint states the money was taken from the troop’s bank account and the proceeds of cookie sales. As part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, Gueller on Wednesday pleaded guilty to the second-degree theft charge with the ongoing criminal conduct charge being dismissed.

In exchange for the plea, prosecutors say they’ll recommend a deferred judgment and five years probation when Gueller is sentenced on November 5th in Mitchell County District Court.

(Radio Iowa) – A new report shows Iowans are continuing to pack on the pounds, with more than one in every three Iowa adults now being considered obese. Dr. Nadine Gracia, president and CEO of Trust for America’s Health, says the national report places Iowa tied for seventh with Indiana for the most overweight states. “Iowa, in the latest data shows that the rate of obesity among adults is at about 37%, not a significant difference from the previous year, but what’s more important is really that we look at trends,” Gracia says. “When we look at the state over the past five years, there has been a significant increase, demonstrating that there is a need to continue to really work on addressing adult and childhood obesity.”

The report shows Iowa’s young people are mirroring the adults in seeing elevated weights. “Rates of childhood obesity at the national level is at about nearly 20%,” Gracia says. “For children in the state of Iowa, between the ages of six to 17, that rate is about 15%, again, also seeing over time increases.” About ten years ago, the report found -zero- states with an adult obesity rating over 35-percent, while the new report puts Iowa — and almost half of all states — in that category.

“Now, 23 states have adult obesity rates at or above 35%,” Gracia says. “When we also look at the last five years, we’re seeing that actually about more than half of all the states in the country have experienced an increase in their adult obesity rate.” Obesity is a complicated issue to diagnose, and she calls it a national public health issue that goes far beyond individual behavior. “We also know how your environment, whether you have access to affordable, healthy, nutritious foods, living in a neighborhood where you can engage safely in physical activity,” Gracia says, “those types of structural factors are really important as it relates to risk for obesity.”

Trust for America’s Health graphic

Other factors may include medications, genetics, other health issues, and stress. The report shows West Virginia has the highest obesity rate at 41-percent, while Colorado ranked the lowest with 25-percent.

See the full State of Obesity 2024 report.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak report a woman was arrested Thursday afternoon for Driving While Barred. 38-year-old Sara Sue Batten, of Red Oak, was taken into custody in the 300 block of Alix Avenue at around 4:15-p.m. Batten was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $2,000 bond.

REDFIELD, Iowa [KCCI] – Incidents of credit card fraud are being reported at the Casey’s General Store in Redfield. ias happening right now in the town of Redfield. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office says at least four people claim they were scammed at the store.

The victims reported finding a skimmer at the particular store. But after investigating, officials say they were not able to find one there. Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante said no skimmers were found at the gas pumps nor inside the store, so the incidents are being investigated by other means. He said  officials with Casey’s Corporate are aware of the situation.

If you’ve been scammed, the sheriff’s office recommends reporting it right away to protect your credit score and line of credit.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Neola man was sentenced today to a total term of 292 months in federal prison for transporting a minor for the purpose of engaging in sex acts and possessing firearms as a felon.

According to public court documents, Steven Earl Adkins, 56, communicated with a minor on Craigslist. He drove to a truck stop in Nebraska, picked up the minor, and brought the minor to his home. Adkins provided necessities to the minor in exchange for sex acts. During a search warrant at Adkins’s residence, law enforcement located 16 firearms and ammunition. In 2011, Adkins was convicted in Nebraska of the felony offense of strangulation, which prohibits Adkins from possessing firearms.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Adkins will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Adkins will be required to register as a sex offender.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the FBI, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Omaha Police Department, and Colorado Springs Police Department.