While it’s downright cold this (Friday) morning, especially in eastern Iowa, the recent warm spell is causing something of a crisis for organizations that serve the needy. Candace Gregory, CEO of the Open Door Mission in Omaha-Council Bluffs, says the agency’s food pantries were very busy when temperatures were in the 80s and 90s just a few days ago. “For the last week-and-a-half, we’ve had families literally coming in looking for t-shirts, shorts and box fans,” Gregory says, “things that we don’t even have ready until May.” Gregory is asking the public for help with donations, especially of electric fans. 

“When you’re out picking up a box fan, if you can think of picking up one for someone else that’s in need, it will go a long way,” she says. A new trend has developed over the past 18 months. Gregory says many middle-class families are coming to the mission to get food assistance, people who used to be regular donors or volunteers. She says three-quarters of the people they serve are strictly seeking food assistance. Gregory says because of the mild winter, food donations dropped. 

She says, “For us, serving 17-hundred meals a day, it has been a challenge because we haven’t had as many food drives this winter.” Gregory says their shelves are bare and they could use donations of food, clothing and other household items. Four out of ten people served by the Omaha-based mission are Iowans. Learn more at: “opendoormission.org”.

(Matt Kelley/Radio Iowa)

Two rural Massena residents were injured during a two-vehicle collision Thursday evening between a 1998 Chevy Blazer and a 1999 Chevy Suburban, southwest of Massena. According to Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh McLaren,  the accident happened near the intersection of 710th and Wichita Road. McLaren told KJAN News the Blazer driven by 18-year old Courtney Read, of Griswold, was traveling westbound on Wichita Road, and had stopped at the intersection at 710th, before proceeding into the intersection, and hitting the northbound Suburban driven by 53-year-old Dan Ankenbauer, of Massena. The Suburban ended-upslightly tipped onto its top in the ditch, while the Blazer came to rest on the roadway. The accident happened at around 5:15-p.m.  Dan Ankenbauer, and his passenger, 54-year old Kathy Ankenbauer, suffered non-life threatening injuries, and were transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital by Cumberland and Massena Rescue. Reed, and a male passenger in her vehicle were not seriously injured, and did not require transport to the hospital. The accident remains under investigation.

A Red Oak teen was arrested Thursday night on a Possession of Marijuana and OWI drugged 1st offense charge, following a traffic stop in Red Oak. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says 17-year old Cole Ryan Kier was taken into custody at around 11:50-p.m., and brought to the Montgomery County Jail for processing, before being released to one of his parents.

And, Police in Red Oak say 28-year old Ryan Dean Adams, of Red Oak, was arrested today (Friday), at around 2:40-a.m. in Red Oak, on a charge of Public Intoxication. Adams was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 bond.