(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa State Fair opens Thursday, after being cancelled last year by COVID-19, and health officials are concerned crowded exhibit halls could help spread the highly-contagious delta variant. Fair manager and CEO Gary Slater says dozens of sanitizing stations were added to the fairgrounds. He says numbers in buildings will not be limited, but masks will be recommended for everyone indoors, according to CDC guidelines.

“If you’re unvaccinated and you need to wear your mask, you certainly can,” Slater says. “They’re not required but certainly encouraged. Of course, vaccinated folks, it’s kind of up to them if they choose to wear a mask or not.” Hy-Vee will hold a free coronavirus vaccination clinic throughout the fair near the main gates. Polk County Health Department spokesperson Nola Aigner Davis says if people don’t wear masks at the fair, the virus could spread quickly among tight crowds.

“We want our community to make smart decisions because we have seen this throughout the pandemic, whenever there is a holiday, whenever there’s a large event, we see cases,” she says. Aigner Davis says masks are key, but suggests people consider spending less time at the fair or go at times that aren’t as busy to help limit the potential spread of the virus. The 11-day Iowa State Fair is the biggest event of the year in Iowa, often drawing more than 100,000 visitors per day.

(By Grant Gerlock, Iowa Public Radio)

The Glenwood Police Department reports two people were arrested today (Monday), on drug charges. Authorities say 44-year old Amber Dejaynes, of Pacific Junction was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. Her bond was set at $1,000 cash or surety. And, 53-year-old Donald Henrikus, of Council Bluffs was arrested for controlled substance violation, with bond set at $10,000 cash or surety.

COUNCIL BLUFFS – The Iowa Department of Corrections, Monday, said David William Lerette, who was convicted of Kidnapping 3rd Degree in Pottawattamie County, absconded from the Council Bluffs Residential Facility earlier today (Monday).

Lerette is a 29-year-old black male, height 5’11”, and weighs 163 pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on June 30, 2021. Persons with information on Lerette’s whereabouts should contact local police.

The driver of a semi suffered minor injuries during an accident Aug. 5th in Mills County. Sheriff’s Officials report 52-year-old Kenneth Frazier, of Kansas City, MO., was driving a 2021 Freightliner semi southbound on I-29 at the 33.5 mile marker, when the semi partially left the roadway at around 4:45-a.m.  The rig began to enter the median, at which time the semi struck a guardrail, taking out several posts and several feet of the guardrail.

A 2018 Ford driven by 72-year-old Jimmie Busby, of St. Joseph, MO., was traveling northbound on I-29 and struck debris from the semi’s collision with the guardrail. Frazier was transported to a hospital for treatment of his injuries.

(12-p.m., 8/9/21) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports five arrests took place over the past week, including:

On Aug. 3rd, 35-year-old Anna Kristine Kite, of Council Bluffs, who was arrested at around 10:50-p.m. for OWI/1st offense, and Open container – Bond: $1,300.00

On Aug. 4th, 45-year-old Travis Matthew Handley, of Glenwood, who was arrested at around 12:30-a.m., on warrant for Violation of Probation. – Bond: $2,000.00

On Sunday (Aug. 8), 33-year-old Lorenzo Bernard Cobb, of Hastings, was arrested at around 1:17-a.m., on 2 counts of Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs – Bond: $3,000.

There were two arrests on Monday, Aug. 9th. 35-year-old James Lavonn Sackett, of Thurman, was arrested following a traffic stop. He was taken into custody on a Council Bluffs Warrant for Failure to Appear. He was being held in the Mills County Jail without bond. And, 46-year-old Christopher Kyle Swope, of Omaha, NE, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, for being a Fugitive from Justice. He was being held without bond.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports five arrests. Last Thursday (Aug. 5th), 18-year-old Johnathan Scott Clarke,of Fontanelle, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct – Threat. He was taken into custody by Fontanelle Police at around 8:45-p.m. after he got into verbal altercation with another male that threatened to turn physical. Clarke was released that same evening on a $300 cash or surety bond.  At around 12:50-p.m., Thursday, 41-year-old James Bernard Block, of Cumberland, was arrested at the Adair County Jail on an Adair County warrant for Failure to Serve Jail Sentence. He remained in the Jail without bond, until his sentence is completed.

On Aug. 3rd, 40-year-old Timothy Robert Hudek, of Creston, was transferred from Creston Police at the Adair-Union County Line & Highway 25, and arrested on an Adair County warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault/2nd offense. Hudek was released later that day on a $2,000 cash or surety bond. A man from Illinois was arrested August 1st, following a traffic stop that result in a four-county pursuit where speeds approached 120-mph.

The incident began when a Trooper on patrol at around 8:30-p.m. on I-80 eastbound one-mile west of Menlo, when he saw a black Honda Accord coming up fast in the left lane, behind the Trooper’s vehicle. The vehicle was clocked at 90-mph. When he attempted to stop the Honda, the driver – later identified as 37-year-old Ramakrishna R. Ghanta, of Springfield, IL., failed to yield, and refused to acknowledge the Trooper when he pulled up beside the Honda and tried to get Ghanta’s attention. The car continued eastbound with speeds increasing to 120 mph as it entered Madison, Dallas and Polk Counties.

Spike strips deployed by a Dallas County Deputy were effective in blowing out one tire of the Honda, but the vehicle continued at 90 mph, while the tire lost rubber. Spike strips were deployed once again, causing both driver’s side tires to deflate and lose tread. As the car approached the Jordan Creek exit, it went out of control and into the south ditch. It continued through the ditch and jumped a small terrace before getting back on I-80 eastbound, approaching the west mixmaster (I80/35/235) and trying to exit onto I-35. The car went out of control again and crash into the south ditch, landing on its side.

Ghanta refused law enforcement commands to lay on the ground, and was taken into custody at gunpoint. While he was being transported by ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Ghanta escaped and took off on foot down the Interstate. He was taken into custody, restrained on a gurney and sedated. Authorities say the man was unable to answer questions or make sense. Inside his vehicle they found several open containers of alcohol, and a basket he used for a toilet. Ghanta was charged with OWI/1st Offense, Reckless Driving and Eluding.  Bond was set at $5,000.

And, on Aug. 1st at around 12:40-a.m., at traffic stop on Highway 25 near Orient resulted in the arrest of 32-year-old Justen Michael Shannon, of Greenfield. He was taken into custody for OWI/1st offense, cited, and later released.

Sheriff’s Deputies in Montgomery County, Monday (Today) arrested a 74-year-old man from Villisca on felony sexual abuse and other charges. Davis Charles Crawford was taken into custody for:

• Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree – a Class B Felony
• Lascivious Acts with a Child – a Class C Felony
• Enticing a Minor – Also a Class C Felony.

Crawford was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $25,000 bond. Deputies from Adams County assisted in the investigation.

Page County Sheriff’s Deputies, Friday, arrested a man wanted on a couple of warrants. Authorities say 40-year-old Christopher Charles Bowers, of Essex, was arrested on two Page County Warrants for Failure to appear. Bowers failed to appear for original charges of Reckless driving and Driving while license Denied, Suspended, or Revoked.

He was arrested at the Page County Sheriff’s Office on the warrants, and posted a $600 bond, with 10% allowed to the court. He was subsequently released, pending future court appearances.

Christopher C. Bowers (Page Co. S/O photo)

(Atlantic) – On Wednesday August 11th, a mobile food pantry through the Food Bank for the Heartland will be held at the Cass County Community Center from 4:00-6:00 PM, or as supplies last. Anyone in need is welcome to visit the mobile pantry, and no documentation is needed. People from surrounding towns and communities are welcome to attend. Details can be found below….

Atlantic Food Bank for the Heartland Mobile Food Pantry August 11
When: Wednesday, August 11 (4:00-6:00 PM, or until supplies run out).
Where: Cass County Community Center (805 West 10th St. Atlantic IA 50022). Traffic will be
directed by volunteers.
What: A mobile pantry is a traveling food pantry that delivers food directly to families in need
for a one-day distribution. The mobile pantry is available free of charge. Visitors are asked stay
in their vehicles with the trunk open.
Who: Anyone in need is welcome. No documentation needed.
Questions and Delivery Requests: Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at 712-
249-5870.

For more information on local food, farmers markets, and food access, follow the Cass County Local Food Policy Council’s Facebook page @CassCountyLocalFood.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday, are expected to act on making appointments to various Board, including:

• A licensed physician as a member of the Cass County Board of Health.
• A Cass County resident/property owner to the Condemnation in Eminent Domain Board* to fill a vacancy.
• the appointment of two persons to the Cass County Compensation Board**.
• and, the appointment of a person to the County Conservation Board.

*Condemnation is when a government orders that a piece of property be vacated and kept vacant, due to some public purpose or concern. … The two most common are due to the unsafe condition of the property or to carry out a government taking of the property under the legal doctrine of eminent domain.

** The County Compensation Board recommends the annual compensation of elected county officials, including: Attorney; Auditor; Board of Supervisors; Recorder; Sheriff and Treasurer.

The Board also continue discussion with regard to use of funding from the American Rescue Plan. Their meeting begins at 9-a.m. in the Supervisor’s Board Room inside the Cass County Courthouse (and, electronically via ZOOM).