(Glenwood, Iowa) – Mills County has joined the list of counties in southwest Iowa, to implement a ban on open burning. According to the Mills County Emergency Management Agency, “A county-wide burning ban will be in place for Mills County starting today, Oct. 27, 2022, at 5-p.m.  The ban prohibits open burning in Mills County, including all the cities within the county.”

(Atlantic, Iowa) – You have probably seen, or at least heard of, “The Tree in the Middle of the Road.” The Cottonwood tree has become a landmark in Audubon County. The story is when the county lines were being established the surveyor placed a green cottonwood stick into the ground at the exact point where the lines crossed and grew into the present tree. You have a chance to learn more about the landmark. Mary Rendleman Gilchrist is the presenter at Cass County Genealogical Society. Her presentation begins at 1-p.m. at the Atlantic Public Library.

Via Travel Iowa

Gilchrist is a part of the Parker family who put a branch in the soil between Cass and Audubon Counties. It grew into the tree in the middle of the road. The tree is a popular item on the internet. Gilchrist also tells of the Crooked Creek Gang terrorizing the area, and death by cholera, influenza and a cyclone. The Parker family also survived an earthquake and a year without a summer.

The Cass County Genealogical Society is a membership organization with the purpose of preserving, compiling and helping maintain genealogy and historical data particularly of ancestors and early settlers of southwest Iowa. Anyone needing information about people, buildings, businesses and more may request assistance. Make contact at 712-243-5466, casscgs@gmail.com, or visit the Library. Everybody is welcome to the presentations.

(Washington, D-C) – Four school districts in the KJAN listening area have been chosen by the Biden administration to receive electric buses. The White House says the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Clean School Bus” Program is delivering nearly 2,500 electric and low-emission vehicles to nearly 400 districts nationwide.

Six school districts in Nebraska and 11 in Iowa were selected. In this area, Logan Magnolia will receive five buses, the Sidney School District receives three buses, the IKM-Manning High School and Coon Rapids-Bayard will each get one bus. 99% of the schools selected are in areas that are low-income, rural or serve tribal students.

WASHINGTON – The Drug Enforcement Administration will host its 23rd National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, October 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  This event offers anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at more than 4,000 local drop-off locations nationwide. For more than a decade, DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has provided an easy, no-cost opportunity to dispose of medicines stored in the home that are susceptible to misuse and theft.

Opioid misuse remains at epidemic levels in the United States.  According to a report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a majority of people who misused a prescription medication obtained the medicine from a family member or friend.“I encourage everyone across the country to dispose of unneeded medications to help keep our communities safe and healthy,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “The Take Back campaign is part of DEA’s continued efforts to combat the drug poisoning epidemic and protect the safety and health of communities across the United States.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in the United States, approximately 107,622 people died as the result of a drug poisoning last year.  This means that someone in the United States is dying of a drug poisoning every five minutes.

On Saturday, October 29, 2022, DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other forms of prescription drugs.  Collection sites will not accept syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs.  Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container.  The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage.  The event will also continue to accept vaping devices and cartridges provided lithium batteries are removed.

A location finder and partner toolbox are available at www.DEATakeBack.com for easy reference to nearby collection sites.  Beyond DEA’s Take Back Day, there are also opportunities to regularly and safely dispose of unneeded medications at close to 15,000 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses prescription disposal locations.  In addition, many police departments provide year-round drop boxes.

(Stuart, Iowa) –  The Stuart Police Department reports on their social media page, that per Stuart Municipal Utilities: The boil water order [in Stuart] will continue through today (Thursday). “Please continue to boil water until an update has been provided advising that the boil water order has been lifted.” The order was issued in response to a broken water main.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A traffic stop early this (Thursday) morning in Red Oak, resulted in an arrest. Police say 43-year-old Kim Jack Douglas Trost, of Red Oak, was arrested for Driving While Revoked. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 bond.