(Glenwood, Iowa) – Mills County Emergency Management officials report a Burn Ban that had been in effect since August 6th, was lifted today (Tuesday). Here is the statement regarding the ban (click on the image to enlarge):
WASHINGTON – The Drug Enforcement Administration is advising the public of an alarming emerging trend of colorful fentanyl available across the United States. In August 2022, DEA and our law enforcement partners began seizing brightly-colored fentanyl and fentanyl pills in 18 states. Dubbed “rainbow fentanyl” in the media, this trend appears to be a new method used by drug cartels to sell highly addictive and potentially deadly fentanyl made to look like candy to children and young people.
“Rainbow fentanyl—fentanyl pills and powder that come in a variety of bright colors, shapes, and sizes—is a deliberate effort by drug traffickers to drive addiction amongst kids and young adults,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “The men and women of the DEA are relentlessly working to stop the trafficking of rainbow fentanyl and defeat the Mexican drug cartels that are responsible for the vast majority of the fentanyl that is being trafficked in the United States.”
Brightly-colored fentanyl is being seized in multiple forms, including pills, powder, and blocks that resembles sidewalk chalk. Despite claims that certain colors may be more potent than others, there is no indication through DEA’s laboratory testing that this is the case. Every color, shape, and size of fentanyl should be considered extremely dangerous.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, which is equal to 10-15 grains of table salt, is considered a lethal dose. Without laboratory testing, there is no way to know how much fentanyl is concentrated in a pill or powder.
Fentanyl remains the deadliest drug threat facing this country. According to the CDC, 107,622 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2021, with 66 percent of those deaths related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Drug poisonings are the leading killer of Americans between the ages of 18 and 45. Fentanyl available in the United States is primarily supplied by two criminal drug networks, the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
In September 2021, DEA launched the One Pill Can Kill Public Awareness Campaign to educate Americans about the dangers of fake pills. Additional resources for parents and the community can be found on DEA’s Fentanyl Awareness page.
If you encounter fentanyl in any form, do not handle it and call 911 immediately.
(Radio Iowa) – A couple of cities in central Iowa have found West Nile-infected mosquitoes in their monitoring traps. Iowa State University entomologist, Ryan Smith, says August and September are generally the peak months for the disease.
“West Nile virus is something that we refer to as being endemic, that means that we are going to see West Nile virus activity and potentially human cases every year,” Smith says. “Since it’s been introduced that that may vary from year to year and the intensity and or how many cases that we ultimately end up with.”
Ames and Des Moines announced they have found mosquitoes with West Nile. Smith does surveillance in seven counties and has found West Nile in three of them. He says mosquito populations are influenced by rainfall, and the drought that has expanded in the state has made an impact. “The numbers are maybe a little bit lower. Things are kind of on the quiet side right now. But when we look at the season as a whole, there’s actually been a pretty surprising number of mosquitoes kind of considering that for most of the year that it has been pretty much under drought-like conditions,” he says.
Smith says all the other things happening can sometimes overshadow West Nile. “It’s easy to kind of forget about, and if anything, I think these reports kind of serve as an additional reminder of it. West Nile is not something… most of the people are going to have very mild symptoms and won’t even know that they have it. But for those people who do develop a more severe infection, it could even be fatal,” Smith says.
Ryan Smith. (ISU photo)
Smith says it’s a reminder to take precautions against getting bitten if you are outdoors and mosquitoes are present. He says there isn’t anything else on the radar right now when it comes to mosquitoes. “At least right now, it is just our West Nile, our numbers of mosquitoes aren’t that high,” he says. Smith says you should still take precautions by wearing insect repellent, and dumping out any standing water where mosquitoes might breed.
(Radio Iowa) – A-A-R-P and two state agencies will be holding a series of seminars around the state to alert older Iowans to some of the most common scams and how to avoid them. Brad Anderson, A-A-R-P’s state director, says his wife recently got a phone call from a scammer, claiming her business had to pay a fine immediately. “She called the county attorney,” Anderson says. “Lo and behold, the county attorney said: ‘This is the third one of these we’ve heard today. This is a scam. You’re not being fined.'”
State Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen says the best way to defeat fraud is to prevent fraud. “We spend a lot of time trying to do investigations and gather the information that we need, but the reality is the best the success stories that we ever can tell are the frauds that we avoid,” Ommen says. “because some consumer had enough information, some investor had enough information.” Officials from the Iowa Insurance Division will be part of the “Fraud Watch Tour” this fall. Ommen says one of the biggest red flags that you’re being targeted by a scam is when you’re pushed to make a decision immediately. 
“Get a trusted advisor,” Ommen says. “You know, for those of you who are independent and make your own decisions in that regard, that’s good, that’s smart, that works, but for those of us like me, I need a trusted advisor — and I’m the insurance commissioner — because the world of investing can be complicated.” Ommen is urging Iowans to educate themselves about scams and share that info with others. “Help your friends and your neighbors and your family really understand what is going on out there,” Ommen says, “because by your better equipping yourselves, you can help protect other people.”
Staff from the Consumer Protection Division of the Iowa Attorney General’s office are also part of the A-A-R-P’s training tour. Attorney General Tom Miller says what’s known as the Amazon scam is of great concern right now. It involves a message about a significant online purchase with a number to call. “It’s a very elaborate scam and they spend some time with you because they have the potential of taking a lot of money,” Miller says. An older Iowan nearly lost 20-thousand dollars to this scam, but called the attorney general’s office and got help in stopping the money transfer.
About 70 people attended the first “Fraud Watch” event in Des Moines this week. The next events are in Dubuque and Waterloo on Wednesday, September 7th. The seminars are free, but registration through A-A-R-P is required. (Editors, here are the other stops on the tour: Mason City – Thursday on September 8; Indianola on Wednesday, September 14; Clarinda on Wednesday, September 14; Council Bluffs on Thursday, September 15; Sioux City on Wednesday, September 21; Fort Dodge on Wednesday, September 21; Ames on Thursday, September 22; Ottumwa on Wednesday, September 28; Burlington on Wednesday, September 28; Bettendorf on Thursday, September 29 and Marion on Thursday, October 27.
ATLANTIC, IA – Produce in the Park welcomes B&D’s Homemade Ice Cream to the Atlantic City Park this Thursday, September 1. Market Manager Brigham Hoege reports B&D’s will be serving homemade ice cream and root beer floats, while Hungry Spartan Pizza will be selling pizza by the slice. Jason Reed will be performing a free concert, and 20 food and craft vendors are expected.
September 1 is a great day for free taste testing at the park. Maggie and Kelly Mueller of Noble Provisions will be this week’s Guest Chefs. Mullers sell beef at the market, and on September 1 they will be grilling burgers and offering free samples. To draw attention to seasonal produce, Mullers will be topping some burgers with locally grown tomatoes and onions.
Just across the park, Master Gardener Dottie Krogh will be offering samples of homemade apple butter and sharing recipes for folks who want to make their own at home. Shoppers who don’t want to make their own apple butter can buy apple butter from vendor Sue’s Country Garden.
A number of organizations will be visiting the park on September 1, including the Atlantic Public Library, Cass Health’s Senior Life Solutions, Atlantic Parks and Recreation, and the Atlantic Police Department. Atlantic Parks & Rec is bringing an improved version of the Water Battleship game to the park; kids and adults are reminded to wear clothing that can get a little wet!
Atlantic Parks and Recreation Director Bryant Rasmussen stands next to the new and improved Water Battleship game setup. People of all ages are invited to play water battleship at Produce in the Park on September 1
Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue will be at Produce in the Park asking folks to “lend a hand” in building a safer and stronger community. To represent that partnership, kids and adults at the park will be invited to cover their hands in washable paint and put their handprints on an Atlantic Police Department patrol car.
Additional details for the Sept. 1st Produce in the Park…
Date: Thursday, Sept. 1
Time: 4:30-6:30 PM
Location: Atlantic City Park (10 W. 7th St. Atlantic, IA 50022)
Food Trucks: B & D’s Homemade Ice Cream & root beer floats, Hungry Spartan Pizza
Live Music: Jason Reed
Celebrity Meet & Greet: Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue will be at the park with a squad car
Fresh, Local Produce: Green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, zucchini, shallots, eggplant, garlic, potatoes, and more!
Meat: Beef, pork, chicken, and lamb
Staples: Farm-fresh eggs, honey, granola
Treats: Pastries, fresh-squeezed lemonade, popcorn
Crafts and more: Fall-scented candles and soaps, bath and body products, embroidered towels, car fresheners, plants for your home garden, art prints, and jewelry
Activities: Water Battleship and yard games with Atlantic Parks and Recreation, Atlantic Public Library (bring your library card!), Cass County Master Gardeners fall gardening and plant sale information and apple butter taste tests and recipes, Cass Health’s Senior Life Solutions
Guest Chef: Noble Provisions hamburgers
Free drawing for farm-fresh eggs (sponsored by the Cass County Local Food Policy Council)
Payment methods accepted: All vendors accept cash. Many accept credit cards, Venmo, and Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Senior and WIC checks. All qualifying food vendors accept SNAP/EBT (also known as food stamps). All fresh produce vendors both accept and distribute Double Up Food Bucks (coupons given for SNAP/EBT purchases of fresh produce).
Produce in the Park September 2022 farmers markets are sponsored by the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission, Cass Health, Cass County Tourism, First Whitney Bank and Trust, the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, and Deter Motor Co. For updates on Produce in the Park, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark) or Instagram (www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/), or visit the Produce in the Park website to sign up for the e-newsletter at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com. For information on vending at the park, contact Market Manager Brigham Hoegh at produceintheparkatlanticiowa@gmail.com or 712-249-5870.
Casey, Iowa – Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater, Tuesday afternoon (8/30), released additional details about the pursuit of a motorcycle that ended in a fatal crash in Guthrie County, early Tuesday morning (8/30). The Sheriff reports shortly after midnight on August 30, 2022, an Adair County sheriff’s deputy was patrolling in the area of Adair-Madison Avenue and the Interstate 80 interchange at the 97mm. The deputy observed a parked motorcycle on the shoulder of the overpass. The individual sitting on the motorcycle appeared to be slumped over. A motorist assist/welfare check was performed and the individual indicated that he was just cold and had stopped to rest and/or warm up.
After the deputy had returned to his patrol unit, the deputy ran a check of the license plate that was displayed upon the motorcycle. The response showed that the motorcycle had been reported as having been stolen out of St. Cloud, Minnesota. The motorcycle had already gotten back onto Interstate 80 and was traveling westbound when the deputy attempted to catch up with and execute a traffic stop of the motorcycle. The operator of the motorcycle failed to yield to the deputy’s emergency lights and siren and continued westbound until exiting at Adair. The motorcycle fled north out of the City of Adair and into Guthrie County and was traveling back eastbound toward Casey.
Guthrie County Deputy Todd Thorn waiting to assist with the pursuit was stopped on Juniper Avenue on the south side of the intersection facing northbound, when the motorcycle veered south from White Pole Road and struck the rear, driver’s side of the Deputy’s 2021 Chevy Silverado pickup on Juniper Avenue.
The Iowa State Patrol identified the operator as 30-year-old Benjamin Todd Wilber of Mora, Minnesota. Wilber died at the scene from injuries he suffered in the collision. It was later determined that the Wilber had an active warrant for his arrest issued out of Anoka County, Minnesota for the charge of Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle. The Iowa State Patrol is continuing to investigate the collision.
The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office released details on a recent burglary incident and subsequent arrest in Hamburg. Fremont County Deputies were called on August 23rd at approximately 10:35 p.m. to the 200 block of Park Street in Hamburg for a report of a burglary in progress. The caller advised the female suspect fled the residence and left her 8-year-old child at the scene.
When Deputies arrived the suspect, 37-year-old Danielle Casey of Sidney, returned to the scene. She was arrested and charged with Child Endangerment, 2 counts Theft 1st Degree, 3 counts Burglary 3rd Degree, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Deputies allege that Casey entered three buildings previously left unoccupied due to natural disaster and attempted to steal items from the buildings. She was believed to have an 8-year-old child in her care during the commission of the crimes. The child was later released to a family member.
The Iowa State Patrol, Fremont County K9 Unit, and Iowa Department of Human Services assisted the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office with the call. Casey is being held without bond awaiting initial appearance with the Fremont County Magistrate.
The Glenwood Police Department reports the arrest on Monday of 41-year-old Deann Kuhl of Glenwood on a Mills County Warrant. Bond was set at $7,500 cash or surety.
Adair County Officials have announced that their current ban on open burning in the county will be lifted effective 12:00 a.m. on August 31st.
Adair County Emergency Management Coordinator Robert Kempf made the request to State Fire Marshall Dan Wood and he has approved the change.
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