A man taking a dirt bike on a test ride at a high rate of speed Monday night in Guthrie County, and tried to jump over a farm terrace. In doing so, 19-year-old Sheldon Joseph Astley, of Coon Rapids, didn’t realize there was an ATV occupied by two females who were just on the other side of the terrace. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office said the dirt bike struck the ATV.

Astley and the ATV operator, 25-year-old Cristine Deanna Evans, of Coon Rapids, were ejected from their machines and collided in mid-air.  Astley was found underneath the dirt bike following the collision. Evans was near the ATV, on the ground. A passenger on the ATV, 17-year-old Chloe Einfred, of Coon Rapids, was checked by EMS personnel after she complained of neck and head pain. The accident happened near 1104 Grant Avenue, at around 8:10-p.m., Monday.

Astley and Evans suffered from suspected serious, incapacitating injuries. Authorities say the owner of the dirt bike transported Astley to the Guthrie County Hospital. He was later transported to Mercy One by LifeFlight. Evans was transported by ambulance to Bayard and then to Mercy One, by LifeFlight.

School bells will be ringing soon and many Iowa kids are already getting anxious or excited about returning to class. Anthony Wubben (WOO-ben), a social worker at Van Diest (DEEST) Medical Center in Webster City, suggests parents start readjusting their child’s internal clocks now to get them better prepared for early mornings.

Children who might be used to staying up until the wee hours during the summertime will have a difficult time catching the bus unless they start soon with an earlier schedule.

Wubben says it’s important that parents listen to their children after a day of classwork, as kids need a trusting adult with whom they can be open and honest.

He also suggests parents set up a meeting with the child’s teacher before school begins to get a firm grip on what to expect in the classroom.

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says it’s time for the U.S. to provide more long range weapons to Ukraine.

In June, the U.S. shipped artillery rockets to Ukraine. Ernst supports sending more advanced guided missiles that can go longer distances.

President Biden released a billion dollars worth of military hardware to Ukraine this week. Ernst says without longer-range missiles, the war will drag on for years — and much of Ukraine will be destroyed.

Ukraine has been pushing for a shipment of U.S. missiles that can fly as high as 160-thousand feet and hit targets up to 190 miles away. President Biden has said the U.S. does not intend to provide Ukraine with weapons that could reach into Russian territory. Ernst says that’s risk averse and it’s time to take a more aggressive stance against Russia.

Russian forces occupy about 20 percent of Ukraine territory today, according to Ernst, and she says they’ll continue inching forward without a change in tactics. Ernst, a Republican who was in the Iowa National Guard, does not support sending U.S. troops into Ukraine, but has voted to provide the money so the U.S. remains the main supplier of weapons for Ukraine’s military.

ATLANTIC, IA – Produce in the Park is celebrating National Farmers Market Week Thursday, August 11, with one-dollar coupons for all kids age 12 and under who complete a farmers market scavenger hunt.

Coupons can be spent with any vendor at the park on August 11, including food trucks Little Green Trailer and Hungry Spartan Pizza. Little Green Trailer serves a variety of BBQ dishes along with Tropical Sno. Hungry Spartan Pizza will be serving single slices with various toppings, including special Double Cheeseburger.

Produce in the Park is funding the coupons to draw attention to the many benefits farmers markets provide communities. According to the Farmers Market Coalition, “For every dollar of nutrition
incentives spent on farm direct purchases, such as at a farmers market, it is estimated to result in a contribution of up to 3 dollars to the U.S. economy.” Farmers markets also spur entrepreneurship by serving as business incubators with low barriers to entry, and markets can increase produce consumption—a win for health.

Fresh, local produce at park this week includes tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, sweet corn, onions,
garlic, eggplant, peppers, and more. As always, customers will enjoy free live music, games, and other
activities. Vendors will also be selling local meat (chicken, beef, pork, and lamb), honey, farm-fresh eggs, popcorn, fresh-squeezed lemonade, pastries and desserts, and a variety of beauty products and crafts.

The Creston Police Department reports an arrest early Wednesday. At 12:14 a.m. Officers arrested 43-year-old Lela Ann Churchwell of Creston at her residence. She was charged with Public Intoxication 1st Offense and Interference with Official Acts and taken to the Clarke County Jail and held on $600 cash or surety bond.