Although the Cass County Democratic Party’s Headquarters has been open since August 29th, a Grand Opening is scheduled for Saturday, September 17th, beginning at 2 PM at 511 Chestnut in Atlantic, according to Sherry Toelle, County Chair. Toelle says she has “Invited all the Democratic Party candidates who will be appearing on the county’s ballot in November. Hillary Clinton’s campaign plans to send a surrogate for her. Patty Judge, Jim Mowrer, and Matt Paladino have been invited but their schedules have yet to be finalized for September.

Dana Kunze, candidate for the Cass County Board of Supervisors, District 4, and Scott Heldt, candidate for the Iowa House District 20, have confirmed their attendance. Snacks and refreshments will be served from 2-until 4-p.m.,” Toelle said.

The Democratic Party Headquarters will be open on weekdays from 10-a.m. until 5-p.m., and on weekends from noon-to 4-p.m. through Election Day. Campaign materials and signs for the Democratic candidates will be available as will voter registration and absentee ballot request forms.  Toelle says the County Democratic Party “Will also be having a Food Drive so, should folks wish to participate, they can bring canned goods and/or other non-perishable food items to HQ on the 17th or at other times. Also needed are paper goods, soaps and detergents, personal hygiene items, and other items that folks in need may be able to use.”

Toelle said also, “Depending on the number of items donated,” they will provide donated goods to several food banks around the county.

Police in Red Oak, Thursday night, arrested a woman on a felony, 2nd degree Theft charge for the alleged theft of a motor vehicle. 18-year old Dakota Lynn Girouex, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 8:15-p.m. and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where her cash bond was set at $5,000.

The Iowa State Patrol says a flatbed load of aluminum spilled onto Interstate 29 Thursday morning during an accident in Harrison County. A 2010 Peterbilt semi driven by 33-year old Tiras Prothro, of Chicago, IL, was traveling north on I-29 at around 5:25-a.m., when the rig veered to the left and went out of control. The semi entered the median and rolled onto its side. A load of aluminum being hauled by the rig was tossed onto the southbound lanes of I-29 when the accident occurred.

The trailer, which tipped over and came to rest across both northbound lanes on I-29, was hit broadside by a 1999 Peterbilt semi. No injuries were reported.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Three Iowa men face charges after state conservation officers say they unlawfully harvested ginseng root from state property. Court records show Kyle Jones and Brent Jones, both of Slater, and Bart Bollie of Madrid, were charged Tuesday with fifth-degree theft, unlawful possession of wild ginseng root from state land and unlawful possession of young wild ginseng.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A deputy Iowa prison warden who was fired in March has been reinstated and awarded $40,000 in back pay, a raise and additional vacation and sick time. The Iowa Department of Corrections fired Michael Kane as deputy warden of the maximum-security prison in Anamosa for alleged rules violations that haven’t been released. But the state reversed its decision last month. Kane, who appealed his firing, says he’s “glad for the outcome.”

CHARITON, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a pilot has been found dead after the crash of his plane in northwestern Lucas County. The Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Thursday that the pilot had been flying alone. The Sheriff’s Office says it had been advised Wednesday afternoon by air traffic control in Des Moines that radar contact with the private plane had been lost. The plane wreckage was found around 5:30 p.m.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The American Indian tribe challenging an oil pipeline that would cross four states has some legal advantages in a courtroom, particularly the tribe’s status as a sovereign nation with long ties to the land in question. But stopping a major project like the Dakota Access pipeline after construction has begun is difficult. And even if the Standing Rock Sioux win in federal court, the end result might simply be an altered route.