(Exira, Iowa) – Officials with the City of Exira Water Supply are recommending residents boil their water before using for drinking or to use an alternative source. The Regional Water Rural Water Association Water Supply had a problem in the distribution system and the water main feeding the City of Exira had to be shut down. Due to the potential for bacterial contamination, it is being recommended that the water be boiled before using for drinking or cooking or that an alternative source be used.

IT IS RECOMMENDED NOT TO DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. The water may be used for bathing and other similar purposes. If the water is colored, use an alternative source such as bottled water.

For more information, please contact Tim Wahlert, Water Superintendent or appropriate title at 712-304-0481. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1(800) 426-4791.

When water service is restored, there may be air in your water piping and the water may be discolored. It is recommended to run the first water from a faucet that does not have an aerator screen, such as a bathtub or hose bib. Open the faucet slowly to allow the air to escape. Once the water is flowing, allow the faucet to run until it is clear. The water may be cloudy at first due to air in the water or particles that dislodged as the pipes filled with water. This should clear fairly quickly. If water is cloudy or colored throughout the house and it does not clear after allowing the water to run for several minutes, use an alternative source such as bottled water and contact the person listed above.

The system has been repaired, repressurized, and bacteria samples will be collected. This advisory is a precaution until bacterial sample results are available. You will be notified when the results are available and the advisory is lifted.

The system is working with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to resolve the situation.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak report one person suffered suspected minor/non-incapacitating injuries during a collision this (Monday) morning, in front of the Cubbies store. Authorities say a 1986 Chevy K-10 pickup driven by 74-year-old David Hammer of Red Oak, and a 2022 Chevy Silverado pickup driven by 26-year-old James Leroy Petty, also of Red Oak, were both northbound on Highway 48/Broadway at around 7:54-a.m.  A non-contact vehicle stopped to turn left into the Cubbies parking lot.

Petty stopped behind a vehicle waiting to turn left, as well. Hammer didn’t see the other vehicles stopped, and ended-up striking an empty anhydrous tank trailer with the front of his pickup. Hammer had a laceration to his leg and was transported to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital by Red Oak Rescue, for treatment of his injuries. No other injuries were reported.

Damage to the vehicles amounted to $7,100 altogether. No citations were issued.

(Radio Iowa) – An annual Thanksgiving week event outside the governor’s mansion has been cancelled, due to bird flu concerns. American presidents began pardoning turkeys in the 1870s and governors around the country have been holding annual ceremonies, too, to offer clemency to birds that otherwise were otherwise headed to the Thanksgiving table. Alex Murphy, a spokesman for Governor Kim Reynolds, said with a statewide order in place “to protect flocks from the threat of bird flu, turkeys will not be transported to Terrace Hill” for the annual pardoning ceremony.

The event has given Iowa governors a chance to promote Iowa’s turkey industry. Iowa turkey producers typically raise more than 12-million turkeys a year and the state has two turkey processing plants, in Storm Lake and West Liberty. The governor plans to release a video tomorrow to pardon two turkeys. Last year’s turkey pardoning ceremony at Terrace Hill featured two turkeys raised by the president of the Iowa Turkey Federation.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests over the past week. Friday evening, 30-year-old Junior Romain Hicks, of Fontanelle, was cited and released from the Adair County Sheriff’s Office, on a charge of Harassment in the 3rd Degree. At around 2:30-a.m., Friday, 24-year-old Valen Roseana McKown, of Creston, was arrested following a traffic stop on Highway 25. She was charged with OWI/1st offense, and later released with a citation.

At around 3:30-a.m. Thursday, 27-year-old Chelsey Mae Madison, of Creston, was arrested in Stuart, by Stuart Police. She was charged with Possession of Marijuana/1st offense, and Possession of Methamphetamine/1st offense. Madison was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $1,000 cash or surety bond. And, at around 2:50-p.m. Wednesday, 53-year-old Thomas Budd Reeves, of Ames, was arrested by the Iowa State Patrol, following a traffic stop on I-80 near mile marker 76, in Adair County. Reeves was wanted on an Adair County warrant for OWI/1st offense and Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 1st offense. He was released later that same afternoon, on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

(Persia, Iowa) – Authorities were heading to the scene this (Monday) morning, of possible bank hold-up, in Harrison County. According to dispatch information, a hold-up alarm was received from the Community Bank in Persia, at around 10:57-a.m.  The suspect was described as a white male with an off-white scarf over his face. Not clear if a weapon was displayed. The man was  apparently wearing mostly black, with the exception of the scarf. It is not clear what direction of travel the suspect went after he left the bank.

No further details are available. This story will be updates as more is known.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Hy-Vee on Thursday, November 17th, 2022. The Ambassadors welcomed Store Manager Jon Johnson back to the store, while also being introduced to other new staff. Jon Johnson was the Hy-Vee store manager for four years until 2018. During his time away, Johnson worked in other grocery stores in Webster City, Lincoln, and Omaha. After a few years away, he approached Hy-Vee about getting back into Atlantic. He says his favorite part about working in a small-town Hy-Vee, is being involved in community partnerships and events.

The Ambassadors were also introduced to Crystal Parker as the Food Service Manager, Kimberly McDonald as the Assistant Manager of Perishables/ Marketing Coordinator, and Michael Coffman as the Produce Manager. Johnson helped initiate some of the renovations to the store before he left and helped wrap up the final touches as he has returned. Hy-Vee has re-vamped the “hot case”, developed recipes for the cook-to-order menu, and added new “grab-n-go” items. The final step of the renovation was replacing the 21-year-old produce case with a new system featuring the new misting units, lighting, and racks to keep the produce at its best.

Ambassadors and Hy-Vee Staff (Left to Right): Kelsey Beschorner, Colt Doherty, Jason Truckenbrod, Krysta Hanson, Sue Liston, Ray Paullin, Victoria Gibson, Julie Waters, Rick Mericle, Dolly Bergmann, Christy Rauch, Elaine Otte, Jeremy Butler, Jon Johnson, Graydon Schmidt, Anne Quist, Lana Westphalen, Scott Bennett, Bill Saluk, Michael Coffman, Beth Spieker, Crystal Parker, Kate Olson, Kimberly McDonald (Photo & story provided by the Chamber)

Hy-Vee is located at 1630 E 7th Street in Atlantic. For more information, call 712-243-1277, or follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AtlanticHV/

Des Moines, Iowa – The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa, Monday (today), said two Polk County men were sentenced Friday (Nov. 18th), for their roles in the distribution of a controlled substance that resulted in death. Authorities say 39-year-old Michael Allen James  was sentenced to 20-years in prison. 38-year-old Gregory Michael Williams was sentenced to 14-years in prison. Both Des Moines men were sentenced after pleading guilty.

On November 8, 2020, Williams purchased two Oxycodone pills from James. Williams then distributed the pills to C.C.. Later, C.C. and his fiancée, K.F., ingested the pills, and both overdosed. C.C. was revived on scene and survived. K.F. was brought to the hospital and later pronounced dead. The Oxycodone pills were counterfeit and contained fentanyl.

Investigators with the Des Moines Police Department Vice-Narcotics Unit reviewed phone records and conducted interviews, including of the victims’ friends and family, which led officers to identify Williams and James. In November 2020, Williams was arrested in possession of a firearm after he held his children at gunpoint. In December 2020, officers executed a search warrant at James’ house and located marijuana, cash, and 100 rounds of ammunition. James was prohibited for possessing ammunition because he is a felon.

U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The investigation was conducted by the Des Moines Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mallory E. Weiser, with assistance from Victim Witness Specialist Charlotte Kovacs.

(Radio Iowa) – The chairman of the Iowa Republican Party says two well-known Iowans in the DEMOCRATIC Party need to speak out to help keep their party’s Caucuses first-in-the-nation. Iowa G-O-P chairman Jeff Kaufmann says former U.S. Senator Tom Harkin and former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack need to use their clout. “Stand up and help,” Kaufmann says. “Where in the world is Vilsack? Where in the world is Harkin?” The REPUBLICAN National Committee has voted to have the Iowa Caucuses kick off the G-O-P’s presidential nominating process in 2024, but a group of national DEMOCRATS will meet next week to consider other state’s vying to go first in their party’s process.

“This is ridiculous that we don’t have a current secretary of ag advocating for us in the most vociferous way,” Kaufmann says. A former Iowa Democratic Party chairman says Vilsack’s role as U.S. Ag Secretary restricts his political activities and Harkin doesn’t want to detract from his bipartisan work through the Harkin Institute. Iowa Democrats face what appears to be an uphill battle to keep their caucuses first in the nation and Kaufmann says he’s willing to do what he can to change those odds.  “Maybe my head’s in the clouds here, but I’m not ready to give up on it yet,” Kaufmann says. If the Democratic National Committee decides to schedule presidential primaries in another state before Iowa’s Democratic Party Caucuses, Kaufmann vows to do whatever it takes to ensure both parties’ caucuses are held on the same day — and are first.

“We will back the Iowa Caucuses up as far as we need to back them up in order to be first,” Kaufmann says. “By golly, we’ll have our Caucuses on Halloween if we have to.” In 2008 and 2012, other states rescheduled their primaries to try to leapfrog the Iowa Caucuses and New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation Primary — so Iowa Republicans and Democrats held their Caucuses on January 3rd.