(Glenwood, IA) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office’ weekly press release shows there were six arrests between Jan. 12th and 16th. Those arrested include:

• On Jan. 16th: 36-year-old Ashley Jo Ring, of Glenwood, was arrested in Pacific Junction, for OWI/3rd offense. Her bond was set at $5,000.
• On Jan 14th: 32-year-old Alyssa Marie Edfors, of Clinton (IA) was arrested in Glenwood for – Failure To Appear (Bond $2,000); and 36-year-old Roman Gutierrez Caal, of Omaha was arrested in Glenwood for  – Violation of Probation (Bond $2,000).
• There were two arrests Jan. 13th in Mills County: 18-year-old Cameron Alan Germar, of Glenwood, was arrested for Attempted Burglary in the 3rd Degree, Possession of Burglary Tools, Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree – loss of $1,500-to-$10,000, and Trespass on Public Utility Property. (Bond $14,000); 46-year-old David Scott Porter, of Blair, NE, was arrested for Theft in the 2nd Degree (loss of $1,500 but less than $10k). Held without bond.
• And, 31-year-old Brandon Michael Pendergast, of Kearney, NE, was arrested Jan. 12th in Council Bluffs, for Public Intoxication (Bond $300).

(Atlantic, IA) – The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors were hosted by the Masonic Pymosa Lodge on Thursday, January 15th, 2026, where they learned more about the organization’s long-standing commitment to philanthropy and its upcoming fundraising events.

During the visit, Donnie Drennan shared the rich history of the Masonic organization’s charitable efforts, with a strong focus on supporting local education. For more than 30 years, Pymosa Lodge has awarded annual scholarships to graduating seniors from the Atlantic and CAM school districts, helping offset the cost of tuition. The lodge’s primary fundraiser supporting this effort is its annual Irish Stew Feed.

The 10th Annual Masonic Scholarship St. Patrick’s Day Stew Feed Fundraiser will be held Tuesday, March 17th, from 5:00–7:30 PM at the Masonic Lodge. The event will feature beef stew, vegetable stew, and Irish soda bread, served for a free-will donation. Meals may be enjoyed inside the lodge or through a drive-through option located alongside the building.

Ambassadors and Masons (Left to Right): Kelsey Beschorner, Jeff Christensen, Alisha Wagner, Dr. Keith Leonard, Dolly Bergmann, John Bricker, Rae Ome Conn, Anne Quist, Jennifer Lowers, Randy Aggen, Kathie Hockenberry, Bill Saluk, Donnie Drennan, Jennifer McEntaffer, Arlene Drennan, Julie Waters. Photo courtesy Kelsey Beschorner.

The Ambassadors also learned about a new fundraising event the lodge is hosting to support Vision Atlantic. Building on a tradition once held by the Atlantic Shriners, the Masonic Lodge will host a Chicken Noodle Dinner at the United Church of Christ (1607 Hazel Street, Atlantic). Udderly Delicious will prepare the chicken and noodles, with the Masonic Lodge providing desserts. The meal will be offered for a free-will donation, and the Grand Lodge has agreed to match the funds raised the night of the event. While delivery and take-out will not be available this year, the lodge may consider those options in the future if demand is strong.

In addition to meal fundraisers, Pymosa Lodge supports its scholarship program through can and bottle recycling. Drop-off locations include the Masonic Lodge, Boes Repair Inc., and the Cass County Landfill, and community members may also contact a Mason to arrange pickup from their home or business.

Pymosa Lodge #271 is located at 1010 SW 7th Street in Atlantic. For more information about upcoming fundraisers, the scholarship program, or ways to donate, contact 402-740-1717.

(Radio Iowa) – The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is opening two low-cost vet clinics in central Iowa. The clinics are called A-R-L Afford-a-Care and are located in the central and southern parts of Des Moines. They offer services like spaying and neutering and also can perform surgeries and other operations, but don’t offer emergency services. A-R-L C-E-O Tom Colvin says the goal is for the clinics to make it more affordable to own a pet.

Colvin says, “One of the major reasons that animals are surrendered to the Animal Rescue League and other shelters and rescues is because of a lack of affordable veterinary care access.” The clinics are open to anyone, regardless of income. Colvin says the clinics want to collaborate with veterinary colleges and vet tech programs to offer real-life training.

He says, “This may very easily be something that we could partner with them to send students to learn what it is like in a real-life situation of working within a veterinary clinic.” Colvin says the two clinics were purchased last year with a one-million dollar gift. The buildings housed low-income vet clinics before the A-R-L acquired them, and the previous owner retired. Colvin says the centers will be self-sustaining and any profits will go toward other A-R-L programs that lack adequate funding.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw says the state’s biodiesel producers are facing dire circumstances. He says many biodiesel plants idled in 2025 and haven’t restarted. “I’m told that a typical plant, just because of ongoing overhead costs, spends about $800,000 per month even when you’re not running and not buying feedstocks. They are going to run out of cash,” Shaw said. “I think we have some plants that are on the brink and it’s breaking my heart.” The biodiesel industry is waiting for guidance on federal tax credits for low-carbon fuels that could be worth up to one dollar per gallon. It’s called the Section 45-Z Clean Fuel Production Credit.

“These folks have credits, probably a million or two million dollars’ worth of credits, that they could claim if we could get final 45Z rules,” Shaw said. Shaw also cites the delay in the Environmental Protection Agency’s release of mandated biofuel blending levels for 2026. “They were supposed to be out in October and they aren’t out yet,” Shaw said. “We were told they might be out by the end of February. That might be in the nick of time because once those levels are set, then people kind of know what the market is going to be and you can start having transactions.”

A national trade association for producers of biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuels is also urging the E-P-A to act. The Clean Fuels Alliance says the delay in releasing the 2026 Renewable Fuels Standard obligations has created intolerable uncertainty for biodiesel producers and soybean processors who are negotiating contracts and making investment decisions for 2026. The group also warns it’s impacting how many acres farmers may plant with soybeans this spring.

(Glenwood, IA) – The Glenwood Police Department reports two arrests took place over the weekend. 32-year-old Patrick Clayton Giesting, of Malvern, was arrested Sunday evening for Driving Under Suspension (Bond $300). And, 30-year-old Shyanne Marie Dominguez, of Glenwood, was arrested at around 2:30-a.m. Saturday, for Driving While Barred (Bond $2,000).

(Radio Iowa) – Alliant Energy’s proposed battery storage project at a northern Iowa wind farm is in limbo. In November, the Kossuth County’s Board of Adjustment denied Alliant Energy’s permit for a battery storage facility at the Golden Plains Wind Farm. Alliant then proposed a joint agreement between the energy company and Kossuth County as a way to move forward. Carter Nath, chairman of the Kossuth County Board of Supervisors, says the county attorney has advised that wouldn’t be wise.

“The Board of Supervisors drafts the zoning ordinance and outlined in the zoning ordinance it defers the authority to the Board of Adjustment then that makes that decision and so we would be conflicting, legally, if we would go and join in something with you and another entity that we’ve approved to make those decisions had an opposing decision.” Kossuth County Attorney Todd Holmes says Alliant could submit another permit application to the Board of Adjustment.

“In my opinion, it has to be something that is a significant change, whether it be size or scope, whatever,” Holmes said. The Golden Plains Wind Farm has been operating since 2020 and stretches across Kossuth and Winnebago Counties. During last week’s Board of Supervisor’s meeting, Kossuth County officials asked Alliant if there were areas outside of Kossuth County where the battery facility could be built. Justin Foss is Resource Development Manager for Alliant Energy. He says the company began planning for the facility in 2023, checked with landowners in the area and has a state permit for the project.

“The state permit said, ‘Yes, all of this makes sense,'” Foss said. “And so we’re at a little bit of a standstill.” Alliant Energy’s website shows the company is building two battery storage systems in Iowa that are expected to go online later this year. One is at the company’s Whispering Willow North Wind Farm in Franklin County that’s expected to online later this year. The other is at the site of a former coal facility in Lansing. Alliant is already operating battery storage facilities in Cedar Rapids, Decorah, Marshalltown and Wellman.

(Greenfield, IA) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office has issued a weekly report on arrests. Sheriff Jeff Vandewater says 39-year-old Douglas Edward Woodward, of Pleasant Hill, was arrested late Saturday night following a traffic stop for a vehicle with an obstructed license plate, on Interstate 80 westbound at mile marker 93 in Adair County. After speaking with Woodward, it was confirmed he was barred from driving. Woodward was transported to the Adair County Jail, issued a citation and then released from custody.

On Jan. 11th, and Adair County Sheriff’s Deputy arrested 45-year-old Justin Alan Robertson, of Creston, for Violation of Probation. Robertson was released Jan. 16th on a Signature/Recognizance Bond.

And, as previously reported, 36-year-old Alisha Louise Geidel, of Creston, was arrested Jan. 12th on an Adair County felony warrant for Theft in the 1st Degree. Sheriff Vandewater told KJAN News a warrant for her arrest was issued Jan. 9th. She turned herself-in on the 12th, and posted a $10,000 cash/surety bond the same day. According to Iowa Courts Online, Geidel has entered a plea of not guilty, and waived her preliminary hearing.

(Radio Iowa)  – Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird says she wants to see the Legislature increase the penalties for threats against judges and their loved ones. “Have language I’m suggesting to the legislature that would make threatening a judge or their family member a ten-year felony. I want to treat it very seriously because we don’t want to tolerate that,” Bird says. Bird says judges and prosecutors should also be allowed to seek a professional permit to carry a gun in a courtroom.

“County attorneys can have a professional permit to carry a firearm in court. For example, I think the folks in my office and attorneys in my office, including myself, that would prosecute crime and be involved there. We should also be able to do that as well as judges if they choose to do that,” she says.

Those issues are part of Bird’s overall legislative priorities for this session.

(Creston, IA) – The Creston Police Department reports a man was arrested late Sunday night. 54-year-old Christopher David Draman, of Lenox, was arrested at around 10:18-p.m., at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center. He was charged with OWI – 1st Offense. Draman was take to the Union County Jail, posted $1,000 cash or surety bond, and was released.