(Radio Iowa) – Iowa D-N-R State Veterinarian Rachel Ruden says the cold weather freezing up waterways likely led to the deaths of Canada geese in southwest Iowa from avian influenza. Dr. Ruden says the birds grouped together on the remaining open water at Green Valley Lake and Lake of Three Fires. “A lot of places really closed up in terms of the open water, closed up in the past week with all the cold weather. Now that it’s warming up again, we can expect that the birds won’t have to congregate in as high of numbers, at least they maybe will distribute, you know more across the landscape, which can really help quell an outbreak,” she says. She says the forecast is calling for warmer temperatures, which would keep the water open and spread the birds out.

“We just have to kind of see where the winter goes, but if this year operates anything like last year, by early January, we really saw. outbreak activities subside,” Ruden says. Ruden says she first heard of mass deaths of snow geese in the Dakotas from avian influenza at the end of November. She says the pattern has been for deaths then happening in Missouri, and these deaths in Iowa are rare. “We have a lot of just eyes on the ground in the Des Moines metro, so we’re usually getting reports out of there. But southwest Iowa and really even southeast Iowa, we just don’t get many reports of mass mortality events south of I-80,” Ruden says. She asks the public to report any sick birds or dead birds.

“Either to the local wildlife biologist for that county or the county conservation officer so we can track those impacts, you know what species are being impacted,” she says. “We primarily see Canada geese, but we certainly see others animals that might be consuming the affected carcasses. So things like Red Tail Hawks are quite common to see also involved in these influenza outbreaks.” Ruden says you shouldn’t handle or touch sick or dead animals. “A lot of people have that impulse to help an animal in need, which is a wonderful impulse, but when there’s a infectious disease that can actually infect people as well, we really we advise you to keep your distance, report it,” she says. Ruden says once you report it the professionals will take over and handle it.

At least 60 geese died at the two southwest Iowa Lakes and testing confirmed it was from bird flu.

(Atlantic, IA) – A Special Meeting of the Atlantic School Board will take place beginning at 8:30-a.m. Monday, Dec. 22nd, in the Middle School Conference Room (1100 Linn St.). During their meeting, the School Board will act on the following matters:

a. Consideration of authorizing the Superintendent to publish the Notice of Intent (NOI) to enter into a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract with a Construction Manager at Risk (CMaR), as presented [with regard to District facilities].

b. Consideration of authorizing the Superintendent to publish a Request for Statements of Qualifications (RFQ) for Construction Manager at Risk (CMaR) services on January 7, 2026, pending review by legal counsel.

The next REGULAR meeting of the Atlantic School Board, is on January 14th, 2026, beginning at 6-p.m., in the High School Media Center.

DES MOINES, Iowa – An Ankeny man was sentenced yesterday, December 18, 2025, to three years’ imprisonment for making false declarations in a bankruptcy proceeding. Officials with the U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa say, according to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, 61-year-old Louis Grant Peterson, also known as “Chip Peterson,” was the former owner of Legacy Siding and Windows, an exterior construction company based in Ankeny. While operating that company, Peterson engaged in a pattern of taking customer deposits—hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth—and not completing work as promised. Peterson later admitted to the FBI that he spent the victims’ money on “gambling” and “irresponsible spending.” Peterson had been criminally prosecuted for similar conduct in the past, including a 2024 conviction for theft in the Iowa District Court for Woodbury County in which Peterson received a more than $50,000 down payment and then failed to complete the work.

After accumulating nearly $1 million in unsecured debt, Peterson filed for bankruptcy. In those bankruptcy proceedings, Peterson lied about his employment, businesses, income, bank accounts, tools, equipment, electronics, and jewelry, among other things. Peterson later admitted to the FBI that he had “no idea” where he got the numbers he claimed as income. Peterson further admitted that he had not paid taxes for several years.

Even after being federally indicted, Peterson accepted a $17,000 deposit for a window installation that he never completed. He eventually paid the money back after the victims filed a complaint with the Iowa Attorney General’s Office.

United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case with assistance from the Office of the United States Trustee.

(Atlantic, IA) – The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors welcomed Coyote Willow Wind, a wind energy project based in Cass and Audubon Counties, as a new Chamber member on Thursday, December 18th, 2025. The Ambassadors visited with representatives from Apex Clean Energy, the developer exploring the feasibility of the Coyote Willow Wind project, to learn more about the initiative and its potential benefits for the local community. Coyote Willow Wind is a proposed wind energy project designed to generate clean, renewable electricity while supporting economic growth in southwest Iowa. The project is designed to work alongside existing agricultural operations, allowing landowners to continue farming while receiving stable, long-term lease payments that support family farms and rural businesses.

Jared Beckstrom, Senior Development Manager with Apex Clean Energy, shared that landowner partnerships are central to the project’s success. Participating landowners are compensated for turbines as well as access roads and infrastructure, creating additional income while preserving productive farmland. The project is expected to bring local investment during construction and provide long-term jobs to support ongoing operations and maintenance. In addition to landowner benefits, Coyote Willow Wind is expected to generate increased tax revenue that can support local schools, infrastructure, and public services. The project emphasizes transparency and community engagement through open communication, informational meetings, and ongoing outreach to ensure the project reflects local values.

Ambassadors Pictured (Left to Right): Emily Kennedy, Jen McEntaffer, Melissa Ihnen, Lana Westphalen, Sue Liston, Elaine Otte, Kathie Hockenberry, Chris Park, Brittani Santee, Dolly Bergmann, Jennifer Lowers, Kelsey Beschorner, Bre Preis, Grace McAfee, Jeff Christensen, Bryan Pearson, Corey Eberling, Jared Beckstrom – photo courtesy of the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Ambassadors appreciated learning how renewable energy development can strengthen rural economies while respecting landowners, the environment, and community priorities. As a new Chamber member, Coyote Willow Wind looks forward to building partnerships and being an active participant in Cass County.

The Coyote Willow Wind office is located at 405 Market Street in Audubon. For more information, visit https://www.coyotewillowwind.com/

(Creston, IA) – Authorities say a driver’s examination was being recommended following a collision Thursday night in Creston. According to Creston Police, a Mitsubishi SUV driven by 77-year-old Jean LaVonne Craig, of Afton, struck the rear of a Hyundai SUV driven by 46-year-old Rachel M. Claiser, of Creston, as Claiser was stopped on Highway 34 at around 8-p.m., and waiting to turn left into the parking lot of the Dollar General store, when the accident occurred.

After both women pulled into the parking lot to exchange insurance information, Craig left the scene. After leaving the parking lot, an employee of the Casey’s store in Sumner Avenue in Creston reported to police an older woman coming into and out of the store. They said she seemed disoriented, and said she mentioned having been involved in an accident. When a Creston Police Officer arrived at Casey’s, he saw a car with extensive front-end damage, backing out. He spoke with the driver – Jean Craig – who told him that someone had hit her vehicle. Since she did not appear to be impaired or in need of medical attention, Craig was allowed to leave in her vehicle.

Later, a Union County Sheriff’s Deputy went to a location south of Afton and spoke with Craig, to get her statement and insurance information. Damage to vehicles amounted to a police-estimated $5,000 altogether. No citations were issued.

(Radio Iowa) – Record numbers of travelers are expected on Iowa’s roads over the next two weeks, and law officers statewide are launching what’s known as a STEP, or Special Traffic Enforcement Program, later today (Friday) that will last through January 4th. Iowa State Patrol trooper Paul Gardner, who’s based in Fort Dodge, says their goal is to allow everyone to safely reach their destinations. “We will have extra troopers on the road through Christmas and into the new year,” Gardner says. “Our focus will be on preventing crashes involving distracted driving and impaired driving.” Iowa has seen a significant drop in highway fatalities this year and could end 2025 with the lowest number of roadway deaths in decades.

“So we’re going to work diligently to keep those traffic crashes and those traffic deaths down the best we can,” Gardner says. “If you are out celebrating for Christmas and into the new year, please celebrate responsibly. If you’re going to be out celebrating and involving alcoholic beverages, have a designated driver, somebody sober to get you home safely. That could be a friend, family member, an Uber or taxi.” Starting on January 1st, law officers will be able to start issuing citations under Iowa’s new Hands Free law, which says drivers cannot handle a cell phone while behind the wheel. “So up until then, any warnings that drivers were issued from July 1st to January 1st will be on file,” Gardner says. “That means if a trooper runs somebody’s record, it will show that they were warned during that warning period, so that will likely affect the trooper’s decision on whether they issue a citation or not.”

He says the fine will be 170-dollars for motorists who are caught using a cell phone that’s not in hands-free mode.

(Radio Iowa) – Nationwide arrest warrants are being issued for two suspects in connection with this week’s burglary at the Lyon County Courthouse in Rock Rapids. The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office says 39-year-old Brandon Lyle High Pipe and 18-year-old Luciano Eliseo Sanchez are wanted on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges tied to the break-in that happened overnight on December 16th into the 17th. Authorities say no one else was in the building at the time and local, state and federal law enforcement agencies are now working to locate and arrest the suspects.

(Red Oak, IA) — The Red Oak Music Boosters – a volunteer driven, 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization – have announced the launch of their “Raise the Curtain” Fundraising Campaign, a year-long initiative designed to enhance the performing arts experience for students in the Red Oak Community School District. The campaign will fund essential instruments, curriculum improvements, and auditorium upgrades assuring our students have the best opportunities to learn, perform, and shine. Their campaign goals for Phase 1 of the project is to raise $50,000 toward to total goal of $150,000. Phase 1 includes:

• Energy-efficient LED lighting for stage safety and professional performance
• Stage curtains to complete the 2019 renovation and improve sound
• Modern auditorium sound system for clear audio and better production
• Reliable digital pianos so every student can learn and perform without limitations

Organizers of the campaign say the funding is important because Red Oak music students compete against all class sizes—from 2A to 5A—in statewide contests and festivals. To remain competitive, students must continually improve their musical skills and acumen, which requires access to quality tools and facilities. Without these upgrades, they say, there is a risk of falling behind in meeting student needs and sustaining excellence.

Tim Marsden, Red Oak 9th through 12th Grade Music Director, says “We have the best students who push themselves to do great things—award-winning musicals, honor band and honor choir achievements, multiple Iowa All-State members, and many who have gone on to higher education to become music educators and professional performers. They deserve the tools and facilities to help them shine.” You can donate today through the following link: https://givebutter.com/RedOakMusicBoosters or scan the QR code.

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The Red Oak Music Boosters organization is dedicated to supporting the music programs of the Red Oak Community School District. They bridge the gap between school funding and program needs by providing financial assistance for instruments, uniforms, music, travel, and scholarships. In addition, we offer logistical support—chaperoning events, transporting equipment, and helping with meals during contests—to ensure students have a positive and memorable experience. Through fundraising and community engagement, their mission is to enrich students’ musical education, ease the burden on directors, and foster a vibrant, well-equipped program that inspires pride and lifelong learning.

(Des Moines, IA) – Rural Iowa communities have received more than $8 million in grants and loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development for the improvement of water and safety systems. According to news release from the department, the grants and loans will be used to purchase firetrucks, warning sirens and to upgrade wastewater and water distribution systems in 20 Iowa counties. More than $7 million of the total announced awards went to water improvement projects in Russell, Ricketts, Pisgah and the unincorporated community of Green Mountain in Marshall County.

The City of Pisgah, in Harrison County, was awarded a nearly $1.4 million loan and a $1.1 million grant for the construction of a new piping, electrical gear, pumps and controls at its wells and ground storage sites. The funding will also go toward emergency standby systems, replacing lead elements in service lines, building hydrants and main lines through parts of the city.

Other communities received a cumulative total of $192,400 in grants to upgrade public safety equipment.  Michael Sexton, the state’s rural development director, said the administration is “championing” infrastructure projects that give rural and agricultural communities “more solid footing for the future.”

In the news release, Sexton said the “USDA recognizes the unique challenges faced by smaller Iowa communities as the need for clean water and emergency response grows in places that support our nation’s essential food supply chains.”

(Radio Iowa) – Concerns are rising about whether Sioux City’s largest healthcare provider will continue to accept some insurance plans. UnityPoint Health took over MercyOne in Sioux City on September 1st and agreed to accept insurance plans used by MercyOne patients through year’s end, though an effort is underway to extend the agreement through March. Shannon Stewart, a Sioux City insurance broker, says it would be disruptive if his clients lose coverage. Stewart says, “History tells us that when you don’t have competition, that’s not good for pricing or services because you’re not competing against anyone.” Stewart says some of the impacted insurance plans were more affordable options found through the federal marketplace. He says some of his clients may need to travel to Sioux Falls or Omaha for non-emergency coverage.

Pete Iversen, who lives near Sioux City, says not only did his health insurance premiums double in price, there weren’t many other options. “When I started looking at the marketplace,” Iversen says, “there was really only one provider in Iowa that was affordable, and that was Oscar.” But now Iversen says he faces another problem, as Oscar is one of the plans which UnityPoint Health had planned to stop accepting on January 1st. “With health insurance, you always have to be really aware of who is in network and who isn’t,” he says, “and the network just got considerably smaller when the two largest hospitals are no longer in network.”

Iversen says in the future he and his family could be forced to travel for medical care. Impacted health insurance plans: Ambetter Health, Centivo, Mount Carmel MediGold – Medicare Advantage, Partners Direct Health, Wellcare Medicare Advantage, and Oscar.

Statement from UnityPoint Health:
UnityPoint Health is actively working with several insurers to extend temporary agreements through March 31, 2026 that were put in place to allow UnityPoint Health to continue to provide care for its patients. Patients should contact their insurance carrier directly to confirm their plan will be in-network with UnityPoint Health during this time. Patients are encouraged to review their insurance options during the federal health exchange open enrollment period, which ends January 15, 2026, to choose a plan that ensures they can continue receiving care at a UnityPoint Health facility throughout 2026.