SIOUX CITY (KTIV) – A man who has dedicated his whole life to answering the call for help, found himself on the other end of that line. KTIV reports a newly red-tagged house, belongs to the Pierson Fire Department’s Fire Chief Lucas Ploen, along with his wife and three children. The family lost all of their possessions in the fire, which was called-in by a neighbor at around 1-p.m., Thursday, Nov. 6th.

Kingsley, Pierson and Correctionville’s fire departments all responded and were on scene within 8 minutes. The fire began on the second floor, but quickly spread. The cause of the blaze remained under investigation. The office of the Iowa State Fire Marshal will be on the scene this coming week to conduct an investigation.

No one was home at the time, but two animals were inside. A neighbor and a volunteer firefighter who hadn’t put his gear on yet, ran into the burning house save them. The dogs were rushed to a vet in Sioux City and were released back to the family the next day.

The community has rallied together for the family. The fire station has begun collecting donations, Woodbury Central has already begun giving boxes of donations, and a local pet store, has donated food and toys for the dogs.

Security National Bank has opened an account for the family. If you would like to make a monetary donation, you can visit any branch, just mention their names when making the deposit. If you’d like to donate items, you can reach out to the Pierson Fire Department.

(West Des Moines, Iowa)  – The West Des Moines-based Hy-Vee food chain says it is extending its offer of $3 meals for families until November 14 at all stores with hot food service, with children ages 12 and under eating for free. The initiative includes a breakfast buffet this weekend from 7 to 10 a.m.

The menu features a variety of meals, including sesame or orange chicken rice bowls, chicken alfredo with penne, and a breakfast-for-dinner option. Meals are available for dine-in or takeout.

Hy-Vee has also launched a register round-up campaign to support local food pantries. Customers can round up their purchases at checkout or buy $5 and $10 food bank donation bundles. These contributions will go to a designated pantry in each store’s community.

Hy-Vee recently donated $100,000 to Feeding America and continues to make additional donations to local food pantries.

$3 meal menu

• November 7 (4-7 p.m.): Sesame or orange chicken rice bowl (In locations without HyChi, the meal will be two chicken tenders, mashed potatoes and corn)
• November 8-9 (7-10 a.m.): Breakfast buffet featuring scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage links, piece of fruit and donut holes
• November 10 (4-7 p.m.): Chicken alfredo with penne and garlic toast
• November 11 (4-7 p.m.): Chicken or pork & vegetables with steamed rice, appetizer and fortune cookie (In locations without HyChi, the meal will be two chicken tenders, mashed potatoes and corn)
• November 12 (4-7 p.m.): Breakfast for Dinner featuring scrambled eggs with cheese, sausage links, fresh fruit and a cinnamon roll
• November 13 (4-7 p.m.): Chicken hind quarter (drumstick and thigh), potato salad, chocolate chip cookie
• November 14 (4-7 p.m.): Sloppy Joe sandwich with seasoned green beans

*In locations without HyChi, the meal will be two chicken tenders, mashed potatoes and corn.

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – Governor Kim Reynolds announced that all flags in Iowa will be flown half-staff in honor of Dick Cheney. Cheney served as the Vice President of the United States under President George W. Bush. He also served in Congress and as Secretary of State. He died Monday (Nov. 3rd) at the age of 84

Flags will be flown half-staff starting immediately and lasting until sunset on November 20th, the day of his scheduled funeral and  burial. USA Today reports Cheney’s funeral will be held at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

“Dick Cheney will be remembered as a remarkable statesman—in Congress and the Executive Branch, in times of peace and war, at home and abroad,” Gov. Reynolds said in a statement Monday. “Above all, he will be remembered as a patriot, who dedicated his life to the service of his country. Kevin and I offer our sincere condolences and prayers to his family. May he rest in peace.”

Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa City Police say they are investigating an apparent shooting near the University of Iowa campus Friday afternoon. Police say witnesses reported hearing gunfire near the intersection of East Burlington and South Governor Streets around 1:30 pm Friday. Officers also found evidence of gunfire at the scene.

KCRG reports The University of Iowa issued a Hawk Alert because of the reports of shots fired near campus. That alert reported a suspect running west away from the scene, in the direction of campus. It urged students to avoid the area or shelter in place. The Iowa City Public Library sheltered in place for around 30 minutes due to the security alert in the area. It was lifted at 2:30 p.m.

Screenshot of the Hawk Alert that was issued Friday afternoon. The alert was lifted soon thereafter.

Police say this was an isolated incident and there is no known threat to the public. The incident remains under investigation.

(Polk  County, Iowa) – The Iowa Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) website, reports Wells Fargo has laid off 26 employees this week from its West Des Moines office on Jordan Creek Parkway. The cuts are in addition to the 63 cuts the week before from the same office.

In its most recent report, Iowa Workforce Development reported a 3.8% unemployment rate for August 2025.

(Corning, Iowa) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office, today, issued a report on arrests and accidents. In the report, authorities said:

• On Oct. 24th, Rhonda Thompson was arrested on an active Adams County warrant for Failure to Appear.
• On Oct. 27th, Deputies conducted a traffic stop on Highway 34 at Sycamore Avenue, and after an investigation, arrested 18-year-old Adrian Lillie, of Creston, for Driving While Suspended.
• On November 1st, Adams County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested: 45-year-old Melissa Garrison, of Perry; 51-year-old Dice Moitozo, 22-year-old Jill Rivera, and 19-year-old Tiffany Rivera, all of Des Moines. Garrison was charged with Possession of Marijuana/1st offense, Poss. of Methamphetamine/3rd or subsequent offense, Intent to Deliver, Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp, and Poss. of Paraphernalia; Moitozo and both Rivera’s were charged with Poss. of Marijuana/1st offense. All four were transported to the Adams County Jail.

And, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports, at around 9:26-a.m. on November 2nd, an accident occurred at the intersection of Highway 34 and Ginko Avenue. Multiple 911 calls reported the collision involving two pickup trucks.
Deputies, along with Corning Fire and Corning Ambulance, responded to the scene.

An investigation determined 37-year-old Chad Larson, of Nodaway, was driving east on Highway 34 in a 2015 Chevy Silverado K250 with two passengers,  when his vehicle was struck on the passenger side by a 2013 Chevy Silverado K-250  pickup that was being driven by 20-year-old Samuel Foreman, of Massena. The accident happened when Foreman failed to stop at the posted intersection, as he was traveling north on Ginko Avenue. Both vehicles were heavily damaged and had to be towed. Minor injuries were reported by the occupants of Larson’s vehicle. Foreman was cited for Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device (Stop Sign) and Minor in Possession of Alcohol.

An accident that happened a little after midnight on November 1st, in Corning, resulted in minor injuries, as well. Authorities say an Adams County Sheriff’s Deputy reported his patrol vehicle was struck by another car near the intersection of Davis Avenue and 10th Street.

Authorities determined a 17-year-old male driver from Corning, who had three passengers in his vehicle, was traveling south on Davis Avenue in Corning, when the teen failed to yield. His vehicle  struck the deputy’s patrol vehicle as it was traveling westbound on 10th Street. The teen was cited for Failure to Yield Right of Way and Violation of a Minor’s Restricted License.

(Photos courtesy of the Adams County Sheriff’s Office)

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Police Department, today (Friday) releases a report on arrests that occurred between Oct. 18th and the 29th, and citations that were issued between Oct. 19th and November 2nd. Those arrested include:

On Oct. 18th, 25-year-old SK Kovac, of Atlantic, for Public Intoxication. And, on Oct. 29th, 32-year-old Gavin Hooks, of Daphne, AL, for Domestic Abuse Assault by impeding the flow of air and/or blood.

Citations were issued for Shoplifting (Theft in the 5th Degree) to the following:

• 60-year-old Jeffrey King, of Villisca, on Oct. 19th
• 32-year-old Chad Arbuckle, of Atlantic, on Oct. 21st. And,
• 54-year-old Tina Wayland, of Deloit (IA), on Nov. 2nd.

(Radio Iowa) – Mother Nature’s thrown Iowa a few curve balls this fall, making it difficult for people who love looking at the oranges, yellows and reds of autumn to know when and where to go. Chip Murrow, an urban forestry program specialist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says some parts of Iowa have trees that are already bare, while others are still fully leafed out and mostly green. The wide weather swings share part of the blame.

Radio Iowa photo

The amount of daylight may also play a role in the color show, plus, species like black walnuts might drop their leaves early, while oaks typically keep them well into winter. So, where can Iowans still go for the best fall color show?

While the recent weather has been unseasonably warm, the forecast calls for very cold temperatures and snow likely for this weekend. Murrow says that could spell the end of the fall color. Or not.

Typically, northern Iowa sees the leaves change color first, followed by central Iowa, then the south, although this year, parts of eastern Iowa have seen cold snaps that missed the rest of the state, prompting an earlier, faster fall in the east.

(Atlantic, IA) – The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors met with staff from Hospice of the Midwest on Thursday November 6th, to learn more about the compassionate services they provide, and the important role volunteers play in supporting patients and families.

Hospice of the Midwest, based in Guthrie Center, serves Cass County and surrounding areas, offering end-of-life care that focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life. The organization provides a team-based approach to care, including nurses, social workers, spiritual counselors, and volunteers who work together to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and their loved ones.

Pictured: Ambassadors (Left to Right): Summer Schwab, Rob Clausen, Bill Saluk, Chris Parks, Jim Kickland, Krysta Hanson, Nash, Julie Waters, Dolly Bergmann, Tiffany Johnson, Jeremy Butler, Elaine Otte, Joseph Weber, Connie Wailes, Anne Quist, Colt Doherty, and Brian Ruge

During the visit, Tiffany Johnson spoke about common misconceptions surrounding hospice care. She shared that many people believe hospice is only for a person’s final days of life, when in fact hospice can provide months of support, improving comfort and helping families navigate this important stage with understanding and peace of mind.

Joseph Weber discussed the vital role volunteers play as part of the hospice care team. Volunteers assist with a wide variety of tasks, from providing companionship to patients and families to helping with administrative needs. “Volunteers are truly the heart of hospice,” he shared, emphasizing that their time and compassion help bring comfort and connection to those receiving care.

Hospice of the Midwest staff encouraged community members to learn more about hospice services and consider volunteering as a meaningful way to give back. For more information about Hospice of the Midwest or to learn how to volunteer, visit https://www.hospiceofthemidwest.com/.

LYON COUNTY, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety, today (Friday), said that on Thursday, November 6, 2025, a Lyon County jury found 38-year-old Shaun Joseph Benward guilty of multiple felony charges. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s Special Enforcement Operations Bureau initiated an investigation in 2018, and warrants were issued for his arrest. Benward was later located in Mississippi in April 2025 and arrested for the following:

• Five counts of Money Laundering, a class C felony
• Five counts of Cheating at Gambling Games, a class D felony
• One count of Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, a class D felony
• A sentencing date has not yet been set by the court.

Shaun Joseph Benward booking photo

On December 16, 2018, SEOB agents and casino staff witnessed Shaun Joseph Benward commit a series of fraudulent activities at the Grand Falls Casino in Larchwood, Iowa. He manipulated casino staff to secure over $10,000 in improper payouts and avoided IRS reporting requirements by breaking up over $12,000 in transactions, changing his outfit multiple times, and using different tellers to stay undetected. Benward has been arrested for similar scams throughout the country.

The SEOB is the primary criminal investigative and enforcement agency for the Iowa gaming industry.