Six people were arrested on various charges over the past week, in Mills County. Three people were arrested Friday (today): 35-year-old AJ Sydney Kerchaval, and 30-year-old Imesha Michelle Davis, both of Omaha, were arrested on I-29 near mile marker 40 early Friday morning. Both were charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance. Davis was additionally charged with Interference with Official Acts, and Fugitive from Justice. He total bond amounts to $1,300, with no bond on the Fugitive charge. Bond for Kercheval was set at $1,000.

And, 63-year-old Jim Dean Avis, of Neola, was arrested at around 8-a.m. Friday, for Driving While Barred. Bond was set at $2,000. On May 9th, 49-year-old Michael James Florian, of Glenwood, was arrested for Theft in the 3rd Degree. Bond was set at $2,000.

On May 7th, 22-year-old Sarah Jeanette Croson, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at the Pottawattamie County Jail, on a Mills County warrant for Kidnapping in the 3rd Degree, Assault while participating in a felony, and harassment. Her bond was set at $17,000. That same day, 39-year-old Joshua James Codr, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at the Pott. County Jail, on a Mills County warrant for Violation of Probation, with bond set at $6,700.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s largest grocery chain is now offering COVID-19 vaccines to young people, ages 12 to 15. Hy-Vee says the Pfizer vaccine is available free, but kids DO need their parents’ consent and a parent needs to accompany them for the shot. Dr. William Ching, a pediatric hospitalist at Unity Point Health St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, says if more children are vaccinated, it will get us closer to herd immunity.  Dr. Ching says, “These things are game changers that will do so much to restore normalcy for our children and our families.”

Dr. Joel Waddell, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Unity Point Health in Des Moines, says there’s much more to consider with a vaccine other than just protecting children against developing severe cases of COVID, because it will do that. It will also help with mental health and let kids start to return to a sense of normal, like visiting friends and family and even going to summer camps.

“There is an immediate benefit of giving this vaccine,” Dr. Waddell says, “and I think it’s going to loosen things up a little bit in terms of what activities are safe.” The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends the Pfizer vaccine be given to kids as young as 12. Ching says in the trial, out of children who got the vaccine, zero contracted the virus and there were no serious side effects related to the vaccine. Both doctors made their comments on Iowa Public Radio’s program “Talk of Iowa.”

(reporting by Kassidy Arena, Iowa Public Radio)

CRESTON – Today (Friday), Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) announced a new $4,399,480 grant for the Creston Municipal Airport for a runway renovation. “The continued federal support of our local airports receive allows them to develop and repair vital infrastructure that keeps Iowans safe,” said Congresswoman Axne. “I’m pleased the Creston Municipal Airport is receiving this funding – this money is a direct investment in our growth here in Iowa’s Third District.”

The airport is receiving the funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to complete a renovation of runway 16/34 and fix ongoing issues related to the aging runway – as well as make subgrade improvements and lay new concrete.

The project is slated to begin in August 2022.

Officials with a grain elevator in Jefferson say no injuries were reported following an explosion this (Friday) morning. Landus Cooperative Executive Vice President of Communications and Marketing Kerrey Kerr-Enskat said in a statement to local media: “There was a dust explosion at the Landus Jefferson location at approximately 8:00am this morning, Friday, May 14 resulting in property damage. All employees are accounted for and there were no injuries.” Kerr-Enskat said also “The situation is contained and under control. An investigation into the cause of the incident will be conducted.”

Local authorities described the property damage as catastrophic. A grain elevator shift where the explosion took place also blew the tops of the other cluster of grain bins off, along with severely damaging the catwalks and scaffoldings on top of the structures. The west side of the whole structure was crumbling Friday morning.

Firefighters from Jefferson, Scranton Grand Junction, and Carroll responded to the scene, along with Jefferson Police, Greene County Ambulance crewsd and the Iowa State Patrol.

Griswold School District Superintendent Dave Henrichs today (Friday) said he was “Excited to announce that the Griswold CSD has selected our next MS / HS principal – Stephanie Lajko.” The Griswold Board of Education will approve an employment contract for her (pending the release of her contract from the Treynor CSD) during their regular meeting scheduled for May 17. Lajko was selected to replace Billy Hiatt as sixth-through 12th Grade Principal. Hiatt tendered his resignation earlier this year. He was hired for the position in April, 2020.

Lajko’s curriculum vitae (resume’) can be found below:

Educational/Professional Information –

• Graduate of Northwestern College- Administration/Principal Endorsement
• Graduate of Peru State College- Elementary and Early Childhood Education
• Teacher for 11 years- 2 years in Prek and 4 years in Kindergarten at Missouri Valley Community School District, 5 years in 3rd Grade at Treynor Community School District.
• JV/Varsity Assistant Soccer Coach for 2 years in Missouri Valley, JV/Varsity Soccer Coach for 3 Years in Treynor

Prior to teaching in public schools, Lajko taught at Child Saving Institute as a Lead Preschool Teacher, and at First National Child Development Center as the Two’s Team Leader/Supervisor, and as a Two’s Teacher.

Her Philosophy –

“In my experiences teaching at public schools, I have found a lens for the “big picture” in a school system. Creating an environment of partnership, trust, and safety for staff and students has become the most important part of my daily work. Each day, I work to ensure that I help to create a positive space that embraces all students and staff, regardless of personal preferences, race, ability, status, or position. Embracing an environment of diversity and celebrating each unique characteristic of our students and staff has been amazing to be a part of.
A strong focus on social emotional learning and relationship building will be central to my leadership style.”

Personal information –

•  She is a resident of Council Bluffs
• She’s a sports fan, specifically the Nebraska Huskers, Green Bay Packers, and Pittsburgh Penguins
• Lajko said she loves to play adult league sports including hockey and volleyball.
• She also enjoys traveling, visiting museums, listening to music and trying new restaurants.

Lajko says “I am looking forward to becoming a part of the Griswold family and meeting all of the wonderful families in the area!”

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two injury accidents took place last week, and three people were arrested over the past week, on separate charges. Authorities say at around 7:32-p.m. on May 7th, Cass County Deputies responded to an accident on  750th St., south of Anita.  Curtis Tucker, of Prescott, was driving a 2011 GMC Sierra pickup northbound, when the vehicle crossed the south bound lane and entered the west ditch.  Upon entering the ditch, the pickup struck a field entrance and came to rest in a field.  Tucker was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital by Cass County EMS, for treatment of minor injuries.  Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $10,000.

And, as we reported last weekend, at around 1:50-a.m. on Saturday, May 8th, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a semi accident on I-80 at the 66 mile marker.  Officials say Ryan Lockner of Genoa, Nebraska was driving a 2018 Kenworth semi tractor trailer, eastbound on I-80, when a blown tire caused him to lose control.  The tractor trailer crossed the median and rolled onto it’s side on the north side of the ditch.  Lockner suffered minor injuries and was transported to Cass County Memorial Hospital by Cass County EMS.

Cass County Deputies arrested 36-year-old Curtis Lee Glenn, of Des Moines, May 9th, on a charge of domestic abuse 2nd offense.  Glenn was transported to Cass County Jail and was released on $300 bond. On May 11th, 25-year-old Blake Michael Zweck, of Anita, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for controlled substance violations.   Zweck was transported to the Cass County Jail where he is being held on $50,000 bond.

And, on Friday, May 14th, Cass County Deputies arrested 32-year-old Shawn Anthony Williams, of Atlantic, on for OWI/1st offense.  Williams was transported to Cass County Jail and was being held on a $1,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – A northwest Iowa business that makes paint under the brand names Diamond Vogel, Old Master and Vogel Industrial Coatings will start the next phase of a 24-million dollar expansion this summer. In 2018, state officials awarded Diamond Vogel tax incentives worth two-point-four million dollars for the expansion of its Orange City campus. The latest phase of the 24 million dollar project involves construction of an “innovation center” for the company’s research and development laboratories and new office space. Diamond Vogel’s powder-coating facility in Orange City has been expanded to accommodate a larger workforce.

The company’s maintenance facility was upgraded last year as well. Diamond Vogel is a family-owned business that was founded in 1926. It makes paint, stains and coatings for residential as well as for industrial, architectural, traffic and manufacturing uses.

Parents of students in the Harlan Community School District are suing the district over its mask mandate. KETV reports the parents say they’re frustrated with Harlan Community Schools as they say other districts in the area are ending their mandates. The action comes as the CDC said fully vaccinated people do not need to wear a mask in most indoor places. Interim Superintendent Lynn Johnson said they want to make room for families who aren’t comfortable with the mask mandate. But she added said they’re also following recommendations from health experts since all students aren’t fully vaccinated.

On Wednesday, the district started separating students who choose not to wear a mask from students who do. Thursday was the second day the district placed students who don’t wear a mask in other areas like the auditorium and library. But Johnson said it is not a punishment. She told KETV “(We’re) trying to find the means to continue to keep educating those students but yet separating from the classrooms where masks are required.” Parents said they heard of students being denied meals if they didn’t wear masks. Johnson said there was a situation Thursday morning where a food service personnel told a student they had to wear a mask to get breakfast. Johnson said that situation has been taken care of, and won’t happen again. She said also, the mask guidelines are put together by the school board.

School board president Amy Rueschenberg said in a statement to the tv station:

“The Harlan Community School District Board of Directors is committed to providing the students, staff, and visitors to the school a safe environment when in the district’s buildings and attending school functions. The district has successfully navigated the pandemic with minimal disruption. Harlan Community School District has been successful in keeping students and staff safe and in face-to-face learning all year by following the CDC and state and local public health guidelines and recommendations. The district is trying to adjust and accommodate quickly to those students who are recently needing mask accommodations for specific reasons. The Harlan Community School Board is willing to consider modifying current practices if the conditions or data indicate that is what is best for students and staff.”

The Iowa Department of Public Health today (Friday) reports 283 new positive COVID-19 tests and three additional deaths. The health department reported 399,074 total positive tests, and 5,997 total deaths since the pandemic began. State data show more than 2.55-million vaccinations have been given in Iowa, and nearly 1.23-million vaccination series are completed.

Iowa’s COVID-19 positivity rates continue to decline. In the last 24 hours, the 14-day average dropped from 3.6% to 3.4% and the 7-day average dropped from 3.2% to 3.0%. COVID-19 hospitalizations are down, from 162 on Thursday to 151 on Friday. There are 41 patients in ICU and 19 patients on ventilators. In RMCC Region 4 (hospitals in western & southwest Iowa), there are: Nine patients hospitalized with COVID or symptoms of the virus; two people with COVID are in an ICU; No new admissions to area hospitals were reported, and no one was on a ventilator in the latest report.

There remains a single long-term care facility with a COVID-19 outbreak. The Risen Son Christian Village, in Pottawattamie County, reports 10 positive cases among residents and staff. There have been 2,335 deaths reported in Iowa’s care facilities.

In the KJAN listening area, here are the current number positive cases by County; The # of new cases since yesterday {+} if any; and the total number of deaths in each county to date:
Cass, 1,469 cases; {+0}; 54 deaths
Adair, 985; {+0}; 32
Adams, 350 {+1}; 4
Audubon, 530 {+0}; 10
Guthrie, 1,298 {+0}; 30
Harrison County, 1,930; {+0}; 73
Madison County, 1,765; {+2; 19
Mills County, 1,792; {+1}; 22
Montgomery, 1,110;{+0}; 38
Pottawattamie County, 12,236; {+10}; 168
Shelby County, 1,370 {+1}; 37
Union County, 1,364; {+0}; 33

The broadcast news at 8:05-a.m. w/Ric Hanson.

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