Brenda Marco (Montgomery County S/O booking photo)

A traffic stop late Tuesday night in Red Oak, resulted in the arrest of a woman from Pottawattamie County. Authorities say a vehicle driven by 53-year-old Brenda Lee Marco, of Council Bluffs, was pulled over at Highway 34 and N. 4th Street in Red Oak. During an investigation, Marco was arrested for and charged with:

• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Possession of Heroin/1st offense.
• Unlawful possession of prescription pills.
• Possession of Meth/2nd offense.
• Possession of Marijuana/3rd offense.
• and Driving While Suspended.

Marco was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $2,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Congressman Randy Feenstra has gotten language included in a House ag bill for wildfires and hurricanes that would also cover the 2020 derecho-related losses. “I am very pleased to see the committee come together working on this bipartisan legislation for our farmers and our producers. I am also so very pleased to see the legislation include production losses caused by high winds and derechos,” Feenstra says. Feenstra has been pushing for several months to get the derecho coverage after the derecho caused the loss of 850-thousand acres of crops.

“This was the most costly thunderstorm in U-S history — costing about seven-point-five BILLION (dollars). I am very pleased that our committee is continuing these efforts to ensure that Iowa farmers and farmers across the country receive disaster relief they need to offset these massive losses by these events,” Feenstra says. Feenstra is a Republican from Hull.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Gov. Kim Reynolds, Tuesday, issued a statement with regard to new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommending that vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the coronavirus is surging. In a press release, Reynolds said “The Biden Administration’s new COVID-19 guidance telling fully vaccinated Iowans to now wear masks is not only counterproductive to our vaccination efforts, but also not grounded in reality or common sense. I’m concerned that this guidance will be used as a vehicle to mandate masks in states and schools across the country, something I do not support.”

Scientists cited new information about the ability of the delta variant to spread among vaccinated people. The CDC also recommended indoor masks for all teachers, staff, students and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status.

Reynolds went on to say, “The vaccine remains our strongest tool to combat COVID-19, which is why we are going to continue to encourage everyone to get the vaccine,” Reynolds said. “I am proud that we recently put new laws in place that will protect Iowans against unnecessary government mandates in our schools and local governments. As I have throughout this pandemic, I trust Iowans to do the right thing.”

The new guidance from the CDC follows recent decisions in Los Angeles and St. Louis to revert to indoor mask mandates amid a spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations that have been especially high in the South.

Nearly half of all Iowa counties, including Cass-Adair-Audubon-Adams, have levels of COVID-19 transmission high enough to be included in new indoor masking guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The federal agency updated its guidance to recommend that fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors while in areas with “substantial” and “high” transmission rates of COVID-19.

According to the agency’s map, which covers transmission data collected through Sunday, 46 Iowa counties were in either of those two categories.

Iowa’s largest county, Polk, home to its largest city, Des Moines, was not included among that list as of Tuesday. However, a number of other counties have either “substantial” or “high” transmission rates according to the agency.

Those counties with high transmission rates (in this area) include: Adair, Adams, Audubon, Cass, Dallas, Harris and Ringgold. Montgomery County has a “substantial” transmission rate.

(Radio Iowa) – A Poweshiek County judge is deciding whether Cristhian Bahena Rivera should get a new trial on his first-degree murder conviction in the July 2018 death of Mollie Tibbetts. Bahena Rivera and his attorneys were in Montezuma today (Tuesday)arguing there is new evidence that clears their client. Nate Maki, who is currently doing time in Oakdale for domestic violence, says an inmate he met in the Keokuk County Jail in 2020, Gavin Jones, claimed he was the real killer of Mollie Tibbetts.

Under cross-examination, prosecutor Scott Brown asked Maki if he knew where Jones was at the time Tibbetts was murdered.

Division of Criminal Investigation special agent Trent Vileta was questioned by Brown about the investigation into Tibbetts’ death and Bahena Rivera leading law enforcement to her body.

He had to actually point out the direction in a very large cornfield to us.” Judge Joel Yates says he will issue a written ruling on a new trial for Bahena Rivera as soon as possible.

(Radio Iowa) – After more than a year of masks, hand sanitizer and carry-out meals, a survey by Triple-A-Iowa finds Iowans are over the pandemic and they’re more than ready to return to vacations and traveling. Meredith Mitts, a spokeswoman for the motor club, says traveler confidence is soaring. “What we have seen from our travel surveys that we field quarterly is that three-quarters of Iowans are more comfortable taking a trip and traveling now than they were three months ago,” Mitts says, “which is really exciting for the travel industry and for anyone who’s been itching to travel.”

Over the course of the past three surveys, she says Iowans’ comfort level has significantly increased as their concern about COVID-19 waned.  “Some of our top reasons are: People are confident in the COVID-19 vaccinations,” Mitts says. “They are more confident in the safety measures that have been implemented nationwide. They are also less afraid of the dangers of the virus now that it’s not quite so new and unknown and as we know a little bit more what to expect.”

Of those who are already or plan to be vaccinated, 44-percent say travel was a motivating factor in doing so. Where are Iowans wanting to go? “The top couple of destinations we’re seeing for Iowa is major cities and metro destinations, whether that’s going to Des Moines or coming to a neighboring state and going to visit Minneapolis or Chicago,” Mitt says. “We also are seeing a rise in national and state parks, followed by beach or lake destinations.”

The survey also finds a growing number of Iowans are back on board with the idea of taking a cruise.  “Our data shows that almost half, about 42%, feel comfortable taking an ocean or river cruise,” Mitts says, “with about one-third of Iowans planning to take a cruise in the next couple of years.” The survey shows two-thirds of Iowans have already traveled or plan to take a trip in 2021, while more than half of those will take their next trip between July and September.

A car slowing down to turn into a rural driveway in Union County was struck from behind, Monday afternoon. The Union County Sheriff’s Office said the accident happened at around 1:15-p.m. on 110th Street, a county gravel road. A 2004 Ford Mustang driven by 49-year-old Kami Sue Winther, of Greenfield, was slowing to turn, when her car was struck by a 1999 Ford F-350 pickup, driven by 44-year-old Jason Richard Berendes, of Red Oak.

Berendes told authorities he couldn’t see the Mustang because of the gravel dust. Following the collision, the pickup entered the left/south ditch and struck a utility pole, causing it to break. The car entered the same ditch and struck the rear of the pickup.

Damage from the collision amounted to $15,000. Berendes was cited for Failure to Stop in an Assured, Clear Distance. The utility pole, owned by Alliant Energy, was valued at $2,000.

A fire that was reported at around 12:35-p.m. Tuesday at the Middle School in Atlantic, was under control about an hour later, thanks to quick action from Atlantic, Lewis, Marne and Griswold firefighters. The incident occurred on the roof of the building, about half-way between the north and northwest facing corners. Video from the scene prior to firefighters’ arrival showed intense orange flames and thick black smoke. Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon said the fire appears to have been confined to the roof.

Drone Photo courtesy Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Ben Bartholomew

Photo courtesy Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Ben Bartholomew

Photo courtesy Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Ben Bartholomew

According to persons at the scene, roofers were installing a new roof, and had left to go to lunch. Persons conducting tuck pointing on the sides of the building saw the smoke and called 9-1-1. The roof of the building is 12-inch thick concrete, so it’s not likely the fire would have spread easily to the rest of the structure. The roof was installed in the early 1930’s he said, as part of the WPA (Works Progress Administration) projects under FDR’s administration. The part that was burning was apparently the fiberboard placed on top of the roof liner. It wasn’t immediately known where the blaze began, or why.

Atlantic School District Superintendent Steve Barber said that he’s grateful for the quick response.

Atlantic Police, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Cass EMS and others assisted at the scene.

UPDATE 5:00 p.m. – In a message to school district members on Tuesday night Superintendent Barber said the fire did not penetrate the building but the school did experience significant water damage throughout most of the building. The fire marshal is evaluating the fire and they are asking everyone to stay away from the building. The building will be closed while they work through the cleanup process and will update everyone once everyone is able to enter the building again.

Update 7:25-p.m.: A press conference is set to take place at the Atlantic Fire Station, 1-p.m. Wednesday, with Atlantic Fire Chief Tom Cappel, Steve Barber, and a representative from the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Photos Courtesy Matt Smith

Atlantic Fire Fighters and Cass EMS were dispatched to the Atlantic Middle School for a report of a fire on the roof of the building. The page went out at 12:35-p.m.  Additional details were not immediately available. The first crews on the scene reported black smoke coming from one part of the roof. Mutual aid was requested from Marne and Lewis Fire.

The Montgomery County Recreational Trails Committee is hosting a Three Community Trails Bike or Walking Event on Friday, August 20 and Saturday, August 21, 2021, in Villisca, Stanton and Red Oak. Organizers say there is no charge to participate, but donations will be accepted and all the fun you will have is absolutely FREE. The first community event will be on Friday night, August 20 as Villisca hosts their “Every Street Bike Ride”. Participants will gather starting at 7:00 PM at the Park Shelter House, at the intersection of 3rd St. and 3rd Ave. A leisurely evening bike ride, lasting around an hour and a half, will take riders down and up every street and avenue in Villisca past well known historic attractions including the Ax Murder House. Bikers may also choose to ride only streets or only avenues, either of which takes about 40 minutes. There will also be a 2-mile and a ¾ mile walking route.

The next morning, August 21, participants will be able to ride or walk the Stanton Greenbelt Trail. The event will start anytime between 8 and 9 AM from Anderson Park. Participants will be able to also visit the Swedish Heritage and Cultural Center and enjoy a cup of coffee and pasties or lunch at the new Fika Coffee Hus on Main Street. The event will then travel to Red Oak for a 2:30 PM for the Historic Heritage Hill ride or walk including the WWII depot museum, and the scenic Red Oak Trail. Begin the journey at the Montgomery County Court House at 2nd and Coolbaugh St. ending at the “518” Building at the corner of Red Oak Square, 4th and Reed for wonderful music and drinks of all kinds.

For those who participate in all three communities, a FREE commemorative T-Shirt will be awarded.

Get a commemorative T-shirt for participating in all 3 rides! (Photo from the MCRTC Facebook page)

Those who choose to do only one or two segments will be able to make a suggested donation and get the same T-Shirt. Each community will have a separate route for biking and walking. Their purpose is to introduce to you the three participating communities and the NEW Montgomery County Recreational Trails Committee. We will also share the work of connecting our county from North to South and East to West through a new system of trails.

Pre-Registration is encouraged, but not required. You can register at Montgomery County Recreational Trails Face book page. Remember, when bicycling, “Think Safety. Wear your Helmet”.