(Glenwood, IA) – Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report three people were arrested last week, with two subjects being arrested on drug charges. Authorities say on March 3rd, 37-year-old Lindsey Lorraine Storm and 47-year-old Robert Shane Long, both of Omaha, were arrested on separate Possession of a Controlled Substance charges- 3rd or subsequent offense. Storm was arrested on Interstate 29 in Council Bluffs. Long was arrested in Tabor. Their bonds were set at $1,000 each.

And, Sheriff’s Deputies in Mills County arrested 30-year-old Shyanne Marie Dominguez, of Glenwood, on March 2nd. She was taken into custody in Glenwood for Failure To Appear (in court). Her bond was also set at $1,000.

(Orange City, IA) – A woman from northwestern Iowa was sentenced last week on a child endangerment charge. Online court records show 27-year-old Kathryn Elizabeth Pine, of Hull, was facing a felony charge of Child Endangerment causing bodily injury, but she instead accepted a plea agreement on February 16^th to the lesser, aggravated misdemeanor charge. She was sentenced March 2nd in Sioux County District Court to serve one-year in the Sioux County Jail, with all but 90 days suspended in the Sioux County Jail.

Pine was also placed on probation to the Department of Corrections for a period not to exceed two (2) years. She is not allowed to engage in child care or gain employment involving daycare or the care of children that are not her own.

Authorities say on October 15, 2025, when Pine was an employee at a local preschool, she put a child in a headlock and then pushed the child’s head against his cot, leaving a mark on the back of the child’s head. After an investigation, the Sioux Center Police Department charged Pine with Child Endangerment, Causing Bodily Injury, a Class D Felony.

(Council Bluffs, IA) – As we turn the corner into spring, officials with the Charles E. Lakin Foundation say they are excited to open up nominations for its annual Outstanding Teacher Award. The foundation is seeking stories of elementary and secondary teachers within 40 miles of Emerson, Iowa, who are going above and beyond for their students. Jennifer Green, Charles E. Lakin Foundation, Inc. Secretary, Operations and Grant Manager, says this is the 18th year for the award.

Since its inception, 64 teachers from around the region have been honored for the Outstanding Teacher Award.

Every spring the Charles E. Lakin Foundation honors four local educators–two elementary teachers and two secondary teachers, whose efforts encourage and motivate students to come to school and who see teaching as a calling, rather than a job.

Each winner will receive $10,000, with an additional $2,500 given to their school. Previous winners have spanned the gamut of education.

Nominations will be accepted through March 31st and the link below, or through the link at https://www.ghaea.org/

Educators may not be nominated by family members. The Charles E. Lakin Foundation serves six counties in Southwest Iowa (Pottawattamie, Cass, Mills, Montgomery, Fremont, Page) and two counties in Nebraska (Douglas and Sarpy).

Direct survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8T87FZX

(Creston, IA) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report the arrest Sunday night, of 31-year-old Patrick Riley Iiams. He was taken into custody at his residence in Creston, and charged with Violation of Parole. Iiams was taken to Union County Jail and was being held without bond until making his initial court appearance.

(Iowa DNR Water Summary Update) – Drought watches have been issued for northwest and southeast Iowa following a winter marked by a lack of rain and snow, according to the latest Water Summary Update from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Iowa experienced a notably dry winter, with worsening drought conditions expanding across much of the state through February. This deterioration has resulted in the northwest and southeast drought regions of Iowa being placed under a drought watch. While seasonal streamflows currently remain within normal ranges, soil moisture levels continue to decline statewide.

Iowa’s preliminary statewide February precipitation totaled 0.38 inches, or 0.79 inches below normal. Monthly totals ranged from no accumulation at several southern and northwestern stations to 1.26 inches in New Hampton, with southeastern Iowa experiencing the driest conditions as precipitation measured between 0.75 and 1.75 inches. The preliminary statewide average temperature for February was 31.3 degrees, which is 7.2 degrees above normal.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) currently shows that most of Iowa is abnormally dry or experiencing drought conditions, with portions of southeast Iowa carrying a severe drought designation. According to Iowa’s Drought Plan, all drought regions saw conditions deteriorate in February as soil moisture remained critically dry due to growing moisture deficits and the resurgence of drought.

The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center’s March outlook indicates above-average precipitation across the entire state, and an increased likelihood of above-average temperatures. The seasonal outlook suggests continued drought in far northwestern Iowa, and a drought-free or drought removal is likely for the remainder of the state.

“Following a winter of persistent moisture deficits, Drought Regions in northwest and southeastern Iowa are now under a drought watch. The lack of both precipitation and a significant snowpack has led to substantial soil drying across the state. While the seasonal outlook predicts drought will persist in far Northwest Iowa through May, the rest of the state shows a favorable trend for improvement,” said Jessica Reese McIntyre, DNR Environmental Specialist.

The report is prepared by technical staff from Iowa DNR, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering, and the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department.

ATLANTIC, IA (March 8, 2026) – Produce in the Park is welcoming some special visitors to Spring Celebration Market Saturday, April 4, from 10 AM to noon. Hoopy Hallow Ranch is bringing bottle lambs named Kit and Kat to the April farmers market this year. Spring Celebration Market is held the day before Easter at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, 1100 Maple Street, in Atlantic.

In addition to bottle lambs, this holiday farmers market will offer favorite area food and craft vendors, face painting, and free bounce houses provided by the Nishna Valley YMCA. Visiting organizations providing community resources will include Healthy Cass County.

Vendors at Spring Celebration Market will be selling produce including leafy greens, sweet potatoes, carrots, and more; local meats including lamb, chicken, pork, and beef; farm-fresh eggs; local honey, jellies, and jams; breads including sourdough; and a variety of freeze-dried snacks, as well as a variety of desserts including cupcakes, kringle, cookies, and cinnamon rolls. Craft vendors will be selling bath and body products including soaps, body creams, lip balms, sugar scrubs, and beard oils, as well as crocheted stuffies, candles and wax melts, seasonal decorations, gifts, and potted plants.

Admission is free and all are welcome at Produce in the Park farmers markets. The market accepts SNAP/EBT and Double Up Food Bucks for all qualifying food items.

Produce in the Park farmers markets are sponsored by the City of Atlantic, First Whitney Bank & Trust, Gregg Young Chevrolet of Atlantic, Cass Health, Cass County Tourism, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, and Nishna Valley Family YMCA.

For the latest market updates, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark or Instagram at www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/, or sign up for the Produce in the Park email newsletter at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com.

(Radio Iowa) – The remains of six soldiers from an Army Reserve unit based in Des Moines were returned to the U.S. this weekend in a somber military ceremony at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. President Trump, Vice President Vance and top officials from the Trump Administration were there, along with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa’s entire congressional delegation.

Two of the soldiers were Iowans. 20-year-old Declan Coady was a student at Drake and was posthumously promoted to sergeant. 45-year-old Major Jeffrey O’Brien of Waukee was commissioned as an officer in the Army Reserve in 2012 and 54-year-old Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan of Sacramento, California, had lived in Iowa for several years.

The Sacramento Bee reports Kuwait was to be his final deployment after a 30 year military career. On Air Force One after the ceremony, President Trump told reporters the soldiers’ relatives are “great people” and it was “a very sad day.”

The soldiers’ remains were taken to a military mortuary on the Air Force base. The Pentagon has not announced details of their final flights to their home states. Their Army Reserve unit — the 103rd Sustainment Command — specializes in logistics for the military.

(Radio Iowa) – St. Patrick Catholic School in Sheldon will permanently close at the end of the current academic year. A statement from the Sioux City Catholic Diocese says the school’s board of education and leadership made the decision to close due to low and declining enrollment and other factors. The school has provided a Catholic education for families in the Sheldon, Ashton and Sibley areas for the past 70 years.

This, year, St. Patrick has 42 students enrolled in preschool through 8th grade. Staff and parents were notified of the closure Friday afternoon.

A message from the board was shared with parishioners this weekend. Bishop John Keehner of the Sioux City Catholic Diocese issues a statement, saying in part: “This was a difficult decision for the leadership of St. Patrick. We are grateful for the many decades St. Patrick Catholic School served the families and students in the Sheldon area, teaching the faith and academics to our young people.