(Radio Iowa) – Fewer than two weeks remain to visit one of Iowa’s largest holiday displays, and one of very few you can walk through to admire the dazzling array of lights, decorations, and interactive exhibits. Andrew Gogerty is spokesman for Reiman Gardens on the Iowa State University campus, which is hosting what it calls Winter Wonderscape.

“We have nearly 200,000 lights that are strung throughout our 17 acres of the gardens, and when people come, they’ll be along about three quarters of a mile of lighted walking paths. It’s all ADA accessible,” Gogerty says. “People can just enjoy lots of different Christmas displays, everything from lighted tunnels to a lake of lights.” It’s an annual tradition for the gardens in Ames to be transformed to a glittering sensory experience.

“One of the most popular spots is always our barn and our children’s garden, which has a giant disco ball in it, lights flash off of it, it’s coordinated to the music,” Gogerty says. “You’ll see just lots of lots of different ages of folks having fun in that area.” Visitors are encouraged to bring their cameras to capture the magic of the season. “I consider Winter Wonderscape Instagram heaven. For those that love to come and take selfies, love to just take unique photos with gorgeous displays,” Gogerty says.

“It’s really such a such a pretty event. We even have couples that get engaged every year at this event.” The Winter Wonderscape is open from 5 to 9 P-M. The remaining dates are December 18th through 23rd, and the 26th and 27th.

For tickets, visit: https://reimangardens.com/

(Corning, IA) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports the following recent arrests took place on or about the following dates:

• Dec. 11th: The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office located 24-year-old Ashlynn Pitman, of Villisca, who was wanted on an active Adams County warrant. Pitman was turned over the the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.
• Dec. 4th: Adams County Deputies arrested 41-year-old Tara Squibbs, of Corning, for two counts of Assault, and Obstructing 911 Emergency Communications.
• Dec. 3rd: 32-year-old Joshua Harper, of Kent, was arrested for Burglary in the 3rd Degree.
• On Nov. 29th: Sheriff’s Deputies in Page County located 40-year-old Jose Huerta, of Clarinda, who was wanted on an active Adams County warrant. Huerta was turned over the the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.
• On Nov. 25th, Adams County Deputies arrested 42-year-old Steve Lamer, of Creston, for Failure to Appear.
• Nov. 23rd: 24-year-old Ashlynn Pitman, of Villisca, was arrested for Failure to Appear; 25-year-old James Williams, of Villisca, was also arrested for Failure to Appear.

Sheriff’s disclaimer: “Any potential charges identified above, are merely allegations and an defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

(Glenwood, IA) – The Glenwood Police Department says two people were arrested recently, on separate charges. At around 9-a.m. today (Monday, 12/15), Glenwood Police arrested 55-year-old Perry Bruce Jefferson, of Omaha, on an out-of-county/state warrant. Jefferson was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.

And, Saturday afternoon, 55-year-old Melanie Jean Maytum, of Glenwood, was arrested by Glenwood Police, for Possession of Marijuana/1st offense, and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $1,300.

(Atlantic, IA) – Officials with Atlantic-based SWIPCO report the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) Board of Directors recently announced more than $12.2 million in grants to 26 Local Housing Trust Funds. The Southwest Iowa Housing Trust Fund (SWIHTF), administered by the Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO), was honored to be one of those recipients for a total of $441,474.

The grant funds support a range of initiatives aimed at developing or preserving housing for low-income households. This includes the development and preservation of housing, rental assistance, assistance for people experiencing homelessness, and homeownership support across the state. These funds bolster the capacity of local housing organizations to directly address local housing needs.

The housing trust fund annual grant funding allows SWIPCO and SWIHTF to help on average 22 families a year purchase a home with downpayment assistance. An average of 25 families receive necessary home repairs such as heating, plumbing, windows, and more to help them safely stay in their homes. Funding also supports the ability of communities in the region to demolish dilapidated homes and create infill lots for new development. SWIPCO Executive Director John McCurdy said, “In a very real way we are able to help keep families in Southwest Iowa and empower residents to stay in their homes longer.”

The State Housing Trust Fund was created by the Iowa Legislature in 2003 and Local Housing Trust Fund awards come from this fund. Since its inception, the State Housing Trust Fund has provided $140 million in affordable housing assistance to benefit more than 41,400 families. The awards announced this year are expected to leverage an additional $3.6 million in other financing to complete projects.
SWIHTF was created in 2005 and serves seven counties in Southwest Iowa: Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, and Shelby.

SWIPCO is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

(Guthrie Center, IA) – The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, today (Monday, 12/15) released reports on seven separate accidents that took place over the past couple of weeks, only one of which resulted in injuries. Authorities say at around 4:55-a.m. Sunday (Dec. 14th), 66-year-old Daniel K. Hutson, of Grandview, MO, complained of pain/possible injury but was not transported to the hospital, after the car he was driving failed to negotiate the curve on Highway 6, east of Casey. The 2017 Mazda left the road as it was eastbound and came to rest after colliding with a tree. A passenger in his vehicle, 47-year-old Suzanne A. Manu, of Independence, MO, was injured and transported by Adair EMS to Mercy West Hospital. Both the driver and passenger were wearing their seat belts. Authorities say the vehicle was a total loss. No citations were issued.

• Guthrie County Sheriff’s officials say at around 8:40-a.m. Saturday, a semi tractor-trailer driven by 31-year-old Chadd A. Pranger, of Ankeny, was sideswiped by an unknown passing vehicle, as the semi was traveling east on Iowa Highway 141. The vehicle sustained an estimated $2,500 (Minor) damage to the step on the driver’s side of the cab.
• An SUV driven by 41-year-old Patricia Lee Schreck, of Guthrie Center, was struck on the passenger side by a deer Dec. 9th, after the animal ran out of a ditch. The vehicle sustained an estimated $5,000 damage. The accident happened at around 5:35-p.m.
• A collision at around 11:10-a.m. on Dec. 9th in Guthrie Center, caused just under $2,000 total damage to vehicles driven by 72-year-old Joaquina Reyes,  and 58-year-old Lisa Lou Leriche Schwandt. Both women are from Guthrie Center. Authorities say the accident happened when Reyes failed to stop at the intersection of Brown and N. 7th  Streets, as she was westbound on Brown in a 2000 Honda Civic. The front bumper of the car made contact with the driver’s side door/front wheel area of Schwandt’s 2021 SUV.  Reyes was cited for Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability – Accident related, and Failure to Obey a Stop Sign/yield the right-of-way.
• On Dec. 8th, a 2014 Ford Explorer driven by 66-year-old Monica Rose Cortez, of Casey, struck a deer as the vehicle was traveling west on White Pole Road. The accident happened at around 7:30-p.m. and caused an estimated $5,000 damage to the SUV.
• On Dec. 6th, a collision between a FedEx box truck and a pickup on Frost Trail, in Guthrie County, caused a sheriff’s department estimated $2,000 damage. Authorities say a 2022 Chevy Express box truck driven by 41-year-old Ezequiel Rosario-Pena, of Huxley, was traveling northeast on Frost Trail at around 2:30-p.m., at the same time a 2010 Ford F-250 pickup driven by 71-year-old Thomas Jesse Crawley, of Guthrie Center, was traveling southwestward. The vehicles apparently met in the middle of the road, causing their respective driver’s side mirrors to strike each other. Both mirrors were destroyed.   A dash cam video from the box truck showed it was completing navigation of the curve in the road, and the pickup was beginning to round the curve. The investigating deputy noted both drivers should have been driving slower, given the snow covered roads and limited visibility from the curve. The video was inconclusive as to which vehicle was more toward the center of the road. No citations were issued.
• And, at around 2-p.m. on Dec. 3rd, a collision at Lincoln and Bell Streets in Yale caused damage amounting to slightly more than $5,000. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office says a 2024 Chevy pickup driven by 44-year-old Clinton M. Deardorff, of Yale, was turning left from Bell Street and traveling south on Lincoln Street, when it was struck by a 2000 Bobcat skid steer machine. The accident happened as the Bobcat, operated by 61-year-old Larry Glade, of Guthrie Center, was backing-up as it was moving snow. No citations were issued.

JOHNSTON, Iowa — The Iowa National Guard has officially released the names of two Soldiers who were killed in an enemy attack on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Palmyra, Syria. The deceased Soldiers were identified as 29-year-old Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, of Marshalltown, Iowa, and 25-year-old Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres- Tovar, of Des Moines, Iowa. Both were members of the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment.

“Today, we honor the memory and sacrifice of Sgt. Howard and Sgt. Torrestovar by sharing their names with a grateful state and nation,” said Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn, adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard. “They were dedicated professionals and cherished members of our Guard family who represented the best of Iowa. Our focus now is providing unwavering support to their families through this unimaginable time and ensuring the legacy of these two heroes is never forgotten.”

Sgt. Howard

Sgt. Torres-Tovar

Three other Iowa National Guard Soldiers were wounded in the attack. Two of the Soldiers required medical evacuation for further treatment and are in stable condition. The third Soldier has been treated locally and is in good condition. Per Department of War policy, their names will not be released.

All the Soldiers involved are assigned to the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, which is part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division. The brigade is currently deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

(Greenfield, IA) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports four people were arrested on separate charges between Dec. 7th and the 11th:

• 19-year-old Carli Danae Venhaus, of Stuart, was arrested Dec. 7th in Stuart, for Harassment in the 1st Degree (Threats), and Assault with bodily injury. The charges stem from an incident involving her roommate. Venhaus was transported to the Adair County Jail and later released on a $2,000 cash or surety bond.
• 21-year-old Hilario Ramos Garcia, of Stuart, was arrested Dec. 9th in Stuart, on charges that include: OWI/1st offense (BAC. 207%); Disorderly Conduct-Fighting/Violence; Interference with Official Acts, and Harassment in the 1st Degree (Threats). He was also issued a warning for Open Container. His cash/surety bond on those charges was set at $2,000. Ramos-Garcia was also being held in the Adair County Jail on an ICE detainer, and a warrant.
• 41-year-old Derik Wayne Bud Pickrell, of Fontanelle, was arrested by Greenfield Police on Dec. 11th, for Domestic Abuse Abuse Assault by impeding the flow of air and/or blood, for an incident involving his girlfriend. Pickrell was later released from the Adair County Jail on a $5,000 cash/surety bond. And,
• on Dec. 11th, Adair County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 42-year-old Robert Edward Stringer, of Greenfield, on a felony charge of Insurance Fraud – Presenting False Information. The charge is with regard to an insurance claim Stringer filed that he claimed were lost during the 2024 tornado that hit Greenfield, items that he allegedly never owned, and/or were overvalued, including a wedding ring he claimed was worth $2,500. A jeweler’s receipt for the ring showed it was purchased for about $144. Stringer was released the next day on a $1,000 bond.

(Creston, IA) – The Creston Police Department reports two arrests took place over the past few days. Friday afternoon, 49-year-old Karina Lynn Wilkinson, of Creston, was arrested at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center, on an Outside Agency Warrant for Probation Violation – on an Original Charge Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd Offense – an Aggravated Misdemeanor. Wilkinson was taken to the Union County Jail and was released on her own recognizance.

And, Sunday evening, 47-year-old Kristal Lynn Miller, of Odebolt, was arrested in Creston, following a traffic stop. Miller was charged with OWI/2nd offense. She was taken to the Union County Jail, and later posted a $2,000 cash or surety bond.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic will receive reports during the meeting Wednesday evening, with regard to the Atlantic Public Library, Produce in the Park and Meals on Wheels. City Administrator John Lund notes the Atlantic Public Library’s FY 2026 Operating Budget is $378,1114, and FY 2026 benefits budget for the Library is/are $115,452. Produce in the Park, Lund says has been receiving an $8,500 subsidy from the City since FY2024. Meals on Wheels has been received an $8,000 subsidy from the City, since FY2018. Both receive those funds from the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) Progress Fund.

The Council will act on passing a resolution “Authorizing the use of a preliminary official statement for the sale of General Obligation Corporate Purpose Refunding Bonds, Series 2026.” A similar resolution was adopted April 2nd (2025) by the Council for the 2025B G.O. series.

The final order of regular business for the Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, is administration of the Oath of Office to:

• Re-elected 2nd Ward Councilman Jim Behrens
• At-Large Councilman Jeremy Butler, and,
• Newly elected Mayor Rob Clausen.

The City Council’s meeting begins at 5:30-p.m., Wednesday, inside the Councils’ Chambers at the Atlantic City Hall building.