(Red Oak, IA) – The Board of Supervisors in Montgomery County, today (Tuesday), approved an amended Burlington Northern-Sante Fe (BNSF) railroad bridge overpass amendment agreement for the L and Q Avenue railroad bridges. County Engineer Karen Albert….

Engineer Albert mentioned in her report the Board, issues regarding mud on the County roads created by farm machinery following the recent rain.

Supervisor Mark Peterson…

In other business, the Board passed a resolution appointing Sonya Jackson as the Montgomery County representative to the Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority (SIRHA). Supervisor Mark Peterson…

MC BOS 1-13-26 via Zoom

They also approved a resolution adopting the NACO (National Associate of Counties) policy, with regard the Vietnam Era SGU (Special Guerilla Unit), and a related Letter Of Support to extend veteran benefit eligibility. Supervisor Mark Peterson said a letter from NACO explained the request for support and recognition.

And, the Board received a funding request of $5,000 from West Central Community Action Executive Director Wendy Mueller, who said the request was $1,500 more than last year.

Upon acting on other, administrative matters, the Montgomery County Supervisors moved into a Work Session. Their next regular meeting will be held at 9-a.m. Tuesday, at the courthouse in Red Oak.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he opposes the use of U-S military force in Iran where massive anti-government demonstrations in recent days are being met with violence that’s reportedly left many hundreds of protesters dead. “We don’t want military action. I don’t think it’s necessary at this point,” Grassley says, “but maybe in three or four hours I could give you a more definitive answer, because over the weekend it was reported the president was meeting with his military and diplomatic and national security advisors on this very subject.” Grassley, a Republican, voted last week to oppose a war powers act vote that aims to restrict President Trump’s use of the military in Venezuela. Meanwhile in Iran, reports say more than 600 people have been killed and more than 10-thousand detained.

“The president drew a line in the sand. If there’s mass killings, there’s already been too many people killed, too many people arrested from my point of view,” Grassley says. “I don’t know what the description of a mass killing is, but the president set that red line in the sand and that there’s going to be consequences.” Grassley suggests there’s a fear of “crying wolf” and a loss of global credibility if an American president’s words aren’t followed by action. “We don’t want it to be like Obama did in Syria, drawing the line in the sand that if chemical weapons were used against Syrians and Kurds, that he’s going to intervene — and he didn’t intervene,” Grassley says. “So either the president shouldn’t make those statements, or if they do make those statements, then they should make sure that the consequences that they promised come about.”

Five Republicans joined Democrats in the Senate last week to advance the war powers act to block the president’s use of military force in Venezuela. A final Senate vote on the resolution may come this week, though it also needs to pass in the House, while it faces a certain Trump veto.

Des Moines – Officials with the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau report a woman from eastern Iowa was arrested January 3rd on four felony charges associated with her former place of employment. The Bureau says Cristal Gale Kastantin, of Wheatland, was arrested on outstanding arrest warrants that include: One count of Ongoing Criminal Conduct (Class B Felony); One count of Theft 1st Degree (Class C Felony); One count of Theft in the 2nd Degree (Class D Felony), and one count of Fraudulent Submission (Class D Felony).

According to criminal complaints filed by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, the criminal charges relate to conduct perpetrated by Kastantin during her former employment at an insurance agency located in Wheatland that has since been permanently closed. Kastantin employed a scheme to commit theft through the misuse of work funds for her own personal gain. Kastantin surreptitiously used work funds on at least several dozen occasions to make unauthorized personal purchases at various retailers. Additionally, Kastantin used work funds to make a down payment on her personal vehicle.

In addition to the charges relating to the misuse of funds, according to the criminal complaints, Kastantin also intentionally submitted or caused to be submitted, false documentation related to an insurance claim. The documentation falsely purported that restoration services had been provided to an insured party that had not truly been provided. According to the false documentation, the services had been provided by a business in which Kastantin had a vested financial interest. The business ultimately received payment for the services that had not truly been provided, which resulted in a financial loss to the insurer.

Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and defendants should be presumed innocent until they are found guilty.

(Photo courtesy of the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office) 

(Red Oak, IA) – An investigation into a collision early Monday afternoon in Red Oak resulted in a citation. Red Oak Police say no injuries were reported after a 2010 Honda Civic driven by 34-year-old Jamie Elizabeth Gentry, of Emerson, struck the rear of a 2019 Dodge pickup driven by 57-year-old William C. Watts, of Red Oak. The accident happened at the intersection of N. Broadway and W. Corning Streets, at around 1:20-p.m., Monday.

Authorities say the pickup was southbound on N. Broadway and had stopped behind a non-contact vehicle at the stop light. The Honda was also southbound on N. Broadway and approaching the intersection. Police say Gentry did not realize the pickup was stopped and was too close to stop in-time, before striking the back of the pickup.

Police cited Gentry for Following Too Close. Damage to her Honda amounted to a police-estimated $4,000 damage. The car was towed from the scene. The pickup sustained damage amounting to an estimated $2,000, and was driven away from the scene following the accident investigation.

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI-TV] — The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a request by Shelby and Story counties to hear their case. That’s according to a report by KCCI-TV, and it’s the latest turn in a years-long legal battle. The counties say they want to decide where a pipeline goes. They have said their ordinances are to protect residents’ public health.

Summit Carbon Solutions has proposed a multi-state pipeline to carry carbon dioxide. The company has argued in previous court filings that federal law preempts the counties’ ordinances. KCCI confirmed the decision with the counties’ Washington, D.C., attorney.

Officials in Shelby County issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision:

“Shelby County was surprised and very disappointed by the denial by the US Supreme Court to hear an important case addressing local control authority and protections. The Shelby County Board of Supervisors will be consulting with its legal counsel in the near future and weighing its options moving forward.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – A federal appeals court will hear arguments Tuesday (Today) over Iowa’s book ban law, continuing legal battles that began shortly after the legislation was signed in 2023. The law requires schools to ban books depicting sex acts from school libraries and prohibits instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation through sixth grade.

Hundreds of books have been taken off shelves by many school districts, but some struggled to make lists of books to remove to comply with the law. In May 2024, the court temporarily blocked portions of the law. The state appealed that decision.

Arguments are scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. in St. Louis, Missouri.

(Radio Iowa) – The 2026 Iowa legislature convened Monday and tonight (Tuesday) Governor Kim Reynolds will deliver the annual “Condition of the State” address to legislators (beginning at 6-p.m.). Reynolds says she and her fellow Republicans are ready for what’s next. “We’re back and we’re ready for what’s next: property tax relief, smaller government, smarter government, stronger and healthier Iowa communities,” she said, “and a whole lot of work that really matters for Iowa families.”

Reynolds made her remarks during an Iowa G-O-P fundraiser yesterday (Monday). Reynolds is not seeking re-election in November and she’s striking a theme of G-O-P unity for this 9th and final legislative session she’ll preside over.  “I don’t have to tell you what we’ve all done, but the point is we could only do it because we came together,” Reynolds said. Reynolds notes, however, campaign season is right around the corner — and that was evident in remarks from some legislative leaders yesterday (Monday).

House Majority Leader Bobby Kaufmann says maintaining G-O-P control of the House, Senate and governor’s office is critical. “I really, truly do detest the woke left,” Kaufmann aid. “…Number one, we say ‘Merry Christmas,’ not ‘Happy Holidays’ and by the way we support the nativity scene in front of the courthouse,” Kaufmann said. “When it comes to this gender nonsense, there’s two genders. There’s male and female, there’s sir and ma’am and that concludes the end of your choices.”

Senate Democratic Leader Janice Weiner says something has gone wrong in Iowa while Republicans have been in control of state government over the past nine years. “We have some of the lowest income growth and GDP growth in the country,” Weiner said. “…It’s gone wrong for our state’s finances. Iowa is running a $1.26 billion deficit this year. It is time for change.” House Democratic Leader Brian Meyer says too many Iowans are working hard, playing by the rules and falling behind.

“After nearly a decade of nearly total Republican control of this state, working families are facing higher costs, fewer opportunities, public schools are being undercut,” Meyer said, “…and most concerning our state budget is in a fiscal death spiral.” House Speaker Pat Grassley says Democrats are in no position to weigh in on Republican tax and spending plans. “We’re not going to take advice from a group of people that can’t even count the number of genders,” Grassley said. Grassley was elected to the Iowa House in 2006 and is entering his seventh year as House Speaker.

(Atlantic, IA) – Members of the Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will hold their regular monthly meeting in the Atlantic High School Media Center, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, beginning at 6-p.m. The meeting will be viewable in-person, and via YouTube. Among the items the Board is expected to act on (Under approval of the Consent Agenda), are the resignations/retirement of the following:

• Ashley Mosier, Boys Track Assistant Coach (effective 1/14/26)
• Matt Best, Asst. Football Coach
• Gentri Meier, Mental Health Professional (effect 2/6/26)
• Elizabeth Herrick-Williams, HS Art Teacher (effective at the end the school year, 2026)
• Tracy Daugherty, Elementary Title 1 Math Teacher (effective at the end the school year, 2026)
• Steve Andersen, Transportation Director (effective June 5, 2026)

Also under their Consent Agenda, the Atlantic School Board will act on approving the following Recommendations to Hire:

• Ashley Mosier, Girls Track Asst. Coach (effective 1/15/26)
• Hunter Khongmaly, Vocal Music Activity Sponsor
• Jordan Zarbano, Boys Wrestling Volunteer Coach (effective 1/15/26)
• Lexie Trotter, Special Education Paraprofessional.

In other business, the Board will act on approving an “Agreement between Owner and Architect and Proposal for Design Services from SVPA,” and a “Snyder and Associates Topographic Survey Services Agreement.” Their final action item is approving the retirement of Board Director Laura McLean, effective Jan. 15, 2026.

(The complete agenda can be viewed here:PUBLIC AGENDA 01142026-1)

A mobile pantry is a traveling food pantry that delivers food directly to families for a one-day distribution. People from surrounding towns and communities are welcome. Mobile food pantries are available free of charge. Anyone in need is welcome, and no documentation is required. Each vehicle may receive food for up to two households at one time.

• February 11, 2026
• April 8, 2026
• June 10, 2026

• March 18, 2026
• May 13, 2026

• February 11, 2026
• April 8, 2026
• June 10, 2026