(Radio Iowa) – Winnebago Industries reports a positive fiscal fourth quarter as price increases helped offset weaker consumer demand. The outdoor lifestyle products manufacturer with Iowa factories in Forest City and Lake Mills reports net income for the quarter that ended August 31st of 13-point-7 million dollars. That’s up 153-percent compared to the same quarter last year, with net revenues for the quarter of 777-million, up almost eight-percent from a year ago.

Winnebago CEO Michael Happe says he’s proud of his team’s efforts in delivering solid results for the quarter despite a challenging operating environment.“Following a brief uptick earlier in the summer, RV retail registrations declined in August. On a trailing three month basis, retail demand remains stable and dealer inventories continue to improve,” Happe says. “This environment is contributing to a healthier channel, even as monthly results remain variable.”

Happe says the company is focused on driving volume and profitability in the next fiscal year.  “We expect our Winnebago-branded motor homes business to benefit from new product introductions, like the recently launched Class C Subflyer, alongside stronger dealer partnerships and improved operational efficiency,” he says. “We are positioning the Winnebago-branded travel trailer business for growth as well through innovative products, a revitalized dealer channel, and operational leverage.”

When looking at the full fiscal year 2025, net income was $25.7 million, compared to net income of $13 million in fiscal year 2024. Net revenues were $2.8 billion, a decrease of 5.9% when compared to the previous year.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP) is encouraging all Iowans to participate in the next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, scheduled for this Saturday, October 25, 2025. This biannual event is an opportunity for Iowans to dispose of unused or expired prescription medications safely and anonymously.

Local law enforcement agencies and pharmacies team up to collect leftover prescription and over-the-counter medication during this one-day event held each spring and fall. During the spring collection in April, Iowans turned in over 7,515 pounds of unneeded medicine. To date, Iowans have safely disposed of over 111 tons of unused medications at these events.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of unused or expired prescription medications, while raising awareness about the risks of opioid misuse and the dangers associated with other prescription drugs.

“Take a few minutes to check your home for any unused or expired medications. Safely disposing of these items helps prevent misuse, accidental overdose, and environmental harm,” says Susie Sher, Bureau Chief of ODCP. “By taking unneeded medications to a designated collection site on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Iowans are doing their part to keep our communities healthy and safe.”

Saturday’s events will operate from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at designated sites across Iowa. As part of the National Prescription Drug Take Back program, the DEA also collects vaping devices and e-cigarettes with their batteries removed. For more information or to find a site near you, visit dea.gov/takebackday.

On a year-round basis, Iowans can take excess medications to one of Iowa’s 400 permanent Prescription Drug Take Back locations. For Iowa Take Back details, including education information and collection sites, visit www.dps.iowa.gov.

Iowans needing help with their drug using behaviors or mental health concerns can go to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Service’s YourLifeIowa.org.

(Radio Iowa) – An accused killer who was considered a person of interest in the Jodi Huisentruit case from 30 years ago is now linked to the murders of two other women in neighboring states. Authorities in Wood County, Wisconsin say D-N-A has positively linked suspect Chris Revak to the slaying of 21-year-old Diedre Harm after a night out at a Wisconsin Rapids bar in 2006. D-N-A also links Revak to the murder of 36-year-old Rene Williams of Ava, Missouri in 2007.

Revak, who was originally from the Wisconsin Rapids area, was arrested for the Williams murder and killed himself in a Missouri jail cell while awaiting trial. He was considered a possible suspect in several other unsolved cases, including the 1995 disappearance of Mason City TV anchor Jodi Huisentruit.

Jodi Huisentruit (image via findjodi.com)

The Wisconsin sheriff says the new D-N-A findings won’t bring back the victims, but it may bring some closure to the families.

(Atlantic, IA) – Officials with Cass Health, in Atlantic, have announced Sara Arnold is the newest recipient of the Recognition of Service Excellence (ROSE) Award. A graduate of Creighton University, Arnold has worked as a pharmacist for 20 years— including the last 17 years at Cass Health. She recently was named the new Director of Pharmacy. She was nominated by three different coworkers, which officials say clearly displaying how her customer service is evident across departments and specialties.

One of her nominators, Hospitalist Paul Kerschinske, MSN, ARNP, ACNP-BC, wrote, “[Sara] goes above and beyond to assist all of us in the inpatient floor, and I am sure she is the same with everyone in the building, from the infusion clinic to outpatient clinic to the ED and IPS. It is always a pleasure to work with Sara, and I feel very comfortable going to her with any problems, or just to talk through my thought processes regarding patient medications. If there is something she doesn’t know off the top of her head, Sara is fantastic researching the problem and then, most importantly, following up in a very timely manner.” Another nominator wrote, “No matter how complex the situation, Sara always goes above and beyond to find the best solution for the patient.”

Sara Arnold, PharmD

After being surprised with the award, Arnold commented, “It is such an honor to be thought of by your coworkers that way. I love the diversity in the work I get to do and the growth I’ve been able to experience at Cass Health.  From answering questions from our primary care providers to the emergency room and oncology treatment room, one day is never the same as the last.  My coworkers are some of the most caring, knowledgeable people I know, and they make coming to work everyday fun and rewarding.”

When asked what her secret to great customer service is, she said, “Everyone carries a burden you don’t always get to see.  Grace goes a long way, so treat people the way you would want to be treated.”

The ROSE Award was created to honor and celebrate non-nursing employees of Cass Health who exemplify dedication, compassion, and a commitment to service excellence in carrying out their duties and advancing the goals and mission of Cass Health. The criteria are being knowledgeable and efficient, being compassionate and respectful, working with the care team, and going above and beyond for others.

Nominations can be made by anytime online at casshealth.org/rose.

(Radio Iowa) – The number of state beach advisories for E. coli hit a record this year as the D-N-R continues a project to learn more about it. Dan Kendall manages the D-N-R’s summer beach monitoring program. “I have crews out, usually about 15 weeks out of the year, sampling beaches in an effort to be protective of public health.” Those samples include testing for E. coli, a large family of bacteria. Most strains are harmless. They live in the guts of warm-blooded animals, including people, geese and cattle. But some escape into the environment through feces and make people sick with stomach cramps and diarrhea. Kendall says high concentrations of E. coli in water also indicate other harmful microbes may be present.  “So, as the numbers go up, the risk of getting a gastrointestinal-type illness at the beach goes up,” Kendall says.

The D-N-R issued 151 “Swimming Not Recommended” advisories this for state beaches because of E. coli. D-N-R natural resource biologist Jason Palmer was out recently trying to find out why long-term data shows some state beaches test high for E. coli time and time again.  “We’re doing some sand sampling and some water sampling, kind of at the same time so that we can see what’s happening both in the terrestrial portion of the beach, as well as what’s occurring in the swimming water where people often times are recreating,” he says. Data at lakes around Iowa show beaches tend to be E. coli hot spots – specifically within five to six feet from the water’s edge. Farther out, E. coli levels drop off. New research also shows some E. coli strains can do pretty well outside an animal gut.

“E. coli bacteria can actually persist in the environment for very long periods of time, and in some cases, have been shown to replicate in the right conditions,” he says. Palmer says E. coli can thrive in wet sand right below the surface. It gives the bacteria a moist structure to grow on and a stable temperature with protection from direct sunlight. Another piece of this project uses pumps that put lake water through a series of medical-grade filters trying to figure out if there are viruses and other pathogens at the beach. Palmer’s team will ship these filters and some sand samples to a federal lab in Wisconsin. There, scientists will look for the genetic material of harmful microbes and clues to where they came from. “Canadian geese, dog, tracers to look for human waste and also tracers to look for things that might occur in the agricultural environment, like swine or cattle or poultry,” Palmer says.

Palmer and field technicians have collected data from Big Creek, Backbone, Clear Lake and MacBride since 2023. And he’s hoping that results will be available to share next year. By understanding the dynamics of E. coli at state beaches, Palmer says the D-N-R can better communicate risks to the public and find solutions.

(Radio Iowa) – A monthly survey of bank C-E-Os in rural areas of Iowa and other Midwest states indicates the region’s economy has dipped to its lowest level since May of 2020. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss conducts the survey and issues a Mid-America Mainstreet Index each month. “It was not good news for the month of October and certainly looking ahead, the outlook is also negative for these bank CEOs in looking at the farm economy,” Goss said. Goss says a firm majority of the bankers indicated President Trump’s approach to trade with China is about right, but nearly 85 percent of the bankers surveyed support emergency federal payments to farmers due to the financial hit of trade losses.

“Some of the bankers said, ‘Well, we’d like to see higher grain prices, for example, than getting that support,’ but nonetheless there was support for that, but again that’s not going to make up for the downturn in what we’re seeing in lower grain prices througout the region,” Goss said. “…We’re seeing below break even income, cash flow for farmers that depend heavily on grain, that is.” Goss says there may be one bright spot in the survey, about farm loans.

“Delinquency rates are very low right now especially given the weakness in farm income. In other words, the farmers have been judicious about borrowing and the lenders have been judicious about lending,” Goss said, “…On the flip side of that farm equipment sales have really been suffering in the region.” Goss says farm equipment sales have dropped for 26 straight months. That’s a hit to Iowa where Deere and Company has been laying off workers and scaling back production. Goss says due to rising costs for fertilizer and other expenses, there’s been an increase in the amount farmers are borrowing. “I expect that to continue to move higher and, of course raising the risk out there,” Goss said, “and we’ve seen a lot of volatility in the farm outlook and obviously that’s a real issue going forward.”

Goss says the value of farmland is holding up much better than farm income. The rural bankers surveyed expect farmland prices to decline by three to four percent in the next 12 months, according to Goss.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, today (Wednesday), held their regular weekly meeting in the Greenfield Courthouse Board Room. The Board acted to approve a handful of agenda items, including a Liquor license renewal. Board Chair Nathan Baier and Auditor Mandy Berg…

They approved also, an appointment to the Adair Tourism Council.

The Board approved a Grandstand concrete bid of $204,000 from Calibur Concrete Contractors, out of Adair. Nathan Baier explained…

In other business, the Adair County Supervisors authorized Board Chair Baier to sign three Right-Of-Way Contracts for the W9 (Lincoln Township) Culvert Project. County Engineer Nick Kauffman said the project will likley be sent out for bids in November, after the harvest wraps-up.

Kauffman also updated the Board on Secondary Roads Department Maintenance and activities.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – (**Updated w/1 item) Members of the Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will hold a Special Meeting this evening in the Washington Elementary School Lunchroom, beginning at 6:30-p.m., and following a Town Hall meeting in the same location that begins at 5:30-p.m. During the Town Hall meeting (One of a series of such informational gatherings), the public is invited to learn more about the proposed bond revenue measure that will be on the ballot for the Nov. 4th City/School Election. School officials have said if approved the voters, the bonds would be used to “improve our schools and provide students with more resources.” A presentation about the three measures on the November 4 ballot and the projects that are possible if each is approved by voters will be be provided, and time will be available for community members to ask questions.

**Prior to the Action items, the Board will receive a English Learner (EL) program presentation by the ELL staff.

During the Special Meeting, the Atlantic School Board will act on approving:

A. An Employee Handbook Change.

B. A Hot Well (equipment) Bid for [the] Nutrition Program from Wilson Restaurant Supply (in Cedar Falls).

C. An FFA Out of State, overnight trip.

Consent agenda items include:

• FCCLA Fundraising: Selling Jam from Nov. 1st thru Dec. 1st.
• The hiring of the following personnel:
  • Matt Jacobsen, Substitute Bus Driver
  • Marcella Peck, Preschool Bus Monitor
  • Felicity Swanson, Spec. Ed Para (replacing Lynnae Grandin)
  • Volunteer Coaches for Winter Sports.

And they will act on approving the resignation of Makenna Askeland, Middle School Softball Asst. Coach. Following the Special Board meeting, the Atlantic School Board will move into a Work Session, during which they will review the 2024-25 Fiscal Year.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The “Strong as Steele” Foundation is set to hold their 2nd Annual Night of Giving, Feb. 14, 2026 at the Atlantic Golf and Country Club. The night includes cocktails, dinner, a live auction and entertainment by a magician. The cost to attend is $100 per person, or $200 per couple.

Steele McLaren was in a horrible accident in October of 2020 and suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. Today Steele is working full-time, lives on his own, very independent and has now created the Strong as Steele Foundation. The Foundation would not have been possible, organizers say, without the help and support from the individuals and businesses in our own community and the surrounding communities nationwide. The support allowed Steele to heal and recover with non-traditional medical plans and procedures that were not covered by insurance and now has allowed him to give back.

The Strong As Steele Foundation a 501c3 organization, has been created to return favors we received. The Strong As Steele Foundation is dedicated to providing monetary donations to the communities that have supported us. In addition, our mission is to help relieve the burden of individuals facing similar medical and life challenges as our founder, Steele, by offering financial assistance and resources. In the year 2025, The Strong as Steele Foundations donated over $30,000 to several individuals who have had life altering circumstances such as accidents, cancer, illnesses and the foundation as has also donated to local and county wide fire departments.

The schedule of activities during the fundraising event on February 14th is as follows:

• 5:00pm Cocktail
• 5:30 Dinner
• 6:30 Live auction
• 7:30 Magician

If you have any questions about the event or if you would like to attend, please contact Dustin McLaren at 712-249-2567 or Jess Ellis 712-254-0708. If you cannot make the event you can donate through the Venmo account or send your donation to the Strong As Steele Foundation, 1301 Poplar Street, Atlantic, IA 50022.

The Strong As Steele Foundation board consists of 7 members and a key supporter:

Steele McLaren, Chairman
Tom McLaren, President
Garrett McLaren, Vice President
Stacey Pellett, Treasurer
Jess Ellis, Secretary
Dustin McLaren, Member
Sheryl Dusenberry, Member
Sharon Crane, Key Supporter

Those wanting to know more about the Strong As Steele Foundation, please visit the Strong As Steele Foundation Facebook or Tom McLaren at 712-249-7120. You can also check out our website at https://strongassteelefoundation.godaddysites.com/