Des Moines, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is announcing upcoming changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that will impact what items are eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. These changes will take effect on January 1, 2026, and are designed to promote healthier eating habits among Iowans receiving SNAP benefits.

“As obesity and chronic illness continue to rise, Iowa is taking bold steps upstream — focusing on prevention and early intervention,” said Iowa HHS Director Kelly Garcia. “By limiting SNAP-eligible purchases to healthier foods, this is a practical step toward encouraging better eating habits and supporting long-term health. This change is about more than just policy — it’s about building a stronger, healthier Iowa for generations to come.”

Under the new guidelines, eligible SNAP purchases are determined by the state’s non-taxable food items list, as well as some prepared foods, seeds for food-producing plants, and food-producing plants.

As part of the updated rules, certain items will no longer be eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. These include taxable food items such as:

Soda and sugary beverages containing less than 50% fruit or vegetable juice
Candy and items coated in candy
Some in-store prepared foods

Iowa HHS is working proactively with retailers across the state on outreach and communications materials for point-of-sale locations and direct outreach to SNAP recipients.

For more information about the upcoming changes and the SNAP program, visit: hhs.iowa.gov/snap. To see what is considered taxable versus non-taxable, visit revenue.iowa.gov/taxes/tax-guidance/sales-use-excise-tax/iowa-sales-tax-food.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston say a man was arrested early this (Friday) morning. 19-year-old Brandon Steve Molina Deleon, of Creston, was arrested at around 2:51-a.m.. for OWI/1st offense, andInterference with Official Acts. He posted a $1,300 cash or surety bond, and was released. And, at around 9-p.m. Thursday, Creston Police arrested 21-year-old Jayden Ronald Peavler, of Creston. He was charged with Failure To Appear. Peavler was being held in the Union County Jail without bond, pending an initial court appearance.

(New Virginia, Iowa) – A collision Thursday night in southwestern Warren County resulted in one-person being flown to a hospital in Des Moines. The Iowa State Patrol says the accident happened at around 8:05-p.m. on Interstate 35, near mile-maker 43, west of New Virginia.

Authorities say a pickup driven by 44-year-old Ariel Suarez Irsula, of Houston, TX, was southbound on I-35 in the right lane, pulling a flatbed trailer. A car driven by 22-year-old Juan Daniel Perez, of Osceola, was southbound in the same location, approaching the pickup/trailer at a high rate of speed. When Perez’ vehicle failed to move to the left, it struck the rear of the trailer, and traveled under the trailer.

The pickup pulled over onto the right shoulder of the road with the car stuck underneath the trailer. Perez was wearing his seat belt. He was flown by helicopter to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.

(Muscatine County, Iowa) – A head-on crash Thursday morning in southwestern Muscatine County resulted in a fire and multiple victims, including a fatality. The Iowa State Patrol said the accident happened near Conesville, a little before 6-a.m., Thursday, when a southbound Ford SUV crossed the center line of Iowa Highway 70 and crashed into a northbound Chevy Cruz, near 277th Street.

Following the collision, the Chevy rolled over and came to rest in the west ditch and became fully engulfed in flames. The Patrol says three of the four occupants of the Chevy were able to escape the vehicle. One person died. Their name was being withheld pending notification of family.

The injured were identified as: 53-year-old Kristie L. Thompson, of Lone Tree (IA) – the driver of the SUV; 26-year-old Damelonin Lamboni, of Conesville – the driver of the Chevy Cruz; 22-year-old Delphine Pabali, and 25-year-old Koboyo Lakougnon, both of Cedar Rapids. All four were transported to the U-of-I Hospital.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Conesville Fire and Rescue Dept., Columbus Junction Ambulance/FD, Letts Ambulance, Nichols FD, Wapello & Washington Ambulances, and AirCare.

(Radio Iowa) – The six Republicans in Iowa’s congressional delegation are calling President Trump a peacemaker. Trump says Israeli hostages in Gaza will be released early next week in phase one of a ceasefire deal to stop the fighting between Israel and Hamas. Senator Joni Ernst says the living nightmare the hostages have been forced to endure will end and two American hostages who’ve died can be laid to rest. Congressman Randy Feenstra, who represents Iowa’s fourth district, says Trump is an incredible leader for our country and the free world.

“Think about this…Throughout history, I mean, this part of the world has been in conflict and to get a peace deal is truly remarkable,” Feenstra said. “I mean, just amazing.” Feenstra has made several trips to Israel, including a trip after Hamas militants swarmed through Israeli towns on October 7th and killed 12-hundred people. “I met with several families of hostages when I was there,” Feenstra said. “It’s so important to me to make sure that we stand with Israel and this ceasefire and this negotiated agreement stands.”

Senator Chuck Grassley says he supports an outcome that ensures the forever survival of Israel. Second Congresswoman Ashley Hinson calls Trump the “peacemaker in chief” and Hinson says after the unimaginable brutality unleashed by Hamas two years ago, the hostages will be reunited with their families.

Third Congressman Zach Nunn says President Trump’s peace deal is a historic win for Israel’s security, American leadership, and long-term stability in the Middle East. First district Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks says Trump is the peace president who did what many thought was impossible.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra says with each passing day, more Iowans are being affected by the federal government shutdown. Feenstra cites the closure of Farm Service Agency offices as an example. “Farmers are doing harvest. They need their acreage paperwork processed,” Feenstra said. “Our troops are not going to get paid as of October 15, which is absolutely appalling to me.” Feenstra says he and other House Republicans met by phone today (Thursday).

“We can’t negotiate with ourselves,” Feenstra said. “I mean, we’re really waiting on six senators from the Democratic Party to come along and say, ‘Yeah, let’s get this country back open again and let’s talk about what we want to do.'” House Republicans passed a spending plan on September 19th to fund the federal government through mid-November. “I am so frustrated because this is all about partisan antics,” Feenstra says. “We’re not asking for anything. We didn’t add anything to the bill. We’re just simply saying, ‘Can we continue the same budget that we always had?’ And the Democrats said, ‘No, we want to add $1.5 trillion more.’ Just pass the current budget. That’s all we’re asking.”

Feenstra says the status quo spending plan is as far as House Republicans will go. “We already have $37 trillion of debt and we’re not going to go down that path…They’re asking for so much and we can’t do it as a country,” Feenstra said. “…We’re at a very dividing marker in our country right now. We’re not asking for anything. They’re asking for a lot and, you know, we’re going to keep it shut down for the sake of our country and the taxpayers to get this right.” Senate Democrats have called for including an extension of tax credits for about 22 million Americans who use the Affordable Care Act marketplace to buy insurance.

“Health care and the tax credits and all that stuff really doesn’t end until December 31, so we have time to negotiate and talk, but we want to do it while government is open,” Feenstra says. “And they’re saying: ‘Nope. We’re going to keep government shut down.'” Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, formed an exploratory committee this spring to begin raising money for a race for governor and is expected to formally launch his campaign soon.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Auditor’s Office reminds residents of the County that the City/School Election will be held in Cass County, IA on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. -8:00 p.m.

Election day Voting:
Pre-registered voters must provide an approved form of identification at the polling place to receive and cast a ballot.
Approved forms of identification include: Iowa driver’s license or non-operator identification card, U.S. Passport, U.S.
military or veteran’s identification, Tribal identification/document, Iowa voter identification card with PIN number.
Voters who are not pre-registered, such as those registering to vote on Election Day, or changing precincts, must provide
proof of identification and proof of residence using Election Day Registration documents. A voter who is unable to provide
an approved form of identification, or prove their residence, may:

• Have another registered voter from their precinct attest to the voter’s identity and residence,
• Cast a provisional ballot and bring proof of identity and residence to the Cass County Auditor’s Office by 12:00 PM
on November 12, 2025.
Election Day Registration documents may be found at https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation/edr.html.

Absentee Voting:
In-person-absentee voting will take place at the Cass County auditor’s office:
• 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. October 15 – November 3, 2025
• 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. October 20 and October 31, 2025
• 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday, November 1, 2025

To vote by mail, submit an absentee ballot request form to the county auditor’s office by 5:00 p.m., October 20, 2025.
• Absentee ballot request forms are available at sos.iowa.gov/elections/electioninfo/absenteeinfo.html or the
county auditor’s office. Request forms received after the deadline will be rejected in accordance with state law.
• Absentee ballots must be returned to the county auditor’s office by 8:00 p.m. on election night, November 4, 2025.
Absentee and special-voter ballots will be counted at the county auditor’s office on Election Day.

Accessibility:
Any voter who is physically unable to enter a polling place has the right to vote in the voter’s vehicle. For further
information, contact the county auditor’s office at 712-243-4570, or email auditor@casscoia.us. For TTY access, dial 711 +
712-243-4570.

Election Security and Audit:
• Voting equipment will be used to tabulate the election results.
• The public test of election equipment will be held Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in the courthouse,
and will continue until the required test is completed.

Sample Ballot:
May be viewed on the County’s website: https://www.casscountyia.gov/county-government/elections/city-elections/.

Precincts and Polling Locations:
• Atlantic Ward 1………………………………………………………………………………………..Zion Lutheran Church (811 Oak St)
• Atlantic Ward 2……………………………………………………………………………………Atlantic Public Library (507 Poplar St)
• Atlantic Ward 3…………………………………………………………………….Cass County Community Building (805 W 10th St)
• Atlantic Ward 4………………………………………………………………………………….United Church of Christ (1607 Hazel St)
• Atlantic Ward 5……………………………………………………………………………….Heritage House (1200 Brookridge Circle)
• Bear Grove/Cass/City of Lewis…………………………………………………………Lewis Community Center (400 W Main St)
• Benton/Franklin/Grant/Lincoln/City of Anita/City of Wiota……………………..Anita Community Center (805 Main St)
• Brighton/Grove/Pymosa/Washington/City of Marne………………..Cass County Community Building (805 W 10th St)
• Noble/Pleasant/City of Griswold………………………………………………………..Griswold Community Center (601 2nd St)
• Union/City of Cumberland………………………………………………………..Cumberland Community Center (200 W 2nd St)
• Edna/Victoria/East Massena Township……………………………………………………Massena Public Library (122 Main St)
• West Massena Township/City of Massena………………………………………………CAM Elementary School (207 E 6th St)

Public Measures
Iowa Western Community College GO Bond Public Measure – SE
Shall the Board of Directors of the Iowa Western Community College (Merged Area XIII) in the Counties of Adair, Adams,
Audubon, Cass, Crawford, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby, State of
Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed
$55,000,000 to provide funds to defray the cost of any one or more of the following purposes: to construct, furnish, and
equip a new Career and Technical Education facility for automotive/diesel mechanic, commercial drivers’ license, and
logistics programming; to expand, improve, remodel, repair, furnish and equip existing buildings for expanded
programming including HVAC, plumbing, welding, electrical, and construction technology for credit and non-credit
programming?

Atlantic Schools GO Bond Public Measure – DH
Shall the Board of Directors of the Atlantic Community School District in the Counties of Cass, Pottawattamie and
Audubon, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to
exceed $22,500,000 to provide funds to build, furnish and equip classroom additions and a new secure entrance at
Washington Elementary, a new skybridge and commons area between Schuler Elementary and the Middle School, and
classroom additions at the High School, with related building and site improvements at each facility; and to remodel,
repair, improve, furnish, and equip existing educational facilities, including additional secure entrance improvements,
media center and common area improvements at the High School, and site improvements?

Atlantic Schools Sales, Services and Use Tax Revenue Bonds Proposition – DI
Shall the Board of Directors of the Atlantic Community School District in the Counties of Cass, Pottawattamie and
Audubon, State of Iowa, be authorized to issue approximately $18,500,000 School Infrastructure Sales, Services and Use
Tax Revenue Bonds, which may be issued in one or more series over multiple fiscal years pursuant to Iowa Code Sections
423F.2 and 423F.4, in the approximate amount of $18,500,000 for the purpose of providing funds to build, furnish, and
equip a new multipurpose indoor practice facility/fieldhouse at the High School, with related site improvements,
including costs of issuance and a debt service reserve fund if required by the purchaser; with any bond proceeds
remaining after completion of this project used for other school infrastructure projects as authorized by the School District’s Revenue Purpose Statement?

Atlantic Schools Revenue Purpose Statement Public Measure – DG
Summary: To adopt a Revenue Purpose Statement specifying the use of revenues the Atlantic Community School District
will receive from the State of Iowa Secure an Advanced Vision for Education Fund.

In the Atlantic Community School District, the following Revenue Purpose Statement which specifies the use of revenues
the Atlantic Community School District will receive from the State of Iowa Secure an Advanced Vision for Education Fund
shall be adopted.

To provide funds to acquire or install information technology infrastructure (including improving buildings or sites for the
purpose of accessing broadband digital telecommunications) and school safety and security infrastructure.

To provide funds to build and furnish a new school building or buildings; to build and furnish addition(s) to school
buildings in the District; to remodel, reconstruct, repair, expand, and improve the school buildings in the District; to
purchase and improve grounds; for demolition work; to furnish and equip district facilities.

To provide funds for the purchase, lease or lease-purchase of buildings, equipment (including transportation and
recreation equipment), or technology and to repair transportation equipment for transporting students as authorized by
law, to implement energy conservation measures, sharing or rental of facilities including a joint infrastructure project for
the purposes of offering classes under district-to-community college programs as authorized in Iowa Code Section
423F.3(3)(c), procuring or acquisition of libraries, or opening roads to schoolhouses or buildings.

To provide funds to purchase land as part of start-up costs for new student construction program or if the sale of the
previous student construction was insufficient to purchase land, and to purchase construction materials and supplies for a
student-constructed building or shed intended to be retained by and used by the District.

To provide funds to make payments to a municipality or other entity as required under Iowa Code Section 403.19(2).

To provide funds for demolition, cleanup, and other costs if such costs are necessitated by, and incurred within two years
of, a disaster.

To provide funds for radon testing and mitigation.

To provide funds to establish and maintain public recreation places and playgrounds; provide for supervision and
instruction for recreational activities; or for community education purposes.

To provide funds for the payment of principal and interest or retirement of general obligation bonds issued for school
infrastructure purposes, energy improvement loans, loan agreements authorized by Iowa Code Section 297.36, sales,
service and use tax revenue bonds issued under Iowa Code Section 423E.5 or Iowa Code Section 423.F.4.

To provide funds for property tax relief; and To provide funds for other authorized expenditures and purposes as now or hereafter permitted by law and designated by the Atlantic Community School District.

It being understood that if this public measure should fail to be approved by the voters, such failure shall not be
construed to terminate or restrict authority previously granted by the voters to expend receipts from the Secure an
Advanced Vision for Education Fund.

If approved, this Revenue Purpose Statement shall remain in effect until replaced or amended by the Atlantic Community
School District.

The District requested the following statement be included in this Notice of Election:
“If a majority of eligible electors voting on the question fail to approve this Revenue Purpose Statement, then upon
expiration of the current Revenue Purpose Statement, revenues received by the School District from the Secure an
Advanced Vision for Education fund shall be expended in the following order:

• The payment of bonds for which SAVE Revenue has been pledged;
• Reduction of bond levies under Iowa Code Sections 928.18 and 298.18A and all other debt levies;
• Reduction of the regular and voter-approved physical plant and equipment levy under Iowa Code Section 298.2;
• Reduction of the public educational and recreational levy under Iowa Code Section 300.2;
• For any authorized infrastructure purpose of the school district as defined in Iowa Code Section 423F.3(6); and
• For the payment of principal and interest on bonds issued under Iowa Code Sections 423E.5 and 423F.4.”

(Harlan, Iowa) – A woman charged as an accessory in the death of an Earling resident has entered a guilty plea. Online court records show 35-year-old Ashley Elizabeth McWilliams waived her rights and plead guilty, on Friday, October 3rd.

McWilliams had faced a trial that was set to begin November 4th, in connection with the July 31st shooting death of 32-year-old Theresa Kenkel, of Earling. Judge Michael Hooper set her sentencing for Nov. 17th at 9-a.m., in Shelby County District Court.

Another suspect in Kenkel’s death, 33-year-old Winston Joseph “Joe” Leal was charged with First-Degree Murder. His trial is scheduled to begin November 4th.

Both subjects were arrested on August 1st, following the discovery of Theresa Kenkel’s body at a residence in Earling, when Deputies conducted a requested welfare check.