(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Department reports a Polk County man was arrested last week following an incident in Stuart. Authorities say law enforcement responded at around 9:15-p.m. on Oct. 6th to the area of the 200 block of southwest 6th Street in Stuart, after neighbors reported hearing a woman screaming and glass shattering. When officer Daniel Irving arrived on the scene, he made contact with a man later identified as 35-year-old Casey James Johnston, of Des Moines, outside of the residence, covered in blood, out of breath and sweaty. Johnston explained he was out of breath because he had just gotten into an altercation with his father inside the residence. He said also, he had been trying to get his possessions out of the house and leave, but claimed his father was not allowing his to do so. He admitted to kicking in a glass exterior door and to pushing his father.

Upon further investigation, Johnston’s father confirmed there was a physical altercation. Casey Johnston’s girlfriend told police she had been pushed to the ground while holding their 11-month old baby in her arms.

Casey Johnston was subsequently arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense, and Child Endangerment with Bodily Injury. He was released the following night on a $5,300 cash or surety bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says the Senate should vote to end the government shutdown now and resolve the debate over extending insurance-related tax credits later. The senate is scheduled to reconvene tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon. “I’m open to those discussions,” Ernst said, “and I’ve talked to a number of my Democratic colleagues about what do we do next and how can we come to an agreement to open the government and then come up with a plan to move forward.” Democrats have been demanding that Republicans agree to extend tax credits Americans get when they buy health insurance policies through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Ernst says Republicans want to make sure that people who use the so-called ObamaCare program are supported.

“But what we have to do is make sure that there is fraud and waste wiped out of that program. We have to make sure that the people who need insurance are getting that insurance. We have a broken system right now,” Ernst said. “…The Affordable Care Act was supposed to be affordable, meaning people shouldn’t need subsidies in order to afford it.” In 2017, Ernst voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act and start a transition period to ensure people with pre-existing conditions are not denied coverage. This weekend, Ernst told reporters congress is on its way to figuring out a different model.

“I am hopeful we actually get the government open, we actually have serious talks on fraud and waste within the program,” Ernst said, “and then how do we actually make a difference and make health care affordable for those folks that actually need that support.” Over 24-million Americans got their current health care policy through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. Starting November 1st, six insurance companies will offer coverage to Iowans through the A-C-A for 2026. Experts predict premium costs will rise significantly for up to 130-thousand Iowans if the tax credits aren’t extended for individuals or families with incomes that are four times or more above the poverty line.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Vision Atlantic say Chris and Randy Blake have donated $10,000 to Vision Atlantic’s transformative project, which will bring a housing development, new child development center, and YMCA expansion to Atlantic. This gift was given in honor of Becker Blake.

As previously mentioned, Vision Atlantic, through extensive research and surveying of the community and surrounding region, identified three areas that will help increase Atlantic’s population: expanded childcare, quality housing and quality of life amenities. Infrastructure for the 142 mixed unit Camblin Hills housing development and 300 capacity child development center is almost complete, with construction of 48 homes currently underway. Construction of the child development center and YMCA expansion is slated to begin early 2026.

Vision Atlantic has a fundraising goal of $39 million, which will be used to construct the YMCA expansion and child development center. To date, they have raised $26 million of that goal, thanks to an $8.6 million lead grant from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and significant support from local donors. In addition to their grant support, the Lakin Foundation has created a separate investment fund of $23 million that will be used to construct homes in the Camblin Hills housing development. The capital will be used as a line of credit, and as the dollars are paid back, the Foundation will donate up to 5% of the interest paid back to Vision Atlantic, who will use those dollars to operate the child development center.

Vision Atlantic’s Project Committee is actively working to secure the remaining $13 million needed to meet their fundraising goal. If you are interested in helping transform Atlantic, whether it’s through monetary donations or acts of volunteerism, please contact Vision Atlantic at visionatlanticiowa@gmail.com. Visit www.visionatlantic.org and follow on Facebook for behind-the-scenes access to project updates and in-depth information of the project scope.

Vision Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to empower growth, enhance lives, and build a thriving community together through the economic development of Atlantic, Iowa.

(Corning, Iowa) – The Adams County Sheriff’s office today (Monday), said a woman was arrested Thursday morning on an assault charge. Authorities say Adams County Dispatch received a report of a physical altercation in the 800 block of 15th Street in Corning. Upon further investigation, 18-year-old Jaycie Hutchings, of Corning, was arrested and charged with Domestic Abuse Assault.

Adam Steen spoke to a crowd in Atlantic on Friday, October 10 as he campaigns for the GOP nomination to replace Governor Kim Reynolds.  Steen, who grew up in Indianola and played professional baseball, also is an entrepreneur and business builder.  He served in Governor Reynolds’ cabinet as Director at the Iowa Department of Administrative Services.  He says his main message is simple.

Steen was asked about challenges facing the state, but he said he prefers to focus on opportunities.

Reynolds announced that she will not seek re-election after her current term ends.  Steen is one of a number of candidates that are expected to challenge for the Republican nomination in 2026.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report four arrests over the past three days, and one citation for drug paraphernalia. Two arrests took place Sunday, in Creston:

• At around 12:20-a.m., 34-year-old Joshua Gene Sweat, of Creston, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance – Marijuana/1st offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Sweat was transported to the Union County Jail and held.
• And, at around 1:40-p.m. Sunday, Creston Police arrested 26-year-old Noah Alexander Young, of Creston, for Interference with Official Acts, and on an outstanding warrant for Failure to Appear, on an original charge of Theft in the 5th Degree. Young was booked into the Union County Jail.

Saturday night, Creston Police arrested 40-year-old Amber Nicole Torres, of Creston, for Assault causing bodily injury. And, Friday night, 31-year-old Austin Allan Jones, of Creston, was arrested at his residence on outstanding warrants on original charges that include Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree, and Harassment in the 2nd Degree. Torres and Jones were booked in the Union County Jail.

Sunday afternoon, Creston Police conducted a traffic stop for a moving violation, and subsequently cited 49-year-old Colleen Ann Reed, of Creston, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was released at the scene on a Promise To Appear in court.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department, Sunday, said there were two separate, non-injury accidents, Friday. The first occurred at around 7:30-a.m., at the intersection of Highway 25 north and Highway 34. Authorities say a 2014 GMC Sierra pickup driven by 37-year-old Jami Sue Fletchall, of Afton, was traveling west on Highway 34 and had a green light at the intersection with Highway 25. She proceeded westbound through the intersection. A 2019 KIA Sorento, driven by a 16-year-old female from Corning, was traveling east on Highway 34, turning left (Northbound) onto Highway 25. She also had a green light. The Creston P-D says the teen failed to yield to the westbound pickup truck, and proceeded to turn north through the intersection. The vehicles collided at the northeast corner of the intersection, causing a total of $1,500 damage, but both vehicles were able to be driven away. No citations were issued.

The second, non-injury accident in Creston, happened at around 3:50-p.m. Friday, near the Creston High School. Authorities say a 2013 Chevy Equinox driven by 29-year-old Sydney Lynn Smith, of Creston, was traveling east on Townline Street through the intersection with Spruce Street. A 1999 Buick driven by a 17-year-old male from Creston, stopped at the stop sign at Spruce and Townline, before proceeding through the intersection, heading south. The left front side of the SUV struck the right front side of the car, causing a police-estimated total of $3,500 damage. The teen driver told police he looked before proceeding south, but a vehicle was blocking his view. There were no citations issued. The car sustained disabling damage in the collision, but the SUV was able to be driven away from the scene.

ATLANTIC, IA (October 13, 2025) – Produce in the Park is hosting BOO-tique Market on Saturday, October 18, at the Nishna Valley YMCA from 10 AM to noon. BOO-tique Market is a new Halloween-themed farmers market. In addition to lots of fresh, local fall produce and other local foods and handmade crafts, the event will include lots of spooky, fall fun. Kids will be delighted to find hand-led horse rides, face painting, balloon animals, free bounce houses made possible by the YMCA, and a free spider plant craft activity hosted by Imagine at Zellmer Century Farm.There is no cost to enter the YMCA for the BOO-tique Market, and Halloween costumes are welcome. Trick-or-treating will be available throughout the market.

The BOO-tique Market will offer two food trucks: Tikka Talk Indian Food, and Liza’s Sushi and More. Tikka Talk Food Truck will be serving both vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian food including butter chicken, lamb tikka masala, samosas, naan, rice pudding, mango lassis, hot Indian Chai tea, and more. Fresh, local produce at BOO-tique Market is expected to include peppers, cherry tomatoes, onions, garlic, sweet potatoes, zucchini, squash, and carrots. Other local foods will include local meat (beef, pork and chicken), farm-fresh eggs, local honey, and freeze-dried snacks (fruits, vegetables, and candy), along with baked goods and desserts including breads, muffins, cookies, and pastries.

Shoppers can expect to find craft products such as candles and wax melts, soaps, sugar scrubs, beard oils, greeting cards, potted plants, garden gifts, holiday decorations, and crocheted items such as stuffed animals, rugs, sweaters, hats, and gloves.

BOO-tique Market is the first of five markets in Produce in the Park’s Holiday Market Series. Additional farmers markets in the 2025-2026 series include Harvest Market (November 24), Christmas Market (December 20), Sweetheart Market (February 14, 2026), and Spring Celebration Market (April 4, 2026). All are welcome at Produce in the Park farmers markets, and admission is free. The market accepts SNAP/EBT and Double Up Food Bucks for all qualifying food items.

Produce in the Park continues to accept applications for vendors and sponsors for their 2025-2026 Holiday Market Series. For details and applications, see www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com.
Produce in the Park farmers markets are made possible by support from 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) – Iowa has ended a nine-week run where the U-S Drought map showed no color for dryness of any kind. The D-N-R’s Jessica Reese McIntyre says the northwest, southern and eastern areas of the state are back to abnormally dry, with a slice of moderate drought.  “It did have a small area, the equivalent of about one percent of the state, but still significant, along the Mississippi River in eastern Iowa,” she says. McIntyre says the rainfall slowed after what was the second wettest July on record. “It just progressively got worse through September because both August and September were drier than normal after having that really wet July,” she says.

McIntyre says there’s not a clear signal right now if the dry conditions will continue. “We don’t have the potential to see above normal precipitation for the next three months according to the National Weather Service forecast seasonal forecast,” she says. There’s just no real indication if we’ll go one way or the other and just kind of stay above average. So we will have to just kind of wait and see how that all pans out, how that forecast pans out, but it doesn’t look favorable to get above normal.” She says October could be warmer than normal, which could indicate we’ll stay dry. “One thing to kind of remember is that warm air tends to hold moisture, so it kind of kind of grabs it, right? So it can make these conditions worse, these dry conditions worse with warmer temperatures,” she says.

She says the drier conditions have helped farmers move quickly with the harvest, but also caused problems with dust and the potential for field fires.

HUMBOLDT, Iowa [KCCI-TV] — Parents of a child sexually abused by a former Humboldt Middle School teacher are suing the Humboldt Community School District for allegedly trying to cover up the abuse. Former teacher Samantha Meyer-Davis pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a student between May 2022 and November 2023.

In the lawsuit, the parents claim the school knew about the abuse but did not inform them. Court documents claim the superintendent told staff not to tell law enforcement or open a formal investigation. It also claims the district did not take action to prevent the abuse until after the state became involved.

Last week, Meyer-Davis was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.