(Harlan, Iowa) – Officials with the Harlan Police Department report two arrests took place on Jan. 13th: 36-year-old Colin Joseph Clark, of Harlan, was arrested on an active Pottawattamie County warrant. And, 39-year-old Brent Michael Swisher, of Harlan, was arrested on an active warrant out of Shelby County, where he was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

And, authorities say no injuries were reported following a collision last Friday, in Harlan. A 2009 Dodge Journey driven by Debra Kraft, of Harlan, was traveling west on Chatburn Avenue, as a 2017 Ford Explorer driven by Madison Gubbels, of Defiance, was leaving the parking lot of the Fast Stop Express.

The SUV crossed Chatburn Avenue to enter Myrtue Medical Center’s parking lot, when it was struck by the Dodge on the passenger side rear door. No citations were issued. Both vehicles sustained functional damage.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley spoke on the floor of the Senate today (Tuesday) and turned arguments Democrats are making for a new federal voting law back against them. The Republican says Democrats say reform is needed after questions about the 2020 election — but says they were the first to raise the issue. “And in fact, the Democrat proposal was designed specifically to double down on false claims that Democrats lost certain races in 2018 only because of rigged elections,” Grassley says. He says evidence-free claims of voter suppression are as bad as evidence-free claims of voter fraud.

“If Democrats really wanted to preserve democratic norms, they would not be proposing the federal government overturning the current election process in all 50 states on a purely partisan basis with no attempt to even hear out Republicans’ legitimate concerns,” Grassley says. Grassley says President Trump won in 2016 with a record turnout and President Biden won in 2020 with a record turnout — and then Republicans did well with a big turnout in off-year elections in 2021.

“Democrats accuse Republicans of wanting to keep people from voting. Why would we when we have been very successful in many large turnout elections recently?, ” Grassley asked. And Grassley says with recent polls favoring Republicans — they wouldn’t want to restrict turnout. Grassley says it’s time to work together and stop casting doubt on elections.

“Let’s start by rejecting claims that the only way the other party can win is by rigging an election. Let’s retire the short-term strategy of falsely claiming that one of the two parties is a threat to democracy. That in and of itself is a very undemocratic position to take,” according to Grassley. Grassley says this kind of rhetoric damages civil society and erodes faith in our democracy.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) is seeking applicants for its Homeownership Assistance Program. The program is made possible by a $100,000 grant from the Iowa Finance Authority and administered by SWIPCO’s Southwest Iowa Housing Trust fund.

The Iowa Finance Authority provides grants and low-interest loans through several programs, many of which are available to southwest Iowans who wish to purchase a home but may otherwise struggle to obtain resources.

SWIPCO Grant Specialist Ann Anstey says the Homeownership Assistance Program is a little-known but valuable option for homebuyers. “This is a great program for folks who want to own a home of their own,” said Anstey. “A lot of times, people qualify but don’t even know the program’s there for them to use.”

Anstey said the program is available to individuals and families who earn up to 80% of the area median income where they live. The area median income is calculated each year in each city or municipality. Applications are approved subject to income eligibility and on a first-come, first-served basis.

Grants provide $4,000 at closing in the form of a five-year, fully forgivable loan provided the homeowner stays in the home for at least five years. The loan is forgiven in 20% increments each year. Additionally, homebuyers may qualify borrow up to $3,000 more at a favorable 1% interest rate to be paid back over a maximum of five years.

To apply, homebuyers must have a signed purchase agreement in effect and have a mortgage application in process with a lender. Applicants can request an application from ann.anstey@swipco.org or call SWIPCO at 712-243-4196.

• The City of Clarinda: Social Services Centers was awarded $600,000.
• In Bedford: Simmering-Cory, Inc. was awarded $224,994 for the EHI program
• In Casey: The Region 12 COG (Council of Governments) was awarded $252,000
• In Mount Ayr: Southern Iowa COG was awarded $254,000.
• In Redfield: The Region 12 COG was awarded $209,500.
• In Lenox: A water main replacement project was awarded $500,000.
• and in Stuart: A Water Systems Improvement project was awarded $500,000.

On Jan. 11th, 21-year old Mason James Schmitz, of Irwin, was arrested following the execution of a Search Warrant at a residence in Irwin. Schmitz was charged with: 3 counts of Failure to Affix Drug Stamp; 2 Felony counts of Controlled Substance Violation (a Class-B Felony); a Felony Controlled Substance Violation (Class-C Felony); Prohibited Acts Violation; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; 2 counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd or subsequent offense; 2 counts of Controlled Substance Violation, and 2 counts of Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drug.

On the 10th, 58-year-old Kimberly Ann Thomas, of Harlan, was arrested after a traffic stop on Highway 59. Thomas was charged with: a Controlled Substance Violation; Failure to Affix Drug Stamp; Prohibited Acts Violation; Speeding; Driving while License is Suspended, and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability. Shelby County Deputies arrested 32-year-old Joshua Dean Edgecomb, of Avoca, on Jan. 6th. He was taken into custody following a traffic stop, and charged with: OWI 2nd Offense; Speeding; Fail to Yield to Emergency Vehicle; No Valid Drivers License, and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability.

On the 5th of January, 53-year old Debra Jeanne Bruck, of Manilla, was arrested after an investigation of a vehicle found in the ditch off Shelby County Road M-47. Bruck was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI 3rd Offense, Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations, Interference with Official Acts, and Failure to Maintain Control.

And, on January 1st, 45-year-old Kevin Matthew Miller, of Ida Grove, was arrested following a traffic stop on Road M-16, south of Highway 44. Miller was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine) 1st Offense, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana) 1st Offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Driving while License is Suspended, Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability, Operating a Non Registered Vehicle, Improper Brake Light.

The Cass County Recorder’s Office will be closed on Friday morning from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The office will open for the day at 12:00 p.m.

(Radio Iowa) – House Republicans are proposing a series of steps to address gaps in Iowa’s mental health system, including state spending to add 46 psychiatric beds at the state Mental Health Institutes in Cherokee and Independence. Republican Representative Ann Meyer says that’s a 50 percent increase in treatment beds for critical cases.  “We don’t have enough beds that will take crisis patients,” Meyer says, “and this is going to be a heavy lift.”  She says there’s no estimate yet on the cost. Meyer, who is from Fort Dodge, says the issue came up in conversations with law enforcement and with constituents as she campaigned. “I had so many people standing at the doors telling me 20 minute stories about loved ones that don’t have access to mental health services,” Meyer says, “that are living on the streets, that are in crisis constantly.”

One initiative would have the state spend one-point-two MILLION dollars to support a dozen psychiatrists-in-training from the University of Iowa who’ll be working at the two Mental Health Institutes and at the Iowa prison system’s intake center in Oakdale. “The pipeline of doctors, we need that,” Meyer says. “When the DMU/Broadlawns residencies introduced a few years back, there were 800 applicants, so we know we can fill those slots.” Meyer says there are not enough spaces in substance abuse treatment programs for people who’re self-medicating to deal with their mental health issues and some hospitals are not accepting suicidal patients. “My hospitals are telling me you know any day there can be one to five sitting in the emergency room or the ICU, which is the only locked room in our hospital, and no treatment, no place to send them,” Meyer says, “and sometimes they’re released without treatment.”

Meyer says these issues came up repeatedly as she’s campaigned. “I had so many people standing at the doors telling me 20 minute stories about loved ones that don’t have access to mental health services,” Meyer says, “that are living on the streets, that are in crisis constantly.” Meyer says she met one young woman was desperate to find help for her homeless brother who was suffering from P-T-S-D — and Meyer saw the man on the street a few minutes later. “There’s so many stories like that,” Meyer says. “…It’s just such a crisis.”

House Republicans are also proposing a loan repayment program for psychiatrists, nurse practitioners and therapists who can prescribe medication. The plan would require the medical professional to agree to practice in Iowa for five years, which Meyer says will hopefully mean they’ve put down roots and will stay in Iowa.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday morning, and voted to approve the 2022 Wellness Program for County Employees. Supervisor Steve Green said their 2021 program saved the County a lot of money on its insurance.

In other business, the Board appointed two persons to fill vacancies in various positions. They approved the appointment of Cliff Aupperle as Franklin Township Trustee, and Jim Swanson from the Brighton Township, to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Several other positions remain to be filled, including Brighton Township Trustee, Pleasant Township Clerk, two more members of the Zoning Commission, and multiple members to the Condemnation in Eminent Domain, Board.

The Supervisors received a report from County Engineer Trent Wolken, who said his crews worked to remove the snow that fell over the weekend. Their job was made all the more difficult due to the rain that fell Friday and then froze before the snow piled-on. Crews spend four hours on Sunday alone getting the roads – including bus routes – in shape again.

He said also they’re still working on Bridge #280 on 700^th Street, including the install of pilings, and the paperwork for the 570^th Street overpass with the DOT, as well as paperwork for a RISE (Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy) Project.

And, the Board received Quarterly reports from Cass County Conservation Director Michah Lee, and Cass County Veterans Affairs Director Mitch Holmes.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s largest non-profit animal shelter is seeing a remarkable show of love for the late actress and animal advocate Betty White. Tom Colvin, chief executive officer of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, says more than 700 donations were made to the A-R-L on Monday in White’s honor on what would have been her 100th birthday. Colvin says donations are still arriving this (Tuesday) morning. “It’s estimated, at this point, that we’re looking at over $25,000 coming in so far,” Colvin says. “It’s coming in in various increments. Some people wanted to do the $5 and others wanted to do a lot more than that.”

Cass County Animal Control Officer Kris Erickson tells KJAN News, the Atlantic Animal Shelter received $1,000 in donations Monday. In addition, Nishnanet provided a TV system and all new lines for internet and phone. Scott Bennett from Nishna Net said on social media, “We donated all of the back-end technology needs of the new combined building. This included new network wiring, switches, WiFi access points and this new Digital Sign to recognize people and organizations that give back to others.”  Erickson says they even had “A couple ladies bring in pet supplies.”

The Betty White Challenge started a few weeks ago as a social media movement following her death on December 31st. Colvin had no idea what to expect in terms of donations and is overwhelmed with appreciation for the response. “I’m not that surprised because I know what Betty White meant to so many people,” Colvin says. “So many of us grew up with her. Regardless of your age, she was the perennial person on television and in movies and always had that great attitude and, of course, her love for animals showed through on everything.”

Eighty-percent of the A-R-L’s annual budget is based solely on donations and the Des Moines-based shelter takes in more than 11-thousand animals every year. “We also are so dependent on donations,” he says, “not only to care for those animals, but to actually run the various programs we have to keep animals out of the shelter, to help people stay united with their pets, maybe through a pet pantry or low-cost or no-cost spaying and neutering.”

The A-R-L serves pets — and people — across Iowa through its programs, which include pet adoption, humane education, pet behavior training, spay/neuter, animal cruelty intervention and more. Donations can still be made once, monthly or through any of several programs, like the Full Bellies Food Fund, the Miracle Medical Fund or Paw It Forward.

For more information about the Atlantic Animal Shelter, see the shelter’s Facebook page.

(Toledo, Tama County, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety, today (Tuesday), said the 2022 Tama County Grand Jury has concluded the Wilfong Homicide Grand Jury Inquiry. After undertaking an investigation of the matter, the Grand Jury declined to return an indictment. On October 28, 2021, at approximately 7:27 PM the Office of the Tama County Sheriff received calls reporting gunshots had been fired near the residence at 1001 Station Street in Chelsea, Iowa.

Several law enforcement agencies from the surrounding area responded and upon arrival, observed 28-year-old Dewey Dale Wilfong, III, displaying a handgun toward others in a threatening manner. A standoff escalated to the point Wilfong discharged the firearm he possessed.   A Deputy Tama County Sheriff fired one round from his service weapon, striking Wilfong in the upper torso.

Wilfong was transported to UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, where he was pronounced dead.  The Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation was called in to conduct an independent investigation into the shooting.

A copy of the refusal to return an indictment with the name of the foreperson redacted is attached. Document