(Radio Iowa) – An inmate from the Webster County Jail in Fort Dodge enjoyed a short taste of freedom this weekend after escaping Saturday and being caught Sunday. Forty-three-year-old Jordan Mefferd of Fort Dodge escaped the jail by propping open a third-story exit door to the jail late Saturday night and using sheeting to climb down the alley. The car Mefferd was driving was later found in Otho and a chase was then pursued back to Fort Dodge.

Police used stop sticks which then deflated one of the tires to the car. Police then arrested Mefferd and a passenger 27-year-old Destiny Sumpter. Mefferd was charged with felony eluding and felony escape while Sumpter was charged with violation of probation and aiding and abetting felony escape.

ATLANTIC, IA (December 13, 2021) – Produce in the Park’s Christmas Market is now accepting preorders at  www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com. Pre-orders will be accepted through Monday, December 20. Christmas Market 2021 will also offer in-person shopping, but some products—such as Miss NiNi’s pies and cheesecakes and Pomodoro Fresh Italian Food Truck’s take and bake meals—are only available pre-order.

Christmas Market is being held Thursday, December 23 from 3-7 PM at the Cass County Community Center (805 W. 10th St. Atlantic, up the hill from the fairgrounds). Christmas Market offers an excellent variety of premium homegrown and homemade products. The holiday farmers market is being held just two days before Christmas, so shoppers can enjoy delicious local foods on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day—including a variety of sweet treats, desserts, produce, meats, and more—in addition to handmade stocking stuffers, gifts, and decorations.

Christmas Market Vendors:
Vendors offering pre-ordering only:
• Miss NiNi’s Fine Desserts – Handmade pies and cheesecakes in over 10 flavors
• Harrisdale Farmstead – Produce (squash, pie pumpkins, garlic)
Prepared food vendor (take and bake meals offered pre-order only):
• Pomodoro Fresh Italian Food Truck:
o Homemade pasta, sauces, sandwiches, salads and dessert offered on-site.
o Take and bake meals for two or four offered pre-order only (Chicken Alfredo, Lasagna,
Spaghetti and Meatballs).
Vendors offering pre-ordering and in-person shopping:
• Bridgewater Farm – Organic produce (spinach, beets, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots,
kohlrabi, garlic, turnips), eggs, and meat
• Brun Ko Farm – Beef, pork, chicken, lamb, granola, suet blocks, cookies, and desserts
• Erickson Foods – Produce, syrups, fruit butters, and jellies
• Frosting Inc. – Cupcakes, cookies, hot cocoa bombs, and more
• Johnna Joy Designs – Jewelry and more
• Kingwood Farm – Goat milk soap, detergent, bath shreds, lotion. Pasture-raised pork, eggs,
beef
• Kringle Man – Danish kringle, cream horns, Danish letters, Danish pastries
• Noble Provisions – Beef
• Smudge – Bath and body products, soaps, and candles
• Sweet Sisters Vegan – Vegan health and beauty products
• The Pet Bistro – Dog and cat food and treats; cat toys and beds
• TJ’s Kitchen – Wine bread pastries
Vendors offering in-person shopping only:
• Connie’s Creations – Hand-crocheted dishcloths, hats, hot pads, and more
• DeLaine’s Designs – Doll clothes
• DezaRae Farm Soaps – Goat milk lotions and soaps
• JD Crafters – Items made using a laser and CNC router and a lathe, including Christmas and table
ornaments, signage, cutting boards, coasters, serving trays and catch all trays, and more
• Mandy’s Sweet Tooth Confections – Homemade pies, sugar cookie bars, cupcakes, cookie trays,
candy barks and fudge, savory pretzels and snack mix, and other assorted desserts
• Slightly Sassy Orchid Designs – Tumblers and signs
• Wud Bi Tek – CNC laser carvings and cuttings

Christmas Market is made possible by sponsorships from the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission, First Whitney Bank and Trust, Camblin Mechanical, Cass County Tourism, Cass County Farm Bureau, the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, Meyer and Gross, and Smith Land Service. Produce in the Park thanks customers for masking and distancing at indoor markets. For the latest information on Christmas Market, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook
(www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/) or sign up for the Produce in the Park newsletter at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com.

(Radio Iowa) – A representative of the 19 state-licensed casinos in Iowa says lawmakers may debate legalizing online casino gambling — but NOT during the 2022 legislative session. Six other states (Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia) have already authorized online casinos. Iowa Gaming Association president and C-E-O Wes Ehrecke says the concept is still in its embryonic stage.

“We don’t envision any legislation coming forward, but if it is, we’re going to be neutral,” Ehrecke says. “We have some of our members that support looking at it. There are others that are opposed. They have questions and thoughts and so this is going to need to evolve over the next year or two before any serious legislation or consideration would happen.” It became legal for Iowans to place SPORTS bets online on August 15th of 2019. Ehrecke says he doesn’t expect making online casinos legal as well would lead to the demise of the brick and mortar operations in the state.

“It’s not just gaming,” Ehrecke says. “It’s the dining, the hotels, the comedy clubs — the variety of things that are within a casino, plus the concerts and conventions and the like. We’ve really created premier destinations in 19 places.” But Ehrecke says analyzing the record in the six states that have legalized online casinos will be key. He says there’ll be questions of how online gaming revenue compared to in-person wagering and whether foot traffic declines significantly in casinos.

“Is it going to be something that’s worthwhile like when we’re having our blizzards in the wintertime and things like that, so there’s just a variety of things — and how to structure it properly,” Ehrecke says. “You know, where’s the appetite for Iowans and legislators to want to have this as an option?”

Ehrecke made his comments during an appearance this weekend on “Iowa Press” on Iowa P-B-S.

(Elliott, Iowa) – Two people were injured during an ATV rollover accident Sunday afternoon, west of Elliott. The incident happened near 2166 110th Street, at around 4:20-p.m. A medical helicopter was requested at the scene. Additional information is currently available.

[Updated 12/13/21) (Elliott, Iowa) – Firefighters from Elliott and Red Oak were dispatched to a residential structure fire at approximately 1:40-p.m., Sunday.  The flames were reported at 600 Elm Street, the residence of Steve & Jessica DeLage and their son, Dax.  Griswold and Grant Fire Departments were called to offer mutual aid in the form of water tankers and additional fire fighters.

According to Griswold Fire Chief J.C. Wyman, the family had safely evacuated the structure prior to firefighters’ arrival. The house was a total loss. Strong winds fanned the flames through the two-story house. Crews were on the scene for about three-hours. The cause of the blaze was not immediately known.

Elliott house fire 12/12/21. (Photo submitted)

Other agencies assisting at the scene included the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and the Red Cross, along with the Cass and Montgomery County Emergency management agencies.

Police in Red Oak say a man from Mills County was arrested early this (Sunday) morning. Officials report 22-year-old Mason Dean White, of Hastings, was taken into custody at around 1:30-a.m., for OWI/1st offense. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 cash bond.

(Sioux City, Iowa) – Officials with the U-S Department of Justice/Northern District of Iowa, Friday, reported that a man from Carroll County who conspired to distribute meth while possessing guns, was sentenced on December 7th to more than 11 years in federal prison. In their statement, authorities said 43-year-old Christopher O’Tool, of Arcadia, pled guilty June 15, 2021, to two counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

At the hearings, evidence showed that O’Tool was involved in two conspiracies, one from about January 2016 through June 2016 and another from March 2019 through July 2019, in which he and others distributed more than 4 pounds of methamphetamine. In May and June 2016, O’Tool distributed over 50 grams of methamphetamine to individuals cooperating with law enforcement. On June 2, 2016, law enforcement stopped O’Tool, searched his vehicle and seized one pound of methamphetamine and a .45 caliber handgun, with ammunition. O’Tool admitted to his involvement in the distribution of methamphetamine in and around the Carroll, Iowa area, which he acquired from a source in Omaha, Nebraska. On July 11, 2019, law enforcement agents met with O’Tool and seized two 9mm pistols from O’Tool’s truck. O’Tool again admitted distributing meth in the Carroll, Iowa area.

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. O’Tool was sentenced to 136 months’ imprisonment and must serve a 4-year term of supervised release following any imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. O’Tool remains in custody pending transport to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, Denison Police Department, Carroll Police Department, and Iowa DCI.

(Anita, Iowa) – Some members of the current CAM Education Department’s Board of Directors will hold their last meeting together Monday night at the High School, at the Superintendent’s Office, in Anita. At 6:30-p.m., the retiring Board will conduct regular business that includes going over Administrative reports, accepting the election Abstract and Treasurer’s report. They will then adjourn. Afterward, the annual CAM School Board Organizational Meeting will take place.

That includes the Oath of Office to new Board Members Cara Murphy and Todd McKee, who has previously served with the Board. Other administrative duties, Monday, include:

• Election of Board President & Vice President (& Oath of Office)
• Appointment of Board Secretary/Treasurer (& Oath of Office)
• Establishing Board meeting date, time & location
• Acting on a Resolution naming depositories/deposit limits & authorized signatures, and,
• Designating Legal Counsel.

In other business, the Board will act on any resignations and contracts to come before them, and then discuss and/or act on the following:

• SBRC requests for Modified Supplemental Amount ($23,963) – for Open Enrollment Out, and $67, 073 – for At Risk/DropOut Prevention.
• Approval of a bus lease.
• Approval of a locker room repair bid.
• Approval of an amendment to the MSW (Master Social Worker) Service Agreement with GHAEA (Green Hills Area Education Agency)

Their final order of business before the monthly Board reports, is discussion with regard to district facilities, and the Bond Referendum results from Nov. 2nd. You may recall, the $30-million bond referendum was defeated by a vote of 825 No to 389 Yes. The measure would’ve funded the construction, furnish, remodel repair, improve, provide and equip the existing South Elementary/Middle School building and Senior High building. The proposal would’ve also enhanced the sites, transitioned to a single elementary site in Massena, a single Junior/Senior High site in Anita, and enhanced athletic complexes and areas.

Superintendent Paul Croghan said after the Nov. 2nd election, that the new Board will have to think about how to move forward in the District, but the issue with the facilities is still there.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council will meet in a regular session 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, at City Hall. The meeting will be the last for current Mayor Dave Jones and Councilman Dick Casady. Jones did not run for re-election in advance of the Nov. 2nd race, and Casady lost his 5th Ward seat to former Councilman Dana Halder, on Nov. 2nd. At Large Councilmember Grace Garrett, who won the Nov. 30th run-off election against Tim Teig, will be sworn-in as Mayor toward the end of Wednesday’s session, and be presented with the gavel by Mayor Jones.

Grace Garrett (2021 file photo)

Before Halder and Garrett are administered with their respective Oath’s of Office, the Atlantic City Council has some other business to attend to, including a Public Hearing with regard to a CDBG-CV application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), for a $100,000 grant to help the Atlantic Food Pantry buy food in 2022 and the first part of 2023 (CV stands for Covid-related relief). The City would serve as the application for the grant.

As part of the application process, a matching grant of $23,000 is required. Those funds have already been obtained through the recent “Scrooge” contest in Atlantic. Several points will be covered during the public hearing and addressed through citizen participation. Afterward, the Council will act on an Order to approve the Atlantic Food Pantry’s application for the CDBG-CV program.

In other business, the Council will act on an Order approving a Change Order for the Atlantic Downtown Revitalization Project, with regard to replacing broken glass at 511 Chestnut Street, and providing for additional repairs at 413 Chestnut. The cost of the change order ($1,838.05 total) will not be shouldered by the City alone. For every additional dollar of cost the property owner commits to the project, the City matches that with a dollar, and the federal government matches with two dollars.

Another part of the Council’s  meeting Wednesday evening, is an Order filling the vacant At-Large Council seat, by appointment. With Grace Garrett assuming the role as Mayor, her seat is left open. The Council has the option to fill the seat by appointment, but must first publish a notice of intent to do so not less than four and not more than 20 days before the date they consider the appointment. The appointment to fill the vacancy must be made within 60-days of the date of the vacancy. If the Council chooses to appoint, the public can petition for a special election to fill the vacancy. The petition must be filed within 14 days after the appointment is made or notice is published, whichever is later. It must also contain the required number of signatures, but no less than 10.

A person appointed by the Council will serve until the next city election. If a Special Election is called for, it will cost the City anywhere from $4,000 to $5,000. In other business, the Council will act on Orders to appoint to the Atlantic Airport Commission, Bill Garrett and Brad Henningsen. Garrett will replace Dr. Carrol Trewet, with the appointment lasting until Nov. 1, 2022. Henningsen will replace Mike Henningsen until Nov. 1, 2024.

Both Dr. Trewet and Mike Henningsen have tendered their resignations from the Commission.

(Omaha, NE./KETV – Police in Omaha have made an arrest in connection with the vandalism that took place recently at the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge crossing the Missouri River from Council Bluffs to Omaha. According to KETV, officers booked 42-year-old David Orlawski on a felony criminal mischief charge, Friday evening. They say he has an outstanding felony warrant out of Council Bluffs for a similar charge.

OPD released surveillance camera footage of the vandalism earlier this week. Police say during the early morning hours of Dec. 6, the suspect caused “significant” damage to the bridge’s lighting system. The damage is estimated at $90,000.

David Orlawski

Omaha Parks and Recreation says the destruction knocked out the LED system “for the foreseeable future,” but access to the bridge will continue.