(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department say a man residing in the 200 block of Cottonwood Road, informed Police at around 10:15-p.m. Wednesday, that his pickup truck was missing. The orange/copper 1981 Chevrolet K20 pickup was parked outside Supreme Cleaners between 6-p.m. and 10:11-p.m., Wednesday. The loss was estimated at $3,000.

Local & area News from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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(Radio Iowa) – Iowa First District Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, a Republican from Marion, voted against raising the debt limit in the House Tuesday. “We are hearing the Democrats in Washington D-C talking about cutting a trillion or two from a multitrillion-dollar social spending spree like they should get a pat on the back for that for being fiscally responsible,” Hinson says. ” And I think it is very clear to Iowans that these are not nickles and dimes — we are dealing in trillions of dollars here. And the Democrats have forgotten how many zeros are in trillions.”

Hinson says her vote sends a message on Democrat spending. “It is critical of course, that we do not default on our debt. But it is equally important that we don’t let democrats spend as much as they want on whatever they want to. Or to signal to them that we will give them a pathway to do that in the future,” she says.

A proposal to have banks track accounts with 600 dollars or more in them is part of the Democrats’ spending proposal. Hinson is not in favor of the idea. “It’s a completely invasive policy, we heard Speaker Pelosi acknowledge that for the first time,” Hinson says.

The Biden Administration says the proposal is designed to find people who are NOT paying taxes they owe. “I can tell you loud and clear Iowans do not want the I-R-S to monitor when they are paying their bills or making a big grocery store run. I think about families making a big trip to Costco or HyVee and stocking up. Why does the government need to know that? That’s exactly why I have been leading the charge against this in Washington D-C with my legislation, the Protecting Financial Privacy Act,” according to Hinson.

Hinson says the proposal is a way to expand the size of the I-R-S. “We need more border patrol agents — not more I-R-S agents right now,” Hinson says.

Her comments came during her weekly conference call with reporters.

(Radio Iowa) – The U-S-D-A is rolling out a new insurance option designed for producers with small farms who sell locally. It’s called the Micro Farm Policy and it simplifies record-keeping and covers post-production costs like washing and value-added programs. Iowa Farmers Union president Aaron Lehman (LAY-mun) sees this as a great option for beginning and small-to-medium-sized farmers. “For that type of farmer, there tends to be a lack of support mechanisms that are in place for more traditional farmers,” Lehman says, “and it’s a big barrier for our next generation of farmers and our farmers who want to connect with their local communities through growing local and regional food.”

Lehman says the Micro Farm Policy promises to fit well with producers who are looking to grow their operations in new directions. “It’s not just those who are new to farming,” Lehman says. “It’s for farmers who want to diversify their farm operation and branch into different operations. A modified whole-farm policy that is more accessible, is certainly a big part of it.” Lehman says a wide range of Iowa farmers can use this type of insurance program. “We have a lot of farmers who need the enhanced services that this might provide,” he says, “so we’ll see how the roll-out goes and how it comes from here.”

The Micro Farm Policy will be available beginning with the 2022 crop year through Whole Farm Revenue Protection.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Police in Council Bluffs say charges are currently pending against a man described as being a transient, following a car-jacking incident Wednesday night. Authorities report that at around 8:23 pm, officers responded to a carjacking in the area of North 16th street and Avenue G. It was reported that the incident began as an accident, in which the offender’s vehicle struck the victim’s vehicle from behind.

The male victim exited the vehicle to see the damage and the offender jumped in the driver’s seat of the victim’s vehicle driving away. The victim’s wife was in the passenger seat and fell out of the vehicle onto the roadway sustaining serious injury. The alleged suspect, 33-year-old Zachary White,  drove west towards Omaha and causing several accidents along the way. White was stopped by officers from Council Bluffs PD and the Iowa State Patrol using a PIT maneuver on the Iowa side of the I‐480 Bridge.

White was taken to UNMC for injuries he sustained during this incident of the accidents and carjacking. Police says White  will be charged with Robbery. Additional charges are pending at this time. The incident remains under investigation.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has released a report on arrests from the past couple of weeks. Most recently:

On Tuesday (10/12),  53-year-old Tina Marie Hilts, of Logan, was arrested following a call for a vehicle fire in the ditch along the 500 block of Dogwood Road.  Upon arrival and further investigation, it was determined that Hilts would be taken into custody and charged with operating while intoxicated 1st offense, child endangerment, and reckless driving.  Hilt was transferred to the jail for further testing and then released over to jail staff without further incident where she was held pending appearance before the magistrate the following morning.  Hilts was seen and bond set at $2000 cash or surety, and she was released later in the evening after posting the required bond.

On Monday (10/11):  38-year-old Shane Michael Givehand, of Omaha, was taken into custody on a statewide warrant for failure to appear on original charge of forgery in Pottawattamie District Court.    Givehand was able to post the required cash bond and released from custody and given a future court date to appear.

Sunday, Oct. 10th, Shelby County Deputies arrested 23-year-old Alex Michael Petersen, of Avoca, following a traffic stop along Highway 59 in Shelby County.   Petersen who had been stopped for traffic violations and upon further investigation was taken into custody and charged with Operation while intoxicated 1st offense, failure to yield to emergency vehicle, and operating a non-registered vehicle.   Petersen was taken to the jail without incident and held under a $1000 cash or surety bond, and then released under his own recognizance the following morning.

On Oct. 6th: 26-year-old Samantha Marie Swanson, of Council Bluffs, was taken into custody by the Iowa State Patrol following a traffic stop in Shelby County.   Swanson driving privileges through the State of Iowa are barred, therefore she taken into custody and charged with Driving while barred habitual offender, improper use of registration, and no proof of insurance.   Swanson was released later that afternoon after posting the required surety bond.

And, on Oct. 1st:  30-year-old Kaleigh Marie Turner was taken into custody following a traffic stop and charged with driving under suspension.   Turner was processed into the Shelby County jail without incident and released a short time later after posting the required cash bond.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School Board met in a regular session, Wednesday evening. During their session, that lasted a little more than three-hours, the Board received updated enrollment and COVID-19 information from Superintendent Steve Barber. All districts are required to certify their enrollment by October 15th, so the official count will be completed by Friday. Mr. Barber said the latest data shows an increase in certified enrollments over last year, from 1,333.32 to 1,376.16.

He said also, there were 25 staff and 60 students out with COVID over the past eight weeks of school. Mr. Barber said 40% of student absences were attributed to OTHER illnesses, such as RSV and Strep throat.

In other business, the Board received a presentation from Atlantic School Foundation President Ted Robinson and Treasurer Steve Tjepkes, with regard to the purpose, and benefits to students and the District derives from the Foundation. More information can be found on the Atlantic Community School District’s website under “District,” and then “Support Groups.”

The Board approved (in their Consent Agenda), approval of resignations, including: Melissa Smith (Food Service), and Marsha Von Seggem (Jr. Kindergarten/End of the 2021-22 School Year). And, they approved Contract Recommendations for: Rebecca Garcia, EL Paraeducator; Melissa Smith, HS Paraeducator; Kirstin Sopcich, WA Office Paraeducator, and Paige Carrier, WA Paraeducator; Lisa Andersen – Food Service at Schuler; and Chris Kennedy, Substitute Bus Route Driver.

The Board discussed the 2020-21 Audit Review and End of Year Financial Report; a Retirement Incentive Program; and Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) Test Scores, along with an Employee Appreciation Day. School Business Official/Board Secretary Sarah Sheeder mentioned there are 22 staff members currently eligible for an early retirement program, IF the district were to offer it. In the past, it was limited to the first 10 to apply. The program was last offered three-years ago.  The Board decided it was be best NOT to offer the retirement package in the coming year, due in- part to the difficulty in replacing those teachers and staff in the current economy.

With regard to Action items on their agenda include, the Atlantic School Board approved:

• The renaming of the Annual Trojans Track & Field Invitational to the Bruce Henderson Track and Field Invitational.
• A Boys Swimming Sharing Agreement with Riverside.
• An out-of-state trip for seven-to 14 students to Louisville, Kentucky, for the National FFA Convention. The trip will take place from Oct. 26-30.
• A rental agreement between the school district and Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, with regard to the use of classroom space for the Home School Assistance Program classroom. The church will provide all supplies and maintenance for the program. (rental amount, $1,615 per month)
• and, the Board approved the purchase of 15 Interactive Touch Displays for teachers to use in the classroom (total cost: $49,455), and a Digital Trophy Case that will provide current and historical information. The Atlantic School Foundation, Atlantic Booster Club and the Robinson Family have offered to share in funding the display case ($7,800), with the school’s share amounting to $8,875 (total cost for the display case: $16,675).

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three separate arrests occurred on Tuesday.

• At around 9:10-a.m., 41-year-old Brian Keith Koetting, of California, MO., was arrested in Cole County, MO., for: Stalking – Protective Order Violation; 2 counts Extortion by physical threat; 2 counts Harassment in the 1st Degree; 3 counts Harassment in the 3rd Degree; Violation of a No Contact Order; and Contempt of Court for Violation of a No Contact Order -Domestic. Koetting’s bond was set at $19,000.
• 24-year-old Danielle Beverly Galica, of Council Bluffs, was arrested just before 5-p.m. Tuesday on I-29 in Mills County, on a warrant out of Pottawattamie County for Violation of Probation. Bond was set at $5,000.
• And, 37-year-old Tiffanie Pearl Anderson, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at around 9:15-p.m., on a Pott. County warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault. She was being held without bond, in the Mills County Jail.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Parks and Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen says on Saturday October 23rd, at 9-a.m., you’re invited to join the Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department at Sunnyside Park for a leisurely bike ride around the City of Atlantic. The ride will start and end at Sunnyside Park and is about 9.5 miles, but it is broken into 6 stages and goes past all the different parks in Atlantic.

You’re welcome to complete all the stages, or just do a few. Come enjoy great conversation and learn more about the great things happening in the area. There will be local organizations along the route showcasing many upcoming events. Come see what all the fun is about!

Want to join, but don’t have a bike? No problem! The Parks and Recreation Department has bikes and helmets you can use free of charge. If you have questions please contact the Parks and Rec Office at (712) 243-3542.

(Radio Iowa) – A proposal to build what’s called the world’s largest carbon dioxide pipeline is drawing opposition from Iowa farmers and environmentalists. Summit Carbon Solutions plans to build 700 miles of pipeline across Iowa to capture carbon from ethanol plants and bury it deep underground in North Dakota.

Beth Richards’ family farms in Hardin County, which is in the proposed path, and she questions how landowners would benefit from the project.  “Why should landowners welcome encroachment on their land for a project that doesn’t pay direct dividends to them other than a vague promise that ethanol is good for corn prices,” Richards says. “And why isn’t rent going to be paid for the land or profits shared with farmers?” Summit officials say they see the project as a way to keep ethanol viable and secure a market for Iowa corn. In a public meeting Tuesday, Iowa resident John Norris said the project is a false solution to climate change.

“As much as the ethanol industry is important to Iowa, it is an industry that’s on the decline,” Norris says. “The next two decades we will see a continued decrease in the demand for ethanol. We need to start planning for what’s next.” Summit is in the process of holding public meetings in the 30 Iowa counties the pipeline would pass through. After the meetings are held, the company can petition state regulators for a permit.

(by Kate Payne, Iowa Public Radio)