(Radio Iowa) – Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra went to Van Horn, Texas, this weekend to tour what’s called the “Big Horn” sector of the U.S./Mexico border. Feenstra, who represents Iowa’s fourth congressional district, says illegal border crossings are at crisis levels and the Biden Administration needs to secure the border. Feenstra, who met with law enforcement officers in Texas, says fentanyl seizures have dramatically increased.

Republican Congresswomen Ashley Hinson of Marion and Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Ottumwa also have been to the southern border. All three Republicans from Iowa who are members of the U.S. House have called on Vice President Kamala Harris to visit the border.

President Biden has asked Harris to address the root causes of migration out of Honduras, Guatamala and El Salvador and he’s assigned the secretary of Homeland Security to address issues along the U-S/Mexico border.

(Radio Iowa) – A Fort Dodge woman has been sentenced to two years in prison for stealing an elderly relative’s life savings. 40-year-old Janice Jurgensen of Fort Dodge pleaded guilty to wire fraud. At her sentencing hearing, Jurgensen admitted stealing more than 120-thousand dollars from her relative, an elderly veteran who had suffered a severe stroke.

After getting power of attorney for the man, prosecutors say Jurgensen used his debit card to buy food, gas and even pay the fees for a dating website. Jurgensen drained the victim’s life savings and he was unable to pay for his nursing home care.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will hold a special meeting, beginning at 6-p.m. on Wed., May 26th, in the High School Media Center. During the meeting, they will discuss:

1. An Instructional Framework Plan
2. Health and Safety Modifications
3. A Phone System Upgrade

The Board will also act on resignations, including:

• Susan Wedemeyer, High School Art Teacher
• Jeff Ebling, MS Soc. Studies Teacher & Head HS Boys Basketball Coach. (Ebling submitted his resignation after accepting the Head Coaching job at Indianola.  His hiring is contingent upon approval by both the Atlantic and Indianola Boards of Education.)
• Erin Ebling, MS English Language Arts Teacher & Student Council Sponsor.

They are also expected to act on approving the following contract recommendations:

• Vanessa Perkins and Sara Rose, MS Summer Teachers.
• Minden Jones, Washington Elem. School Secretary.

(12-p.m. news) The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports seven arrests dating back to May 19th. Most recently, at around 2:23-a.m. Sunday, 46-year old Michael Leo Pickens, of Shenandoah, and 40-year-old Haley Ann Haynes, of Clarinda, were arrested following a traffic stop on 195th Street, in Mills County. Pickens was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (PCS), and Interference with Official Acts. His bond was set at $10,300. Haynes faces a PCS charge. Her bond was set at $10,000.

Saturday evening, 44-year-old Shane Michael Searl, of Clarinda, was arrested following a traffic stop on Highway 34 in Mills County. He was charged with PCS, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Driving While License Denied or Revoked. Bond was set at $2,300. At around 11-a.m. Saturday, 33-year-old Tyler Ehren Simmons, of Pacific Junction, was arrested at a location on Ingragam Avenue, for Domestic Abuse Assault and on for two counts of Child Endangerment. Simmons was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail. And, at around 1:30-a.m. Saturday, 19-year-old Ian Eric Kermoade, of Omaha, was arrested following a traffic stop on I-29, and charged with OWI/1st offense. Bond was set at $1,000.

Thursday evening, 47-year-old Jerry Lee Dawson, of Silver City, was arrested for Driving While Barred, with bond set at $2,000. Wednesday morning, Mills County Deputies arrested 38-year-old Dustin Lee Harriman, of Council Bluffs. He was taken into custody at the Pott. County Jail, on a warrant for two counts Violation of probation. Bond was set at $20,000.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office said also, no injuries were reported following an accident that took place at around 8:45-a.m. Friday, at 288th Street and Highway 34. Authorities say 37-year-old Sarah Johnson, from Omaha, was driving a 2017 Chrysler eastbound on Highway 34, and following a dump truck, when a large rock kicked up from under the dump truck and shot through the Chrysler’s windshield. The rock traveled through the windshield, narrowly missing Johnson. It landed in the back seat of her vehicle. The impact caused the entire windshield to shatter, leaving Johnson covered with shards of glass.

(Radio Iowa) – The defense attorney for the man accused of murdering 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts in Brooklyn, Iowa, in 2018 has focused his questioning today (Monday) asking about other suspects. Chad Frese, the defense attorney for Cristhian Bahena Rivera, questioned Special Agent Trent Vileta, of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. “Would you agree with me given your experience that this was a violent death for Mollie Tibbetts?” Frese asked. Vileta replied: “Yes, it was.” Frese continued: “Somebody stabbed her multiple times…Would you agree with me that she was stabbed with a significant amount of force?” Vileta said: “That would be a better question for the pathologist.”

Prosecutors are planning to call the State Medical Examiner to testify. The defense attorney has asked questions about Tibbetts’ boyfriend and brought up tips to law enforcement about the man who lived near the field where Tibbetts body was found.”You didn’t find it a bit ironic that this man you’d received at least two tips on, her body was found a quarter mile from his house?” Frese asked. Vileta replied: “No, not at all.”

Agent Vileta testified that Rivera’s confession had cleared the neighbor to the field where Tibbetts had been buried under corn stalks.

(Greenfield) – In honor of Memorial Day, Ray “Bubba” Sorensen is repainting a 12-foot tall, approximately 60-ton boulder located south of Interstate 80 and just east of Highway 25, in Adair County. The boulder is painted each year in order to pay tribute to our military men and women. Sorensen started painting the original Freedom Rock® the first week of May and plans to be finished by Memorial Day 2021.

Ray “Bubba” Sorensen works on the 2021 rendition of the “Freedom Rock,” in northern Adair County.

According to Sorensen, “This year’s front side features an up-close look at the grief of losing a loved one in service. A lady sits at the base of her loved one’s headstone at Arlington, while the ghosts of those who made the ultimate sacrifice come to console her. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is in the distance, with a folded American flag faintly visible in the sky, with a portion of the Mrs. Bixby letter, that President Lincoln wrote. On the south side, the Twin Towers and a fireman (in honor of the 20th anniversary) paired with Pat Tillman, who was inspired to forgo his 3.6-million-dollar NFL contract to join the Army Airborne Rangers.

On the east side is Major General John Clem, who joined the Army at the ripe old age of 9. Making him the youngest non-commissioned officer in Army history. On the Northeast side is Oscar Austin, a Marine who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for throwing his, already injured, self between his fellow soldier and an enemy’s attack. The north side features the Huey Helicopter in which the paint contains the cremains of over 120 Vietnam Veterans from around the country. On the northwest side is Bud Schultz, a local WWII Veteran
who was a MIA and a POW until the end of the war.”

Sorensen is not commissioned for his work on the original Freedom Rock® near Menlo, but works as an independent mural artist on the Iowa Freedom Rock® Tour. Sorensen is only able to complete about ten rocks per year, due to scheduling and weather. Sorensen says “I always say I have three goals with ‘The Freedom Rock® Tour’ and that is to honor America’s Veterans,
promote Iowa tourism and provide for my family.”

“The Freedom Rock® Tour in Iowa will be concluding soon and the Sorensens will be auctioning off the 100th Iowa Freedom Rock to cap the end of the Tour soon,” Sorensen and his wife, Maria said. Until then, the Freedom Rock®Foundation, a non-profit to care for and upkeep and create the Freedom Rocks® and Veteran’s memorials across the state and country, is up and
running at www.FreedomRock.Foundation. For a list of complete counties booked for the Tour and locations of already existing Freedom Rocks®, please visit www.thefreedomrock.com.

Although it is Sorensen’s 23rd year of painting the original Freedom Rock®, this is Sorensen’s eighth year on the Freedom Rock® Tour across Iowa. This also marked the fourth year since Sorensen began the 50 State Freedom Rock® Tour with rocks already painted in Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Washington. Freedom Rocks® have been booked for the states of North Dakota Nebraska. Sorensen plans to be at The Freedom Rock® over Memorial Day weekend, including Memorial Day to meet with visitors. Calendars as well as other merchandise are also available to help offset costs for the project. Social distancing practices will be implemented.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports, a deputy dispatched at around 9:35-a.m. Sunday to a disturbance at residence in Avoca, arrested 20-year-old Martin William Wayne Turner, of Avoca, for Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree. He allegedly punched a window on the entry door of the residence, breaking out the glass. The incident happened after Turner was locked out of the house by his mother following an argument. His bond was set at $300.

Saturday night, 22-year-old Gage Alan Eggum, of Council Bluffs, was arrested after a deputy was dispatched to the Old Mormon Bridge for a welfare check in Crescent. Eggum was taken into custody for Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Drug. His bond was set at $1,000.

Saturday evening, 36-year-old Cory Ross Smith was arrested following a traffic stop, in Treynor. Smith was charged with Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender. And, late Friday night, 41-year-old Lori Beth Bristol was arrested following a traffic stop in the Underwood area. She was charged with OWI/1st offense.

(Atlantic) – Officials with Cass County Health System report, effective today (Monday, May 24, 2021), CCHS has changed its operations in several areas, in response to decreasing COVID-19 cases and increasing vaccination rates:
Test Iowa
Patients will continue to complete the online assessment and make an appointment, but the drive-thru service will no longer be available. Beginning Monday, patients with a Test Iowa appointment should park in Lot C and enter through the Emergency Department.

Visitor Policy
All visitors must be in good health and pass entrance screening. Masks are always required to be worn over the nose and mouth. Inpatients will be allowed open visitation; visitors of all ages are welcome. Visitor policies for COVID isolation patients will remain in place; special exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.
Whenever possible, Cass Health recommends that all outpatients have only one visitor with them during an appointment.

Entrance Screening
All patients and visitors will be briefly screened at all entrances. Every patient and visitor will receive a dated sticker that must be worn while in the facility. Masks are required for all patients and visitors and must always be worn over the nose and mouth.

Respiratory Care Clinic Closes
The dedicated Respiratory Care Clinic will close. All patients with respiratory symptoms can now be seen at AMC Rapid Care or by appointment with a provider at the Atlantic, Anita, Griswold, or Massena Medical Center.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) has announced her office will be holding traveling office hours in all 99 counties across Iowa at different times during the month of June to provide assistance with casework for constituents. It should be noted, that the Senator will not be at the traveling office hours. Representatives from Senator Ernst’s office will be available in every county throughout the state to assist Iowans with problems or questions about issues involving Social Security, veterans’ benefits, military affairs, passports, immigration issues, and other federal programs.

FILE – In this May 19, 2020, file photo, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, speaks with reporters after a Senate Republican weekly luncheon on Capitol Hill in Washington. Four relatively unknown Iowa Democrats are competing in a primary Tuesday to take on Ernst. The endeavor was once viewed as a long shot. But Ernst’s slip in approval and the rallying of Iowa and national Democrats behind one of the four has the race receiving a second look. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

Those who are seeking assistance with federal agencies but who are unable to attend the traveling office hours can contact one of the Senator’s offices directly or submit a casework request online at www.Ernst.Senate.Gov.

A list of all upcoming dates and area locations can be found below (in alphabetical order).

Adair County: Monday, June 7, 2021; 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM; Farmers Merchant State Bank 114 S. Broad Street, Orient.

Adams County: Thursday, June 10, 2021; 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM; Corning Public Library 603 9th Street, Corning.

Audubon County: Tuesday, June 15, 2021; 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM; Audubon Public Library 401 North Park Place, Audubon.

Carroll County: Wednesday, June 23, 2021; 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM; Carroll Chamber of Commerce 407 W 5th St., Carroll,

Cass County: Tuesday, June 8, 2021; 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM; Atlantic Public Library Meeting Room B 507 Poplar Street, Atlantic.

Crawford County: Wednesday, June 23, 2021; 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM; Schleswig City Hall 111 2nd Street, Schleswig.

Dallas County: Tuesday, June 8, 2021; 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM; Adel Public Library Meeting Room 303 S 10th Street, Adel.

Fremont County: Thursday, June 10, 2021; 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM; Hamburg City Hall 1201 Main Street, Hamburg.

Guthrie County: Wednesday, June 9, 2021; 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM; Guthrie County Courthouse Public Meeting Room 200 North 5th Street, Guthrie Center.

Harrison County: Tuesday, June 15, 2021; 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM; Missouri Valley Public Library 420 East Huron Street, Missouri Valley.

Madison County: Thursday, June 24, 2021; 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM; Madison County Annex Conference Room 201 W Court Avenue, Winterset.

Mills County: Tuesday, June 8, 2021; 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM; Glenwood City Hall 5 North Vine Street, Glenwood.

Monona County: Wednesday, June 23, 2021; 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM; Onawa Public Library Small Meeting Room 707 Iowa Avenue, Onawa.

Montgomery County: Tuesday, June 8, 2021; 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM; Red Oak Chamber of Commerce Board Room 307 East Reed Street, Red Oak.

Page County: Thursday, June 10, 2021; 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM; Clarinda Public Library 100 East Garfield Street, Clarinda.

Pottawattamie County: Tuesday, June 8, 2021; 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM; Walnut City Hall 229 Antique City Drive, Walnut.

Ringgold County: Tuesday, June 15, 2021; 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM; Ringgold County Courthouse Conference Room 109 West Madison Street, Mount Ayr.

Shelby County: Thursday, June 15, 2021; 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM; Harlan Chamber of Commerce 1901 Hawkeye Avenue, Harlan.

Taylor County: Thursday, June 10, 2021;11:15 AM – 12:15 PM; Bedford Public Library 507 Jefferson Street, Bedford.

Union County: Monday, June 7, 2021; 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM; Union County Courthouse Law Enforcement Center Room 300 N Pine St, Creston.

(Greenfield) – Officials with the Adair County Health System, an affiliate of MercyOne, have announced Catherine Hillestad will join ACHS as Chief Executive Officer, effective July 7, 2021. Hillestad is a native of Des Moines. Officials say she brings experience in community and rural health care systems to her new position, including serving in an interim CEO role at the Davis County Hospital in Bloomfield, and most recently, as Practice Administrator at the Iowa Clinic, in Des Moines.

Catherine Hillestad

Hillestad says she’s excited to join the Adair County Health System. “I look forward,” she said, “to building relationships with everyone at the hospital and in the community of Greenfield. I hope to create a center of excellence for rural healthcare for people in Adair County.” Willard Olesen, Chair of the Adair County Health System Board of Trustees, said Hillestad “Knows what is needed to continue to deliver quality care in Adair County, which is vital to our community.”