(Des Moines, Iowa) – Officials with the Montgomery County ISU Extension and Outreach office report Brian and Mary Carlson, of Montgomery County, were inducted into the 2025 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, Aug. 17. Ninety-two Iowa counties participated this year and selected 122 inductees for their outstanding service and dedication to 4-H. Inductees or their surviving family members were presented a certificate by the Iowa 4H Foundation President, Don Timmins, and State 4-H Program Leader, Mitchell Hoyer, as they were introduced on stage.

Brian and Mary Carlson have always tried to lead by example. Mary serves as a static superintendent and has for 30+ years. Brian and Mary served as 4-H leaders when their four children were participating in 4-H. Brian held several woodworking workshops for the club, as well as helping 4-H members with their projects. Brian served on the Fair board. Brian and Mary are usually helping on the fairgrounds before, during and after the fair. Most evenings you can find them in the Grandstands concession stand working with many other fair supporters. Mary has announced for the livestock auction for the last few years. Brian and Mary have always tried to help and encourage our future leaders through 4-H.

Photo courtesy Katie Hart, Montgomery Co. Extension

Counties select inductees for their exceptional work in contributing to the lives of 4-H members and the overall 4-H program. Many inductees serve as club leaders, youth mentors, fair superintendents or fair board members, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach county council members, county youth council members, fair judges, financial supporters, chaperones or ISU Extension and Outreach staff members. The inductees have demonstrated dedication, encouragement, commitment and guidance to Iowa’s 4-H’ers through the years.

“We are honored to recognize these special individuals, for their advocacy and dedication to the Iowa 4-H program,” shared Iowa 4-H Foundation Executive Director, Emily Saveraid. “This is a great way to honor the volunteers and staff across the state of Iowa that generously give their time and talents to foster positive partnerships with our 4-H youth,” said Tillie Good, Iowa 4-H staff and volunteer development manager.

The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was initiated in 2002 to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of 4-H. A summary of previous honorees was on display at the 2022 Iowa State Fair in the 4-H Exhibits Building. These summaries are also available at the Iowa 4-H Foundation office in the Extension 4-H Youth Building at Iowa State University. Information about previous inductees to the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame also is available on the Iowa 4-H Foundation website, organized by year and by county. Go to www.iowa4hfoundation.org/ and under the heading “What We Do” select “Recognizing Service” then “Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.”

(Radio Iowa) – A local business owner with plans to renovate a 77-year-old building in downtown Algona is getting a $100,000 state grant for the project, along with $100,000 in matching funds from the City of Algona. Luke Arrowood already uses the basement of the former State Hotel Building for his “Active Aging” business. “We needed to do something with the building before it was too late,” Arrowood said.

Photo of former State Hotel in Algona that’s undergoing renovation. (City of Algona photo)

Arrowood’s plan is to create retail space in the front of the building for West River Meats, which currently sells beef, pork and beef tallow from a location in Rutland. A studio apartment will be in the back. “Algona’s first A.D.A. compliant apartment for downtown living,” Arrowood said. A wall in the middle of the building will be opened, to create activity space. “My goal is to have it more geared toward kids and more like obstacle-like course things,” Arrowood said. “The main level will be more functional fitness, the basement is more just like a commercial like gym.”

July of 2027 is the target date for completion of phase one of the project. The building’s exterior will be restored and other infrastructure will lay the groundwork for second floor apartments to be developed later.

(Radio Iowa) – A retail chain that’s been a shopping mall staple for ear piercing and jewelry purchases is closing nearly 300 stores nationwide, including three in Iowa. Claire’s has filed for bankruptcy for the second time since 2018. A list submitted to the bankruptcy court indicates the Claire’s stores in North Grand Mall in Ames and Merle Hay Mall in Des Moines as well as the Icing store in Jordan Creek Towne Center in West Des Moines will be closed. The company’s seven other stores in Iowa will remain open. They’re in Altoona, Burlington, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Davenport and Dubuque. However, the company has indicated if it can’t find a buyer, it will have to close hundreds more stores.

Claire’s stores that will remain open include those in: Westland Mall in Burlington; Kennedy Mall in Dubuque; Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids; College Square in Cedar Falls; Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville; The Outlets of Des Moines – Altoona, and NorthPark Mall in Davenport.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office, today (Thursday), released a report on arrests that took place between Aug. 22nd and the 25th.

On the 25th: 30-year-old Christian Monreal Sempek, of Elliott, turned himself-in to the sheriff’s office. He was wanted on a Cass County Bench/Public Arrest Warrant for Failure To Appear. Sempek was booked into the Cass County Jail and later released on bond.

On August 24th: 46-year-old Clint Lee Barlow, of Lewis, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault-1st offense, and Interference with Official Acts. Barlow was also booked into the Cass County Jail and later released on bond; and, 64-year-old Kelly Leroy Young, of Atlantic, was arrested on the 24th for Possession of a Controlled Substance. Young was later released on his own recognizance.

And, on August 22nd, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 45-year-old Crystal Dawn Branch,  of Griswold, on a Cass County Sheriff’s Office warrant for Interference with Official Acts. Branch was later released on bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Harvest season will be starting soon and forecasts predict Iowa will have a record corn crop, which would bring a drop in prices. Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig says he’s working to continue finding new international markets for Iowa’s top commodities. “The governor and I will be traveling to India just in a little under two weeks as an example of what we’re doing at the state of Iowa, and I’ll be back leading a trade mission in November to Vietnam and Indonesia, so we’re going to continue to push hard,” Naig says. “We received visitors from Canada, Bangladesh and India just at the State Fair a couple of weeks ago, so this is a very active time in terms of trade.” Naig acknowledges this is a challenging situation when looking at prices and profitability for growers of corn and soybeans.

Radio Iowa file photo

“We’re not where we need to be,” he says. “The value of the crop is below the cost of production. That’s not sustainable and that has ripple effects throughout the whole supply chain, everything from equipment to inputs.” While many Iowans have been concerned about the Trump administration’s tariffs, Naig says those tariffs are translating to trade opportunities, including with partners in the U-K, Japan and Korea. “This is something that doesn’t have one solution,” Naig says. “We need to make sure we’re unleashing biofuels, year-round access to E-15, sustainable aviation fuel. We’ve got to use more of what we grow and let’s do it here domestically, but let’s also export it.”

Naig made his comments during a visit to northwest Iowa this week at the Heritage Bison Ranch near Hinton.

(Woodbine, Iowa) – Officials with the Woodbine Community School District, Wednesday, sought to reassure parents and guardians that there was no credible threat to students or staff following an incident on campus late Wednesday afternoon. Our sister station KDSN in Denison says according to District officials, a community-wide blood drive was being held at the school when an attendee was seen with what appeared to be a weapon in their front pocket. School officials said the individual was immediately confronted, and law enforcement was called.

Upon questioning, the community member admitted they had forgotten the weapon was in their possession. Authorities quickly determined there was no intent to harm anyone, and the incident did not pose a threat to the school. The district noted the individual does have a valid permit to carry a concealed weapon but emphasized that firearms are not permitted on school grounds under any circumstances. The person involved was described as apologetic and remorseful. “Keeping students safe is very important to us,” the district said in its statement. “We want this to serve as a reminder that even with a concealed carry permit, weapons cannot be brought onto school property.”

Officials confirmed that law enforcement will take additional steps as required, but stressed that students and staff are and were safe, and the situation was resolved.

(Creston, Iowa) – A Union County man was arrested late Wednesday evening, in Creston. According to the Creston Police Department, 41-year-old Troy Richard Davis, of Creston,was arrested at around 7:34-p.m., for Violation of a No Contact/Protective Order. Davis was being held without bond in the Union County Jail, until seen by a Judge.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – The 2025 Guthrie County Fair gets today (Thursday), and continue through Labor Day Monday, Sept. 1st. Some activities began Wednesday, but the bulk of the activities begin today. View the complete schedule below, go to www.guthriecountyfair.com, or follow the Fair on Facebook.

(Radio Iowa) – A South Dakota man has been charged with first-degree murder following the beating death of a man in Spencer. First responders found the body of 38-year-old Djay Loudner in an alley in Spencer late Tuesday. Court documents show officers reviewed surveillance video from a nearby business and discovered Loudner had been repeatedly punched and kicked by another man. Police arrested 44-year-old Wade St. John of Eagle Butte, South Dakota early Wednesday morning, and he’s being held in the Clay County Jail on a 750-thousand dollar bond.

(Radio Iowa) – A former Iowa House Democrat is running the Fourth Congressional District seat. Dave Dawson is a lawyer from Lawton, who served two terms in the Iowa House. The 51-year-old Dawson says there’s momentum after Democrats won two special elections in the heavily Republican district.  “As long as we are focusing on issues that matter to people like education funding, healthcare funding, and making sure we’re working to increase incomes and wages for Iowa workers. I think those are the things that mattered most to people when they sit down and take time to vote,” Dawson says.

Dawson says the 4th District has been forgotten by current congressional representation.  “And it’s time to have somebody who is a public servant and proven leader step forward who’s going to put people before politics or partisanship,” he says. He says Congress should focus on policies that grow Iowa. “My priorities include expanding healthcare options and research, investing in rural communities, raising incomes and increasing competition, strengthening Social Security and Medicare, and protecting our rights and freedoms,” Dawson says.

Dawson served in the Iowa House from 2013 to 2017 but did not seek re-election. Two other Democrats are also in the race, in addition to four Republicans. Incumbent Congressman Randy Feenstra plans to make an announcement soon if he will run for governor.