(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office, Thursday, said the Sheriff’s Department K9 “Danken” and the Glenwood Police Department, assisted in the apprehension on Wednesday, of a wanted subject.

In a news release, the agency said they received an anonymous tip Wednesday, with regard to the location of a man who had active felony warrants in Mills County and surrounding jurisdictions. The man – identified as 47-year-old Aaron Michael Lacy – was reportedly staying in a camper located on a property in Mills County.

Mills County Sheriff’s Dept. K9 “Danken” (Mills County K9 Facebook photo)

At the scene, arriving deputies located a vehicle associated with Lacy, and they found a man matching his description fleeing on foot eastbound, from the camper. Mills County Deputy Rice, along with his K9 partner Danken, began a track of the suspect and ultimately found him in a wooded area, hiding in a tree. Aaron Lacy was taken into custody without further incident and was transported to the Mills County Jail. His preliminary hearing was set for Sept. 12th in Mills County District Court.

Authorities say in addition to his Mills County warrants, Lacy was wanted on warrants out of Audubon County (IA) and Douglas County (NE). He was charged with Interference with Official Acts associated with his attempt to flee. The Mills County K9 thanks the community for its continued support of the program. “The ongoing partnership between our deputies, K9’s and residents,” authorities say, “plays a vital role in keeping Mills County safe.”

Disclaimer: “A criminal charge is merely an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.”

(Radio Iowa) – Many people are dreaming of becoming billionaires by winning the (as of the posting of this report) estimated one-point-seven BILLION dollar Powerball jackpot Saturday night. Iowa Lottery C-E-O Matt Strawn says there are a few things you need to do if you do win. “Secure that ticket. So whether that’s the bank security box or some secure place, secure that ticket and then consult A trusted advisor. Whether it’s a financial advisor or an attorney, put together a plan for coming in to claim that prize,” Strawn says. Strawn says you have plenty of time to make that plan. “You have 180 days to come see us at lottery headquarters to make arrangements for claiming your prize. So while we would love to know who you are right away on that first day, just know that there is no pressure,” he says. “You have the opportunity to take your time, consult professional advisors and then come and see us and we’ll have that celebration.”

Strawn says the Iowa Lottery would find out if there is a jackpot winner late Saturday. “If it did happen to be sold in Iowa very shortly thereafter, I will know where that ticket was sold, not just the community it was sold in, but the particular retailer that sold that ticket,” Strawn says. He says they prepare for the winner as soon as they know there’s an Iowa winner. “There’s a whole sequence of security processes that take place with our investigators, because even though we may not know who bought that ticket yet, we know that we need to start the investigating process to make sure we know as much about that purchase as possible before an individual comes in to claim the price,” Strawn says.

You would have the option of 770 million in cash or select to get yearly payments. This is the third-largest jackpot in U-S history, and the largest since a a one-point-765 billion jackpot was won in 2023.

(Radio Iowa) – The Catholic Diocese of Des Moines is reviewing emergency procedures for its schools after last week’s shootings at a Minneapolis Catholic school that left two children dead and injured 21 other worshipers, most of them children. The diocese will review procedures for situations beyond the classroom, like in church, at recess, and in the lunchroom. Diocese spokeswoman Anne Marie Cox says they’re also asking schools to practice emergency drills.

Cox says, “Our parishes, they have a balancing act to address with making sure that the people who come to our worship centers are safe while offering hospitality and welcoming those who want to come to pray or celebrate the Eucharist with us.” Before the shooting, the diocese told parishes to enhance security by using the same door for entering and exiting, and by keeping doors open during services. They also encouraged ushers to keep an eye out for unusual behavior. The former bishop of the diocese says people need to push for gun control measures and more attention to mental health issues. Bishop Richard Pates says the church should pray for students and staff impacted by the shooting, but also accompany prayer with action. Pates said pushing for more gun control will require both moral and political strength.

“This is something we really need to do,” Pates says. “If we love our children, love ourselves, etcetera, because the shootings oftentimes in different scenarios are indiscriminate.” Pates previously served at the Annunciation Church and School in Minneapolis before coming to Iowa. He says working towards gun-related changes will be a hard fight. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz says he will call lawmakers there back for a special session to vote on gun control measures.

Cox and Pate made their comments on the Iowa Public Radio program River to River.

(Creston, Iowa) – Firefighters in Creston responded Thursday afternoon to a residential structure fire in the 600 block of North Chestnut Street. The call came in a little before 4-p.m. Authorities say when crews arrived, they saw flames coming through the bedroom windows of the home. The occupants had safely evacuated prior to firefighters’ arrival.

The Creston Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Greater Regional Health’s Medic 1, and Union County Emergency Management Agency were also on-site to provide additional services and assist the displaced family.

Additional firefighting response to the scene was received from crews with the Afton Volunteer Fire Department. Creston firefighters wrapped-up their work a little after 6-p.m., but were called-back to the scene to check for hot spots before securing the structure.

The cause of the fire is currently undetermined. No injuries were reported. (Photos by Chuck Spindler with the Creston VFD via their Facebook page)

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) is investigating a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases among individuals living in north central Marshalltown. Since the beginning of the investigation, 21 individuals have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease and an older adult with underlying health conditions has died. Iowa HHS shares our condolences to the family and friends of this individual.

Legionnaires’ disease is caused by Legionella bacteria and thrives in warm water environments and is typically spread through the inhalation of aerosolized water droplets, such as mist from cooling towers, hot tubs, and decorative fountains. Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious and most healthy people who are exposed to Legionella bacteria do not get sick.

“Iowans should know that Legionnaires’ disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics if diagnosed early. Adults aged 50 and older, those who smoke or individuals with chronic lung conditions should seek medical care promptly if they develop flu-like or respiratory symptoms,” said Dr. Robert Kruse, Medical Director at Iowa HHS.

(Photo of Legionella from the Centers for Disease Control CDC)

People who are more likely to experience severe illness from Legionnaires’ disease include individuals 50 years and older, those with weakened immune systems, those with chronic respiratory conditions (e.g. asthma, COPD) and smokers. Symptoms most associated with pneumonia and Legionnaires’ disease include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle aches
• Headaches
• Chest pain
• Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea

The risk to anyone who lives or visits Marshalltown is low, however, Iowa HHS recommends that individuals who live and work in this area and who become ill with pneumonia-like illness visit their primary care doctor and discuss this advisory. Iowa HHS has communicated with health care providers to consider testing for Legionnaire’s disease (LD) in any patient who develops pneumonia and lives in, works in, or has spent significant time in north central Marshalltown the 14 days before symptom onset.

Additionally, Iowa HHS is asking businesses and property owners to review their water management practices, especially those with cooling towers, hot tubs, or fountains. The following steps are recommended to help mitigate the spread of Legionella:

• Review, maintain and/or establish a water management program.
• Disinfection of cooling towers and water systems to prevent bacteria growth.
• Perform routine water system maintenance and maintain records and logs.
• Perform Legionella testing through accredited laboratories, particularly following any remediation efforts.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Auditor’s Office reports Rachel McCann, of Cumberland, filed nomination papers today (Thursday) to run for Mayor, in Cumberland. McCann joins a growing list of candidates hoping to have a seat on various City Councils in Cass County. An election for those positions will be held November 4th, as part of the City/School Election process.

As we’ve previously mentioned, the following individuals have filed their nomination papers with the Cass County Auditor’s Office:

• Deanna Andrews, of Anita – Anita City Council ( 3 seats open)
• Dori A. Borras, of Cumberland – To Fill a Vacancy on the Cumberland City Council
• Jim Triller and Russell Miller, both of Lewis, are running for two seats on the City Council in Lewis.
• Matthew Dolch is running for one of three open seats on the City Council in Cumberland.
• Rob Clausen is running for Mayor in the City of Atlantic.
• Jeremy Butler is running for an At-Large seat on the Atlantic City Council. And,
• Dana Halder is running for re-election to his 5th Ward seat on the Atlantic City Council.

The last day to file is Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 5:00 PM. City candidates shall file nomination papers with the county auditor. School board candidates shall file nomination papers with the respective school board secretary.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports  a Red Oak man was arrested this (Thursday) afternoon on a Mills County warrant. 42-year-old Miguel Angel Lopez was arrested on the warrant for Theft in the 2nd Degree. Lopez was transferred to the custody of Mills County deputies held in the Mills County Jail on a $10,000 cash-only bond.

Separately, Montgomery County deputies arrested 36-year-old Alcides Armando Gutierrez-Telule, of Omaha, NE, following  a traffic stop for speeding 80 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone. He was also charged with Driving While Revoked.

Gutierrez-Telule was arrested this (Thursday) morning, and was being held for court. Authorities say he will be turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) upon his release from the Montgomery County Jail

(Radio Iowa) – The Orange City based Diamond Vogel paint company is moving away from its retail paint stores. A statement from Diamond Vogel C-E-O Jeff Powell says their business success demands continuous innovation and focus and they will sell retail operations that cater to homeowners and contractors.

It says Spectrum Paint has agreed to acquire eleven Diamond Vogel retail locations and will assume operations the eight stores in central Iowa, with plans to retain most of the employees. The announcement says the company will refocus on industrial customers with a new industrial service center model and 12 existing Diamond Vogel locations will be upgraded to support the new model.

They are looking for a buyer for the remaining retail paint locations.

(Radio Iowa) – The Racing and Gaming Commission has put the horse racing industry on notice that time is running out to set the new race schedule, or they will step in and set it. Racing and Gaming Administrator Tina Eick says they asked the horse racing groups to do something different based a study released last year. “One of the big takeaways from that study that the Commission did was that the status quo of racing horse racing in Iowa wasn’t going to continue to sustain a vibrant industry,” she says.

Horse racing at Prairie Meadows (file photo from the OFFICIAL Prairie Meadows Backside Information Page)

The commissioners vote on a new schedule during their October meeting and Eick says they got an update last week that there is still no consensus on a 2026 schedule.  “The Commission did strongly again urge the parties, the thoroughbreds, the quarter horses, Prairie Meadows Casino and Racetrack, to come together and find a compromise because they have much greater latitude in. What kind of an agreement they come up with,” Eick says.

Eick says if the Racing and Gaming Commission has to step in, they are confined to what the law says. “And, in all likelihood, the meet that they would be required to set is not going to be favorable to any party, or no party is going to be particularly happy with the results,” she says, “so it’s really in their best interest if they’re able to figure out a compromise.”

Eick says there is still time for the horse racing groups to come up with a schedule before the October meeting in Davenport, and the Commission has let them know they will step in if that isn’t done.