The sounds of children’s voices are starting to fill the classrooms and playground at the new Red Oak Child Development Center (ROCDC). The Montgomery County Child Development Association Board of Directors, ROCDC Staff, Red Oak Community School District (ROCSD) Staff and representatives from the Red Oak Chamber and Industry Association along with their children celebrated the official ribbon cutting for ROCDC Friday August 14th at 10am.

photo submitted

Laura Kloewer, Montgomery County Child Development (MCCDA) Board Vice-Chair, said “We have come so far in in the last two years, we’ve overcome so much and now to be here today and to see the playground filled with children; there are just no words. Thank You.”

The event was small and socially distanced with attendees wearing masks, but you could still hear the excitement in the voices of Kelly Osheim, MCCDA Board Chair and Jacque Howell, ROCDC Director as they addressed the group. The Red Oak Chamber and Industry congratulated and welcomed ROCDC to the community and the children in attendance gathered around to help hold the ribbon and make the ceremonial cut. Teachers then welcomed board members and attendees into their classrooms to show them around.

Monday August 17th ROCDC doors will officially open their doors and according to Howell the classrooms are almost full. The centers fundraising success tells the story of the community’s support. With almost $900,000 raised of their $1,000,000 goal the fundraising committee is thrilled. “We are so close to our goal” said Osheim “When the pandemic hit we knew the need for childcare would be even greater and we need to keep moving with our fall open date, but we were worried what fundraising would look like. Our community has been behind this project 100% though and their generosity has made this dream a reality.”

The Red Oak Child Development Center is located in the Red Oak Community School District’s Early Childhood Center (formerly Washington School) and will offer full and part time care to children ages 6 weeks – 12 years old. If you are interested in getting more information please visit www.redoakcdc.org or check out their Facebook page.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State officials say 75 more students who were moving back to campus have tested positive for COVID-19. The university announced Friday that it tested 3,472 students between Aug. 7 and Thursday. The 75 students who had the virus represents a 2.2% positivity rate. That’s the same positivity rate the school announced last week when 66 positive cases were found among the 3,037 students tested.

Students began moving back to campus July 31 and will continue to return through Sunday, with classes beginning Monday. The university has reserved two halls for students to quarantine, or they can quarantine at home if possible.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is pushing back against criticism that she has been slow to respond to a wind storm that devastated the state. She’s promising help for tens of thousands of residents entering their fifth day without electricity. Reynolds says that 100 members of the Iowa National Guard arrived in hard-hit Cedar Rapids on Friday to help clear tree debris that’s blocking downed power lines.

She says she has commitments from the state’s largest utilities for customers to have power restored by Tuesday. Reynolds says she will submit the state’s request for a federal disaster declaration on Monday after completing damage assessments.

FORT MADISON – Officials with the Iowa Dept. of Corrections report a correctional officer was assaulted by two inmates at approximately 6:30 p.m. Thursday, at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison. Authorities say the officer was conducting his rounds on a unit when two inmates began assaulting him with closed-fist punches and kicks. The officer utilized defensive techniques while additional staff quickly responded to the assault and took control of the situation by using a combination of pepper spray and physical restraining techniques.

The officer that was assaulted was taken by department vehicle to the local hospital where he was treated and released for lacerations suffered during the assault. The inmates that attacked him were found not to have suffered significant injuries. The incident remains under investigation.

ANKENY, Iowa (AP) — Environmental officials in Iowa are investigating after officials say a central Iowa grocery store dumped 800 gallons of spoiled milk, leading to a fish kill. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says the incident happened Wednesday morning when officials discovered a stretch of Fourmile Creek fouled by rancid milk and traced it to a Hy-Vee store in Ankeny. Officials say a store employee instructed workers to dump the milk following a power outage caused by a rare high wind storm on Monday. Television station KCCI reports that Hy-Vee released a statement saying the store employee made an uninformed decision. DNR officials say minnows and small game fish have died in a span of a half-mile in the creek.

CUSTER, S.D. (AP) — Sheriff’s officials say a motorcyclist has survived a violent attack by a bison in the Black Hills. A bystander’s video shows several bikers had stopped while a herd of bison crossed a road in Custer State Park Wednesday. The Custer County Sheriff’s Office says a 54-year-old Iowa woman got off the motorcycle on which she was a passenger and was attacked by a bison. Sheriff’s officials say the bison caught the woman’s belt and jeans on its horns and swung her around violently before running away. Custer County Sheriff’s deputies, Custer State Park rangers, Custer Ambulance and Black Hills Life Flight responded to the incident. There’s no word on the woman’s condition.

Champions of the Cass County Fair participated in the Best of the West competition, held in Denison on August 3rd.

• Maddy Anderson – Breeding Ewe
• Natalye Scholl – Breeding Doe
• Brock Henderson – Breeding Heifer
• Morgan Will – Market Lamb
• Makenna Potter – Market Goat
• Morgan Will – Market Beef
• 

  Photo provided by Melanie Petty

  Grant Petty – Market Hog

Four out of the six animals shown were crowned either Champion or Reserve Champion during this competition.  Cass County should be very proud of their 4H/FFA members and all of the hard work they put in to show some of the best in Iowa! C

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The Creston Police Department reports 38-year old Rhiannon Leigh Cooney, of Villisca, was arrested Thursday evening. Cooney was taken into custody at the Creston Wal-Mart, for Theft in the 5th Degree. She was cited for the offense and then released.  Authorities said also, 19-year old Jeremiah Lee Whitney, of Creston, was arrested Thursday night at his home, for Allowing an Animal to Run at Large. Whitney was released at the scene on a citation and a Promise to Appear in court.

And, a man residing in the 200 block of N. Maple Street, in Creston, reported to Police Thursday afternoon, that the light bar on his Jeep Wrangler had been stolen from the vehicle, as it was parked outside of his residence. The loss was estimated at $400.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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