ELY, Iowa (KCRG) – Christmas tree shoppers may see higher prices for artificial trees due to tariffs, while prices for real trees remain largely steady as local growers absorb extra costs. According to the American Christmas Tree Association, 83 percent of artificial trees are made outside the U.S. and face tariffs, leading to price increases of 10 percent or more this year. Artificial trees remain the most popular choice among households, the association reports.

At Cedar’s Edge Evergreen Market in Ely, owner Mark Banowitz said his farm has seen slight increases in shipping costs for pre-cut trees, but he chose not to pass those costs on to customers. The American Christmas Tree Association found that 42 percent of tree growers surveyed have higher costs but aren’t charging more, following Banowitz’s approach. Banowitz said the farm focuses on creating experiences for families rather than maximizing profits.

While pre-cut tree prices remained stable, Banowitz noted some increases in prices for gift shop items at the farm.

(Radio Iowa) – Four Iowans are being honored for their heroic efforts to save others from burning homes and icy waters. The Governor’s Lifesaving Awards were established in 1977 and this year’s ceremony was hosted by Governor Kim Reynolds. “Each of you demonstrated a level of bravery that most of only hope we’re capable of,” Reynolds said. “…Courage is what transforms ordinary people into heroes and that’s what makes today so special because the people we’re honoring would never think of themselves that way. They will tell you they just did what anyone would have done, but we know that not everyone runs toward danger.”

Kyle Peterson of Spirit Lake received the Lifesaving with Valor Award for his actions early this year, on January 5th. He saw an accident on East Okoboji Lake, left his seat in a restaurant along the shore and ran half a mile across ice on the lake to rescue a couple who’d been tossed from their U-T-V into open water. Iowa Public Safety Commissioner Stephen Bayens says Peterson could hear the woman’s screams as he ran.

“Once at the water’s edge, Kyle found the couple grasping for purchase along the ice shelf,” Bayens said. “…With nowhere else to turn, Kyle shrugged out of his jacket and threw it to the woman, using it as a rope. Kyle then began the arduous task for pulling the woman to safety as he struggled to find traction on the glassy ice. Once he was able to pull the women onto stable ice, Kyle then turned his attention to the husband and did the same.” Kyle Peterson then led the couple back across that half mile of frozen lake to safety and a couple of minutes later first responders arrived.

A man from Clinton was honored for saving a friend during an ice fishing trip last February. Michael Edwards‘ friend was cutting a new fishing hole in a Jackson County lake when the ice buckled and the man slid in the water. The state’s public safety commissioner says Michael sprawled on the ice and grabbed the end of the ice auger his friend had been using.  “Soon, the life-threatening game of tug and war ensued,” Bayens said. “Each time one or the other pulled on the auger, Michael slid closer to the edge. When that would happen, Michael’s friend would quit pulling so as not to endanger Michael, but in that same vein Michael refused to let the icy waters claim his friend.” A second man arrived with a fishing sled and helped pull the man out of the water.

John Wonio is another Lifesaving with Valor Award recipient. John noticed his neighbor’s home was on fire on December 7th of last year, called 9-1-1 and helped a Des Moines policeman break down the home’s front door. Bayens says one of the occupants heard John’s voice and followed it out of the house, but John and the policeman saw a woman sitting in a chair. “The two yelled at the top of their lungs, pleading for the woman to flee the home, but to their dismay they received no answer…John rushed through the front door and thrust himself into the burning home,” Bayens said. “Once inside, he found the unconscious woman…and dragged her to safety.” The woman was hospitalized for over two weeks for treatment of a collapsed lung, carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation and she was discharged just before last Christmas.

Meagan Murray, a letter carrier from New Hampton, received the Governor’s Lifesaving Award. Bayens says she rescued an 85-year-old woman from a burning home in New Hampton on September 30th of last year. “Realizing someone was trapped inside, Meagan forced open an exterior door, helped the woman escape to safety and remained with her until help arrived,” Bayens said. “On that day, an elderly mom was in need of a guardian angel and Meagan fit the bill.”

Bayens says the four Iowans honored are remarkable people who provided aid when it was needed most: bravery.

(Creston, IA) – A collision late Tuesday evening in Creston resulted in a woman being cited for alcohol and a moving violation following a crash at Harsh and Cherry Streets. The accident happened at around  7:45-p.m. According to the Creston Police accident report, 55-year-old Brian Bolinger, of Creston, told Officers he was traveling north on Cherry Street when a 2007 Jeep Liberty Sport – driven by 29-year-old Megan Elizabeth Banda, of Creston – ran the stop sign at Harsh Street and struck his 2015 Chevy Trax broadside.

Following the collision, the Jeep left the road, struck the stop sign and a legally parked 2023 Nissan Rogue, moving it sideways, before the Jeep re-entered the road. Bolinger told Police a passenger exited the Jeep with a plastic bag and walked south from the accident.

A second Creston Police Officer was talking with Banda, who began yelling. She was seated in the driver’s seat, and according to the report, had a strong odor of alcohol beverage coming from her person. There were also open containers of alcohol in the vehicle. Banda was transported to the Union County Law Enforcement Center and investigated for OWI. She was cited for Open Container – Driver, and Failure To Obey a Stop Sign.

Damage to the vehicles as a result of the crash, amounted to a police estimated total of $10,500. The damaged City of Creston Stop Sign was valued at $200. No injuries were reported.

DES MOINES, Iowa –  Officials with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said Wednesday, that through the Safe Haven Law, a baby boy, born October 6 is now in the care and custody of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and will be placed with a foster family until permanent placement is determined. This brings the overall total to 79 infants since the law went into effect more than two decades ago.

Iowa’s Safe Haven Act is an option for parents in crisis who determine they cannot care for an infant up to 90 days old. Designated safe havens are locations like hospitals and police and fire stations. Iowa HHS then works to place infants in an approved foster home while awaiting permanent adoption.

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent or adopting a child, visit https://iowafosterandadoption.org/ to learn more about becoming an approved foster or adoptive family. For more information on Iowa’s Safe Haven, visit https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/CPS/safe-haven.

Lewis, Iowa –Cass County Conservation and the Iowa Bluebird Conservationists and are once again hosting a Cass County Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, December 21st. Those that want to participate in the count will be meeting at Cold Springs State Park in Lewis at 8:00am to divide into groups that will cover different sections of the count circle. Birders are encouraged to dress for the conditions and bring along binoculars and bird books if you have them, otherwise they can be provided.

It is also suggested to either wear or bring along an article of blaze orange clothing for any birding that may occur in parks that allow public hunting, as it will be the final day of deer season. The count will run until 3:30pm that day as we cover a 15-mile diameter circle as thorough as we can. Organizers say participants will meet for lunch at Noon at the Atlantic Pizza Ranch to compare lists and reboot for counting in the afternoon. You are welcome to join for the whole day or just the morning or afternoon sessions. All abilities are welcome whether you are comfortable just birding from a vehicle and roadside or if you would like to walk through areas as well. Weather backup date will be determined if necessary.

Home birders may also contribute to the Cass County Count by watching their home feeder. Feeder counters will need to keep track of the time spent observing and will count the maximum number of a species seen at one time, not a cumulative for the day.

Contact Chris Parks or Lora Kanning at Cass County Conservation if you would like to contribute and we will provide guidelines. The Christmas Bird Count is a valuable research tool for the Audubon Society and is the nation’s longest running citizen-science bird project. This year is the 126th year of the count and the Cass County area is excited to join in again.

Find more information on the Christmas Bird Count at www.christmasbirdcount.org. Chris Parks says “We would really love to know you are planning on coming ahead of time, so please reach out.”

Contact: Chris Parks, Lora Kanning

Phone: 712-520-2103

Email: chparks@gmail.com

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa has a free-standing birthing center again after a law lowered barriers for midwives to operate one. A birthing center is a facility for mothers to have what’s called a natural home birth experience. Midwife Sarah Sorvillo says she decided to open the center because she was already serving communities in maternal care deserts. At least 41 birthing units have closed in Iowa since the year 2000.

“People are just looking to go back to basics, because what has been working isn’t working,” Sorvillo says. “I think that’s just forced people to think outside of the box.” The new center is owned by Heaven Sent Home Birth and is located in Adel. Sorvillo says the local E-M-S is just down the street, which makes it easier to transfer patients, if needed.

She says she’s had conversations with expectant mothers who didn’t feel cared for in medical settings, while they may have to drive more than an hour for an O-B-G-Y-N. Sorvillo says she’s getting appointments for the new center nine months in advance. “I would have clients that would tell me they were just pregnant and they were maybe eight weeks along, and I was already booking for that month,” Sorvillo says. “So we know that there is a demand for these types of services.”

The number of home births in Iowa has almost doubled in the past ten years. Almost 850 people gave birth in Iowa outside of a hospital setting last year alone.

(Sidney, IA) – The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of multiple juveniles following an investigation into the manufacturing and dissemination of obscene material created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.

On November 19, 2025, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office received multiple reports from parents and school officials concerning an image being shared among students at a local Fremont County school. The image depicted multiple juveniles in a state of undress.

Through subsequent investigation, Fremont County Deputies discovered multiple digitally altered photographs on cellular devices in the possession of students at the school. Deputies confirmed that the material, which featured multiple juvenile victims, was being shared between students utilizing social media platforms. The investigation confirmed that the images were non-consensual and digitally fabricated using AI technology.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, Deputies arrested three juveniles: two aged 15 and one aged 16. All three individuals face multiple charges in connection with the creation and dissemination of the material.

Juvenile A (Age 15) and Juvenile B (Age 16) were each charged with:

• 6 counts of Harassment 1st Degree (Aggravated Misdemeanor)
• 5 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (Class D Felony)
• 1 count of Dissemination of Obscene Material (Serious Misdemeanor)

Juvenile C (Age 15) was charged with:

• 6 counts of Harassment 1st Degree (Aggravated Misdemeanor)
• 6 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (Class D Felony)

All juveniles have been processed and transported to and placed in the Juvenile Detention Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Formal charges have been forwarded to the Fremont County Juvenile Court for further proceedings. Due to the ages of the parties involved, no further identifying information will be released by the Sheriff’s Office.

Important Information Regarding Iowa Law and Online Safety
The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that the use of Artificial Intelligence to create or distribute non-consensual sexually explicit imagery—regardless of whether the depicted content is real or fabricated—is a serious criminal offense under existing Iowa law.

Iowa Code § 709.15 (Sexual Exploitation of a Minor), in conjunction with other statutes related to obscenity and harassment, is aggressively applied in cases involving the creation and dissemination of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including material generated through digital means or AI. Creating, possessing, or sharing such images can result in felony charges with severe legal consequences, including registration as a sex offender.

The Sheriff’s Office urges parents and guardians to discuss online safety and digital citizenship with their children.

Key Safety Recommendations:

• Monitor Digital Devices: Know what apps and platforms your children are using.
• Discuss Consent and Consequences: Ensure children understand that creating or sharing non-consensual, explicit, or harassing content—even digitally altered material—is illegal and harmful.
• Report Immediately: If your child is a victim of, or witnesses, inappropriate content sharing, report it immediately to school administration and law enforcement.
• You can learn more on this topic and other ways to keep your children safe online by visiting https://ncmec.org/GAI and https://ncmec.org/netsmartz/home

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting our youth and maintaining the safety and integrity of our community both online and off.

(Radio Iowa) – It’s clear property tax changes will be at the top of the agenda for the 2026 Iowa legislative session, but key lawmakers warn coming up with a proposal is complicated. Senate Republican Leader Mike Klimesh of Spillville says changing a 40-year-old system won’t be easy. “To an extent we squeeze a balloon,” Klimesh said, “….but at the end of the day we need to find a way that we can provide property tax relief to Iowans while maintaining the ability for local governments to provide services that continue to make those communities — especially small communities like Spillville — a great, attractive place to live, work and raise a family.”

Representative Gary Mohr of Bettendorf — the Republican who leads the House Appropriations Committee — says previous discussions about a variety of approaches to redesigning the property tax system were valuable. “What we learned last year is it’s a whack-a-mole game, which we didn’t all know,” Mohr said. “Meaning is you do this with property taxes, it has an affect over here that we didn’t think about.” The top Democrats in the House and Senate say the focus should be on reducing residential property tax rates for the people who need it most, including Iowans on fixed incomes. Senate Democratic Leader Janice Weiner of Iowa City says policymakers also need to consider the entire tax ecosystem, including incomes taxes and the state sales tax.

“We can’t just pick one piece and fix it without unraveling a thread that’s going to impact many people,” Weiner said. House Democratic Leader Brian Meyer of Des Moines says House Democrats will offer a proposal to redistribute state funding to local governments to make up for reductions in property taxes. “Where are we allocating money in the state budget? For example, the Iowa House Republicans plowed $23 million into a soccer stadium in Des Moines,” Meyer said. “…We don’t need a soccer stadium in Des Moines. We don’t need to be paying for it, but we’re going to look at some of these budget items that they’ve been doing and we’re going to say: ‘We don’t need that and we need to focus on property tax relief.'”

The lawmakers made their comments at a forum organized by the Greater Des Moines Chamber of Commerce. The organization represents chambers of commerce in a dozen central Iowa counties, including: Adair, Clarke, Dallas, Guthrie, Jasper, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Polk, Poweshiek and Warren.

(Radio Iowa) – The Board of Regents elected a board member who is a construction engineer who builds bridges to take over as president in a meeting this (Wednesday) morning. New president Robert Cramer says he has three goals. “I think our university should be providing an affordable education with a good rate of return on that investment,” he says. His second goal is to improve the performance across the three state universities. ” To provide academic excellence that from the top to the bottom at our universities. That everybody’s striving for better academic excellence and it comes through merit and through just hard work and keeping that always in the forefront of trying to produce better and better students,” Cramer says.

His third goal addresses the ongoing discussion on campuses about free speech. “To provide a fair and balanced place for vigorous debate,” he says, “And that’s what a lot of our work has been this last year is just to create an atmosphere where students can engage. And college is a great place to learn, to learn new things, to find out what you believe, but we just want a fair and balanced place, where students can do that.” Cramer says those three things can address the idea that the cost of college isn’t worth it for students. ” I think we can flip the narrative on higher education, and that is that here in Iowa, a degree from one of our public universities is a great investment. And it’s going to help these students going forward for the rest of their lives,” Cramer says.

Cramer will replace Sherry Bates who became Board president in 2024 and served on the board 11 years. Cramer read a resolution honoring Bates, saying hundreds of millions of dollars in capital projects where approve for the schools and for healthcare and other facilities. And he says there were successful presidential searches were conducted at Iowa State University, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa during her tenure. Regent Kurt Tjaden was elected president pro-tem to replace Greta Rouse, who is stepping out of the leadership role, but staying on the board.

The two new Board members officials take over Thursday.