(Creston, Iowa) – Two people were arrested on separate charges, Wednesday, in Creston. According to the Creston Police Department, 43-year-old Nicholas Allen Foltz, of Creston, was arrested at around 7-a.m., for Driving While License Suspended. Foltz was cited and released on a Promise to Appear.

And, at around 9:45-a.m., Wednesday, 34-year-old Alex Richard Cunningham, of Creston, was arrested at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center, for Failure to Appear. Cunningham was taken to Union County Jail and later released after posting a $2,400 cash or surety bond.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Red Oak Police Department reports a woman was arrested this (Thursday) morning, on an assault charge. Authorities say 43-year-old Jessi Elaine Gaunt, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 1:15-a.m. in the 1600 block of E. Summit Street, for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense – a Simple Misdemeanor. Gaunt was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held without bond.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking informal comments on administrative rules for ginseng harvesting and sale.  Executive Order 10 (EO10), signed by the Governor on January 10, 2023, requires all state agencies to identify which administrative rule chapters will be retained or rescinded. The EO10 process includes public engagement with the opportunity for meaningful input.   The Iowa DNR has reviewed 571 Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) Chapter 78 titled Ginseng Harvesting and Sale. This chapter has been revised to eliminate redundancies, improve efficiency, and provide clarification and consistency with federal rules as managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Ginseng in autumn color with the minimum “3 prongs” required for legal harvest (ISU Ext. photo)

The public is invited to provide informal comments on the proposed rule changes. DNR will accept written comments through July 16, 2025. Written comments or questions regarding the proposed rule should be submitted to: Karmin.Klingenberg@dnr.iowa.gov. Comments should be made to specific  portions of the rule.  After receiving and reviewing informal comments, the DNR will create a draft Regulatory Analysis and draft Notice of Intended Action. The DNR will host a formal public comment period for these drafts, followed by a public hearing in September 2025.

Drafts of the rule, including a “clean” copy and a version showing revisions, can be found on the DNR webpage: www.iowadnr.gov/eo10.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa native astronaut Peggy Whitson and her three-member crew are now halfway through their two-week research mission aboard the International Space Station. This is Whitson’s fifth visit to the orbiting laboratory, while her teammates — from India, Hungary and Poland — are all rookies. The 65-year-old from Beaconsfield was asked in an Axiom Space interview how the new astronauts have adapted to working in weightlessness. “They’re doing great. Everybody is really busy,” Whitson says. “We’re getting a lot of science research done and managing to have a good time in the meantime.” Ax-4 is the fourth mission to the space station for the private, Houston-based firm, which aims to build its own space station in the coming few years. Whitson says they have a full slate of about 60 experiments on their to-do list.

“We have investigations from the four different countries and we’re just doing a wide variety of things,” Whitson says. “My favorite is the Cancer in Low Earth Orbit study. ‘Shux’ (Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla) has already started his muscle stem cell growth study, looking at how muscles change in space, because we know our muscles atrophy unless we are working out a lot, every day.” Another Ax-4 experiment is designed to test how a person with diabetes would be affected by spaceflight, as regulations now keep diabetics from orbit due to so many unknowns. “We just finished an ultrasound investigation, looking at the cardiovascular system, how it changes in space, and ‘Suave’ (Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski) has been doing also a lot of different experiments,” Whitson says. “He did one on muscle stimulation where they were stimulating his muscles to see if that’s going to impact or affect and improve his ability to retain muscle during spaceflight.”

Peggy Whitson, front left, poses with the ISS crew (Photo from NASA-TV)

Whitson was asked if she’d brought along anything personal from Earth to remind her of home and loved ones while she’s 250 miles up. “I brought something that I’ve brought for every space mission, and if I can find it — a necklace — here, and it’s the necklace my husband gave me when we got married,” Whitson says, “and this is the fifth time it’s been in space.” This is Whitson’s second mission with Axiom Space, following three NASA missions before she retired from the agency in 2018. Considered the United States’ most experienced astronaut, Whitson has now spent some 683 days in space, more than any other American.

The Ax-4 crew is due to undock from the I-S-S in about another week and return home.

(Radio Iowa) – A member of the Iowa Soybean Association’s board of directors says the Trump Administration’s proposed 2026 production mandate for biofuels should spur production this year. Dave Walton, a farmer from Wilton, runs all of his farm equipment on soybean-based biodiesel.

“In Iowa we have a number of biodiesel plants that are either shut down, slowed down or running at far less than their capacity,” Walton says, “so this should send a signal to the marketplace that they need to get those plants turned on again and start using soybean oil.” There are 10 biodiesel plants in Iowa and industry experts say up to five have been shut down.

“Those plants employ about 1600 folks,” he says. “You want to talk about economic impact and keeping our people here and in rural Iowa, there’s a direct link between keeping those biodiesel plants up and running and keeping our rural communities energized.” Walton says production should ramp up due to growing demand from trucking companies for B-99 — the highest blend of biodiesel.

“In the past that hasn’t been possible because of the equipment,” Walton said. “Now we have companies like Optimus Technologies that are making that bolt-on that you can put on virtually any semi to be able to run B99 year round without any other modification.”

The E-P-A is proposing that at least five-point-six billion gallons of biomass-based diesel be produced next year. That exceeds the amount the biodiesel industry was lobbying for. The Renewable Fuels Standard production levels for all biofuels will become final after a public comment period and the E-P-A has the authority to adjust its recommendation based on that feedback.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, July 2nd, .acted on approving fireworks permits for Mark O’Brien. The events will take place at the following locations, dates and times:

• The Cass County Fair at 805 West 10th Street on July 25th, 2025 for a Show Beginning Approximately 30 Minutes After Sunset and Lasting for a Period of Approximately 20 Minutes.
• At the County Fairgrounds during a Tractor Pull on August 23, 2025 for a Show Beginning Approximately 30 Minutes After Sunset and Lasting for a Period of Approximately 20 Minutes.
• For the Tolton Picnic at 103 West 29th Street on September 13, 2025 for a Show Beginning Approximately 30 Minutes After Sunset and Lasting for a Period of Approximately 20 Minutes.
• And, the Council approved a Street Closing Permit for 4th Street, From Walnut to Chestnut for SHIFT ATL’s Summer Soiree Fundraiser Event/Dinner on Saturday, August 9, 2025, Starting at 6:00 A.M. and Ending at Midnight.

Atlantic City Council mtg. 7-2-25

The Council passed readings of the following Ordinances:

• Third & Final Reading of Ordinance No. 1056 “Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Atlantic, Iowa by Amending Chapter 6 Entitled ‘City Election.’ The ordinance returns City elections to a “Plurality-takes-all” system, instead of a runoff system, which had been enacted by the Council in July 0f 2021.
• Third & Final Reading of Ordinance No. 1057 “Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Atlantic, Iowa, by Amending Speed Regulations, Section 63.04(2) of the City Code. The language was amended to reduce the speed limit on 29th Street from 35-to 30-miles per hour, to the southern City limits.
• Third & Final Reading of Ordinance No. 1058 “Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Atlantic, Iowa, by Amending Speed Regulations, Section 63.04(2) of the City Code.’ The language was amended to reduce the speed limit on 29th St. from 35- to 30-mph from Chestnut St. to Palm St.
• Third & Final of Ordinance No. 1059 “Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Atlantic, Iowa, by Amending Speed Regulations, Section 63.04(3) of the City Code.’” The language was amended to reduce the speed limit on 29th St, from the Palm St. intersection to a point 800-feet west of the intersection. The reduction to 35-mph remains unchanged.
• First Reading of Ordinance No 1060 “Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Atlantic, Iowa, by Amending Section 70.03 ‘Parking Violations: Alternate.’” (Ordinance 1060 would require the late fee for non-payment of parking fines from $20 to 50 dollars, after 30 days on non-payment. The increase would cover the cost of certified letters the City is required by Iowa Code to send out when people, when they ignore the due date.)

In other business, the Council passed a Resolution (#52-25) “Setting Wages for the Employees of the City of Atlantic Animal Shelter for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2025 Through June 30, 2026.” Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett commented on Wednesday’s ribbon cutting ceremony for the new murals created by Iowa State University College of Design student, on the old YMCA building.

Garrett said they will be meeting with ISU officials again next week, with regard to the “Re-imagining Bull Creek” project, which is a collaboration between the City of Atlantic, Iowa State University’s College of Design, and ISU Extension and Outreach. The project focuses on improving the Bull Creek corridor, addressing issues like erosion and flooding.

(Mt. Pleasant, Iowa) – One person died during a collision this (Wednesday) afternoon in southeast Iowa’s Henry County. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2025 Honda Civic was traveling south on Highway 218 at around 12:53-p.m., when for reasons unknown, the vehicle cross the median and struck a northbound 2017 Freightliner semi, driven by a man from California.

The driver of the car died in the crash. Their name was being withheld by the State Patrol, pending notification of family. The crash remains under investigation.

WASHINGTON, July 2, 2025 – Kraft Heinz Foods Company, a Newberry, S.C., establishment, is recalling approximately 367,812 pounds of fully cooked turkey bacon products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The turkey bacon was produced from April 24, 2025, through June 11, 2025. The following products are subject to recall [view labels]:

12-oz. vacuum-packed packages of “Oscar Mayer Turkey BACON ORIGINAL” and universal product code (UPC) “071871548601” printed on the packaging under the barcode,”use by” dates ranging “18 JUL 2025” to “02 AUG 2025,” and lot code “RS40.”

36-oz. packages containing three 12-oz. vacuum-packed packages of “Oscar Mayer Turkey BACON ORIGINAL” and universal product code (UPC) “071871548748” printed on the packaging under the barcode, “use by” dates ranging “23 JUL 2025” to “04 SEP 2025,” and lot codes “RS19,” “RS40,” or “RS42.”
48-oz. packages containing four 12-oz. vacuum-packed packages of “Oscar Mayer Turkey BACON ORIGINAL” and UPC “071871548793” printed on the packaging under the barcode and “use by” dates ranging “18 JUL 2025” to “04 SEP 2025,” and lot codes “RS19,” “RS40,” or “RS42.”

The products subject to recall bear the USDA mark of inspection on the front of the label. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide and some were exported to the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong.

The problem was discovered after the establishment’s laboratory testing indicated the product may be contaminated with Lm. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumption of food contaminated with Lm can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

FSIS is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Kraft Heinz Food Company consumer hotline at 1-800-280-7185 or email consumerrelations@kraftheinz.com.

(Atlantic, Iowa)-  The Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors, today (Wednesday), visited the open house for new murals that are painted on the old YMCA building. Students from Iowa State University have been working day and night to make the mural as beautiful as possible.

Ambassadors Pictured (Left to Right): Sue Liston, Julie Waters, Emily Kennedy, Dolly Bergmann, Krysta Hanson, Elaine Otte, BJ Hart, Jennifer McEntaffer, Jeff Christensen, Anne Quist, Gabby Buresh

Iowa State University College of Design students have spent time in Atlantic for the past four weeks as a part of their “Murals in Community” summer course that they are all taking. This mural takes up two sides of the building and highlights integral parts of Atlantic’s environment. The mural is colorful and gives a new look to building that others would normally not pay too much attention to.

Another integral part to this mural is community involvement. If you visit, you will see handprints on both walls. Those handprints are from the Nishna Valley YMCA summer camp kids. The kids were invited out to put their own touch on the mural. This gave the students another chance to connect with the Atlantic community. They have been welcomed with open arms by the people of Atlantic. Many residents that live next to the mural brought the students snacks and water on those hot Iowa days. All to say, that the people of Atlantic can really come together to support a new addition to the community.

If you are looking to see the beautiful mural in person, it is located at 703 E 14th Street (also known as the old YMCA building). You can take pictures or just enjoy the work of these very talented students.

DALLAS COUNTY, Iowa — [KCCI] – A 53-year-old man died Tuesday night, after his motorcycle crashed on a Dallas County highway while going around a curve. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office says law enforcement were called to a crash in the area of Old Highway 6 and L Avenue at around 8:24 p.m. Tuesday.

First responders found a motorcycle that was involved in a crash and an unconscious driver, identified as Douglas Randolph, of Adel. Authorities performed CPR, but Randolph died at the scene.

Investigators say the motorcycle appears to have lost control going around a curve. It left the roadway and entered a ditch. Investigators say a high rate of speed was a contributing factor in the crash.