(Radio Iowa) – An Iowa-based author, folklorist and photographer is releasing a new book that chronicles life on the Mississippi River during the 20th century though the words of a commercial fisherman. Sherry Pardee, of Iowa City, says “Back Them Days – Reflections on a Life on the Mississippi River” tells the story of the late Clinton “Bus” Downs, who lived in the tiny river town of Meyer on the western-most tip of Illinois, and his life revolved around the river.

Pardee says, “Bus was one of those special people that you meet in life that you realize, this is an exemplary human being, and someone who’s just lived honorably, lived well, and just has done amazing things with their life in a way beyond what normal people do.” Bus was a third-generation fisherman, born in 1915. As a boy, he was nicknamed Buster, which was shortened to Bus, and that’s the name everyone knew him by. Pardee says she’s spoken with fishermen “way up north on the Mississippi” who know of Bus, respected him, and consider him a legend.

“He was almost like a Daniel Boone figure,” Pardee says. “He would trap and hunt with his father when they weren’t fishing. He and his father would trap and hunt from Canada all the way down to Mississippi, way beyond what the normal fisherman or hunter would do.” Pardee first met Bus in the summer of 1987, when the Illinois Arts Council hired her to survey traditions of commercial fishermen on the Upper Mississippi, and she repeatedly returned over the next four years to record his fascinating stories. “Back Them Days” is largely told in Bus’ own words. “Bus had a great sense of humor,” she says, “was very philosophical, tells great stories of big hauls of fish, game wardens, floods, people that were traveling up and down the river, stories of giant catfish.”

Pardee’s black-and-white photographs add a timeless element to the pages. In the 1930s, prior to the locks and dams on the Mississippi, Bus told how the river was about 100 feet deep, while often now it’s only about six feet deep. Over the decades, Bus witnessed the pollution caused by chemical runoff from farms, and how the fish population fell. He moved to Quincy, Illinois, after the flood of 1993 devastated Meyer, and died in the Quincy Veterans Home in 2008.

(Red Oak, IA) – A man from Mills County and a woman from Montgomery County were arrested Monday afternoon, in Red Oak. According to the Red Oak Police Department, 36-year-old Christopher Lee McDaniel, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for Violating a Protection Order, and, 28-year-old Priscilla Marie Cline, of Red Oak, was arrested for Aiding and Abetting the Violation of a Protection Order.

The pair were taken into custody a little after 3-p.m., Monday in the 100 block of N. 2nd Street. They were being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 bond, each.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa First District Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks joined the House Republican leadership as they introduced their version of a healthcare bill Monday. The Republican from Ottumwa says the bill includes provisions that would allow small businesses and self-employed workers to more easily purchase health care together.

“This bill puts patients and their doctors over the profits of insurance companies. The Democrat solution is to continue riding taxpayer funded blank checks to large insurance companies,” Miller-Meeks says. Miller-Meeks says there needs to be an alternative to extending the tax credits paid out under the Affordable Care Act. Democrats favor the extension.

“It hides the fact that premiums are going up by shifting who pays for those increase in premiums rather than getting to the root cause of actually lowering healthcare costs,” she says. “We want to make the, you know, all Americans, families and patients, the C-E-O’s of their own healthcare decisions.” Miller-Meeks says the Republican House plan would also require pharmacy benefit managers to share more data on the actual cost of prescription drugs.

“Just the transparency alone what the fees are, where the fees go, what the rebates are, what the list price of a drug…I think transparency is the first step in that, but it’s not the only step,” she says. Miller-Meeks is running for re-election. The

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Katie Smith released a statement that says “Mariannette Miller-Meeks has spent her entire year attacking Iowans’ health care, from voting for the largest Medicaid cuts in history that will decimate rural hospitals, to opposing plans to prevent Iowans’ health care costs from skyrocketing. Now, Miller-Meeks has made herself the face of Washington Republicans’ so-called ‘plan’ that does nothing to lower costs, and Iowans will hold her accountable for failing them next year.”

(Radio Iowa) – Members of the Iowa Farmers Union say they agree with Republicans who say something needs to be done about out-of-control health care costs, but the group’s executive director Matt Russell says letting thousands of Iowans lose the tax credits they’ve used to buy insurance — without having an alternative in place — doesn’t solve the affordability problem.

“What they have done is raised the costs for Iowans, including family farmers and rural entrepreneurs by thousands of dollars,” Russell said. According K-F-F — a health care research group, 27 percent of U-S farmers, ranchers and agribusiness managers have relied on subsidies to buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. Seth Watkins raises cattle, sheep and bees in Page County. Watkins says insurance cost his family of four about 600-dollars-a month this year — and will nearly quadruple to 23-hundred dollars a month in 2026.

“I think a lot of people don’t realize that farmers and independent business people buy our own insurance,” he said. “I hear our politicians talk about us being the backbone of our economy and yet the people doing this that are making this have great benefits. I’d like them to put themselves in our shoes and understand what this is like.” Beth Hoffman, a Monroe County farmer, raises cattle and goats. She and her husband had been paying 300 dollars a month for insurance — and would have had to pay four times that much next year if they kept the same amount of coverage in 2026. They’ve opted for a bare bones plan with a seven-thousand dollar deductible.

“Here we are the United States of America (with) this great health care system, this place where we have some of the most wealth in the whole world,” she said, “…so it’s very disturbing on many levels.” Iowa Farmers Union President Aaron Lehman raises corn and hay in northern Polk County. “Our farmers right now are meeting with their lenders to try to find a plan just to get next year’s crop in the ground,” Lehman said. “The last thing we need right now is an increase in health care costs.”

The Affordable Care Act tax credits will still be available for households with an income under 400 percent of the federal poverty level, but the subsidies for households about that line that were extended in 2021 are scheduled to end December 31st.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Association of Realtors says homes are staying on the market longer and sales prices remain ahead of last year. The president of the Iowa Association of Realtors says data from November shows the median sales price of Iowa homes seems to have slowed down a bit and Iowa has a strong inventory of homes on the market. Homes that were sold in November had been on the market an average of 26 days. That’s over 18 percent longer than in October.

The median sales price for an Iowa home was nearly 245-thousand dollars in November. That’s slightly less than October — but nearly seven percent above what Iowa homes were selling for in November of last year.

The association’s report shows a surge of new listings in November compared to October, however in the year-to-year comparison, there were 57 more Iowa homes on the market in November compared to November of last year.

ATLANTIC, IA (December 14, 2025) – Produce in the Park’s Christmas Market will be held this Saturday, December 20, from 10:00 AM – Noon at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA (1100 Maple St. Atlantic, IA 50022). Produce in the Park’s farmers markets give area residents and visitors a convenient way to buy a wide variety of premium local foods directly from producers.

Local food at Christmas Market will include produce, farm-fresh eggs, and locally raised meats such as beef, lamb, pork, and chicken, along with freeze-dried foods, holiday treats, baked goods, and desserts. The full Christmas Market vendor lineup includes more than 30 vendors. In addition to local food producers, shoppers will find crafters and artisans offering gifts, decorations, artwork, home goods, bath and body products, and more.

Christmas Market Vendor Lineup:

Food Vendors –
Bridgewater Farm – Fresh leafy greens, potatoes, sweet potatoes
Brun Ko Farm – Carrots, butternut squash, onions, garlic, sweet potatoes, eggs, chicken
Hoopy Hallow Ranch – Beef, lamb, eggs
Noble Provisions – Beef
Hansen Family Homestead – Pork, sourdough bread, holiday snack mixes
Ter-Bear Honey – Honey
Hutchison Family Farm – Eggs, pasta sauces, jams, cookies
Mama’s House Market – Sourdough, infused oils, eggs
Fire and Flour – Sourdough, muffins, holiday desserts
Renander Farms – Cinnamon rolls, sweet breads, calendars
Frosting, Inc. – Gourmet cupcakes, cookies, Christmas treats
Sugar Mama Cookie Co. – Frosted cookies, cookie decorating kits
The Kringle Man – Danish kringle, pastries
TJ’s Kitchen – Wine bread
322 Kravings Freeze Dried & More – Freeze-dried candy, fruit, snack mixes
Hall House Freeze Dried Foods – Freeze-dried fruits, veggies, candy
Lunas Mon Snacks – Freeze-dried candy, desserts
Faithful Roots – Candied nuts, hot cocoa mix, pancake mixes, bows

Food Truck – 
Spirits of the Faire: Hot cocoa flavors including Peppermint, Mexican Style, Caramel Delight.
Plus, lemonades, sodas, Italian sodas, coffee, tea, and specialty drinks including Ice Pumpkin
Pie cold brew, Spiced Apple Pie with chai tea, and more.

Craft Vendors –
Dragonfly Creations – Candles, wax melts, soaps, body butter
Heaven’s Hands Crochet – Crochet gifts, winter wear, decor
Imagine Garden Gift Store – Plants, garden gifts, holiday decor
It Makes Total Scents – Car freshies, diffusers, home scents
Juj’n Juj’n Leather – Handcrafted leather goods
Lori’s Unique Cards & Crafts – Cards, crafts, holiday decor
MAS Arts – Original art, prints
Prints Legacy – 3D-printed gifts, light-up decor
Ray’s Custom Woodworking – Woodcrafts
SP Creations – Crochet items, gifts
Sweet Vale Creations – Candles, wax melts, car diffusers

Kids Activity Vendors –
Alyssa’s Awesome Animals – Balloon animals, crafts
Cat Tales Face Painting – Face painting, glitter tattoos

In addition to vendors, Christmas Market will offer several free activities for families. Thanks to host Nishna Valley Family YMCA, kids can enjoy bounce houses at no cost. Artists of all ages are invited to help decorate a giant gingerbread house provided by A Community for Kids. Spirits of the Faire food truck will also offer a free photo booth. Various organizations, such as Cass County ISU Extension and Cass County Tourism, will also be at the market sharing information on community events and resources.

Lastly, while not part of the Christmas Market itself, the YMCA will host a “Snowballs and Shenanigans” event at their indoor pool during the Christmas farmers market (also 10 AM -noon). The Snowballs and Shenanigans event is free to YMCA members; non-members must pay the YMCA’s visitor fees.

Admission is free at all Produce in the Park farmers markets, including Christmas Market. Produce in the Park accepts SNAP/EBT and Double Up Food Bucks for all qualifying food items from all farmers market vendors. Double Up Food Bucks are produce coupons provided to customers who purchase produce with their SNAP/EBT cards; the program give an extra dollar in coupons for each dollar spent with SNAP/EBT up to $15 per day.

Christmas Market sponsored by the City of Atlantic, First Whitney Bank & Trust, Gregg Young Chevrolet of Atlantic, Cass Health, Cass County Tourism, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, and Nishna Valley Family YMCA.

For the latest market updates, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark or Instagram at www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/, or sign up for the Produce in the Park email newsletter at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com.

JOHNSTON, Iowa — The Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, Major General Stephen Osborn, Monday evening issued the following statement providing an update on our Soldiers after the recent tragedy in Syria:

“Today, we continue to mourn the loss of two extraordinary Soldiers who were killed in action in Syria. Their courage, professionalism, and commitment to duty represent the very best of our armed forces, and we are deeply grateful for their service and sacrifice.

“Right now, our focus is on their families. We are working closely with them and doing everything we can to support them as we prepare for the official ceremonies in the days ahead. We ask for understanding, respect, and space for the families during this very difficult time. I also want to share an update on our wounded Soldiers. One Soldier has been treated and has
already returned to duty. Two others who required medical care continue to improve, and their families have been notified of their return to the United States.

“We anticipate our fallen Soldiers, Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, Iowa, and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, Iowa, will arrive in Iowa by the end of the week, with more details to be shared as they become available. We understand the public’s desire for information and will continue to provide updates in coordination with the
families.

“Today, and always, we honor two remarkable soldiers who gave everything in service to others. They will not be forgotten.”

(Radio Iowa) – The Missouri and Big Sioux River paddlefish licenses and tags are now on sale for the season that opens February 1st. John Lorenzen is the D-N-R’s fisheries biologist for Southwest Iowa. “So there are one-thousand tags available, 950 are available to residents and 50 are available to non residents,” he says. Lorenzen says you can buy up to two tags up to December 31st and an additional tag if there are some available from January 1st to January 7th, He says most of the tags are usually scooped up.

“For the most part, we sell out. I haven’t looked into the numbers so far. What we expect for numbers this year, although I would you know, I would assume we’d sell out again as we have in the past,” he says. The prehistoric looking fish are snagged with a hook in a method that’s different from catching most fish. “They have a, it’s called a rostrum. It’s like a giant spoon on the front of their face and they have a very large mouth, and they basically just swim around filtering zooplankton and things like that out of the water,” he says.

“And that’s what they feed on, so they’re not the typical sport fish that’s going to bite on like a crank bait. You know, you’re not casting and hoping they bite it. You’re trying to find where the fish are located.” Lorenzen says. Lorenzen says it’s likely many of the licenses are sold to people who live close to the two waterways, including the non resident licenses. “I can almost say with certainty that most of those are probably sold to Nebraska residents just because they live right across the river. Of the 950 resident tags that are available, I would say most people would be somewhat local just because, you know there’s other parts of the state, like on the eastern side of the state, if people wanted to paddle fish, they can do that on the Mississippi without having to travel over here to the Missouri side of the state.”

Lorenzen says most people have experience paddle fishing, or if they are new will find someone who does. )”It’s not as common or as well known as, you know, just throwing something on a bobber and catching bluegills or whatever in a pond,” He says. “You know, it takes the type of person who wants to try something completely different to be new at it. Otherwise you know most people out on the river usually have experience being on the river.”

A resident license sells for 25 dollars, 50 cents, and a nonresident license is 49 dollars. You must also have a valid Iowa fishing license to get a paddlefish license.

(Radio Iowa) – Fewer than two weeks remain to visit one of Iowa’s largest holiday displays, and one of very few you can walk through to admire the dazzling array of lights, decorations, and interactive exhibits. Andrew Gogerty is spokesman for Reiman Gardens on the Iowa State University campus, which is hosting what it calls Winter Wonderscape.

“We have nearly 200,000 lights that are strung throughout our 17 acres of the gardens, and when people come, they’ll be along about three quarters of a mile of lighted walking paths. It’s all ADA accessible,” Gogerty says. “People can just enjoy lots of different Christmas displays, everything from lighted tunnels to a lake of lights.” It’s an annual tradition for the gardens in Ames to be transformed to a glittering sensory experience.

“One of the most popular spots is always our barn and our children’s garden, which has a giant disco ball in it, lights flash off of it, it’s coordinated to the music,” Gogerty says. “You’ll see just lots of lots of different ages of folks having fun in that area.” Visitors are encouraged to bring their cameras to capture the magic of the season. “I consider Winter Wonderscape Instagram heaven. For those that love to come and take selfies, love to just take unique photos with gorgeous displays,” Gogerty says.

“It’s really such a such a pretty event. We even have couples that get engaged every year at this event.” The Winter Wonderscape is open from 5 to 9 P-M. The remaining dates are December 18th through 23rd, and the 26th and 27th.

For tickets, visit: https://reimangardens.com/

(Corning, IA) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports the following recent arrests took place on or about the following dates:

• Dec. 11th: The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office located 24-year-old Ashlyn Pitman, of Villisca, who was wanted on an active Adams County warrant. Pitman was turned over the the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.
• Dec. 4th: Adams County Deputies arrested 41-year-old Tara Squibbs, of Corning, for two counts of Assault, and Obstructing 911 Emergency Communications.
• Dec. 3rd: 32-year-old Joshua Harper, of Kent, was arrested for Burglary in the 3rd Degree.
• On Nov. 29th: Sheriff’s Deputies in Page County located 40-year-old Jose Huerta, of Clarinda, who was wanted on an active Adams County warrant. Huerta was turned over the the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.
• On Nov. 25th, Adams County Deputies arrested 42-year-old Steve Lamer, of Creston, for Failure to Appear.
• Nov. 23rd: 24-year-old Ashlyn Pitman, of Villisca, was arrested for Failure to Appear; 25-year-old James Williams, of Villisca, was also arrested for Failure to Appear.

Sheriff’s disclaimer: “Any potential charges identified above, are merely allegations and an defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”