(Harlan, Iowa) – The AgSafety4U certificate course replaces the tractor and farm machinery safety course which has been held for many years. Federal law restricts youth under 16 from using certain farm equipment unless their parents or guardians own the farm. This online certificate course provides an overview of the hazards common to farms and rural agricultural businesses. The course is offered locally through the ISU Extension and Outreach Shelby County office.

This program can be used for the classroom portion of the Hazardous Occupations Order for Agriculture (HOOA) safety certification program for youth 14 and 15 years of age who are seeking employment and must be certified to drive or operate tractors and machinery for hire. Additional hands-on training is required for issuing a US DOL certificate. Visit the registration site ag-safety.extension.org/agsafety4u-certificate-course. There is $10 fee for the course. 

This course is designed for youth, new and beginning farmers, and for employers and employees of agricultural operations looking to enhance their knowledge and/or to provide professional development with a heavy emphasis on tractor and machinery. Individuals who take this course and pass the online quizzes will be able to print a certificate of completion. There are two components to this certification, the online course work and a tractor driving test. A driving test will be given on Saturday, May 17 in Harlan. The online coursework must be completed prior to the tractor driving test. Participants will need to bring their course certificate to the driving test.

Contact the Shelby County Extension office to sign up for a testing time or for questions, 712-755-3104.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak report a man was arrested this (Monday) morning on an Assault charge. 38-year-old Jesse Ray Nelson, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 10:05-a.m. on Highway 48, for Domestic Abuse Assault/2nd offense – a Serious Misdemeanor. Nelsen was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held without bond pending an appearance before a Magistrate.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests occurred last week. On April 7th, 33-year-old Tyler Lee Carter, of Adair, was arrested for Violation of a No Contact Order, and charges of Trespass as well as Disorderly Conduct. The latter two charges were with regard to an incident that took place at around 9:45-a.m. April 7th, at a bank in Adair. Bond on the charges was set at $800 altogether. Carter was released April 11th for time served.

Last Friday (April 11), 26-year-old Miranda Marie Nichols,of Allison (IA), was arrested on Interstate 80 near Menlo, in Adair County, after she called to request help for a flat tire, and was found to be Driving While Barred. Nichols was released a short time later from the Adair County Jail, on a $2,000 bond.

And, a woman from Earlham was cited and released from the scene of a traffic stop April 12th, after being detained for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports 44-year-old Annie Joy Massure was pulled over for an equipment violation (malfunctioning brake light), and subsequently found to be in possession of paraphernalia.

DES MOINES – Iowa Treasurer Roby Smith is reminding soon-to-be and former graduates of any Iowa high school who plan to pursue post-secondary education in Iowa, there is still time to apply for the Robert D. Blue Scholarship. Awards are based on financial need, an original essay, academic achievement and letters of recommendation.

“Last year, we awarded $8,500 to seven outstanding students,” said Treasurer Smith. “I encourage all Iowans with a student in their life to push them to apply for this scholarship because this year, it might be a student you know.”

The scholarship is funded by the Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation, which Governor Robert D. Blue created in 1949 to encourage students to attend Iowa’s institutions of higher learning.

Scholarship applications are only accepted online and must be submitted by May 10. Visit rdblue.org to apply and learn more.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks says while there’s been a little bit of disruption in the federal government this year, the Trump Administration and Republicans in congress are on the right path. “You know you’re over the target when they’re in your district and they are protesting and they’re doing fake town halls and they’re sending money in,” Miller-Meeks said. “…You know you’re going where God wants you to go and we’re going to keep going and keep charging until David slays another Goliath and that is the behemoth of the federal government that is taking away our rights and liberties,” Miller-Meeks said. Miller-Meeks, who represents Iowa’s first congressional district, spoke at an Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition fundraiser this weekend.

Miller-Meeks told the crowd the first days of the Trump Administration are evidence policies like banning biological males from female sports and abortion restrictions are popular. “We were told that Donald Trump would not get re-elected. We slayed that dragon,” Miller-Meeks said. “…We were told that men could be women just because they say they are. We’ve slayed that dragon…We’re going to continue one after another and after another until every one of those ‘woke’ dominoes fall.” A long-time G-O-P consultant has suggested Miller-Meeks and the other members of Iowa’s congressional delegation might be considering a run for governor in 2026 now that Governor Reynolds isn’t seeking a third term. Miller-Meeks began her remarks Saturday by saying Reynolds will be missed.

Marianette Miller-Meeks. (photo from Miller-Meeks office.)

“Iowa’s had some great governor, but Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds was the best of the governor and the best governor Iowa has ever had, bar none,” Miller-Meeks said before leading the audience with a round of applause. Miller-Meeks says Republicans have more to do — in D-C or Des Moines. “We’re not going to stop. We are not going to let down,” Miller-Meeks said. “We are undeterred, undefeated and we will be unstoppable.”

Miller-Meeks won her first race for the U-S House by six votes. She won her third term in 2024 by a margin of about 800 votes.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office says there were two arrests over the past week. Saturday night (April 12), 55-year-old Rosendo Martinez, Jr., of Omaha, was arrested on I-29 in Mills Couty, on charges that include OWI/3rd offense, and Violation of Probation. Bond was set at $5,000.

And, on April 7th, 49-year-ol Brent William Michael, of Malvern, was arrested in Malvern, for Driving While Barred. His bond was set at $2,000.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports six people were arrested over the weekend. Five of the arrests took place Sunday. Authorities report:

• At around 12:35-a.m., Sunday, Creston Police arrested 40-year-old Travis James Klos, of Creston, on charges that include: Eluding – Speed 25 Over Limit; Persons Ineligible to Carry Dangerous Weapons; Possession Of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana-1st Offense, and Driving While Barred. Klos was taken to the Union County Jail and later released after posting a $9,000 bond.
• About two-hours later, 41-year-old Eulicer Morales Escalona, of Creston, was arrested for OWI/1st Offense. He later posted a $1,000 bond and was released.
• Juliann Marquis Edsall, of Creston, was arrested Sunday afternoon on a Union County Warrant for two-counts Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd Offense. Edsall was taken to the Union County Jail where she is being held on a bond of $10,000.
• At around 3:45-p.m., Sunday, Police in Creston arrested 77-year-old Loren Lee Edsall, of Creston, for Theft in the 1st Degree (an amount $10,000 or greater), and Financial Exploitation of an Individual 70-to 80-years old ($15,000 or more – 1st Offense). Edsall was taken to the Union County Jail where he was being held on a$25,000 bond.
• And, at around 8:35-p.m., Sunday, 24-year-old Jaxson Andrew Welcher, of Creston, was arrested for Interference With Official Acts, Disorderly Conduct, and Operating While under the Influence 1st Offense. Welcher was taken to the Union County Jail where he is being held on a bond of $1,600.

Saturday afternoon, Police in Creston arrested 54-year-old Charles Ray Balius, of Creston, for Driving Barred. Balius was taken to the Union County Jail where he is being held on a bond of $2,000.

(April 2025) — Officials with the Hawkeye 10 Conference have recognized the outstanding achievements of its students, by announcing this year’s Academic Team and Character Award recipients. Atlantic High School Principal Heather MCKay said the honors celebrate students who have demonstrated academic excellence, personal integrity, and a commitment to the pillars of character.

Academic Team Selection Process

The selection for the prestigious Hawkeye 10 Academic Team is the result of a comprehensive and consistent nomination process led by high school principals across the conference. Students were identified based on their exceptional academic performance, qualifying through one or more of the following criteria:

• ISASP Scores meeting or exceeding advanced thresholds:
  • ELA (Grade 11): 660+
  • Math (Grade 11): 675+
  • Science (Grade 10): 656+
• ACT Score of 29 or higher

Eligible students were then invited to complete a formal application, highlighting not only their academic success but also their character, leadership, and contributions to their school communities. Principals reviewed each submission for accuracy and completeness, awarding up to four points in the character section. Final selection was determined through an anonymous committee review using a standardized rubric to ensure fairness and consistency.

Character Award Recipients

Character Award recipients

In addition to the Academic Team, each school in the conference also selected one student to receive the Hawkeye 10 Character Award, a distinct honor recognizing students who embody the Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. Each recipient was chosen at the discretion of their school for their exemplary behavior and contributions to the school climate and community.

Celebrating Excellence

Academic Team

The Hawkeye 10 Conference remains committed to celebrating both academic achievement and strong moral character. These recognitions highlight the importance of well-rounded excellence and serve as a testament to the high standards upheld by students and schools throughout the conference.

Character Award recipient Morgan Botos, of Atlantic

Academic Team Member J. Molina, of Atlantic

Congratulations to all honorees on this well-deserved recognition!

Academic Team Members

Character Award Recipients

(Griswold, Iowa) – Griswold Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a shed fire Saturday afternoon, east of Griswold/southwest of Lyman. According to Griswold Fire Chief J.C. Wyman, the blaze at 62122 Upland Road was reported at around 2:50-p.m. (Photos from the Griswold Fire & Rescue Facebook page)

Firefighters from Grant and Cumberland provided additional assistance at the scene, along with Alliant Energy crews. The fire was under control in about 20 minutes. No injuries were reported.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Firefighters from Red Oak, Elliott and Stanton responded to a reported structure fire early this (Monday) morning. The call about the fire at 814 E. Nuckols Street (The James Grove residence) in Red Oak went out at around 2:10-a.m. According to Red Oak Fire Chief John Bruce, upon arrival, fire crews encountered a large storage structure (approximately 1500 square feet) fully engulfed in flames. There is a residential structure approximately 30 feet to the north that was an exposure concern, as well as, embers had started a small grass fire along the hillside of the railroad tracks.

Additional mutual aid was called in from Essex FD and Shenandoah FD. Bruce said the structure and surrounding area were comprised of years of accumulated materials which created challenges for fireground suppression operations. Fire ground operations were terminated at approximately 5:00 a.m. No injuries were reported. Fire remains under investigation at time of release. Unknown dollar amount of loss at time of release. (Photos via the Red Oak FD Facebook page)