(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two recent arrests. Saturday night, 18-year-old Kayla Mershon Streight, of Hastings (IA) was arrested in Malvern, for Harassment of a Public Official/Employee, and False Report (911 call). Her bond was set at $600. And, on March 31st, 54-year-old Lisa Irene Braunersrither,of Plattsmouth, NE, was arrested in Hastings, for OWI/1st offense, Her bond was set at $1,000.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports a man wanted on two Adair County warrants and other charges, was arrested on March 31st, April 1st and 2nd. 42-year-old Wesley Allan Gregg, of Greenfield, was arrested March 31st in Creston, for Contempt of Court/Violation of a No Contact Order. He was arrested the following day in Adair, on an Adair County warrant for the Felony charges of Felon in Possession/control of a firearm, and Felon in control of a firearm as a domestic abuser. He was also arrested for Theft in the 4th and 5th Degrees. On April 2nd, Wesley Gregg was arrested in Greenfield, for Violation of Probation. His total bond amounted to $15,300.

On April 4th, deputies in Adair County arrested 45-year-old Joshua Lee Kinzie, of Creston, for OWI/1st offense. Kinzie was cited and released. And, on March 30th, 21-year-old Devin Kenneth Rains, of Corning, was arrested in Fontanelle for OWI/1st offense. He was also cited, and later released.

(Radio Iowa) – A former Iowa congressman who represented Iowa for 16 years will be retiring after leading the national association for credit unions for over a decade. Jim Nussle was first elected to the U-S House in 1990 and he was the Iowa Republican Party’s 2006 nominee for governor. He’d been chairman of the House Budget Committee for the previous six years. Nussle served as director of the Office of Management and Budget in the White House during President George W. Bush’s second term.

Former Iowa Congressman Jim Nussle has been president & CEO of America’s Credit Unions since Sept. 2014. (America’s Credit Unions photo)

In September, 2014, Nussle was named president and C-E-O of an organization that’s now known as America’s Credit Unions.

Nussle did not announce a date for his retirement and the national associaiton for credit unions has launched a search for a successor. Nussle, who is 64 years old, was born in Des Moines and earned a degree in economics, international studies and political science from Luther College in Decorah. After graduating from Drake University law school, he was elected Delaware County Attorney in 1986.

(Radio Iowa) – A new report on emergency preparedness ranks Iowa in the middle tier. The annual report by the non-profit Trust for America’s Health ranks states on how prepared they are for things like disease outbreaks, natural disasters and bioterrorism. Iowa ranked in the middle tier with 15 other states, the same as last year. The Trust’s Matt McKillop says no hospitals in Iowa got an “A” grade, which indicates there’s room to improve patient safety practices.

McKillop says, “Strengthening patient safety measures can reduce preventable medical errors, infections and complications, particularly crucial during public health emergencies.” He says Iowa did well when it comes to its health-based violations for community water systems, and for its increased funding of public health. “That’s an important measure for making sure that health officials in the state have the resources they need to do their jobs well,” he says, “and help protect health of the residents in the state, and to promote health for everyone.”

McKillop says Iowa’s strengths also include its participation in the nurse licensure compact. Another area where he says Iowa has room to improve would be by gaining accreditation from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Secondary Roads Department reports the Cedar Avenue railroad crossing, southwest of Adair, will be temporarily closed for maintenance, Tuesday. Cedar Avenue will be closed to traffic from about 9-a.m. until 2:30-p.m., Tuesday. (See map below)

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic FFA Banquet was held March 30th at the Atlantic High School. According to Atlantic FFA reporter Maddy Anderson, there were 195 members and guests were present at the event. The banquet started with the opening ceremonies, led by the 2024-2025 chapter officers. This year the officers include President Lola Comes, Vice President Lily Johnson, Secretary Lauren Comes, Treasurer Hayden Kleen, Reporter Maddy Anderson, Sentinel Frank Freund, and Student Advisor Joaquin Wailes.

2024-25 Chapter President Lola Comes said “The FFA banquet is a reflection of each members’ hard work, incentives, and dedication to the agriculture industry. [Members] spent the evening sharing [their] accomplishments and great food with parents, alumni, and current FFA members.” The opening ceremony was followed by a welcome to members and guests, and was given by President Lola Comes. Following that, dinner was held for members and guests. Wiota Steakhouse provided the pulled pork and the sides for the FFA members and guests. The Alumni chapter held a silent auction that raised over $1,300 for future scholarships.

Following presentations by guest speakers, awards were given out. First were those recognized for earning 10,000 FFA points throughout their time as a member. These points are earned through getting involved with our chapter. The more activities and events a member participates in, the more points they earn. Those recognized for reaching 10,000 points included Mia Kloewer, Lola Comes and McKenna Sonntag. The next award was the Academic Achievement Award. The award is given to those who have been a part of the Atlantic FFA chapter for three years, and have maintained a 3.5 GPA or above throughout all those years. Those who received the Academic Achievement Award included Carter Witzman, Lola Comes, Joci Zarbaono, McKenna Sonntag, Mia Kloewer.

10,000 point club

Honorary Chapter Farmer: Claire, Drew, Kim and Lola Comes.

Star Placement: Joaquin Wales

Star Farmer: Lola Comes

Star Greenhand Award: Walter Freund

After the Academic Achievement Award came the Star Greenhand, Star Ag Placement and Star of Ag Production Awards. The Star Greenhand is awarded to a freshman who the chapter officers feel was the most involved with the chapter in the past year. The award was given to Walter Freund. The next award, Star Ag Placement, is an award given to a member that has done an exceptional job in their employment, whether that be in or out of agriculture. The award was presented to Joaquin Wailes. Finally, the star Ag Production was awarded to Lola Comes for her dedication to Agriculture, the FFA and work on Comes Farms.

This year also, new officers for the 2025-2026 term elected two members to receive the Atlantic FFA Leadership Award, which is given in appreciation to those who have shown leadership through their years in FFA. The two members who received the award were Mia Kloewer and McKenna Sonntag. The officers elected the Drew & Kim Comes Family to receive the Honorary Chapter Farmer award. That award is given to people who have played a large role in helping the Atlantic FFA chapter and the activities they do.

16 FFA members were given the Discovery Degree. The Discovery Degree is awarded to members who are finishing their 8th grade year of schooling, and have been involved in FFA for one year. Those that have been involved for one year of high school Ag, received the Greenhand Degree, which was given to 20 members. Next came 17 members who were Chapter FFA degrees, which are given to members who have been involved in FFA for 2 years since being in high school, or members who have been in FFA for three years including their 8th grade year.

The banquet concluded with the installation of new chapter officers. For the upcoming 2025-2026 year, the new officers include the following: Lauren Comes as President, Frank Freund as Vice President, Lily Johnson as Secretary, Hayden Kleen as Treasurer, Maddy Anderson as Reporter, Keston Schmitt as Sentinel, and Claire Schroder as Student Advisor.

(Waterloo, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports a man admitted to the Waterloo Residential Facility, failed to report back to the facility as required, Sunday. 32-year-old Jayvon Roosevelt Sanford II, who was convicted of Willful Injury, Going Armed with Intent, and Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon in Black Hawk County, was admitted to the work released facility on Oct. 24th, 2024.

Sanford II is a five-feet seven-inches tall, 315-pound Black Male. (See his picture, below). Persons with information on Sanford’s whereabouts should contact local police.

Jayvon R. Sanford, II (IA DOC photo)

(Radio Iowa) – Roads, including a section of the Avenue of the Saints, are closed this (Monday) morning in the vicinity of last night’s fire just outside of Charles City. Close to 70 firefighters from Charles City and seven other area departments battled the blaze at Hawkeye Mold and Design, with the initial call coming in just after 8:30 PM Sunday. Mutual aid was also provided by various public safety agencies. At about 11:30 PM, officials deemed conditions unsafe due to several stored materials within the structure, requiring the evacuation of all personnel from the immediate scene to a safe location.

Residents within a half mile of the fire in the downwind direction were told to evacuate by the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office. There is no immediate danger to the public outside of the scene and evacuated area. Several agencies remain on scene to monitor the situation.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department reports multiple arrests occurred over the past three days (Friday through Sunday). Thre people were arrested on separate charges, Sunday: 22-year-old Noemy Aguirre, of Creston, was arrested for allowing an animal to run At Large. She was cited and released from the scene on a Promise to Appear in court; 55-year-old Rhonda Jane Thompson, of Corning, was arrested in Creston Sunday morning, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was also cited and released from the scene on a Promise to Appear in court.; 21-year-old Payten Renae Jurgensen, of Creston, was arrested Sunday for Harassment in the 3rd Degree. She was released by the Magistrate on her Own Recognizance.

Five people were arrested Saturday, in Creston: 24-year-old Jose Reynol Marroquin, of Hidalgo, TX, and 52-year-old Eric Dennis Shawler, of Creston, were arrested for OWI/1st offense. Both were released after posting a $1,000 bond, each; 48-year-old Travis Quinn Wambold, 37-year-old Wesley Gene Keller, Jr., and 46-year-old Robert Todd Jackson, all of Creston, were arrested Saturday on separate Driving While Suspended charges. All three were cited and released from the scene on a Promise to Appear in court.

Friday night, Creston Police arrested 38-year-old Cory Scott Laird, of Creston, for OWI/1st offense. He posted a $1,000 bond, and was released. 19-year-old Brooklyn Michelle Roberts, of Creston, was also arrested Friday night. She was charged with Failure to Appear. Roberts was transported to the Adams County Jail and later released on a $3,000 cash-0nly bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Joni Ernst is the co-author of a letter urging the U-S Secretary of the Interior to designate a fertilizer — potash — as a critical mineral. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley and a bipartisan group of lawmakers from the House and Senate have signed onto Ernst’s letter. Potash was removed from the U-S Critical Minerals List during the Biden Administration. Ernst, Grassley and other lawmakers say putting it back on the list will support increased production of potash in the United States.

Only 15 percent of the potash used in the U-S is produced here, the rest is imported — mainly from Canada.