(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Department reports four arrests took place this past week. On March 27th, 34-year-old Kennier Hernandez-Ramirez, of Orient, was arrested in Greenfield on an Adair County warrant for: Child Endangerment – Serious Injury; Serious Injury by Vehicle; and, OWI/1st offense. He was later released on a $16,000 bond. His arrest stems from an investigation into a serious injury accident that occurred Sept. 13, 2024 near 310th Street and Highway 25, in Adair County.

On March 25th, Police in Stuart arrested 43-year-old Amanda Marie Guzinski, of Stuart, on an Adair County warrant for Tampering with a Witness (by electronic communication). She was later released on a $10,000 bond.

Separately, 26-year-old Shyla Marie Waldhauser, of Orient, was arrested March 25th in Orient, on an Adair County warrant for Domestic Assault by Choking, causing bodily injury, and False Imprisonment. Her arrest was the result of an investigation into an incident that occurred March 15th. Waldhauser was released the following day on a $7,000 bond.

And, on March 23rd, 18-year-old Gunner Michael Namanny, of Anita, was arrested near Bridgewater, for OWI/1st offense. He was also cited for Failure to Maintain Control, following an accident that occurred near 250th and Delta Avenue, in Adair County. Namanny was released later that day on a $1,000 bond.

(ATLANTIC, IA, March 31, 2025) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will release obligated funding under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) for 543 projects totaling $537 million in 29 states. This includes new projects approved within the first 100 days of the Trump Administration and advances President Trump’s January 20th Executive Order on Unleashing American Energy, underscoring our commitment to farmers, ranchers and small business owners in rural areas, and their essential role in building a stronger, more energy secure America.

Secretary Rollins made the announcement today during an event at Elite Octane LLC in Atlantic, Iowa—a state that leads the nation in ethanol and biodiesel production, with 42 ethanol plants capable of producing over 4.7 billion gallons annually and 10 biodiesel plants with the annual production capacity of 416 million gallons.

“President Trump is honoring our commitment to America’s farmers, ranchers and small businesses, especially here in Iowa where corn and soy growers are crucial to supporting ethanol and biodiesel production,” Secretary Rollins said. “Under the President’s leadership, we are moving away from the harmful effects of misguided climate policies like the Green New Deal. Instead, USDA will deploy energy investments that prioritize the needs of our rural communities. Through HBIIP, we will expand access to domestic, homegrown fuels which will increase good paying jobs for hardworking Americans, restore rural prosperity and strengthen our nation’s energy security.”

Background:

USDA is aggressively exploring additional ways to unleash American energy and incentivize the production and use of homegrown U.S. biofuels, including working alongside the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) that support the biofuel industry, as well as supporting EPA’s review of any potential emergency fuel waivers to allow the nationwide year-round sale of E15. In the current agricultural economy, U.S. biofuels remain a bright spot and tremendous opportunity.

Established at USDA Rural Development during President Trump’s first term, HBIIP helps expand the production of domestic biofuels by helping fueling stations install the pumps, storage containers, and other necessary infrastructure needed to offer biofuel options at the pump.

HBIIP investments directly impact American farmers. The expansion of biofuel infrastructure broadens the availability of fuels like E15, E85, and B20, made from American-made agricultural commodities. Additionally, this program protects American farmers from retaliatory trade practices, diversifies the nation’s energy supply, creates jobs and supports economic growth in rural communities.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report there were four arrests over the weekend, and two reported incidents. Those taken into custody include:

• 44-year-old Joshua David England, of Creston, who was arrested Friday on two-counts of Harassment in the 1st Degree – Threaten Forcible Felony. He later posted a $4,000 bond and was released from the Union County Jail.
• There were two arrests on Saturday, March 29th:
  • 42-year-old Nicki Renee Jones, of Creston, was arrested for Driving While Barred. Jones was cited and released on a Promise to Appear (in court).
  • 21-year-old Zaniel Aaron Reiss, of Creston, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault by impeding the flow of air/blood-causing bodily injury; False Imprisonment; and Obstruction of Emergency Communications. He was being held in the Union County Jail on a $6,300 bond.
• And, on Sunday (March 30), Creston Police arrested 18-year-old Aiden Reece Snodgrass, of Creston, for Public Intoxication/1st offense. He was cited and released on a Promise to Appear.

Creston Police said also, a man residing in the 800 block of W. Mills Street, reported Monday (today), a brake pad was thrown through his window at around 1:30-a.m. (March 31st). The damage was estimated at $100. And, a person residing in the 300 block of N. Sycamore, in Creston, reported a rock was thrown through their window at around 2:25-a.m. today (Monday). The damage was also estimated at $100.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two recent arrests. Saturday night, 45-year-old Eduardo Rojas, of Omaha, was arrested on southbound Interstate 29, following a traffic stop. Rojas was taken into custody for: OWI/3rd offense; Operating a non-registered vehicle; No valid driver’s license, and failure to show proof of insurance (accident related). His bond was set at $2,000.

And, last Wednesday (March 26th), Mills County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 32-year-old Jacquelyn Marie Chapin, of Tabor, in Glenwood. Chapin was taken into custody for Child Endangerment-Serious Injury. Her bond was set at $10,000.

Brian Luther Clark

DAVENPORT, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports Brian Luther Clark, who was convicted of Burglary 1st Degree in Clinton County, and Voluntary Absence in Scott County, failed to report back to the Davenport Work Release/OWI Center as required on Friday, March 28th.

Clark is a 42-year-old, 5’8″, 216-pound White male. He was admitted to the work release facility on Dec. 30, 2024. Persons with information on Clark’s whereabouts should contact local police.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken reports road Construction will begin this week on Cass County Road N-28, north of Cumberland. Wolken says bridge approaches will be replaced on four bridges south of Highway 83 and north of Cumberland. The bridge over Seven Mile Creek (one mile north of Cumberland) will be closed while bridge approaches are replaced. There will be a detour in-place using  Oxford Road, Highway 71 and Highway 92.

The remaining three bridges will be reduced to one lane during construction. It is anticipated the road construction will last four to six weeks.

The work is taking place ahead of an asphalt resurfacing project, which will begin in May.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority’s proposed overhaul of state tax credits has cleared initial review in the House and Senate. The changes would include limiting the money spent on research and development tax credits to $40 million per year and putting more money into housing tax credits. A new $5 million credit would be available to encourage production of sustainable aviation fuel.

During testimony at the legislature, Iowa Economic Development Authority director Debi Durham said some of the state’s current incentives were designed to compensate for Iowa not having competitive tax policies. “But you all have made us more competitive every session that you have, led by Governor Reynolds, when you get to the point of where we are with our corporate taxes…our personal income taxes, regulatory reform and all that,” Durham said, “it’s a totally different landscape.”

Christina Bateman of Atlantic told lawmakers she’s very concerned about the proposed repeal of the Endow Iowa program. She said the program’s tax credits helped the $75 million “Vision Atlantic” project focused on housing, child care and quality of life. “They encourage and ensure that our generational wealth stays in our community and is there to support our key entities into the future,” Bateman said. “They are there also to help us build these large capital projects, which would be impossible otherwise.”

Each year the Endow Iowa program awards up to six million dollars to non-profit foundations that use the money to provide tax credits to donors. Business groups have also expressed concerns about limiting the state tax credit for research activities.

(Radio Iowa) – After parts of Iowa saw near-record high temperatures in the 70s and 80s on Friday, the weekend wrapped up with snow in some areas on Sunday afternoon. Meteorologist Andrew Ansorge at the National Weather Service in Johnston, says snowfall amounts weren’t deep. “We saw a two-inch report over towards Fort Dodge,” Ansorge says, “and down here in Des Moines, we had a third of an inch at the airport.” He suggests Iowans keep a close eye on the forecast.

“We’re looking at another round of storms moving through the state Tuesday night into Wednesday,” Ansorge says, “and with that, the chance for large hail and damaging wind gusts.”

The forecast calls for partly sunny skies Thursday and Friday with the possibility of rain returning on Saturday.

(Burnsville, MN) – The staff of the Atlantic High School’s online publication, the “AHSNeedle,” was awarded the title of being a School Newspapers Online (SNO) Distinguished Site. According to SNO press release, before being awarded the title, the AHSneedle earned online digital badges in the area of: site excellence; story page design; writing; multimedia; coverage, and audience engagement. Representing what SNO sees as the six components of a modern news website, the six badges make up the SNO Distinguished Sites program.

Each year, SNO offers student journalism programs with outstanding online publications the opportunity to apply to become an SNO Distinguished Site. School Newspapers Online established the Distinguished Sites program to eliminate ambiguity and delineate standards of excellence for an online student news site. Last year, 74 schools earned all of the badges and the honor of being an SNO Distinguished Site.

View the AHSneedle at https:ahsneedle.com or see their stories on their social media partners.

To learn more about SNO, visit www.snosites.com.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Authorities in Red Oak report two people were arrested this (Monday) morning, following the execution of a search warrant on a residence in the 800 block of E. Reed Street, at around 4-a.m. Officials say:

• 40-year-old Aaron Lucas Allen, of Red Oak, was arrested for Violation of a Protection Order (Simple Misdemeanor); and on a Class-D Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine-3rd offense, charge.
• 28-year-old Lydia Ann Hadland was arrested for Violation of a Protection Order, a Simple Misdemeanor.

Both subjects were being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail.