(Radio Iowa) — Iowa’s newest craft brewery, located in Le Mars, will have a grand opening Friday, with the distinction of being the 100th craft brewery in Iowa. Ben Sitzman, co-owner of the “Wise I” (eye) brewery in Le Mars, says “Having 100 breweries in the state of Iowa is a tremendous leap from five or 10 years ago. The craft brewery scene has exploded, for the better.” He says it’s a “happy accident” that Wise I is brewery is crossing the century mark. “We didn’t plan to be the 100th. We didn’t even know about it until three or four weeks ago, that we were in contention between two or three other breweries to be the 100th to open,” Sitzman says. He said “I’m excited. It actually gives me goosebumps.”

Sitzman says the brewery’s name is linked to an Iowan who helped draft the 18th Amendment.  “My wife, Kristin, who is also another owner…was doing some research on Prohibition and she came across an article about a lady named Ida B. Wise and she was from Hamburg, Iowa — the president of both Iowa and national president of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union,” Sitzman says. “She was very much an advocate for prohibition, obviously the opposite side of the spectrum from what we are.”

Sitzmann’s other partner, Matt Lancaster, says they hope to educate customers about the craft beer industry. “It’s a very collaborative industry, so it’s really cool to see it really pop up here in northwest Iowa with Brioux City, Jackson Street, Marto, us,” Lancaster says. “We know a lot of those guys and we brew with them. It’s just cool. It helps everybody.”

At 7 p.m. on Friday, the Iowa Brewers Guild is organizing a toast in all the craft breweries in Iowa to the mark the milestone of the 100th opening.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Sioux City woman has taken a plea deal on a charge stemming from a bank robbery in Le Mars. Records say 36-year-old Karen Merrick pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Sioux City to being an accessory after the fact. Prosecutors had charged her with bank robbery.

Prosecutors say Merrick drove Phillip White away from Iowa State Bank in Le Mars after he robbed it on Dec. 12. Officers managed to flatten the vehicle’s tires during a chase and arrest the pair. More than $16,000 of the bank’s money was recovered.

White pleaded guilty in June and awaits sentencing.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests took place Wednesday, with three of those persons taken into custody on Mills County warrants. 46-year old Daniel Dean Douglass, of Shenandoah, was arrested at the Otoe County, Nebraska Jail, on a Mills County warrant for Failure to Appear, and OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $2,000. 46-year old Renee Jean Hilligas, of Glenwood, was arrested at the Pottawattamie County Jail on a Mills County warrant for Violation of Probation. And, 36-year old Joseph Daniel McNeal, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at the Pott. County Jail, on a Mills County warrant for Failure to Appear. His bond was set at $300.

33-year old Keegan Bolton Timson, of Glenwood, was arrested at around 11:20-p.m. Wednesday, following a traffic stop on Highway 34. Timson was taken into custody for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A man accused of fatally stabbing his roommate in Sioux City has been convicted. Woodbury County District Court records show 39-year-old Elmi Said was found guilty Wednesday of a lesser charge: voluntary manslaughter. He’s also known as Abdiqadar Sharif. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 1.

He’d been charged with second-degree murder for the Oct. 28 slaying of 40-year-old Guled Nur. Prosecutors say Said stabbed and kicked Nur after an altercation broke out at their apartment.

The Cass County Health System’s Cardiac Rehab department will be closed from Friday, September 13th through Monday, Sept. 16th, while new flooring is installed. CCHS officials say the department will continue to provide care to patients needing monitors during this time, and stress tests will still be performed on the 13th.

Cardiac Rehab anticipates being open to all patients on Tuesday, September 17. Patients with questions or concerns are asked to call 712-250-8210.

Cass County Deputy Auditor Sheri Karns reports two additional persons have filed nomination papers to have their names on the ballot for the Nov. 5th City/School/General Election. Karns said Jim Behrens has filed papers to run against Pat McCurdy for the Atlantic City Council, in Ward 1. And Erin McFadden has filed for re-election to his seat on the City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Board.

Other, previously announced candidate filings include:

Linda Hartkopf (Incumbent) – Atlantic City Council, 4th Ward.

Grace N. Garrett and incumbent Dana Halder – Atlantic City Council: At Large (Vote for 1)

Mark Harris and Kevin Littleton, for Anita City Council (Vote for 2)

Thomas R. Harris – Mayor, City of Anita.

Carmen Sorensen – Candidate for the Griswold City Council (Vote for 3)

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports that at around 6-p.m. Wednesday, his officers responded to the Clarinda Lied Public Library, to investigate a report of a man being threatened with a handgun outside the library building. After Officers arrived, they detained 20-year old David Emilio Gomez, of Shenandoah.  Gomez was found in possession of a loaded .9-mm handgun, and an estimated 6 oz. of marijuana.

Authorities says Gomez allegedly threatened a 20-year-old Clarinda man with the handgun. They noted Gomez and the victim have had an on-going dispute. Gomez was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed weapon, aggravated assault and possession of marijuana. Gomez was arrested without incident and is currently in being held at the Page County Jail.

Reports concerning the incident have been submitted to the office of Page County Attorney Carl M. Sonksen for review regarding the filing of formal charges.

Coca-Cola Days is coming up on September 27th and 28th, in Atlantic. This year, the event does not coincide with AHS Homecoming, so the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce is encouraging businesses to Paint the Town Red for Coke Days that week. 

If you would like to decorate your window(s) but are lacking some supplies there are a few members of the Coke Days committee that would love to help you out! Please contact Ashley for assistance at the Atlantic Area Chamber at 712-243-3017 or ashley@atlanticiowa.com.