The Union County Sheriff’s Office recently took two reports of theft. An Afton man reported last week that sometime during the day on Oct. 10th, someone broke into his shed and took a Champion pressure washer, Stihl chainsaw, Nesco tap & die set, gear puller set and a .22 rifle.  The items were valued at $935.

And, on Oct. 8th, a woman from Creston reported that sometime between 5:30-and 6:00-p.m that day, while her vehicle was parked in the 1900 block of 180^th Street, someone broke the front side window and took several items.  Taken was gift cards, cellphone charger, billfold, purse, cash, clothing, IPad, Samsung Galaxy Note cellphone, checks and other personal items.  Those items were valued at $3,000 altogether.

(9-a.m. News)

Holiday wreaths, sprays and centerpieces are available for purchase in Cass County, from any member of Xi Beta Phi, a local women’s service organization.  The group sells the holiday greens annually, with proceeds going to various community projects.  This year’s proceeds will be donated to the Cass County Health System Foundation as part of a campaign to purchase a 3D mammography unit for Cass County Memorial Hospital.

Nancy White, project chair, says “We are very excited to support the purchase of a 3D mammography unit for our local hospital.

“Nancy White displays one of the holiday wreaths for sale from Xi Beta Phi members this month.” (photo submitted)

We know that early diagnosis is key to successful treatment, and 3D technology provides the information necessary for that early diagnosis.”

Holiday items for sale include wreaths, sprays, centerpieces, garlands and live potted evergreen and holly trees.  Prices range from $20 – $50.  Products will be delivered locally before Thanksgiving, and can also be shipped directly to friends and family out of town.

For more information or to make a purchase, contact Nancy White, 254-0471 or Bonnie Williams, 254-0997, or any other Xi Beta Phi member.  All orders must be placed by October 30^th.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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This is Character Counts Week in Iowa, which celebrates the six pillars of character including Caring, Citizenship, Fairness, Respect, Responsibility and Trustworthiness.  Amy Smit is with the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University in Des Moines. “We try to think of something different to do every year with it and this year we don’t have to look very far to find news stories that are kind of sad or might make us fearful or angry. You can’t ignore the negative,  that’s part of the human experience and I think sometimes that can move us to change the world around us. For Character Counts Week  we really want to be inspired by the good things that are happening out there,” Smit says.

She says they are asking people to share their good stories. “We know that there’s tons and tons of great people doing great things and those stories don’t always get the platform they deserve,” Smith says. “We’re asking everyone to find those great stories that they might stumble upon through their social media feeds or that they hear about — and we want to fill the world with those great positive stories.”

Representatives from the program went to Waterloo Monday to formally present  their School of Character award to Poyner Elementary in Waterloo so that everyone there could share in the moment. She says the often present the Character Awards in August and only a few administrators or staff get to attend that event.

You may find out more about Character Counts at www.drake.edu/raycenter.

(Radio Iowa)

The Creston Police Department is reporting three arrests. Early this (Tuesday) morning, 40-year old Shane Sanden, of Creston, was arrested for Public Intoxication. He was being held in the Union County Jail on $300 bond. Monday afternoon, Creston Police arrested 21-year old Dakota Rosch, of Creston, for Driving While Revoked. He was released from the Union County Jail on a $1000 bond. And, 34-year old Elizabeth Nelson, of Creston, was arrested for OWI 1st Offense. She was released from the Union County Jail on a $1000 bond.

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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A single-vehicle accident Monday evening in rural Montgomery County resulted in the driver of the vehicle being arrested on alcohol-related, and other charges. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says 31-year old Trevor Kyle Benge, of Stanton, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense and Driving While Suspended. Benge was also cited for failure to have insurance – accident related. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $2,000 bond.

Officials say Benge was traveling west on 270th Street at around 7:55-p.m., when the 2011 Ford Escape he was driving left the road and entered the north ditch. The SUV continued west in the ditch for about 66-yards before it came into contact with a residential drive. It then continued over the drive and northwest into a yard, where it struck a tree.

The SUV proceeded to travel southwest again, before traveling up and over 270th Street and into the south ditch. It finally came to rest after traveling 47-yards in the ditch. The vehicle sustained about $5,000 damage.

Governor Terry Branstad remains opposed to legalizing marijuana for recreational use in Iowa, but Branstad says he’s willing to work with advocates worried about the soon-to-end Iowa law that decriminalized possession of cannabis oil for treatment of chronic epilepsy. “We don’t want people to lose something they think will be helpful or that has been helpful to members of their family,” Branstad says. The law is set to expire July 1st.

“I intend to work with the legislature as well as with the (Governor’s) Office of Drug Control (Policy) as we look at what is the appropriate thing to do,” Branstad says. The group “Iowans for Medical Cannabis” has been lobbying legislators and the governor to EXPAND the law. They want those who suffer from other serious and terminal illnesses to be able to legally use cannabis as treatment for symptoms like nausea and pain. Branstad says he wants to review the experiences of patients as well as the latest medical research about cannabis.

“I’ve always said I have an open mind in looking at what is the best and most effective way to deal with it and do it in a way that’s not going to open up the possibility of abuse by people who want to use marijuana for recreational purposes,” Branstad says.

Advocates for the use of cannabis oil, patches and other products as treatment for a variety of illnesses argue the products should be made and produced in Iowa if the state legalizes possession of it. Branstad says he wants to “carefully review” how grow-and-dispense operations in the neighboring states of Illinois and Minnesota work.

(Radio Iowa)

A new report from the Governors Highway Safety Association shows fatal traffic crashes involving teenage drivers increased 10-percent last year compared to 2014. Rose White, with Triple-A Iowa, says distracted driving is the number one cause of teen driver crashes and teen passengers are the number one distraction for those drivers. “Any passenger should always avoid unnecessary conversations with the driver. That’s a big distraction,” White says. “Also, avoid unnecessary phone use. Always put the cell phone away, but if one must be used, never allow the driver to use it,” White says.

The report claims teen drivers are 1.6 times more likely to be involved in a crash than adults. White says parents should constantly be reminding their teenage drivers about keeping their focus on the road. “Parents can certainly provide assistance by being a good driver, setting a good example, never using their cell phone, and making sure their teen drivers never do so as well,” White says.

This is National Teen Driver Safety Week (October 16-22).

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State University is trying to shield the names of nearly two dozen people who have flown on a school airplane with President Steven Leath, including his best friend, a National Rifle Association Board member and an infamous athletics booster. The university released records detailing dozens of flights Leath took but redacted passengers’ names. The Associated Press obtained passengers’ names from flight billing records that had been on a university website.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials say repairs to the Iowa State Capitol’s dome have been delayed. The state legislature approved a nearly $10 million state appropriation for the major restoration project that is expected to take 12 to 18 months to complete. The Des Moines Register reports that architects are still working on drawings and specifications to allow competitive bidding on the project, which means repairs won’t start until the spring. Work had been expected to start in August.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Music Man Square in the hometown of “The Music Man” creator Meredith Willson is floundering. The Mason City Foundation Board runs the attraction, which is housed in a large building that includes a 1912 streetscape, meeting rooms, a museum and recording studios. But board members said it’s losing about $60,000 a year. One board member thinks reorganization and restructuring could save it, but another says the upkeep costs don’t match the public’s interest.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s election isn’t rigged and every vote cast by an eligible voter will be counted, the state’s top elections official said Monday, countering Donald Trump’s assertion that this year’s elections are rigged. Secretary of State Paul Pate, who like Trump is a Republican, was responding to comments from Trump who lashed out at fellow Republicans in an early Monday morning Tweet.