(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were arrested last week on burglary-related charges. Authorities say 36-year-old Justin Lee Thornton, of Jefferson City, MO., and 31-year-old Marcus Allen Holstein, Jr., of Omaha, were arrested at around 2:30-a.m. on Dec. 26th, in Pacific Junction. Both men were charged with Attempted Burglary in the 2nd Degree, Possession of Burglary Tools, and Felon in control of a Firearm. Their bonds were set at $12,000 each.

Additional details were not provided.

(Greenfield, Iowa) –  The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports three people were arrested and two others were cited and released over the past week. On Dec. 22nd, 37-year-old Jillian Rose Weaver, of Prescott (IA) was arrested for OWI/1st offense, and two counts of Child Endangerment, after her SUV was stopped at around 7-p.m. for speeding 98 mph in a 55-mph zone on Highway 92 in Adair County. The report said Weaver “seemed confused and disoriented,” and had no explanation for her speed. Her son and his friend, both of whom are 12-years-old, were in the back of the vehicle. While the deputy was conducting an investigation, a motorist pulled-up and stated the SUV he had stopped was “all over the road and speeding on Interstate 80.” The deputy located an open container of alcohol, a bottle of wine, located in the front passenger floorboard. Weaver was released the next day on a $5,000 bond.

On Dec. 27th, 36-year-old Nicholas Allan Newcomb, of Des Moines, was arrested in Adair, for Violation of a No Contact Order/Contempt of Court. Following an initial court appearance, Newcomb was released on his Own Recognizance.

Those cited at released at the scene of their alleged offense in Adair County, include:

• 39-year-old Justin Lucas Starr, of Guthrie Center – for Driving While Barred. (Dec. 22nd)
• 31-year-old Kelsey Nicolle Moore, of Orient – for Driving While License Denied/Revoked for OWI (Dec. 26th)

And, 51-year-old Marcela Rivera, of Des Moines was arrested Dec. 27th in Adair, for Driving Under Suspension. She was released that same day, on a $300 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Underage drinkers account for 15 percent of the drunk driving arrests in Iowa — and a national group formed in 1980 by the mothers of children killed by drunk drivers has a paid program manager in Iowa for the first time in years. Shannon Booth was hired 13 months ago to represent MADD — Mothers Against Drunk Driving — and she focuses on underage drinking and substance use prevention programs in Iowa schools. “We also discuss impaired driving and how to keep themselves safe as far as making sure that they are always sober when they’re behind the wheel,” she says, “and then ensuring that they’re going to feel empowered to not get in the car as a passenger if the driver is also under the influence.” Booth’s presentations aren’t just for teens. She’s also talking with parents.

“Our kids are watching everything that we’re doing. Statistics show that kids are young as eight years old are already deciding whether or not they’re going to consume alcohol as they get older…They’re deciding whether it’s OK to drive after having a couple of drinks or after consuming any other kind of thing that might impair their driving abilities,” she says. “You know, you’re taking your kids to a t-ball game and you stop off for pizza and you think you can have one beer before you’re going to the game or after at the celebration from the game — your kids are picking up on that…Holidays are really important from that, too, if you’re drinking at a family event and then you’re driving you and your kids home…regardless of what the law says, they’re going to look at it (and say): ‘Well, if mom or dad does it, then it’s probably OK for me to do it.'”

Booth recommends that parents create rules, so their teens know what is acceptable behavior when they’re driving — especially on weekends, over the holidays and during the summer when teens have more free time. And many schools contacted Booth last April, hoping she’d do her presentations for high school students before prom season. Last month, a second person was hired to be a representative of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and provide impaired driving prevention talks in eastern Iowa and Booth’s now able to schedule her own presentations in western Iowa rather than all across the state.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors have approved a recommendation by the County’s Comprehensive Board, with regard to salary recommendations for elected officials, for Fiscal Year 2026. Auditor Jill Ozuna….

The Board also passed a Resolution approving the 2024 Comprehensive Plan for Montgomery County, following a public hearing. During the hearing, Dani Briggs, SWIPCO (Southwest Iowa Planning Council) Community Development Specialist/Lead Planner, who recapped the process that took place to come up with the plan. Supervisor Donna Robinson motioned to accept the plan, as stated in a Resolution to that effect.

The motion passed unanimously. Also during Monday’s meeting, officials elected in November received the Oath of Office from Montgomery County Attorney Drew Swanson. Their terms expire Dec. 31, 2028. The Board approved a retail liquor license for Cubby’s, Inc., and recognized District 5 Supervisor Donna Robinson, who did not run for re-election, and whose last day in office was today (Monday).

Board Chair Mike Olson mentioned also, the day marked Supervisor Randy Cooper’s last meeting, as well. He thanked both for their service to the County.

Supervisor Donna Robinson is presented with an award honoring her service to Montgomery County.

Robinson got a bit choked-up when she spoke about her 16-years in office. She was presented with a Lucite plaque in her honor.

Robinson’s daughter and son-in-law from Des Moines were in attendance for her last meeting. Randy Cooper thanked his fellow board members for their guidance during his brief term in office.

The next meeting of the Board takes place Thursday morning, when they will elect officers and handle other administrative matters.

(Des Moines, Iowa/Iowa Capital Dispatch) – As Iowa lawmakers get ready to reconvene Jan. 13 for the 2025 session with new members, leaders said they are heading into the session with expectations to take on property taxes, changes to the state’s higher education system and immigration policy, among other issues. Following the 2024 general election, the 91st Iowa General Assembly will bring some new lawmakers to the State Capitol – including adding more Republican members both chambers. Senate Republicans grew by two seats to a 35-15 supermajority in the Senate – with one seat now open as former Sen. Chris Cournoyer took the office of lieutenant governor. House Republicans expanded their majority to a 67-33 supermajority in the House.

House Speaker Pat Grassley said in an interview with Iowa Capital Dispatch that although there are more members in the House Republican caucus, much of their approach to legislating will be the same. Having GOP supermajorities in both chambers – in addition to Republicans holding all but one statewide elected office – means Democrats have little control over what legislation and topics are brought up in the upcoming session. However, Democratic leaders said there are still areas for collaboration with the majority party. House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst said House Democrats are still focused on their “people over politics” agenda and plan to introduce legislation on issues like supporting public education, reproductive health care, legalizing marijuana, and lowering the costs with housing and child care.

The Iowa Capitol on Dec. 20, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

In previous sessions, House Democrats have worked with their Republican colleagues on measures like the 2023 property tax law that passed with bipartisan support, Konfrst said. This year, she said issues like housing and child care support could be issues where members can work together to find bipartisan solutions. Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner said in addition to efforts to work with Republican supermajorities, Democrats also play an important role in the Legislature in making sure the majority party takes “accountability” for measures passed. Weiner said Democrats will look at the impact of GOP-passed measures like the changes to the state’s individual income tax and the cost of the state’s Education Savings Account program that will go into full implementation without income caps beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.

With the Iowa Revenue Estimating Conference estimating earlier in December that the state will see a drop of roughly $600 million in annual state revenues this fiscal year compared to the previous year, Democrats said there is a need to review laws to ensure the state’s future fiscal health. Konfrst said that the REC estimates show a need for the state to take a new approach to budgeting – and that the estimates show current budgeting practices are “unsustainable.” But Grassley said the declines in revenue were expected and measures like the 2024 income tax law built in provisions that allow the state to use the existing budget surplus and funds in the Taxpayer Relief Fund to make up for loss of revenue. Grassley said Republicans feel good about the “long-term viability” of these tax changes in coming years.

While budgeting typically comes near the end of the legislative session, there will be numerous policies proposed, discussed and passed at the State Capitol starting in January.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department says seven people were arrested over the weekend. Sunday afternoon, four people were arrested following an incident at the Creston Walmart Store. Authorities say 25-year-old Richard F. Parra-Flores, of Venezuela, was arrested for alleged Ongoing (Criminal) Activity. Three others faces a similar charge in connection with the incident. They include: 27-year-old Rafael Eduardo-Pinto Rodriguez, and 23-year-old Richard Yonaiker Ferrar-Alvarez, both from Illinois, and 35-year-old Jonh Javier Artega-Silva, of Venezuala. All four were being held in the Union County Jail on $25,000 bond, each.

Early Sunday morning, 18-year-old Kody Scott Exline, of Afton, was arrested in Creston for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana-1st offense. He later posted a $1,000 bond and was released.

Early Saturday morning, Creston Police arrested 47-year-old Travis Quinn Wambold, of Creston, for Driving While Barred and Possession of a firearm or offensive weapon by a felon. He later posted a $7,000 bond before being released.  And, Saturday night, 65-year-old Cathryn Ann Woods, of Creston, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was cited at the scene and released on a promise to appear in court.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – A man from Nebraska died during an accidfent early this (Monday) morning in Pottawattamie County. The Iowa State Patrol says a 2014 Toyota pickup truck driven by 48-year-old Chantell Williamson, of Bourbonnais, IL, was traveling east on Interstate 80 near Council Bluffs, and in the left lane at around 12:10-a.m., when the right front side of the vehicle struck a male pedestrian who was standing in the traveled portion of the road. The man – identified as 51-year-old Michael Ponciano, of Bellevue, NE – came to rest on I-80 near the center line of the road. He died from his injuries at the scene.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department say a woman and her child were checked-out at the Greater Regional Hospital in Creston, following an accident Friday morning near the Creston High School. Authorities say the accident happened at the intersection of Sycamore Street and Townline Avenue, at around 6:50-a.m. An investigation revealed 25-year-old Breanna Glenn, of Creston, was driving a 2008 Chevy Malibu, and turning left into the High School Parking lot to bring her husband an item, when the car was rear-ended by a 2020 Ford F-150 pickup, that was driven by 64-year-old Kimberly Higgins, of Corning.

Higgins told Creston Police that she didn’t see any brake lights or turn signal coming from the Chevy. There was fog in the area at the time. Glenn initially said she and a back seat toddler in her vehicle were uninjured, but later informed authorities they had gone to the hospital. There was no word on whether they had suffered any actual injuries, though.

Both vehicles sustained functional damage that police estimated at $4,000 altogether. No citations were issued.

(Radio Iowa) – A federal report indicates nearly 18 percent of the people who were homeless in Iowa on a cold night last January were under the age of 18. The U-S Housing and Urban Development conducts an annual survey on one night in January. The agency’s latest point-in-time report indicates at least 26-hundred Iowans were homeless in January of 2024. About one in five of them were classified as unsheltered, meaning they were sleeping in a place not designed for sleeping, like an abandoned building, a campground or a vehicle.

(Radio Iowa) – Some Iowa families have a tradition of taking down the Christmas tree tomorrow (Tuesday), on the last day of the year, in order to start the new year out fresh. Horticulturist and extension educator John Fech says don’t just toss the tree to the curb, but find a way to repurpose it. “Recycling it, reusing it, thinking of it again as a resource or an asset,” Fech says. If you’re crafty, trim the branches to make a fragrant sachet, wreath, or garland to enjoy in the weeks ahead. Laying small limbs over tender perennials provides them with some protection against fluctuating winter temperatures. He says a couple of layers of cut stems, applied in a criss-cross fashion, should offer adequate air penetration, yet keep them cool enough to reduce injury from warm and cold cycles.

Fech says mulching is another option. “Do that yourself with a hatchet or you could have it run through a chipper,” Fech says. “Many of the cities do that for their parks and then they use that for trail cover around city parks and hospitals and places like that.” Another idea is to return the tree to the great outdoors for wildlife to use as shelter. He likes to call it tree-cycling. “Also, it could just be songbird habitat,” Fech says. “Set it near the bird feeder so birds have a place to get out of the wind and have a little bit of refuge from predator birds.”

If mulching the entire tree is too much work, just using the needles can be an effective mulch on perennial plants, in your garden, and to keep weeds in check.