Whimsically decorated chairs, homemade raspberry pie, an opportunity to parachute out of a military aircraft, and a chance to auctioneer for a minute are just a few of the items that were up for bid at the charity auction Saturday, November 3 to benefit the Danish Windmill in Elk Horn. Guests enjoyed a Danish-inspired farm-to-table dinner featuring locally sourced foods topped off by a live auction of more than 40 items and 37 silent auction items which had been donated for the event. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the current Mill restoration and historic preservation project that has been underway since 2016.

“With the historic millwright and timber guild carpenters in town to build the new cap frame and begin the reconstruction phase, it’s been a crazy few weeks,” said Lisa Steen Riggs, the Windmill’s Manager. “The good news is that it’s finally starting to look like a windmill again. We had hoped it would be completed in time for the Gala, but it won’t be too much longer before its sails are turning in the wind again. We still have to raise about $75,000 to complete Phase II of the project so we are grateful for the generosity of those who donated and purchased items at the Gala. The $26,000 is needed and greatly appreciated!”

Riggs said that cash donations are coming in and proceeds from the 5^th Annual Naughty or Nisse 5k Fun Run from the Mermaid to the Mill on Saturday, November 24 during Julefest will go toward the restoration. “The Danish Windmill is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We accept donations through our secure website and Facebook page. Purchases made in the museum and online stores help support the Windmill as well,” she continued. “We are a participating charity in AmazonSmile and hope people will keep the Mill in mind on Giving Tuesday which is November 27.”

For more information on the Danish Windmill’s restoration project and how you can help, contact the Mill at 712.764.7472 or visit danishwindmill.com.

GUTHRIE CENTER, Iowa (AP) — A sheriff says some criminals are walking free because his jail in central Iowa has no room to hold them. Des Moines station KCCI reports that Guthrie County Sheriff Marty Arganbright renewed calls Thursday for a new jail. He says there are more than 30 arrest warrants out for criminal suspects in his county, but the jail has been over capacity for the past year. There’s room for 10 inmates. Arganbright says holding inmates elsewhere is expensive: roughly $60 a day, plus transportation.

He also says the jail’s square footage doesn’t meet Iowa code, and mold in the jail presents a health hazard for inmates and staff. County officials have hired an engineering firm for a needs assessment.

The Creston Police Department today (Friday), reports 26-year old Christian Robert Edward Mills was arrested Thursday at the Creston P-D, on a Union County warrant for Failure to Appear on original charges of Carrying a weapon, and OWI/1st offense. Mills was subsequently released on a $2,000 cash-only bond.

(Radio Iowa) — Iowa retailers may see profits rise six-to-seven percent in the holiday shopping season ahead compared to last year, but consumers may have several elements working against them. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says we’re facing higher interest rates and higher prices for some imported goods due to the trade wars. Goss warns Iowa consumers not to overdo it. “Don’t take on too much debt to support your holiday buying,” Goss says. “I think caution is advisable. There are some indicators that are less positive, for example, the stock market is moving sideways since the beginning of the year.”

A good way to limit spending is to use cash, not plastic, for all of your purchases, big and small, so you can keep a tighter reign on expenditures.  “If you go out and splurge on holiday presents for yourself and family and others, and you put it on debt, and that debt has flexibile interest rates, you could get really hurt with interest rates rising,” Goss says, “particularly if the economy softens a bit, as I think it will.”

Goss predicts online holiday purchases will rise up to 15 percent from last year and he notes many retailers are offering free shipping to compete. Goss says some Millennials are shifting away from buying clothes and gadgets and are spending money on experiences, like trips. While these types of purchases don’t factor into retail spending, Goss says they will provide a similar boost to spending on holiday travel.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports Michael Weeden, of Clarinda, was arrested at around 3:35-a.m. Thursday. Weeden was taken into custody on an Adams County warrant for Failure to Appear (in court). At around 1:10-a.m. Tuesday, Adams County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by Michelle Dixon, of Corning. Upon further investigation, Dixon was placed under arrest for Operating While Intoxicated 1st Offense.