(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests occurred during the month of December, 2o024:

12/30/2024 – Nicholas Quinn Sitorious, Age 43, IA. Sitorious was arrested following a call for service. Sitorious was transported to the Shelby County jail and charged with Theft 5th Degree.

12/29/2024 – Clay Alan Dille, Age 61, Woodland Park, CO. Dille was arrested following a traffic stop on 6th St. Dille was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Prohibited Acts, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Persons Ineligible to Carry Dangerous Weapons.

12/24/2024 – Alan Gabriel Spencer, Age 47, Bronson, IA. Spencer was arrested following a pursuit. Spencer was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Theft 1st degree, Eluding- 25 MPH over limit, Interference with Official Acts- Inflicts Bodily Injury, Driving while Suspended,135 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone, 80 MPH in 25 MPH Zone, Dark window or windshield, Failure to provide Proof of Financial Liability, Failure to Obey Stop Sign and Yield Right of Way x7.

12/22/2024 – Brent Michael Swisher, Age 41, Avoca, IA. Swisher was arrested following a call for service. Swisher was arrested and transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Violation of No Contact Order.

12/18/2024 – Robert Douglas Fauteux, Age 31, Shelby, IA. Fauteux was arrested following a traffic stop on HWY 59. Fauteux was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while Barred.

12/16/2024 – Laura Ann Traufler, Age 47, Earling, IA. Traufler was arrested and transported to the Shelby County Jail on an active Shelby County Warrant.

12/14/2024 – Nicholas Ross Swanson, Age 44, Kimballton, IA. Swanson was arrested following a traffic stop. Swanson was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while Revoked.

12/13/2024 – Phillip Michael Houston, Age 38, Walnut, IA. Houston was arrested following a traffic stop on HWY 59. Houston was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while Barred.

12/11/2024 – Joshua Matthew Crayne, Age 29, Harlan, IA. Crayne was arrested following a traffic stop on 23rd ST. Crayne was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Violation of Probation.

12/05/2024 – Vance Scott Yates III, Age 28, Neola, IA. Yates was arrested after a traffic stop on HWY 59. Yates was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substance; Kendra Kathleen Kyle, Age 31, Avoca, IA. Kyle was arrested after a call for service. Kyle was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance.

12/01/2024 – Brian Daniel Green, Age 31, Harlan, IA. Green was arrested after a traffic stop on Industrial Ave. Green was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while Revoked, Operating a Non- Registered Vehicle, and Open Container; Liberty Lynn Cole, Age 24, Woodbine, IA. Cole was arrested after a traffic stop. Cole was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while Barred and No Insurance.

Note: Criminal charges are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests took place over the past week. Authorities say 33-year-old Kaleigh Lane Pearcy, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at around 1-a.m. Jan. 2nd, on an Assault charge ($300 bond). At around 7:15-p.m. Thursday, 31-year-old Shawna Marie Watson, of Glenwood, was arrested for Public Intoxication ($300 bond).

On Friday, (Jan. 3rd) Mills County Deputies arrested 58-year-old Christopher Allen Vanderloo, of Council Bluffs, for Violation of Probation ($10,000 bond). And, on Dec. 31st, 42-year-old Lester Robert Harmon, of Omaha, was arrested in Glenwood for Failure To Appear (in court).

OMAHA, Neb. [KETV]— Omaha’s Eppley Airfield has begun the first phase of the Terminal Split in its OMA Terminal Modernization Program. In a press release, officials with Eppley said starting Jan. 6, the central portion of level 1 in the Terminal will be closed. Travelers can still walk between the North and South Terminals using the second level. Then, on Feb. 17^th, the entire central portion of the Terminal will close for construction. Eppley Airfield will have two separate terminals until the new Central Pavilion opens in 2027. Travelers who need to move between the terminals must use the Terminal Drive walkways and the lower level of the South Garage instead.

During this new phase of construction, Eppley officials encourage travelers to use the Find Your Way at OMA options below to navigate the airport:

• Passenger Assistance: Staff are available throughout the terminal to answer questions and guide travelers to their destination.

• Enhanced Wayfinding Signage: Clear, strategically placed signs and graphics will help travelers navigate the new terminal layout.

• Online Updates: BuildOMA.com and FlyOMA.com will provide the most up-to-date information on the airport, including construction updates.

(Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Corn farmers in Iowa, and across the country, will have “full and fair” access to markets in Mexico after a United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, panel found Mexico’s bans on genetically engineered corn were against USMCA commitments. The U.S. brought forward seven claims under the trade agreement in 2023 and on Dec. 20, 2024, the USMCA panel sided in favor of the U.S. claims, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Under a 2023 presidential corn decree, Mexico initiated a ban on GE corn in dough and tortillas and called for the gradual elimination of GE corn from other food sources and from animal feed.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig called the bans “baseless” and “rooted in politics” rather than science, according to a news release. “This dispute resolution case reinforces the value of securing free trade agreements with key partners around the globe,” Naig said in a statement.  “These agreements not only secure markets for Iowa-grown products, they also outline a fair, transparent and binding dispute resolution process.” According to USDA, Mexico is the largest corn export market for the U.S. and accounted for nearly $5 billion worth of exported corn from January through October in 2024.

Iowa Corn Growers Association President Stu Swanson called Mexico a “key trade market” for corn growers, in a press release from Iowa Corn that said farmers and leaders must work with the incoming administration to enforce the ruling. “Iowa’s farmers rely heavily on trade and corn exports to Mexico,” Swanson said in the statement. “That’s why we joined other state and (National Corn Growers Association) grower leaders in pushing USTR to challenge this ban.”

Corn growing in a western Iowa field in August 2023. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

USDA data on genetically engineered crops in the country show 95% of Iowa corn planted in 2024 was genetically engineered, which is consistent with rates in other corn production states across the country.  U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said in a statement the USMCA panel decision affirms U.S. allegations that Mexico’s policies were “counter to decades’ worth of evidence.” “This decision ensures that U.S. producers and exporters will continue to have full and fair access to the Mexican market, and is a victory for fair, open, and science- and rules-based trade, which serves as the foundation of the USMCA as it was agreed to by all parties,” Vilsack said.

According to USDA, Mexico has 45 days from the final report (issued Dec. 20) to comply.  The panel, in its final report, acknowledged Mexico was “seeking to address genuine concerns in good faith” but it recommended the country do so instead with “measures based on scientific principles” and “in dialogue” with USMCA parties.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Officials with the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital (MCMH) in Red Oak have announced the expansion of the facilities’ services in Malvern, with the addition of Malvern Medical Clinic – Downtown. MCMH will take over operations of the former Methodist Clinic, which will house the new Malvern Medical Clinic – Downtown at 415 Main Street. Renovations are scheduled to begin early in the new year, and the clinic is expected to open its doors to patients in spring 2025.

MCMH currently operates the Malvern Medical Clinic, RHC, located at 908 Main Street in Malvern. Malvern Medical Clinic, RHC, houses three providers: Dr. Thomas Baer, Eva-Anne Kentner, DNP, FNP-C, and Don Scarborough, MS, PA-C, who recently rejoined MCMH. Once renovations are complete, Don Scarborough will transition to the downtown clinic location, while Dr. Thomas Baer and Eva-Anne Kentner will continue to serve patients at the 908 Main Street location, and assist at the downtown location when needed.

Officials say the decision to open a second clinic in Malvern reflects MCMH’s commitment to meeting the growing healthcare needs of the community. Ron Kloewer, MCMH CEO says “We have been working with Dr. Baer to serve the Malvern community for many years now and we are thrilled with the support the Malvern community has shown us. Malvern is growing and so are we! With the recent addition of Don Scarborough, MS, PA-C joining the Malvern Medical Clinic team, we need space to accommodate the patients who have given us the privilege of caring for their health. We are committed to Malvern and we are here to serve. We are excited to open Malvern Medical Clinic – Downtown.”

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Thomas Baer, Eva-Anne Kentner or Don Scarborough, call the Malvern Medical Clinic at 712-624-6010. Watch for more information about the downtown medical clinic location to be released soon.

(Radio Iowa) – The owner of truck stops in Iowa and Missouri has agreed to a fine to resolve alleged E-P-A violations. Information from the E-P-A says the Iowa 80 Group has agreed to pay nearly 391-thousand dollars after allegations Clean Water Act violations against the Iowa 80 truck stop near Walcott, Iowa, and the Joplin 44 in Joplin, Missouri. The E-P-A says a 2023 inspection discovered the two truck stops failed to develop a spill prevention and countermeasure plan required for businesses that store large amounts of oil in above-ground tanks. The Iowa 80 truckstop is billed as the “world’s largest truckstop” and its portion of the fine is 240-thousand dollars.

The E-P-A says the two truck stops have also devised spill management plans to comply with federal regulations.

(Radio Iowa) – The first piece of legislation third district Congressman Zach Nunn has introduced this year is a resolution that could ultimately force federal lawmakers to enact a balanced budget. Nunn, a Republican from Bondurant, says attaching a balanced budget amendment to the U-S Constitution would rein in spending and prevent waste in the federal government.  “We want to come out of the gate full gallop,” Nunn says. “We’ve always been a war horse on fiscal issues, on responsibility issues, economic growth.” The national debt exceeds 36 TRILLION dollars and Nunn says that shows Washington’s spending habits are out of control.

“I think it’s high time that the federal government start learning lessons from great states like Iowa and families across America who don’t put everything on their credit card,” Nunn says. “…This was our first recommendation to the DOGE team on President Trump’s side and something they also feel is very important to move forward.”

A Minnesota congressman was the first member of the U-S House to propose a balanced budget amendment to the U-S Constitution — back in 1936 — and thousands of proposed balanced budget amendments have been introduced in congress since then. Amending the U-S constitution is not a quick process. It requires approval by two-thirds of the members of both the House AND Senate and ratification by three-fourths of state legislators.

DES MOINES — U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) today (Monday) announced mobile office hours across Iowa’s Third District to assist constituents who may not be able to travel to one of the congressional offices located in Creston, Des Moines, and Ottumwa. During the mobile office hours, Iowans will be able to get help from their Congressional office with Social Security, Medicare, passports, visas, veterans’ benefits, military records, tax returns, and other issues with federal government agencies.

Mobile office hours will begin Monday, January 6. The schedule for January in southwest Iowa, is shown below:

Ringgold County – Ringgold County Courthouse: 109 West Madison Street, Mount Ayr;Monday, January 6, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Page County – Lied Public Library: 100 East Garfield Street, Clarinda; Tuesday, January 14, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cass County – Griswold City Hall: 601 2^nd Street, Griswold; Tuesday, January 14, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Adair County – Fontanelle Public Library: 303 Washington Street, Fontanelle; Thursday, January 16, 2025 from  10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Montgomery County – Villisca Public Library: 204 South 3^rd Avenue, Villisca; Thursday, January 16, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Guthrie County – Stuart Public Library: 111 East Front Street, Stuart; Wednesday, January 22, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Taylor County – Lenox Public Library: 101 North Main, Lenox; Thursday, January 23, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Adams County – Corning Public Library: 603 9^th Street, Corning; Thursday, January 23, 2025 from  1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Additional dates and locations will be announced in the future.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests took place over the past week, and one person was cited. Sheriff Jeff Vandewater says Saturday night (Jan. 4th), 33-year-old Tyler Lee Carter, of Adair, was arrested in Adair, for Domestic Assault with Bodily Injury. During an investigation, the female victim was allegedly put into a choke-hold and apparently hit head when she was pulled the home she shared with Carter. The sheriff’s report says the woman was released when a neighbor showed-up with a gun and pointed it at Carter, ordering him to release her. Tyler Carter remains held in the Adair County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

Late Thursday night, Stuart Police arrested 32-year-old Christopher Michael Smith, of Des Moines, for Possession of Marijuana/1st offense, Poss. of a Controlled Substance-1st offense/Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His arrest took place outside of the Casey’s General Store in Stuart, following an investigation into a car hauling trailer with no functioning lights that was being pulled by a pickup truck. Smith was released a few hours later on a $2,300 bond.

And, on January 1st at around 9-p.m., 19-year-old Sawyer Eli Hensley, of Nodaway, was detained at a residence south of Orient, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Alcohol under the legal age-1st offense. Hensley was cited and released from the scene following an investigation into an incident at the residence.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken says there are three Iowa Department of Transportation-related projects coming up for bid-letting in a little more than two-weeks.

Wolken spoke during a meeting of the Cass County Board of Supervisors late last week. The projects he mentioned will get underway this Spring.