DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa voters have elected Democrat Tom Miller to another four years as attorney general over Republican Adam Gregg. For Miller, his victory Tuesday marked the ninth time he’s won election as attorney general. He’s served in the position since being first elected in 1978, except for four years in the 1990s after a failed bid for governor.

In his campaign, Miller emphasized his work on consumer protection issues, including pursuing businesses that run deceptive member buying clubs. He says he wants to prosecute more cases involving human trafficking.

Gregg called for protecting families by creating a division that would prosecute crimes against children and focus on issues such as human trafficking and cyber bullying.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Republican Joni Ernst has won Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat, beating four-term Democratic Congressman Bruce Braley. Ernst, a state senator and lieutenant colonel in the Iowa National Guard, was little known when she announced her Senate bid. Billing herself as a mother, soldier and conservative, Ernst gained attention through television ads and easily won the Republican nomination.

Ernst worked to link Braley to Washington dysfunction, and fended off his arguments that she was too conservative for Iowa. She supports shutting down the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Education and backed a “personhood” amendment that would outlaw abortion.

Her election Tuesday ends Iowa’s place among states that haven’t elected a woman to Congress or as governor. She takes a seat held by Democrat Tom Harkin since 1985.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – U.S. Rep. Steve King, a Republican known nationally for his outspoken opposition to the Obama administration, has been elected to a seventh House term representing northwest Iowa. Voters elected King on Tuesday over Democrat Jim Mowrer, a military veteran from Boone who also worked as a civilian in the Pentagon.

Mowrer argued King is too conservative for the sprawling district, which stretches over 39 counties, but voters again backed the Republican, who is known for his fiery rhetoric about issues from illegal immigration to the federal health care law. King notes his Republican colleagues call him “the happy warrior.”

In his campaign, King again called for repeal of the Affordable Care Act, changing Medicare to allow younger participants to receive vouchers and cutting taxes while reducing business regulations.

R= Republican; D= Democrat; I= Incumbent ;  ** = Winner (unofficial until votes canvassed)

State Representative/House District 12: R-Brian Best**, 6,438; D (I)- Dan Muhlbauer, 5,337

State Representative/House District 20: R-(I) Clel Baudler**, 6,352; D- Steve Roe, 4,256

State Representative/House District 21: R-(I)Jack Drake**, 6,892; D- Tim Ennis, 3,822.

Cass County:

Public Measure A – Asks residents in the Edna & Union Townships if the Board of Supervisors should appoint township Trustees and Clerks of Court in those townships.
Yes_13___ No 35___

Public Measure B – Yes 33  N0 51

Adair County:
Board of Supervisors/District 2: R- Ralph A. Lents 307  D- Steven Shelley 315**
Board of Supervisors/District 4: R- Brian Rohrig 290  D- Jodie Hoadley 307 **
County Attorney: ** R- Clint Hight 1,662    D-(I) Mike Maynes 1,456
Sheriff (to fill vacancy): Jeffrey Vandewater 2,761

Adams County:
Board of Supervisors/District 1: R- Doug Birt** 220,  D- Larry Sawyer 91
Board of Supervisors/District 3: R- Linda England** 192, D- Kevin Wynn 181
Board of Supervisors/District 4: R- Leland Shipley** 197, D- Tyler Edwards 152.
County Recorder: R- Jamie Stargell**l1,053, D- Iona Allen 639.
Public Measure A: Issuance of $1.3 million in G.O. Notes for Lake Icaria Timber Ridge Improvements: Yes – 1,175, No – 432. (Requires 60% supermajority)

Audubon County:
Board of Supervisors: ** R-(I) Gary VanAernam 1,414  D- Jerry Carter 961

Guthrie County:
Board of Supervisors/District 2: **R- Cliff Carney 412  D- Kerry Sheeder 318
Board of Supervisors/District 3: **R-Everett Grasty 643 D- Kathy Miller 343
County Ag Extension Council (5):
Jim Calvert ** 2,449,  Jim Clark** 2,137, Sheree McClellan** 2,116, Erica Tunink **2,078,     Bill Messinger** 2,036,   Michael Thomas, 2002.

Montgomery County:
Board of Supervisors/District 2: **R- Joshua Wiig 412    D- Karen Blue 232 (No Party)
County Ag Extension Council (5)
Lori DeKay**2,069, Joseph Jardon** 1,855,  Kate Fridolph 1,355, Misty Adams** 1,596
Darcy Dalton**1,708, Linda Parker** 1,694.
Soil & Water Conservation Commission (2):
Deborah Howe 1,005, Mary Robinette 839 Kirk Baird**1,723, Roger Cerven** 1912.

Shelby County:
County Recorder: **R- Geralyn Greer 3,004   D- Jessica Gessert 1,184

Pottawattamie County:
County Recorder: R- Mark Brandenberg** 17,111   D- Flory Blount 7,981
Board of Supervisors (3):
R-(I) Scott Belt 13,810, R-(I) Loren Knauss12,505, R-(I) Justin Schultz 12,699
Tom Hanafan (No Party affiliation) 14,523

Deter Motor Company and The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce the 14th annual ATHENA Award in Atlantic, Iowa. Nominations are now being accepted for the award, which will be presented on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2014 at the Cass County Community Center. The award will be presented to an exceptional individual who has achieved excellence in her/his business profession, has served the community in a meaningful way and has assisted women in their attainment of professional goals and leadership skills.

The ATHENA Award was first presented in 1982 in Lansing, Michigan and has grown to include presentations to more than 6,000 individuals in hundreds of cities across the globe. Locally, past winners include Pat Markham in 2014, Dolly Bergmann, Wendy Richter, Ann Pross, Janell Hansen, Jan Kinison, Carole Schuler, Glenda Farrier, Margaret Slepsky, Denise O’Brien, Leanne Pellett, Judy Marnin and LaVon Eblen.

ATHENA Winners

Deter Motor Company believes in the values underlying ATHENA’s philosophy of incorporating talent and expertise of women into the leadership of our businesses, our communities and our government. The spirit of the ATHENA Award Program is captured in a quotation from Plato, “What is honored in a country will be cultivated there.” By honoring exceptional leaders, others will be encouraged to excel.

Those interested in nominating an individual can pick up a nomination packet after Nov. 5th at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, 102 Chestnut Street, or by visiting www.AtlanticIowa.com. Nominations are due by December 5th, 2014

A collision between two vehicles Tuesday morning in Council Bluffs resulted in the death of one person, serious injuries to another,  charges pending against one of the drivers. According to Council Bluffs Police, rescue personnel were called to the scene at the South Expressway and Vets Memorial Highway, at around 9:45-a.m. An investigation showed a van driven by Armando Mendez of Council Bluffs was westbound on Vets. A Dodge Intrepid, driven by 31-year old Damian Morgan of Council Bluffs was eastbound, turning north onto South Expressway. The van collided with the passenger side of the Intrepid. A front seat passenger in the Intrepid died in the crash. A rear seat passenger in the intrepid suffered critical injuries and was transported to Creighton University Hospital. Both drivers suffered minor injuries in the crash. Currently charges are pending toxicology results on Morgan. Names of the other individuals involved were being withheld Tuesday. pending notification of next of kin.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An education task force says it will present Iowa lawmakers with recommendations for implementing new state testing for students. The Assessment Task Force said Tuesday it was endorsing the Smarter Balanced assessments for public and accredited nonpublic schools starting with the 2016-17 school year. The assessments were developed by a consortium of states. The task force says it will be aimed at monitoring student progress in mathematics and reading.

The recommendations come amid heightened interest in Iowa’s system for student testing. Gov. Terry Branstad recently removed the state from an organization developing an assessment system for the Common Core education standards.

The task force is made up of more than 20 education leaders. It will present a final report in January to the Legislature and education leaders.

A Cass County man has received a special thank you for her contributions to the community. Win LaMaster of Atlantic, was selected to receive free fuel from Tanks of Thanks®, a program that rewards people who do good deeds to help make their community just a little bit better. The Tanks of Thanks program from CHS and Cenex® retailers encourages people to nominate friends, family and neighbors for free fuel as a way to say thank you for doing good in the community.

Each month, CHS and Cenex retailers give away more than $5,000 in free fuel through the Tanks of Thanks program. LaMaster was nominated for making hats and scarves for the American Cancer Society in Omaha, Nebraska. Recently, LaMaster was selected to receive a $50 Tanks of Thanks gift card, redeemable at any Cenex location.

Tanks of Thanks is a multiyear program, so there is plenty of time to nominate someone for free fuel. “Nominating someone for Tanks of Thanks is easy, and anyone can nominate or be nominated for any act of kindness – big or small.” To make a nomination, visit http://www.cenex.com/tanks-of-thanks and briefly describe why someone deserves a Tank of Thanks.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Nov. 4, 2014 – Demolition work to remove the old bridge over Interstate 29 at the Port Neal interchange (exit 135) will require closing I-29 from 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, until 6 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 3 Office in Sioux City. During this closure, traffic will be routed on the new interchange ramps around the demolition work.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

For the latest traveler information anytime, visit www.511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter (find links at www.iowadot.com/511/socialmedia.html); or download the free app to your mobile device.

(Press Release)

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday) released a report on recent arrests and an accident. Officials say on Sunday, 24-year old Rodolfo Padilla, Jr., of Yakima, WA, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Padilla remains held at the Cass County Jail on $100,000 bond.

Last Saturday, deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 47-year old Rex Talbot Luke,  of Anita, on a charge of OWI 2nd Offense. Luke was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on his own recognizance.

On October 30th, 34-year old Jolene Mardell Cain, of Red Oak, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Theft 5th Degree. Cain was taken to the Cass County Jail where she pled guilty and was released the following day.

And on October 27th, 19-year old Philip Reed Thompson, Jr., of Lewis, was arrested by Cass County deputies on two Atlantic Police Department warrants for Domestic Abuse and two District Court warrants for Probation Violation. Thompson was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $25,000 bond.

The Sheriff’s Department also responded to a reported accident at around 4:45-p.m. last Thursday. Officials say a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero driven by 16-year old Alissa Sue Brosam, of Griswold, went out of control on 540th Street curve, south of Griswold. The car entered the south ditch and hit an outbuilding before coming to rest on the driver’s side. Brosam and two passengers refused medical attention.

The teen was cited for Failure to Maintain Control. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $4,000; damage to the outbuilding is estimated at $500.