(Radio Iowa) – A national study by A-A-R-P finds about three quarters of people 50 or older want to stay in their own homes as they get older. A-A-R-P vice president Rodney Harrell says whether you live in Iowa or somewhere else, your chances for living at home increase if you plan ahead.

Harrell says take a look at some scenarios and how your home fits into them as you get older.

Harrell says getting together and making your dad’s home easier to get around in is better to do now instead of after an accident.

You might discuss if a home with a lot of stairs is a challenge your family members want to face as they get older, or do they want to make a change. He says these conversation can be a lot easier before you’re forced to take action.

He says if your family members like their neighborhood and the amenities it offers, you can talk about ways to modify the home to adjust for them as they get older.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office has released a report on six arrests that took place between December 13th and the 22nd. Most recently:

On December 26th, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jackson Sally, 24, of Atlantic, on warrants for Violation of Probation.  Sally was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held.

On December 22nd, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Donald Worth, 60, of Lewis, for Driving while Barred.  Worth was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on bond.

On December 21st, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Daphne Doyle, 45, of Bridgewater, on the charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Doyle was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release on her own recognizance.

On December 20th, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Dawn Theisen, 44, of Atlantic, on a warrant for Violation of a No Contact Order.  Theisen was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release on her own recognizance.

On December 16th, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Shantell Michaels, 19, of Atlantic, on a warrant for Violation of a No Contact Order.  Michaels was taken to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release on bond.

On December 13th, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Ryan Juhl, 37, of Atlantic, on warrants for Sex Offender Registry Violation(s).  Juhl was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department says a man was arrested Thursday on drug and burglary charges. 59-year-old Ralph Springs, of Glenwood, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd offense, and Attempted Burglary/3rd offense. Springs’ bond was set at $6,000.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa D-N-R recently awarded 138 Iowa rural fire departments federal grants for specialized equipment to fight wildfires. D-N-R forestry fire supervisor Jason Walker says Iowa fire departments are normally set up to fight structure fires in burning homes or commercial buildings. “And there’s specialized gear that goes along with that, whether it’s a heavy bunker protective equipment they wear, heavy boots, you know things like that, when you are out in the wildland where you may be walking miles at a time, it could become extremely burdensome,” Walker says.

The gear for wildfires is specialized for the challenges they provide. “A wildland fire, we do things a little bit different, where you’ve got a little bit lighter weight, more mobile, personal protective equipment,” he says. “it allows our firemen to be a lot more effective and efficient at moving around. You don’t get so tired so easily. ” Walker says the grants are a good way to help departments be prepared for anything. “Those departments that don’t have a lot of resources or money available to just go out and buy stuff, this helps supplement that, and they’re able to go out and purchase some of that more specialized wildland fire gear, whether it’s pants, shirts, coats, boots or some hand tools, etcetera.” Walker says. “This helps cover half of the cost of some of that stuff .”

Walker says Iowa wildfires are like the ones you might see on T-V in California where they consume, forests, homes and anything in their path. But they are still a concern. “The reality is across the state of Iowa we have a significant amount of opportunity for wildfire, whether it be early season spring grass fires, or, as we’ve seen with more drought conditions, especially this last fall, for a period of time, field fires that may happen with equipment malfunctions, etcetera,” he says. Walker says we saw one of the busier wildfire seasons in Iowa this year. “We had several days with higher temperatures, high winds, low humidities, which combined to be what we would call Red Flag Warning type days,” he says. “Any kind of spark or source of ignition can cause a very significant, catastrophic wildfire across anywhere in rural Iowa.”

The Iowa volunteer fire departments received a total of 416-thousand dollars in grants. In the KJAN listening area, departments receiving the grants include:

Anita, Avoca, Bayard, Clarinda, Creston, De Soto, Dexter, Early, Farragut, Glenwood, Grant, Hamburg, Logan, Oakland, Onawa, Orange City, Quimby, Shelby, Shenandoah, Sidney, Silver City, Stuart, Tabor, Underwood, and Yale.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Are you ready for a cozy getaway in an Iowa State Park cabin? The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says you can get 20% off your stay with Promo Code Cabin2025 when you book now for the months of January or February 2025. Enjoy the pristine beauty and outdoor fun of winter in an Iowa state park.

This promo applies to the year-round cabins at:

• Backbone State Park (16 cabins, max occupancy from 4 to 9)
• Black Hawk State Park (1 cabin, max occupancy 11)
• Lake Darling State Park (6 cabins, max occupancy 6)
• Lake Wapello State Park (2 cabins, max occupancy from 6 to 10)
• Pine Lake State Park (4 cabins, max occupancy from 4 to 6)
• Union Grove State Park (2 cabins, max occupancy 4 )
• Waubonsie State Park (2 cabins, max occupancy from 6 to 12)

Promo code only can be applied for online reservations for January 1 through February 28, 2025. Note that January 1, 2025 is not an allowed arrival date; reservations may have an arrival date before or after that day. Promo code is good only for the state parks listed. Two-night minimum. Last day to make a reservations is February 20, 2025. Rules and fees apply.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – What are your plans for New Year’s Day 2025? The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says Iowa state parks and forests invite you to enjoy the outdoors and take a hike! More than 40 locations are offering either a guided hike with park staff or a suggested hike to explore on your own. Hikers can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, and experience spectacular views, beautiful settings and the cultural treasures offered by Iowa’s state parks.

Find a First Day Hike near you, here: 2025 First Day Hikes Event List

In southwest Iowa, First Day Hikes are being held at the following locations:

Green Valley State Park
SELF GUIDED HIKE
Parking Location: Southeast parking lot on 140th St for the 5-mile hike on paged trail. OR South Shelter parking lot on 140th Street for 6-mile hike on grass path.
Park Address: 1480 130th St, Creston IA 50801
Description: Enjoy 2.5 miles of paved trail (5 miles round trip) from SE Parking Lot on 140th street to the main boat ramp. Or mowed grass path for three miles (6 miles round trip) from south shelter parking lot on 140th Street to North End of the lake. Dress for the weather.
Contact: (641) 782-5131.

Lake Anita State Park*
10:00 AM
Meeting Location: East side of beach parking lot
Park Address: 55111 750th St, Anita IA 50020
Description: Long Hike, 4 miles – starting at the beach parking lot, we will travel north on the all-weather trail and continue around the lake until we get back to the parking lot. Short Hike, 1.3 miles – starting at the beach parking lot we will travel north until the picnic area and turn back around and head back the way we came until we get back to the parking lot. Both hikes are very scenic and on a paved path through mostly restored prairie. This hike is on a paved trail with some moderate slopes.
Contact: (712) 762-3564

Lake of Three Fires State Park
SELF GUIDED HIKE
Parking Location: When entering the park, turn left. You will find parking available at the boat ramp or at the top of the hill.
Park Address: 2303 Lake Rd, Bedford IA 50833
Description: Start this 1.5-mile hike at the trail head west of the dam. There is a bridge that will cross the spillway. Once across the spillway, keep making left turns and you will find yourself back at on the east side of the dam. Maps at the trail intersections with “you are here” arrows can help you find your current location.
Contact: (712) 523-2700.

Lewis and Clark State Park
SELF GUIDED HIKE
Parking Location: Parking lot for the beach area, which is near the entrance
Park Address: 21914 Park Loop, Onawa IA 51040
Description: Hike 1 mile around the loop along Park Loop Road to get the best the park has to offer, including views of the woods and lake. This trail is flat and paved. Dress for the weather.
Contact: (712) 337-3211.

Prairie Rose State Park*
3:00 PM
Meeting Location: Park Office
Park Address: 680 Road M47, Harlan IA 51537
Description: Join us for a 2-mile hike around the east side of the lake. The Friends of Prairie Rose usually provides hot chocolate and popcorn following the hike. We should see lots of animal signs on this hike. The grass trail is fairly wide and flat, with a few moderate slopes.
Contact: (712) 773-2701.

Springbrook State Park
SELF GUIDED HIKE
Meeting Location: Parking lot above lake OR small parking area near informational kiosk below dam
Park Address: 2437 169th Rd, Guthrie Center IA 50115
Description: This 1.37-mile hike travels around the lake, with optional side trails for those who wish to adventure out. If parking at the dam, walk up the stairs to the boat ramp for the trailhead. If parking above the lake, walk down to the shelter and take the trail to the right. Trail is moderate, but not ADA accessible, and may include stairs and possible areas of ice and snow. Please dress for the weather.
Contact: (641) 747-3591.

Viking Lake State Park
SELF GUIDED HIKE
Parking Location: Go to the extra-vehicle park lot near the campground entrance.
Park Address: 2780 Viking Lake Rd, Stanton IA 51573
Description: Enjoy the 1-mile Burr Oak Trail. This is a grass-mowed path.
Contact: (712) 829-2235.

Waubonsie State Park*
Noon – shelter open for potluck/refreshments. Hike starts at 1:00 PM
Meeting Location: Wa-Shawtee Lodge
Park Address: 2585 Waubonsie Park Rd, Hamburg IA 51640
Description: The 2-mile hike will begin at Wa-Shawtee Lodge and wind off-trail through the woods of Waubonsie State Park and the Militia Hollow Wildlife Management Area. The Friends of Waubonsie will be providing food and beverages before and after the hike. Watch the Friends of Waubonsie Facebook page for cancellation information. The trail is mostly compacted dirt, with some intermittent steep sections and rolling terrain.
Contact: (712) 350-0873.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will release rainbow trout in nine locations across Iowa this winter in areas that would not support them during warmer months. Winter trout stockings are a great place to take kids to catch their first fish. A family-friendly event is paired with some stockings to help anglers have success and fun while fishing. The popular program is supported by the sales of the trout fee. Anglers need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. The daily limit is five trout per licensed angler with a possession limit of 10.

Children age 15 or younger can fish for trout with a properly licensed adult, but together, they can only keep one daily limit. Children can pay the trout fee, allowing them to keep their own daily limit.

Winter trout stocking events are dependent on favorable weather and ice conditions. Check the DNR Trout Fishing website at www.iowadnr.gov/trout for possible changes to the schedule.

2025 Winter Community Trout Stocking Schedule

• Jan. 3, Bacon Creek Lake, Sioux City, at 1 p.m.
• Jan. 11, Blue Pit, Mason City, at 11 a.m.
• Jan. 24, Big Lake, Council Bluffs, at 3 p.m.
• Jan. 24, Moorland Pond, Fort Dodge, at Noon
• Feb. 1, Lake Petocka, Bondurant, at Noon
• Feb. 1, Scharnberg Pond, Spencer, at Noon
• Feb. 4, Triumph Park West and East, Waukee, at Noon
• Feb. 4, Terra Lake, Johnston, at Noon
• Feb. 8, Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake, Ames, at Noon

(Harlan, Iowa) – In an update to our story posted Wednesday morning, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports a man and woman from Harlan suffered minor injuries when their pickup truck was struck by a stolen vehicle that was being pursued by Sheriff’s Deputies. The incident began at around 7:50-p.m., Tuesday, as Deputies tried to stop a 2012 Chevy Camaro that was reported stolen out of Polk County. When the car failed to stop, a pursuit began near the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and 19th Street, in Harlan.

The stolen Camaro turned onto 19th Street and continued to Cyclone Avenue in Harlan, where it turned west and then north, onto Highway 59. The car continued to Highway F-32, where it turned west into Hickory Road, and then turned south toward 1400th Street. The car turned west onto 1400th and then south onto Hazel Road. A Shelby County Deputy continued following the vehicle while two other Deputies paralleled the pursuit in an attempt to get into position to place “Stop sticks.” (Photos below were submitted to KJAN)

The stolen Chevy turned east onto 1200th Street and continued until it reached Linden Road, where it failed to negotiate the T-Intersection, and entered a field. A Deputy continued to pursue the car until it reached County Road M-36 and turned back toward the City of Harlan. The chase entered the northeast part of town, traveled south on 5th Street to Cyclone Avenue, and turned east onto 4th Street before heading north. The car turned west on Broadway Street and continued to 12th Street, traveling south.

A Shelby County Deputy Sheriff placed stop sticks near the intersection of 12th and Lincoln Avenue, but before the stolen car made it to tire deflation devices, it collided with a 2015 Chevy Silverado, at the intersection of 12th and Pine Streets, in Harlan. The stolen car came to rest on 12th Street. The driver, 47-year-old Alan Spencer, was taken into custody. The pickup was occupied by Dale and Mary Swanson, of Harlan. The couple were transported to Myrtue Memorial Hospital by Shelby County Ambulance and Harlan Fire, respectively, for treatment of their minor injuries.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office was assisted during the incident, by the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, Harlan Fire and Rescue, Shelby County Ambulance, and 712 Towing.