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Make a new year’s resolution to help others — by giving blood

News

December 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa chapter of the American Red Cross will be starting out 2025 much as it always does, with a critical need for blood donors, as stockpiles are dangerously low. Agency spokeswoman Sue Thesenga says she’s hoping the blood shortage in the new year makes people stop and think about what they can do to help year-round. “We really encourage people to resolve to do something good this year and blood donation is a very easy way to make a resolution to help people in need,” Thesenga says. “It only takes an hour of someone’s time and it doesn’t cost a dime.” The Red Cross is in need of blood donors of all types, especially those with type O, which is considered the universal type for transfusions.

“You can safely donate blood every 56 days,” she says. “So a lot of times donors donate once or twice during the year, and that is fabulous, but if they donated more regularly and more often, that would probably help us avoid situations like we’re in right now.” As New Year’s Eve is one of the deadliest nights of the year to be on the road, Thesenga says just one or two motor vehicle crashes could quickly drain this precious resource.

“A single-car accident victim may require as many as 100 units of blood,” Thesenga says. “That’s a lot of blood going to one person. So we need to make sure that people that experience emergency situations, or just regular surgeries and stuff, have all the blood products that they need.” While most blood center offices will be closed for the holiday, you can schedule an appointment right now to give blood later this week at RedCrossBlood.org.

Cass County Firefighter/Engineer #15-29 signs-off

News

December 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – After 44 years of dedication to Atlantic and the surrounding communities, an Atlantic Firefighter/Engineer signed-off today (Tuesday), and marked the beginning of his retirement. John Johnson’s wife Linda posted his last official call to the Cass County Comm. Center. His call sign 15-29 and service, were acknowledged with a heartfelt thank you.

 

Extra law enforcement out for New Year’s

News

December 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa State Patrol is running a Critical Accident Reduction Effort through the New Year. Trooper Paul Gardner says they have extra officers on the roadways. “And the goal of this initiative is to reduce serious injury and traffic fatalities through high visibility and enforcement, and we’re going to be addressing concerns such as speeding, distracted driving, seat belt usage and impaired driving through the holiday season,” he says. Gardner says many people celebrate the New Year with alcohol, and part of that is planning how to get home safely.

“We want to make sure that if you are going to any kind of get together that involves alcoholic beverages, we need to make sure that you’re getting a sober design designated driver to get you home safely,” Gardner says. “Last year, December, 2023 we had 34 traffic fatalities on Iowa roadways, over half of those involved and intoxicated driver.” Trooper Gardner says many accidents happen New Year’s Eve.

“Iowa ranked in the top 16 states according to stats that were provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 50 percent of fatal crashes on New Year’s night involved alcohol,” he says. Gardner says plan ahead and get someone to be your designated driver if you are drinking alcohol as part of your celebration.

5 arrested in Adams County

News

December 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Corning, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Adams County report five people were arrested over the past couple of weeks. On Dec. 27th, 27-year-old Zackery Martin, of Corning, was arrested on an active warrant for Failure To Appear (FTA) in court. He was later released on bond. That same day, 41-year-old David Yazell and 63-year-old Michael Arthur, both of Corning, were arrested and charged with Violation of a No Contact/Protection Order.

On Dec. 24th, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call about two men who were fighting. Following an investigation, 41-year-old David Yazell, of Corning, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense. He was booked into the Adams County Jail and later released on a Promise To Appear in court.

And, on Dec. 19th, 40-year-old Cory Smith, of Elliott, was arrested in Adams County, following a traffic stop. He was pulled-over for having no plates on his dump truck. Authorities determined Smith had a barred Iowa Driver’s License. He was arrested for Driving While Barred and transported to the Adams County Jail and subsequently released.

“Any potential criminal charges identified above are merely allegations, and any defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

Creston 1st Responders have a busy Monday afternoon

News

December 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Union County, Iowa) – UPDATED 7:50-A.M. – Officials with the Creston Fire Department posted on social media, Monday, that First responders in Creston/Union County had a busy Monday afternoon, including two accidents to which the Creston Fire Department responded. Officials say that a little before 4-p.m., Greater Regional Health Medic 2, Afton Volunteer Fire Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office, and CFD responded to a two-vehicle, personal injury accident at Hwy 34 and Redwood Ave., in Afton. Additional details on that accident are currently not available.

While CFD’s Tanker 4 was returning from the scene, an accident in Creston occurred at W Devoe St and N Sycamore St during which a 2017 GMC Terrain SUV struck a legally parked 2000 Jeep Wrangler, resulting in the GMC turning on its side. The Jeep was pushed into a yard as a result of the collision. The Creston Police Department says the SUV was driven by 38-year-old Thomasina Maria Jackson, of Creston.  Jackson told police she was looking down at her ashtray just before the collision occurred. Bystanders extricated the woman from the vehicle before rescue workers arrived on the scene.

Thomasina Jackson complained of pain, and was transported by her husband to the hospital in Creston, to be checked-out.

Creston FD photo by Chuck Spindler

Creston man arrested Monday night on a drug charge

News

December 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report a man was arrested Monday night for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 21-year-old Jonathan Dean Williams, of Creston, was arrested at a residence in the 100 block of W. Buckeye Street, at around 7:35-p.m.  Williams was cited and released from the scene, on a promise to appear in court.

Western IA woman dies in a NW Missouri weekend crash

News

December 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Andrew County, Missouri) – Authorities in northwest Missouri report a woman from southwest Iowa died during a single-vehicle accident over the weekend. According to a report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the unidentified 35-year-old woman from Council Bluffs died in a crash that happened at around 4:15-a.m. Saturday on southbound Interstate 29, of Country Club, in Andrew County, MO.

The woman was driving a 2018 Nissan Pathfinder when for reasons unknown, the vehicle entered the median, struck an emergency crossover, and became airborne. The SUV then rolled several times, ejecting the driver, who was not wearing a seat belt. The woman died at the scene.

The vehicle came to rest on its wheels in the median.

Cass County Board of Supervisor’s Organizational Meeting to take place Jan. 2nd

News

December 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors will hold their annual Organizational Meeting beginning at 9-a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 2nd.  Their first order of business is to elect a permanent chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, and, to set the schedule for 2025 Board Meetings, as well as the use of Zoom to broadcast those meetings.

Other administrative matters for the Cass County Supervisors include:

Name official county newspapers (IA Code 349.3)
a. Anita Tribune
b. Atlantic News Telegraph
c. Griswold American

Set mileage reimbursement rate (IA Code 70A.9)
a. Employees
b. Sheriff’s civil processing

Set medical examiner fees (331.803 IA Code)
• Standard call ($200 in 2024)
• Involved call ($400 in 2024)
• Reimbursement for expenses incurred

Set 2024 Holidays the Courthouse will be closed:
Memorial Day 5/26/2025; Independence Day 7/4/2025; Labor Day 9/1/2025; Veterans’ Day 11/11/2025; Thanksgiving 11/27/2025; Day After Thanksgiving 11/28/2025; Christmas 12/25/2025; New Year’s Day
1/1/2026,

Set Christmas Eve hours for employees not covered by bargaining agreements: Wed, 12/24/25

  • Approve the Investment Policy
  • Authorize county officials to destroy records in their possession which have been on file for 10 or more years and are not required as permanent records (331.323(2)(d))
  • Approve Resolution 2025-01, Appointment of Deputies and Assistants by Elected County Officers
  • Approve Resolution 2025-02, Livestock Facility Construction Evaluation and use of the Master Matrix
  • Approve Resolution 2025-03, Authorization of County Auditor to Issue Warrants.
  • Approve Resolution 2025-04, Authorization for County Engineer to Close Secondary Roads.
  • Appoint a member of the board of supervisors to the board of directors of the Fourth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services for 2024.
  • Appoint a member, and alternate, of the board of supervisors to:
    • a. 28E Southwest Iowa Mental Health and Disability Services Region Board (MHDS)
    • b. 28E Board, Multi-county 28# Agreement Regarding Juvenile Detention Center and Emergency Juvenile Services
  • Appoint Weed Commissioner for 2025.
  • Approve Committees Appointments:
    a. County Committees
    b. Regional Committees
    c. Citizen Appointments
    d. Condemnation in Eminent Domain Proceedings
    e.Township Clerks and Trustees
  • Approve Landus to place a 72,000-gallon anhydrous ammonia tank, and anhydrous facility, on the property located 53597 650th Street, Atlantic, IA as recommended by the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
  • Approve job classification and wage change for Stephanie Witzman from Sheriff’s Office Assistant ($26.73) to Civil Processor/Office Manager ($27.53)Regular business:
  • Discuss/Approve appointing Darby McLaren as Reserve Deputy Sheriff
  • Report from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken
  • Reports of Supervisors and Committees
  • Filed Reports, if available.
  • Adjournment

Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 21, 2024

To Join the Jan. 2nd meeting Electronically:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2899195216?pwd=R0hSa2FOOTh0NUdra1ZSdVhVWHpMUT09
Meeting ID: 289 919 5216
Passcode: 012064

To Call In: 312-626-6799, press *9 to indicate you wish to speak.

Montgomery County Board of Supervisor’s Organizational meeting set for Jan. 2nd

News

December 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – An annual, organizational meeting of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors will take place in Red Oak, Thursday (Jan. 2nd). The meeting begins at 8:30-a.m. in the Supervisor’s Board Room inside the Courthouse. The first items on their agenda include appointing a Board Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, followed by setting their meeting schedule for 2025. The Board will also act on setting the Montgomery County Employee’s Holiday Schedule for 2025.

Other administrative matters include:

Board of Supervisors appointments to serve on the following committees:

    1. RC&D/Golden Hills/Hungry Canyons
    2. Waubonsie Mental Health
    3. SWIA MHDS (Mental Health & Disability Services) Region Governing Board
    4. 4th Judicial Court
    5. Landfill Commission
    6. SW Iowa Juvenile Detention
    7. West Central Community Action
    8. Zion Recovery Services Board of Directors
    9. Workforce Development
    10. Emergency Management Commission
    11. Montgomery County Economic Development
    12. Joint Communications (E911 Executive Board)
    13. SWIPCO (2 members- 1 Board Member and 1 Community Leader, 2 alternates)
    14. Boost4Families
    15. RPA 13
    16. East and West Nishnabotna Commission
    17. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

Areas of Interest for attendance only:

    1. Montgomery County Memorial Hospital
    2. Red Oak Chamber and Industry Association
    3. Montgomery County Conservation Board
    4. Montgomery County Public Health
    5. Nishna Productions

Adjournment

Join Zoom Meeting at:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85164641635

Meeting ID: 851 6464 1635

G&H Trucking fire cause may never be known

News

December 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

A fire that started Friday at a trucking company in Greenfield was still burning Monday afternoon despite multiple efforts to put out the flames. The Greenfield Fire Department said they were called to G&H Motor Freight Lines around 4 p.m. Friday. When crews arrived, Chief TJ Oder said the warehouse building was up in flames. He said they had to call in help from Fontanelle and Stuart. Oder said crews were back at the property to fight the fire Saturday.

The Chief told KCCI-TV that they thought they had the blaze wrapped-up Saturday afternoon, with hardly any smoke left coming from the debris. Despite having dumped about 12,000-gallons of water on what debris remained burning, the smoke and some flames persist. Oder said his department is monitoring the flames as they building continues to smolder. There’s not much else they can do until they have approval from the business’ insurance company.

No one was injured in the fire, and the other buildings on the complex are OK. The cause of the fire still remains unknown. Chief Oder said the building housed raw and powdered eggs. He said that material is making it difficult for crews to put the fire out completely. He said the local business is staying strong and plans to rebuild.