(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Montgomery County, during their regular weekly meeting today (Tuesday), discussed their ISAC (Iowa State Association of Counties) legislative priorities, and acted on approving the recommendations to send to the Iowa Legislature for their next session. Montgomery County Engineer Karen Albert updated the Board on Secondary Roads Department matters, including maintenance and activities.

Montgomery County Treasurer Jackie Porter updated the Supervisors on the County’s Banking and Investment numbers.

The interest rate the County receives from Bank Iowa is 3.95%, which is down from where they started.

Auditor Jill Ozuna discussed a pilot program for AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools to help streamline some processes, such as comparing documents and other time consuming tasks of that nature

The Montgomery County Supervisors set Nov. 18th at 9:30-a.m., as the date and time for a FY26 Budget Amendment. And, they tabled action on a resolution dissolving a County Compensation Board. Auditor Jill Ozuna….

Supervisor Alex Burton disagreed the Comp Board duties could be handled by the Supervisors.

Supervisor Bryant Amos said having a Comp Board is a “waste of time,” because the Supervisors have the final say.

Auditor Ozuna said the Supervisors always have the option to reinstate the Comp Board. Rather than voting to terminate the Compensation Board, Supervisor Burton said he would like talk with the Comp Board members and Department Heads and get a feel for what they are thinking. The Supervisors agreed to let him take that ball and run with it, and place the matter on a later agenda, along with his report.

The next regular Board meeting is Wednesday, Nov, 5th, at 9-a.m., because of the elections on Nov. 4th.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports the arrest this (Tuesday, Oct.28) morning, of a woman on an assault charge. 30-year-old Taylor Dawn Fleming, of Creston, was arrested at around 2:40-a.m., at her residence in the 100 block of Manor Drive. Fleming was charged with Assault – Causing Bodily Injury. She was being held at the Union County Jail.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  The City Council in Atlantic will hold a scheduled Work Session Wednesday, beginning at 5-pm inside the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. City Administrator John Lund says the majority of the meeting will be his presentation on the priorities of 2026 legislative session, and Atlantic’s recommended response, along with the FY 2027 Budget process (as guided by the Legislature, the Governor, and Iowans for Tax Relief).

Additional topics to be brought-up by Lund, include capital projects in need of debt financing, and the proposed 2026 bond and how it will be financed without raising property taxes in total dollars, as opposed to a fixed levy rate that quietly collects more as property values increase.

Lund said in his pre-meeting notes, he was working with the City’s bond broker on the borrowing structure and the debts refinanced that make all the processes work.

(Radio Iowa) – An invasive insect that gobbles a wide host of plants, trees and crops is now confirmed in Iowa and it’s feared there’s scarcely anything that can stop it from spreading. The state ag department says the spotted lanternfly was found in southeast Iowa’s Des Moines County in September in an industrial area with significant truck traffic from outside Iowa. Boone entomologist Ginny Mitchell says it’s already established in 15 other states and is proving to be very harmful. “The spotted lanternfly feeds on over 100 different species of plants,” Mitchell says, “and where it really comes into play are a lot of fruit-bearing trees, grapes, different berries, and there is the potential of it feeding on crops like soybeans and corn.”

Though many parts of Iowa have seen frost this month, there hasn’t been a hard freeze statewide yet to kill most insects, and even then, the spotted lanternfly could be back in greater numbers next spring. “The females lay a cluster of eggs and then it’s kind of like a coating that almost looks like dried mud on whatever, a tree or a piece of stone or a building,” Mitchell says, “and it really protects those eggs from any of the elements, so these eggs will survive the winter.” Before it grows wings, the young spotted lanternfly is all black with white spots, and as it ages, it will develop red patches. The mature insect has light brown main wings with black spots, while the rear wings are bright orange with black spots, along with black and white bars. Mitchell says it’s going to be extremely difficult to control the spread of these pests.

“They were introduced to the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014 and they think they came on a shipment of stones,” Mitchell says. “It’s really hard to distinguish between the eggs and the stones themselves because they’re practically the same color, so these can move anywhere and eggs can be laid on literally anything.” In recent years, Iowans learned a hard lesson about invasive insects like the emerald ash borer, and no one wants a repeat of that. “We tried to stop the spread by convincing people to not move wood from one area to another and it has decimated the ash trees,” Mitchell says. “It’s all over the place now, so we don’t want something similar happening with the spotted lanternfly. We really need to be diligent in keeping an eye out for this pest so it does not continue to spread.”

Iowans who spot the spotted lanternfly should report it to the Iowa Ag Department’s Entomology and Plant Science Bureau at 515-725-1470 or e-mail Entomology@IowaAgriculture.gov.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak, Monday evening, arrested a man on an assault charge. Authorities say 27-year-old Christian Cole Terry, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 5:45-p.m. in the 1000 block of Sherwood Lane. He was charged with Simple Assault, and transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where bond was set at $300.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) — Since 2013, the number of children technically counted in Iowa’s foster system has been decreasing; however, there’s still a constant need for new foster families, KCRG reports. In 2013, the Iowa Data Center reported 10,400 children in the system — in 2022 that number dropped to 6,586.

Kai McGee with Four Oaks Family and Children Services credits The Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018. That law gave family members of foster care candidates money to support taking the child in.

The need for foster parents remains high in Iowa. Four Oaks saw a spike earlier this summer. Four Oaks offers a comprehensive rundown of the processes and requirements necessary to become a foster parent. McGee says now is the perfect time for anyone considering becoming a foster parent to begin the process.

STORM LAKE, Iowa (story from the IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH) – A northwest Iowa nurse convicted of stealing more than $115,000 worth of property from a home-health patient has agreed to surrender her license.

Earlier this year, the Iowa Board of Nursing charged Clay County Nurse Shari Lee Bents of Royal with committing an act that might adversely affect a patient’s welfare; committing an act that causes physical, emotional or financial injury to a patient; possessing or administering controlled substances without lawful authority; soliciting, borrowing, or misappropriating money or property from a patient, and being convicted of an offense that directly relates to the duties and responsibilities of the profession.

According to the board, from April 2024 to October 2024, Bents was employed by Stay In Home Care & Medical Staffing in the Storm Lake area. On Oct. 24, 2024, she was charged with first-degree theft and ongoing criminal conduct. Prosecutors alleged Bents took more than $115,000 worth of coins and jewelry from a Stay In Home Care patient and then pawned the items. On Feb. 15, 2025, Bents agreed to plead guilty to a charge of felony dependent adult abuse and the charges of theft and ongoing criminal conduct were dismissed.

The board alleges Bents admitted to an Iowa Department of Health and Human Services worker that she stole items from her patient on three separate occasions and that she administered morphine to the patient outside of her scope of practice as a caregiver. Bents’ recent agreement to surrender her license has little practical effect, as she already is incarcerated at the Iowa Correctional Institute for Women where she is serving a five-year sentence on the dependent adult abuse charge.

Iowa Board of Nursing records indicate the board granted Bents a practical nurse’s license in September 2024, months after she first began working at Stay In Home Care. Bents — whose full name is listed in some board records as “Shari-Bents” — faced charges of theft twice in 2016 and twice in 2017. In each of the four cases, the charges were later dismissed.

Other Iowa-licensed nurses recently sanctioned by the board include (in southwest Iowa):

Linda Jay of Clarinda, a licensed practical nurse who in 2024 was charged by the board with committing an act that might adversely affect a patient’s welfare and with failing to properly assess or report a patient’s change in condition. The board alleged that in 2023, while working at a long-term care facility, Jay failed to notify a physician of a patient’s change in condition, and that in February 2024, Jay failed to document a patient’s condition and improperly administered blood pressure medication.

The case was resolved with a $300 civil penalty and Jay agreeing to complete 30 hours of educational training. The board now says Jay recently agreed to surrender her license as part of this same disciplinary case, although the board has yet to make public any records related to that decision.

LeAnn McVay of Fontanelle, a licensed practical nurse who was working at an unspecified long-term care facility in Avoca between 2022 and 2024 when her employer allegedly received complaints she was dismissing residents’ requests for pain-control medications as drug-seeking behavior. The board alleges an investigation also revealed McVay “communicated unprofessionally with a resident’s family member and with colleagues,” including one incident in which she “threw a bag of feed connectors” at a colleague. The board charged McVay with engaging in behavior that is contradictory to professional decorum. As part of a settlement agreement on the disciplinary charge, McVay agreed to accept a warning from the board.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28, 2025 – E.A. Sween Company, an Eden Prairie, Minn. establishment, is recalling approximately 127,887 pounds of a pulled pork sandwich product that may be contaminated with pieces of plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The barbecue pulled pork sandwich items were produced on various dates between January 13, 2025, and October 15, 2025. The following products are subject to recall [view labels]:

• 5.5-oz. paper wrapped “Deli EXPRESS BBQ PULLED PORK on a sesame bun” sandwiches.  

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 2451” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide, including the Department of Defense.

The problem was discovered after the establishment received multiple complaints from consumers finding pieces of plastic in the barbecue pulled pork sandwich product. E.A. Sween Company determined that the plastic originated from the gallon plastic barbecue bottles used in production. There have been no confirmed reports of injury due to consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an injury should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Adam Steen, a Republican candidate for governor, says the state should take control of the Des Moines School District. The district’s superintendent was arrested by immigration agents a month ago and has been charged with falsely claiming to be a U-S citizen on the paperwork he filled out to be paid by the district. He’s also been charged with illegally possessing guns found in his home and a school vehicle.

“We need to make sure we’re doing everything we can to protect our students,” Steen says. “The Ian Roberts situation is a travesty and the fact that he was hired into that position as a criminal illegal alien is something that we need to pay very close attention to.” Steen says having the state oversee the Des Moines district would be similar to President Trump’s order sending National Guard troops to L.A. and D.C. — cities that are being led by Democrats.

“He’s going in there and he’s taking action,” Steen says. “In my administration, I would take action and ensure our children are safe and that our families are safe.” The state auditor’s office is conducting a re-audit of the district and investigating the process the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners used to grant Roberts a professional administrator’s license in 2023 when he became superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district. State Auditor Rob Sand says he had to wait for legal requests from someone within the school district before he could launch those investigations. Steen says Sand — a Democrat who’s running for governor — should have gotten involved as soon as he learned of Roberts’ arrest.

Adam Steen on the “Iowa Press” set at Iowa PBS on Oct. 24, 2025. (Iowa PBS photo)

“Do your job, get involved and make sure that we understand what’s going on,” Steen says. “The school district just put another top administrator on leave with no detail on why they did that…Everybody needs to dig in and figure out what’s going on.” Steen says state funding of the district should be withheld until a forensic audit has been completed.

“Make sure that money is going to appropriate places,” Steen said, “otherwise our children are at risk and that’s what the most important thing is.” Steen made his comments during a recent appearance on Iowa Press on Iowa P-B-S. Before announcing this summer that he’d run for governor, Steen served five years as director of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services — the H-R agency for state government.

October 27, 2025 (DES MOINES, IA) — Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today (Monday) announced $490,000 in Empower Rural Iowa grants supporting 16 communities across the state. The funding will help expand housing, strengthen child care and encourage business and community growth.

Rural Innovation: Housing 2.0

Six communities each received $50,000 to increase and improve housing. In addition to projects in Fairfield, Keosauqua and Red Oak, grants were awarded to:

• Decorah: Winneshiek County Development and Tourism, in collaboration with Decorah Jobs and the city, plans 18 to 24 energy-efficient homes on a 3.5-acre infill site. Compact designs will cluster around shared green spaces and parking, creating much-needed workforce housing for moderate-income households.
• Kalona: The city will continue a summer program where students build or renovate homes while gaining hands-on job skills and creating affordable housing. In partnership with schools and local contractors, the project will also produce a tool kit to help other rural communities replicate the model.
• Spencer: Northwest Iowa Corridor Habitat for Humanity will add storm-ready garages and carports — featuring safe rooms and backup power — to modular homes built by inmates at the Newton Correctional Facility. The project strengthens access to affordable, resilient housing.

Rural Housing Readiness Assessment

Grants of $20,000 were awarded to the cities of Forest City, Imogene, Lake Mills, Manchester and West Burlington, as well as the Clarion Development Alliance. These communities will partner with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to assess housing needs and guide local development strategies.

Rural Child Care Planning

Grants of $20,000 were awarded to Little Smiles & Company, Adair; the city of Lake Park; and Mahaska Health, Oskaloosa. Working with the national nonprofit First Children’s Finance, recipients will analyze local data and identify solutions to meet specific child care needs.

Rural BOOST

Additionally, the City of Manning received a $10,000 grant through the Rural Building Ownership and Organization by Strengthening Teams (BOOST) program, which helps community and business leaders plan for next-step growth. Manning will work with a BOOST team of experts to explore new uses for a former nursing home — the community’s only vacant downtown building — and implement recommendations.

About Empower Rural Iowa grants:

Administered by IEDA’s Center for Rural Revitalization, Empower Rural Iowa grants are funded through an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature for the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa initiative. Applicants are required to provide matching funds and are evaluated on economic need, partnerships, project readiness and alignment with strategic goals.

Programs support Iowa communities with fewer than 20,000 residents that are not adjacent to cities of 40,000 or more.

To learn more about Empower Rural Iowa programs, eligibility requirements or upcoming grant opportunities, visit the Center for Rural Revitalization webpage.

Download a full list of the Empower Rural Iowa award recipients.