(Atlantic, IA)  – The Atlantic Senior Alumni Scholarship Foundation (SASF) recently held its annual meeting and welcomed new members, Denise Speer and Wendy Richter, for five year terms. According to spokesperson Mark McNees, the board also held elections and C.J. Heithoff was re-elected as President. J.C. Van Ginkle was elected Vice-President along with Deb Schuler as Secretary, and Mark Smith as Treasurer. The board also thanked Cathy Hansen for more than 15 years of service and Ted Robinson for 5 years.

McNees said rhe SASF will again this year award a total of five – $2,500 scholarships for qualifying Atlantic Class of 2026 Seniors. SASF was created by Atlantic alumni to provide need-based scholarships to seniors who have a GPA of 2.5 or higher. The first scholarship of $500 was awarded in 2003. Through the generosity of individuals and alumni of AHS, the foundation has continued to grow and expand the total amount of scholarships along with increasing the dollar amount of each.

Individuals or alumni interested in donating to the 501c3 can find more information from the website https://atlanticsasf.org or the Facebook page under Atlantic High School Senior Alumni Scholarship Foundation.

L to R. Jackie Sampson, Becky Stahr, C.J.Heithoff-Pres, Mark McNees, Wendy Richter.
Back Row L to R. Billie Hoover, Steve Wallingford, Cathy Baragary Exec Dir, Tammy Wickman, Deb Schuler, Ann Johnk, and Linda Robinson Exec Dir.
Not present- J.C. Van Ginkle, Mark Smith, Brad Pellett, and Denise Speer.

(Glenwood, IA) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests took place over the past week:

Sunday night (1/25), 18-year-old Rhylee Jo Klein, of Omaha, was arrested in Pacific Junction, for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense. Klein was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail, pending a court appearance.

Early Saturday morning (1/24), Mills County Deputies arrested 22-year-old Dylan Patrick Shanahan, of Elkhorn, NE, for OWI/1st offense. He was arrested in Glenwood, with bond set at $1,000.

Early Friday morning, 33-year-old Nile Johnathan Packett, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for Assault on a Law Officers/others-without injury, and Interference with Official Acts. Bond was set at $2,300.

And on Jan. 19th, Mills County Deputies arrested 32-year-old Alyssa Marie Edfors, of Clinton, IA, for Failure to Appear. Her bond was set at $2,000.

(Radio Iowa) – A bill to ban smoking at Iowa casinos has failed to clear a subcommittee in the Iowa Senate. State licensed casinos objected, arguing they’d lose customers. Tony Phillips is a lobbyist for Penn Gaming, which operates the Ameristar Casino in Council Bluffs.

“Just a blocks away from our facility in Council Bluffs the Ponca Tribe in Nebraska has a casino in Iowa, in Carter Lake called the Prairie Flower and just the last year they expanded from a little boutique 10,000 square foot casino to a 70,000 square foot casino with 600 slot machines, sports book — the whole gamut to compete with us,” Phillips said. “They’re right there. They’re out neighbors and this bill would put us in direct competitive disadvantage with this casino.”

Jake Highfill, another lobbyist for Penn Gaming, says the Ameristar Casino in Council Bluffs also has stiff competition from smoke-free casinos across the river in Nebraska. “Nobody’s making you go to the casino,” Highfill said. “It is 100% adults. Nobody’s dragging kids across the floor. Let adults making adult decisions.”

Senator Dennis Guth of Klemme was the bill’s sponsor. “I am grieved that government has really not played its proper role today,” Guth said. “The role of government is to protect its citizens.” The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services backed the bill and a number of speakers urged senators to adopt it.

Therese Harms represents Clean Air for Everyone Iowa, a coalition of groups that support a ban on smoking in the state-licensed casinos.  “All of the states surrounding us with the exception of Missouri have smoke-free gaming,” Harms said, “and so we are an outlier here.”

Joseph Hafley worked for seven years at a Kansas casino and has founded a group called CEASE — Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects. “As of 2025, 20 states plus Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands require all commercial casinos to be 100% smoke-free indoors. Those casinos are still operating, still profitable and still employing workers,” Hafley says. “What changed is that workers stopped being harmed just for showing up to work.”

One of the lawmakers who voted against the bill said he gambles at Prairie Meadows and serves on its board of directors, but Senator Tony Bisignano told casino lobbyists at the hearing that Iowa-based casinos need to prepare to go smoke-free soon.

(Radio Iowa) – A dozen Democrats who serve in the Iowa House and Senate have formed a Black and Brown Caucus. Representative Ruth Ann Gaines of Des Moines was one of the four black lawmakers who formed the Iowa Legislative Black Caucus in 2015. “Our vision has expanded and we want to specifically embrace brown Iowans,” Gaines said. “They have the experience of being seriously discriminated against and they are the largest minority in the state.”

Representative Angel Rameriz, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids who’s the first Latina to serve in the legislature, says the group’s co-sponsoring a bill that would make it illegal for ICE agents to hide their identity in Iowa. “Local law enforcement doesn’t hide from their community. ICE shouldn’t either,” she said. “ICE is a paramilitary organization operating with impunity, not accountable law enforcement.”

The bill would also ban ICE from arresting suspected illegal immigrants in Iowa courthouses, schools and churches. “Iowans across every political party, every faith, every corner of our state are watching ICE operations in Minnesota with deep concern and heartbreak.” The proposal is unlikely to be considered in the legislature.

Republicans hold 100 of the 150 seats in the Iowa House and Senate and G-O-P leaders decide which bills come up for a vote.

(Radio Iowa) – It’s time for Iowans to start gathering all of the documents they’ll need to file their federal tax returns for 2025, as the Internal Revenue Service started accepting and processing 2025 returns this (Monday) morning. I-R-S spokesman Christopher Miller says for most people, it’s just a few forms they’ll need to get organized.

“You’ll want to have your W-2s from work,” Miller says, “but also your 1099s from your bank or broker for interest or dividends you may have earned.” You will also need proof that you have health insurance, as well as any supporting documents you need to claim deductions or tax credits. Miller says you’ll want to be sure to report all of your income.

“That includes income from unemployment, digital assets, and even part time or gig economy work,” Miller says. “Unless it’s specifically excluded by law, you need to include all of those things in income.” He says that includes any 10-99s from work as a contractor. Federal returns are due on April 15th, while Iowa tax returns are due April 30th.

IRS.gov.

(Atlantic, IA) – The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, Friday (1/23), visited Akin Building Center, to celebrate new ownership and learn more about the vision for the Atlantic location moving forward. Chamber officials say new owners Ryan and Michele Draper, alongside long-time owner Adam Bock, shared updates on the positive changes being implemented across the business. Many of the improvements are driven directly by feedback from customers and employees, with a strong focus on enhancing the overall customer experience while continuing to support the team members who make the business successful.

Ryan Draper brings a strong background in the building industry, having worked as a contractor before joining Akin Building Center seven years ago. Michele Draper has spent the past 24 years in the insurance industry, bringing valuable experience in customer service and business operations. The Drapers are based in Creston, Iowa, and understand the importance of investing in the communities where they live and work. Together, they now own four Akin Building Center locations in Creston, Corning, Atlantic, and Clarinda. During the visit, Ryan highlighted recent enhancements at the Atlantic location, including updated displays showcasing new siding options, decking materials, and other building technologies. He also shared improvements to the Rent-A-Center, which offers a wide selection of tools such as jackhammers, saws, and carpet cleaners to support both homeowners and contractors.

Pictured Left to Right: Jim Kickland, John Bricker, Teggy Lyons, Emma Decheneau, Jadyn Cox, Robert Whaley, Ethan Nachtman, Dr. Keith Leonard, Kade Nachtman, Adam Bock, Kenny Matthews, Rae Ome Conn, Michele Draper, Ethan Holman, Jeremy Butler, Ryan Draper, Jennifer Lower, Rob Clausen, Dolly Bergmann, Katlyn Sondag, Ann Johnk, Olivia Klenda, Kelly Williams, Heidi Peterson, Alan Bell. (Photo submitted)

Akin Building Center has been a trusted part of southwest Iowa since 1927, known for its quality products, knowledgeable staff, and commitment to customer service. The new ownership team emphasized their dedication to continuing that legacy by supporting employees, listening to customers, and remaining actively involved in the communities they serve.

Akin Building Center in Atlantic is located at 110 E. 3rd Street. For more information, call (712) 243-4385 or visit https://akinbuildingcenters.com/

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa State Fair is getting into the celebration of America’s 250th birthday with some special categories in its annual competitions. State Fair spokesperson Mindy Williamson says it’s similar to what they did for the country’s 200th birthday. “Even though the big celebration sort of culminates July 4th of 2026th, we celebrated in 1976 and so we’re happy to be celebrating again in 2026,” she says. Williamson says they are letting people know about the competitions now so they can prepare. “So if you have ever baked a cake up, a pie, entered one of our quilt contests, fabric and threads, needlework, those sorts of things we are adding to that list this year some special classes for creative arts, fabric and threads, photography, food, floriculture,” she says.

Williamson says they will have special 250 ribbons and some extra prizes. “Some winning entries will be eligible for an additional 25 dollar premium. So it’s a chance for you to look at what you’re entering or maybe enter a new contest this year,” she says. Williamson says the celebration gives you a lot of options for the things you enter. “America 250 could be all sorts of different things in your mind, whether that’s red, white and blue or something maybe patriotic, or a flag or a scene,” Williamson says. “And then, you know, if you’re more into baking, what’s more patriotic than pie?”

Williamson says there is a possibility that Iowans who entered the special contest 50 years ago could be entering again this time around. “We probably have some food division and even those fabric and threads and creative arts folks who entered back in 1976 and then will be entering in 2026. Some of those classes are exactly the same,” she says. Williamson says the State Fair will be announcing some other special things they are doing for the America 250 celebration as it gets closer.

The 2026 Iowa State Fair will run from August 13th through August 23rd.

(Greenfield, IA) – Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports a man from Fontanelle was arrested on numerous charges over the past few days. According to the report, 22-year-old Johnathon Scott Clarke, of Fontanelle, was arrested Thursday afternoon for Domestic Assault with Injury or Mental Illness/1st offense, and Interference with Official Acts, after law enforcement responded two-hours earlier to a call from  a female at a residence in Fontanelle, who was hiding upstairs from a man who had just left the home.

When officers arrived, they found the woman with obvious signs of bruising and redness. She informed officers that she and  Clarke, with whom she has an on-and-off relationship, had been in an altercation. After officers located and spoke with Clarke to get his side of the story, they determined he was the alleged aggressor. Clarke informed them he “Was not going to jail,” and threatened to kill himself. The sheriff’s report say Clarke reached for a handgun he had in a holster on his hip, but law enforcement was able to keep him from drawing the weapon. The report alleges he resisted arrest but was eventually placed into handcuffs and escorted out of the residence, while kicking and flailing around off the walls and doors. He was transported to the Adair County Jail.

Sheriff Vandewater said there were other charges pending against Clarke, and that they were waiting on lab results for, but as he was already in jail, the following additional charges were made: Domestic Assault (Choking) by Impeding the Flow of Air/blood causing injury; three counts of Domestic Abuse Assault/2nd offense; Child Endangerment and False Imprisonment were filed, in connection with previous incidents in late 2025.  Clarke’s total bond was set at $25,000.

(Radio Iowa) – A former Eagle Grove police officer has pleaded guilty to sending obscene material to a minor using Snapchat. According to a criminal complaint, 28-year-old Colt Richardson sent explicit images to a minor in December of 2024. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation assisted Eagle Grove and Wright County authorities in the case.

Recent court filings show Richardson pleaded guilty to two counts of telephone dissemination of obscene material to a minor and first-degree harassment. The sentencing hearing for Richardson is set for February 27th in Wright County District Court in Clarion.