(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Association of Realtors says homes are staying on the market longer and sales prices remain ahead of last year. The president of the Iowa Association of Realtors says data from November shows the median sales price of Iowa homes seems to have slowed down a bit and Iowa has a strong inventory of homes on the market. Homes that were sold in November had been on the market an average of 26 days. That’s over 18 percent longer than in October.

The median sales price for an Iowa home was nearly 245-thousand dollars in November. That’s slightly less than October — but nearly seven percent above what Iowa homes were selling for in November of last year.

The association’s report shows a surge of new listings in November compared to October, however in the year-to-year comparison, there were 57 more Iowa homes on the market in November compared to November of last year.

ATLANTIC, IA (December 14, 2025) – Produce in the Park’s Christmas Market will be held this Saturday, December 20, from 10:00 AM – Noon at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA (1100 Maple St. Atlantic, IA 50022). Produce in the Park’s farmers markets give area residents and visitors a convenient way to buy a wide variety of premium local foods directly from producers.

Local food at Christmas Market will include produce, farm-fresh eggs, and locally raised meats such as beef, lamb, pork, and chicken, along with freeze-dried foods, holiday treats, baked goods, and desserts. The full Christmas Market vendor lineup includes more than 30 vendors. In addition to local food producers, shoppers will find crafters and artisans offering gifts, decorations, artwork, home goods, bath and body products, and more.

Christmas Market Vendor Lineup:

Food Vendors –
Bridgewater Farm – Fresh leafy greens, potatoes, sweet potatoes
Brun Ko Farm – Carrots, butternut squash, onions, garlic, sweet potatoes, eggs, chicken
Hoopy Hallow Ranch – Beef, lamb, eggs
Noble Provisions – Beef
Hansen Family Homestead – Pork, sourdough bread, holiday snack mixes
Ter-Bear Honey – Honey
Hutchison Family Farm – Eggs, pasta sauces, jams, cookies
Mama’s House Market – Sourdough, infused oils, eggs
Fire and Flour – Sourdough, muffins, holiday desserts
Renander Farms – Cinnamon rolls, sweet breads, calendars
Frosting, Inc. – Gourmet cupcakes, cookies, Christmas treats
Sugar Mama Cookie Co. – Frosted cookies, cookie decorating kits
The Kringle Man – Danish kringle, pastries
TJ’s Kitchen – Wine bread
322 Kravings Freeze Dried & More – Freeze-dried candy, fruit, snack mixes
Hall House Freeze Dried Foods – Freeze-dried fruits, veggies, candy
Lunas Mon Snacks – Freeze-dried candy, desserts
Faithful Roots – Candied nuts, hot cocoa mix, pancake mixes, bows

Food Truck – 
Spirits of the Faire: Hot cocoa flavors including Peppermint, Mexican Style, Caramel Delight.
Plus, lemonades, sodas, Italian sodas, coffee, tea, and specialty drinks including Ice Pumpkin
Pie cold brew, Spiced Apple Pie with chai tea, and more.

Craft Vendors –
Dragonfly Creations – Candles, wax melts, soaps, body butter
Heaven’s Hands Crochet – Crochet gifts, winter wear, decor
Imagine Garden Gift Store – Plants, garden gifts, holiday decor
It Makes Total Scents – Car freshies, diffusers, home scents
Juj’n Juj’n Leather – Handcrafted leather goods
Lori’s Unique Cards & Crafts – Cards, crafts, holiday decor
MAS Arts – Original art, prints
Prints Legacy – 3D-printed gifts, light-up decor
Ray’s Custom Woodworking – Woodcrafts
SP Creations – Crochet items, gifts
Sweet Vale Creations – Candles, wax melts, car diffusers

Kids Activity Vendors –
Alyssa’s Awesome Animals – Balloon animals, crafts
Cat Tales Face Painting – Face painting, glitter tattoos

In addition to vendors, Christmas Market will offer several free activities for families. Thanks to host Nishna Valley Family YMCA, kids can enjoy bounce houses at no cost. Artists of all ages are invited to help decorate a giant gingerbread house provided by A Community for Kids. Spirits of the Faire food truck will also offer a free photo booth. Various organizations, such as Cass County ISU Extension and Cass County Tourism, will also be at the market sharing information on community events and resources.

Lastly, while not part of the Christmas Market itself, the YMCA will host a “Snowballs and Shenanigans” event at their indoor pool during the Christmas farmers market (also 10 AM -noon). The Snowballs and Shenanigans event is free to YMCA members; non-members must pay the YMCA’s visitor fees.

Admission is free at all Produce in the Park farmers markets, including Christmas Market. Produce in the Park accepts SNAP/EBT and Double Up Food Bucks for all qualifying food items from all farmers market vendors. Double Up Food Bucks are produce coupons provided to customers who purchase produce with their SNAP/EBT cards; the program give an extra dollar in coupons for each dollar spent with SNAP/EBT up to $15 per day.

Christmas Market sponsored by the City of Atlantic, First Whitney Bank & Trust, Gregg Young Chevrolet of Atlantic, Cass Health, Cass County Tourism, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, and Nishna Valley Family YMCA.

For the latest market updates, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark or Instagram at www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/, or sign up for the Produce in the Park email newsletter at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com.

JOHNSTON, Iowa — The Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, Major General Stephen Osborn, Monday evening issued the following statement providing an update on our Soldiers after the recent tragedy in Syria:

“Today, we continue to mourn the loss of two extraordinary Soldiers who were killed in action in Syria. Their courage, professionalism, and commitment to duty represent the very best of our armed forces, and we are deeply grateful for their service and sacrifice.

“Right now, our focus is on their families. We are working closely with them and doing everything we can to support them as we prepare for the official ceremonies in the days ahead. We ask for understanding, respect, and space for the families during this very difficult time. I also want to share an update on our wounded Soldiers. One Soldier has been treated and has
already returned to duty. Two others who required medical care continue to improve, and their families have been notified of their return to the United States.

“We anticipate our fallen Soldiers, Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, Iowa, and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, Iowa, will arrive in Iowa by the end of the week, with more details to be shared as they become available. We understand the public’s desire for information and will continue to provide updates in coordination with the
families.

“Today, and always, we honor two remarkable soldiers who gave everything in service to others. They will not be forgotten.”

(Radio Iowa) – The Missouri and Big Sioux River paddlefish licenses and tags are now on sale for the season that opens February 1st. John Lorenzen is the D-N-R’s fisheries biologist for Southwest Iowa. “So there are one-thousand tags available, 950 are available to residents and 50 are available to non residents,” he says. Lorenzen says you can buy up to two tags up to December 31st and an additional tag if there are some available from January 1st to January 7th, He says most of the tags are usually scooped up.

“For the most part, we sell out. I haven’t looked into the numbers so far. What we expect for numbers this year, although I would you know, I would assume we’d sell out again as we have in the past,” he says. The prehistoric looking fish are snagged with a hook in a method that’s different from catching most fish. “They have a, it’s called a rostrum. It’s like a giant spoon on the front of their face and they have a very large mouth, and they basically just swim around filtering zooplankton and things like that out of the water,” he says.

“And that’s what they feed on, so they’re not the typical sport fish that’s going to bite on like a crank bait. You know, you’re not casting and hoping they bite it. You’re trying to find where the fish are located.” Lorenzen says. Lorenzen says it’s likely many of the licenses are sold to people who live close to the two waterways, including the non resident licenses. “I can almost say with certainty that most of those are probably sold to Nebraska residents just because they live right across the river. Of the 950 resident tags that are available, I would say most people would be somewhat local just because, you know there’s other parts of the state, like on the eastern side of the state, if people wanted to paddle fish, they can do that on the Mississippi without having to travel over here to the Missouri side of the state.”

Lorenzen says most people have experience paddle fishing, or if they are new will find someone who does. )”It’s not as common or as well known as, you know, just throwing something on a bobber and catching bluegills or whatever in a pond,” He says. “You know, it takes the type of person who wants to try something completely different to be new at it. Otherwise you know most people out on the river usually have experience being on the river.”

A resident license sells for 25 dollars, 50 cents, and a nonresident license is 49 dollars. You must also have a valid Iowa fishing license to get a paddlefish license.

(Radio Iowa) – Fewer than two weeks remain to visit one of Iowa’s largest holiday displays, and one of very few you can walk through to admire the dazzling array of lights, decorations, and interactive exhibits. Andrew Gogerty is spokesman for Reiman Gardens on the Iowa State University campus, which is hosting what it calls Winter Wonderscape.

“We have nearly 200,000 lights that are strung throughout our 17 acres of the gardens, and when people come, they’ll be along about three quarters of a mile of lighted walking paths. It’s all ADA accessible,” Gogerty says. “People can just enjoy lots of different Christmas displays, everything from lighted tunnels to a lake of lights.” It’s an annual tradition for the gardens in Ames to be transformed to a glittering sensory experience.

“One of the most popular spots is always our barn and our children’s garden, which has a giant disco ball in it, lights flash off of it, it’s coordinated to the music,” Gogerty says. “You’ll see just lots of lots of different ages of folks having fun in that area.” Visitors are encouraged to bring their cameras to capture the magic of the season. “I consider Winter Wonderscape Instagram heaven. For those that love to come and take selfies, love to just take unique photos with gorgeous displays,” Gogerty says.

“It’s really such a such a pretty event. We even have couples that get engaged every year at this event.” The Winter Wonderscape is open from 5 to 9 P-M. The remaining dates are December 18th through 23rd, and the 26th and 27th.

For tickets, visit: https://reimangardens.com/

(Corning, IA) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports the following recent arrests took place on or about the following dates:

• Dec. 11th: The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office located 24-year-old Ashlyn Pitman, of Villisca, who was wanted on an active Adams County warrant. Pitman was turned over the the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.
• Dec. 4th: Adams County Deputies arrested 41-year-old Tara Squibbs, of Corning, for two counts of Assault, and Obstructing 911 Emergency Communications.
• Dec. 3rd: 32-year-old Joshua Harper, of Kent, was arrested for Burglary in the 3rd Degree.
• On Nov. 29th: Sheriff’s Deputies in Page County located 40-year-old Jose Huerta, of Clarinda, who was wanted on an active Adams County warrant. Huerta was turned over the the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.
• On Nov. 25th, Adams County Deputies arrested 42-year-old Steve Lamer, of Creston, for Failure to Appear.
• Nov. 23rd: 24-year-old Ashlyn Pitman, of Villisca, was arrested for Failure to Appear; 25-year-old James Williams, of Villisca, was also arrested for Failure to Appear.

Sheriff’s disclaimer: “Any potential charges identified above, are merely allegations and an defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

(Glenwood, IA) – The Glenwood Police Department says two people were arrested recently, on separate charges. At around 9-a.m. today (Monday, 12/15), Glenwood Police arrested 55-year-old Perry Bruce Jefferson, of Omaha, on an out-of-county/state warrant. Jefferson was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.

And, Saturday afternoon, 55-year-old Melanie Jean Maytum, of Glenwood, was arrested by Glenwood Police, for Possession of Marijuana/1st offense, and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $1,300.

(Atlantic, IA) – Officials with Atlantic-based SWIPCO report the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) Board of Directors recently announced more than $12.2 million in grants to 26 Local Housing Trust Funds. The Southwest Iowa Housing Trust Fund (SWIHTF), administered by the Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO), was honored to be one of those recipients for a total of $441,474.

The grant funds support a range of initiatives aimed at developing or preserving housing for low-income households. This includes the development and preservation of housing, rental assistance, assistance for people experiencing homelessness, and homeownership support across the state. These funds bolster the capacity of local housing organizations to directly address local housing needs.

The housing trust fund annual grant funding allows SWIPCO and SWIHTF to help on average 22 families a year purchase a home with downpayment assistance. An average of 25 families receive necessary home repairs such as heating, plumbing, windows, and more to help them safely stay in their homes. Funding also supports the ability of communities in the region to demolish dilapidated homes and create infill lots for new development. SWIPCO Executive Director John McCurdy said, “In a very real way we are able to help keep families in Southwest Iowa and empower residents to stay in their homes longer.”

The State Housing Trust Fund was created by the Iowa Legislature in 2003 and Local Housing Trust Fund awards come from this fund. Since its inception, the State Housing Trust Fund has provided $140 million in affordable housing assistance to benefit more than 41,400 families. The awards announced this year are expected to leverage an additional $3.6 million in other financing to complete projects.
SWIHTF was created in 2005 and serves seven counties in Southwest Iowa: Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, and Shelby.

SWIPCO is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

(Guthrie Center, IA) – The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, today (Monday, 12/15) released reports on seven separate accidents that took place over the past couple of weeks, only one of which resulted in injuries. Authorities say at around 4:55-a.m. Sunday (Dec. 14th), 66-year-old Daniel K. Hutson, of Grandview, MO, complained of pain/possible injury but was not transported to the hospital, after the car he was driving failed to negotiate the curve on Highway 6, east of Casey. The 2017 Mazda left the road as it was eastbound and came to rest after colliding with a tree. A passenger in his vehicle, 47-year-old Suzanne A. Manu, of Independence, MO, was injured and transported by Adair EMS to Mercy West Hospital. Both the driver and passenger were wearing their seat belts. Authorities say the vehicle was a total loss. No citations were issued.

• Guthrie County Sheriff’s officials say at around 8:40-a.m. Saturday, a semi tractor-trailer driven by 31-year-old Chadd A. Pranger, of Ankeny, was sideswiped by an unknown passing vehicle, as the semi was traveling east on Iowa Highway 141. The vehicle sustained an estimated $2,500 (Minor) damage to the step on the driver’s side of the cab.
• An SUV driven by 41-year-old Patricia Lee Schreck, of Guthrie Center, was struck on the passenger side by a deer Dec. 9th, after the animal ran out of a ditch. The vehicle sustained an estimated $5,000 damage. The accident happened at around 5:35-p.m.
• A collision at around 11:10-a.m. on Dec. 9th in Guthrie Center, caused just under $2,000 total damage to vehicles driven by 72-year-old Joaquina Reyes,  and 58-year-old Lisa Lou Leriche Schwandt. Both women are from Guthrie Center. Authorities say the accident happened when Reyes failed to stop at the intersection of Brown and N. 7th  Streets, as she was westbound on Brown in a 2000 Honda Civic. The front bumper of the car made contact with the driver’s side door/front wheel area of Schwandt’s 2021 SUV.  Reyes was cited for Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability – Accident related, and Failure to Obey a Stop Sign/yield the right-of-way.
• On Dec. 8th, a 2014 Ford Explorer driven by 66-year-old Monica Rose Cortez, of Casey, struck a deer as the vehicle was traveling west on White Pole Road. The accident happened at around 7:30-p.m. and caused an estimated $5,000 damage to the SUV.
• On Dec. 6th, a collision between a FedEx box truck and a pickup on Frost Trail, in Guthrie County, caused a sheriff’s department estimated $2,000 damage. Authorities say a 2022 Chevy Express box truck driven by 41-year-old Ezequiel Rosario-Pena, of Huxley, was traveling northeast on Frost Trail at around 2:30-p.m., at the same time a 2010 Ford F-250 pickup driven by 71-year-old Thomas Jesse Crawley, of Guthrie Center, was traveling southwestward. The vehicles apparently met in the middle of the road, causing their respective driver’s side mirrors to strike each other. Both mirrors were destroyed.   A dash cam video from the box truck showed it was completing navigation of the curve in the road, and the pickup was beginning to round the curve. The investigating deputy noted both drivers should have been driving slower, given the snow covered roads and limited visibility from the curve. The video was inconclusive as to which vehicle was more toward the center of the road. No citations were issued.
• And, at around 2-p.m. on Dec. 3rd, a collision at Lincoln and Bell Streets in Yale caused damage amounting to slightly more than $5,000. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office says a 2024 Chevy pickup driven by 44-year-old Clinton M. Deardorff, of Yale, was turning left from Bell Street and traveling south on Lincoln Street, when it was struck by a 2000 Bobcat skid steer machine. The accident happened as the Bobcat, operated by 61-year-old Larry Glade, of Guthrie Center, was backing-up as it was moving snow. No citations were issued.