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Ice fishing not advised across much of Iowa

Ag/Outdoor, News

December 23rd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Iowa DNR Outdoor News) – Iowa’s stretch of unseasonably warm temperatures has deteriorated the quality of ice across much of the state south of Iowa Hwy. 3, to the point where any remaining ice is considered unsafe and ice fishing is discouraged.

“Ice fishing in central and southern Iowa, is not advised,” said Colonel Craig Cutts, chief of law enforcement for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “We will return to more seasonable weather next week and that should put down a fresh layer of ice, but we have to give it some time to freeze.

“It’s better for the quality of ice to restart from open water, than to grow ice thickness over bad ice conditions.”

North of Iowa Hwy. 3, anglers are encouraged to check the ice as they go and to avoid any dark or discolored ice as these are signs of deteriorating conditions. The Iowa DNR recommends a minimum of four inches of quality ice for ice fishing. The weekly Iowa Fishing Report will have the latest information on ice conditions across the state.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

SWIPCO Announces Transportation Alternatives Program Fund Applications are Open

News

December 23rd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, IA) – Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) and Regional Planning Affiliation 13 (RPA 13) is now accepting applications for its Regional Transportation Alternatives Program fund for projects in Cass, Fremont, Montgomery, and Page Counties. Applications are being accepted until February 13, 2026.

Local governments, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, school districts and local education agencies, natural resource or public land agencies, tribal governments, and non-profit entities are among those eligible to apply. Funds are limited to meeting certain project types. Those include but are not limited to construction, planning, and design of on-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized forms of transportation; conversion and use of abandoned rail corridors for trails; construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas; vegetation management; and historic preservation and rehabilitation of transportation facilities.

Projects and sponsors must provide a non-federal match of at least 20 percent of the eligible costs, comply with federal regulations, and maintain the project for 20 years among other requirements. Projects must be completed withing two fiscal years of the award. Approximately $400,000 is available for FY2027.

Completed applications must be in to SWIPCO by 4:30 p.m. on February 13, 2026. Applications will be submitted to the Iowa DOT for review. The RPA 13 Technical Committee and Policy Board will meet to score applications and to award recommendations. Award letters will be sent to applicants and the Iowa DOT by August 1, 2026. Funds will be released by the Iowa DOT after October 1, 2026.

Application and criteria can be found online at https://www.swipco.org/rpa-13/funding-opportunities/ For more information or to obtain a hard copy of the application contact SWIPCO Grant Specialist III, Tammy DeBord at 866-279-4720 ext. 234 or 712-249-4300. You can also email tammy.debord@swipco.org

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

Posted in News |

Grassley presses for commemorative coin for suffragettes

News

December 23rd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Senator Chuck Grassley says he’s shocked the Treasury Department has abandoned a plan to issue a commemorative coin honoring the women’s suffrage movement. Special quarters will be issued by the U-S Mint as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence.  “In my view, this is a very big mistake,” Grassley said during a speech on the Senate floor. “The forthcoming anniversary is a perfect time to honor historical events that made America what it is today. The historic victory won by suffragettes after more than 140 years of fighting for the right to vote is as worthy as any.”

Special quarters will be issued by the U.S. Mint soon as part of the “America 250” celebration — but designs about abolition and the push to pass the 19th amendment have been replaced with designs of the Mayflower and Gettysburg Address. “The story of America is filled with acts of courage and righteous struggles,” Grassley said. “…The history of the suffrage movement has a special place in my heart.” Ruth Corwin Grassley — the senator’s mother — was one of the first women in Iowa, and perhaps in the entire United States, to vote in an election. Grassley’s mother was among a group of Black Hawk and Grundy County women who voted in a local election on August 30th of 1920 – just days after the 19th Amendment went into effect.

Grassley also notes Iowan Carrie Chapman Catt was president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association for 10 years — including 1919, the year women won the right to vote. “We take great pride in what it took to get the 19th Amendment adopted,” Grassley said, “so I hope I can get some reconsideration on the part of the administration about honoring the suffragettes with a coin.”

The U-S Treasury Secretary approved the final designs for the commemorative dimes, nickels and quarters. The designs will only appear on coins minted in 2026 and the U-S Mint will start circulating the coins in January. A commemorate penny and half-dollar will be sold to collectors.

Posted in News |

5 charged with Criminal Mischief following damage at the Winterset City Park

News

December 23rd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Winterset, IA) – The Winterset Police Department reports five people, including four juveniles, face Criminal Mischief charges, following an investigation into reported vandalism perpetrated on the historic Clark Tower, located in the Winterset City Park. Authorities say spray paint was applied to all three levels of the tower, resulting in extensive damage. “Removing the graffiti,” police say, “Will require a significant amount of time and labor.”

Winterset PD photos

The vandalism, Police Chief Ryan Pittman said, included phone numbers, racial slurs, names and inappropriate drawings. Officers reviewed security video from the area, and were able to identify a suspect vehicle. Additional investigation allowed officers to identify multiple suspects allegedly involved in the incident.

In addition to the four (unidentified) juveniles, 19-year-old Navin Lee, of Stuart, was charged in connection with the incident.

Posted in News |

Montgomery County Supervisors receive & act on Compensation Board Salary Recommendations

News

December 23rd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, IA) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, today (Tuesday) received a recommendation from the County Compensation Board, for elected officials’ salaries. Supervisor Alex Burton…

The Supervisors acknowledged receipt of the recommendation, after which, Supervisor Bryant Amos proposed – for budgetary purposes only – a increase somewhat along the same line as what the Comp Board recommended, with the exception of the Supervisors

Montgomery County BOS meeting 12-23-25 (Zoom Workplace image)

Supervisor Burton recommended a reduction based the individual offices, instead of across the board.

Supervisor Mike Olson…

The Board then discussed apparent inequities in comparable salaries in the various departments, but then settled on, by a vote of 3-to 2 (with Supervisors Burton and Peterson voting No) – and again, for budgetary purposes only at this time – a suggestion offered by Supervisor Amos.

The final budget will be set at a later date. In other business, the Montgomery County Supervisors discussed and approved various Board and Committee appointments as presented.

Posted in News |

Page County Attorney’s report on case outcomes for the week of Dec. 8, 2025

News

December 23rd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Clarinda, IA) – Page County Attorney James L. Varley, today (Tuesday) issued a report on the outcomes of three cases to come before the judge in Page County District Court for the week of December 8th. 

  • 47-year-old Jan Elder, of Essex, appeared with counsel and was found guilty on a Possession of Methamphetamine charge. She was sentenced to 60 days of incarceration, with all but 5 days suspended. Elder was placed on probation for one year and ordered to obtain a drug/alcohol evaluation and follow through with any recommendations.
  • 48-year-old Frank Kephart, of Westboro, Missouri, appeared with counsel and admitted to violating his probation. Kephart was sentenced to 30 days of contempt time in the Page County Jail.
  • And, 55-year-old John David Stone, of Braddyville, appeared with counsel and pled guilty to charges that include: Operating While Intoxicated- First Offense; Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine, and Possession of a Controlled Substance- Marijuana. Stone was sentenced to 90 days on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently. He was also ordered to obtain a Substance Abuse Evaluation, complete recommended treatment and complete the drinking driver’s program

All defendants were ordered to pay their respective fines, court costs and applicable surcharges. 

“All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

Posted in News |

Adams County Sheriff’s report, 12/23/25

News

December 23rd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Corning, IA) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports three weekend arrests.

On or about Saturday, Dec. 20th at approximately 4-a.m., Adams County Deputies conducted a traffic stop near Highway 34 & Cherry Avenue. Upon further investigation, 21-year-old Mary Johnston, of Eagleville, MO., was arrested for Theft in the 2nd Degree (for a vehicle stolen out of Missouri), and No Valid Driver’s License. (Photo not available)

As previously mentioned, Officers with the Red Oak Police Department with assistance from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, located and arrested 29-year-old Zachary Thomas, of Red Oak, Saturday, Thomas was taken into custody on an active Adams County arrest warrant. He  was transported to the Adams County Jail and charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Minor – Class B Felony, Grooming- Class D Felony, and two counts of Dissemination and Exhibition of Obscene Materials to a Minor – Serious Misdemeanor. Thomas’ cash or surety bond was set at $40,000.

Zachary Thomas

And, at around 1-a.m. Sunday, Dec. 21st, Adams County Deputies arrested 37-year-old Trenton Jenkins, of Corning. Jenkins was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault. He was transported to the Adams County Jail.

Trenton Jenkins

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

Posted in News |

Regional Water Association downgrades their water conservation plan from “yellow” to “green”

News

December 23rd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Avoca, IA) – Officials with the Avoca-based Regional Water Rural Water Association, Monday, announced “Due to the completion of the Minden Pipeline and York Booster Station projects, as well as the efforts of its customers and member communities,” they have downgraded the “Level Yellow” advisory to “Level Green”, the normal operations level of its Emergency Water Conservation Plan.

General Manager Tom Kallman stated that the measure was taken due to the substantial completion of the Minden Pipeline and the operational status of the York Booster Station, which provide additional water capacity throughout its Avoca Treatment Plant Distribution System.

“It has been a long time coming, and we couldn’t have gotten here without the efforts of our customers. My team and I want to especially thank Jason Meredith and the folks at West Central Iowa Rural Water Association for loaning us the temporary pump trailer. Their help was absolutely critical to our success. Thank you to all of those who helped to make these projects happen, and we wish everyone a very blessed and Merry Christmas.”

The area affected includes members and rural customers of the Association in Shelby, Audubon, Cass, Harrison, and Northern Pottawattamie Counties. Included are the communities of Avoca, Portsmouth, Westphalia, Kirkman, Tennant, Panama, Earling, Persia, Exira, and Brayton.

As a reminder, Regional Water has transitioned to a chloraminated system for its water treatment/disinfection process. Those using a kidney dialysis machine and those who have fish tanks need to use caution. For more information regarding chloramines, please visit our website at: https://www.rwrwa.org/chloramine-facts

For more information, please contact the Regional Water Office at 712-343-2413.

Posted in News |

Iowa to receive $3.1M in Mercedes-Benz emissions fraud settlement

News

December 23rd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa and several other states reached a nearly $150 million settlement with Mercedes-Benz and its parent company over emissions fraud allegations, the Iowa Attorney General’s Office announced. The lawsuit accused Mercedes of selling more than 211,000 diesel vehicles with illegal emissions devices from 2008 to 2016. The devices allowed vehicles to circumvent pollution standards and exceed legal limits of nitrogen oxide emissions.

“Iowans deserve the truth when buying a vehicle,” said Attorney General Bird. “Software and cheat devices that can affect important issues like miles-per-gallon and maintenance should not be hidden so that Iowans can weigh the true value of the vehicle they want to purchase.”

As part of the settlement, Mercedes will pay to install approved emission software on more than 39,000 vehicles. The company must also provide consumer relief, including $2,000 payments and extended warranties for affected owners.  Iowa will receive $3,130,271 from the settlement.

Iowa joined the settlement that was co-led by Connecticut, Delaware, and Maryland along with Alabama, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, and Texas.

More than 40 additional states and territories also joined, including Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming and Puerto Rico.

Posted in News |

Inheritance scam targets Iowans during holiday season

News

December 23rd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa Insurance Division (IID) is warning Iowans about inheritance scams that increase during the holiday season.

Iowans have been receiving letters claiming they have a “long-lost relative” with no immediate surviving family members. The letters ask recipients to contact a law firm in Canada to receive a large inheritance.

According to the IID, the scammers first gather personal information including bank account numbers, names and Social Security numbers, making the person vulnerable to theft. They then ask for money to cover taxes and fees from the inheritance.

Warning Signs

  • Emails and letters from unknown sources in different countries stating the recipient has received a large amount of money.
  • Asking for personal information including name, bank account numbers, and social security information.
  • Asking for money to cover taxes, fees, or other costs.

Legitimate law firms don’t ask for fees upfront or request sensitive personal information through unsolicited letters. The IID advises people to warn family members about these scams.

For more information on scams, visit here.

Posted in News |