(AVOCA, IA) – Officials with the City of Avoca, Monday (Jan. 5th), announced the hiring of Shawnna Silvius as the new City Administrator in Avoca, following a comprehensive recruitment and interview process. Silvius brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in municipal management, community and economic development, strategic planning, and organizational leadership. Most recently, she served two terms as Mayor of Red Oak, where she led a transformation of city operations by modernizing systems, improving internal processes, strengthening fiscal management, and enhancing collaboration across departments. These efforts resulted in improved service delivery, stronger staff leadership, and increased community trust in local government.

Prior to her service as mayor, Silvius served as Executive Director of the Montgomery County Development Corporation, where she re-established a county-wide economic development organization and led multi-community initiatives in housing, broadband, childcare, workforce development, and business growth. She has also worked at the regional level with the Omaha–Council Bluffs Metropolitan Area Planning Agency, contributing to large-scale federal grant projects and small business financing programs.

Shawn Silvius (City of Avoca photo)

Shawnna Silvius holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Management with a focus on Economic Development and Entrepreneurship and maintains multiple professional certifications, including Certified Professional Community & Economic Developer, Certified Grant Administrator, and Certified Elected Municipal Official. As City Administrator, she will oversee daily city operations, collaborate with department heads, and support the City Council in advancing strategic goals, capital improvement planning, and community engagement efforts that enhance quality of life in Avoca.

Silvius will begin her employment in mid January 2026. The City of Avoca proudly welcomes her and looks forward to the positive impact her leadership and service will have on the community for years to come.

(Glenwood, IA) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three separate arrests took place last week:

• On Dec. 29th, 30-year-old Malik Ammons-Keyes, of Omaha, was arrested in Glenwood, for Failure to Appear (in court). Bond was set at $2,000.
• On Jan. 1st, 54-year-old John Martin Roberson, of Henderson, was arrested in Henderson, for OWI/1st offense, and, 36-year-old Cody Clark Gorham, of Pacific Junction, was arrested in Glenwood, for Violation of a No Contract Order-Domestic related. Gorham was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail. Roberson’s bond was set at $1,000.

(Radio Iowa) – A nonprofit that started in a central Iowa woman’s basement now rehabilitates thousands of wild birds every year, and its founder says it’s time to expand to help more birds from across the state. Jenni Boonjakuakul runs Iowa Bird Rehabilitation in Des Moines, helping nurse everything from doves to geese and from kestrels to pelicans. She says bird rehab is a round-the-clock commitment, walking into a room where soft crates fill shelves to the ceiling.

“During the summer, this is where all of our baby birds come in to be fed. Baby birds get fed every 30-to-45 minutes, sometimes every 30-to-60 minutes. It just depends on the species of bird and the age of the bird,” Boonjakuakul says. “Our baby hummingbirds actually get fed every 15-to-20 minutes.” April through September is the facility’s busiest time of year, and with limited space and only one other employee, she says it was a challenge keeping up with the number of birds and phone calls last summer.

“But if we say no, there’s nowhere else for that bird to go, and that bird has a zero percent chance of being helped,” Boonjakuakul says. “If we say yes, and we’re a little overwhelmed, we still are giving that bird a chance, and so, right now, I feel like that’s better than nothing.” Last year, Iowa Bird Rehabilitation took in over 3,000 injured and orphaned birds from across Iowa. The goal is to care for them until they’re ready to release back into the wild. Boonjakuakul says education and outreach continue to play a bigger role. She points to research estimating the number of birds in North America has dropped by nearly three-billion since 1970, which is about one in four birds. “My big goal in conservation is helping people understand why do we love birds, why do we need them, and why do we need to help them now before it’s too late.”

Boonjakuakul became licensed to rehabilitate wild birds more than a decade ago, and is now looking for a larger property to build Iowa’s first wild bird hospital and education center. She envisions having a full-time veterinarian, flight cages and a pool for waterfowl. Space for trainings and community events is another priority.

(Radio Iowa) – Many Iowans are taking part in what’s known as “Dry January,” where they abstain from drinking alcohol for the month, and one expert says the gesture can help to set them on a healthier path for the new year ahead. Amanda Westphal, community benefits specialist at Emplify Health by Gundersen, says this is an ideal time to reflect on your alcohol consumption and to consider taking a step back. “January is often a time for folks to look at their lifestyle habits and maybe think about some changes they can make to improve health and well-being for the year ahead,” Westphal says. “Dry January is one kind of tactic or one strategy to look at that specific piece of health and well-being.” She says making a mindful shift away from alcohol can typically bring a variety of benefits, including improvements in one’s physical health.

“You may find that you’re sleeping better at night, and that you are able to focus a little bit more, and you have more energy during the day,” Westphal says. “Other benefits of reducing alcohol would be that mental health and well-being. You may find that you are having less feelings of anxiousness. You’ll find that you’re having a better mood and mental clarity.” She says certain gestures may make it easier to succeed in the Dry January endeavor. “Tap into your support system. Find a friend or a family member that can participate with you. That can help you both stay accountable and give that support for each other,” Westphal says. “You can also look at alternatives. Mocktails are really popular right now. You can also try social activities or activities in general that don’t involve drinking.”

In addition to the physical and mental benefits, there’s also a financial boost from alcohol abstinence — as you’ll save any money that would have been spent on booze.

OTTUMWA, Iowa [WHO-TV] — Police in a southeastern Iowa town have charged two people with animal neglect after said a dog was found dead and another was severely malnourished. The Ottumwa Police Department said it received a tip in December reporting that “two dogs were severely neglected and extremely malnourished.”

According to court documents, a search warrant was executed at the home of 45-year-old Jason Lee Haut and 35-year-old Stephanie Michelle Haut, located in the 700 block of Chester Avenue. During the execution of the search warrant, court documents say law enforcement discovered the body of a Brittany Spaniel, named Delilah, buried in the yard, and an emaciated German Shepherd named Native.

A necropsy found that Delilah had no fat around organs and determined Delilah’s cause of death as malnourishment. Native was seized and transported to a veterinarian, who determined that Native was malnourished to the point that there was permanent damage to its heart muscles, according to court records.

On Monday, the Ottumwa Police Department announced that the dogs’ owners had been arrested and charged with animal neglect with serious injury (aggravated misdemeanor) and animal neglect with injury (serious misdemeanor).

MITCHELLVILLE, Iowa [KCCI] — The City Council meetings in Mitchellville have been indefinitely postponed, after the city failed to achieve a quorum due to recent resignations. Council member Piper LaGrange Brodsack announced her resignation Monday evening, stating in a social media post, that she “Can no longer in good faith continue to represent the city.” Brodsack attributed her decision to the “current political climate” in Mitchellville.

Her post said, she had done her best over the past year to mitigate numerous challenges faced by the City, but in the current political climate of her town, She “and others have faced harassment and threats for doing so.” Piper Brodsack said “I can no longer in good faith continue to represent the city, as I refuse to condone continued hostility toward our residents, staff, and elected officials. I appreciate your understanding of my choice to prioritize the wellbeing of myself and my family at this time. I would encourage our community, especially our community leaders, to reflect on interacting with one another with civility and leading with a servant heart.”

Last week, Mitchellville Councilman Scott Wheeler announced his resignation. In his social media post, he cited “drama during the election and actions taken by the incoming administration” as reasons for his departure.

(Atlantic, IA) — Officials with Cass Health, in Atlantic, say that in an effort to encourage Cass County households to test for radon, Cass Health purchased 500 radon test kits from the American Lung Association that are being distributed for free.  Radon is a gas that can enter homes through the ground, and Iowa has some of the highest radon levels in the country. Radon is invisible and odorless, so testing is the only way to detect it. Winter is a good time of year to test for radon, and the US Environmental Protection Agency has designated January as National Radon Action Month.

Cass Health CEO Brett Altman said in a news release, “We know that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and we know that lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer. Every homeowner in Iowa should test for radon — regardless of the age or location of their home — to protect the health of everyone living there.”

Radon Test kit (Cass Health photo)

Through a partnership with the Cass County Library Association, radon tests are available at every library in the county. Any homeowner in Cass County can stop by a library to request a free test kit. Homeowners will be asked for a few details such as their name, address, zip code, and phone number. This information may be used to conduct follow-up calls with homeowners about the test and their results and report on how the tests were distributed in each community.

Each kit includes directions on how to use the test and mail it in for evaluation. Results will be sent directly to the homeowner. Cass Health is also providing information with each test regarding what the results mean, mitigation companies, and additional resources to learn about radon. Brett Altman said “Over the past year, Cass Health has started looking more deeply into how we can impact our local cancer incidence rates. Preventing cancer is the ultimate goal, and providing free radon tests is just one way we can start to tackle this huge issue. Over the coming months and years, we will continue to evaluate how we can contribute to cancer prevention through resources like radon tests and community education.”

(Red Oak, IA) – Police in Red Oak, late Monday night, arrested a woman wanted on a warrant, and drug charges. 43-year-old Risa Mae Lutton, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 11:10-p.m., in the 100 block of W. Washington Avenue, for: Possession of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine/2nd Offense (Aggravated Misdemeanor); and Interference with Official Acts (Simple Misdemeanor). Lutton was also taken into custody on valid Nebraska warrant for being a Fugitive from Justice.

She was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail.

(Red Oak, IA) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Villisca was arrested at around 7:20-p.m., Monday. Authorities say 50-year-old Jason William McCollum was arrested on a warrant for Probation Violation. McCollum was taken to the Montgomery County Jail, and held on a $5,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – The Sioux City School Board has unanimously voted to accept the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Juan Cordova. Cordova started the job July 1st and his resignation is effective March 31st. The board met privately for less than half an hour last (Monday) night, then took the vote in public. School Board President Jan George read a public statement.

“Dr. Cordova was placed on administrative leave in November, 2025. The board accepted Dr. Cordova’s resignation to allow both parties to pursue other opportunities,” George said. “The mutual decision follows Dr. Cordova’s licensing issue and professional differences between Dr. Cordova and the board with regards to standards for its superintendent.”

Cordova had worked at schools in Missouri, North Carolina, and Florida and got a temporary state license for school administrators when he started in Sioux City on July 1st.

The Iowa Department of Education issued Cordova an initial Iowa Administrator’s license on the day school started in Sioux City. The Sioux City School Board had granted Cordova a leave of absence in August and he missed the first few days of the school year. The board has named an acting superintendent. Associate Superintendent Angela Bemis will oversee the district’s daily operations during the search for a new superintendent.