(Radio Iowa) – After significant damage to a soon-to-close school building in northwest Iowa, classes for elementary students in the Harris-Lake Park School District have been moved to other facilities. The boiler system in Harris-Lake Park Elementary malfunctioned Friday, causing steam, water and electrical damage in areas of the building. A new elementary school in the district is set to open within eight weeks. Students in all grades haven’t been in school so far this week, but classes resume tomorrow (Wednesday).

Preschool and kindergarten classes will be held at the Presbyterian Church in Lake Park and ALL classes for first through 12th graders will be held in the district’s building for middle school and high school students.

The building that’s been abandoned was built in the 1970s and school officials say its boiler system was not up to par and needed constant fixes. The building did not have air conditioning either.

(Radio Iowa) – Two suspects arrested in connection with a burglary and fire-related damage at the Lyon County Courthouse in Rock Rapids have been returned to Iowa. Court documents say 39-year-old Brandon High Pipe of Rapid City, South Dakota, and 18-year-old Luciano Sanchez of Denver, Colorado, face multiple charges, including burglary, criminal mischief, conspiracy, and reckless use of fire, stemming from the December 16th incident.

Investigators say the pair caused more than ten-thousand dollars in damage. County officials report no evidence that sensitive records or computer systems were compromised. However, the County Treasurer says 45 out-of-state driver’s licenses awaiting destruction and nearly $3,900 in checks tied to motor vehicle transactions were affected, and staff are contacting residents.

Both men are being held in the Lyon County Jail. They’re due in court January 20th, with bond set at 25-thousand dollars each.

(Glenwood, IA) – The Glenwood Police Department reports three recent arrests:

On Monday, Jan. 5th, 44-year-old Luke Ahrens Jensen, of Glenwood, was arrested for Driving Under Suspension (Bond $300).

On Saturday, Jan. 3rd, 48-year-old Shayleigh Marshall Julich Howard, of Glenwood, was arrested for Driving while license is denied or revoked – OWI related (Bond $1,000).

And on Friday, Jan. 2nd, 60-year-old Rickey Alan Brammer, of Malvern, was arrested in Glenwood for Theft in the 5th Degree (Bond $300).

(Radio Iowa) – Grinnell College is marking the loss of its oldest alumna. Just living to 111 is a rare accomplishment, but Edith Renfrow Smith was known for much more. The granddaughter of slaves, she was the first black woman to graduate from Grinnell College — in 1937 — with a major in psychology and a minor in economics. Renfrow Smith worked for the University of Chicago, and taught in the Chicago school system for more than two decades.

Edith Renfrow Smith (Grinnell College photo)

At age 108, she was designated a “super ager” in a Northwestern University study for her remarkable memory and longevity, and in 2024, Grinnell College opened a new dormitory in her honor, Renfrow Hall.

Grinnell College President Anne Harris released a statement saying Renfrow Smith was the college’s most inspiring and beloved alumni, who will be remembered for her “perseverance, her brilliance, and her belief that we can do better.” Renfrow Smith died January 2nd in Chicago.

(Atlantic, IA) — The Healthy Cass County Coalition is inviting community members, organizations, and local leaders to attend the Coalition’s upcoming meeting, “Cancer in Cass County: Learning the Facts and Taking Action Together.” The meeting takes place beginning at noon, on Monday, January 12th, at the Cass County Community Center.

Cass County currently ranks number one in Iowa for new cancer incidence rates, making education, prevention, and early detection a critical priority for the community. During this meeting, Cass Health will present local cancer data, share information on screening efforts, and discuss community strategies that can help address cancer risk and improve health outcomes across the county. Cass Health Cancer Action Plan Team Chair Ann McCurdy says “While the statistics are concerning, we know that we have a community willing to take action. By understanding local cancer trends, promoting prevention strategies, and encouraging screenings, we can work together to make an impact on cancer in Cass County.”

The discussion will focus on what the data tells us about cancer in Cass County and how individuals, families, businesses, and organizations can play a role in prevention and early detection. Topics will include the importance of screenings, healthy lifestyle behaviors linked to cancer prevention, and ways community partnerships can support long-term impact.

Healthy Cass County meetings are open to the public and designed to foster collaboration among community members, service providers, schools, businesses, and local organizations. Attendees are encouraged to join the conversation, ask questions, and explore opportunities to work together to reduce cancer risk in Cass County. Community members are encouraged to attend and share their perspectives. Attendees are also welcome to extend this invitation to others who promote, produce, or sell locally sourced food, as food access and nutrition play an important role in cancer prevention and overall health. For more information, to sign up for Healthy Cass County updates, or to get involved, please contact Grace McAfee at mcage@casshealth.org or call 712-250-8170.

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About the Healthy Cass Coalition: The Healthy Cass Coalition is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of Cass County residents by fostering community collaboration and supporting local initiatives. Through partnerships and community engagement, the coalition addresses key issues like food security, mental wellness, and overall public health.

(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).