Whether they’re baked into pies, sprinkled over ice cream, blended into margaritas or eaten fresh right off the plant, strawberries are ripening in Iowa and in most regions, they’re ready for picking. Tami Stotts, with the Iowa Department of Agriculture, says the weather is finally cooperating for strawberry growers statewide.

“I’ve heard that the crop looks really good,” Stotts says. “They were in need of a little rain in some areas and a little heat and this week we’ve had both. I’ve had a few reports that they’re ripening just a little behind schedule but many of them are opening this weekend.” Fresh-picked strawberries are a tasty, fat-free treat and they kick off the growing season in Iowa. She says visiting a local farmers market or going to a you-pick farm is a great way to find fresh berries.

“I would suggest that before you head out to a strawberry patch you contact them because it can vary so much around the state,” Stotts says. “Before you pack up the family and head out, make sure the place you want to go is open.” Once picked, strawberries don’t continue to ripen like some fruits and vegetables, so select vibrant red berries. Also, strawberries have a short shelf life and should be eaten within a few days of being picked. You can find strawberry growers by visiting the Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association’s “Farm Search” website: www.ifvga.org/en/about_us/farm_search

(Radio Iowa)

A tense situation involving an armed man who was making threats ending peacefully Thursday night in western Iowa. Carroll Police Chief Brad Burke says a parent called 911 over concerns their son would harm himself or others. “He was saying their son was suicidal, was armed with a handgun, and made threats to shoot anyone who approached him,” Burke said. The man was in a vehicle with his mother along Highway 30 in Carroll. Police blocked-off a section of the highway.

“We didn’t want any bystanders or passers-by to be mixed up in any type of crossfire if there were any shots that were fired,” Burke said. “We did have some businesses and buildings in the area that were also evacuated.” The man was eventually taken in custody around 9:3o p.m. and transported to a hospital for evaluation.

“There was no harm to anybody. It resolved peacefully. We’ll continue our investigation and charges are pending at this time,” Burke said. The man’s name has not been released.

pic from scene of Carroll standoff 5-26

(Radio Iowa)

Red Oak Police report two teens were arrested this (Friday) morning on drug and tobacco-related charges. Officers took into custody at around 8:30-a.m., 15-year old Sebastian Kage Meek and 14-year old Dyllan Hunter Hansen, both of Red Oak. Meek faces charges that include Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Tobacco/2nd offense. Hansen was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Tobacco. Both teens were then released to their parents.

An issue with the steering on a 2014 Ford Fusion may have been to blame for an accident this (Friday) morning, in Red Oak. Police say 33-year old William Spann, of Red Oak, was driving the vehicle southbound on Eastern Avenue from Summit Street at around 7:30-a.m., when, according to Spann, he became unable to steer. The car crossed over Eastern Avenue, through a yard and struck a Mid American Energy Utility pole.

The car, owned by Esther Ross, of Stanton, sustained $4,500 damage. Damage to the utility pole was estimated at $1,600, while turf/yard owned by Joan Selser, sustained about $200 damage.

Spann was not injured during the accident, and no citations were issued.

The state auditor has completed a special investigation of the non-profit association created to support a southwest Iowa fire department. The Corning Volunteer Fire Association was created in 2006 to support the activities of the volunteer fire fighters in the community. Eight years later, city officials found out the proper paperwork hadn’t been filed with the I-R-S, so the group didn’t quality as a non-profit.

That means the funds it raised should have been considered city funds. Auditors say the money should only have been used for fire department operations. Instead, nearly four-thousand dollars was improperly spent during that eight year period on fitness club memberships for volunteer fire fighters and almost 17-hundred was spent on holiday parties.

The association got all its paperwork in order a year ago and now qualifies as a non-profit group. That means it can spend its money on fitness and social activities for the fire fighters.

(Radio Iowa)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Supreme Court has declined to rule on the constitutionality of a state program that holds sex offenders in custody after they serve prison sentences. The court upheld Friday the civil commitment of 46-year-old David Taft who was convicted in 1987 for lascivious acts with a minor and molested two children within a week of his release from prison in 1991. He went to prison again until 2005 then was kept in custody under Iowa’s civil commitment for sexually violent predators law.

He challenged the law saying some of the requirements for release are unconstitutional. Justices concluded Taft’s challenges need not be decided because even if they ruled in his favor he doesn’t qualify for release because he’s failed treatment program progress and psychiatrists disagree on his readiness.

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa couple faces child endangerment and drug charges after police say they were caught riding in a vehicle driven by a 13-year-old. The Newton Daily News reports 51-year-old Paul Deaton and 48-year-old Jacqualine Deaton of Colfax were arrested after the vehicle was stopped around 2:15 p.m. Sunday.

Authorities say a Jasper County sheriff’s deputy noticed a heavy odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, and Paul Deaton reached behind a seat and grabbed a pipe along with four grams of marijuana.

In addition to the child endangerment charge, Paul Deaton was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Jacqualine Deaton faces additional charges of possession of marijuana and permitting an unauthorized driver.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Supreme Court is banning life prison sentences without the possibility of parole for juveniles convicted of first-degree murder. The court ruled 4-3 Friday that the punishment amounts to cruel and unusual punishment under the Iowa Constitution. Justices ruled in the case of Isaiah Sweet, who was 17 when he killed his custodial grandparents at their Manchester home in 2012.

A judge in 2014 sentenced Sweet to life in prison without parole, saying he was a cold-blooded murderer who had little chance of rehabilitation. Justices overturned that sentence Friday. The court says even the worst juvenile offenders should have the option of someday proving to the parole board they’re fit for release.

The court says judges simply can’t predict whether teens might be rehabilitated at the time of trial.

Officials with the Atlantic Dental Center (ADC) have announced Zackary Bandow, DDS, will begin caring for patients at the Atlantic Dental Center, on June 21st. Dr. Bandow is a board-certified general dentist and will provide comprehensive dental care.  He joins Dr. Kirk Nelson at the Atlantic Dental Center.

Dr. Zackary Bandow, DDS

Dr. Bandow grew up in Manilla, and  graduated from IKM High School in 2007.  He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from Central College in Pella.  He received his Doctor of Dental Science degree from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, where he graduated third in his class of eighty students.

He has received several honors during his dental training. He’s experienced in all aspects of general dental care including, but not limited to, dental restorations, crown and bridge work, root canal treatment, extractions, and restoring dental implants.

Dr. Bandow is a member of the American Dental Association, the Iowa Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry.  He and his wife, Mackenzie, will be moving to Atlantic in early June.

Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman reminds residents of the County that today (Friday) is the last day to pre-register to vote for the June 7th Primary Election. That applies to registration in-person (including registration at driver’s license stations or agencies), or by mail. The Cass County Auditor’s Office is open until 5-p.m.

After today, a person may register to vote at the Auditor’s Office and vote an Absentee ballot. The last day to vote Absentee in the Auditor’s Office, is June 6th. The process is the same as for registering to vote on election day, June 7th.