Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says she isn’t too swayed by a report from the World Health Organization (W-H-O) that claims people raise their risk of getting colorectal cancer by eating processed meats, such as hot dogs, ham. “There are a number of other products too — they have said that bacon is a cancer-causing agent, baby powder is a cancer-causing agent. If you are a carpenter or if you a barber, evidently according to the same organization, it causes cancer,” Ernst says. Ernst says she still loves bacon.

“I had it this morning for breakfast and probably will continue to eat bacon,” Ernst says. Ernst is a Republican from Red Oak.

(Radio Iowa)

Twenty weeks of Produce in the Park came to an end, October 15th, in Atlantic. A follow-up meeting designed to summarize the season and make plans for next year, will be held 4-p.m. October 29th, at the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce’ meeting room. Vendors, volunteers and anyone interested in Produce in the Park are invited to attend.

Hundreds of shoppers enjoyed fresh local produce, homemade baked goods, crafts and personal care products. There were 12 vendors on opening day June 4. The number increased to 21.

Produce in the Park is made possible by support and work by many individuals, businesses and organizations. Food demonstrations, activities for kids, education spaces and entertainment were provided each of the 20 weeks which equals 80 activities.

Shoppers were asked to complete a simple survey. They reported that they attended Produce in the Park for the obvious reasons of buying produce, baked goods, crafts and other products. They also came to eat their evening meals. They liked the atmosphere, the music and the opportunity to spend time with family members.

Produce in the Park vendors, producers from other farmers markets and homemade craftsmen will be offering their products at Harvest Market. It is scheduled for Monday, November 23, 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Cass County Community Center. It was a big success last year when it was held for the first time.

Police in Council Bluffs are asking for your help in solving a case of arson. Authorities say just before 9-p.m. Tuesday, police were called to 1902 Ave B to assist the fire department for a house and garage fire. Upon arrival, firefighters were able to extinguish the fire and determine no one was injured.

Based on the initial investigation, officials said the fire appears to have been intentionally set, however there is no suspect information available. At this time, the investigation is ongoing.

If you have any information regarding this incident or any other criminal activity, please contact Crime Stoppers at (712)328-STOP (7867).

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Hundreds of students, parents and other concerned Sioux City residents have protested Donald Trump’s appearance at a northwestern Iowa high school. Organizer Ismael Valadez says Trump’s harsh statements on immigration and characterization of Mexican immigrants as rapists and criminals in his June announcement speech should have led school officials to bar him from speaking at West High School. Sioux City Schools officials say the event is not school-sponsored.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A kinder, humbler Donald Trump has emerged at a rally in Sioux City. Unseated as the front-runner in Iowa polls, the billionaire businessman and Republican presidential contender took a less brash approach to Tuesday evening’s event. He urged those gathered to get his poll numbers up ahead of February’s caucuses.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man who killed himself after firing shots at two locations in eastern Iowa was involved in a domestic dispute with his estranged wife. Bettendorf police spokeswoman Lauran Haldeman said Tuesday that 40-year-old Robert Mayes the Second of Coal Valley, Illinois was looking for his wife when he fired shots Monday inside a Davenport building that houses a law firm.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa lawmaker has announced a hearing to investigate allegations of inappropriate content at a conference earlier this year on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth. Representative Bobby Kaufmann said Tuesday that members of the House Government Oversight Committee will hold a hearing on November 18th.

The Cass County Memorial Hospital Diabetes Center invites everyone to participate in “Smash Diabetes” on Sunday, November 1st at 1 p.m. at McCurdy’s Pumpkin Patch, in Atlantic. Aubrey Molgaard, RN, CDE, says “November is American Diabetes Month, and this event helps kick-off the month as part of a social media campaign to raise awareness about the disease.”

Smash Diabetes (#smashdiabetes) began several years ago as a social media campaign for people with Type 1 Diabetes to share their frustration about living with the disease by smashing pumpkins. The event has grown over the years to include Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, and many people join in the fun to support loved ones with diabetes.

Participants can bring their own jack-o-lantern, or they can pick out a pumpkin at the patch to smash. The entire group will be filmed together smashing pumpkins, and will be featured on the Cass County Health System’s social media accounts.

For more information, or to ask any questions about the event, please call the CCMH Diabetes Center at 712-243-7833 or 712-243-7834.

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) – A federal safety agency has proposed fining the Ottumwa post office $46,600, saying postal officials had exposed mail carriers to excessive heat on at least two occasions. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said in a news release Tuesday that on June 10 a carrier reported heat illness symptoms and requested relief but was told to complete the route. The heat index that afternoon was 100 degrees. OSHA also says a different Ottumwa mail carrier was hospitalized for heat illness on July13. The carrier also had asked for relief due to feeling ill but was told to complete the route.

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports the arrest of a man early this (Tuesday) morning, on drug charges. 23-year old Tanor Devon Jimmison, of Clarinda, was taken into custody at around 2-a.m., for allegedly possessing a drug believed to be methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving on a suspended driver’s license and for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs.

Jimmison was booked into the Page County Jail and held on $1,000 bond, pending an initial appearance before a magistrate.

The Council Bluffs Police Department reports on Oct. 21st, eleven law enforcement officers with the Council Bluffs Police Department and the 4th Judicial District Probation Office, participated in the 13th Annual National Family Violence Apprehension Detail, also known as the “DV Warrant Sweep”. The DV Warrant Sweep is a day-long event, in which agencies across the United States attempt to serve outstanding family-violence warrants, for crimes such as: domestic violence, harassment, stalking, child endangerment, and no contact order violations.

This year’s team attempted to serve warrants at over 35 locations across the city and made 9 arrests, clearing 11 outstanding warrants. Nationally:

• There were 2370 total participants.
• There were 8233 attempts to serve warrants.
• 1654 outstanding warrants were served.

Authorities say they want to thank the community for their help locating the wanted subjects. For a current warrant list, visit: http://councilbluffs-ia.gov/index.aspx?nid=874.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups pumpkin
• 1 cup oil
• 2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon soda
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup nuts, chopped

Mix first four ingredients.  Add final ingredients.  Pour into two greased 9″ x 13″ pans.  Bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees.  Cool; frost with cream cheese frosting.

(Stephanie Garner)