news archives - Wednesday |
Thursday, August 13th, 2026
Wednesday, August 12th, 2026 -
Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Western Iowa -
(8-12-26) The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Western Iowa until 10:00 a.m. today.
There is a slight (Level 2 of 5) risk for severe thunderstorms this morning. The primary threat is damaging wind gusts. Isolated instances of large hail and heavy rain are also possible.
More severe storm and heavy rainfall chances exist tonight (overnight) into Thursday morning, and Thursday evening into Friday morning, with additional thunderstorm chances into the weekend.
Hazy skies and warm, humid conditions continue today. The heat index will peak near 100°F in southern and portions of central Iowa this afternoon and evening. Slightly cooler weather is then forecast from Thursday onward.
A Severe Thunderstorm warning was issued at 5:15 this morning in Harrison County and was allowed to expire at 6 am. No information on any damage has been received.
Back to School traffic creates new safety risks -
(8-12-26) – The back to school commute can create one of the busiest and most unpredictable traffic environments of the year. As students return to the classroom, drivers will encounter heavier traffic around the schools, increased pedestrian activity, school buses making frequent stops and e-bike and e-scooter riders traveling to and from schools. Drivers aren’t just watching for students on foot and children getting on or off school buses. They’re sharing the road with e-bike and e-scooter riders. When you combine that with distracted driving and speeding, the consequences can be devastating.
Safety starts with the driver: Remember to obey posted school zone speed limits; put phones away and eliminate distraction. Watch for crossing guards and pedestrians and allow extra travel time to avoid rushing.
Students are reminded to cross at marked crosswalks whenever possible; stay alert and avoid phones when walking near traffic and crossing streets; make eye contact with drivers before crossing a roadway; use designated crosswalks and bus loading areas; and follow school safety rules for bicycles, e-bikes and scooters.
Gas prices are back up again – and this time it’s a lot -
(8-12-26) – Just when we thought MAYBE, just maybe, gas prices were slowly coming back down, they jumped by over 45 cents overnight. Yesterday, the gas price at a station here in Harlan was 3.54 per gallon and this morning its $3.99. The national average this morning was still at 4.04 per gallon. California has the highest per gallon price at $5.58 with Indiana having the lowest price at $3.51 per gallon.
Upcoming Red Cross Bloodmobiles -
Wednesday, August 12th - 9:30 - 2:30 pm - Anita Community Center
SPARK to be held Tuesday at Museum -
SPARK! the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn will host its Cultural Programming for Lifelong Learning program from 10 to 11:30. August's theme is Art from the Archives, with Youth and Community Educator Anna Thomas sharing selected pieces from the museum's archives and their significance.
Dinesen Prairie Hike - date change to Tuesday
(8-10-26) - A prairie hike will be held on Tuesday, August 11 at 6:00 p.m. at Dinesen Prairie northeast of Harlan. The driveway for Dinesen is on the north side of County Road M36 just east of Oak Road (on the south part of Oak Road). Dinesen Prairie is a native prairie that has never been turned by a plow so there are some unique plants that grow here. We will do some plant and animal identification on the hike. We highly recommend pants and closed toed shoes for this hike (there are patches of poison ivy) and bug spray.
Veteran's Affairs office closed August 13th through September 1st -
The Shelby County Veteran Service office will be closed August 13th through September 1st. If there is an emergency please contact the Crawford County Veteran Services office.
Myrtue Medical Center's Blood Analysis Screening will be held now through the 28th from 6:45 am to 10:45 am with no Monday appointments. Schedule your appointment today by calling 755-4288 between 8 and 4 pm.
Minutes from Supervisors meeting on August 4th -
The Shelby County Board of Supervisors met in regular session at 9 am in the Supervisors Chambers at the Shelby County Courthouse. There was no conflict of interest, the agenda was approved, the minutes from the July 21st meeting were approved and the recently processed claims were also approved. It was also approved for a ROW permit for Nishnabotna Valley REC, at the intersection of 1500th and M47. Engineer Chris Fredricksen then presented a Federal Aid Agreement for consideration. Schaben made a motion and Kolbe seconded the motion to approve the Iowa DOT Federal Aid Agreement for Competitive Highway Bridge Project. GB-83 DOT Agreement No. 4-26-CHBP-015. Luke Wolken, Environmental Health Director presented Shelby County Private Water well Permitting Policy and Procedures document for approval and it passed unanimously. The Treasurer’s Office Semi-Annual Report was approved. Treasurer Carolyn Blum then gave a department update on new pocket talk translators provided by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Kyle Lindberg, Jail Administrator gave a department update stating there have been 301 bookings to date with a daily average inmate population of 11. Supervisors then reported on meeting they attended. The meeting was adjourned at 9:28 am. The Supervisors then met in a special session at 2 pm on August 4th. Various department heads attended the meeting to discuss potential county handbook changes. No action was taken and the meeting was adjourned at 4:21 pm.
Harlan's Rosmann family to host a Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) field day -
(8-12-26) The Rosmann family of Harlan will host a Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) field day on Saturday, August 22nd, from 2-until 5-p.m.. The event is free to attend and open to the public. More information about the field day can be found on the event’s webpage. Rosmann Family Farms is a 700-acre certified organic farm that supports three generations of the Rosmann family with a mixture of corn, soybeans, popcorn, small grains, forages and pasture as well as cattle, hogs and chickens. Across decades, the Rosmanns have established a patchwork of 47 different fields throughout their whole farm. They are strong proponents of contour farming, ridge-till and producing compost to fertilize their fields.
The Rosmanns care deeply about continuing their legacy of stewardship, advocating for practices and policies that support healthy farms and landscapes. Ron Rosmann will share a few words about his new book “A Practical Farmer’s Journey: A History of Community, Stewardship and Resilience” before the family leads a tour of the farm and practices that inspired the publication.
Date: Saturday, August 22
Time: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Location: Rosmann Family Farm and Farm Sweet Farm | 1222 Ironwood Road, Harlan, Iowa 51537
RSVP: Attendees can RSVP by visiting the event page or calling PFI at (515)-232-5661
For more information about PFI field days, visit our Field Days webpage.
Former nursing home worker surrenders his license -
(8-12-26) - – A nurse who landed a job in an Iowa care facility last fall after Nebraska officials labeled him a “significant risk” to the public has agreed to voluntarily surrender his Iowa license. The nurse, Raymond DeLeon of Glenwood, is currently facing a felony charge of neglect or abandonment of a dependent person. Prosecutors allege that on Nov. 12, 2025, he left the Garden View Care Center in Shenandoah when he was the only licensed nurse on duty. DeLeon has pleaded not guilty to the charge and a trial is scheduled for Aug. 25, 2026.
DeLeon’s licensing issues stem from action taken by Nebraska regulators last year prior to his employment in Iowa. Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services records indicate DeLeon, a 66-year-old licensed practical nurse, was working at Douglas County Health Center, a 254-bed nursing home in Omaha, in February 2024 when the facility received what the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services calls “photographic evidence of DeLeon using illicit controlled substances.”
After DeLeon refused the facility’s request that he submit to drug testing, he was allegedly fired for unlawful use of a controlled substance in the workplace or reporting for work while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, incompetence in performing his assigned nursing duties, and engaging in activities prejudicial to his employer’s reputation. Declaring that DeLeon to posed a “significant risk to public safety,” the department revoked his privileges to work as a nurse in Nebraska on Aug. 2, 2025.
With his Iowa license unaffected by that decision, DeLeon continued to work as a nurse in Iowa and in September 2025, was hired at the Garden View Care Center, a state-licensed nursing home in Fremont County. According to state inspectors, the administrator at Garden View later explained that when she hired DeLeon last year, she was aware of some sort of adverse action against his license in Nebraska and had asked DeLeon about that. Inspectors allege the administrator told them DeLeon informed her that his girlfriend had taken a photo of him smoking marijuana and sent it to his employer.
The administrator allegedly told the inspectors that since she had started work at the home in July 2025, the facility had not been checking the references of job applicants and new hires. A registered nurse at Garden View allegedly told the inspectors DeLeon would routinely leave the building during his overnight shift, would go out to his car, and would then return “hyped up” to complete his shift. The registered nurse allegedly added that she wouldn’t give DeLeon the keys to the home’s narcotics cabinet because she didn’t trust him — a concern she said she had relayed to the home’s management.
State records indicate that around 1 a.m. on Nov. 12, 2025, while working the overnight shift at Garden View, DeLeon went out to his vehicle to smoke and then drove away, before his shift had ended, to purchase gasoline for his vehicle. According to police, DeLeon was pulled over about 1:15 a.m. by a Fremont County deputy, allegedly after driving on Highway 59 with no lights on. The deputy reported following DeLeon into the parking lot at Garden View, and then arresting DeLeon after finding a glass methamphetamine pipe, with residue, in the vehicle’s glove compartment.
DeLeon was subsequently convicted of possession of methamphetamine and at sentencing received a deferred judgment that will result in his conviction being wiped from his record after the successful completion of a year’s probation. A charge of possession of drug paraphernalia was dismissed.
At some point, the Iowa Board of Nursing filed disciplinary charges against DeLeon, accusing him of being subject to disciplinary action in another state, being involved in the unauthorized possession or use of a controlled substance, excessive use of drugs and/or alcohol, engaging in behavior that is contradictory to professional decorum, and leaving a nursing assignment without properly ensuring the safety and welfare of patients.
Board records give conflicting information as to when those charges were filed. The board’s published Statement of Charges is dated Sept. 8, 2025, but references board action three months later in December 2025. Recently, the board agreed to accept DeLeon’s voluntary surrender of his Iowa license, and in that agreement the board indicated the disciplinary charges against DeLeon were filed in March 2026.
Garden View is currently one of two Iowa nursing homes designated a “special-focus facility” by the federal government. Such facilities are considered to be among the worst nursing homes in the nation due to serious and recurring deficiencies in resident care.
Garden View has been designated a special-focus facility for 12 months. It currently has no quality rating on the federal government’s Nursing Home Compare website due to what the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services calls a “history of serious quality issues.”
The 2026 Iowa State Fair Starts Tomorrow, Iowa State Fair Parade Is Tonight
(Des Moines, IA) — The 2026 Iowa State Fair kicks off tomorrow. It’ll be fairgoers’ first chance to try more than 80 new fair foods and 45 new drinks. Thursday’s Grandstand Act will be HARDY and opener McCoy Moore, with a drone and fireworks show to follow. The fair will run through August 23. Tonight, the Iowa State Fair Parade will go through downtown Des Moines, starting at the State Capitol Complex and traveling west down Grand Avenue.
Crop Report
(8-11-26) - There were 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Aug. 9, 2026. This is .4 days more than last year, when there were 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 21 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 27 percent short, 62 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Corn silking reached 97 percent, which is 2 percentage points ahead of last year. Sixty-nine percent of Iowa’s corn crop has reached the dough stage, which is 3 percentage points ahead of last year. Twelve percent of corn reached the dent stage, which is 2 percentage points behind last year. Corn condition rated 78 percent good to excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 93 percent, which is 1 percentage point ahead of last year. Seventy-two percent of soybeans were setting pods, which is 2 percentage points behind last year. Soybean condition rated 77 good to excellent. Ninety-three percent of oats have been harvested, which is 13 percentage points ahead of last year. Oats condition rated 82 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 66 percent good to excellent.
Montgomery County News-
(8-12-26) -At about 10:30 Tuesday night, deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop at Broadway St and Coolbaugh in Red Oak. Upon investigation, deputies arrested 67 year old Edwin Bryant Vondielingen of Red Oak for OWI 1st offense. He was transported to the Montgomery County Jail where he is being held on $1,000 bond.
(8-11-26) - The Red Oak Police Department reports a man from Red Oak was arrested at around 7:50 p.m. Monday, following a traffic stop. 56-year-old Fred Francis Welch the 4th was charged with OWI/2nd offense – an Aggravated Misdemeanor. Welch was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 bond.
Mills County Sheriff’s report -
(8-11-26) - The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports 16 arrests occurred between July 28th and August 8th: 51 year old Paula Kaye McFarland of West Haven, UT,
was arrested Aug. 8th near Emerson, for OWI/1st offense.
On Aug. 7th: 27-year-old Logan Seil Petersen, of Omaha, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana/3rd offense, Poss. of drug paraphernalia, and Assault with display of a dangerous weapon; and, 72-year-old John Robert Fuller, of Henderson, was arrested for OWI/1st offense.
68-year-old Diane Davis, of Omaha, was arrested Aug. 4th for Possession of a controlled substance/3rd or subsequent offense, and 35-year-old Mikel Ann Erickson, of Lewis, was arrested for Failure to appear on a felony charge.
There were three arrests on Aug. 3rd in Mills County: 41-year-old Matthew Paul Dennis, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Driving While Barred; 32-year-old Nickolaus Brett, Sr., of Plattsmouth, NE, was arrested for Contempt of Court/Disobedience of a court order; and 63-year-old Jeanne Lee West, of Omaha, was arrested for Poss. of drug paraphernalia.
42-year-old Bradley Clay, Jr., of Omaha, was arrested Aug. 1st for OWI/1st offense. On July 31st, 23-year-old Lewis Leroy Riche, of Glenwood, was arrested by Mills County deputies, for Assault with bodily injury, and Child Endangerment. There were three arrests on July 30th: 33-year-old Lindsey Joanne Krause, of Silver City, was arrested on two counts of Assault with bodily injury; 25-year-old Eduardo Antonio Gonzalez Garcia, of Bellevue, NE, was arrested for Eluding – speed 25 mph over the limit; and 34-year-old Christian Joseph Newman, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for Assault with bodily injury.
Two people were arrested July 29th in Glenwood: 60-year-old Rickey Alan Brammer, of Malvern, was arrested for Failure to Appear, and, 66-year-old Jesse William Joslin, of Omaha, was arrested for Possession of a controlled substance/2nd offense, and Poss. of drug paraphernalia
And, on the 28th of July, Mills County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 18-year-old Samuel Lee Kanoski, of Omaha, for Burglary in the 3rd degree, and trafficking of stolen weapons/1st offense.
Coon Rapids Man Appeals Assault Conviction to Iowa Supreme Court - (8-11-26) -
39 year old Simon Lee McAllister of Coon Rapids, the man who pointed a loaded handgun at law enforcement earlier this year is appealing his conviction to the Iowa Supreme Court. According to Carroll County District Court records, McAlister was found guilty in June by a jury of his peers of two counts of assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, aggravated misdemeanors, and not guilty of assault on a peace officer while displaying a dangerous weapon, a class C felony.
According to the record, McAlister, while wearing a bulletproof vest and several loaded magazines, pulled a loaded 9mm handgun on a deputy and officer when they responded to a firearm discharge. The law enforcement officers de-escalated the situation and took McAlister into custody. The two-year prison sentence associated with the conviction was suspended, and McAlister instead received a 14-day prison sentence. He was also ordered to pay $855 in fines and complete two years of probation. McAlister filed a motion for a new trial following his conviction, which alleged prosecutorial misconduct via reference to prior police interactions, an improper verdict, among other claims.
The court did not find his arguments valid and denied his request for a new trial. However, McAlister filed an appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court on July 31. The Iowa Supreme Court retains cases of major legal importance while transferring the majority to the intermediate Iowa Court of Appeals. An appellate review does not hold new trials, use juries, or hear new witnesses.
Jury selection set for today in infant death case -
(8-11-26) - Jury selection is scheduled to begin Tuesday morning in the trial of a Crawford County man charged in connection with the death of his infant daughter. Chad Eugene Gibbs Jr. faces charges of first-degree murder and two counts of child endangerment in the January 2025 death of his daughter, Genevieve Gibbs. He has pleaded not guilty. Proceedings are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday in Crawford County District Court, with jury selection expected to take place first. Authorities allege Gibbs caused injuries that led to the infant’s death. Genevieve was less than a month old when she was hospitalized following an incident at the family’s home and later died. The child’s mother, Sarah Lembke, was also initially charged in the case. That charge was dismissed in December 2025 after prosecutors said additional evidence did not support the allegation against her. Lembke has since been subpoenaed in Gibbs’ case.
The case has been pending since early 2025 and has gone through several delays and pretrial proceedings ahead of this week’s trial. Crawford County Attorney Colin Johnson and Iowa Assistant Attorney General Ryan Baldridge are prosecuting the case. Gibbs is represented by attorney Priscilla Forsyth.
Chief District Court Judge Patrick Tott is presiding.
Jury selection starts today in Sioux City cold case murder -
Jury selection starts today for 63 year old Thomas Popp, the accused of killing a Native American woman in Sioux City more than 40 years ago. Police arrested Popp in Washington state in January of 2025 and charged him with first-degree murder in the 1983 death of 18-year-old Terri McCauley. McCauley’s nephew Josh Taylor says he wants people to remember his aunt as more than a crime victim.
Eighteen-year-old Terri McCauley disappeared in 1983 after a night out with friends and her body was found in a wooded area ten days later. Taylor says the family has waited a long time for this day.
A social media campaign helped give attention to McCauley’s case. Her family also started Red Sky Nation to highlight the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) crisis.
The organization has helped others locally and in other states across the region. The trial is expected to take around two weeks.
Earlier start time for Harlan Community Schools -
(8-11-26) - Beginning with this school year, Harlan Community schools will be starting at 7:50 in the morning. The change will apply district-wide. Classes will begin at 7:50 a.m., while the end of the school day will remain unchanged at each building. School officials say the 10-minute earlier start adds approximately four full days of instructional time over the course of the school year. The additional instructional time will also provide the district with greater flexibility when dealing with weather-related closures and school events, without requiring the district to extend the school year.
The district says the change is intended to provide additional instructional time while maintaining the current end-of-day schedules for students and families.
Expansions and renovations to begin at Shenandoah hospital next year -
(8-10-26) - The hospital in Shenandoah will break ground next July on a nearly 20 MILLION dollar project that includes adding a labor and delivery suite and a permanent M-R-I system. The first phase of this latest project will provide new space for Shenandoah’s ambulance service, including three parking bays and a training center for E-M-Ts. The Shenandoah hospital has been bringing in a mobile M-R-I unit three days a week and that means appointments are scheduled back-to-back — so the unit isn’t always available in emergency situations. The one-and-a-half MILLION dollars spent on new space and permanent M-R-I equipment will improve hospital’s stroke program. Other parts of the project deal with existing services at the hospital. Bariatric surgery is an obesity treatment that helps control hunger and changes how the body digests food. Shenandoah’s first hospital opened in 1918. A new 44-bed hospital was constructed in 1979 and there have been major additions to the facility in the decades since, including new cancer center and nursery in 2024.
Adair County Sheriff’s report -
((8-10-26) - The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports four recent arrests: 28-year-old Kenneth Dale Blazek, of Greenfield, was arrested Aug. 6th on an Adair County arrest warrant for violating the conditions of his pre-trial release on the original charges of Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree (2 counts), 2 counts of Lascivious Acts with a Child, and Grooming. He was being held without bond in the Adair County Jail.
57-year-old Niki Jolene Larson, of Adair, was arrested Aug. 6th on an Adair County warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine – 1st offense, and for Poss. of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense. Her total bond was set at $3,000.
And there were two arrests on Aug. 7th in Adair County: 19-year-old Ava Renee Fuentze Castillo, of Fontanelle, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. She was later released on bond. And, 43-year-old Margaret Nicole Siegwarth, of Greenfield, was arrested on an out of county warrant. She was held without bond on her Union County arrest warrant and taken directly to meet with a Union County deputy and turned over to their custody.
Audubon School District selected for a competitive grant -
(8-10-26) - Officials with the Audubon Community School District said on social media, Friday, that they “Are excited to share that Audubon Community Schools has been selected as one of the Iowa school districts to receive a highly competitive grant through the University of Northern Iowa Institute for Educational Leadership, funded by the Kern Family Foundation.” As part of this grant, the district leadership team will work throughout the 2026-2027 school year with nationally recognized standards-based grading expert Dr. Matt Townsley. Through monthly coaching, on-site workshops, and ongoing support, the team will strengthen its knowledge and build capacity as they continue implementing standards-based grading across our district. This opportunity is especially meaningful,” officials said, “because priority was given to rural Iowa schools that demonstrated a strong commitment to improving grading and reporting practices. We are honored to have been selected. “At Audubon Community Schools,” officials said they “believe grades should clearly communicate what students know and can do. This partnership will help us continue refining our practices so that students receive meaningful feedback, families have a clearer understanding of learning, and teachers are supported through this important work. “We are grateful to the UNI Institute for Educational Leadership, the Kern Family Foundation, and Dr. Matt Townsley for investing in rural schools and helping us grow.” District officials said also, “We look forward to sharing updates and answering questions throughout the year as we continue working to provide the very best learning experience for every Wheeler student!”
Guthrie County man charged in a Ft. Dodge stabbing -
(8-10-26) On Sunday, Officials with the Fort Dodge Police Department, reported a man from Guthrie County faces a felony charge associated with a stabbing incident that occurred Saturday night, in Fort Dodge, Authorities say following an investigation, 45-year-old David J. Richman, of Bayard, was charged with Assault Causing Serious Injury, a Class-D Felony.
The Webster County Communications Center received a call at around 10:55 p..m., Saturday, August 8th, 2026, about an altercation between two males outside of the Star Convenience Store located at 1601 5th Ave S. in Fort Dodge. Officers with the Fort Dodge Police Department and Deputies with the Webster County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.
Once on scene officers located 18-year-old Dawson D. Skoland Rattray of Fort Dodge, suffering from a laceration to his right arm. Witnesses on scene advised that the suspect had fled prior to officer arrival. The officers on scene rendered aid to Mr. Skoland Rattray until the Fort Dodge Fire Department arrived. Mr. Skoland Rattray was transported by ambulance and then Life Flighted to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. It is believed that the victim’s injuries are not life threatening. The Criminal Investigation Division was called in to assist patrol with the investigation. The scene was processed, and witnesses were interviewed. As the investigation continued to evolve, information came in about the possible location of the suspect. Officers responded to the location and detained the suspect without incident. As with all cases, Mr. Richman is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
At this time investigators with the Criminal Investigations Division are continuing to follow up on this incident. Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to contact the Fort Dodge Police. Information may also be submitted anonymously via Crime Stoppers. The Fort Dodge Police Department was assisted by the Webster County Sheriff’s Office, and the Fort Dodge Fire Department.
City pools closing for the season -
The Norman D. Stamp Aquatic Center Pool closed for the season at 5 pm, Sunday, August 9th. The last day for the Elk Horn City Pool is Saturday, August 15th. Adult swim will end on Friday, August 21st.
Harlan Community Library Book Sale going on this month -
(8-3-26) The Book Sale at the Harlan Community Library is going on now through the end of the month. You'll find great reads, DVDs, puzzles and more at unbeatable prices. Stop in during regular library hours and grab your next favoirte before it's gone!
Blood supply now at crisis level -
(7-28-26) - Two weeks after putting out an urgent appeal for Iowans to give blood, officials with the American Red Cross say the situation has dramatically worsened and they’re declaring the blood shortage is now at the crisis stage. Josh Murray, spokesman for the agency’s Iowa/Nebraska chapter, says many donors have come forward, but it’s still not enough to meet the rising demand. Several factors are contributing to the emergency appeal, including the extreme heat, the poor air quality due to wildfire smoke, and the widespread outbreak of foodborne illnesses. Murray says it’s only the second time the Red Cross has declared a blood shortage at the crisis level. The first time was in 2022. Patients at Iowa hospitals may soon feel the impact of the blood shortage as elective surgeries are forced to be pushed back. Donating a pint of blood typically will only take 45 minutes out of your day, and every donation has the potential to help save multiple lives. Those who come in during August will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card by email. Book an appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 800-RED CROSS.
Fly the flag for Walnut Fire and Rescue -
(7-22-26) – Walnut Fire and Rescue Association offers the community a way to show their national pride with a subscription to Fly the Flag for Walnut Fire and Rescue Program for only $50 per year. Walnut Fire and Rescue Association members will place a 3 by 5 foot nylon American Flag on a 10 foot pole in your front yard on six of our national holidays – Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Patriot Day and Veteran’s Day. Walnut Fire and Rescue Association will post the flags at dawn and retrieve them at dusk. The flags may stay up all weekend on a three day holiday weekend. A receptacle that will remain in place for the year will be installed 2 to 3 feet from the back of the curb in the center of your property. It will be flush with the ground so it will not interfere with mowing. All proceeds from the program will go to support the Walnut Fire\ and Rescue Association by purchasing new equipment for the Walnut Fire and Rescue Department. Questions? Contact Ashley Chapman at 712/307-1267 or Michael Chapman at 712/307-1278
Apply now for grant applications from the Endowment for Education -
(5-28-26) - Grant applications for healthcare education from the Endowment for Education are now being accepted. The grants are made available through the Lucille Petersen Endowment Fund. The funds will be distributed to selected applicants seeking short or long-range educational assistance to pursue healthcare occupations. A June 30th deadline has been set for applications to be submitted for the fall 2026 semester. The funds will be distributed as grants—loans that will be forgiven if the recipient is employed within a 20-mile radius of Harlan in his or her specialized healthcare occupation following completion of courses. If a recipient cannot fulfill the service terms under which the loan will be forgiven, the money is subject to a five percent interest rate and repayment of principal. Application forms and more information are available by contacting Ruth Pitkin, Myrtue Medical Center, 1213 Garfield Ave., Harlan, IA, 51537, phone 712 755-4316 or email [email protected]. The grants can be for new, entry level, or advanced training or certifications.
For farm news and market information, visit www.brownfieldnetwork.com.
Upcoming events -
The Harlan Community Library has opened a Free Little Food Pantry, located in the entryway of the library. Help them out by dropping off your canned and dry goods. Check out the Library Facebook page for their hours.
For a $50 annual fee, the Boy Scout Troop 90B and 90G will place a 3 by 5 foot flag on a 10 foot pole in front of your house on five national holidays - Memorial Day, Flag Day, 4th of July, Labor Day and Veteran's Day. Subscription forms can be found online or in the Harlan Tribune.
Upcoming Red Cross Bloodmobiles -
Wednesday, August 12th - 9:30 - 2:30 pm - Anita Community Center
Thursday, August 13th - Noon to 6 pm - Rand Senior Center in Missouri Valley
Wednesday, August 19th - Noon to 6 pm - Central Church in Carroll
12:30 to 5:30 - American Legion Hall in Arcadia
Thursday, August 20th - 8 to 2 pm - Central Church in Carroll
Noon to 5:30 - Defiance St Peter's Hall
Monday, August 24th - 8 to 2 - Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan
Tuesday, August 25th - Noon to 6 - Portsmouth American Legion Hall
Wednesday, August 26th - Noon to 6 - Woodbine High School
LifeServe Donation Centers -
Schedule your appointment by visiting lifeservebloodcenter.org or by calling 800-287-4903.
The Basement Treasures Sale will be held this Friday, August 14th from 3 to 7 pm and Saturday, August 15th from 9 to 1 at the Church on the Hill at 19th and Durant in Harlan. The Congregational United Church of Christ/United Methodist Mission Church. They'll have a number of miscellaneous items for sale - all at bargain prices. Come and check it out!
Rev up your evening Thursday, August 20th, at Roar into Harlan Car and Bike Night from 6 to 9 pm on the Historic Downtown square in Harlan. Catch up with old friends, meet a few new ones, admire the cars and bikes, enjoy great music and grab a meal while you're there.
A Brown Bag Lunch will be held at the Museum of Danish America, Thursday, August 20th from noon to 1 pm. Pack your lunch and bring your curiosity. This month's program features children's author Kailee Coleman, who will share readings from her two books - And That's Their Family and Our Bodies.
The Mobile Food Pantry will be coming to Harlan on Monday, August 24th, starting at 4:30 and lasting until the product runs out at Veteran’s Memorial Building. The event is sponsored by the Harlan Lions Club. The goal is to provide food where there is a high need but limited resources. Each family will receive one set of perishable produce, non-perishable product, bread and meat. Each car will only get 1 set of food items.
IRWIN FIRE AND RESCUE IS HOSTING THEIR ANNUAL BREAKFAST AND BAKE SALE ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH FROM 8 TO NOON AT THE IRWIN COMMUNITY BUILDING. A FREE WILL DONATION WILL GET YOU EGGS, BISCUITS AND GRAVY, HAM, TOAST AND PANCAKES. BAKE SALE ITEMS ARE NEEDED AND WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Western Iowa -
(8-12-26) The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Western Iowa until 10:00 a.m. today.
There is a slight (Level 2 of 5) risk for severe thunderstorms this morning. The primary threat is damaging wind gusts. Isolated instances of large hail and heavy rain are also possible.
More severe storm and heavy rainfall chances exist tonight (overnight) into Thursday morning, and Thursday evening into Friday morning, with additional thunderstorm chances into the weekend.
Hazy skies and warm, humid conditions continue today. The heat index will peak near 100°F in southern and portions of central Iowa this afternoon and evening. Slightly cooler weather is then forecast from Thursday onward.
A Severe Thunderstorm warning was issued at 5:15 this morning in Harrison County and was allowed to expire at 6 am. No information on any damage has been received.
Back to School traffic creates new safety risks -
(8-12-26) – The back to school commute can create one of the busiest and most unpredictable traffic environments of the year. As students return to the classroom, drivers will encounter heavier traffic around the schools, increased pedestrian activity, school buses making frequent stops and e-bike and e-scooter riders traveling to and from schools. Drivers aren’t just watching for students on foot and children getting on or off school buses. They’re sharing the road with e-bike and e-scooter riders. When you combine that with distracted driving and speeding, the consequences can be devastating.
Safety starts with the driver: Remember to obey posted school zone speed limits; put phones away and eliminate distraction. Watch for crossing guards and pedestrians and allow extra travel time to avoid rushing.
Students are reminded to cross at marked crosswalks whenever possible; stay alert and avoid phones when walking near traffic and crossing streets; make eye contact with drivers before crossing a roadway; use designated crosswalks and bus loading areas; and follow school safety rules for bicycles, e-bikes and scooters.
Gas prices are back up again – and this time it’s a lot -
(8-12-26) – Just when we thought MAYBE, just maybe, gas prices were slowly coming back down, they jumped by over 45 cents overnight. Yesterday, the gas price at a station here in Harlan was 3.54 per gallon and this morning its $3.99. The national average this morning was still at 4.04 per gallon. California has the highest per gallon price at $5.58 with Indiana having the lowest price at $3.51 per gallon.
Upcoming Red Cross Bloodmobiles -
Wednesday, August 12th - 9:30 - 2:30 pm - Anita Community Center
SPARK to be held Tuesday at Museum -
SPARK! the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn will host its Cultural Programming for Lifelong Learning program from 10 to 11:30. August's theme is Art from the Archives, with Youth and Community Educator Anna Thomas sharing selected pieces from the museum's archives and their significance.
Dinesen Prairie Hike - date change to Tuesday
(8-10-26) - A prairie hike will be held on Tuesday, August 11 at 6:00 p.m. at Dinesen Prairie northeast of Harlan. The driveway for Dinesen is on the north side of County Road M36 just east of Oak Road (on the south part of Oak Road). Dinesen Prairie is a native prairie that has never been turned by a plow so there are some unique plants that grow here. We will do some plant and animal identification on the hike. We highly recommend pants and closed toed shoes for this hike (there are patches of poison ivy) and bug spray.
Veteran's Affairs office closed August 13th through September 1st -
The Shelby County Veteran Service office will be closed August 13th through September 1st. If there is an emergency please contact the Crawford County Veteran Services office.
Myrtue Medical Center's Blood Analysis Screening will be held now through the 28th from 6:45 am to 10:45 am with no Monday appointments. Schedule your appointment today by calling 755-4288 between 8 and 4 pm.
Minutes from Supervisors meeting on August 4th -
The Shelby County Board of Supervisors met in regular session at 9 am in the Supervisors Chambers at the Shelby County Courthouse. There was no conflict of interest, the agenda was approved, the minutes from the July 21st meeting were approved and the recently processed claims were also approved. It was also approved for a ROW permit for Nishnabotna Valley REC, at the intersection of 1500th and M47. Engineer Chris Fredricksen then presented a Federal Aid Agreement for consideration. Schaben made a motion and Kolbe seconded the motion to approve the Iowa DOT Federal Aid Agreement for Competitive Highway Bridge Project. GB-83 DOT Agreement No. 4-26-CHBP-015. Luke Wolken, Environmental Health Director presented Shelby County Private Water well Permitting Policy and Procedures document for approval and it passed unanimously. The Treasurer’s Office Semi-Annual Report was approved. Treasurer Carolyn Blum then gave a department update on new pocket talk translators provided by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Kyle Lindberg, Jail Administrator gave a department update stating there have been 301 bookings to date with a daily average inmate population of 11. Supervisors then reported on meeting they attended. The meeting was adjourned at 9:28 am. The Supervisors then met in a special session at 2 pm on August 4th. Various department heads attended the meeting to discuss potential county handbook changes. No action was taken and the meeting was adjourned at 4:21 pm.
Harlan's Rosmann family to host a Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) field day -
(8-12-26) The Rosmann family of Harlan will host a Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) field day on Saturday, August 22nd, from 2-until 5-p.m.. The event is free to attend and open to the public. More information about the field day can be found on the event’s webpage. Rosmann Family Farms is a 700-acre certified organic farm that supports three generations of the Rosmann family with a mixture of corn, soybeans, popcorn, small grains, forages and pasture as well as cattle, hogs and chickens. Across decades, the Rosmanns have established a patchwork of 47 different fields throughout their whole farm. They are strong proponents of contour farming, ridge-till and producing compost to fertilize their fields.
The Rosmanns care deeply about continuing their legacy of stewardship, advocating for practices and policies that support healthy farms and landscapes. Ron Rosmann will share a few words about his new book “A Practical Farmer’s Journey: A History of Community, Stewardship and Resilience” before the family leads a tour of the farm and practices that inspired the publication.
Date: Saturday, August 22
Time: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Location: Rosmann Family Farm and Farm Sweet Farm | 1222 Ironwood Road, Harlan, Iowa 51537
RSVP: Attendees can RSVP by visiting the event page or calling PFI at (515)-232-5661
For more information about PFI field days, visit our Field Days webpage.
Former nursing home worker surrenders his license -
(8-12-26) - – A nurse who landed a job in an Iowa care facility last fall after Nebraska officials labeled him a “significant risk” to the public has agreed to voluntarily surrender his Iowa license. The nurse, Raymond DeLeon of Glenwood, is currently facing a felony charge of neglect or abandonment of a dependent person. Prosecutors allege that on Nov. 12, 2025, he left the Garden View Care Center in Shenandoah when he was the only licensed nurse on duty. DeLeon has pleaded not guilty to the charge and a trial is scheduled for Aug. 25, 2026.
DeLeon’s licensing issues stem from action taken by Nebraska regulators last year prior to his employment in Iowa. Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services records indicate DeLeon, a 66-year-old licensed practical nurse, was working at Douglas County Health Center, a 254-bed nursing home in Omaha, in February 2024 when the facility received what the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services calls “photographic evidence of DeLeon using illicit controlled substances.”
After DeLeon refused the facility’s request that he submit to drug testing, he was allegedly fired for unlawful use of a controlled substance in the workplace or reporting for work while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, incompetence in performing his assigned nursing duties, and engaging in activities prejudicial to his employer’s reputation. Declaring that DeLeon to posed a “significant risk to public safety,” the department revoked his privileges to work as a nurse in Nebraska on Aug. 2, 2025.
With his Iowa license unaffected by that decision, DeLeon continued to work as a nurse in Iowa and in September 2025, was hired at the Garden View Care Center, a state-licensed nursing home in Fremont County. According to state inspectors, the administrator at Garden View later explained that when she hired DeLeon last year, she was aware of some sort of adverse action against his license in Nebraska and had asked DeLeon about that. Inspectors allege the administrator told them DeLeon informed her that his girlfriend had taken a photo of him smoking marijuana and sent it to his employer.
The administrator allegedly told the inspectors that since she had started work at the home in July 2025, the facility had not been checking the references of job applicants and new hires. A registered nurse at Garden View allegedly told the inspectors DeLeon would routinely leave the building during his overnight shift, would go out to his car, and would then return “hyped up” to complete his shift. The registered nurse allegedly added that she wouldn’t give DeLeon the keys to the home’s narcotics cabinet because she didn’t trust him — a concern she said she had relayed to the home’s management.
State records indicate that around 1 a.m. on Nov. 12, 2025, while working the overnight shift at Garden View, DeLeon went out to his vehicle to smoke and then drove away, before his shift had ended, to purchase gasoline for his vehicle. According to police, DeLeon was pulled over about 1:15 a.m. by a Fremont County deputy, allegedly after driving on Highway 59 with no lights on. The deputy reported following DeLeon into the parking lot at Garden View, and then arresting DeLeon after finding a glass methamphetamine pipe, with residue, in the vehicle’s glove compartment.
DeLeon was subsequently convicted of possession of methamphetamine and at sentencing received a deferred judgment that will result in his conviction being wiped from his record after the successful completion of a year’s probation. A charge of possession of drug paraphernalia was dismissed.
At some point, the Iowa Board of Nursing filed disciplinary charges against DeLeon, accusing him of being subject to disciplinary action in another state, being involved in the unauthorized possession or use of a controlled substance, excessive use of drugs and/or alcohol, engaging in behavior that is contradictory to professional decorum, and leaving a nursing assignment without properly ensuring the safety and welfare of patients.
Board records give conflicting information as to when those charges were filed. The board’s published Statement of Charges is dated Sept. 8, 2025, but references board action three months later in December 2025. Recently, the board agreed to accept DeLeon’s voluntary surrender of his Iowa license, and in that agreement the board indicated the disciplinary charges against DeLeon were filed in March 2026.
Garden View is currently one of two Iowa nursing homes designated a “special-focus facility” by the federal government. Such facilities are considered to be among the worst nursing homes in the nation due to serious and recurring deficiencies in resident care.
Garden View has been designated a special-focus facility for 12 months. It currently has no quality rating on the federal government’s Nursing Home Compare website due to what the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services calls a “history of serious quality issues.”
The 2026 Iowa State Fair Starts Tomorrow, Iowa State Fair Parade Is Tonight
(Des Moines, IA) — The 2026 Iowa State Fair kicks off tomorrow. It’ll be fairgoers’ first chance to try more than 80 new fair foods and 45 new drinks. Thursday’s Grandstand Act will be HARDY and opener McCoy Moore, with a drone and fireworks show to follow. The fair will run through August 23. Tonight, the Iowa State Fair Parade will go through downtown Des Moines, starting at the State Capitol Complex and traveling west down Grand Avenue.
Crop Report
(8-11-26) - There were 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Aug. 9, 2026. This is .4 days more than last year, when there were 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 21 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 27 percent short, 62 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Corn silking reached 97 percent, which is 2 percentage points ahead of last year. Sixty-nine percent of Iowa’s corn crop has reached the dough stage, which is 3 percentage points ahead of last year. Twelve percent of corn reached the dent stage, which is 2 percentage points behind last year. Corn condition rated 78 percent good to excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 93 percent, which is 1 percentage point ahead of last year. Seventy-two percent of soybeans were setting pods, which is 2 percentage points behind last year. Soybean condition rated 77 good to excellent. Ninety-three percent of oats have been harvested, which is 13 percentage points ahead of last year. Oats condition rated 82 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 66 percent good to excellent.
Montgomery County News-
(8-12-26) -At about 10:30 Tuesday night, deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop at Broadway St and Coolbaugh in Red Oak. Upon investigation, deputies arrested 67 year old Edwin Bryant Vondielingen of Red Oak for OWI 1st offense. He was transported to the Montgomery County Jail where he is being held on $1,000 bond.
(8-11-26) - The Red Oak Police Department reports a man from Red Oak was arrested at around 7:50 p.m. Monday, following a traffic stop. 56-year-old Fred Francis Welch the 4th was charged with OWI/2nd offense – an Aggravated Misdemeanor. Welch was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 bond.
Mills County Sheriff’s report -
(8-11-26) - The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports 16 arrests occurred between July 28th and August 8th: 51 year old Paula Kaye McFarland of West Haven, UT,
was arrested Aug. 8th near Emerson, for OWI/1st offense.
On Aug. 7th: 27-year-old Logan Seil Petersen, of Omaha, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana/3rd offense, Poss. of drug paraphernalia, and Assault with display of a dangerous weapon; and, 72-year-old John Robert Fuller, of Henderson, was arrested for OWI/1st offense.
68-year-old Diane Davis, of Omaha, was arrested Aug. 4th for Possession of a controlled substance/3rd or subsequent offense, and 35-year-old Mikel Ann Erickson, of Lewis, was arrested for Failure to appear on a felony charge.
There were three arrests on Aug. 3rd in Mills County: 41-year-old Matthew Paul Dennis, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Driving While Barred; 32-year-old Nickolaus Brett, Sr., of Plattsmouth, NE, was arrested for Contempt of Court/Disobedience of a court order; and 63-year-old Jeanne Lee West, of Omaha, was arrested for Poss. of drug paraphernalia.
42-year-old Bradley Clay, Jr., of Omaha, was arrested Aug. 1st for OWI/1st offense. On July 31st, 23-year-old Lewis Leroy Riche, of Glenwood, was arrested by Mills County deputies, for Assault with bodily injury, and Child Endangerment. There were three arrests on July 30th: 33-year-old Lindsey Joanne Krause, of Silver City, was arrested on two counts of Assault with bodily injury; 25-year-old Eduardo Antonio Gonzalez Garcia, of Bellevue, NE, was arrested for Eluding – speed 25 mph over the limit; and 34-year-old Christian Joseph Newman, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for Assault with bodily injury.
Two people were arrested July 29th in Glenwood: 60-year-old Rickey Alan Brammer, of Malvern, was arrested for Failure to Appear, and, 66-year-old Jesse William Joslin, of Omaha, was arrested for Possession of a controlled substance/2nd offense, and Poss. of drug paraphernalia
And, on the 28th of July, Mills County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 18-year-old Samuel Lee Kanoski, of Omaha, for Burglary in the 3rd degree, and trafficking of stolen weapons/1st offense.
Coon Rapids Man Appeals Assault Conviction to Iowa Supreme Court - (8-11-26) -
39 year old Simon Lee McAllister of Coon Rapids, the man who pointed a loaded handgun at law enforcement earlier this year is appealing his conviction to the Iowa Supreme Court. According to Carroll County District Court records, McAlister was found guilty in June by a jury of his peers of two counts of assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, aggravated misdemeanors, and not guilty of assault on a peace officer while displaying a dangerous weapon, a class C felony.
According to the record, McAlister, while wearing a bulletproof vest and several loaded magazines, pulled a loaded 9mm handgun on a deputy and officer when they responded to a firearm discharge. The law enforcement officers de-escalated the situation and took McAlister into custody. The two-year prison sentence associated with the conviction was suspended, and McAlister instead received a 14-day prison sentence. He was also ordered to pay $855 in fines and complete two years of probation. McAlister filed a motion for a new trial following his conviction, which alleged prosecutorial misconduct via reference to prior police interactions, an improper verdict, among other claims.
The court did not find his arguments valid and denied his request for a new trial. However, McAlister filed an appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court on July 31. The Iowa Supreme Court retains cases of major legal importance while transferring the majority to the intermediate Iowa Court of Appeals. An appellate review does not hold new trials, use juries, or hear new witnesses.
Jury selection set for today in infant death case -
(8-11-26) - Jury selection is scheduled to begin Tuesday morning in the trial of a Crawford County man charged in connection with the death of his infant daughter. Chad Eugene Gibbs Jr. faces charges of first-degree murder and two counts of child endangerment in the January 2025 death of his daughter, Genevieve Gibbs. He has pleaded not guilty. Proceedings are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday in Crawford County District Court, with jury selection expected to take place first. Authorities allege Gibbs caused injuries that led to the infant’s death. Genevieve was less than a month old when she was hospitalized following an incident at the family’s home and later died. The child’s mother, Sarah Lembke, was also initially charged in the case. That charge was dismissed in December 2025 after prosecutors said additional evidence did not support the allegation against her. Lembke has since been subpoenaed in Gibbs’ case.
The case has been pending since early 2025 and has gone through several delays and pretrial proceedings ahead of this week’s trial. Crawford County Attorney Colin Johnson and Iowa Assistant Attorney General Ryan Baldridge are prosecuting the case. Gibbs is represented by attorney Priscilla Forsyth.
Chief District Court Judge Patrick Tott is presiding.
Jury selection starts today in Sioux City cold case murder -
Jury selection starts today for 63 year old Thomas Popp, the accused of killing a Native American woman in Sioux City more than 40 years ago. Police arrested Popp in Washington state in January of 2025 and charged him with first-degree murder in the 1983 death of 18-year-old Terri McCauley. McCauley’s nephew Josh Taylor says he wants people to remember his aunt as more than a crime victim.
Eighteen-year-old Terri McCauley disappeared in 1983 after a night out with friends and her body was found in a wooded area ten days later. Taylor says the family has waited a long time for this day.
A social media campaign helped give attention to McCauley’s case. Her family also started Red Sky Nation to highlight the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) crisis.
The organization has helped others locally and in other states across the region. The trial is expected to take around two weeks.
Earlier start time for Harlan Community Schools -
(8-11-26) - Beginning with this school year, Harlan Community schools will be starting at 7:50 in the morning. The change will apply district-wide. Classes will begin at 7:50 a.m., while the end of the school day will remain unchanged at each building. School officials say the 10-minute earlier start adds approximately four full days of instructional time over the course of the school year. The additional instructional time will also provide the district with greater flexibility when dealing with weather-related closures and school events, without requiring the district to extend the school year.
The district says the change is intended to provide additional instructional time while maintaining the current end-of-day schedules for students and families.
Expansions and renovations to begin at Shenandoah hospital next year -
(8-10-26) - The hospital in Shenandoah will break ground next July on a nearly 20 MILLION dollar project that includes adding a labor and delivery suite and a permanent M-R-I system. The first phase of this latest project will provide new space for Shenandoah’s ambulance service, including three parking bays and a training center for E-M-Ts. The Shenandoah hospital has been bringing in a mobile M-R-I unit three days a week and that means appointments are scheduled back-to-back — so the unit isn’t always available in emergency situations. The one-and-a-half MILLION dollars spent on new space and permanent M-R-I equipment will improve hospital’s stroke program. Other parts of the project deal with existing services at the hospital. Bariatric surgery is an obesity treatment that helps control hunger and changes how the body digests food. Shenandoah’s first hospital opened in 1918. A new 44-bed hospital was constructed in 1979 and there have been major additions to the facility in the decades since, including new cancer center and nursery in 2024.
Adair County Sheriff’s report -
((8-10-26) - The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports four recent arrests: 28-year-old Kenneth Dale Blazek, of Greenfield, was arrested Aug. 6th on an Adair County arrest warrant for violating the conditions of his pre-trial release on the original charges of Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree (2 counts), 2 counts of Lascivious Acts with a Child, and Grooming. He was being held without bond in the Adair County Jail.
57-year-old Niki Jolene Larson, of Adair, was arrested Aug. 6th on an Adair County warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine – 1st offense, and for Poss. of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense. Her total bond was set at $3,000.
And there were two arrests on Aug. 7th in Adair County: 19-year-old Ava Renee Fuentze Castillo, of Fontanelle, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. She was later released on bond. And, 43-year-old Margaret Nicole Siegwarth, of Greenfield, was arrested on an out of county warrant. She was held without bond on her Union County arrest warrant and taken directly to meet with a Union County deputy and turned over to their custody.
Audubon School District selected for a competitive grant -
(8-10-26) - Officials with the Audubon Community School District said on social media, Friday, that they “Are excited to share that Audubon Community Schools has been selected as one of the Iowa school districts to receive a highly competitive grant through the University of Northern Iowa Institute for Educational Leadership, funded by the Kern Family Foundation.” As part of this grant, the district leadership team will work throughout the 2026-2027 school year with nationally recognized standards-based grading expert Dr. Matt Townsley. Through monthly coaching, on-site workshops, and ongoing support, the team will strengthen its knowledge and build capacity as they continue implementing standards-based grading across our district. This opportunity is especially meaningful,” officials said, “because priority was given to rural Iowa schools that demonstrated a strong commitment to improving grading and reporting practices. We are honored to have been selected. “At Audubon Community Schools,” officials said they “believe grades should clearly communicate what students know and can do. This partnership will help us continue refining our practices so that students receive meaningful feedback, families have a clearer understanding of learning, and teachers are supported through this important work. “We are grateful to the UNI Institute for Educational Leadership, the Kern Family Foundation, and Dr. Matt Townsley for investing in rural schools and helping us grow.” District officials said also, “We look forward to sharing updates and answering questions throughout the year as we continue working to provide the very best learning experience for every Wheeler student!”
Guthrie County man charged in a Ft. Dodge stabbing -
(8-10-26) On Sunday, Officials with the Fort Dodge Police Department, reported a man from Guthrie County faces a felony charge associated with a stabbing incident that occurred Saturday night, in Fort Dodge, Authorities say following an investigation, 45-year-old David J. Richman, of Bayard, was charged with Assault Causing Serious Injury, a Class-D Felony.
The Webster County Communications Center received a call at around 10:55 p..m., Saturday, August 8th, 2026, about an altercation between two males outside of the Star Convenience Store located at 1601 5th Ave S. in Fort Dodge. Officers with the Fort Dodge Police Department and Deputies with the Webster County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.
Once on scene officers located 18-year-old Dawson D. Skoland Rattray of Fort Dodge, suffering from a laceration to his right arm. Witnesses on scene advised that the suspect had fled prior to officer arrival. The officers on scene rendered aid to Mr. Skoland Rattray until the Fort Dodge Fire Department arrived. Mr. Skoland Rattray was transported by ambulance and then Life Flighted to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. It is believed that the victim’s injuries are not life threatening. The Criminal Investigation Division was called in to assist patrol with the investigation. The scene was processed, and witnesses were interviewed. As the investigation continued to evolve, information came in about the possible location of the suspect. Officers responded to the location and detained the suspect without incident. As with all cases, Mr. Richman is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
At this time investigators with the Criminal Investigations Division are continuing to follow up on this incident. Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to contact the Fort Dodge Police. Information may also be submitted anonymously via Crime Stoppers. The Fort Dodge Police Department was assisted by the Webster County Sheriff’s Office, and the Fort Dodge Fire Department.
City pools closing for the season -
The Norman D. Stamp Aquatic Center Pool closed for the season at 5 pm, Sunday, August 9th. The last day for the Elk Horn City Pool is Saturday, August 15th. Adult swim will end on Friday, August 21st.
Harlan Community Library Book Sale going on this month -
(8-3-26) The Book Sale at the Harlan Community Library is going on now through the end of the month. You'll find great reads, DVDs, puzzles and more at unbeatable prices. Stop in during regular library hours and grab your next favoirte before it's gone!
Blood supply now at crisis level -
(7-28-26) - Two weeks after putting out an urgent appeal for Iowans to give blood, officials with the American Red Cross say the situation has dramatically worsened and they’re declaring the blood shortage is now at the crisis stage. Josh Murray, spokesman for the agency’s Iowa/Nebraska chapter, says many donors have come forward, but it’s still not enough to meet the rising demand. Several factors are contributing to the emergency appeal, including the extreme heat, the poor air quality due to wildfire smoke, and the widespread outbreak of foodborne illnesses. Murray says it’s only the second time the Red Cross has declared a blood shortage at the crisis level. The first time was in 2022. Patients at Iowa hospitals may soon feel the impact of the blood shortage as elective surgeries are forced to be pushed back. Donating a pint of blood typically will only take 45 minutes out of your day, and every donation has the potential to help save multiple lives. Those who come in during August will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card by email. Book an appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 800-RED CROSS.
Fly the flag for Walnut Fire and Rescue -
(7-22-26) – Walnut Fire and Rescue Association offers the community a way to show their national pride with a subscription to Fly the Flag for Walnut Fire and Rescue Program for only $50 per year. Walnut Fire and Rescue Association members will place a 3 by 5 foot nylon American Flag on a 10 foot pole in your front yard on six of our national holidays – Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Patriot Day and Veteran’s Day. Walnut Fire and Rescue Association will post the flags at dawn and retrieve them at dusk. The flags may stay up all weekend on a three day holiday weekend. A receptacle that will remain in place for the year will be installed 2 to 3 feet from the back of the curb in the center of your property. It will be flush with the ground so it will not interfere with mowing. All proceeds from the program will go to support the Walnut Fire\ and Rescue Association by purchasing new equipment for the Walnut Fire and Rescue Department. Questions? Contact Ashley Chapman at 712/307-1267 or Michael Chapman at 712/307-1278
Apply now for grant applications from the Endowment for Education -
(5-28-26) - Grant applications for healthcare education from the Endowment for Education are now being accepted. The grants are made available through the Lucille Petersen Endowment Fund. The funds will be distributed to selected applicants seeking short or long-range educational assistance to pursue healthcare occupations. A June 30th deadline has been set for applications to be submitted for the fall 2026 semester. The funds will be distributed as grants—loans that will be forgiven if the recipient is employed within a 20-mile radius of Harlan in his or her specialized healthcare occupation following completion of courses. If a recipient cannot fulfill the service terms under which the loan will be forgiven, the money is subject to a five percent interest rate and repayment of principal. Application forms and more information are available by contacting Ruth Pitkin, Myrtue Medical Center, 1213 Garfield Ave., Harlan, IA, 51537, phone 712 755-4316 or email [email protected]. The grants can be for new, entry level, or advanced training or certifications.
For farm news and market information, visit www.brownfieldnetwork.com.
Upcoming events -
The Harlan Community Library has opened a Free Little Food Pantry, located in the entryway of the library. Help them out by dropping off your canned and dry goods. Check out the Library Facebook page for their hours.
For a $50 annual fee, the Boy Scout Troop 90B and 90G will place a 3 by 5 foot flag on a 10 foot pole in front of your house on five national holidays - Memorial Day, Flag Day, 4th of July, Labor Day and Veteran's Day. Subscription forms can be found online or in the Harlan Tribune.
Upcoming Red Cross Bloodmobiles -
Wednesday, August 12th - 9:30 - 2:30 pm - Anita Community Center
Thursday, August 13th - Noon to 6 pm - Rand Senior Center in Missouri Valley
Wednesday, August 19th - Noon to 6 pm - Central Church in Carroll
12:30 to 5:30 - American Legion Hall in Arcadia
Thursday, August 20th - 8 to 2 pm - Central Church in Carroll
Noon to 5:30 - Defiance St Peter's Hall
Monday, August 24th - 8 to 2 - Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan
Tuesday, August 25th - Noon to 6 - Portsmouth American Legion Hall
Wednesday, August 26th - Noon to 6 - Woodbine High School
LifeServe Donation Centers -
Schedule your appointment by visiting lifeservebloodcenter.org or by calling 800-287-4903.
The Basement Treasures Sale will be held this Friday, August 14th from 3 to 7 pm and Saturday, August 15th from 9 to 1 at the Church on the Hill at 19th and Durant in Harlan. The Congregational United Church of Christ/United Methodist Mission Church. They'll have a number of miscellaneous items for sale - all at bargain prices. Come and check it out!
Rev up your evening Thursday, August 20th, at Roar into Harlan Car and Bike Night from 6 to 9 pm on the Historic Downtown square in Harlan. Catch up with old friends, meet a few new ones, admire the cars and bikes, enjoy great music and grab a meal while you're there.
A Brown Bag Lunch will be held at the Museum of Danish America, Thursday, August 20th from noon to 1 pm. Pack your lunch and bring your curiosity. This month's program features children's author Kailee Coleman, who will share readings from her two books - And That's Their Family and Our Bodies.
The Mobile Food Pantry will be coming to Harlan on Monday, August 24th, starting at 4:30 and lasting until the product runs out at Veteran’s Memorial Building. The event is sponsored by the Harlan Lions Club. The goal is to provide food where there is a high need but limited resources. Each family will receive one set of perishable produce, non-perishable product, bread and meat. Each car will only get 1 set of food items.
IRWIN FIRE AND RESCUE IS HOSTING THEIR ANNUAL BREAKFAST AND BAKE SALE ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH FROM 8 TO NOON AT THE IRWIN COMMUNITY BUILDING. A FREE WILL DONATION WILL GET YOU EGGS, BISCUITS AND GRAVY, HAM, TOAST AND PANCAKES. BAKE SALE ITEMS ARE NEEDED AND WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE.
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