LATEST NEWS

Carroll first responders were dispatched to the CitiCentre Plaza in Carroll this (Tuesday) afternoon for a hazmat spill. At approximately 12:08 p.m., local agencies responded to the Bomgaars parking lot for an unknown chemical spill from a straight truck for a wholesale company, Monaghan Corporation, based out of Des Moines. The Carroll Fire Department was dispatched to clean the indeterminant amount of hazardous liquid, later identified as Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH), a strong based classified as a level 8 corrosive material. Carroll County Ambulance Service was called to the scene to treat the truck driver, who did come in contact with the liquid. The Carroll Police Department and Iowa State Patrol also assisted in keeping the location clear so crews could continue cleaning operations with no disruptions. The public is asked to avoid the area until the spill is cleared, but there is no risk to the public’s health.

New Hope Village vocational staff are on strike outside of the dayhab center today (Tuesday), protesting their right to fair wages and affirming being a unified team. On Thursday, September 26, New Hope staff were informed that all direct support professionals (DSP) would receive a pay increase, except for the vocational staff. Earlier in the meeting, employers reviewed with DSP the new mission and values of the company, standing for respect, fairness, and valuing all, quality services, choice, integrity, honest and strong moral principles as an undivided team and belonging among all clients and staff. A spokesperson for the protesters said, “We were seen as a valued employee, but hearing we were not worth a competitive wage our peers were receiving is disheartening. We are fighting for a fair wage to be valued, respected, and treated fairly as part of an undivided team.” DSP staff did not walk out and informed supervisors of the intention to strike last week. They will remain on strike until a meeting with the New Hope CEO and a third party to discuss demands can be scheduled. New Hope CEO has released the following statement in regards to the protest “New Hope Village can confirm a small group of staff members recently walked off the job at Day Hab over a disagreement regarding the size of their raises. We respect their right to voice their opinions and concerns, however, naturally are disappointed they have chosen to do so in this way. Management is currently working to address the situation. New Hope Village management has also assured the families of our clients that their loved ones continue to be well taken care of, and we have plans in place to ensure continuation of services without interruption.” Carroll Broadcasting will bring you more information on the New Hope DSP strike in upcoming newscasts.

8:22am: A deputy investigated a scam in the 900 block of 270th Street. 10:31am: A deputy investigated a parking complaint near 8th Street and Kendrick Street, Scranton. 11:37am: A deputy investigated a domestic in the 2300 block of X Avenue. 3:00pm: A deputy picked up 2 dogs in the 600...

Carroll County Attorney John Werden is showing support for an American ally, Israel, and their ongoing conflict against terrorist organizations. Werden says, “In solidarity with the people of Israel, I now fly their flag under the American flag in front of my office.” The current conflict in the Middle East began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas led a raid from the Gaza Strip into Israel, killing nearly 1,200 civilians and taking over 250 hostages. Israeli forces quickly invaded Gaza following the attack and occupied much of the territory. The conflict is now expanding north toward Lebanon as Israel retaliates against Hezbollah-backed forces that threaten the nation’s northern occupants. Werden previously showed his support for Ukraine by flying their flag outside the County Attorney’s Office in 2022 following the Russian invasion. That conflict is still ongoing more than 2.5 years later.

1:02am: A deputy assisted by the Jefferson Police Department responded to a medical call in the 800 block of Railroad Street, Grand Junction. 11:34am: A deputy investigated a driving complaint in the 900 block of Locust Street, Scranton. 5:45pm: A deputy assisted with an unruly child in the 500 block...

An OABCIG middle school student was charged with threats of terrorism after posting to social media about bringing a gun to school. According to the Sac County Sherriff’s Office, at approximately 3:00 a.m. on Sept. 30, an FBI agent made law enforcement aware of a Snapchat message containing a potential threat to the OABCIG Middle School. In the message, the student stated that they were going to bring a gun to the school. A joint investigation was completed by the Sac and Ida County Sheriff’s Offices, determining the threat was not credible. The student admitted to writing the message but did not have the means or intent to carry out the threat. The student has been referred to juvenile court officials for threats of terrorism, a class D felony. While law enforcement did not find the threat credible, increased law enforcement was present at OABCIG School District as a precautionary measure.

A Jefferson man has been placed on probation after pleading guilty to eluding and driving while barred for a high-speed chase on Highway 141 earlier this year. On June 12, 25-year-old Kyle Dean Rysavy was taken into custody after refusing to stop for law enforcement trying to initiate a traffic stop. Rysavy continued at high speeds westbound on Hwy 141 from near Dedham to Aspinwall in Crawford County, where a Carroll County Sheriff’s Deputy made contact with his vehicle using the patrol car, and Rysavy came to a stop. It was later discovered that Rysavy was barred in the State of Iowa as well as operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent. Rysavy entered a plea agreement in August, accepting charges of eluding, a class D felony, and driving while barred, an aggravated misdemeanor. The five-year prison term for Count One, the two-year prison term for Count Two, and $1,880 in fines have been suspended. Rysavy is ordered to follow the terms of his probation. If prison sentences are ever served, the seven-year term shall run concurrently.

IKM-Manning Middle School and Glidden Ralston Community School District (CSD) are one round away from winning the $1,000 prize for the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative’s 2024 School Mascot Challenge. In honor of the 14th annual Healthiest State Walk, the school with the most votes will receive the grand prize to fund health and wellness programs throughout its respective building or district. Glidden-Ralston CSD and IKM-Manning have continuously received support from students, staff, and community members to outvote 30 other schools to the final round. Voting ends at noon on Wednesday. A link to vote has been included below.

FARNHAMVILLE, Iowa — Hundreds of people met at Farnhamville City Park Sunday night for a candlelight vigil to honor 17-year-old Michele "Luna" Jackson. Jackson was reported missing the night of Sept. 22. Her body was found the next morning. One week later, family, friends and even strangers gathered around the swing she used often.

A fire was contained to the ventilation tubes at Louis Dreyfus near Grand Junction Tuesday afternoon. Just before 2pm, the Grand Junction and Jefferson Fire Departments, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office and Greene County Ambulance responded to a call of a fire at Louis Dreyfus near Grand Junction. Sheriff Jack Williams tells Raccoon Valley Radio when they got on scene, crews found flames inside ventilation tubes of one of the buildings at the ethanol plant.

(Audubon, Iowa) – The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office, Tuesday, reported two arrests occurred between Sept. 15th and 27th:. 53-year-old Thomas Strathman, of Brayton, was arrested September 15, 2024, on charges of Operating While Intoxicated-1st, Open Container, Driving While License Suspended and several traffic citations. Strathman was released on his own recognizance, and was scheduled to appear before the magistrate at a later date.

The time frame for applications for a federally-funded program that helps during the winter months in Iowa is open for certain individuals. New Opportunities Greene County Coordinator Teresa Lansman says the Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) allows qualified households to receive a one time payment of, on average $400, to help with increasing costs for heat in the winter.

The Carroll City Council unanimously approved a letter of understanding following a closed session during last night’s (Monday) special meeting to lay the groundwork for the potential future acquisition of approximately 100 acres of land west of the Carroll Municipal Golf Course. City officials met in closed session for around 30 minutes before returning to open session and approving the document. The letter, which is included in its entirety with this story on our website, details a mutual understanding between the City of Carroll and K.M.C. Farms, LTD, owned by John Simons and Peter Simons, that showcases their amiability to the idea of the city acquiring their land west of N. West Street. The letter details that the Simonses do not want to incur any capital gains tax on the sale of the land in question, suggesting a land swap would be the route forward. However, the letter does not detail the terms of such a swap, but city officials indicated that it would come in the form of a formal agreement down the line. While the letter of understanding is not legally binding, it does renew the debate for the proposed Golfview housing development. The council failed to reach a consensus on whether to move forward with a $750,000 proposal from Wittrock Construction to purchase 4.5 acres of city-owned land on the golf course to build an estimated $9 million in assessed valuation. The council split 3-3 when voting to reject or accept the proposal, but the issue could return at the Oct. 14 Carroll City Council meeting if a motion to reconsider is approved. If that motion fails, the council can take up the question again in six months, but they would need to restart the request-for-proposal process.

Since the beginning of September, one needed service in Greene County changed its hours of when people could use them. Greene County Action Resource Center (ARC) Manager Shirley Haupert says for years the food pantry in Jefferson has been open Wednesday mornings for clients to receive their food every four weeks, but in September, those hours changed to Thursday mornings. She explains that their main food provider, the Food Bank of Iowa, altered its delivery route because of the increase of needs across the state at other food pantry locations.

Carroll’s streets will be filled with music and floats this weekend with the 67th annual Carroll Band Day. The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the corning of N. Adams Street and W. 12th Street. Carroll Chamber of Commerce Program Director Ashley Schable says they have over 60 parade entries scheduled to participate.

The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) annual Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin competition has returned. The IPPA says that there were 532 restaurants nominated this year for the competition, and five have been chosen, with two in northwestern Iowa, two in northeastern Iowa, and one in central Iowa. Stuart residents will be happy to hear that Ruby’s Pub and Grill is in the running for the best breaded pork tenderloin in the state, making it the fourth establishment in Guthrie County to be nominated for the award.

The Sac County Sheriff’s Office K9 officer Havoc has received a donation to be equipped with complete body armor protection. In the next ten weeks, Havoc will have a bullet and stab protective vest from a non-profit organization, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., which has helped provide over 5,700 vests to K9 officers in all 50 states since 2009. K9 Havoc’s vest has been sponsored by Roxanne Rowedder of Provost Point Resort, Inc. in Lake View and will be embroidered “In memory of Byron C. Provost.” The program is open to dogs in the U.S. who are actively employed and certified by law enforcement or related agencies and are at least 20 months old. Dogs with expired vests are also eligible to receive updated protection gear. Tax-deductible contributions support the program, with a single donation of $985 sponsoring one vest. For more information or to contribute, visit www.vik9s.org or contact Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. at 508-824-6978.

Western Iowa Advantage invites elected officials, housing developers, and anyone interested in attending its annual summit this year, discussing ways to promote housing and create a foundation for community success. Western Iowa Advantage is an economic development group with representatives from Region XII Council of Governments and development partners from Audubon, Calhoun, Carroll, Crawford, Greene, Sac, and Ida counties. The organization collaborates to build strong local, regional, and statewide economies while promoting job creation and livability of the region. Sara Slater, Executive Director for Audubon County Economic Development (ACED) and Chair for Western Iowa Advantage says housing was picked this year due to the demand being seen regionally and nationwide.

FARNHAMVILLE, Iowa — The library in Farnhamville is pledging to keep a beloved patron's memory alive after her death. Michele "Luna" Jackson, 17, was found dead the morning of Sept. 23. She was reported missing the night before. The murder investigation has rocked the small Iowa community of less than 400 people to its core.

One Main Street Iowa program has been selected as one of the top eight communities that are in the running for a prestigious honor. According to Main Street America, Jefferson Matters is a semi-finalist for the 2025 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA). Main Street America says a group of industry professionals and local leaders served as a national jury as they evaluated applications from several Main Street programs across the country. They go on to say that the eight semi-finalists were named for their “excellence in fostering preservation-based revitalization efforts in their historic downtowns and commercial corridor districts through the Main Street America approach.”