Abby Ward

The Carroll Community School District (CCSD) has accepted a settlement stipulation from Graphite Construction Group after its bid was not awarded the contract to construct the new transportation facility. CCSD Board of Education met with the Graphite

Iowa State Bank in Sac City contributes $30,000 for the replacement of the Sauk Rail Trail south of Lake View. The portion of the trail that sits over the Black Hawk Marsh Dike was needing repairs due

With Christmas next week, many individuals are finishing some last-minute Christmas shopping before celebrating with family and friends. According to data from the National Retail Federation (NRF), Americans, on average, spend between $902 to $1,014 on Christmas,

A Paton man was taken into custody Thursday after an investigation discovered physical abuse to a two-month-old baby that led to the infant’s death. According to Greene County District Court records, 26-year-old Nolan Roger Wilson was arrested by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office on charges of first-degree murder, a class A felony, child endangerment resulting in death, a class B felony, and domestic abuse, impeding air/blood flow, a class D felony. Back in September, Wilson called for emergency services to a home in Paton for his two-month-old son, who had blood coming out of his month, not breathing and cold to the touch. Authorities discovered the infant was deceased upon arrival to the scene. An autopsy report from the State Medical Examiner showed that the infant’s cause of death was head injuries from blunt force trauma, included multiple hemorrhages on the head and eyes and multiple fractures in the left arm and leg. During the investigation it was also reported that Wilson abused the child’s mother a few days prior. Wilson is currently in the custody at the Greene County jail at no bond, waiting his preliminary hearing scheduled for Dec. 30. With the combined charges, Wilson faces a sentence of life is prison without the possibility of parole.

The man charged with carrying a weapon on school grounds while walking across Fairview Elementary has been taken into custody for violating his pre-trial release. According to Carroll County District Court records, 26-year-old Darius Tra’von Chandler was arrested yesterday (Thursday) for violating his pre-trial release by not keeping up with appointments, failing to submit to requested drug testing, and testing positive for drugs and alcohol. Chandler has refused on multiple occasions to provide a sample for drug testing but has tested positive for alcohol and THC when a sample was provided. Chandler is currently in custody at the Carroll County Jail on a $10,000 cash-only bond. His jury trial has been scheduled for Jan 14, 2025. If convicted, Chandler faces a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison and $7,500 in fines.

The Carroll Community School District (CCSD) Board of Education chose not to accept the resignation of previous middle school principal Scot Aden, meaning he cannot get out of his contract. Aden approached Superintendent Dr. Casey Berlau right before Thanksgiving, giving his resignation and asking to be let out of his contract for personal reasons related to leaving the education field. Aden’s last day in the district was Dec. 16. Berlau read from board policy 492 regarding the resignation of a contracted employee.

Carroll Police Chief Brad Burke wants to remind residents to be cautious of a grandparent scam that is circulating around western Iowa, getting closer to Carroll County. The grandparent scam targets individuals, with the scammer claiming to be a grandchild has been arrested or hurt and in need of money. The scammer will then set up a meeting point to exchange the cash, which large amounts have been reported to be handed over. Burke suggests that if anyone gets a phone call like this, to hang up and call the family member that is being portrayed in the scam to confirm there is no issue and to report it to your local authorities. No cases have been reported in Carroll as of now, but Shelby and possibly Sac County have received these scam calls.

The IKM-Manning Community School District is partnering up with Manning Fire and Rescue to offer a Junior Firefighter program to high school students. Students aged 16-18 attending IKM-Manning who live within the Manning Fire District can apply to serve in this supportive role in emergencies as an alternative to a formal training program. At the completion of the program once the student turns 18, graduates can attend the Firefighter 1 Course and apply to become a full member of the Manning Fire and Rescue department. Participants in the Junior Firefighter program must be in good academic standing, have a minimum GPA of 2.0, and complete a physical and background check along with parental or legal guardian consent. Junior Firefighters would attend monthly training drills with the department and assist the team during emergencies such as fires and car accidents. There are rules and restrictions to ensure the safety of the students, such as being unable to respond to calls after 10:00 p.m. on a school night and having to remain near the assigned Manning Fire and Rescue fire officer. Students interested in participating in the program are asked to talk to either the high school counselor or principal to get the application period started. Parents with questions can contact Fire Chief John Lorenzen by calling the fire station at 712-790-1373.

A Pomeroy man pleads not guilty to controlled substance violation as a habitual offender and is scheduled to face a jury trial early next year. According to Carroll County District Court records, 59-year-old Robert Thomas Lenz was taken into custody back in Nov. when he is accused of attempting to deliver 28.12 grams of methamphetamine in the 2000 block of Kittyhawk Avenue in Carroll. Lenz has plead not guilty to controlled substance violation, a class B felony. He is currently being held at the Carroll County Jail on a $25,000 surety bond. Jury trial has been scheduled for Jan. 14, 2025. If convicted, Lenz will be facing a mandatory prison charge of no more than 50 years in prison and at least $5,000 in fines.

New Hope honors employees, donors, and individuals as the 2024 Appreciation Award recipients earlier this month. On Dec. 10, New Hope held its annual Appreciation Event, with over 100 donors, volunteers, and community supporters gathered to recognize employees with over 40+ years of service, donors reaching new contribution levels, new Legacy Society members, and individuals who included New Hope in estate plans. New Hope Development Director Angie Owen says “This event is our opportunity to say thank you and honor those who support our mission throughout the year.” Five staff members were awarded for their 40 or more years of dedication and service to New Hope: Rhonda Feldman, Executive Assistant; Karla Billmeier, Community Integration Coach; Cathy Olson, Job Coach; and Joyce Hinners, Program Coordinator. Two businesses received Appreciation Awards for their contributions. Outlaw Graphics, for donating approximately 100 white printed shirts for the annual Color Round held in the fall and to St. Anthony Regional Hospital Environmental Services for welcoming two New Hope residents onto the team and providing a safe and supportive environment. Charitable Awards are given to individuals or organizations to achieve a new donor level, with five memorials and five individuals or couples adding New Hope to their wills or estates. New Hope staff and residents wish to thank everyone who continues to go above and beyond to support their mission of enriching the lives of individuals they serve and that presenting them with these awards is the least they could do to show their gratitude. Pictures of awardees are included below.