(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports the arrest at around 4:50-p.m., Monday, of 44-year-old Brady Gale Richert, from Creston. He was arrested in the 700 block of N. Elm Street, in Creston, and charged with Violation of No Contact/Protective Order. Richert was being held without bond in the Union County Jail, until seen by the Magistrate.

(Radio Iowa) – A 71-year-old Iowa native who retired to a lake front property in Indiana has been chosen as the first “Golden Bachelor.” A-B-C launched The Bachelor — a reality T-V dating show — in 2002 and The Bachelorette debuted a year later. The network has created a spin-off called “The Golden Bachlor” and they’ve chosen Gerry (GAIR-ee) Turner, formerly of Davenport, as the lead.

This fall, Turner will be featured dating women who are also in what the network describes as their “golden years.” Turner is a widower. He married his high school sweetheart in 1974 and she died suddenly in 2017 after 43 years of marriage.

Turner was interviewed on Good Morning, America yesterday (Monday) and said he’s hoping to connect with a high energy partner, who maybe plays golf or pickleball.

(Adair, Iowa) – Two vehicles were engulfed in flames late this (Monday) afternoon, in Adair. The accident happened at around 4-p.m. The fire erupted after a vehicle struck one of the gas pumps at the Casey’s General Store. Adair Fire Chief Matt Richter told KJAN News a vehicle came off of the Interstate ramp and went out of control before striking a gas pump, knocking it off of its base. The vehicle that struck the pump and a second vehicle, described as Ford, both caught fire.

One person was injured and transported to the Adair County Memorial Hospital, in Greenfield. Casey Fire provided mutual aid at the scene. Firefighters were on site for about an hour. Chief Richter said the Adair Casey’s Store will not be dispensing fuel until further notice, due to the fire. He praised his crews and those from Casey for their quick work in getting the blaze under control.

Photo credit Angel Anderson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A handful of citizens turned-out during the Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Board of Director’s meeting, to voice their concerns over the possible dismantling of the elected Parks Board. The Atlantic City Council will take up the matter during their meeting Wednesday evening, at City Hall. Atlantic resident Vicki Nordskog was the first to speak during the public forum, Monday evening. She voiced her opposition to the proposed elimination of the Parks Director’s job, and the Parks Board.

Cathy Booth has lived in Atlantic for 55-years. She praised the Board for their efforts and diligence.

She said solutions to the issues leading to the proposed dissolving of the Board should be made with input from the public. LaVon Eblen was the final person to address the Board. She said her concern is that the Board will be divided.

Parks Board member Jeremy Butler said the Board was informed of the proposed changes, but they were not a part of the discussion. He said also, the Board doesn’t have a say in the outcome, and they can’t vote to dissolve the Board. Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett spoke during the Parks and Rec Board meeting, Monday. She said, with regard to a recommendation on the proposed future plans for the Department, it’s anticipated the Council will elect not to replace the Director’s position at this time.

She said also, Assistant Parks Director Jeff Christensen’s job title will change to “Coordinator,” and he will report to Public Works Director Kirk Knudsen.

Garrett said there is a balancing act between having nice, maintained amenities, economic development and code enforcement.

If the Council decides to proceed the disbanding the Parks and Rec Board, the process doesn’t end, Wednesday. As previously mentioned, there would be a public hearing on August 2nd, followed by the first reading of the ordinance within 30 days, and a second and third reading. One suggestion coming out of Monday’s Park Board meeting, was to have an “Advisory Board,” and a newly formed group called “Friends of the Parks,” who are passionate about the City’s parks. That group could be comprised of appointed representatives from various organizations (Like the Master Gardeners, Nishna Valley Trails and others), who would not be elected.

Assistant Parks Director Jeff Christensen said a “Friends” group could be instrumental in helping with various program, including Summer Recreation.

(Radio Iowa) – A ban on most abortions in Iowa is now on hold. A Polk County district court judge has issued a temporary injunction that blocks enforcement of the abortion restrictions that Governor Reynolds signed into law Friday. Sharon Wegner is a staff attorney for the A-C-L-U of Iowa, which is representing two abortion providers challenging the law. “This decision was incredibly important because it means that, for now, abortion in Iowa remains safe and legal,” she said. “…We know Iowans stand with us in wanting to protect abortion rights and keep politicians out of doctor-patient decision making.” The legislature met in a one-day special session last Tuesday and passed a bill to ban most abortions after cardiac activity can be detected, which is around the sixth week of pregnancy.

“This law bans abortion before many people know that they are pregnant,” Wegner said, “…and as such it violates the state constitution under the ‘undue burden’ standard that the Iowa Supreme Court has made clear is the governing standard for now.” In a written statement, Governor Reynolds said the abortion industry is trying to thwart the will of the people who elected her and the Republican majorities in the legislature. Reynolds says she will fight this case all the way to the Iowa Supreme Court, where Reynolds said she expects a decision that will finally provide justice for the unborn. Ruth Richardson, president and C-E-O of Planned Parenthood of North Central States, says her staff made hundreds of phone calls late last week to reschedule abortion appointments.

“While we know that the state may seek an appeal, we are proud to resume services for our patients and provide patient outreach to help break through the manufactured chaos that is our new normal,” she says. The injunction was issued Monday afternoon. Iowa law currently requires a 24 hour waiting period for abortions, so Wednesday is the earliest that elective abortions can be scheduled. Polk County District Court Judge Joseph Seidlin said the ban on most abortions created irreparable harm, but his ruling also allows the Iowa Board of Medicine to start writing rules to enforce the ban. Seidlin wrote that there are honorable and intelligent people…on both sides of this upsetting societal and constitutional dilemma.