The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports no one was injured during a single vehicle rollover accident on Friday afternoon. Deputies were called to the crash at about 3:45 p.m. at the intersection of 2 Level B roads, 210th Street and R Avenue. Upon arrival both occupants of a 2020 Ford F150 were standing outside the truck which had rolled and landed on it’s top. The driver Bobby Harakat of Henderson, NV and occupant Anthony Henderson of Tempe, AZ refused medical treatment at the scene. No citations were issued. The vehicle was determined to be a total loss.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A collision early this (Friday) afternoon northeast of Atlantic claimed three lives and left two others injured. The crash on Highway 71 and Troublesome Creek Road happened at around 12:50-p.m.  According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 1999 Ford F-350 pickup driven by 43-year-old Micheal Adam Warnaca, of Exira, was traveling north on Highway 71 and a 2001 Toyota Camry driven by 46-year-old Erick William Kerkman, of North Liberty, was traveling southbound.

For reasons unknown, near the intersection of Troublesome Creek Road, the pickup crossed the center line of the Highway and struck the Camry head-on. The car came to rest in the west ditch, facing west. The pickup rolled onto its passenger side and came to rest on the west shoulder, facing west.

Michael Warnaca, Erick Kerkman and a 15-year-old female passenger in the Camry, from North Liberty, died at the scene. A 10-year-old male from Exira and a 12-year old male from North Liberty, were injured in the collision. The 10-year-old was transported by Cass EMS to Cass Health in Atlantic, while the 12-year old was transported by Cass EMS to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, in Omaha

Warnaca and his 10-year-old passenger were not wearing their seat belts. Kerkman, the 15-year-old female and the 12-year-old, were wearing their seat belts. Highway 71 was blocked in both directions for about 3 1/2 hours, while the crash remained under investigation, and the vehicles and debris were removed.

The accident remains under investigation.

(Red Oak, Iowa) — A man from Pottawattamie County who was wanted on a Montgomery County warrant, was arrested at around 4:15-p.m., today (Friday). According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, 31-year-old Jesse Schleip, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at 106 W. Coolbaugh Street in Red Oak, on a warrant for violation of probation.

Schleip was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 cash bond.

Walcott, Iowa – In partnership with the Walcott Police Department, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s Missing Person Clearinghouse is seeking the public’s assistance in locating missing person Sandra Rubinstein.

Rubenstein is a 57-year-old female who went missing from Walcott, Iowa and was last seen and heard from in the Walcott area on March 14, 2023. Rubenstein is a Caucasian female, approximately 5’ 04” tall. She weighs between 140 and 160 lbs. A description of her clothing was unknown at the time of her disappearance.

Those with information relative to the disappearance of Rubenstein can contact the Iowa Missing Person Clearinghouse at mpicinfo@dps.state.ia.us.

Sandra Rubinstein (2 photos, via the IDPS/DCI)

This is an active missing person investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.

(Radio Iowa) – A Polk County District Court Judge heard arguments today (Friday) from Planned Parenthood North Central States and the Emma Goldman Clinic seeking and injunction to block the fetal heartbeat bill. The hearing that started before the governor signed the bill into law, and Planned Parenthood Attorney Peter Im argued for an injunction against the law, saying it creates an undue burden on women.

Im says the burden falls on women in many ways.

Im asked the judge to rule from the bench following arguments.

Assistant Attorney General Daniel Johnston argued for the state, saying Planned Parenthood’s argument leaves one thing out.

Johnston argued the state has an interest in protecting the unborn.

Peter Im (Media Pool photo)

Johnston says there is harm done by not putting the law in place.

He says he will do his best to issue a ruling on Monday.

DES MOINES—The State Library of Iowa has announced that the Atlantic Public Library has met the conditions for state accreditation as outlined in “In Service to Iowa: Public Library Standards Sixth Edition.”

Achieving accreditation requires a significant, ongoing local commitment to high quality library services. The Atlantic Public Library has been recognized for its efforts in all areas of library operations including governance and funding, staffing, library collection, services, public relations, access, and facilities. The accreditation status begins July 1, 2023, and is valid through June 30, 2026.

State Librarian Michael Scott says “The director and board of trustees of the Atlantic Public Library and the city of Atlantic are to be commended for this achievement and their commitment to excellence in public library services for their community.”

Of Iowa’s 543 public libraries, 414 – including the Atlantic Public Library – are accredited. Iowa’s accredited public libraries are recognized for being responsive to their communities and for exhibiting excellence in their provision of library services. Almost two-thirds of all Iowans have active public library cards. Iowa libraries play key roles in workforce and economic development, lifelong learning and e-government activities. Iowans use their libraries to find jobs, do homework, locate a good book to read, research legal information, access government information, and more.

Accredited libraries receive a higher rate of compensation through the State Library’s Enrich Iowa program. They also receive a Certificate of Accreditation signed by Governor Kim Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg, State Librarian Michael Scott, and Iowa Commission of Libraries Chair Zachary Stier.

For more information on the State Library’s accreditation program, and to view the Public Library Standards, go to https://www.statelibraryofiowa.gov/index.php/libraries/search/accred-stand.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that will ban most abortions in Iowa.

Reynolds signed the bill on stage at The Family Leader’s summit in Des Moines. The crowd of two-thousand evangelical Christians at the event stood as she put her signature on the document and cheered her along with the Republican lawmakers who joined her on stage.

The Republican-led legislature passed the bill Tuesday during a special session and it’s almost identical to the Fetal Heartbeat Act Reynolds signed in 2018, but was never enforced due to a court injunction. Last month’s three-to-three tie on the Iowa Supreme Court kept that injunction in place. Reynolds criticized the three justices who rejected her call to let that 2018 law take effect.

The legislation bans most abortions after about the sixth week of a pregnancy, with exceptions for rape, incest and certain medical conditions.

Tony Angran, pastor of the Solid Rod Church of God in Centerville, is thrilled.

Earlier this (Friday) afternoon, an attorney for two Iowa abortion providers asked a judge to at least temporarily block the law from going into effect. Peter Im said abortion is time sensitive care and even small delays can be significant for patients. An attorney for the State of Iowa says that ignores the unborn patient.

(Cass County, Iowa) – A head-on crash northeast of Atlantic occurred at around 12:53-p.m. at 650th (Highway 71) and Troublesome Creek Road.  Multiple vehicles and subjects were involved.  Anita Rescue & two helicopters were requested, along with Atlantic Fire and Rescue and Cass EMS.   At least one of the helicopters declined due to incoming weather.  The road is blocked.

Additional details are not available. Please stay away from the area.