(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Cindy Axne says the package of energy, tax and health care proposals President Biden signed into law this week shows what she and other Democrats could accomplish if they keep control of congress. Republicans have blasted the bill for adding 87-thousand employees to the I-R-S over the next decade. Axne, who is from West Des Moines, says it will increase oversight of tax returns from big corporations and Americans who report an annual income above 400-thousand dollars.

“I think most of you are like me. You don’t even remotely fall into those categories,” Axne says, “so it’s time those folks started paying their fair share because everyone on Main Street Iowa is doing their fair share.” Axne says tax avoidance among corporations and high-income Americas is a big issue. “Because right now $160 billion in taxes goes unearned into our country’s coffers that would help all of you with our schools and with our roads and with our health care,” Axne said.

Axne made her comments Wendesday on the Des Moines Register’s Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair. She is running for a third term in the U.S. House against Republican Zach Nunn, a state senator from Bondurant. Nunn says individual Iowans and businesses will be unfairly targeted. “It’s not a good time to be an Iowan or a small business owner,” Nunn says. Nunn spoke last weekend at the Register’s Soapbox at the Fair. Nunn says congress should adopt the kind of tax cuts that he voted for in the Iowa legislature.

“When we look at what’s going on in Washington today, we see a very different model for how government is the only solution,” Nunn says, “and the people have no voice.” Iowa’s new third congressional district includes the Des Moines metro, stretches to the Missouri border and includes the cities of Ottumwa and Creston.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, approved a Class-C Liquor License for Weitzel’s Restaurant, for the effective dates of July 15,2021 to July 14, 2022. Their action – albeit late – came after the Council received confirmation from the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD) that restaurant owner Jake Weitzel had dramshop endorsement. Dramshop laws are intended to protect the general public from harm or loss due to over service of intoxicated patrons on a licensed premises. Dramshop insurance is a precondition to holding and maintaining an Iowa liquor license.

During their meeting on August 3^rd, the Atlantic City Council refused to take action on issuing the Liquor License, when Councilman Dana Halder complained about the lack of upkeep on the property, with weeds growing in the parking lot and the condition of the property itself.

Councilman Gerald Brink said during that same meeting, that he understood the restaurant “was closed down by the State.”

During last night’s (Tonight’s) City Council meeting (8/17), City Clerk Barb Barrick told the Council that when the ABD found out the Council failed to approve Weitzel’s license, the ABD sent Jake Weitzel a letter that stated the City of Atlantic had disproved the license, and that he may appeal that decision, which he did on August 11th. In the meantime, his application is considered to have been “timely filed.” Weitzel was appealing the Council’s lack of initial action, due to the following factors he cited in his letter of appeal to the ABD Administrator:

Weitzel said he could not find a notice regarding his property, but Barb Barrick says the City has proof a notice was sent to him in June. Jake Weitzel went on to say in his appeal letter, that Councilman Dana Halder and “Another council member falsely accused me of being shut down by the Department of Inspections and Appeals, and used that as another reason for denial of my liquor license.”

Councilman Halder, during the latest Council meeting, denied he ever mentioned Weitzel’s had been shut-down. Councilman Pat McCurdy said didn’t recall Halder saying the restaurant had been closed down by the State. The next step is a phone hearing between the ABD, Mr. Weitzel and representatives for the City of Atlantic.

Mayor Grace Garrett reiterated that the City is enforcing the Code on businesses and residences, with regard to property upkeep.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Mayor and City Council in Atlantic, Wednesday evening, welcomed the City’s newest Police Officer to the ranks. Mayor Grace Garrett administered the Oath of Office to Officer Phillip Hood, who actually joined the Department earlier this month.

While this latest hiring completes the staffing needs of the Atlantic Police Department, it won’t have a full complement of Officers until Officer Hood completes his training at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in Johnston. He leaves for training on August 28th and is expected to complete his training by the end of December.

Mayor Grace Garrett congratulates Officer Phillip Hood.

Officer Hood said he appreciates everything his superiors have done to get him on-board with the Atlantic P-D.

Another Atlantic Police Officer is currently attending the ILEA. Nicholas Wimmer is set to graduate this coming Friday. He was sworn-in by the Mayor on April 20th.

(Tabor, Iowa) – A traffic stop at around 11:46-p.m. Sunday, in Tabor, resulted in a man being arrested on drug and other charges. Tabor Police Chief Derek Aistrope observed a Ford F150 with 50-year-old Brian Robert Vanderpool, of Tabor, driving. After a check of Vanderpool’s license status, it was determined his was suspended. Vanderpool was pulled over and arrested for Driving While Suspended and transported to the Fremont County Jail.

Authorities say Vanderpool admitted that he also had methamphetamine on his person. He was arrested for Possession of more than five grams of Methamphetamine, Failure to Affix a Tax Stamp and Driving While Suspended. Vanderpool was being held in the Fremont County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

A CRIMINAL CHARGE IS MERELY AN ACCUSATION AND A PERSON IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

(Radio Iowa) – Beatles fans might want to consider a trip to Sioux City after a local fan donated her extensive collection of vintage items to the museum. Sioux City Public Museum curator, Matt Anderson, says the collection donated by Cathy Wilen-Podwysocki includes things she started collecting when she was 12.

“Of course, a lot of it was aimed at kids in the 12 to 16 age group, which were their initial fan base. And so you have a lot of things like school supplies, notebooks, three-ring binders, things like that,” he says. “Address and assignment books also all kinds of clothing items, and just crazy things like there’s a box of hair pomade. Because of the shaggy hair at the time was considered quite a phenomenon.” 

Anderson says the records provide an overview of how the Beatles evolved through the years from their beginnings in England. He says the collection includes 45s and LPs that show the Beatles’ musical history.

Anderson says the items in the collection are something any Beatles fan would want to have. “From what I can tell from the collector books and stuff — most of the important pieces she got ahold of at some point and this stuff is still you know very collectible to this day,” Anderson says. The exhibit of the items called “Meet the Beatles! A Fab Four Memorabilia Collection,” will be on display at the Sioux City Public Museum through November 27th.

(Radio Iowa) – Tyson Foods is operating a new feed mill in northwest Iowa. It’s a replacement feed mill and adds 69 acres to Tyson’s turkey complex in Storm Lake. Nearly six dozen farmers within a 60 mile radius of the community supply the majority of turkeys processed at the company’s Storm Lake plant. Joe Hedden, Tyson’s Associate Director of Live Operations in Storm Lake, says the mill is providing high-quality feed for the turkeys.

“It gives us some great opportunities to help with the bird quality and animal welfare,” Hedden says, “and overall, all around it was a great decision.” The company’s turkey plant is operating at full capacity. “We’ve got three full shifts,” Hedden says. “It’s just the best thing that we’ve done is to open up a new feed mill here.”

Tyson feed mill in Storm Lake. (KAYL photo)

Tyson also operates a pork processing facility in Storm Lake and about 3000 people are employed at the company’s pork and turkey plants in Storm Lake. Tyson held an official opening for the towering feed mill today, but it’s been operating for several months.

The most recent data available indicates Iowa has more than 400 mills that grind grain and soybeans into specialized feed for livestock and poultry.

(Mt. Ayr, Iowa) – The Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Union County was arrested Friday night, on charges that include Disorderly Conduct, and Harassment of a Public Official. Authorities say 21-year-old Jaxson Andrew Welcher, of Creston, was arrested at around 8:15-p.m. and booked into the Ringgold County Jail. His bond was set at $300.

Jaxson Welcher

“Any potential criminal charges identified above are merely allegations and any defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports three male inmates at the Jail were presented with separate warrants, Tuesday afternoon:

• 30-year-old Richard Lee Alan Jacobs, of Council Bluffs, was served with a warrant for Violation of Probation. He was being held on a $2,000 bond.
• 34-year-old Delshonte Lavaille Barber, Sr., of Council Bluffs, was presented with a warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense.
• and, 35-year-old Kyle Steven Johnson, of Council Bluffs, was presented with a warrant for Theft in the 5th Degree. Bond was set at $2,000.

Each of the inmates were turned back over to Corrections Staff after receiving and acknowledging their warrants. They were then returned to their respective jail cells.

(Crescent, Iowa) – A traffic stop in Crescent Tuesday morning on a pickup pulling travel-trailer with an expired registration, resulted in the arrest of two people on multiple charges. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a Deputy stopped a 2004 Ford F-150 pulling a 1988 Fleetwood travel trailer camper in the parking lot of the Casey’s Store in Crescent, at around 9:30-a.m.

Upon smelling the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, the driver, 39-year-old Ashley Nicole Blank, of Clarinda, and a passenger, 43-year-old Michael Gene Landon, Jr., of Council Bluffs, were detained. An investigation resulted in the recovery from inside the vehicle, of drug paraphernalia and marijuana. A Conservation Officer arrived on the scene and charged Blank and Landon with a camping violation, since neither subject paid for two-days of camping at the Hitchcock Nature Center. The pair were taken into custody and transported to the Pott. County Jail, where Corrections Staff found methamphetamine inside Blank’s property.

Ashley Blank was charged with: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Poss. of Marijuana; Child Endangerment and Possessing contraband in a secure facility, along with two-counts of Camping Violation on Public Lands. She was also cited for the expired registration on the travel trailer.Bond was set at $8,300.  Michael Gene Landon, Jr., was charged with Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia; Poss. of Marijuana; Child Endangerment; and Providing a False Name to law enforcement. His bond was set at $3,600.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Department reports four arrests and property damage accident. Last Friday, August 12, 2022, Cass County Deputies arrested 32-year-old Nicholas Wright, of Atlantic, for OWI 2nd Offense.  Wright was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance.

There were two arrests on Sunday (8/14), in Cass County: 29-year-old Taylor Christensen, of Red Oak, was arrested for OWI 1st Offense.; And, 61-year-old John Jamison, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI 2nd Offense.  Jamison and Christensen were transported to the Cass County Jail, booked-in, and held pending later release on their own recognizance.

On Tuesday, August 16th, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 52-year-old Travis Keoppel, of Adair, on warrants for Sexual Assault.  Keoppel was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held.

Late Friday morning (Aug. 12), Cass County Deputies responded to the area of 800 Maple Street, in Anita, for a two- vehicle accident.  An investigation determined a 2003 Suzuki XL7 being operated by Robbie Metheny, of Anita, was backing out of a driveway, while a 2011 Dodge Caravan being operated by Kelsey Frazier, of Ames, was operating South on Maple Street.

When Metheny failed to yield the right of way while backing, the vehicles collided on Maple Street.  The 2011 Dodge Caravan sustained an approximated $5,500 worth of damage while the 2003 Suzuki sustained an approximated $1,500 worth of damage.  No injuries were reported during this accident.