[See the updated report posted at 1:45-p.m., Saturday]

(DeWitt, Iowa) – A woman who was standing in the traveled portion of U-S Highway 61 southbound in Clinton County, Friday evening, died after she was struck by a pickup truck. The Iowa State Patrol says a 2020 Ford Escape SUV was disabled on left lane of the highway near mile-marker 148.

The woman and the SUV were struck by a 2012 Chevy Silverado pickup that was traveling in the left lane, after she and another occupant of the vehicle had exited the SUV. The woman died at the scene. Another person was injured and transported to Genesis East Medical Center, in Davenport.

The accident happened at around 5:25-p.m., near DeWitt. After the collision, the pickup came to rest in the west ditch, and the SUV came to rest in the median.  No names were released at the time of the report. The accident remains under investigation. The Patrol was assisted by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department and Dewitt Police.

DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds has announced her appointment of Ashley Sparks as a district judge in Judicial Election District 2B.  Judicial Election District 2B includes Boone, Calhoun, Carroll, Greene, Hamilton, Hardin, Humboldt, Marshall, Pocahontas, Sac, Story, Webster, and Wright counties.

Sparks, of Bondurant, Iowa, is the Owner of Sparks Law, PLLC and is a Boone County Magistrate. She received an undergraduate degree from Western Illinois University, a master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa and her law degree from Drake University Law School.

Sparks fills a vacancy created following the retirement of the Honorable James C. Ellefson.

DES MOINES, Iowa – A central Iowa man was sentenced Friday (Nov. 17)  to 18 months in prison for preparing, presenting, and making false tax returns. According to public court documents, 41-yearold Bakou Kees Vonty, of Ames, also known as “Bob Vonty,” prepared and filed hundreds of federal individual income tax returns on behalf of individual taxpayers, from approximately 2011 to 2022.

On a 2019 tax return, Vonty, on behalf of an individual, falsely reported business losses and qualified education expenses. As part of his plea agreement, Vonty agreed to not prepare, file, or assist in any way with the preparation of federal or state tax returns for any third parties. Further, in at least 2016, Vonty falsely reported business losses and qualified education expenses on his own tax return. Vonty’s false returns resulted in a combined tax loss exceeding $400,000.

Following his prison term, Vonty must serve a one-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division investigated the case.

(Radio Iowa) – The prosecution rested its case earlier than expected Thursday in the trial of the wife of a Woodbury County supervisor accused of 52 counts of voter fraud. Kim Phuong (Fong) Taylor allegedly filled out or helped fill out absentee ballots for numerous Vietnamese residents in the Sioux City area and either signed them or had them signed by other people who were not authorized to cast the ballot.

Prosecutors heard testimony from more local Vietnamese residents about that Thursday. Federal attorney’s then rested their case against Taylor, the wife of Woodbury County Supervisor Jeremy Taylor, without calling other county officials to testify as had been expected.

The defense will call their first witnesses beginning next Monday

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by JJ Design, Thursday, November 16th, 2023, to celebrate their new building on Maple Street. The Ambassadors visited with the owner, Jamie Joyce, about the addition and observed a demonstration of their new equipment.

Jamie started his business in his Atlantic garage in 1998. Jamie saw a market for designing and creating which was already a passion of his and once he saw the opportunity to run his own business, he took the plunge. Fast forward, Jamie now has a small team that includes Gene Sanny, Allison Cooper, and Andrea Lowary and have, once again, outgrown their current location at 217 Walnut Street in Atlantic.

Pictured Left to Right: Linda Joyce, Grace Garrett, Tori Gibson, Kennedy Freund, Kathie Hockenberry, Rick Mericle, Beth Spieker, Russell Joyce, Allison Cooper, Tonya Larsen, Gene Sanny, Emily Kennedy, Scott Bennett, Karen Joyce, Bill Saluk, Kelsey Beschorner, Jamie Joyce, Dolly Bergmann, Elaine Otte, Andrea Lowary, Alisha Wagner, Sue Liston, Julie Waters, Jeremy Butler, Anne Quist, Keith Leonard, Jim Kickland, John Bricker, Graydon Schmidt, Lana Westphalen (Photo & story courtesy the Atlantic Chamber)

Earlier this year, Jamie purchased property on 3rd and Maple, and started construction on an additional building. The building is now home to multiple large format printing machines and space to work on large projects indoors. Jamie shared that with the addition of the climate-controlled building, the team is able to complete projects on vehicles, semi-trucks, and trailer year-round.

JJ Design specializes in designing and installing business signage, creating promotional items, brochures, school apparel, and much more. JJ Design’s retail space, located on Walnut Street, features an assortment of retail items such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, flannels, stocking hats, and more.

For more information about JJ Design call (712) 243-2925 or visit their Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/jjdesignatlantic/

(Radio Iowa) – Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has returned to the Iowa campaign trail as recent polling shows her support among likely Iowa Caucus-goers growing. The most recent Des Moines Register “Iowa Poll” shows Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis tied for second place, 27 points behind former President Donald Trump. Haley. who served as Trump’s United Nations ambassador, is asking Iowa Caucus goers to consider Trump’s flaws.

Republican competitor Vivek Ramaswamy called Haley “Dick Cheney in heels” during last week’s televised debate. During an event in Waverly last (Thursday) night, a man in the crowd asked Haley how high her heels were. “I analyze the threats and the stronger the threat, the higher the heel,” she replied, drawing laughter and applause.

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley on the Iowa campaign trail. (RI file photo)

Earlier this week, 72 current and former elected officials as well as business leaders endorsed Haley. State Representative Brian Lohse (LOH-see) of Bondurant, who describes himself as a Reagan Republican, says the group hopes to send a message that the Iowa Caucuses can be won by someone other than Trump.

Earlier this month, Lohse hosted a private meeting in his home that prompted broader discussions and ultimately led Republicans like Casey’s founder Don Lamberti and Mike Richards, whose company owns three Iowa casinos, to publicly endorse Haley. Lohse says Haley’s background and temperament are among her most effective traits.

Haley, DeSantis and Ramaswamy are scheduled to appear together later today (Friday) in Des Moines. The Family Leader, a Christian conservative group, is hosting a conversation among the candidates. Trump is scheduled to speak at a rally in Fort Dodge tomorrow (Saturday).