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Diocese of Sioux City priest charged with theft, fraud

News

August 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

ALGONA, Iowa (KCAU) — An Iowa priest affiliated with the Catholic Diocese of Sioux City has been accused of misappropriating nearly $70,000 in funds. The Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday that Father Steven McLoud, 65, of Fort Dodge, has been charged with first-degree theft and first-degree fraudulent practices, both felonies.

McLoud is accused of knowingly falsifying expense documents such as receipts and reimbursements of nearly $70,000 while serving as a priest in the Bancroft and Algona parishes.  Earlier this year, the Catholic Diocese of Sioux City requested that the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office investigate allegations of misappropriated funds within the two parishes.

Steven McLoud (Courtesy: Lumen Media)

“The Diocese of Sioux City has turned over this matter to the Kossuth County Attorney,” the diocese’s communications office stated. “Father Steven McLoud is assigned to limited ministry in Webster County, Iowa. Due to pending legal action, the diocese cannot comment further.”

McLoud is set to appear in court on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 9 a.m.

Hunting seasons for 4 animal species set to begin at or near the end of this month

Ag/Outdoor, News, Sports

August 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Iowa DNR News)  – Several hunting seasons are set to begin at the end of this week (Aug. 31st) and on Sept. 1st, in Iowa. According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa’s rabbit and squirrel hunting season opens this coming Saturday (8/31). The DNR says “The good news for Iowa’s cottontail rabbit hunters is that Iowa has an abundant rabbit population, with the southern half of the state seeing the best overall numbers.”

Last year, an estimated 19,600 hunters harvested nearly 68,500 cottontail rabbits. The most popular way to hunt is with a shotgun walking brushy areas with grass next to crop fields in the morning or evening. It can be done individually or with a group of friends. Cottontail rabbit season is Aug. 31 to Feb. 28, 2025. The daily limit is 10 rabbits with a possession limit of 20. Jackrabbit season is closed. While wearing blaze orange clothing is not required to hunt rabbits, it is recommended. Shooting hours for rabbits is sunrise to sunset.

Local squirrel populations vary depending upon nut production and it appears to be a good nut year in many areas. Squirrels will be found around hickory trees, oaks and walnuts for their food resources. Hunters will generally find plenty of squirrels and little competition. The DNR says it would also be a good opportunity to do some scouting for a spring turkey hunt or to look for whitetail deer rubs before bow season. Squirrel season is Aug. 31 to Jan. 31, 2025, with a daily bag limit of six total or combination of red fox squirrels or eastern grey squirrels and a possession limit of 12.

Hunters looking for places to go rabbit or squirrel hunting should use Iowa’s online hunting atlas at www.iowadnr.gov/hunting, with more than 600,000 acres of public land that allows hunting.

In addition, Iowa’s Dove and Teal hunting season opens on Sept. 1st. Dove season is Sept. 1-Nov. 29. Shooting hours are one half hour before sunrise to sunset. Daily bag limit is 15 (mourning or Eurasian collared) with a possession limit of 30.

Hunters are reminded that their gun must be plugged to hold no more than three shells. If hunting public areas north of I-80, hunters should check to see if nontoxic shot is required. The Iowa online Hunting Atlas at https://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Places-to-Hunt-Shoot identifies all county, state and federal land open to hunting, zone information and nontoxic shot requirements.

All dove hunters are required to register with the migratory Harvest Information Program (HIP). It’s free, fast and the information is used to help determine participation and harvest. Go to www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Migratory-Game-Birds to register.

Iowa’s statewide teal only hunting season is Sept. 1-16, providing hunters of all ages and experience an opportunity to enjoy time in the wetlands, ahead of the regular duck season. Only teal are legal during this season and shooting hours are from sunrise to sunset, which is different than the regular duck seasons. The daily bag limit is six teal; blue-winged, green-winged or cinnamon teal, combined.

Hunters are required to have the state migratory game bird fee and federal duck stamp, in addition to their hunting license and habitat fee. Hunters are reminded to register for HIP (Harvest Information Program) before hunting migratory game birds (ducks, geese, mourning doves, snipe, rail and woodcock). HIP is an annual registration that is available through the Go Outdoors Iowa app, or through the Go Outdoors Iowa webpage. Hunters will need to save the HIP registration number to their phone or write it on their paper license.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024

Weather

August 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: HEAT ADVISORY in effect from 1-until 8-p.m. Sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 109. South winds around 10 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow: HEAT ADVISORY FROM 1-UNTIL 8-P.M.; Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 106. South southwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
Tom. Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72. South southwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Tue. Night: A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms; Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.

Saturday’s High in Atlantic was 87. The Low was 65. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 92, and the Low was 69. The Record High in Atlantic on Aug. 25th, was 105 in 1936. The Record Low was 37, in 1908. Sunrise – 6:38. Sunset – 8:06.

Charlene (Speed) Lamberti Establishes Charitable Fund to Benefit Community of Orient

News

August 24th, 2024 by Jim Field

ORIENT, Iowa – A native daughter of Orient and graduate of the school district is giving back to her hometown with the formation of a charitable fund. Charlene (Speed) Lamberti along with her husband, Donald, have formally announced the $1-million gift on Saturday, August 24, as part of the community’s Pumpkin Days celebration.

The Helen and Virgil Speed and Family Orient Iowa Charitable Fund is seeded with $1 million from the Lamberti’s and will be maintained at the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. The fund is named for Charlene Lamberti’s parents who lived in Orient and raised three children.

“If we want rural towns to survive, we have to invest in them and help them maintain their sense of community,” says Charlene Lamberti. “I loved growing up in Orient; it’s a great place to raise a family and we want others to have that opportunity. We are establishing this fund to give Orient added resources for the future.”

Charlene and Don Lamberti

The fund is not an endowment, so all of the money will be allocated to the community through the Orient Area Betterment and Improvement Corp. Ryan Frederick, president of Orient Area Betterment, says the timing couldn’t be better for the town that boasts the birthplaces of Vice President Henry Wallace and National Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Dazzy Vance, as well as a stop on the Mormon trail.

“When Jeff Lamberti called me about establishing the fund last October, it was the most unexpected and welcome phone call I have ever received,” Frederick recounts. “Now, after a tornado in Greenfield and the dissolution of our school district, the timing is nothing short of a godsend.

“Most small rural towns do not have an opportunity like this. It can be a real struggle to raise any meaningful sum for a community project sometimes, so when Charlene and her family decide to channel $1 million into our community, it’s a gamechanger,” adds Frederick, who attended the same high school in Orient as Charlene Lamberti and her family.

In addition to establishing the million-dollar fund, the Lambertis are donating $200,000 to the Orient Area Betterment and Improvement Corp. to assist with the dissolution of the Orient-Macksburg School District. Specifically, the money is to be used to ensure that the school district building remains a productive asset for the Orient area community. These funds may also be used for the establishment or maintenance of a public, private or charter school in the City of Orient.

Donald and Charlene Lamberti founded Casey’s General Stores — the third-largest convenience store chain in the United States— from a leased store in Boone, Iowa. The Lambertis give back to Iowa in many ways, supporting education, faith-based efforts, entrepreneurship, addiction treatment and prevention, and community betterment.

1 dead, two injured in a far eastern Iowa crash Friday evening

News

August 24th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Muscatine County, Iowa) – A collision Friday evening in eastern Iowa resulted in the death of one person and two others injured. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Nissan SUV was traveling south on Taylor Avenue in Muscatine at around 5:55-p.m., when the driver failed to stop at the stop sign with Highway 61. The SUV was struck by a Dodge SUV that was traveling south on Highway 61.

Two of the crash victims were transported to Trinity Hospital in Muscatine, where one of the victims died. A third crash victim was transported to UIHC by helicopter. All of the accident victims were wearing their seat belts. No names had been released as of 12:30-p.m. Saturday (Today).

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office, Muscatine EMS/Fire, Muscatine Police and Aircare.

2 injured in a collision on I-29 near Whiting, Saturday morning

News

August 24th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Monona County, IA) – Two people were injured during a collision this (Saturday) morning on Interstate 29, southwest of Whiting. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a semi driven by 64-year-old Theodore Armstrong, of Belmont, NC, was traveling south on I-29 near mile marker 117 at around 7:30-a.m., when the semi collided with the rear of a 1994 Dodge Dakota pickup being pulled by another pickup truck.

Armstrong, and the driver of the pickup, 49-year-old Juan Cardenas Chavez, of Denison, were both injured in the crash, and transported by Monona EMS to Burgess Health Center, in Onawa.

Travel alert: Nighttime road closure of westbound I-80 in Polk County scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 27

News

August 24th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

GRIMES, Iowa – Aug. 22, 2024 – Nighttime construction work on the pavement of westbound Interstate 80 will require closing the road to traffic beginning at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 27 until 5 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Grimes Construction office.

While the road is closed you will follow a marked detour route using the U.S. 65 bypass, Hubbell Avenue, Euclid Avenue, and I-235 (see map).

Overnight closures of I-80 between De Soto and Van Meter begin on Wednesday, Aug. 28

News

August 24th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

CRESTON, Iowa – Aug. 23, 2024 – If you travel on Interstate 80 between De Soto (exit 110) and Van Meter (exit 113) you need to be aware of overnight closures of the roadway that may slow down your trip. The Iowa DOT’s Creston Construction Office reports crews need to close east- and westbound I-80 overnight from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28, and Thursday, Aug. 29, weather permitting, so beams can be placed for the Old Portland Road bridge over I-80.

While the roadway is closed, you will follow a marked detour route that will use U.S. 169, U.S. 6, Dallas County Road R-16, and I-80 (see map).

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.Road closed digital

Brooklyn city officials investigate after cats shot with crossbow bolts

News

August 24th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

BROOKLYN, Iowa (KCRG) – City leaders in Brooklyn, Iowa, are asking for help finding out who is responsible for shooting cats with crossbow bolts. In a Facebook post on Thursday, city leaders said they have received several complaints.

They also shared images in the post, showing a cat that had been shot through the leg.

Photo from the City of Brooklyn (IA) Facebook page

Anyone with information is asked to call 522-7066.

Ad buys supporting Nunn, Miller-Meeks focus on inflation and border security

News

August 24th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Iowa Republican congressional candidates and supporters are bumping up campaign advertising in races that Democratic officials have targeted as potential pick-ups in the 2024 general election. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports that while Republican incumbents are favored to win in Iowa’s congressional races, leaders with groups like the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the U.S. House Democrats’ campaign arm, have recently announced $2.5 million in ad buys for Iowa races they say pit Democratic challengers against “vulnerable” Republicans.

The ad reservations included purchases Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, where Democrat Lanon Baccam challenges U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, and in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, where Democrat Christina Bohannan challenges U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks.

As Democrats look to make these races more competitive, Republican organizations have also made advertising investments to help Nunn and Miller-Meeks defend their seats. The American Action Network, the advocacy nonprofit working alongside the U.S. House GOP’s Congressional Leadership Fund, announced Thursday that it would spend $5 million on campaign ads supporting 18 House Republican candidates, including Nunn and Miller-Meeks in Iowa.

U.S. Reps. Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, incumbent Republicans, are defending their seats against Democratic challengers in the 2024 general election. (Photos by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch; photo illustration via Canva)

The organization is running ads calling for Iowans to tell Nunn and Miller-Meeks to “keep fighting to lower costs” as well as asking for the Republican lawmakers to support the Red Tape Reduction Act, a measure supported by U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, another Iowa Republican. The proposal would codify some executive orders made by former President Donald Trump related to limiting and tracking federal regulatory costs.

Dan Conston, president of the American Action Network, said in a statement that the latest ad buys are a means to combat measures passed by Democrats during President Joe Biden’s administration. The group’s ads supporting Iowa Republicans both highlighted the incumbents’ efforts to lower Iowans’ cost of living, but advertising efforts in other states, like Colorado and New Mexico, focus on the Biden administration’s immigration policy. Republicans have heavily criticized Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee, for inadequate enforcement of immigration laws along the country’s southern border.

On Friday, Nunn released an ad titled “Safe” that argues Biden and Harris “refuse to secure our border,” linking illegal immigration to increasing problems across the country. While Nunn has pitched himself as a moderate candidate committed to working across the aisle, he has also emphasized border security — an top issue for Republicans heading into the November election. Speaking at the Iowa State Fair earlier in August, Nunn said the U.S.-Mexico border is the “number one issue” he hears about from constituents.

Democrats and some advocates have argued that Republicans are unfairly linking immigration to issues like the fentanyl crisis, as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has reported that most fentanyl is trafficked into the country through legal ports of entry by citizens, not by undocumented immigrants.

Additionally, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection has reported that undocumented migrant crossings have declined every month for the past five months, according to reporting by USA Today, with July having the lowest level of migrant apprehensions during Biden’s tenure.

In a news release on the ad, Nunn said he spent time in the military fighting to protect and defend America, but that “the Biden-Harris open border crisis is making that even harder.”