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Harrison County man arrested in NE following a weekend pursuit

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May 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Lincoln, NE) – The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) reports a man from Harrison County was arrested Saturday following a traffic stop and a pursuit. Authorities say at around 9:15-p.m., Saturday, a Trooper with the NSP observed a motorcycle speeding on West Dodge Road in Omaha, near 192nd Street. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the operator – later identified as 28-year-old Brandon Kellar, of Woodbine – refused to yield. The trooper initiated a pursuit.

As the motorcycle reached 204th Street, it accelerated and continued westbound. The vehicle exited Dodge on Skyline Drive and began driving through Elkhorn. NSP pilots were monitoring from overhead in the NSP helicopter. After a short time, the motorcycle’s engine failed, and the rider came to a stop on 204th Street. He was taken into custody without further incident.

Brandon Kellar was booked into the Douglas County, Nebraska, Jail, for willful reckless driving, flight to avoid arrest, and traffic violations.

Adams County Sheriff’s report, 5/13/24

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May 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Corning, Iowa) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Department, Monday (May 13) issued reports detailing accidents and arrests stemming as far back as March 25th. Last Friday (May 10th), the Adams County Sheriff’s Office received a report at around 6:50-p.m., about an accident with unknown injuries at 270th Street and Ironwood Avenue. Upon investigation, deputies found Dylan Dalton, of Imogene, was operating his vehicle “in a reckless manner,” before it collided with a vehicle driven by Blake Pritchard, of Corning. Dalton’s vehicle was a total loss. Damage to the Pritchard vehicle was estimated at $10,000. Dylan Dalton was charged with Child Endangerment, Assault, Reckless Driving, and Failure to use a seat belt. He later posted bond and was released from the Adams County Jail.

On May 7th, Deputies in Adams County conducted a traffic stop in Corning, and upon further investigation, arrested 49-year-old Jeanakay Gray, of Corning, for Driving While License Suspended (DUS). The woman was released with a summons to appear in court.

At around 12:50-a.m. May 5th, Adams County Deputies initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle not maintaining its lane, and was fluctuating in speed. The traffic stop occurred at 260th and Sycamore Avenue, but the vehicle did not stop, and a pursuit ensued, that entered into Taylor County. The chase ended at 110th and Idaho Avenue, when the vehicle went out of control and entered a ditch. The driver – later identified as Brad Allen Larson, of Bedford, took-off on foot, but was apprehended after a short foot pursuit. Larson was charged with Eluding, OWI/2nd offense, Interference with Official Acts, Reckless Driving, Failure to obey a stop sign, speeding, and having no proof of insurance. He was booked into the Adams County Jail and held until seen by a magistrate.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports that on April 19th, 25-year-old Noah Wardlow, of Corning, was arrested on a charge of Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree. His bond was set at $2,000. A traffic stop March 29th in Adams County resulted in the arrest of 46-year-old Chad Hill, of Red Oak, for DUS. A passenger in the vehicle, 45-year-old Crystal Mack, of Creston, was arrested for Possession of a controlled substance and poss. of drug paraphernalia. Hill was released on a promise to appear in court, while Mack held on a $1,300 bond.

And, on March 25th, Deputies in Adams County conducted a traffic stop at 12:47-p.m. on Highway 34, near Brooks Road. They arrested 49-year-old Robert Greenwood for Driving While Barred, and issued a citation for running a stop sign. Greenwood was later released on a promise to appear in court.

Sheriff’s office disclaimer: **Any potential criminal charges identified above are merely allegations, and any defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law**

2 juveniles accused of stealing a vehicle & crashing it during a police chase

News

May 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

NEWTON, Iowa [WHO-TV] — Two Newton teens have been accused of stealing a car and leading police on a chase that resulted in a crash on Monday.

On Monday morning the Newton Police Department received a report of two vehicles being stolen from a business. At around 8:58 a.m. officers were called to the northwest side of town after a report claimed one of the stolen vehicles was spotted in the area.

Officers located the vehicle and tried to initiate a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled westbound on Highway 6, the police department said. A pursuit ensued as the vehicle continued westbound. The vehicle finally stopped when it crashed at the I-80 159 mile marker on-ramp, police said.

The occupants were two 15 year-old males who both suffered non-life threatening injuries in the crash.

According to the police department, both juveniles were charged with second degree theft. The juvenile who was driving the vehicle was also charged with eluding.

Funds sought to help repair tornado-damaged Minden American Legion Bldg.

News

May 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

MINDEN, Iowa [WHO-TV] — The tornado that struck Minden on April 26 damaged homes and businesses, and knocked over part of the American Legion Post. Now, there are appeals for funds to help the repair the building.

Post 437 had no insurance, and to repair the ceiling and wall damaged by the tornado, it will take approximately 50-60 thousand dollars.

The Minden American Legion Post sustained heavy damage to the building causing wall and ceiling collapse. Dean Olson, Commander of the Legion Post 437 said they have been talking to a contractor – who is also a veteran, and known for his construction skills – who can repair the fallen wall, reinforcing it, making it better than ever.

People wanting to contribute to rebuild the Legion Hall can send their checks to the Minden Legion directly. Their address is 211 Broadway St. Minden, Iowa 51553.

Perry School District rename basketball court in honor of beloved principal killed in Jan. 4 shooting

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May 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The Jan. 4 school shooting is likely something Perry schools and the community will never forget, but through that grief, the district is choosing to honor a beloved staff member who died that day. Monday night, the Perry School Board voted to rename the court in the high school gymnasium in honor of Dan Marburger, the high school principal who lost his life in the tragedy.

Dan Marburger (Perry Community School District photo)

The Perry School Board voted to approve the resolution to name the gym court at its meeting Monday night.

Feenstra’s GOP opponent says federal gov’t should have been shut down to force border security

News

May 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Republican who’s challenging Congressman Randy Feenstra in next month’s G-O-P Primary says Feenstra is not conservative enough to represent the fourth district. Kevin Virgil cites Feenstra’s support for the six budget bills that passed the House in March.

“He refused to stand with the conservative Republicans in congress and force the federal government to shut down as a way to force the corrupt Biden Administration to close the border,” Virgil said. Virgil grew up on an O’Brien County farm and served in the Army. He joined the C-I-A after 9/11 and, after leaving the agency, Virgil founded a software firm that has won multi-million dollar contracts with the U-S Defense Department. In December, Virgil moved from New York to his family’s century farm near Sutherland.

“I’ve always come back to Iowa frequently with my kids just because we enjoy the farm and we’ve maintained close contact with our family and friends and neighbors,” Virgil said. “…One of the reasons I decided to run for congress is because the…biggest threat our country faces isn’t necessarily from abroad, but it’s a federal government that is completely out of control.”

Virgil made his comments at the Iowa G-O-P State Convention. Virgil supports “drastic measures” to reduce the federal government’s budget, power and authority. Virgil says Feenstra failed to support limits on a program federal intelligence agencies say is used to disrupt terrorist activities and cyber attacks.

“Last month he voted against an amendment that would have required the federal government to get a warrant to spy on you and your families,” Virgil said. “That’s a direct violation of the Fourth Amendment.”

Feenstra, who is seeking a third term in the U-S House, says he supported the national security legislation because due to Biden’s failed foreign policy our enemies no longer fear us and our allies no longer trust us. The June Primary is three weeks from today (Tuesday).

NE IA man charged with attempting to murder his father

News

May 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A man from the northeast Iowa town of Winthrop is charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting his father. Thirty-two-year-old Ashton Wayne Root is accused of shooting his father on April 27th. He was arrested on Friday, 13 days after the shooting.

According to the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, Michael Root arrived at a local hospital’s emergency room with gunshot wounds to his abdomen and arm. Investigators say the father and son had been arguing for at least two days before the shooting, which happened at a home in Winthrop.

Groups sue Black Hawk County Sheriff over jail fees

News

May 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The groups Public Justice and the A-C-L-U of Iowa are suing Black Hawk County and the Sheriff on behalf of a Waterloo woman and others who have been forced to sign agreements requiring them to pay fees before being released from jail. A-C-L-U Attorney, Rita Bettis Austen says her client didn’t know a judge could rule on her ability to pay the fees.

“These agreements called Confessions of Judgment, result in people waving important legal protections that they would have and it allows the sheriff to garnish their wages without any right to a day in court,” she says. Bettis Austen says judges in many cases will waive the fees based on a person’s ability to pay. She says Black Hawk County Sheriff Tony Thompson is spending the fees to fund a shooting range for the enjoyment of department employees and families, including rentals of ice cream and cotton candy machines, and laser tag.

Public Justice Attorney Charles Moore says about two-thirds of counties charge fees to inmates. “In Iowa, the ability to charge these pay to state fees is discretionary. Some counties choose to charge these fees and others do not because they see how unfair it is,” Moore says. The sheriff in Black Hawk County has decided to go ahead and charge these fees at amongst the highest rates in the state 70 dollars per day.” He says the Sheriff sets the level of fees and controls everything without any check on that authority.

“In this case the sheriff pockets 300-thousand dollars a year without any court ever having reviewed the petitions,” he says. Moore says some of the money collected should not pay for things that aren’t related to jail costs. “I think that the statute is clear that it’s meant to reimburse for actual expenses that are at the jail and that’s not what’s being done here,” Moore says. Both attorneys say they are not trying to get the fees system overturned, they simply want the processed to be used fairly.

That garage sale purchase may be cheap, but it may not be safe

News

May 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who enjoy the thrill of finding great deals at yard sales need to be wary of the potential dangers when purchasing items second-hand. Consumer protection expert Michelle Reinen says you should take special care with toys that might be unsafe, in addition to things like old cribs and used car seats.

Reinen says, “The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalls products annually that could cause injury and death.” You can look up your potential purchase in an online database at Safer Products-dot-gov to see if a recall has been issued. For Iowans who might be planning to hold a garage sale, there’s always a risk of scammers trying to trick you. Reinen says there have been recent reports of people passing counterfeit bills at rummage sales.

“If you’re selling a $2 item and you’re handed a $100 bill, maybe that’s something you need to analyze a little more closely and see if you can get the $2 out of them, rather than being at risk with that $100 bill in your hand,” she says. If you think you’re being scammed, Reinen says to call local law enforcement and file a report.

Iowa Attorney General Bird attends Trump’s trial in New York

News

May 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is in New York City today, among a group of supporters who’ve joined Donald Trump at his trial.

Bird endorsed Trump last October, the only statewide elected official to publicly back Trump before the 2024 Iowa Caucuses. She spoke briefly at a news conference held during a break in the trial. “What we need to do is get politics out of the courtroom and let President Trump get back on the campaign trail,” Bird said. “Let the American people decide who the next leader of the free world will be and politics has absolutely no place in this courtroom or any other.”

In a written statement issued after her arrival in New York, Bird called the criminal charges against Trump “lawfare” and :election interference.” Bird said the trial is an effort by President Biden “and his far left allies” to keep Trump :off the campaign trail by keeping him tied up in court.”

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird speaking to reporters in New York City today. (Photo from @BrennaBird X account.)

Bird began her written statement by calling the case against Trump a “political prosecution.” Delegates at the Iowa GOP State Convention applauded Bird when she made a similar statement earlier this month.

“Politics has absolutely no place in a prosecution, right? It never should and never has when I prosecuted cases,” Bird said May 4. “We have to protect our court system and our justice system, too, from those kind of overreaches and people who would use it for political purposes.”

Bird, a former aide to Congressman Steve King and Governor Terry Branstad, was a county attorney when she was elected Iowa Attorney General in 2022.

In a written statement, Iowa Democratic Party chairwoman Rita Hart said Iowans “deserve an Attorney General who’s focused on serving her constituents rather than her political ambitions.”

A spokesperson for Bird says no taxpayer dollars were spent on Bird’s travel to the trial.