(Clarinda, Iowa) – The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports five arrests from over the past week.

• 09-13-2022- Clayton Michael Kenne Tillman (18) of Shenandoah, arrested in Shenandoah, IA for a Page County warrant for Violation of probation stemming from an original charge of Sex Offender registry violation. Tillman was transported to the Page County Jail on $10,000.00 bond pending further court proceedings.
• 09-15-2022 Jeffrey Darrell Gray (54) of rural Clarinda, was arrested near the intersection of 250th and HWY 71 for OWI 2nd Offense. The arrest stems from a traffic stop at the same location. Gray was transported to the Page County Jail for booking. Gray later posted $2000.00 bond and was released pending further court proceedings.
•  09-16-2022 Jennifer Rose Elliott (34) of Shenandoah, was arrested for interference with Official Acts while Page County Deputies were serving a court order at Elliott’s address in Shenandoah. Elliott was transported to the Page County Jail where she assaulted a Jailer during the booking process. Elliott was then charged with assault on persons in certain occupations. Bond on Elliott was set at $1000.00 cash only.
• 09-18-2022 Payne David William Dotson (29) of Hopkins, MO was arrested for OWI 2nd Offense. Arrest location was in the area of 190th and B Avenue. Arrest stems from a traffic stop conducted by the Shenandoah Police Department.
• 09-18-2022 Kaleb Michael Kelley (27) of Essex, was arrested for OWI 3rd Offense in the 1900 block of E Avenue. Arrest stems from and accident investigation in that area. Kelley was transported to the Page County Jail on $5000.00 bond.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports 10 arrests occurred between Sept. 1st and the 10th. Most recently, 27-year-old Ryan Jonathan Holling, of Omaha, was arrested following a traffic stop on Highway 191. He was charged wit Possession of a Controlled Substance (PCS) and transported to the Shelby County Jail.

Shelby County Deputies arrested 51-year-old Chad Ian Dills, of Shelby, on Sept. 7th. He was wanted on an active Shelby County warrant. Dills was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Stalking. There were two arrests Sept. 5th, in Shelby County: 41-year-old Triston Gabriel Johnson, and 30-year-old Thomas Morgan Lathrop, both from Omaha, NE were arrested following a traffic stop on Highway 59. Johnson was charged with 4 counts of PCS, Failure to Affix Drug Stamp, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Lathrop was arrested on 3 counts of Possession of Controlled Substance, Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, OWI 3rd, and Speeding.

30-year-old Michael John Tremayne, of Harlan, was arrested Sept. 4th, in Shelby County, of an active Pottawattamie County warrant. Tremayne was brought to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI/2nd offense, in Shelby County. On the 3rd, 21-year-old Dawson James Williams, of Walnut, was arrested following a foot patrol of the Harlan High School parking lot. Williams was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Supplying Alcohol to Person Under Legal Age, Public Intoxication and Driving While License Denied, Suspended, Canceled or Revoked.

Two people were arrested following a traffic stop Sept. 2nd, in Shelby County. 37-year-old Tosha Dawn Johnson, and 18-year-old Aundrea Jean Burr, both of Alta, were taken into custody. Johnson was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Open Container. Alta faces charges that include Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substance Violation, Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, No Valid Driver’s License, Speeding, and Operating Non-Registered Vehicle.

And, on Sept. 1st 20-year-old Baylee Ranae Rutherford, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop on 12th St. Rutherford was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving While License Denied, Suspended, Canceled or Revoked, Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability, and Operating Non-Registered Vehicle.

[8-a.m. News] (Red Oak, Iowa) – A traffic stop at around 1:40-a.m. today (Tuesday), in Red Oak, resulted in the arrest on drug and other charges, of a man from Pottawattamie County. According to Red Oak Police, Officers arrested 48-year-old Alan Scott Desantiago, of Council Bluffs, on charges that include: Driving Under Suspension; Possession of drug paraphernalia; OWI/1st offense; and Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Deliver. Desantiago was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail.

Red Oak Police were assisted in their investigation by the Iowa State Patrol.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic will hold their regular meeting beginning at 5:30-p.m., on Wed., Sept. 21st, in their Chambers at City Hall. On the agenda, is a proclamation by Mayor Grace Garrett, making the week of Sept. 17-23 “Constitution Week,” in the City of Atlantic. Constitution Week is celebrated annually during the week of September 17-23 to commemorate its history, importance, and bring attention to how it serves still today. The celebration started through a petition of Congress in 1955 by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The resolution was later adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed into public law on August 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Mayor Garrett is also expected to announce, that Halloween Trick-or-Treating will be held City-wide in Atlantic on Oct. 31st, from 5-until 7-p.m.  The Mayor encourages everyone to have a fun, safe and happy Halloween. The Council is expected to approve, Wednesday, an Order permitting a fireworks show by Wild Wayne’s, during the Atlantic Homecoming game on Oct. 8th. They are also expected to act on Orders pertaining to: the closure of 6th Street between Chestnut and Locust, on Oct. 8th, from 1-until 5-p.m., for the Pre-Fire Prevention Parade; the closure of selected streets on Friday, Sept. 23rd, from 2:15- and 3:30-p.m., for the Atlantic Homecoming Parade; and, an Order to Appoint Jeremy Butler to the Parks and Recreation Board.

In other business, there will be a public hearing during Wednesday’s Council meeting, on a proposal to enter into a General Obligation Land Acquisition Loan Agreement for the purchase of land from the Comes Family Trust. The land will be used for housing development. The hearing will be followed by a Resolution authorizing and approving the Loan Agreement, the issuance of $500,000 taxable G.O. Bonds, and the levying of taxes to pay for them, as mentioned in previous reports on KJAN. The Council will also act on passing a Resolution with regard to an application to rezone City-owned property at 301 Maple Street, for the purpose of expanding an existing local business.

And, the Atlantic City Council will hold the third and final reading of an amended Ordinance pertaining to Panhandling, as well as the second readings of Mowing, Solid Waste Removal, and snow/ice accumulation removal, Ordinances. The final order of business, is for Mayor Garrett to issue the Oath of Office to Jeremy Butler and Shirley Jensen, the newest members of the Atlantic Parks and Rec Board.

(Radio Iowa) -A University of Iowa student who is in the Air Force R-O-T-C program is the first cadet in the country to get a waiver to wear a beard and turban will in uniform. Gursharan Virk applied for waivers so he didn’t have to choose between his Sikh (pronounced sick) faith and his dream career of being a pilot. The beard did not take that long — the beard waiver came in pretty quick — I think within a month or two. But the waiver from my turban took about eight to nine months to get completely approved,” Virk says. “I had to turn in a letter explaining to why it was important and why, what it meant to me. And then I had an interview with the Air Force chaplain.” he says the meeting with the Air Force Chaplin was more like conversation on why it’s important to him.

“Sikhs wear turbans to basically…. you stand out in a crowd. And historically, Sikhs used to be people who help out others, where there’s a need. Our basic rules are just caring for humanity, in general,” Virk explains. Part of being in the military is wearing the same uniform and being part of the team. Virk says he understands that concept, but doesn’t think the accommodations will change anything. “We are all pretty close, I haven’t felt anything at all. So I don’t think it’s going to be an issue because and as for the uniform as well, like I’m in regulations,” he says.

Air Force ROTC Cadet Gursharan Virk, third from left, takes part in Detachment 255’s color guard ceremony at a football game at the University of Iowa in 2021. Virk is the first Sikh ROTC cadet to be granted religious accommodations by the Air Force in observation of his faith. The accommodations include wear of a turban and facial hair. (Courtesy photo via www/af.mill)

Virk was born in Des Moines, and then his family moved India while he was still young. He returned to the U-S for the start of his junior year at Waukee High School. Virk is a junior at Iowa and is hoping to become a pilot and fly bombers when he graduates — but would take any pilot spot offered. “Pilot slots have always been very competitive. So it is a very competitive process to get one. So I’m in that process right now,” Virk says, “basically making up my profile right now. I had a couple of tests I had to give. And basically, they send my entire profile to the big pilot board.”

He should l know by my summer of next year if he get one of the coveted pilot slots. If the pilot position doesn’t work — Virk wants to be a combat systems officer.

(Radio Iowa) – Reports show nearly one in eight Iowans who take their own lives are veterans, and a new national campaign is being launched to encourage veterans to seek help — and for everyone else to lend a hand. Dave Berkenfield, a former Navy SEAL who lost his brother to suicide, says every day nationwide between 17 and 22 veterans kill themselves, depending on which study is being quoted. “Those numbers are hard to swallow,” Berkenfield says. “They’re terrifying, but then they’re also sort of dismal, and they don’t point to action. They just point to a problem.” The American Legion is launching a campaign in Iowa and nationwide that will be seen on billboards and in T-V and radio P-S-As called “Be The One.”

Be The One:
TO ASK VETERANS IN YOUR LIFE HOW THEY ARE DOING.
TO LISTEN WHEN A VETERAN NEEDS TO TALK.
TO REACH OUT WHEN A VETERAN IS STRUGGLING.

Berkenfield says, “It’s about individuals across the gamut of veterans, veterans’ caretakers, veterans’ spouses, veterans’ families, friends, concerned co-workers — really taking action and being the one to make a difference.” He says mental health is one of the toughest challenges facing veterans, as they’re trained to accept every challenge, to lead and be strong, but there’s a stigma surrounding a veteran who seeks help for the silent wounds of war. Berkenfield says that’s why this “Be The One” campaign is so important. “It’s be the one to reach out and ask for help,” Berkenfield says. “It’s be the one to get educated and connected with resources and then be supportive of a veteran. It’s really taking action is what Be The One is all about.”

Of the 475 reported suicides in Iowa in 2018, a report from the U-S Department of Veterans Affairs says 60 of them were veterans. Berkenfield says being “the one” means being present and available to ask the hard questions and to have those difficult conversations. “Really reinforcing a sense of community, because that’s a lot of what we as veterans have lost is this sense of community,” Berkenfield says, “and that, compounding with other factors, is really one of the big items that pushes people to make this decision to take their own life.”

Veterans who use the new national Crisis Lifeline should dial 9-8-8 and then press “1” to be connected to veteran-specific counselor.

On the web at betheone.org

(Williams, Iowa) – A crash during a pursuit between a car and a semi tractor-trailer Monday night in Hamilton County, resulted in two Washington State residents being flown to a hospital in Des Moines. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2019 Toyota Camry driven by 26-year-old Viliami Wight, of Auburn, WA, was eluding law enforcement at a high rate of speed and driving recklessly on Highway 20 westbound, at around 8:10-p.m., when the car crossed the median.

The Toyota struck a 2003 Kenworth semi driven by 52-year-old Joseph Ward, of Steamboat Rock, Iowa. Wight, and his passenger, 52-year-old Laurie Henke, also of Auburn, WA, were flown by Mercy One Airmed and LifeFlight helicopters to Mercy Hospital, in Des Moines. The crash remains under investigation.

The Patrol was assisted by the Hardin and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Departments, Williams Fire and EMS, Van Diest EMS, and Iowa DOT MVE Officers.

(Radio Iowa) – Republican Governor Kim Reynolds will be expanding her school choice plan for parents who want to send their children to a private K-through-12 school. “The right to place your child in an environment where they can thrive should not just be for families that have the financial resources,” Reynolds said. “It should be for every single parent and this is the year that we are going to get that done.”

Reynolds asked the 2022 legislature to provide 55 million dollars worth of state scholarships, to cover private school costs for 10-thousand students from low to middle income households — but the plan did not have enough Republican votes to pass in the Iowa House. During a speech to the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition, Reynolds made it clear that if she’s reelected, she’ll present the 2023 legislature with a new plan. “I think it’s beyond time to give parents the choice in their child’s education,” Reynolds said, to applause.

Reynolds mentioned the topic briefly during her speech, but did not unveil her new proposal. Arizona’s Republican governor signed a law this summer that lets Arizona parents take the state money set aside to educate their child in a PUBLIC school and use it to cover PRIVATE school costs or homeschooling expenses. Deidre DeJear, the Democratic candidate for governor, says the priority should be to fully fund public schools with public dollars. “We believe in a strong public education system in this state,” DeJear says.

DeJear made her comments during a speech this weekend at the Polk County Democrats Steak Fry.

(Atlantic, Iowa)  – The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department’s Board of Directors, Monday evening, selected a person to fill a vacancy on the Board, created by the resignation in August, of Ashley Hayes, who accepted a job with SWIPCO, in Atlantic. Parks Board Chair Jolene Smith said there were two applicants for the job.

The Board’s recommendation will be submitted to the City Council for their consideration and action, this Wednesday evening. Assuming the Council has no objections, Mayor Grace Garrett will swear-in Butler, along with Parks Board member Shirley Jensen, whose Oath of Office was done incorrectly, according to Smith.

Atlantic Parks and Rec Director Bryant Rassmussen & Assistant Jeff Christensen at the Parks Board mtg., 9/19/22

In other business, the Parks and Rec Board discussed the Healthiest State Walk, which Parks Director Bryant Rasmussen said will be held 9:30-a.m. on October 5th, beginning in the north parking lot of the Nishna Valley YMCA. From there it will proceed to Harl Holt Park via the Bull Creek Pathway, and then back to the YMCA.

Ramussen spoke also, about the placement of a memorial flag pole on the ridge near the Rotary Shelter side, of the Schildberg Recreation Area. He said the request came from a woman whose husband has passed, and would be in honor of him. There is no cost to the Parks Department. The Kiwanis will install the flag pole and required lighting (for night-time illumination).

Rasmussen said the next Parks and Rec event, is the “Tour de Parks,” sponsored in conjunction with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. Tour de Parks on October 2^nd at 2-p.m., is a free bicycle tour of Atlantic parks.

The ride will start and end at the Kiddie Korral at Sunny Side Park (1300 Sunnyside Lane). The Atlantic Kiwanis will be providing a free meal for riders when they finish the ride, and participating organizations and supporters will be giving away free prizes. The ride will be on both trails and streets to highlight area trails and the bike-ability of Atlantic. The ride and following celebration is expected to last until approximately 5:30.

For questions or to borrow a bike or helmet for the ride, contact Atlantic Parks & Recreation at 712-243-3542. Additional information will be forthcoming also, on a Scarecrow Contest. Follow Atlantic Parks and Recreation on Facebook, to see the latest.

(Radio Iowa) – A northwest Iowa town has established a sister-city relationship with a city that’s more than 52-hundred miles away. Junik is in western Kosovo. Joe Nelson, the superintendent of the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows School District, was part of the delegation that visited Kosovo to sign the agreement. “I can’t even tell you how well they treated us for the nine days we were there,” Nelson says. “They really, authentically want to see the partnership grow.”

Nelson says the exchanges will benefit schools, businesses, hospitals and all kinds of commerce in both cities. “I think the thing that the Kosovars want the most is they want to send their high school students here as foreign exchange students,” Nelson says. “They realize there are great opportunities in Clarion so I think that’s one of our next steps is, how can we get their kids over here in our high school?”

The flag of Kosovo.

Nelson is hesitant to send Clarion students to Kosovo at this time. “We’ve had a couple of kids that expressed interest and they want to go over there but as the geopolitical climate heats up in that part of the world, with Serbia just on the border, right now, we just haven’t felt like that’s a great time to be sending our kids over there,” he says, “but that time will come and we’re excited about it.”

Clarion has about 2700 residents, while Junik, Kosovo has a population of about 6000. Iowa and Kosovo have had a sister-state relationship since 2013.