(Radio Iowa) – All four Iowans who serve in the U.S. House have introduced a bill that would upgrade the communications network for the National Weather Service. Damage to a fiber optic cable at a Weather Service office in Texas delayed warnings during last month’s tornado outbreak in Iowa. Congresswoman Cindy Axne of West Des Moines, a Democrat, says it’s important for congress to pass this bill now rather than address it later in the year during federal budget negotiations.  “It is literally a life saving measure, possibly,” Axne says. “There is no way in God’s green acres that anyone would think there should be a delay in getting information to wherever a disaster is occurring.”

Axne says it’s not just Iowans who depend upon timely warnings from the National Weather Service and Iowa’s congressional delegation is lining up bill co-sponsors from other states. “We are seeing increased severe weather patterns across this country,” Axne says. “To react to those is of utmost importance and this does that completely.”

Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull and Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion, who’s also a Republican, both say every second matters during severe weather and the National Weather Service must have a functional and reliable communications system. Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Ottumwa says she’s proud of the Iowa delegation’s bipartisan effort to get the Weather Service the tools it needs to issue timely warnings of potentially disastrous storms.

CRESTON, Iowa – April 7, 2022 – A project to repair a concrete bridge deck on U.S. 34 between Iowa 48 and Montgomery County Road M-37 near Red Oak requires the closure of U.S. 34 in both directions from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, April 11, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Creston construction office.

During this project, traffic will be detoured around the work zone using Iowa 48, Montgomery County Road H-34/200th Street, and G Avenue (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.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through our 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide)

(Shenandoah, Iowa) – A man from Nebraska was transported to the Shenandoah Memorial Hospital Tuesday afternoon, following a single-vehicle accident about two miles east of Shenandoah. The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports the driver of a 2016 Nissan Rogue, 35-year-old William R. Dugan, of Elkhorn, NE., was checked-out and treated for unknown/possible injuries.

The accident happened at around 4:14-p.m., near the intersection of 190^th Street and C Avenue. Authorities say Dugan was traveling east on 190^th Street approximately ¼ mile west of the intersection with C Avenue, when his vehicle’s passenger’s side tires dropped off the traveled portion of the road, causing the vehicle to be pulled into the south ditch. The side airbags in the vehicle deployed even though the vehicle didn’t roll or come in contact with anything in the ditch. Dugan then drove in the ditch where the vehicle came to rest.

No citations were issued. The Page County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Shenandoah Ambulance service, the Shenandoah Fire Department, and the Shenandoah Police Department.

(College Springs, Iowa) –  One person was injured during a collision that happened at around 8-a.m. Wednesday, in College Springs. The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports the collision occurred at the intersection of Missouri Avenue and 290th Street. An investigation determined 45-year-old James Paul Patterson, of rural Coin, and his passenger, were traveling southbound on Missouri Avenue in a 2010 Ford F-150 pickup. The driver of the other vehicle, a 2001 Dodge Dakota pickup, was identified as 24-year-old Joshua Allen Grashorn, of College Springs. He was traveling east on 290th Street.

Grashorn told Page County Sheriff’s Office Deputies that when he failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of 290th street and Missouri Avenue, his vehicle struck Patterson’s vehicle in the rear passenger’s side door and passenger’s side box. The collision took place in the middle of intersection, and resulted in both pickups landing in the southeast ditch. Both vehicles sustained disabling damage and were towed from the accident scene.

Patterson and his passenger were not hurt. Grashorn was transported to Clarinda Regional Hospital by Clarinda Ambulance Service, for treatment of unknown injuries. He was subsequently cited for Failure to Yield upon entering through Highway. The Page County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Clarinda Ambulance Service, the College Springs Fire and Rescue, and the Page County EMA.

A charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

(Atlantic, Iowa) [updated 4/8/22] – Officials with the Atlantic Police Department, Thursday, said a man was taken into custody early Monday morning on a Class-B Felony charge of Attempted Murder, and a Class-C Felony charge of Willful Injury-Causing Serious Injury. 19-year-old Michael Gehling was arrested without incident, following an investigation that began with a 9-1-1 call at around 12:03-a.m. Monday. The call came in from a local resident requesting medical attention for a man who had a stab wound. Officers learned the incident happened in the area of 6th and Pine Streets, in Atlantic, late Sunday night.

Michael Gehling (Booking photo courtesy the Cass County Jail)

The victim (whose name was not released) was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital (Cass Health), in Atlantic, and was later transported to the UNMC in Omaha, for treatment of serious injuries.

A preliminary hearing for Gehling will take place 2-p.m. Thursday, April 14th. A judge issued a No Contact Order between Gehling and a protected party.

No other details concerning the incident were released. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Atlantic Police Department at 712-243-3512.

The Atlantic Police Department was assisted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

Disclaimer: a Criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests. As previously mentioned, 27-year-old Tyler Keith Evans, of Omaha, was arrested in Council Bluffs at around 4-a.m. today (Thursday), following a pursuit that began in northern Mills County. He faces charges that include Possession of a Controlled Substance; Theft in the 1st; Eluding; Drug Tax Stamp Violation; having no valid driver’s license, and failure to show proof of insurance. His bond was set at $45,000.

Tuesday afternoon, 22-year-old Adam Dennis Letts, of Emerson, was arrested for Driving While Barred ($2,000 bond), and at around 12:35-a.m. Tuesday, 46-year-old Brent William Michael, of Malvern, was arrested for Driving Under Suspension ($300 bond). He was taken into custody following an accident at the intersection of Highway 34 and 310th Street. Michael was traveling west on Highway 34 at around 12:35-a.m., and attempted to turn north, onto 310th Street, when he lost control of his 2009 Pontiac, on the gravel. The car slid through the intersection and into a ditch, hitting and knocking over a stop sign before coming to rest. No injuries were reported.

There were also no injuries reported following an accident Wednesday afternoon, in Mills County. The crash happened at 221st Street and Barrus Road. Authorities say 39-year-old Jennifer Tucker, of Glenwood, was driving a 2020 KIA northbound on 221st Street, at the same time a 2021 Acura driven by 21-year-old Katherine Gardiner, of Omaha, was traveling west on Barrus Road.

As she was leaving a stop sign at the intersection, Gardiner failed to yield to the Accura, and struck Tucker’s car on the rear, passenger side.

(Corning, Iowa) – A traffic stop Wednesday at 175^th and Elm Streets in Adams County, resulted the arrest of two people on drug charges. According to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Curtis Tolbert Connell, of Eagleville, Missouri, and Vicky Dearing, of Osceola, were taken into custody.

Connell and Dearing both faces charges that include: Possession of a controlled substance/Methamphetamine; Possession of Meth with the intent to deliver; Possession of marijuana; Failure to affix a drug tax stamp, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Connell was additionally charged with OWI, and cited for speeding as well as failure to provide proof of financial liability.

Jim Field visits with Ken Moorman about the Friends of the Atlantic Public Library Shred Day event on Saturday, April 9 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am.  The Boy Scouts will be helping, and you can help them Scout for Food by bringing along some canned food items to donate.

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(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, heard a request from the City’s Code Enforcement Officer, Kris Erickson, who suggested proposed changes to the City’s Code of Ordinances, with regard to Nuisance Abatement fees and fines. She said it’s been about six-years since the City has raised its prices for nuisance abatement’s, and they are seeing more abatement’s taking place. The last time they raised it, she said, they had less abatement’s to do, because people didn’t want those bills.

The City charges for services anytime a property owner fails to clean-up their property when requested to do so, fails to mow or clear their sidewalk, and other infractions of the Code.

Erickson spoke with Mayor Grace Garrett, and both agreed it is time to increase the fees because of the wear and tear on both the equipment and City employees who take care of the nuisance.

She says the fees are collected through an invoice from the City Clerk. The property owner has 30 days to set-up a payment plan or pay the bill. If they don’t it gets assessed to the property owner’s taxes and it is spread out over 10-years if the amount is over $500. The City Council was fully supportive of the proposed changes, which will be presented next to the Community Protection Committee for a more detailed review and recommendation. Councilman Dana Halder asked about changing the Mowing Ordinance. Currently, the Ordinance says grass must not be allowed to grow to 12-inches tall before it is declared a nuisance. That’s the highest allowed in the State. Halder suggested it be lowered to nine-inches. For comparison, Pella’s limit is six-inches, and their ordinance is highly enforced.

Erickson says she wouldn’t go lower than nine-inches, because they don’t have the employees to be constantly out mowing grass on problem properties.

On a separate note, Erickson showed to the Council some signs they would like to sell at the Atlantic Animal Shelter about the City’s “pooper scooper” law, when it comes to dog droppings on City sidewalks and grassy areas frequented by the public. Erickson said they would be sold not only as a fundraiser for the Shelter, and as a reminder for persons who don’t pick up and dispose of the droppings as required under the Code of Ordinances.

Atlantic Code Enforcement Office Kris Erickson w/one of the fundraising/ordinance reminder signs.

The Council gave its full blessing to move forward with the sale of the signs.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report the arrest Wednesday, of 38-year-old Lee Ryan Fowler, of Creston. He was taken into custody for Violation of Probation, and transported to the Union County Jail. Fowler was being held without bond, pending an appearance before a Judge.