(Tingley, Iowa) – Authorities in Ringgold County report a minor driver rolled the pickup truck he was driving Thursday evening, around Tingley, causing injuries to the driver and one of two passengers. The Sheriff’s Office said Saturday (Today), the young person was driving a 2003 Ford F-150 at around 7:42-p.m. in a reckless manner,  and without adult supervision. The pickup went out of control while the driver allegedly tried to “drift” a corner, on 240th Avenue (a gravel road), leaving Tingley.

The pickup ran off the road to the west in an uncontrolled skid before coming into contact with the ditch and flipped the vehicle onto its roof, and coming to rest on the edge of a cornfield. The vehicle was rolled over onto the driver’s side by the time law enforcement and EMS arrived. The unidentified driver and a passenger were rushed to the Ringgold County Hospital for treatment of their injuries. The driver faces charges that include Reckless Driving and Violation of an Instruction Permit.

The pickup was later rolled over and towed from the scene.

(Kensett, Iowa) – A collision late Friday night in northern Iowa’s Worth County, claimed two lives, including that of a child, and resulted in a third person being injured. The Iowa State Patrol this (Saturday) afternoon, reported that a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica driven by 24-year-old Maggie Harvey, of Northwood (IA), was northbound on Highway 65 at around 10:20-p.m., when the minivan crossed the center line of the road and struck a southbound 2002 Toyota Avalon, head-on.

After the vehicles collided, the Toyota came to rest in the west ditch. The van rolled over and came to rest on its top in the middle of the road. A 1999 International semi driven by 62-year-old Dennis Stoneking, of Northwood, then struck the van, causing it to spin on the roadway and come to rest in the west ditch.

The driver of the Toyota, 45-year-old John Hinderscheid, of Albert Lea, MN, died at the scene, along with a passenger in the mini-van, three-year-old Thielen Fausnaugh, of Northwood. The child was not buckled into a child safety seat. The Patrol said both drivers were wearing their seat belts. All three crash victims were transported by Mason City Ambulance to Mercy Hospital. The accident remains under investigation.

Assisting the Patrol at the scene, was the Worth County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa DOT MVE, Kensett Fire Department, Northwood Fire/Rescue, & Mason City EMS.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Multiple area fire departments responded to a structure fire Friday night, in Glenwood. According to reports, a person walking in the area at around 9-p.m. saw the fire at a residence on S. Chestnut Street near Vine, and called 9-1-1. The flames quickly spread to the second floor of the home, but everyone was evacuated safely.

The fire was brought under control within about an hour. Glenwood Fire was on the scene for about three-hours, working the hot spots and mop-up activities. No injuries were reported. Additional information is currently not available.

(Altoona, Iowa) [Updated 8/4/22] – Recipients of the 2022 Iowa Character Counts Awards were announced and presented with their respective awards during an event held Friday, July 29, 2022, at Prairie Meadows Event Center in Altoona. The event was sponsored by the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University in Des Moines. Among the recipients, was Schuler Elementary School, in Atlantic, for “School of Character,” and the Southwest Iowa Planning Council, for “Business/Organization of Character.” LuAnn Kustra, of Carroll, won the “Adult Citizen of Character” award.

The Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) received the Business of Character Award. SWIPCO provides technical services and administers grants for local projects. The SWIPCO team takes pride in going above and beyond what’s expected to make their communities better places to work, learn, and raise families. When floods ripped through several towns, caused millions of dollars in property damage, and destroyed more than 100 homes, the SWIPCO team jumped to work. The staff worked tirelessly to help the affected communities find resources to rebuild. Hamburg city clerk, Sheryl Owen, said, “When we needed help with residential buyouts and new housing development after the [2019] flooding, SWIPCO was there for us every step of the way.” That’s just one example of the individuals, organizations, and cities who benefit from their diligence, passion, and hard work.

Schuler Elementary received the School of Character Award. Schuler Elementary is part of the Atlantic Community School District in southwest Iowa. Their school serves 4th and 5th-grade students. The students are fortunate to have nearly 30 teachers and staff to guide them on their educational journey. Schuler Elementary values the importance of a strong curriculum that engages students in learning in authentic ways to help them think beyond the classroom. Using CHARACTER COUNTS! to guide them, Schuler Elementary believes that modeling and practicing good character is valuable for staff, students, parents, and the entire community. It is their goal to provide students with the tools they will need to become caring and respectful citizens who are motivated to make a positive impact on the world.

The last two-years, the awards were presented on television, due to COVID. Up next for the winners, is the creation of a video that will air during a one-hour primetime television special this summer or fall on KDSM Fox 17, out of Des Moines. Afterward, the Ray Center team will schedule a hometown visit to honor each award recipient in their own community.

Photo of Schuler Elementary Staff on stage for their award (Principal James Northwick, center) – Photo courtesy of Pat Powers/KQWC Radio

The Ray Center annually recognizes Iowans who show the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. Since 2005, more than 150 Iowans having been recognized for showing good character.  

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Linda and the late Larry Shafer, of Cass County, will be inducted into the 2022 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, August 21. Ninety-seven Iowa counties are participating this year and have selected 131 inductees for their outstanding service and dedication to 4-H. Inductees or their surviving family members will be presented a certificate as they are introduced on stage. Linda and the late Larry Shafer will be recognized at 1:30p.m. A reception will follow the presentations.

Linda and the late Larry Shafer have been supporters of the Cass County 4-H Program and Cass County Fair for many years, having daughters Jennifer and Amy in fair in 4-H and FFA.  Linda was a Judge’s Helper during static exhibit judging for many years both while Amy was in 4-H and with her granddaughters more recently.  She also was the Grove Township contact for food stand donations from 1998 to 2012 and again from 2015 to 2019.  She donated her time calling township citizens for donations of food to help keep the food stand stocked.

Some of Linda’s favorite memories and friendships stem from her work in the food stand.  Anytime there was a need, she was ready to put on a name tag and help out.  She remembers cutting hundreds of pies, dishing up salads, and washing many many dishes with the late Wray McDermott with that old dishwasher! Larry was always willing to provide any equipment that was needed and to take the night guard shifts.  One of his favorite fair memories that his daughters have heard “a few times” was when he was on duty with other dads who didn’t have livestock at home.

A steer had gotten loose, and they left it until they found Larry and made him catch it.  The girls don’t remember him ever being terribly proficient with it but he did carry a lasso behind the pickup seat. Most recently, Linda has helped daughter Jenny in the static exhibit area on judging day and has been a sponsor of several poultry trophies that she’s been able to witness her granddaughters receive on show day. Linda says fair week is one of the best weeks of the year.  She enjoys seeing friends and watching Cass County’s youth learn so much through the opportunities and fun available to them through 4-H and FFA.

Counties select inductees for their exceptional work in contributing to the lives of 4-H members and the overall 4-H program, said County 4-H Youth Coordinator, Katie Bateman. Many inductees served as club leaders, youth mentors, fair superintendents or fair board members, Iowa State University Extension county council members, county youth council members, fair judges, financial supporters, chaperones or ISU Extension staff members. The inductees have demonstrated dedication, encouragement, commitment and guidance to Iowa’s 4-H’ers through the years.

“Iowa 4-H volunteers and staff greatly impact our youth and this is one way we can recognize them for their remarkable service and commitment,” said Tillie Good, staff and volunteer development manager, Iowa 4-H Youth Development. The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was initiated in 2002 to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of 4-H. A summary of previous honorees will be on display at the 2018 Iowa State Fair in the 4-H Exhibits Building.

Information about previous inductees to the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame also is available on the Iowa 4-H Foundation website, organized by year and by county. Go to http://www.iowa4hfoundation.org/ and select “Recognition.”

(Atlanta, Georgia) – Officials with Megamillions report there was one winning ticket for the numbers in Friday’s nights drawing for an estimated $1.28-billion dollar prize. It was bought in Illinois, but it wasn’t immediately known if there was one winner of the prize or a group of people chipping-in to win. The winning numbers were: 13-36-45-57-67, Mega Ball: 14.

The jackpot was the nation’s third-largest lottery prize. It grew so large because no one had matched the game’s six selected numbers since April 15. That’s 29 consecutive draws without a jackpot winner. The $1.28 billion prize is for winners who choose the annuity option, paid annually over 29 years. Most winners opt for the cash option, which for Friday night’s drawing was an estimated $747.2 million.

The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302.5 million. The next drawing on August 2nd is for at least $20-million. Mega Millions is played in 45 states as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The game is coordinated by state lotteries.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Judging activities for the 4-H & FFA Sheep Show kick-off today’s (Saturday’s)  events at the 2022 Cass County Fair, beginning at 8:00-a.m.  The Herd Dog Trials are slated for 8:30-a.m.. There’s a Open Shot Archery fundraiser from 9-a.m. until 4-p.m., a Pet Show at 10, followed at 11-a.m. by the Meat Goat & Dairy Goat Show. Working Exhibits, Extemporaneous Speaking, and educational presentations will be held at Noon. Ride a mechanical bull all-day today, and grab some great food from the FFA Foodstand, Foodstand or Chuckwagon. Today’s featured meal is Ham Balls or Lamb.

This afternoon at the Cass County Fair, Judging of the Livestock begins at 3-p.m.  Youth get a chance to cool-off with the Youth Water Fights at 4, and the day’s activities conclude at 6-p.m., with the Tractor Pull contest. Looking ahead to Sunday, the day begins with the Swine Show and 7:30-a.m., and a Tractor Ride at 8:30-a.m. A Tractor display will be featured from Noon until 3-p.m., and there’s a Pedal Tractor Pull beginning at 2:30-p.m., Sunday.

For the complete schedule of events, click on the image below (it will enlarge):

(Corning, Iowa) – A traffic stop west of Corning, late Thursday morning, resulted in an arrest. The Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Saturday (today), said 31-year-old Philip Dean Reed was taken into custody at around 11:30-a.m. on Highway 34, near mile marker 64. Reed was found to be in possession of marijuana, and charged with Poss. of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense.

**”Any potential criminal charges identified above are merely allegations, and any defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.“

(Story County, Iowa) – One person died and two others were injured, Friday evening, when an ATV and a pickup truck collided head-on, southwest of Cambridge, in Central Iowa. According to the State Patrol, a 2022 Polaris ATV operated by 29-year-old  Spencer Alan Pote, of Maxwell, was traveling south on 570th Street at around 6:45-p.m.  A 2003 Ford F-150 pickup driven by 17-year old Chase Thomas Kratz, of Ames, was traveling north on 570th.

The Patrol says due to the dust cloud from a previous, non-contact vehicle, the vision of both drivers was obstructed, resulting in the collision. Spencer Pote died at the scene. Kratz, and a passenger in one of the vehicles, 37-year-old Travis Scott Petersen, of Nevada, were injured in the crash. Both were transported to Mercy Hospital, with Peterson taken by medical helicopter, and Kratz transported by Story County Rescue.

The accident remains under investigation.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – A Council Bluffs Police Officer on Patrol Friday afternoon in the area of S. 16th Street & 3rd Avenue, observed a stolen 2008 Porsche Cayenne SUV with Nebraska license plates. The vehicle accelerated and rammed the front end of the police cruiser before continuing southbound. A short chase ended when the suspect, 41-year-old Steven Dale Bascue, of Council Bluffs, lost control of the SUV. The vehicle struck a 2011 Ford F-150 at S. 21st & W. Broadway. The driver of the Ford complained of pain but refused medical attention.

Steve Dale Bascue

Bascue bailed out of the Porsche and ran on foot for a short while before being apprehended. Bascue faces numerous charges, including Felony Assault and Theft in the 1st Degree.