United Group Insurance

Christofferson Wins Hammer Title

Sports

April 25th, 2011 by Jim Field

Former Exira star Britta Christofferson captured a victory Saturday at the Musco Twilight track and field meet at the University of Iowa.  Christofferson, a senior for the Cyclones, won the Hammer Throw event with a toss of 193-feet-six-inches.  Her throw was nearly 13 feet better than the runner-up.  The Iowa State track and field team is back in action This weekend at the 102nd running of the Drake Relays.

Drug arrests in Audubon County

News

April 25th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest last week of two men on drug charges. 35-year old Jay Dean Jensen, of Audubon, and 47-year old Lewis Byron Hogue, of Brayton, were taken into custody Wednesday afternoon following a traffic stop in Exira.

Officials say both men were charged with Possession of Marijuana. Jensen faces an additional charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Both were transported to the Audubon County Jail, and later posted bond.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department was assisted in their investigation by the Iowa State Patrol.

Two arrested after pursuit through 2 SW IA Counties

News

April 25th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Two people from Red Oak were arrested early this morning following the theft of a pickup and trailer and a pursuit in two area counties. According to Red Oak Police, 19-year-old Nathan Allen Aldrich and a 16-year-old male juvenile, both of Red Oak, were arrested for 1st degree theft. Aldrich faces additional charges of eluding and OWI 1st offense.

Both suspects were arrested after Red Oak police officers attempted a traffic stop at the intersection of Highways 34 and 48, at around 3 a.m. Officers became suspicious when they saw the Jayco camper being pulled by a 2006 Nissan pickup. They apparently knew the owner of the camper, and confirmed it had been stolen from Mark Euken, of Red Oak.

The pickup and trailer failed to stop for authorities and continued west on Highway 34, sometimes in the oncoming lanes of traffic, into Mills County. Stopsticks were deployed by Mills County Sheriff’s Deptuies, and the pickup’s tires were punctured, but it continued westbound into Glenwood, where pickup and camper ended up in a ditch.

Aldrich was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $10,000 bond, awaiting an appearance before the magistrate, while the juvenile was booked into the jail and later transported to the Council Bluffs Juvenile Detention Center. 

Officials say items recovered in the stolen trailer indicate the suspects allegedly broke into other vehicles or businesses in the Red Oak area overnight. Residents and business owners were being advised to check their vehicles and businesses for indications of burglary.

If you notice items missing from your vehicle or business, you’re asked to contact Red Oak Police.

Manning native/IKM Grad killed in Afghanistan

News

April 25th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Sgt. James A. Justice

Spc. Zachary Durham

The Iowa National Guard Sunday night announced a soldier from Grimes, 32-year old Staff Sgt. James A. Justice, was killed by enemy small arms fire during combat operations on Saturday, April 23rd, in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan at approximately 10 a.m., local Afghanistan time. Wounded in the attack was Spc. Zachary Durham, age 21, of Des Moines. Both Soldiers were assigned to Troop A, 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry, Camp Dodge, Johnston.

The attack happened during rescue operations of a U.S. Army OH-58 helicopter crew who were injured when their aircraft made a hard landing in Alah Say District, Kapisa Province, Afghanistan. Justice and Durham responded to the scene as members of a Quick Reaction Force (“QRF”) and came under fire from enemy forces at the crash site. Justice died at the scene and Durham was evacuated to Craig Joint Theater Hospital, Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan for medical treatment. No additional information is available regarding Durham’s condition or medical status. The cause of the helicopter crash is unknown at this time and under investigation.

James A. Justice was born June 30, 1978 in Manning, Iowa and graduated from Irwin-Kirkman-Manilla High School in 1997. Justice enlisted as an Infantryman in Company C, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry, Iowa Army National Guard in September 1998 at Denison. He previously deployed to Operation Desert Spring (Kuwait) in 2001, the Multinational Force Observer peacekeeping mission (Sinai Peninsula, Egypt) in 2003-2004, and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005-2006.Prior to his mobilization, he was employed full-time by the Iowa National Guard at Camp Dodge, Johnston.

Justice was part of the approximately 2,800 members of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division deployed to Afghanistan. These Iowa Soldiers reported to their mobilization station at Camp Shelby, Miss. in July 2010 for additional training and preparation before departing for the Afghanistan theater of operations. The unit arrived in Afghanistan in November 2010, where the Soldiers provide full-spectrum operations in a combat theater, including lethal and non-lethal capabilities, support to Afghan National Army and Police units, and assistance to humanitarian relief initiatives.

The family of Staff Sgt. James A. Justice issued the following statement:

“James Alan Justice meant many things to every person he encountered. He was the funny best friend named “Juice” that could be counted on when needing to be cheered up; the uncle who always knew just what to say and when to hand out hugs; the son who was his parents’ pride and joy; the father who loved his little girl more than anything in the world and couldn’t wait to have more children; and the husband who loved to put a smile on his wife’s face. One thing James was to everyone was the ultimate soldier. He loved the military and he looked forward to every deployment. While we were stunned and extremely saddened to learn of his tragic death, we all take solace knowing that James died doing what he loved best: serving his country beside the men and women he revered and trusted.
Through his four tours of duty, James had many accomplishments but above all, he made life-long friendships. The outpouring of support and prayers during this time from friends, fellow Soldiers and strangers alike has been astonishing, but proved what we all knew: that James was a one-of-a-kind guy and deeply loved by all who had the opportunity to know him and serve with him. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Iowa National Guard for the opportunities they have provided to James over the past 13 years. Additionally, we would like to acknowledge all of his fellow Iowa National Guard Soldiers both at home and serving overseas. May God be with you always.
We are sure that you can understand and will honor our request for family privacy at this time, as we are focused on working with military officials to return James’ body home for military service and burial. We thank you for your thoughts, prayers and kindness at this extremely difficult time. We are deeply saddened by our loss, but extremely proud of the honorable way he served America as a leader in the U.S. Army. We will remember him, his strength, his infectious sense of humor, his faith in God, and his love for his family, friends and country with great pride.”

Funeral arrangements are pending and details will be provided as they become available.

Two injured during Saturday afternoon accident in Pott County

News

April 24th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa State Patrol reports a couple from Council Bluffs were injured Saturday afternoon, when the SUV they were in left the road as they were traveling east on Interstate 80 near the Underwood exit.

Officials say 34-year old Suzette Marie Harville and 38-year old Michael Lynn Harville were transported by ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs following the crash which occurred at around 1:55-p.m., Saturday.

According to the Patrol, a 2000 Mercury Mountaineer driven by Suzette Harville, left the road to the right for reasons unknown, and ended-up rolling into the ditch.

The accident remains under investigation.

SW Iowans graduate from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy

News

April 23rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Twenty-four men and women were sworn in Friday, as peace officers with the Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) at the 35th Academy Graduation ceremony. Those individuals will serve their communities as Troopers with the Iowa State Patrol, and Special Agents with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Among the graduates from southwest Iowa, was Garrett Clayton, an Iowa State Patrol Trooper from Walnut, Blake Michelsen, a Trooper from Mount Ayr, will serve in District 16 at the Capitol Complex. And, Cole Johannsen from Avoca, as well as Matthew Ross, from Glenwood, both DCI Agents, who will be working in the area of Gaming Enforcement in Lyon County.

All of the officers completed a 22-week training academy designed to prepare them for readiness to serve as law enforcement officers. Elements of their training included the use of firearms, emergency response procedures, first aid and CPR, tactical driving techniques, and courses on Iowa law.

In a written statement Governor Branstad congratulated the new officers and thanked them for serving the people of Iowa.  Each of the officers begin active service in their new assignments effective immediately across the State of Iowa.

Multiple arrests reported in Cass County

News

April 22nd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s office today (Friday) reports numerous arrests over the past week and a-half, including three people were arrested this week on drug charges. Taken into custody Thursday on a Cass County Sheriff’s Office warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, was 20-year old Cody Allen Canfield, of Oakland.  Canfield was being held at the Cass County Jail on $2500 bond.

And, 26-year old Miles Blake Cooley, and 22-year old Sydney Kay Darling,  both of Anita,  turned themselves in at the Cass County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday, following a traffic stop. The pair were each charged with Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver, Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Darling and Cooley bonded from the Cass County Jail later that day on $5000 bond each.

As a result of an ongoing investigation by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, 41-year old Ann Valentine Butler, of Anita, turned herself in at the Cass County Jail Thursday, on a Cass County warrant for Theft 1st Degree. Butler was released later that day on $10,000 bond.

On April 17th, 2011, the Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 19-year old Jonathan Christian Pilgreen, of Griswold, was taken into custody on a charge of Public Intox. Pilgreen was taken to the Cass County Jail where he pled guilty and was released later that day.

On April 15th, 2011, deputies arrested 22-year old Andrew Gaston Nickum,  of Atlantic, on a Department of Corrections warrant for Parole Violation. Nickum was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was being held without bond.

On that same day, 42-year old David Lee Jordan,  of Atlantic, was arrested for 5th Degree Theft (Shoplifting). Jordan was taken to the Cass County Jail where he pled guilty the next day and was released.

And, on April 13th, 2011, deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 30-year old Joseph Alan Diamond, of Lewis,  on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Diamond was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released on April 16th, 2011, on $2,500 bond.

Trojan Golfers Top Clarinda

Sports

April 22nd, 2011 by Jim Field

Atlantic 156, Clarinda 173

Sam Markham 38 (Medalist)
Matt Thielen 39
Travis Olsen 39
Evan Schuler 40
Ben Nelson 42
Sam Renaud 44
Atlantic JV 196, Clarinda JV 226

Nick Berry 42
Derek Stork 44
Ian McNees 55
Cole Lowary 55
Anthony Page 56
Andrew Thielen 58

Atlantic Girls Golfers Win

Sports

April 22nd, 2011 by Jim Field

Atlantic 182, Clarinda 190

Medalist: Brooke Fletcher, Atlantic, 41
Runnerup: Jenni Geer, Clarinda, 43

Atlantic scores:
Kristen Schuler – 45
Bailey Walter – 47
Kaitlynn Walter – 49
Sierra Worth – 51
Pammy Fixmer – 53

Coach Kathy Hobson says:

This was a great team victory for us; Clarinda is one of the top teams in
the conference. For another cold, windy and wet outing, we had some very
good scores. Excited for Brooke as was the team. This was her first time
being medalist and she was playing with and against who I think are 3 of
the top 5 senior golfers in the conference (Kristen Schuler, Jenni Geer
and Sarah Steinauer). She has a beautiful swing; very smooth.

Trojanns 2nd at Tiger-Knight Relays

Sports

April 22nd, 2011 by Jim Field

Tiger-Knight Girls Relays in Carroll

1.  Harlan 158
2.  Atlantic 104.5
3.  Carroll 66.5
4.  Boone 37
5.  Mo Valley 26

Atlantic Place Winners:

1st Place:

  • 200 — Melanie Nielsen
  • 400 — Alex Hartwig
  • 3000 — Ali Krogman
  • Shuttle Hurdle — Paige Kennon, Lauren Krogman, McKenzie Holmes, Amanda Gude

2nd place:

  • 100 — Melanie Nielsen
  • 1500 — Ali Krogman
  • 4 x 200 — Melanie Nielsen, Carrie Sandage, Taylor Young, Sam Peterson
  • 4 x 400 — Carrie Sandage, Taylor Young, Jessica Arneson, Alex Hartwig
  • 4 x 800 — Katie Blake, Shelby Worth, Liz Siggins, Sam Peterson

3rd Place:

  • 800 — Jesica Arneson
  • 1500 — Christy Stevens
  • 3000 — Christy Stevens
  • 110 Hurdles — Mackenzie Holmes
  • 400 Hurdles — Amanda Gude
  • Sprint Medley — Kari Sandage, Taylor Young, Melanie Nielsen, Alex Hartwig
  • Distance Medley — Kristin Johnk, Paige Kennon, Shelby Worth, Jessica Arneson
  • Discus — Paige Kennon

4th Place:

  • 100 — Kari Sandage
  • 200 — Alex Hartwig
  • 400 — Katie Blake
  • 4 x 100 — Kristin Johnk, Mackenzie Holmes, Paige Kennon, Amanda Gude
  • High Jump — Shelby Worth

5th Place:

  • Long Jump — Mackenzie Holmes

6th Place:

  • 100 Hurdles — Amanda Gude
  • 400 Hurdles — Lauren Krogman
  • Long Jump — Lauren Krogman
  • Shot Put — Marissa Berns