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Polk County man injured in a Guthrie County cement truck rollover accident

News

November 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Rural Menlo, Iowa) – A Polk County man suffered suspected minor injuries, during a cement truck rollover accident northeast of Menlo, Thursday afternoon. According to the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, 37-year-old Jamal Brenard Jones, of West Des Moines, was driving a fully-loaded 2014 Freightliner cement truck westbound on 315th Street, just west of Talon Avenue, when the vehicle got too close to the north ditch and the soft shoulder on the gravel road.

The truck was pulled into the north ditch and entered the ditch before it rolled over. The report said Jones was distracted because the rotating drum on the cement truck was not spinning, and he was trying to get to start spinning again. Jones was wearing his seat belt when the truck rolled-over. He had to break out the windshield in order to exit the vehicle. He was treated for minor injuries by Stuart EMS.

No citations were issued, but the Sheriff’s report said Failure to keep in the proper lane and loss of control were contributing factors in the crash. The truck was a total loss, as the damage estimated to be $50,000.

2 arrested in Mills County over the weekend

News

November 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two weekend arrests. Late Saturday morning, 57-year-old Derrick Lee Dornburgh, of Malvern, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense. His bond was set at $2,000.

At around 2:20-a.m. Sunday, 20-year-old Christopher Lee Derry, of Sioux Falls, SD, was arrested following a traffic stop on Interstate 29, at mile marker 42  in Mills County. Derry was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance. Bond was set at $1,000.

Iowa Baseball Signs 12 for 2025

Sports

November 18th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Twelve players — four from the Hawkeye State — have signed National Letters of Intent to join the University of Iowa baseball program for the 2025 season, it was announced Monday by head coach Rick Heller.

The class consists of six position players: Brody Irlbeck (OF/LHP, Kansas City, Mo.), Milo Kelley(C, Davenport, Iowa), Cole Moore (C/RHP, Adel, Iowa), Tate Slagle (UTIL/RHP, Algona, Iowa), Ben Toft (OF, Wilmette, Ill.) and Trevor Vande Hey (OF, De Pere, Wis.).

Along with Irlbeck, Moore and Slagle, Iowa signed five other pitchers: Brady Ferguson (RHP, Omaha, Neb.), Maddux Frese (RHP, Southeastern CC, Norway, Iowa), Brolan Frost (LHP, Waterford, Wis.), John Henry Kohorst (LHP, Apple Valley, Minn.) and Nick Terhaar (RHP, Saginaw, Minn.).

“We couldn’t be happier with this recruiting class,” said Heller. “It’s filled with big time arms that includes four lefthanders. The position players in this group are talented, athletic, and fit the needs we have at those positions. This class will also have several legitimate pitcher/position player combos. With the roster cap dropping to 34 next year, this is a nice bonus for us. The character and make up of this class are top notch as well. Most of this talented group of young men have been committed to Iowa Baseball for multiple years, knowing that the wait to see them in a Hawkeye uniform is almost over is a great feeling. We’re all excited to get to work with these guys! Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Marty Sutherland did another fantastic job in orchestrating our recruiting efforts. His hard work and commitment are sincerely appreciated. Assistant Coach Mitch Boe also did a great job on the recruiting trail for us. Our new Pitching Coach Sean Kenny hit the ground running and helped our recruiting efforts a great deal. We have an outstanding staff who grind it out every day. I’m proud of their efforts.”

Grassley welcomes RFK Junior to bring ‘new ideas’ to health care

News

November 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says Robert F. Kennedy Junior could help to answer many questions that haven’t been raised before, if he’s confirmed as the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy is a former Democrat who ran as an independent in this year’s presidential race, and Grassley says he’s encouraged by the choice of Kennedy to head H-H-S.

“What’s wrong with bringing some new ideas in?” Grassley says. “It’s whether or not those ideas are adopted or not, and there’s no way I could make a prediction on that, but I don’t think we should be afraid to review any policies of the government and change them if necessary.”

Kennedy abandoned his bid for the White House after striking a deal to give Donald Trump his endorsement with a promise to have a role in health policy in the administration. Grassley says he sees an advantage to having a businessman who is not a politician raising questions about government programs.  “That somebody comes in from the outside, whether it’s the president of the United States or RFK Junior, raising these questions seems to be pretty important, just to make sure that government is functioning to the will of the people.”

During the campaign, Kennedy said Trump had asked him to reorganize several agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and the Food and Drug Administration. Trump also proposes creating a Department of Government Efficiency to be co-chaired by billionaire Elon Musk and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. It would look into ways to slash government regulations and spending while downsizing the federal workforce. Grassley says he’d welcome such a review.

“If they’re going to do their job right, every nook and cranny of the federal government and its programs need to be looked into,” Grassley says. “I would be very concerned if they cut away the safety net for American family farmers, but beyond the safety net, when you’ve got at least dozens and maybe hundreds of different programs in the Department of Agriculture, I wouldn’t say that every one of them should be immune from consideration.”

Musk pledged to cut two-trillion dollars from the federal budget, but he’s not offered many specifics on how he’d go about it.

Page County Attorney’s report, 11/18/2024

News

November 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Clarinda, Iowa) – The Page County Sheriff’s Office today (Monday), released a report on the outcome of recent court cases.

  • Matthew Dillon Childs, age 19, of Red Oak, Iowa, appeared by counsel and admitted to violating his deferred judgment. The Defendant’s deferred judgment was revoked and the Defendant was sentenced to 30 days in jail, suspended. The Defendant’s probation was extended 3 months. The Defendant was ordered to pay court costs and court-appointed attorney fees.
  • Lori Ann Gibson, age 45, of Shenandoah, Iowa, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Operating While Under the Influence-1st Offense. The Defendant was sentenced to 30 days in jail, with all but 2 days suspended. The Defendant was placed on probation for 9 months and was ordered to obtain a Substance Abuse Evaluation and complete any treatment recommendations and complete the Drinking Drivers School. The Defendant was ordered to pay a fine of $1,250, surcharges, court costs and court-appointed attorney fees.
  • Jacob Paul Gray, age 41, of Shenandoah, Iowa, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Operating While Under the Influence-1st Offense. The Defendant was granted a deferred judgment for a period of 9 months. The Defendant was placed on probation for 9 months and was ordered to obtain a Substance Abuse Evaluation and complete any treatment recommendations and complete the Drinking Drivers School. The Defendant was ordered to pay a civil penalty of $1,250, surcharges and court costs.
  • Shanee Dawn Hamilton, age 51, of Shenandoah, Iowa appeared by counsel and pled guilty to five counts of Child Endangerment. The Defendant was sentenced to 90 days on each count, suspended and ordered to pay a fine of $855 on each count, suspended. The Defendant was placed on probation for 2 years on each count. The Defendant was ordered to pay surcharges and court costs.
  • William Bradley Hamilton, age 41, of Shenandoah, Iowa appeared by counsel and pled guilty to five counts of Child Endangerment. The Defendant was sentenced to 90 days on each count, suspended and ordered to pay a fine of $855 on each count, suspended. The Defendant was placed on probation for 2 years on each count. The Defendant was ordered to pay surcharges and court costs.
  • Misty Marie Herring, age 49, of Villisca, Iowa, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance – Marijuana. The Defendant was sentenced to 2 days in jail and ordered to pay surcharges, court costs and court-appointed attorney fees.
  • Keith Benard Johnson Jr., age 46, of Red Oak, Iowa, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Operating While Under the Influence-1st Offense. The Defendant was sentenced to 45 days in jail, with all but 5 days suspended. The Defendant was placed on probation for 9 months and was ordered to obtain a Substance Abuse Evaluation and complete any treatment recommendations and complete the Drinking Drivers School. The Defendant was ordered to pay a fine of $1,250, surcharges, court costs and court-appointed attorney fees.
  • Jace Reilly Lamb, age 18, of Clearfield, Iowa, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Operating While Under the Influence-1st Offense. The Defendant was granted a deferred judgment for a period of 9 months. The Defendant was placed on probation for 9 months and was ordered to obtain a Substance Abuse Evaluation and complete any treatment recommendations and complete the Drinking Drivers School. The Defendant was ordered to pay a civil penalty of $1,250, surcharges, court costs and court-appointed attorney fees.
  • Jose Alberto Meraz, age 50, of Fort Worth, Texas, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Operating While Under the Influence-1st Offense. The Defendant was sentenced to 30 days in jail, with all but 2 days suspended. The Defendant was placed on probation for 9 months and was ordered to obtain a Substance Abuse Evaluation and  complete any treatment recommendations and complete the Drinking Drivers School. The Defendant was ordered to pay a fine of $1,250, surcharges and court costs.
  • Lyle Francis Stogdill, age 41, of Shenandoah, Iowa, appeared with counsel and admitted to violating the terms and conditions of his probation. Defendant’s probation was revoked and the original sentence of 5 years in prison was imposed; Stogdill appeared with counsel and admitted to violating the terms and conditions of his probation. His probation was revoked and the original sentence of 10 years in prison was imposed; Stogdill appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Burglary in the 2nd Degree and Possession of Marijuana-3rd Offense. On the Burglary in the 2nd Degree, the Defendant was sentenced to 5 years in prison and ordered to pay a fine of $1,025, suspended. On the Possession of Marijuana-3rd Offense, the Defendant was sentenced to 2 years in prison and ordered to pay a fine of $855, suspended. The Defendant was ordered to pay court costs, surcharges, and court-appointed attorney fees.
  • Anthony David Titus, age 42, of Clarinda, Iowa, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Child Endangerment. The Defendant was sentenced to 180 days in jail, with all but 5 days suspended. The Defendant was placed on probation for 1 year and ordered to obtain a substance abuse evaluation and follow any recommendations. The Defendant was ordered to pay a fine of $855, suspended, court costs, surcharges and court-appointed attorney fees.
  • Seth Derek Varellas, age 22, of Riverton, Iowa, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Operating While Under the Influence-1st Offense. The Defendant was sentenced to 30 days in jail, with all but 2 days suspended. The Defendant was placed on probation for 9 months and was ordered to obtain a Substance Abuse Evaluation and complete any treatment recommendations and complete the Drinking Drivers School. The Defendant was ordered to pay a fine of $1,250, surcharges and court costs.
  • Cody James Walker, age 44, of Sidney, Iowa, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Operating While Under the Influence-1st Offense. The Defendant was granted a deferred judgment for a period of 9 months. The Defendant was placed on probation for 9 months and was ordered to obtain a Substance Abuse Evaluation and complete any treatment recommendations and complete the Drinking Drivers School. The Defendant was ordered to pay a civil penalty of $1,250, surcharges and court costs.
  • Kalon Lee Whitehill, age 40, of Clarinda, Iowa, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Operating While Under the Influence-1st Offense. The Defendant was sentenced to 45 days in jail, with all but 2 days suspended. The Defendant was placed on probation for 9 months and was ordered to obtain a Substance Abuse Evaluation and complete any treatment recommendations and complete the Drinking Drivers School. The Defendant was ordered to pay a fine of $1,250, surcharges, court costs and court-appointed attorney fees.

City of Atlantic Personnel & Finance Committee to meet in a closed session Tue. afternoon

News

November 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Personnel & Finance Committee will meet 2-p.m. Tuesday, in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. According to their agenda, the Committee will hold a Closed Session as allowed under the Code of Iowa, to “Discuss the Purchase or Sale of Particular Real Estate Only Where Premature Disclosure Could be Reasonably Expected to Increase the Price the Governmental Body Would Have to Pay for that Property or Reduce the Price the Governmental Body would Receive for that Property.”

The Minutes and the Audio Recording of a Session Closed Under this Paragraph will be made available for Public Examination when the Transaction Discussed is Completed.

Iowa’s Fran McCaffery on the impact of two transfers

Sports

November 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

A pair of transfers off the bench are making an impact for the Iowa men’s basketball team. Point guard Drew Thelwell is averaging 10 points per game and is tied for the team lead in steals after transferring from Morehead State.

That’s Iowa coach Fran McCaffery who says it took a while for Thelwell to adjust to Iowa’s style of play.

Sydou (say-do) Traore (try-or) is a 6-7 sophomore who began his career at Manhattan College and is averaging eight and a half points while batting injury early in the season.

The Hawkeyes 4-0 and host Rider Tuesday night.

Iowa DC Phil Parker on going up against former Hawkeye OC Brian Ferentz

Sports

November 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa football team will go up against a familiar face when the Hawkeyes visit Maryland on Saturday. Former offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz is an offensive assistant for the Terrapins and knows the Hawkeye defense well.

That’s Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker who says he is more concerned about getting the defense prepared.

State snowmobile registration process changes

Ag/Outdoor, News

November 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – There’s a change this year in how you register you snowmobile before running the trails in Iowa. The Iowa D-N-R ‘s Jessica Flatt says it simplifies the process. “Residents of Iowa are no longer required to purchase the user permit. They’ll only be needing to register their vehicle annually. So previous to this law change, they would have had to register and buy a trail permit, and now they’ll only have to buy the registration,” she says. Flatt says the registration fee was increased, but it balances out with no permit required.

“You know, they’re basically netting out the same cost, but now it’s only a single item that they have to purchase is that registration fee, Flatt says. “So the registration fee did increase from, you know, 15 to 30, but now they’re not required to buy that separate permit.” Flatt says the fee goes to help the users. “All of the money from the permits and the registration go into a dedicated fund, and the department administers that fund, but we partner with the Iowa State snowmobile Association, and 70 percent of those registration funds go to them, and they run a trail program, and so they work with all the local clubs that have designated snowmobile trails,” she says.

(ISSA photo)

You can register your snowmobile on the D-N-R website.  “If a snowmobile has not been registered before, they’re going to need to go to their county recorder’s office. But to renew an existing registration, they can visit the county recorder, or they can just go online or use our go outdoors app if they already have that,” Flatt says. Flatt says they’ve been consistently seeing around 20-thousand registered snowmobiles each year.

LORI UTSINGER, 63, of Carlisle (& formerly of the Hill of Zion area) – Mass of Christian Burial 11/23/24

Obituaries

November 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

LORI UTSINGER, 63, of Carlisle (& formerly of the Hill of Zion area), died Sunday, November 17, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Society in Indianola.  A Mass of Christian Burial for LORI UTSINGER will be held 2-p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Greenfield. Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield has the arrangements.
A Rosary service will be held at the funeral home, beginning at 4:30-p.m. Friday, November 22nd, followed by visitation with the family from 5-until 7-p.m.

Burial will be in the Hill of Zion Cemetery, rural Orient. A luncheon will be held at the Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center, following the burial.

Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association.

LORI UTSINGER is survived by:

Her son – John (Jonatha) Utsinger, of West Des Moines.

Her daughter – Aimee (& husband Chris) Marasco, of Des Moines.

Her brothers – Jeffrey (Lucy) Ford, of Madrid (IA); Doug Ford, of San Antonio, TX, and Ernest (MaLinda) Ford, of Arispe (IA).

2 grandchildren; Her significant other, Jeff Saxton, of Carlisle.; other relatives and friends.

Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.