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ELIZABETH DeKAY, 104, of Atlantic (Celebration of Life Private)

Obituaries

February 8th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

ELIZABETH DeKAY, 104, a life-long resident of Atlantic, died February 8, 2023, at Heritage House in Atlantic. A Private Celebration of Life will be held for ELIZABETH DeKAY.  Roland Funeral Service in Atlantic is assisting the family.

Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

ELIZABETH DeKAY is survived by:

Her son – Sam (Della Taylor), of  New York City.

In keeping with her love of the local library, please honor her life with a donation to the Atlantic Public Library.  Elizabeth Ann was a member of the library board for many years, and the library was a central part of her life.

Marshalltown Man Sentenced for Insurance Fraud Scheme

News

February 8th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

Des Moines – Former insurance producer Oscar Sanchez of Marshalltown was recently sentenced in Marshall County District Court after pleading guilty to his actions in an insurance fraud scheme. Sanchez pled guilty on December 8th, 2022, to three counts of Insurance Fraud – Fraudulent Submissions (Class D Felony) and four counts of Insurance Fraud-Fraudulent Sales Practices (Class D Felony) following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division Fraud Bureau.

The sentence follows an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau which began in September of 2020. The investigation concluded that Sanchez provided fictitious insurance documents to  multiple individuals in Marshalltown and collected premium payments for insurance policies that did not exist. The investigation also found that, following a derecho, Sanchez collected illegitimate cash deductibles from insureds, which he used for his own personal gain.

Sanchez was arrested on July 26, 2021 and released after posting bond.  On December 8, 2022, Sanchez pled guilty to three counts of Insurance Fraud – Fraudulent Submissions and four counts of Insurance Fraud-Fraudulent Sales Practices.

Sanchez, Oscar

On February 3, 2023, Sanchez was sentenced for the crime of Insurance Fraud – Fraudulent Submission and received a five-year suspended prison sentence, two to five years supervised probation and was ordered to pay a $3,075 civil penalty. Sanchez was also sentenced for the crime of Insurance Fraud – Fraudulent Sales Practice and received a five-year suspended prison sentence, two to five years supervised probation and was ordered to pay a $4,100 civil penalty and $38,070 in restitution.

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.

Photo courtesy of the Marshall County Jail.

Search for a missing Central Iowa man continues

News

February 8th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Authorities in central Iowa are asking for your help in locating a Des Moines man went missing early Monday morning (Feb. 6, 2023), and who may be experiencing medical issues. Des Moines Police say 76-year-old Alan Wayne Conley left his north Des Moines home at around 2-a.m. Monday. Conley was driving a metallic beige/tan 2002 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck with damage on the passenger side. The vehicle has Iowa license plate ESF 376. The rear plate was being held on by a green bungee cord, according to family and friends. There is also a dent on the back bumper and a sticker that may be a Harley Davidson logo.

Authorities say Conley has medical issues that impact his awareness and requires medication. Conley is 6’ tall and weighs about 285 pounds. If you have any information about his location, please call your local authorities, or the Missing Person Information Clearinghouse for the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, at 515-725-6036.

Atlantic girls earn share of Hawkeye Ten Championship with big win over Harlan

Sports

February 8th, 2023 by admin

Trojan LogoThe Atlantic girls basketball team built a big halftime lead and fought off a rally to beat Harlan 53-51 on Tuesday night in Atlantic. With the win the Trojans secured a share of the Hawkeye Ten Conference Title.

Paytn Harter had 12 points and Maddie Richter hit three 3-pointers in the first half to boost the Trojans to a 31-17 lead at the break. Harlan scored 21 points in the third quarter to climb back within five. The Cyclones would ultimately get within two points multiple times in the fourth and had a chance to tie it at the buzzer but came up short on a layup try.

Harter led the Trojans with 15 points on a balanced scoring night for the Trojans. Jada Jensen had 10, Maddie Huddleson and Maddie Richter had 9 each, and Aubrey Guyer chipped in 8 points.

The Trojans finish the regular season at 17-4 overall and 8-2 in Hawkeye Ten play. Four teams finished the conference season with two losses: Atlantic, Harlan, Lewis Central, and Glenwood.

The Trojans will now prep for their Regional Quarterfinal game at home against Clarinda on Saturday. We’ll have that game on KJAN with pregame at 6:45 p.m. and tipoff at 7:00 p.m.

Harlan was led by 25 points from Aubrey Schwieso, who sat part of the game in foul trouble. The Cyclones move to 12-7 overall and 7-2 in the conference. They’ll host Red Oak in the Regional Quarters on Saturday.

Davenport sentencing to be held Monday morning

News

February 8th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Sentencing for an Atlantic man facing five felony charges in connection with a Sept., 2022 incident, will take place next week. According to online court records, 54-year-old Edward Allen Davenport waived his rights and through his attorney, entered a written plea of guilty to the charges on February 1st.

Davenport was charged with Burglary in the 1st Degree, Assault (with serious injury) while participating in a felony, Willful Injury Causing Bodily Injury, Going Armed with Intent, and Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon, all of which are felony offenses. He was set to stand trial in Atlantic on February 28th. The trial had previously been continued twice before. Davenports remains held in the Cass County Jail on $60,000 bond. His sentencing is set for 9-a.m. Monday, Feb. 13, 2023.

Authorities say at around 2:20-a.m. on Sept. 5, 2022, Atlantic Police were notified an assault had occurred at a residence in the 800 block of Walnut Street, in Atlantic. During an investigation, officers made contact with the victim, who stated they had been assaulted by being struck multiple times with an object.

The victim said shortly after she arrived home, there was a knock at the door. After the door opened, a man entered the residence and began assaulting the victim. On Sept. 6th, Officers made contact with Davenport and arrested him in connection with the incident that occurred the previous day.

SHARON LEE WINCHELL, 84, of Atlantic (Svcs. 3/4/24)

Obituaries

February 8th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

SHARON LEE WINCHELL, 84, a lifelong resident of Atlantic, died February 8, 2023, at Heritage House in Atlantic. Funeral services for SHARON WINCHELL will be held on March 4th at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Atlantic. Schmidt Family Funeral Home, in Atlantic has the arrangements.

Open visitation with family present will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., on March 3, 2023, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic, IA.

Interment will take place following the funeral and will be held at the Atlantic Catholic Cemetery. A luncheon will be held following the committal in the reception hall of the First United Methodist Church.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Alzheimer’s Association or to the Good Samaritan Fund at Heritage House, and they may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.

SHARON WINCHELL is survived by:

Her sister-in-law: Dorothy Christensen, and her son Rex

Her first husband: Richard Brown; their children Chris (Debbie) Brown, and Steve Brown of San Francisco.

Her step-children: Kevin (Julie) Winchell, Kelli Garret, Kim (Allen) Whiley, and Kris (Pat) O’Brien.

9 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.

Griswold boys get in the win column with home finale triumph over Essex

Sports

February 8th, 2023 by admin

The Griswold Tigers got one in the win column in their regular season finale 58-51 over Essex on Tuesday night. The Tigers made senior night a happy one by jumping out to a 9-0 lead at the outset and holding the lead throughout.

The Tigers led 20-6 at the end of the first and 26-17 at halftime. It was a nine-point lead for the Tigers heading into the fourth, but the Trojans made them sweat it out a bit. A 14-5 spurt midway through the fourth brought Essex within 4 points but that’s as close as they would get. Bode Wyman knocked down four big free throws late to help seal the win.

Wyman finished with 18 points, including four three-pointers. Kamron Brownlee also knocked in four from downtown and led the Tigers with 20 points. Brownlee said it was a great feeling to get a win.

Aiden Kennedy added 14 points and was strong on the boards for the Tigers. Griswold head coach Matthew Spunaugle was proud of the team sticking together.

The Tigers take a 1-19 mark into a Class 1A play-in game on Friday night at Logan-Magnolia.

Essex was led by 24 points from Qwintyn Vanatta and they fell to 3-16 on the year. The Trojans open up the playoffs on Monday at Bedford.

Essex girls hold off Griswold

Sports

February 8th, 2023 by admin

The Essex Trojanettes used a 12-5 advantage in the third quarter to build a lead strong enough to get past the Griswold Tigers on Tuesday night. Griswold would get within five points at the end of the game but the Trojanettes held firm there and got the 33-28 win.

It was a game filled with fouls, 47 of them called throughout the contest. The two teams shot a combined 54 free throws.

Essex was led by 9 points each from Cindy Swain and Brooke Burns. Brianne Johnson had 4 points but was a big rebounding factor, keeping the ball alive for many multi-chance possessions for Essex.

The Trojanettes improved to 4-16 on the season and will now get ready to face Fremont-Mills in their first round playoff game on Thursday.

Griswold was led by 11 points from McKenna Weichman who had to sit much of the game with foul trouble. The Tigers fall to 2-20 on the season and will now travel to Riverside on Thursday for their first round 1A playoff game.

State Prison in Anamosa to change inmate population definition/service

News

February 8th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Corrections reports it is redesignating the Anamosa State Penitentiary from a Maximum-to strictly medium-security facility. The Anamosa State Penitentiary (ASP) is a maximum/medium security institution that currently houses approximately 950 offenders, both medium- and maximum-security level inmates.  Its current maximum security inmates will now be moved to the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison. The department says the move comes as Iowa’s prison population drops. Both the Anamosa prison, with 915 inmates, and the Fort Madison prison, with 721, were over capacity as of Tuesday (Feb.8), according to I-DOC, although not all of Iowa’s nine prisons were. The state’s prison system Tuesday was over capacity by nearly 13.7 percent — that there were 7,946 inmates Tuesday but capacity for 6,990.

The Department of Corrections says the move to a medium security facility will allow them to focus on treatment opportunities for minimum security inmates.

In 2021, two staff members died after an assault at the State penitentiary. The prison has already undergone significant changes to its security following the murders of officer Robert McFarland and nurse Lorena Schulte during an attempted escape.

A review found the prison was overcrowded, understaffed and in need of stricter work assignment policies. Along with the security change, Anamosa and the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility are also swapping wardens. Anamosa prison’s warden, Kris Karberg, will be transferring into the warden position at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility, effective Feb. 17. The current Fort Dodge warden, Nick Lamb, will be transferring to the warden position at Anamosa. Both wardens have multiple decades of experience in security operations and correctional work.

Ames Police: Wisconsin woman arrested in a shots-fired incident

News

February 8th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Ames, Iowa) – Officials with the Ames Police Department, Tuesday, said a woman from Wisconsin was arrested in connection with a shots-fired incident that took place at around 10:40-a.m., Sunday. As a result of the continued investigation, 40-year-old Karla Cherone Wallace, of Waukesha, Wisconsin, was taken into custody on multiple charges, including:
  • Controlled Substance Violation, a class C Felony
  • Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon, a class C felony
  • Dominion/Control of Firearm by Felon, a class D felony
  • Failure to Affix Drug Stamp, a class D felony
  • Possession of Controlled Substance Marijuana 3rd/Subsequent, an aggravated misdemeanor
  • Assault While Displaying a Dangerous Weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor
  • Provide False Identification Information, a simple misdemeanor, and,
  • Reckless Use of Firearm, a simple misdemeanor.
Background:
On Ames Police Officers responded Sunday to the area of 204 Jewel Drive based on the report of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers located shell casings and witnesses reported a suspect hiding under a vehicle in the 3300 block of South Duff Avenue. The suspect (Wallace) was injured while fleeing the scene. Officers tracked her footprints in the snow and located a weapon.
The shooting stems from an argument between two females. It is alleged that Wallace fired two shots in the air, and no one was injured, other than Wallace. She was transported to Mary Greeley Medical Center for treatment of an ankle injury.