(Guthrie County, Iowa) – A teenager suffered suspected minor/non-incapacitating injuries, during a rollover accident this (Thursday) morning, in Guthrie County. According to the sheriff’s office, a 2008 Chevy Colorado pickup driven by 16-year-old Colby T. Waltz, of Bagley, was traveling north on County Road P-28, south of 230th, when the vehicle went out of control. The pickup entered the southbound ditch, and rolled. The accident happened at around 8:17-a.m.

Colby Waltz – who was wearing a seat belt -was transported from the scene to the Guthrie County Hospital by his parent. Authorities said the road was covered with a sheet of ice/frost, and that the teen was driving too fast for conditions. No citations were issued. Damage to the pickup was estimated at $10,000.

(Radio Iowa) – The U-S Justice Department is asking a judge to sentence an Iowa man to more than five years in prison for his role in the U-S Capitol riot. Video showed Doug Jensen of Des Moines leading a group of rioters toward the U-S Senate chamber. In September, a jury found Jensen guilty of five felonies. His sentencing is scheduled for tomorrow (Friday). In a letter to the court, a Capitol Police inspector said there would have been tremendous bloodshed if an officer hadn’t diverted Jensen away from the chamber where senators were meeting.

In another January 6th case, a woman from Des Moines who was scheduled to go on trial yesterday (Wednesday) has pleaded guilty to illegally entering the Capitol. The trial for Deborah Sandoval’s son is underway. Salvador Sandoval of Ankeny faces a dozen charges. Prosecutors say he assaulted four D-C police officers during the 15 minutes he was inside the Capitol.

(Omaha, Nebraska) – Officials with the Cass and Audubon County Community Foundations have announced that applications are now being accepted from organizations providing charitable services in Cass or Audubon County. As part of this spring grant cycle, approximately $130,000 in each county is available to support Cass and Audubon County nonprofit organizations and community projects. The deadline to apply for funds through the online application process is February 1, 2023.

Beginning today (December 15), application details, a fact sheet, and a link to the application form can be found online by selecting Audubon County or Cass County, under the County Listing at www.swiowafoundations.org. Applications will only be accepted through the online system.

This cycle of grants is made possible through the State of Iowa County Endowment Fund Program and is funded by a percentage of the state’s commercial gaming tax revenue, which is distributed annually to participating community foundations associated with counties without a state-issued gaming license. Only organizations providing services in Cass or Audubon County are eligible to apply in their respective counties only. They must be able to demonstrate broad community/county support and be an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) public charity, a local municipality, or a fiscally sponsored project.

The Community Foundations in Cass and Audubon Counties aim to improve the quality of life in those counties, by supporting community needs in the areas of civic engagement, culture, health, education, and social services. The objective of the grant program is to fund projects that will have a lasting impact in the counties. Both Community Foundations will entertain requests for capital and program support. General operating support will only be considered for one-time, non-recurring circumstances that improve the capacity of the organization to fulfill its mission.

Please contact Sunni Kamp (sunni@omahafoundation.org) or Sydney Calcagno (sydney@omahafoundation.org) at 800-794-3458 with application-related questions. All completed grant applications will be considered at the March board meeting, with applicants being notified of funding decisions by the end of March.

Advisory board members of the Cass County Community Foundation are: Chair, Kristi Burg of Massena; Vice Chair, Gaylord Schelling of Atlantic; Secretary/Treasurer, Sue Hunt of Atlantic; Sandy Bierbaum of Griswold; Justin D. Hockenberry of Anita; and Mike Tibken of Anita. Advisory board members of the Audubon County Community Foundation are: Chair, Steven B. Hansen of Audubon; Vice Chair, Pat Kaiser of Audubon; Secretary/Treasurer, Megan Wagner of Audubon; Gina Benton of Exira; Dr. Bob Blomme, DVM of Audubon; Travis Nelson of Exira; and Donna Olson of Kimballton.

Polk County, Iowa — A Johnston day care provider charged in the 2019 death of a child, was sentenced Wednesday to 10-year in prison. 51-year-old Trina Mazza had earlier pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent person. Her defense attorney had asked for a deferred judgment.

According to court documents, Mazza admitted to leaving a child in a Pack ‘n Play crib in her unlicensed, in-home day care center. Later, while she was upstairs, the child attempted to climb out of his crib and got caught between another crib close by. The child was asphyxiated within minutes.

The child died a few days later. The cause of death was determined to be accidental traumatic asphyxia. Mazza is also facing a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family.