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Shelby County Sheriff’s report, 9/20/22

News

September 20th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports 10 arrests occurred between Sept. 1st and the 10th. Most recently, 27-year-old Ryan Jonathan Holling, of Omaha, was arrested following a traffic stop on Highway 191. He was charged wit Possession of a Controlled Substance (PCS) and transported to the Shelby County Jail.

Shelby County Deputies arrested 51-year-old Chad Ian Dills, of Shelby, on Sept. 7th. He was wanted on an active Shelby County warrant. Dills was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Stalking. There were two arrests Sept. 5th, in Shelby County: 41-year-old Triston Gabriel Johnson, and 30-year-old Thomas Morgan Lathrop, both from Omaha, NE were arrested following a traffic stop on Highway 59. Johnson was charged with 4 counts of PCS, Failure to Affix Drug Stamp, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Lathrop was arrested on 3 counts of Possession of Controlled Substance, Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, OWI 3rd, and Speeding.

30-year-old Michael John Tremayne, of Harlan, was arrested Sept. 4th, in Shelby County, of an active Pottawattamie County warrant. Tremayne was brought to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI/2nd offense, in Shelby County. On the 3rd, 21-year-old Dawson James Williams, of Walnut, was arrested following a foot patrol of the Harlan High School parking lot. Williams was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Supplying Alcohol to Person Under Legal Age, Public Intoxication and Driving While License Denied, Suspended, Canceled or Revoked.

Two people were arrested following a traffic stop Sept. 2nd, in Shelby County. 37-year-old Tosha Dawn Johnson, and 18-year-old Aundrea Jean Burr, both of Alta, were taken into custody. Johnson was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Open Container. Alta faces charges that include Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substance Violation, Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, No Valid Driver’s License, Speeding, and Operating Non-Registered Vehicle.

And, on Sept. 1st 20-year-old Baylee Ranae Rutherford, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop on 12th St. Rutherford was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving While License Denied, Suspended, Canceled or Revoked, Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability, and Operating Non-Registered Vehicle.

Traffic stop Tue. morning in Red Oak results in an arrest

News

September 20th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

[8-a.m. News] (Red Oak, Iowa) – A traffic stop at around 1:40-a.m. today (Tuesday), in Red Oak, resulted in the arrest on drug and other charges, of a man from Pottawattamie County. According to Red Oak Police, Officers arrested 48-year-old Alan Scott Desantiago, of Council Bluffs, on charges that include: Driving Under Suspension; Possession of drug paraphernalia; OWI/1st offense; and Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Deliver. Desantiago was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail.

Red Oak Police were assisted in their investigation by the Iowa State Patrol.

Atlantic’s Mayor to announce Trick-or-treating date and times

News

September 20th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic will hold their regular meeting beginning at 5:30-p.m., on Wed., Sept. 21st, in their Chambers at City Hall. On the agenda, is a proclamation by Mayor Grace Garrett, making the week of Sept. 17-23 “Constitution Week,” in the City of Atlantic. Constitution Week is celebrated annually during the week of September 17-23 to commemorate its history, importance, and bring attention to how it serves still today. The celebration started through a petition of Congress in 1955 by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The resolution was later adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed into public law on August 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Mayor Garrett is also expected to announce, that Halloween Trick-or-Treating will be held City-wide in Atlantic on Oct. 31st, from 5-until 7-p.m.  The Mayor encourages everyone to have a fun, safe and happy Halloween. The Council is expected to approve, Wednesday, an Order permitting a fireworks show by Wild Wayne’s, during the Atlantic Homecoming game on Oct. 8th. They are also expected to act on Orders pertaining to: the closure of 6th Street between Chestnut and Locust, on Oct. 8th, from 1-until 5-p.m., for the Pre-Fire Prevention Parade; the closure of selected streets on Friday, Sept. 23rd, from 2:15- and 3:30-p.m., for the Atlantic Homecoming Parade; and, an Order to Appoint Jeremy Butler to the Parks and Recreation Board.

In other business, there will be a public hearing during Wednesday’s Council meeting, on a proposal to enter into a General Obligation Land Acquisition Loan Agreement for the purchase of land from the Comes Family Trust. The land will be used for housing development. The hearing will be followed by a Resolution authorizing and approving the Loan Agreement, the issuance of $500,000 taxable G.O. Bonds, and the levying of taxes to pay for them, as mentioned in previous reports on KJAN. The Council will also act on passing a Resolution with regard to an application to rezone City-owned property at 301 Maple Street, for the purpose of expanding an existing local business.

And, the Atlantic City Council will hold the third and final reading of an amended Ordinance pertaining to Panhandling, as well as the second readings of Mowing, Solid Waste Removal, and snow/ice accumulation removal, Ordinances. The final order of business, is for Mayor Garrett to issue the Oath of Office to Jeremy Butler and Shirley Jensen, the newest members of the Atlantic Parks and Rec Board.

Sikh U-I ROTC cadet first to win waiver for turban and beard

News

September 20th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) -A University of Iowa student who is in the Air Force R-O-T-C program is the first cadet in the country to get a waiver to wear a beard and turban will in uniform. Gursharan Virk applied for waivers so he didn’t have to choose between his Sikh (pronounced sick) faith and his dream career of being a pilot. The beard did not take that long — the beard waiver came in pretty quick — I think within a month or two. But the waiver from my turban took about eight to nine months to get completely approved,” Virk says. “I had to turn in a letter explaining to why it was important and why, what it meant to me. And then I had an interview with the Air Force chaplain.” he says the meeting with the Air Force Chaplin was more like conversation on why it’s important to him.

“Sikhs wear turbans to basically…. you stand out in a crowd. And historically, Sikhs used to be people who help out others, where there’s a need. Our basic rules are just caring for humanity, in general,” Virk explains. Part of being in the military is wearing the same uniform and being part of the team. Virk says he understands that concept, but doesn’t think the accommodations will change anything. “We are all pretty close, I haven’t felt anything at all. So I don’t think it’s going to be an issue because and as for the uniform as well, like I’m in regulations,” he says.

Air Force ROTC Cadet Gursharan Virk, third from left, takes part in Detachment 255’s color guard ceremony at a football game at the University of Iowa in 2021. Virk is the first Sikh ROTC cadet to be granted religious accommodations by the Air Force in observation of his faith. The accommodations include wear of a turban and facial hair. (Courtesy photo via www/af.mill)

Virk was born in Des Moines, and then his family moved India while he was still young. He returned to the U-S for the start of his junior year at Waukee High School. Virk is a junior at Iowa and is hoping to become a pilot and fly bombers when he graduates — but would take any pilot spot offered. “Pilot slots have always been very competitive. So it is a very competitive process to get one. So I’m in that process right now,” Virk says, “basically making up my profile right now. I had a couple of tests I had to give. And basically, they send my entire profile to the big pilot board.”

He should l know by my summer of next year if he get one of the coveted pilot slots. If the pilot position doesn’t work — Virk wants to be a combat systems officer.

New campaign aims to stop veteran suicides

News

September 20th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Reports show nearly one in eight Iowans who take their own lives are veterans, and a new national campaign is being launched to encourage veterans to seek help — and for everyone else to lend a hand. Dave Berkenfield, a former Navy SEAL who lost his brother to suicide, says every day nationwide between 17 and 22 veterans kill themselves, depending on which study is being quoted. “Those numbers are hard to swallow,” Berkenfield says. “They’re terrifying, but then they’re also sort of dismal, and they don’t point to action. They just point to a problem.” The American Legion is launching a campaign in Iowa and nationwide that will be seen on billboards and in T-V and radio P-S-As called “Be The One.”

Be The One:
TO ASK VETERANS IN YOUR LIFE HOW THEY ARE DOING.
TO LISTEN WHEN A VETERAN NEEDS TO TALK.
TO REACH OUT WHEN A VETERAN IS STRUGGLING.

Berkenfield says, “It’s about individuals across the gamut of veterans, veterans’ caretakers, veterans’ spouses, veterans’ families, friends, concerned co-workers — really taking action and being the one to make a difference.” He says mental health is one of the toughest challenges facing veterans, as they’re trained to accept every challenge, to lead and be strong, but there’s a stigma surrounding a veteran who seeks help for the silent wounds of war. Berkenfield says that’s why this “Be The One” campaign is so important. “It’s be the one to reach out and ask for help,” Berkenfield says. “It’s be the one to get educated and connected with resources and then be supportive of a veteran. It’s really taking action is what Be The One is all about.”

Of the 475 reported suicides in Iowa in 2018, a report from the U-S Department of Veterans Affairs says 60 of them were veterans. Berkenfield says being “the one” means being present and available to ask the hard questions and to have those difficult conversations. “Really reinforcing a sense of community, because that’s a lot of what we as veterans have lost is this sense of community,” Berkenfield says, “and that, compounding with other factors, is really one of the big items that pushes people to make this decision to take their own life.”

Veterans who use the new national Crisis Lifeline should dial 9-8-8 and then press “1” to be connected to veteran-specific counselor.

On the web at betheone.org

Northern Iowa’s Mark Farley on the Panthers’ 0-3 start

Sports

September 20th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

UNI coach Mark Farley says the Panthers don’t run from problems but meet them head on. UNI is 0-3 on the season and returns to Missouri Valley action this week at Western Illinois.

Farley says the Panthers are not far off.

Farley says by eliminating a few mistakes the Panthers could be 2-1 right now and feeling much different about the start.

Improved tackling is a focus and Farley says it begins with attitude. The play of the defense has been alarming and UNI ranks near the bottom of FCS by giving up 518 yards per game.

Farley says tackling issues are not solved simply by doing more hitting in practice.

Farley wants his team to focus on what it takes to get better this week and not look ahead on the schedule.

DONALD S. GESSERT, 78, of Harlan (Mass of Christian Burial 9/23/22)

Obituaries

September 20th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

DONALD S. GESSERT, 78, of Harlan, died Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, at the Salem Lutheran Home. A Mass of Christian Burial for DONALD GESSERT will be held 11-a.m. Friday, Sept. 23rd, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

Visitation at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan, is on Thursday, Sept. 22nd, from 5-until 7-pm, with a Wake Service at 7-p.m.

Burial is in the Harlan Cemetery.

DONALD GESSERT is survived by:

His wife – Susan Gessert, of Elk Horn.

His sons – Darrin Gessert, of Omaha, NE; Brian Gessert (& friend Melody), of Kimballton; Kelly Gessert (& fiancé Stephanie Schuster), of Council Bluffs

His daughter – Jody (Alan) Goertz, of Underwood.

His brothers – Darold Gessert,  Darwin (Mary) Gessert; Dean (Deb) Gessert, & Randall Gessert, all of Harlan; Wayne Gessert of Council Bluffs, IA; Dale (Georgia) Gessert of Heartland, WI.

His sisters – Diane Derby, Kathy (John) Kelly, Marcia (Tom) Albertson, & Donna (Jeff Mayne) Gessert, all of Harlan; &  Beverly (Gary) Helig, of Minden.

8 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; sister-in-law Micki Gessert, of Harlan.

RANDALL KAY BRECKERBAUMER, 84, of Atlantic (Celebration of Life 9/22/22)

Obituaries

September 20th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

RANDALL KAY BRECKERBAUMER, 84, of Atlantic, died Monday, Sept. 19, 2022 at Cass Health, in Atlantic. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for RANDALL BRECKERBAUMER will be held 4:30-p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22nd, at the First United Methodist Church, in Atlantic. Roland Funeral Service in Atlantic, has the arrangements. The service will be recorded and available on the funeral home website by noon, Friday (9/23).

Immediately following the Celebration of Life, the family invites you to join them for a time of visitation and a light supper, at the Atlantic Golf and Country Club.

A private family burial will be held prior to the Celebration of Life, at the Oakwood Cemetery, in Lewis.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation to the United Congregational Methodist Church, the town of Lewis, and families in need.

RANDALL BRECKERBAUMER is survived by:

His daughter – Jan (Ken) Tolton.

His sister – Pat Marshall Burk.

His step-sisters: Donnis Christensen and Rita (Jon) Slankard.

7 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, brothers-in-law Richard (Darla) Casady & Daryl Henningsen.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Tue., Sept. 20, 2022

Weather

September 20th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

Today: Mostly sunny & hot. High 95. SW @ 15-25 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy to cloudy. Low 64. N @ 5-10.
Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy w/scattered showers & thunderstorms. High 74. N @ 10-15.
Thursday: P/Cldy.  High 78.
Friday: Mostly cloudy w/scattered showers. High 68.

Monday’s High in Atlantic was 87. The Low was 60. Last year on this date the High in Atlantic was 80 and the Low was 49. The Record High on this date was 95 in 1891. The Record Low was 28 in 1901 & 1962.

2 Washington State residents injured in Iowa pursuit and crash

News

September 20th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Williams, Iowa) – A crash during a pursuit between a car and a semi tractor-trailer Monday night in Hamilton County, resulted in two Washington State residents being flown to a hospital in Des Moines. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2019 Toyota Camry driven by 26-year-old Viliami Wight, of Auburn, WA, was eluding law enforcement at a high rate of speed and driving recklessly on Highway 20 westbound, at around 8:10-p.m., when the car crossed the median.

The Toyota struck a 2003 Kenworth semi driven by 52-year-old Joseph Ward, of Steamboat Rock, Iowa. Wight, and his passenger, 52-year-old Laurie Henke, also of Auburn, WA, were flown by Mercy One Airmed and LifeFlight helicopters to Mercy Hospital, in Des Moines. The crash remains under investigation.

The Patrol was assisted by the Hardin and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Departments, Williams Fire and EMS, Van Diest EMS, and Iowa DOT MVE Officers.