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(Update w/names) Fatal accident in Hardin County

News

August 29th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Hubbard, Iowa) – The Iowa State Patrol, Monday afternoon, released the names of those who were involved in a collision between a semi tractor-trailer and a station wagon Sunday night, south of Hubbard, in Hardin County. Authorities say the driver of a 1996 Volvo station wagon, 39-year-old Joel Jeffress, of Madrid, died at the scene. He was traveling east on County Road D-65, and failed to stop at the posted intersection with Highway 65.

A 2005 Kenworth semi traveling south on Highway 65 struck the Volvo. The driver of the semi, 61-year-old Kenneth Hack, of Alden, was injured and transported by Hubbard EMS to the hospital in Iowa Falls.  The accident remains under investigation.

The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, the Hardin County Emergency Squad, Hubbard Fire and EMS, Iowa Falls EMS and the Iowa DOT’s Motor Vehicle Enforcement Agency assisted at the scene.

Auditor of State Rob Sand announces the winners of the 2022 Public Innovations and Efficiencies (PIE) program.

News

August 29th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Auditor of State Rob Sand, Monday, congratulated counties, cities, and school districts across Iowa for participating in the Public Innovations and Efficiencies (PIE) program. “The Auditor’s Office is excited to see local leaders share our passion for saving tax dollars,” said Sand. “Collectively, we have the potential to unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in savings for our communities.”

Sand created the PIE program in 2019 to encourage governmental entities to implement cost-cutting measures and spark innovative ideas to save public funds. The PIE program also provides local leaders with tools to collaborate and share their concepts, known as PIE recipes, via the Auditor of State website. “If someone has a great idea on how to save tax dollars, we want them to spread the word,” said Sand. “PIE provides local leaders with an easy, streamlined sharing process.”

In the last year, PIE participation in Iowa has increased by more than 55%. Eighty-four counties and 310 cities submitted entries in 2021, and for the first time, 121 school districts participated. The PIE program has proven so successful, that the Mississippi Auditor of State, a Republican, launched the program in his state. “This shows that when you put people over partisan politics, we all win,” said Sand. 

Auditor Sand congratulates the 2022 PIE winners listed below and thanks them for their participation. He will hand-deliver a pie to officials in each community at a later date.
COUNTIES
Largest County: Polk
Smallest County: Ringgold
Best Performing County: Johnson
Best Performing Largest Fifth County: Johnson
Best Performing Second Fifth County: Clayton
Best Performing Middle Fifth County: Kossuth
Best Performing Fourth Fifth County: Louisa
Best Performing Smallest Fifth County: Ringgold
Most Improved County: Jackson
CITIES
Largest City: Des Moines
Smallest City: Beaconsfield
Best Performing City: Des Moines
Best Performing Largest Fifth City: Des Moines
Best Performing Second Fifth City: Guttenburg
Best Performing Middle Fifth City: Milo
Best Performing Fourth Fifth City: Plainfield
Best Performing Smallest Fifth City: Fostoria
Most Improved City: Gilbertville
COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Largest Community School District: Davenport
Smallest Community School District: Gilmore City-Bradgate
Best Performing Community School District: Hamburg
Best Performing 4A Community School District: College
Best Performing 4A Runner Up Community School District: Bettendorf
Best Performing 3A Community School District: Howard-Winneshiek
Best Performing 3A Runner Up Community School District: Sioux Central
Best Performing 2A Community School District: MFL-MarMac
Best Performing 2A Runner Up Community School District: Missouri Valley
Best Performing 1A Community School District: Hamburg
Best Performing 1A Runner Up Community School District: Belle Plaine

Cass Health announced 2022 Scholarship awards

News

August 29th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

ATLANTIC, Iowa – Cass Health and its affiliate organizations, Monday, announced their 2022 scholarship awardees.

  • Julia Smith and McKenzie Waters were both awarded the Cass Health Nursing Careers Scholarship. Smith is working towards her RN degree at Southwestern Community College, and Waters is working towards her BSN degree at Missouri Western State.
  • Julia Smith and McKenzie Waters were also awarded the Louie and Elsie Hansen Memorial Scholarship through the Cass Health Foundation along with Hana Holtz. Holtz is pursuing a bachelor of science in biology on the pre-medicine track at Creighton University. 
  • Ethan Madsen and Tori Sievers were both awarded the Cass Health Healthcare Careers Scholarship. Madsen is working towards becoming a paramedic at Iowa Western Community College, and Sievers is working towards completing the radiology technician program at Clarkson College.
  • The Cass Health Auxiliary awarded two scholarships to Lane Spieker and Mya Gjerde. Spieker is at Iowa Western Community College with plans to eventually study orthopedics, and Gjerde is working towards her BSN at Allen College.

Hedrick man faces multiple sex abuse charges

News

August 29th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A Hedrick man faces 20 felony sex abuse charges in Jefferson and Keokuk County. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation says 31-year-old Matthew Robert Reynolds was arrested at the conclusion of an investigation which began in the fall of 2018.

Reynolds is charged with five counts of third-degree sexual abuse in Jefferson County and 14 counts of third-degree sexual abuse, and one count of second-degree sexual abuse in Keokuk County. Investigators say the abuse involved his girlfriend, her sister and a babysitter in Fairfield, Hedrick and Sigourney.

Matthew Reynolds

Reynolds is being held in the Keokuk County Jail

Work Release Escape of Davonte Moore

News

August 29th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Department of Corrections, Monday, reported 27-year-old Davonte Derrick Moore, who had been convicted of Robbery 2nd Degree in Woodbury County, failed to report back to the Sioux City Residential Treatment Facility as required Friday.

Moore is a black male, 5-feet 6-inches tall. He weighs 240 pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on 6/3/2022. Persons with information on Moore’s whereabouts should contact local police.

Davonte Moore

Linda and the late Larry Shafer Inducted into Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 29th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Officials with Cass County ISU Extension/Outreach report Linda, and the late Larry Shafer, of Cass County, were inducted into the 2022 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, Aug. 21st. Ninety-eight Iowa counties participated this year and selected 133 inductees for their outstanding service and dedication to 4-H. Inductees or their surviving family members were presented a certificate by the Iowa 4‑H Foundation President, Julie McGonegle, State 4-H Program Leader, Debbie Nistler, as they were introduced on stage.

Linda and the late Larry Shafer have been supporters of the Cass County 4-H Program and Cass County Fair for many years, having daughters Jennifer and Amy in fair in 4-H and FFA.  Linda was the Grove Township contact for food stand donations from 1998 to 2012 and again from 2015 to 2019.  She donated her time calling township citizens for donations of food to help keep the food stand stocked. Most recently, Linda has helped daughter Jenny in the static exhibit area on judging day. Linda says fair week is one of the best weeks of the year.  She enjoys seeing friends and watching Cass County’s youth learn so much through the opportunities and fun available to them through 4-H and FFA.

Counties select inductees for their exceptional work in contributing to the lives of 4-H members and the overall 4-H program, said Katie Bateman, Cass County Youth Coordinator. Many inductees serve as club leaders, youth mentors, fair superintendents or fair board members, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach County council members, county youth council members, fair judges, financial supporters, chaperones or ISU Extension and Outreach staff members. The inductees have demonstrated dedication, encouragement, commitment and guidance to Iowa’s 4-H’ers through the years.

Linda Shafer, 4H hall of fame. (Photo submitted)

“We are honored to recognize these special individuals, for their advocacy and dedication to the Iowa 4-H program,” shared Iowa 4-H Foundation Executive Director, Emily Saveraid. “This is a great way to honor the volunteers and staff across the state of Iowa that generously give their time and talents to foster positive partnerships with our 4-H youth,” said Tillie Good, Iowa 4-H staff and volunteer development manager.

The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was initiated in 2002 to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of 4-H. A summary of previous honorees was on display at the 2022 Iowa State Fair in the 4-H Exhibits Building.  These summaries are also available at the Iowa 4-H Foundation office in the Extension 4-H Youth Building at Iowa State University. Information about previous inductees to the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame also is available on the Iowa 4-H Foundation website, organized by year and by county. Go to www.iowa4hfoundation.org/ and select “Recognition” then “Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.”

Adair County Sheriff’s report, 8/29/22: Lamoni man arrested on Felony rape & other charges

News

August 29th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater, Monday evening, provided details on five recent arrests. According to the report:

  • 28-year-old Hunter Davis Vanwyk, of Sioux City, was arrested Friday afternoon in Greenfield, on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. Vanwyk was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $5,000 cash or surety bond.
  • At around 12-a.m. Thursday (Aug. 25), Adair County Deputies arrested 22-year-old Koy Alan Brandt, of Greenfield, for OWI/2nd offense, following a traffic stop at Highway 25 & 320th Street. He was released later with a citation.
  • On Aug. 23rd at around 7:40-p.m., Deputies in Adair County arrested 30-year-old Cody Levi Redman, of Lamoni, on a warrant out of McPherson County, Kansas. Redman was taken into custody in Fontanelle on Felony charges that include Rape, and indecent liberties with a child between the ages 14-and 16. Redman was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $100,000 cash or surety bond.
  • Also arrested August 23rd, but on separate charges, was 34-year-old Corry Donald Johnston, of Creston. He was arrested after a pursuit that began at around 3:30-a.m. near Greenfield, when a Deputy tried to stop a 1988 Honda motorcycle that speeding in excess of 100-mph. The chase proceeded east into Madison County. The cycle was observed traveling on the wrong side of the road several times and in multiple locations. The chase entered I-80 westbound on then south on Highway 25 into Greenfield. It wound its way into Orient and ran two stop signs before in was boxed in, and collided with an Iowa State Patrol vehicle before toppling over. Johnston was taken into custody on charges of: Reckless Driving; Driving While Barred; Eluding and on a Union County warrant for Eluding; Driving While Barred and Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense. His bond was set at $3,300. Johnston was released later that same day.
  • And, on August 22nd, Adair County Deputies arrested 44-year-old Clinton Lewis Casteel, Jr., of Stuart. He was taken into custody at around 6:15-p.m. in Greenfield, on an Adair County warrant for a Controlled Substance Violation, Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp, and Assault while displaying a dangerous weapon. He remains in the Adair County Jail on a $25,000 cash or surety bond.

DONALD “DON” HERBERT MERTZ, 85, formerly of Walnut (9-17-2022)

Obituaries

August 29th, 2022 by Jim Field

DONALD “DON” HERBERT MERTZ, 85, formerly of Walnut died February 4, 2022 at Mercy Hospice in Durango, CO.  A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for “DON” MERTZ will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

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A light lunch will follow the service.

After lunch, all are invited to the Layton Township Cemetery in Walnut for graveside services.

Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

DONALD “DON” HERBERT MERTZ is survived by:

Sister:  Jean (Joe) Schmitt

Children:  Sheri Rochford (Dan) Figgs , Sonny (Debbie) Rochford and Chandra Huber

Son-in-law:  Jimmy Sanchez

9 Grandchildren, numerous Great-Grandchildren, nieces and nephews and two aunts.

RAIYA JEANNE CHRISTENSEN (infant daughter of Robert & Rachel Christensen) of Shelby (Svcs. 08/31/2022)

Obituaries

August 29th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

RAIYA JEANNE CHRISTENSEN (infant daughter of Robert & Rachel Christensen) of Shelby died Sunday, August 28th at home. Funeral services for RAIYA CHRISTENSEN will be held on Wednesday, August 31st at 1:00 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church in Harlan. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

Burial will be in the Shelby Cemetery.

RAIYA CHRISTENSEN is survived by:

Parents: Robert & Rachel Christensen of Shelby.

Sisters: Rebekah Christensen and Renae Christensen of Shelby.

Brother: Reghan Christensen of Shelby.

Grandparents: Robert and Janell Wullschleger of Harlan & Ronald and Katherine Christensen of Irwin.

Great-Grandparents: Margaret Wullschleger of Madrid. Kennth and Lois Christensen of Harlan. Marilyn Andersen of Exira.

Aunts and Uncles.

Council Bluffs man found dead in Missouri River; Police searching for information

News

August 29th, 2022 by admin

Council Bluffs Police are searching for information on a suspicious death on the Missouri River. On Saturday, August 27th at 2:45 p.m. Pottawattamie County Communications received a call from a boater traveling North on the Missouri River stating he had observed a dead body floating in the river. Council Bluffs Police and Fire Departments arrived and were able to locate and bring the body to shore.

Forensic personnel were able to identify the subject using fingerprints. The person was determined to be 30-year-old Anthony Anderson of Council Bluffs. No further information has been released but the death is being investigated as a suspicious death.

If anyone has information about this incident please call Council Bluffs Police Department at 712-328-4765 or call Crime Stoppers at 712-328-7867.