DAVENPORT, Iowa – The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa reports that on Monday, July 25, 2022, a Davenport man, 27-year-old Darion Daquan Gardner, pleaded guilty to Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering, Causing Death Through Use of a Firearm, and Attempted Murder in Aid of Racketeering.

In 2016 and 2017, as a member of Savage Life Boys (SLB), a Davenport-based street gang, Gardner was involved in multiple shootings, including at a dice game in December 2016, and at the Hotel Davenport in February 2017. On December 16, 2016, Gardner and other SLB members robbed and physically assaulted another male, including pistol-whipping him. SLB members also shot at the male’s vehicle as the male and an associate fled the area.

On February 12, 2017, at a concert at the Hotel Davenport, Gardner and several other SLB members started a physical altercation with an individual they believed had disrespected their gang. During the altercation, Gardner fired several shots, striking and killing one male and striking and injuring another. Gardner committed these acts with the intent to maintain or increase his position in the gang.

Gardner is scheduled to be sentenced on November 29, 2022. As part of the plea agreement, the government and Gardner have agreed to recommend a sentence of 450 months in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors held a brief meeting this (Wednesday) morning, due to a short agenda. During their session, they approved a Fireworks Permit for an August 5^th event, and acknowledge the receipt of a Prestage Farms Manure Management Plan (MMP) update.

In other business, the Board approved a payment to Schneider Geospatial, for Geographic Information System Maintenance, in the amount of $1,472 as a one-time cost for data processing.

(Radio Iowa) – A University of Iowa survey about nurse midwifes finds Iowans understand they deliver babies, but don’t know much else about them. Professor Peggy Stover, director of the U-I’s Undergraduate Marketing Institute, says she was shocked at how little people knew about the midwife profession. “In addition to birth care, prenatal care and post delivery care,” Stover says, “midwives also offer women’s wellness checkups, birth control, menopausal care.”

The U-I’s Carver College of Medicine is planning to open the state’s first nurse midwife education program this fall to help fill gaps in rural areas. Stover predicts it will be an important addition for the state’s health care offerings. “I think the program is going to go very well, especially given the fact that in a lot of rural areas, there is definitely a need for women wellness providers,” Stover says. “Our goal is to help attract and retain students into the program, in addition to making people aware of all the services a midwife provides.”

While “wife” is in the name, being a midwife is not exclusively a job for women, but it’s a matter of perception. “In other countries, a male midwife, it doesn’t even blink an eye, but here in the United States, it’s still associated as being and attracting women,” Stover says. “So there’s going to be that learning curve to recruit men into this field, just like the nursing industry went through many, many years ago.”

The survey found a majority of respondents didn’t realize most insurance companies cover the services of a midwife, and that nurse midwifes can deliver babies in a hospital in the event of an emergency.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A woman was arrested early this (Wednesday) morning in Red Oak, for Breach of Peace. Authorities say 23-year-old Brook Anna Marie Moon was taken into custody on the Simple Misdemeanor charge at around 2:13-a.m., in the 2400 block of N. 8th Street. She was being held in the Montgomery County LEC on a $300 bond.

And, no one was transported to the hospital following a rear-end collision Tuesday evening, in Red Oak. Police report vehicles driven by 40-year-old Michelle Renee Shuffler and 31-year-old Cheyenne Sue Meek, both of Red Oak, collided at around 5-p.m., near the intersection of Broadway and Corning Streets. Officials say Shuffler was driving a 2006 Ford Escape and had stopped at the red light, when her SUV was hit from behind by a 2018 Ford Focus, driven by Meek.

Meek complained of pain/possible injury, but refused medical treatment. No citations were issued. Damage from the collision amounted to $11,000. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Red Oak/Montgomery County First Responders and all of their friends and colleagues in southwest Iowa will be joining forces on Aug. 2nd along with 38 million others, in celebrating National Night Out. This is the 39th year of the National event (the 6th year in Red Oak), and there will be more than 10 other Iowa cities officially registered for the event.

Red Oak/Montgomery Co. officials say the theme of the evening is Public Safety-Safety of the Public. First Responders confirmed to be on hand are from ROPD, ROFD, MCSO, MCSO Communications/Corrections, Mont Co EMA, Stanton Fire, Villisca Fire & Rescue, Elliott Fire & First Responders, Grant Fire, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa DOT MVE, Secret Service, IA National Guard, BNSF Police, Iowa DNR, Mont Co Conservation, Air Evac.

Surrounding counties/cities have been contacted and first responder invites have been extended – and there is always a great showing of cooperation and support from those agencies, as they all truly work together. The Safety of the Public aspect will focus on Fire Safety (Local FD, Elks), Farm Safety (AgriVision, IA Corn Growers), Health related (MCMH, MOCO Public Health, Zion, MOCO Child Abuse Council, Blank Children’s Hosp, Kiwanis, Red Oak Comm Schools, and others. (Click on the map to enlarge >>>)

There will be a Helicopter landing. Throughout the Park and around the square will be FREE food (Elks, Rainbow, Eagles, Walnut Creek Acres, HyVee, Fareway, United Group, Rotary, Grand Theater, and others), info booths and handouts, displays, games, SuperHeroes, vintage police and fire vehicles, (Prescott car club, racecars, photo booth, tribute vehicles and displays, and monster trucks. As of the most recent report, there are over 96 total partners helping with food/displays/ vehicles/ exhibits/events/and other participating factors and many more expected by August 2nd.

Please join Emergency Personnel at the beautiful Fountain Square Park in Red Oak, for a FUN and FREEEEEEEEE, evening. A reminder also, that the Square area and one-block in each direction, will be shut down at 4:00 pm to allow for set up and all of the partners to get prepared for the night. As a sign of support please turn your porchlight on for the evening. The National theme is to take back the night, take back our neighborhoods and communities.