(Avoca, Iowa) – An investigation that began with a sexual assault report from Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, led to the arrest of a man from Avoca and multiple sex abuse charges. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office said Friday (today), 35-year old Zachary David Yost was arrested April 16th.

He faces charges that include: Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child; Sex Abuse in the 3rd Degree (Child Victim) – 1st Offense; Incest, and five-counts of Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree.  Yost has since posted a $20,000 cash bond (10% of $200,000) and was released with a pre-trial supervision GPS location device. He was also required to submit a DNA sample.

A hearing in his case was set April 25th at 9:30 a.m.

Note: All criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in the court of law. 

(Radio Iowa) – Secretary of State Paul Pate says he’s ready to work with legislators to ensure state law clearly requires Iowans who sign nominating papers for candidates include the date they signed the petition. The Iowa Supreme Court ruled last week errors in the dates next to three signatures on U.S. Senate candidate Abby Finkenauer’s nominating petitions were not grounds to disqualify Finkenauer from the June Primary ballot.

“I did have a different opinion on it. I felt that 200 candidates plus got it right and were able to get the dates and the signatures done correctly,” Pate says, “…but I do respect the fact that the Supreme Court took a different interpretation and my homework now is to work with the legislature so that we spell it out so that it’s much clearer in the future.” In its ruling, the Iowa Supreme Court said just last year the legislature passed a law outlining the specific reasons for rejecting signatures on nominating petitions, but that law did not address missing or incorrect dates on the signature line.

Pate does not expect the state legislature to pass a bill on the subject before it adjourns this year, but he says it’ll be a priority in 2023. Pate says that way the law is clear when 2024 candidates begin collecting signatures on nominating petitions. “Consistency is the first thing. If we’re going to put the date on the petitions, then it should be required,” Pate says. “I think there’s a good case to be made that the dates are important when you’re trying to interpret when they were signed, to verify if those people were actually legitimate voters at the time or eligible (voters), so I think there’s a reason for that.”

Pate made his comments during taping of “Iowa Press” which airs tonight (Friday) on Iowa P-B-S.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass/Atlantic Development Corp. (CADCO) and Anita Development have partnered to address the housing need in Anita and Cass County. Jennifer McEntaffer, CADCO Executive Director, says “Housing shortages are an issue in most of rural Iowa. There is a need for new developments, rehab of existing homes and housing in infill lots around the County. With the influx of individuals looking to move back to the area, and even possibly work from home, the need continues to rise.”

The two organizations and the City of Anita have partnered with contractors Mike Baragary and Kirk Henningsen to construct a 1,277 square foot house on a vacant lot owned by Anita Development. The house will be a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home, with an attached garage and unfinished basement. The location of the lot was chosen due to its close proximity to CAM Schools and the Anita Wellness Center.

“It is our hope that the home will be built, sold and we can continue to increase the housing stock, one infill house at a time, throughout Cass County,” McEntaffer said. To keep up with population growth, Iowa will need 47,000 more homes by 2030, according to the Iowa Finance Authority. Darrell Hockenberry, Anita Development Chairman, said  “The need for more housing exists throughout the State and specifically Cass County. We all need to work together to address this problem. Anita Development appreciates CADCO’s assistance and looks forward to working with CADCO on this project.”

CADCO is a 501c6 non-profit that serves as the Economic Development Authority for Cass County, Iowa. CADCO directs economic development initiatives, facilitates community cooperation, and assists organizations in their pursuit of local development efforts to enhance quality of life in Cass County. To learn more, visit their website at www.atlanticiowa.com/cadco.

April 22, 2022 (DES MOINES, IA) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board, today (Friday) approved awards for four Iowa companies, which will assist in the creation of 75 jobs and result in over $84 million in new capital investment for the state. The projects are located in Farley, Shenandoah, Templeton and Lee County. The board also provided final approval on two reinvestment district plans for Fort Dodge and Urbandale/Des Moines.

Green Plains constructs new technology plant in Shenandoah
A subsidiary of Iowa’s Green Plains, Inc., Green Plains Shenandoah, LLC is expanding its focus on value-add agricultural technology, and will create diverse, non-cyclical, high margin feed ingredients, specialty alcohols and renewable feedstocks for the renewable diesel industry. The company plans to construct its Clean Sugar Technology plant adjacent to its biorefinery in Shenandoah, which will produce low carbon dextrose. The board awarded this $50 million capital investment project a $250,000 forgivable loan and tax benefits through the HQJ program. It is expected to create 12 jobs incented at a qualifying wage of $21.78 per hour.

Templeton Rye Spirits to expand Templeton warehouse
Templeton Rye Spirits, LLC produces Templeton Rye whiskey. The company plans to expand its warehouse facilities in Templeton for long-term barreling. The project is expected to create three jobs, of which two are incented at a qualifying wage of $22.63 per hour. It was awarded tax benefits through the HQJ program and represents a capital investment of $13.6 million. 

Read more about the other projects HERE.