(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s refugee resettlement agencies expect to host some Ukrainians after President Biden announced the U-S would accept up to 100-thousand refugees. It’s unclear how many may come to Iowa, but the agencies face challenges. Kerri True-Funk is the director of the Des Moines field office of the U-S Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. She says finding permanent housing for Ukrainian refugees in Iowa could be difficult, but she says Iowans are already showing support.

“Similar to when people from Afghanistan were being evacuated, people wanted them to come here,” True-Funk says, “and I think it will be a very similar situation for Ukrainian people.” To complicate matters, she says they’re still working on finding permanent housing for refugees from Afghanistan.

True-Funk says, “We’re hopefully going to get more information about what’s going on with the situation in Ukraine and what’s happening with either refugee processing or other pathways for arrival in the U.S.” Many Iowans are voicing how they’re ready to help Ukrainians, she says, especially with translation support.

(reporting by Kassidy Arena, Iowa Public Radio)

(Logan, Iowa) – The family member of a teen from Logan who is in critical condition following a head-on crash March 25th, is asking for help in paying for her care and other expenses. 16-year-old Ava Fischer and an adult male from Woodbine were injured in the collision.

Ava Fischer

An “Ava’s fight for life” GoFundme page has been established, with more information on her condition.

(Original story)

(Beebeetown, Iowa)) – An adult male and a juvenile were injured during a head-on collision Friday evening, in Harrison County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2010 Hyundai Tucson (SUV) driven by a 16-year-old from Logan, was southbound on Overton Avenue at around 5:35-p.m., when the vehicle crossed the center line while rounding a curve north of York Road.

The SUV struck a northbound 2009 Toyota Tundra pickup, driven by 43-year-old Jason King, of Woodbine. Following the head-on crash, the SUV came to rest on its top in the east ditch. The pickup came to rest on the road, facing northeast.

The unidentified driver of the SUV – who was wearing a seat belt – was transported by LifeNet helicopter to Bergan Mercy Hospital. Jason King – who was not wearing a seat belt -was transported by Missouri Valley/Logan Rescue to the hospital in Missouri Valley.

Deputies with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.

DES MOINES – The State Objection Panel, comprised of Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, State Auditor Rob Sand and Attorney General Tom Miller, met Tuesday to hear several challenges to candidates’ nomination petitions for the June 7 primary ballot.

The following rulings were made:

Tom Miller, Democratic candidate for Attorney General: Nomination petitions accepted, challenge rejected. Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg replaced Attorney General Miller on the panel for this objection.

Abby Finkenauer, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate: Nomination petitions accepted, challenge rejected.

Kyle Kuehl, Republican candidate for U.S. House, District 1: Nomination petitions rejected, challenge sustained by default ruling.

Anthony LaBruna, Republican candidate for Iowa Senate District 3: Nomination petitions accepted, challenge rejected.

Ken Rozenboom, Republican candidate for Iowa Senate, District 19: Nomination petitions accepted, challenge rejected.

Jack Whitver, Republican candidate for Iowa Senate, District 23: Nomination petitions accepted, challenge rejected.

Jeff Shipley, Republican candidate for U.S. House, District 87: Nomination petitions accepted, challenge rejected.

The Adair County Engineer’s Office reports Clay Avenue is closed to traffic roughly 0.5 miles south of 210th St. for a culvert replacement project. This project is expected to last 3-4 weeks. (May 29th to April 22nd)

(Atlantic, Iowa) – In a follow-up to our reports about Cass County Primary Election candidates, Wendy Richter has officially announced her candidacy for the Cass County Board of Supervisors, representing District 3. Richter says “I’ve been a resident of Cass County for most of my life, the exception while at college. For nearly twenty-seven years, I have worked and held numerous positions on local boards, as well as regional and state boards/committees. As the Director of Family Crisis Support Network, I served not only Cass County residents, but 7 other counties in southwest Iowa. During that time, I was trained as an expert witness for the State of Iowa, a certified advocate on behalf of crime victims and spent many hours collaborating with individuals & groups in each county working to get services for their residents.

Wendy Richter (Photo submitted)

“I worked with the State of Iowa and numerous other entities to begin programs and bring public and private funds to the area. Without going into details of every committee, group, and volunteer efforts I’ve participated with, I want people to know that I have a vested interest in making Cass County and our communities a place that people are proud to call home and look forward to returning to.”

In announcing her candidacy, Wendy Richter said, “I believe I have the qualifications necessary to hold the position as a Supervisor, making decisions to lead the county in the right direction. The skills I’ve gained have taught me to know how important it is to work together, listen to people, work together, to do your due diligence to get the accurate information, work together and that everyone has a voice to be heard – yes, work together needs to be in there multiple times!”