(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports an investigation into a hit-and-run accident Wednesday on Interstate 80, resulted in the arrest of a man from Illinois on a trio of charges. No injuries were reported. Officials say Deputies of the Cass County Sheriff’s Office were called to the area near the Highway 71 and Interstate 80 interchange for a hit and run motor vehicle accident.  The reporting party advised that their vehicle was struck by a white Ford pickup with green decorations on it and the writing “Hoover” on the side.  The pickup continued east on Interstate 80, eventually exiting south towards Anita on Highway 148, per information from the reporting party.

A Deputy with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate the vehicle. It was clocked traveling south at approximately 98 MPH.  The Deputy turned around to begin a traffic stop on the vehicle to investigate the hit and run accident and the speed violation.  After he turned around, the Deputy noticed that the vehicle turned onto Mars Avenue in Anita, which is where the Deputy soon afterward found the vehicle was parked, with a man standing outside next to it.  The man was later identified as 43-year-old Jeremy Nolan, of Westville, IL.  That information was obtained only after the subject provided a false identification, out of concern that he had arrest warrants for an unrelated incident.

The Sheriff’s Office says Nolan attempted to detour the Deputy by stating that his brother was driving the truck and ran away on foot, in fear of warrants for his arrest.  Through investigation and conversations with additional witnesses, including other passengers in the vehicle, this was found to be false and Jeremy Nolan was in-fact identified as the driver.  Nolan was placed under arrest and transported to the Cass County Jail on the charges of Driving while Revoked, Providing False Information and Speeding.

All other parties involved and/or occupants of the vehicle were released with no charges.  The Iowa State Patrol handled the investigation of the initial hit and run accident.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports three recent arrests:

28-year-old Joshua James Jost, of Creston, was arrested at his residence on a charge of Failure to Appear (in Court). Jost was transferred to the Adams County Jail and held without bond until seen by a judge.

26-year-old Isaac Wayne Hayes, of Creston, was arrested at his residence, for Disorderly Conduct. Hayes was being held in the Union County Jail on a $300 bond.

And, 31-year-old Paige Nichole Ruggle, of Creston, was arrested in the 700 block of W. Adams Street, for Public Intoxication. Ruggle was transported to the Adams County Jail.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency reports a train derailment has occurred in the area of Bluegrass Road and Nuckols Street, in Red Oak. Emergency Management Director Brian Hamman says there are no hazards to the public at this time, but motorists should be aware of heavy equipment and personnel working in the area.

More information to be released later.

Montgomery County EMA Facebook page photo (8-8-24)

DES MOINES, Iowa — In an update to our previous report, Police in West Des Moines have identified a woman who was in the Polk County for allegedly stealing a police vehicle and leading officers on a chase. The incident happened back on July 25^th, when the woman, who police say was 30-year-old Nicole Suzanne Huffey, allegedly stole a West Des Moines squad car and led officers on a chase that ended in Altoona.

Police say they initially responded to a report of a woman with an apparent mental health concern. When police arrived, they found Huffey. The department says during the “chaos” of the initial contact, Huffey was able to get into a squad car and drive away.

Nicole S. Huffey (Polk County Jail photo)

Officers tracked the vehicle using a GPS locator and followed Huffey. They say she drove at speeds reaching up to 125 mph before stop sticks were used. Huffey was forcibly removed from the vehicle and handcuffed. According to authorities, she managed to remove a hand from the handcuffs and swing it toward an officer. She then proceeded to punch a second officer in the face.

Huffey was taken to the hospital for evaluation. She’s now charged with two-counts of assault on persons in certain occupations (1 with bodily injury), felony theft in the 1st degree, felony eluding, and felony criminal mischief in the 2nd degree.  Huffey was released from custody Wednesday afternoon.

(Radio Iowa) –  The official application for a state license to build and operate a casino in Cedar Rapids has been filed with the commission that oversees the state’s gambling industry. Peninsula Pacific Entertainment — which is owned by Churchill Downs — is the developer behind the proposed Cedar Crossing Casino and Entertainment Center. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission will review the plan for a 250-million dollar casino in Cedar Rapids on October 3rd, but will not vote on the project until February. Two previous attempts to secure a casino license for Cedar Rapids have failed.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett, Wednesday, reported on a “Mayor’s Design” workshop she attended last week in Ames, as part of a partnership with Iowa State University College of Design and ISU Extension and Outreach.

Garret was one of six mayors from communities across Iowa chosen to attend the workshop.

Mayor Garrett’s presentation to the ISU Team, she explained her research showed the Bull Creek Project in Atlantic has been a topic of discussion for many years.

Some of the other projects at the workshop, included a piece of ground one community wanted to know could be done with it to enhance the community. Each of the projects, Garrett said, were based around water, in some fashion.

The costs of the projects varied to the extent what they entail moving forward. In a brief Atlantic will receive from ISU following the workshop, the team will provide recommendations and possible resources that will help the City move forward, including access to ISU students who will assist in the process.

There may also be an opportunity, she said, to partnership for a project grant.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Rent across much of Iowa is still on the rise, according to a Washington Post report showing average rent prices across the country. The Washington Post analyzed data from CoStar Group, a provider of information and marketing services to the commercial property industry. Linn, Johnson and Black Hawk counties saw an increase of about 2-4 percent since last year.  However, rent in those counties are up between 13-17 percent since 2019.

Dubuque County saw rent rise 1.7 percent from 2023 and nearly 11 percent since 2019. Counties like Hardin, Poweshiek, and Winneshiek have seen some of the largest increases from a year ago, ranging from nearly six percent to more than eight percent. The survey found rent in Winneshiek County is up almost 99 percent from 2019.

Only Bremer, Sioux, and Webster Counties saw a decrease.

DES MOINES, Iowa [WHO-TV] — DMACC (Des Moines Area Community College) has received a $100,000 Legacy Grant from Prairie Meadows to help fund new DMACC Transportation Institute. DMACC is opening a new Transportation Institute in north Des Moines. It will allow the college to almost double the number of attendees and provide better learning opportunities for students.

The project involves the construction of a three-story inspection bay, 8,600-square-foot facility with classrooms, and student study spaces. The institute currently has a 12-acre concrete training course, which they will be able to repave. DMACC President Rob Denson says this wouldn’t be possible without their generous donors. In a time where Iowa desperately needs more truckers, Denson hopes that this program will allow more people to enter the program.

DMACC’s Transportation Institute is a comprehensive program which guides their students through learning theory, behind-the-wheel driving, and finally, helps them complete their Commerical Driver’s License (CDL). The project is already underway and due to be completed in 2025.

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. canceled a planned appearance at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. The Des Moines Register reports he was set to speak at the Register’s Political Soapbox on Saturday afternoon. However, his campaign canceled the appearance, citing increased security concerns. No other details were provided. The cancellation comes after a gunman shot former President Donald Trump at a campaign event last month.Kennedy was one of ten candidates set to speak at this year’s Soapbox.