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Greenfield woman arrested on an out-of-state warrant & other charges

News

April 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports a woman from Greenfield was recently arrested on three warrants, including an extraditable warrant out of the State of Louisiana. 39-year-old Kristin Nicole Ladd was arrested April 16th in Greenfield, following a reported fight in progress in the 200 block of SW 2nd Street. A man residing at that location told police Ladd broke out a window in his camper. She was found inside the camper and, according to the man, when she went to leave, got into an altercation with her daughter before running away from the scene.

She was found hiding behind the residence in the 300 block of SW Jackson Street, and exhibited an odor of an intoxicating beverage coming from her person. Ladd was arrested on an Adair County warrants for Failure to Appear on an OWI/1st offense charge (No Bond), and Driving While Revoked ($1,000 bond). She was also charged with Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree ($1,000 bond).

Ladd was also arrested on Contempt of Court (Failure to Appear) warrants out of the East Baton Rouge Parish of Louisiana, on the following charges: Public bribery; Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle; Misrepresentation during booking; Underage DWI; Reckless Operation of a vehicle, and Violation of a Protective Order. She was being held in the Adair County Jail, pending extradition to Louisiana.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office said also, 52-year-old Rhett Bryan Wickett, of New Virginia, IA, was arrested April 14th, for Public Intoxication. His arrest at around 3:45-a.m. followed an investigation into an accident, where a deputy found a Chevy Corvette in a ditch, in the 3100 block of Henry A. Wallace Avenue. Wickett acknowledged he had consumed alcohol about 4 or 5 hours earlier, but claimed the accident happened when he swerved to miss a deer. He was determined to be intoxicated, and as he was being transported to the Adair County Jail, complained of broken ribs.

Adair EMS arrived at the jail, provided care, and then transported Wickett to the hospital in Greenfield. At the hospital, he declined to be seen by medical staff, and requested to return to the jail. He was transported back to jail for the completion of his booking process, and released a few hours later on a $300 bond.

State Fair leader preparing for second year at helm

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa State Fair C-E-O, Jeremy Parsons, is preparing for his second event after taking over the top job last year.  “You know last year when I came in I really got to take advantage of the great staff and the fact that my predecessor Gary Slater had a lot of those details in place when I arrived in March and this year it’s kind of been I guess my own leadership getting those details in place,” Parsons says. He says they have been planning and working through the winter to prep for the August event.

“I think this year at the fair you’re just going to see an increased focus on the fair goer, what are some things we can do to make the fair goer experience better,” he says. “And so that’s going to be the driving force behind a lot of our things that we’re planning for this year.” Parsons says you’ll notice things across the fairgrounds.

“A new shower house up in the campgrounds for our great camping community, you’re gonna see a lot more seating at this year’s fair in terms of picnic tables places to sit down benches shaded areas,” Parsons says, “so be looking for those around the fairgrounds as well and just a lot of other improvements.”

This year’s Iowa State Fair runs from August 8th through the 18th.2024 Iowa State Fair

Glenwood man arrested for assault; C. Bluffs man arrested on OWI/drug charges

News

April 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department reports two arrests took place, Saturday. Authorities say 30-year-old Brent Munger, of Glenwood, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. He posted a $1,000 bond, and was released.

And, 19-year-old Jaxx Weis, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Saturday for: OWI/1st offense; Possession of a Controlled Substance; Unlawful Poss. of a prescription drug; Poss. of a dangerous weapon, and Poss. of drug paraphernalia. Weis posted a $4,300 bond, and was released.

Governor signs law giving schools liability protection if they have armed staff

News

April 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that lets school boards choose to have teachers and other staff volunteer to carry a gun on school grounds. Lawmakers who worked on the bill say at least 20 school districts have been planning to take that step. A 2021 law let Iowa schools authorize staff to carry a weapon, but school districts were unable to get insurance. The new law provides qualified immunity to schools, meaning the school and the employee would be protected from criminal charges and civil lawsuits over the use of reasonable force. Legislators also voted, in a separate bill, to provide grants of up to 25-thousand dollars to pay for staff to undergo the training to obtain the professional permit required.

Republican Sen. Dan Zumbach, of Ryan, says lawmakers should support school districts however they choose to protect students. “This is an amazing tool that we can offer our schools,” Zumbach says. “It’s not just a tool, but it’s a tool with tools. It’s a full toolbox.”

Senator Dan Zumbach (R-Ryan) (official photo)

Senator Cindy Winckler of Davenport is among the Democrats who opposed the policy. “We can’t support a bill that facilitates putting more guns in school,” Winckler said.

The grant program is included in a bill that also lets districts to use dedicated infrastructure funding to install additional security, like video surveillance software that can detect firearms.

DCI investigates homicide in Harrison County

News

April 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

HARRISON COUNTY, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Public Safety today (Monday), said that at approximately 4:30-p.m. Sunday, on April 21, 2024, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of a vehicle rollover south of Modale (Iowa). When deputies arrived on scene, they contacted the driver of the rollover, identified as 22-year-old Sebastin O’Brien of Little Sioux, Iowa. O’Brien became combative with deputies, and after a short struggle, deputies placed O’Brien into custody.

Upon further investigation, it was learned the rolled-over vehicle did not belong to O’Brien. Harrison County deputies went to the residence of the vehicle’s registered owner and located the owner deceased inside the residence. The name of the deceased individual is being withheld pending notifications to family members. As a result of evidence collected, O’Brien was charged with Murder in the 1st Degree and taken to the Harrison County Jail. Additional charges are pending.

The criminal investigation is being conducted by the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and Iowa State Patrol. The deceased male was transported to the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny where a forensic autopsy will be performed this week.

Homicide suspect Sebastin O’Brien

The investigation is ongoing, and no other information will be released at this time. Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

No injuries following an accident in Red Oak, Saturday evening

News

April 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak say both drivers were at fault, but no citations were issued, following a collision Saturday evening, during which their were no injuries. Authorities say at around 5:45-p.m., a 2013 Dodge Challenger driven by 46-year-old Michael Shane Sunny Cantrell, of Red Oak, was backing out of a parking area at in the 300 block of Reed Street, when it struck a 2015 Chevy pickup driven by 19-year-old Chase Lee Roeder, of Red Oak. Roeder was also backing out of a parking area, on the east side of Roeder Street at the same time, when the vehicles collided.

Damage from the mishap amounted to $4,500 altogether. Both drivers, police said, were “Starting or backing improperly.”

Mississippi River bridge at Lansing reopens to traffic

News

April 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – This morning’s (Monday) commute was a lot faster for some northeast Iowans. The Black Hawk Bridge over the Mississippi River at Lansing reopened over the weekend, connecting Lansing with Crawford County, Wisconsin. The bridge had to be closed in late February after two piers shifted, causing the bridge to buckle. The piers were replaced with steel pipe pilings that reach down more than a hundred feet into bedrock, compared to the old pilings that went down about 40 feet.

With the bridge’s reopening, the temporary water taxi and shuttle services are being shut down.

Hawkeye Great Ed Podolak Transitions Out of Radio Booth

Sports

April 22nd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Long-time University of Iowa football color analyst Ed Podolak is transitioning out of the Hawkeye football radio booth as color commentator.

“I have decided that this is a good time for me to step back from my role as color commentator for the Hawkeye football radio broadcasts,” said Podolak. “I believe there is no greater honor than to be part of the Iowa Hawkeye Football team. I have loved watching these young men and coaches compete for the past 42 years. Sharing my perspective for the incredible Hawkeye fans from coast to coast has been a thrill.

“I look forward to my new role this fall, providing analysis during the pregame shows and on podcasts.”

Podolak has been a part of nearly 500 Hawkeye football games as a radio analyst, spanning 42 seasons. Following a lengthy playing career, Podolak moved to the announcing booth, joining WHO radio broadcasts of Iowa football games in 1982 after initially serving as an NFL color commentator for NBC, and college football commentator at ESPN. He worked for WHO radio until joining with Learfield Sports in 1997.

“I have said it often across 27 years that Ed Podolak is the best I’ve ever worked with in the broadcast booth,” said play by play voice Gary Dolphin. “One of the game’s great competitors, Ed’s ability to explain plays was unparalleled. Football mentalities of all ages understood and enjoyed the humor each Saturday. I look forward to Eddie’s continued involvement on game day.”

Podolak played quarterback and running back for the Hawkeyes. He was named first-team All-Big Ten and team MVP in 1968. He ranks in the top 20 in school history in career rushing yards, passing yards and total offense. In 1968, he set a then-school and Big Ten record, rushing for a record 286 yards on 17 attempts against Northwestern. Podolak currently ranks 20th in passing (172-398, 2,316 yards, 8 TDs), 22nd in career rushing (407-1,710-14 TDs) and 14th in total offense (4,026 yards) in Iowa history.

“Ed Podolak has had an incredible impact on Hawkeye fans for 40 years,” said Moon Family University of Iowa Head Football Coach Kirk Ferentz. “He was one of the greatest college football players of his era, leaving his mark all over the Big Ten record books. He followed that with an outstanding professional career in Kansas City. And since his retirement from football, he has been the voice that Iowa fans have counted on for decades. Knowledgeable and passionate – always entertaining the fans across our state and across the country. There will never be another Ed Podolak. I hope Hawkeye fans will join all of us in wishing Ed the very best as he steps away from the broadcast booth.”

He was selected in the second round of 1969 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs and won Super Bowl IV in 1970. Podolak continues to hold the NFL record for all-purpose yards in an NFL playoff game, totaling 350 yards against Miami on Christmas Day, 1971.

A native of Atlantic, Iowa, Podolak is a member of Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Honor, the Iowa Letterwinners Club Hall of Fame, and the University of Iowa Media Hall of Fame.

Hawkeye Sports Properties, in conjunction with the UI Athletics Department, will begin a search for Podolak’s replacement this spring.

Gov. Reynolds Declares Today (April 22nd) Iowa Hawkeyes Women’s Basketball Appreciation Day

News, Sports

April 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has released a video message announcing a proclamation in celebration of Iowa Hawkeyes Women’s Basketball historic 2023-2024 season. The proclamation declares today, April 22, 2024, as Iowa Hawkeyes Women’s Basketball Appreciation Day in Iowa.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds

(Transcript below):

Her message said “The Iowa women’s basketball team made dreams come true this season. From sold-out arenas and record viewership to continuing their reign as Big 10 Champions, returning to the NCAA tournament. And earning a place in the national title game for the second consecutive year.  They captivated fans nationwide, from lifelong Hawkeyes to Hollywood celebrities. Their star power was undeniable and they demonstrated the very best of our state in every way.   

I want to congratulate and thank coaches Lisa Bluder, Jan Jensen, the entire coaching and support staff. And, of course, the team. Caitlin, Kate, Gabbie, Hannah, Molly, Taylor, Sydney, Kylie, Kennise, Jayda, AJ, Ava, Sharon, and Addison, you transformed women’s basketball and inspired young girls and boys to dream big, work hard, and believe that they can do anything. Most importantly, you showed all of us what a true champion is.   

In appreciation of all you’ve accomplished and everything you represent, it’s my privilege to declare today, Monday, April 22nd Iowa Women’s Basketball Appreciation Day.   

Congratulations to the Hawkeye women and coaches on an incredible season.  We are so proud of you.”

Drake’s new mascot was raised in western Iowa

News, Sports

April 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

New royalty was crowned in Des Moines on Sunday afternoon. The 45th ‘Beautiful Bulldog’ was crowned at Drake University. An English bulldog named Pumpkin took the crown at the pageant at the Knapp Center. She very gracefully took her throne during the festivities. The event, part of the festivities during Drake Relays week, saw Pumpkin donning a royal red cape trimmed in a white edging with black polka dots and pearls.

As the winner, Pumpkin traded her red cape for a blue one and a crown.

Pumpkin, who hails from Oakland, and is owned by Shawna Anderson, will serve a year-long reign as the Drake Relays mascot and the Most Beautiful Bulldog.