(Early, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in northwest Iowa’s Sac and Ida County are investigating an alleged threat of possible violence intended to take place later this week at a school dance. According to a press release, on Monday morning (Feb. 12th), Sac County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the Ridge View Middle School in Early, following a reported fight between two male students. One student was from Holstein, while the other was from Schaller.

During an investigation, authorities learned there may have been a threat of undisclosed violence at a dance scheduled for this coming Friday night (Feb. 16), in Holstein. After several students were interviewed, it was determined that the threat of violence involved the two male students who had been fighting. One of the students had planned on fighting with the other student Friday night at the dance, however, he had learned that this student was not going to the dance and decided to assault him at school. The altercation is alleged to have occurred over a TikTok video that one of the two males made.

Later in the evening, deputies were dispatched to a residence near Schaller, Iowa. It was learned that the student from Holstein, who had been the primary aggressor in the earlier incident, had sent a threatening message to the other male student. The rumor was that someone had sent a Snapchat photo of a gun. School staff were made aware of this concern from several parents. Deputies from both the Sac and Ida County Sheriff’s Offices interviewed several more students. Nothing was found that corroborates the threat of violence with a gun.

The Sac County Sheriff’s Office says “Law enforcement takes these types of threats very seriously. As a precaution, a law enforcement presence will be seen in and around the Ridge View Middle School. Authorities are asking the public, “If you have any information about this incident or had seen this alleged Snapchat photo of a gun…” contact the Sac County Sheriff’s Office at 712-662-7127, or the Ida County Sheriff’s Office at 712-364-3146.

(Lewis, Iowa) – One person was injured during a single-vehicle, rollover accident east of Oakland this (Tuesday) morning, near the Cass-Pottawattamie County line. Griswold Fire & Rescue, Cass EMS, the Iowa State Patrol and Sheriff’s Deputies from Cass & Pottawattamie Counties responded to the scene. According to a report from the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office, a 2022 Ford Edge SUV driven by 74-year-old Linda Ann Jahnke, was traveling east on Highway 6 at around 9:09-a.m., near 510th Street, when according to Jahnke, she felt her vehicle move. When she attempted to correct the SUV’s course, it entered the south ditch and struck a large mound of dirt, causing the vehicle to roll several times through a fence and land on it’s passenger side in a field.

When the vehicle rolled, all of its airbags deployed. Jahnke called 9-1-1 from the vehicle, telling authorities she was hanging sideways from her seat belt, but was unable to unhook it. When a Pott. County Deputy arrived on the scene, a State Trooper and another deputy were attempting to remove the SUV’s windshield to extricate the woman. The arriving deputy entered the SUV through the rear hatch and held Jahnke up until rescue arrived to assist in removing the woman.

Jahnke was transported by helicopter from the scene to Nebraska Medicine. The owner of the field/fence (Colby Schueman), was notified about the accident and damage. Authorities said Jahnke will be issued a citation for failure to maintain control.

(Radio Iowa) – The operator of a floral shop in Grinnell says some people scaling back their Valentine’s Day purchases this year.

Stephanie Latimer says they’re trying to save a little money. “We’ve seen a little bit of a shift, not huge, but a little bit with the changes in our economy. A lot of people are choosing not to do the large one or two dozen red roses that we’re used to seeing every year for Valentine’s Day and they’re going to the smaller more compact things,” she says. She says they may buy some add-ons like balloons to go with the smaller flower bouquets.

Latimer is involved in the National Alliance of Florists Association and sees similar purchase trends in other states. “It seems to be the trend all over the U-S and not just here in the Midwest,” Latimer says. She says business will hit its peak today and tomorrow. “We have typically a store full of people and phones ringing off the hook, and if we don’t we’ve got order streaming in from our shoppable website. So I think probably everybody’s the same,” Latimer says.

She says a lot of people likely shifted their focus to the need to get a Valentine’s Day gift after the football season ended Sunday.

(Clarinda, Iowa) – The Page County Sheriff’s Office has released the following report on arrests and citations:

1/29/2024 Matthew Steven McClarnon (53) of Braddyville Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for threats of terrorism, interference with official acts and disorderly conduct.
1/30/2024: Sayj Elizabeth Martin (25) of Clarinda Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for failure to appear; A 15 year old juvenile cited into juvenile court for theft. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office.
1/31/2024 Mark Andrew Devine (31) of College Springs Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for an active Missouri warrant and an active Iowa warrant. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office.
2/1/2024 Lisa Ann Foster (56) of Shambaugh Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for
Simple assault. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office
2/1/2024 A 17 year old juvenile. Arrested at the Juvenile Detention Center Booked into the Page County Jail for theft in the second degree and criminal mischief.
2/2/2024: Chaize Marie Foulks (24) of Moline Illinois. Booked into the Page County Jail for failure to appear. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office at the Douglas County Nebraska Jail; Tiffany Elizabeth Travis (42) of Shenandoah Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for possession of a controlled substance; Richard Dean Stubbs (68) of Coin Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for criminal mischief. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office.

A charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Citations
1/29/2024 Jodi Alexis Andrews of Clearmont Missouri. Highway #2 stopped and cited for speed.
2/1/2024 Maria Jean Mullenberg of Imogene Iowa. Forbes and California in Essex Iowa. Cited for failure to maintain control and violation of a restricted license.

(Radio Iowa) – A bill that would have required state-issued serial numbers on so-called “ghost guns” has been permanently tabled in the Iowa House. Republican Representative Phil Thompson of Boone says the bill will not be considered by the House Public Safety Committee. “As much as I would like to trust and operate in good will with the ATF or (Iowa) Department of Public Safety, setting up the logistical framework for the registration frankly terrifies me,” Thompson said. Gun rights groups opposed the bill, saying registration has led to gun confiscation in other countries. Richard Rogers is a lobbyist for Iowa Firearms Coalition. “The real goal is registration of all firearms,” Rogers said. “Governments throughout history have found it much easier to control an unarmed populace rather than an armed one.”

The bill was sponsored by six Democrats in the Iowa House. Trey Jackson, a lobbyist for March for Our Lives Iowa, urged legislators to pass the bill as a one way of preventing teen suicides. “They are more and more getting in the hands of teenagers as they discover that they can build these ghost guns and they can 3D print these ghost guns,” Jackson said. Joe Gorton, an emeritus professor of criminology at the University of Northern Iowa, says having registration numbers on guns helps police investigate crimes.  “If you’re an investigator and you show up on a crime scene of an armed robbery where the gun is there and the suspect is gone and it’s a ghost gun, you cannot trace that gun in a way that’s helpful to the investigatory and prosecutorial processes,” he said.

Ghost Glock gun

Opponents of the bill object to the term “ghost” gun. Craig Swartz is executive director of the Iowa Sportsmen’s Federation and a member of the National Rifle Association’s board of directors. “There are no ghost guns folks…There are only firearms,” Swartz said. “The term is an obvious attempt at creating fear and confusion. Just like assault weapons was the watchword 20 years ago. Before that it was Saturday Night Specials.”

Lobbyists for the Iowa Catholic Conference and the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa urged legislators to pass the bill to regulate guns made from a kit or a 3-D printer the same way guns produced by a licensed manufacturer are regulated.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday (today), canvassed the results of a February 6^th Special Election to fill three vacancies on the Coburg City Council. The results were deemed official and the candidates are now eligible to take their respective Oaths of Office. Those elected, each of whom received nine votes (33.33% each), are Annajenifer Beaman, Alexandria Schooling and Anthony Schooling. There were 19 registered voters for the election and nine ballots cast, for a voter turnout of 49.95-percent.

Supervisor Charla Schmid served as a poll worker on February 6^th.

She said she enjoyed her time volunteering for the job. Montgomery County Auditor Jill Ozuna thanked those who took the time out of their schedule to fulfill their civic duty.

In other business, Coburg native Ken Ossian, who now lives in Bettendorf, asked the Montgomery County Supervisors for permission to rename the 250^th Street Bridge (commonly referred to as “Bisson’s Bridge,” as McGreer-Hawkins Park Bridge. Ossian grew up about two-miles from the bridge. He explained the history of a local amusement park ties into the naming of the bridge.

Ken Ossian speaks to the MCBOS

The McGreers called their amusement park, “Hawkins Park.”

After the Board acted to approve the request, they followed-up by approving the landing at the 250^th Street Bridge, as “Carlson landing,” in honor of Roger Carlson, who allowed his land to be used as a boat landing.

In her report to the Board, Montgomery County Engineer Karen Albert reported to the Board crews will beginning laying the beams for the 250^th Street Bridge project, on Monday, Feb. 19^th.

The Board heard from Nate Summer with UMB Bank, with regard to the issuance of General Obligation Bonds for Courthouse improvements. The Board then acted on passing a Resolution to set their meeting at 8:45-a.m. on March 5^th, as the date and time for a Public Hearing on the proposed loan agreement and to borrow money not to exceed $450,000.

They also approved electrical work for a backup heating project for the courthouse, not to exceed $10,000, to be paid for through ARPA funds. And, a quote from Red Oak Glass & Awning in the amount of $2,687 for a new door and related frame painting.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –   Cass Health and its affiliate organizations have released their scholarship applications for the upcoming school year.

2024 Scholarships

• Cass Health offers a $500 scholarship to a southwest Iowa student who is enrolled or accepted into a nursing program. Deadline is March 29, 2024.
• Cass Health offers a $500 scholarship to a southwest Iowa student pursuing a degree in a health-related career. Deadline is March 29, 2024.
• Cass Health Auxiliary provides $1,000 scholarships for students pursuing a health-related career. Deadline is March 29, 2024.
• Cass Health Foundation offers $5,000 scholarships to a graduate from a Cass County High School with a goal of becoming a healthcare provider subject to licensure requirements in the State of Iowa, including testing to obtain certification and requires continuing education to maintain that licensure. The scholarship fund was established by a bequest from Louie and Elsie Hansen. Deadline is March 29, 2024.

Applications are available on casshealth.org/scholarships and can be turned in to Human Resources by the respective deadlines listed above. For more information, contact Kat Niemann, Human Resources Coordinator, at 712-250-8022 or nieka@casshealth.org.

(Stuart, Iowa) – Four teenagers face charges following a pursuit over the weekend that began in Stuart. According to reports, the incident began at around 12:30-a.m. Saturday, when a Stuart Police Officer in a marked patrol vehicle, initiated a traffic stop on 105th Street in Stuart, after observing a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed.

The suspect vehicle failed to stop when the Officer engaged their vehicle’s emergency lights and siren. The resulting pursuit was terminated about one-half hour after it began, due to the reckless manner the suspect vehicle was operating while traveling at high rate of speed. The vehicle was being driven with its headlights off, and through posted stop signs.

Authorities says a little after 1-a.m., Saturday, the same Stuart Police Officer who initiated the pursuit, came across the same suspect vehicle in a wooded area. Four juveniles were detained and later released to the custody of their parents or guardians.

Charges against the teens were pending as of the last report. Authorities did not release the names of the subjects involved in the incident, due to their age.  Stuart Police were assisted during the incident by the Guthrie and Dallas County Sheriff’s Offices. An investigation into the incident was ongoing.

POLK COUNTY, Iowa [WHO-TV] — The Saydel Community School District is the next Iowa school to switch to a four-day school week. For two years the district has been trying to switch to a four-day school week due to loosing teachers and a decline in enrollment, which has resulted in a decrease in state funding. At a meeting Monday evening those two years paid off as the Saydel School Board voted unanimously to switch from a five-day school week to a four-day week.

The plan would begin the switch to a four-day week at the start of the 2024-25 school year. School days would also be 30 minutes longer. Earlier this month, the Martensdale-St. Mary’s Community School District’s school board voted to transition to a four-day school week beginning with the 2024-25 school year.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic High School Speech & Debate has had a very busy and very successful Large Group season. High School/Middle School Spanish Instructor
Co-Head Speech/Debate Coach Trisha Niceswanger reports January 20th was the District Large Group contest held at ACGC High School. Atlantic took 6 entries varying from Ensemble Acting, Group Improvisation, Radio Broadcasting, Choral Reading and Readers Theatre. At the District level, students perform in front of a judge and receive a rating. A Division I rating is the highest, followed by Division II, III or IV. Pieces that earn a I rating will advance onto the State contest. Atlantic had two pieces move on: Ensemble Acting “Mugged”, and the Choral Reading “Nobody is Safe”.

At the State contest held at Ankeny Centennial High School on February 3rd, students performed for a panel of three judges to again receive the Division I or II ratings. The Acting group of “Mugged” performed mid-day and received straight I’s from all three judges. The Choral Reading group unfortunately was not able to go on as all individuals were abruptly evacuated from the High School. A non-credible threat had been discovered at the contest. For more information on that story and how it impacted the rest of the contest day, follow this link to the AHS Needle article written by J Molina, one of the students performing that day. https://ahsneedle.com/39379/fine-arts/atlantic-speech-team-evacuated-from-competition-after-bomb-threat/

Ensemble Acting group: Coach Troy Roach, J Molina, Nick Bennett, and Josie Handlos.

Choral Reading group: Margaret McCurdy, Megan Birge, Nissa Molgaard, Alix Nath, and Josie Handlos. (Photos courtesy Trisha Niceswanger)

Through all of the extra excitement, the Choral Reading earned straight I’s as well. The evening of Feb 6 led to the nervous refreshing of the IHSSA homepage looking for the announcement of All-State nominations. At least two of the three State judges must nominate a group to reach All-State, the collection of the best pieces in the state of Iowa. When the list dropped, the Choral Reading group was thrilled to see they had received Performing All-State honors. An extra bonus for this performance is that it is a piece written by coach Troy Roach, leading to a much more personal connection to the material. The Choral Reading students will perform their piece one more time on Saturday Feb 17 at the ISU Campus.