DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Rep. Steve King’s most recent insensitive remarks about rape are the kind that have doomed political candidates elsewhere, but some fellow Iowa Republicans say it’s possible they actually could do more good than harm for the embattled congressman’s re-election chances by reinforcing his credentials as a social conservative.

King, who faces steep competition just to win the GOP primary in his bid for a 10th term, made the comment Tuesday before a conservative group. He was attempting to justify his support for a ban on abortions without exceptions for rape and incest.
“What if we went back through all the family trees and just pulled those people out that were products of rape and incest? Would there be any population of the world left if we did that?” King said. “Considering all the wars and all the rape and pillage that’s taken place … I know I can’t certify that I’m not a part of a product of that.”

The assertion was reminiscent of Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin’s “legitimate rape” comment in 2012 and Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock’s statement months later that a pregnancy due to rape was “something God intended.” While Akin and Mourdock struggled to move beyond those comments and lost races they’d been favored to win, it’s unclear whether King will pay a price considering many in his conservative district support his position on abortion, even as they might cringe at how he worded it.

King also could benefit from the simple fact that since he was first elected in 2002, he has made so many comments prompting outrage on topics ranging from immigration to race that one more controversial statement may not carry as much weight.

Tuesday’s justification of an abortion ban came about eight months after King was rebuked by the House and stripped of his committee assignments after being quoted by the New York Times questioning why “white nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization” language was offensive.

Shane Vander Hart, an Iowa political consultant and conservative writer, said King has plenty of problems as he faces a contested primary with little campaign money. But Vander Hart notes Republicans hold a 70,000-voter registration edge in the districts, and many of those people — including his top rival for the nomination — agree with King on most issues, including that abortion should be illegal in all cases.

“This is not some silver bullet that’s going to kill his campaign,” Vander Hart said. “The overall principle of what he’s saying, that’s what pro-lifers believe.” Craig Williams, the Republican Party chairman in Carroll County, said support for King is strong and many Republicans think the congressman’s views aren’t fairly portrayed by the media.

“People in the 4th District like the fact that the congressman doesn’t mince words very often,” Williams said. “And he probably says things that are unfortunate from time to time, but who doesn’t? Ask Joe Biden supporters about that.”

David Rowley, the GOP chairman in Dickenson County, said King has built up a lot of good will over the years in the conservative county, where Republicans outnumber Democrats by more than a 2-to-1 ratio. Most Republicans in the region oppose abortion rights, and many will question whether the media took King’s comments out of context, Rowley said.

“There’s a lot of strong support for Congressman King generally among Republicans within the 4th District, but it is a concern,” Rowley said.
Nationally, an AP-NORC poll conducted in May found that 70% of Republicans believe abortion should be illegal in most or all cases, though a much smaller 19% think it should be illegal in all cases.

As he seeks re-election, King could be at greatest risk in the primary, where he faces at least three candidates, including a well-funded state senator. That senator, Randy Feenstra, shares King’s anti-abortion views but has argued King doesn’t effectively represent the district because of his history of controversial comments.

Feenstra has noted that King narrowly beat Democrat J.D. Scholten, a former minor league baseball player, in the 2018 election despite the GOP’s large registration edge. After King’s comments Tuesday, Feenstra released a statement criticizing his “bizarre comments” and adding, “We can’t afford to hand the 4th District to Nancy Pelosi and her allies in Congress. President Trump needs defenders in Congress, not distractions.”

Scholten recently announced he’d again run to represent the district, and within hours of King’s comments Tuesday had sent out emails spotlighting the issue and seeking campaign contributions. Despite the criticism King faces from other Republicans seeking the nomination, he could benefit from the vote being split four ways, increasing the chance his most avid supporters will outnumber those backing the other candidates.

And if King wins the nomination, those who tire of his comments will ultimately support the Republican, said Clay County GOP Chairman Will Jones, even as he expressed exasperation at the congressman’s habit of wading into controversy.
“Democrats are not going to win this district,” he said.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office has released a report on arrests and incidents for the month of July. Diane Marcelyn Black, 56, of Hamlin, was arrested and booked into the Audubon County Jail on July 2nd for Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd or Subsequent Offense – Meth and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She is currently being held in the Audubon County Jail.

Brandon Michael Barringer, age 35, of Brayton was arrested on July 2nd at approximately 3:00pm for Driving While Barred. He was booked into the Audubon County Jail and later released after posting a $2,000.00 bond.

Mathew Dean Christensen, age 54 of Phillipsburg, KS, was arrested on July 4th at approximately 12:13am for OWI – First Offense. The arrest stems from a traffic stop that occurred on Hwy 71 just south of Littlefield Drive in Audubon County. He was held in the Audubon County Jail until the following morning after appearing before the Magistrate.

Eddie Ray Mack Jr., age 35, of Hamlin was arrested on July 5th at approximately 11:45pm for Assault. He was booked into the Audubon County Jail and released the following afternoon after posting a $2,000.00 bond.

Scottie Lynn Mitchell, 41, of Exira was arrested on July 7th at approximately 7:00am for Domestic Abuse. He was booked into the Audubon County Jail and released the following day after posting a $1,000.00 bond.

Antonio Delgado, age 30, of Omaha was arrested on July 12th for Possession of Controlled Substance – Marijuana 3rd or Subsequent and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was brought back to the Audubon County Jail where he posted bond.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office arrested Allison Marie Martin, age 31 of Audubon, on July 11th at approximately 1:06pm for Theft 5th. The arrest stems from a traffic stop that occurred on 210th St just south of the Audubon County Memorial Hospital. She was held in the Audubon County Jail until the following morning after appearing before the Magistrate.

Terrill Arthur Burger, 41, of Audubon was arrested on July 18th at approximately 1:46am for Domestic Abuse. He was booked into the Audubon County Jail and released later that morning after appearing before the Magistrate.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office arrested Willard Edward Frazier, age 31 of Audubon, on July 16th at approximately 4pm for an outstanding warrant out of Mills County and for Driving While Barred. He was held in the Audubon County Jail until July 22nd when he posted bond for the Audubon County charge and the outstanding Mills County warrant.

Joshua Robert Saunders, age 41, of Audubon has been charged with Assault with Intent to Cause Serious Injury. He was being held in the Audubon County Jail on unrelated charges when he assault another inmate. He is currently being held in the Audubon County Jail.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jacky Ray Walters, age 32 of Brayton, on July 25th at approximately 3pm for an outstanding warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault – 3rd or Subsequent Offense, Child Endangerment, and Child Endangerment – Bodily Injury. The warrant stemmed from an incident that occurred the prior weekend.

Deputies were called to the Brayton residence in reference to a domestic assault that had happened earlier that evening. Mr. Walters had already left the residence and was unable to be found that night resulting in a warrant being requested. The Sheriff’s Department received a call on July 25th stating Mr. Walters was back at the Brayton residence.

While a Law Enforcement Officer was arresting Mr. Walters on the warrant he was also charged with Possession of Controlled Substance – Meth. A search warrant was applied for and granted for his property and conducted later that evening. He was, also, charged with Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Drug, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was held in the Audubon County Jail until the following evening when he posted bond.

Scottie Lynn Mitchell, 41, of Exira was arrested on July 29th at approximately 4:15pm for Contempt – Violation of a No Contact Order. He was booked into the Audubon County Jail and released the following day after posting bond.

(Radio Iowa) — Three state legislators and three people from the business community joined for a discussion at the Iowa Republican Party’s headquarters today (Thursday) to tout what Iowa G-O-P chairman Jeff Kaufmann calls the “Trump economy.”

“The Democrats are ignoring these statistics,” Kaufmann said. “I mean, they’re just not talking about them.”Anthony Marlowe is the C-E-O of an Iowa City based firm recently recognized as the state’s fastest growing company.  “Rumors of a recession is nothing short of a scam,” Marlowe said. “…There is no recession around the corner or looming anywhere soon. It’s absolutely explosive what’s happening in the economy right now.”

The G-O-P chairman says economics is an art, not a science. “You can see just by using pragmatic logic that these Democrats are just making this crap up for political points and they’re cherry picking some economists who will say what they want them to say,” Kaufmann says. “For trying out loud, we have socialist economists and we have capitalist, hard-core economists.”

Kaufmann says today’s (Thursday’s) event was organized to counter the messages delivered by the 20 Democratic presidential candidates who’ve been campaigning at the Iowa State Fair. Brook Doheny, a realtor from Clive, says people are listing their homes for sale because the Democratic candidates are fueling uncertainty.

“These people honestly want to be president of the United States of America and I wouldn’t even be friends with any of them. They scare me,” Doheny said. “They’re so out of touch.” Republican State Representative Lee Hein raises corn, soybeans and cattle on his farm near Monticello. Hein says the farm economy is “tough,” but trade and tariff issues with China are “a small part” of the market downturn.

“If you follow the markets and trends and things, you will know that Iowa and the world right now are overproducing and demand is probably more of a problem,” Hein said. John Wills of Spirit Lake, another Republican member of the Iowa House, says China has been stealing from “every sector” of the U.S. economy.

“This trade war is needed,” Wills said. “I support the president and it’s something that will pay dividends forever.” Republican State Representative Pat Grassley, the grandson of U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, says “pure hatred” of President Trump is preventing Democrats from “doing what’s good for the country.”

(Updated 3:55-p.m.) — The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports that at around 3:30 this (Thursday) morning, Deputies arrested 20-year-old Tyson Lee Daniel Hines, of Hamlin, as the result of a truck stop along County Road M-47 and Highway 44. Hines was taken into custody without incident and charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was released later than morning on his own recognizance.

On Wednesday, 33-year-old Phillip Michael Houston, of Walnut, was taken into custody following a pursuit through Shelby County. Houston’s vehicle eventually stopped, and he was taken into custody without incident. Houston was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he is being held under $4,000 cash or surety bond for eluding, driving while barred-habitual offender, reckless driving, speeding, no insurance, operating a non-registered vehicle and failure to obey stop sign.

On Tuesday, an Iowa State Patrol Trooper arrested 32-year-old Dustin Douglas Williams, of Harlan, as a result of a traffic stop. Williams was brought to the Shelby County Jail and charged with driving while revoked, and no seat belt. Williams had an appearance with the magistrate later that evening was released on his own recognizance.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports also, on Aug. 7th, 58-year-old Penny Jean Swensen-Jacobsen, of Kimballton, was arrested for operating while intoxicated 1st offense. Swensen-Jacobsen was brought to the jail without incident and released the following day after posting the required $1,000 surety bond.

On Aug. 3rd, Deputies arrested 46-year-old Marc Ryan Holm, of Defiance, after authorities were called to a disturbance at the residence. Holm was arrested and charged with prohibited acts, possession of controlled substance (marijuana), and possession of drug paraphernalia. Hold was held and released later that evening after posting the $3300 surety bond.

On Aug. 1st, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office assisted by the Harlan Police Department, arrested 50-year-old Blake Edward Cooper on an active outstanding no bond federal warrant. Cooper was brought to the jail without incident and transferred over to the US Marshals the following morning. Cooper was out on bond from the Sheriff’s Office after being charged on July 30th, for possession of explosive/incendiary device, which is a class C felony in the State of Iowa. Cooper was released on July 31st, after posting a $100,000 surety bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — As of Noon today (Thursday), Iowa became the 11th state to allow sports betting, and six casinos say they’re ready to sign up players and begin taking bets. Casinos in Altoona, Bettendorf, Osceola and Waterloo will offer betting on-site and through a mobile app. Casinos in Burlington and Council Bluffs will offer on-site betting only for now until their mobile systems are set up. Gambling regulators say at least two more casinos could be approved by the end of the day.

Eventually most of the state’s 19 state-regulated casinos are expected to offer sports betting. In Iowa, players must first travel to a casino to prove their age and identity and set up an account. Mobile betting is allowed only within the borders of Iowa. Betting is allowed on professional, collegiate and international sporting events. Iowa also has legalized fantasy sports contests and internet fantasy sports betting.

By Scott Stewart/ Iowa Western Community College

Levi Johnson ran upstairs to find a woman screaming that her husband needed help. He inspected the nonresponsive patient’s head wound. He checked vital signs. Then he got out his triage tags and ripped it off to display black – a deceased patient. The Iowa Western Community College paramedic student made the right conclusion during a drill. The trouble was the woman, played by volunteer Kelly Mueller, who continued to yell at him and keep him from moving on to treat the patient in the next room. “I got a little too caught up in dealing with her,” Johnson said. “I should have delegated her to law enforcement or someone else, but at least gotten her out of a situation a little quicker.”

A group of Iowa Western Community College students carry out a patient during a paramedic drill at the Southwest Iowa Regional Emergency Response Training Center on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. (Scott Stewart/Iowa Western Community College)

Levi Johnson triages a patient during a paramedic drill at the Southwest Iowa Regional Emergency Response Training Center on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. (Scott Stewart/Iowa Western Community College)

Iowa Western paramedic students participated in a mass casual drill Saturday morning at the Southwest Iowa Regional Emergency Response Training Center in Council Bluffs. The drill was designed to offer students opportunities to consider factors that are easy to miss in classroom discussions. Students participated in two scenarios: a response to a domestic terrorism attack and an apartment building struck by a tornado. In each case, the environment was full of distractions and the students had to adapt to the situation, ignore the noise and help patients receive medical attention. “We couldn’t even tell what was going on,” student Jake Weilage said. “There were beds tipped over onto patients. There were patients pinned up against the walls.”

During the first exercise, Weilage was the treatment and transportation officer. His job was to sort patients into green, yellow and red triage areas, to treat patients prior to transporting them and to determine the order in which they’ll be taken to area hospitals. Weilage said he learned that he needs to delegate treatment to others, particularly when more resources are available. He said he also realized midway through the exercise that he wasn’t writing down what he did, which made it challenging to verify what happened as the exercise concluded. “I definitely overwhelmed myself,” Weilage said. “I’m definitely going to delegate more and have the medic units help treat certain areas.”

Johnson said the drill taught the importance of using backboards to prevent further injuries, as well as how to adjust and communicate with other first responders without the benefit of radios. “When you encounter these patients, they’re scared,” Johnson said. “You’re going to need to comfort them. Casey Hutchison, director of the paramedic program, said the students improved by the end of the drill. They halved their time in the second run, despite facing a more challenging scenario, and really learned from their mistakes. “Hopefully, if they ever have to do this in real life, they’ll have some exposure and some familiarity,” Hutchison said. “The muscle memory is the big thing that they’re going to get from here.”

Iowa Western’s paramedic program focuses on hands-on activities, such as the mass casualty drill or a vehicle extrication exercise last Thursday, so students are ready to respond to a real crisis. Hutchison said the hybrid program offers online instruction coupled with a once-a-week lab session. Hutchison said students don’t simply verbalize what to do, they actually do it – whether that’s starting an IV on a patient or another skill the paramedic students practice in the lab setting. “When in a stressful situation, they rely back on their training. They’ve done these skills a hundred times over the last year in class, so it’s going to come more naturally for them,” Hutchison said.

Because of the hybrid format, the program is tailored to people who work full-time jobs and who have a family and busy lifestyles. Some students have field experience as emergency medical technicians or firefighters, while others are new to the health care industry. “We will take any kind of student,” Hutchison said, whether that’s an emergency medical technician or a firefighter looking to take that next step or transition from a volunteer to a professional department.

In addition to the paramedic career certification, Iowa Western Continuing and Career Education also offers certificate programs in emergency medical technician, advanced EMT and emergency medical responder, in addition to firefighting, CPR and First Aid courses. Weilage said Iowa Western’s paramedic program has made him prepared for future field experiences. “’This program provides a variety of opportunities, and the instructors are great,” Weilage said. “They really set you up for success.”

Scott Stewart is a freelance journalist and communications consultant. This article was prepared on behalf of Iowa Western Community College’s Division of Economic and Workforce Development.

Rescue crews from Marne and Atlantic, along with Medivac Ambulance were called the scene of an SUV rollover accident late this (Thursday) morning off Interstate 80, in Cass County. According to dispatch reports, the vehicle landed in the median near the 51-mile marker, just west of the Marne exit, a little after 11-a.m.  Two females in the SUV suffered from what were described as minor injuries. A camper was apparently attached to the vehicle when it rolled. It was described as a total loss.

Both women, ages 73 and 74, who are from Wisconsin, were transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital by EMS. One had reportedly suffered from cuts and bruises, the other appeared to have been shaken-up a bit.

No further details are available.

Police in Glenwood say a man from Council Bluffs was arrested this (Thursday) morning, on drug charges. 31-year old Aaron Bible was arrested for OWI/2nd offense, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His total cash-or-surety bond was set at $3,300.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A 16-year-old Nebraska boy has pleaded guilty in the slaying of a 38-year-old Council Bluffs man. Pottawattamie County District Court records say Xavier Smith-Catchings, of Omaha, entered a written plea Wednesday to a charge of second-degree murder. Prosecutors lowered the charge in exchange for his plea. He and three men were charged with killing Adam Angeroth in January.

Smith-Catchings’ filing says he’s agreed to be sentenced to 50 years and must serve a minimum of 10 years. The filing says the judge isn’t bound by the agreement, so if the judge gives Smith-Catchings the maximum, Smith-Catchings may withdraw his plea. The judge had ruled that Smith-Catchings’ case remain in in district court because it was unlikely he’d be rehabilitated in the juvenile system.

The Daily Nonpareil reports that Nicholas Haner, of Harlan; Ryan McDonald, of Glenwood; and Liam Stec, of Omaha, Nebraska, were sentenced earlier this week to 50 years. They all pleaded guilty to second-degree murder after prosecutors lowered the charge.

ALLISON, Iowa (AP) — A northern Iowa sheriff says improper employee payments uncovered by a state audit were errors caused by a misunderstanding of several policies. The audit report of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office released Thursday says the improper payments totaled more than $57,000. It cited excess overtime and holiday pay for 26 employees from December 2014 through October 2018.

Auditors say the county paid overtime if employees worked more than eight hours in a single day rather than following the county and Fair Labor Standards Act policy that calculated overtime for law enforcement personnel working more than 171 hours in 28 days.

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that Sheriff Jason Johnson says the overtime issue had never been raised in regular state audits. He says his office immediately changed procedures when told about the error.