712 Digital Group - top

Cass County Primary Election polling site

News

June 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Primary Election in Iowa will take place Tuesday, June 4th (2024). Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Pre-registered voters are required to provide an approved form of identification at the polling place before receiving and casting a regular ballot. Persons attempting to vote in the wrong precinct will be directed to the correct precinct.

To be eligible to vote in Cass County, one must have registered. Voters who are not pre-registered and voters changing precincts must also provide proof of residence. A voter who is unable to provide an approved form of identification (or prove residence if required) 1) may have the voter’s identity/residence attested to by another registered voter in the precinct, 2) prove identity and residence using Election Day Registration documents. Election Day Registrant attesters must provide an approved form of identification.

For additional information about providing proof of identity and/or residence visit: https://sos.iowa.gov/voterid or phone 712-243-4570.

CASS COUNTY POLLING PLACES:

Absentee and special voter ballots will be counted at the Cass County Courthouse, 5 W 7th Street, Atlantic, Iowa 50022. Voting equipment will be used at the election. Any voter who is physically unable to enter a polling place has the right to vote in the voter’s vehicle. For further information, please contact the County Auditor’s Office at the telephone number or e-mail address listed below:

Telephone: 712-243-4570

New FedEx Cup playoff format may benefit the John Deere Classic

Sports

June 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The director of the John Deere Classic in the Quad Cities says a change in the FedEx Cup playoff standings may help next months PGA Tournament. This season only the top 70 golfers in points qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs. Previously the top 125 in points were included in the playoffs.

That’s tournament director Andrew Lehman(lay-mun). Jason Day committed to play in the John Deere Classic a month ago. He is currently 13th in points on the PGA Tour. Patrick Cantlay is ninth in the world rankings and committed to play in the Quad Cities last week. Lehman frequently will visit other tournaments in hopes of bolstering the JDC with big names.

Lehman says players have until Friday, June 28th to enter this year’s tournament.

Next month’s John Deere Classic is July fourth through the seventh.

Cyclones Announce Addition of Adelaide Wolfe

Sports

June 3rd, 2024 by admin

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head soccer coach Matt Fannon has announced the addition of Adelaide Wolfe, who will join the team for the 2024 season.
Wolfe, a 5-9 junior defender, comes to Ames after spending a pair of campaigns in Terre Haute, Ind., with the Indiana State Sycamores. Wolfe was a Preseason MVC Honorable Mention this past season as she played in all 18 games for the Sycamores, playing the full 90 minutes in 16 matches.
Wolfe, a Bettendorf native, returns to her home state with two years of eligibility remaining. Adelaide has appeared in 26 games across her two collegiate seasons, making 25 starts. She owns two career goals and four career points and has tallied 2,273 total minutes of action.
“We have been very specific about our recruiting this window and wanted to bring in a defender with some experience who has the athleticism to play in the Big 12 but also the technical ability to play our game model,” said Fannon. “Adelaide was the obvious choice, so we are delighted to have signed her and we think she make an immediate impact.”
Wolfe will join spring transfers Morgan Furmaniak, Yira Yoggerst and Ella Zimmerman on the 2024 roster.
Iowa State’s season will kick off on August 7 with an exhibition match against Minnesota at the Cyclone Soccer Complex at 6 p.m.

With no statewide race, Iowa’s 2024 congressional primaries draw attention

News

June 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Polls open at 7 a.m. tomorrow for Iowa’s Primary Election. There are no statewide contests for either major political party, but two of the Republicans who represent Iowa in the U.S. House face challenges from fellow Republicans.

A GOP Primary in Iowa’s First Congressional District

Davenport businessman David Pautsch (POWTSCH) is challenging Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks in the Republican Primary. Pautsch has never run for office before.

“I’m not a politician. I’m a statesman. I don’t need to be doing this. I’m 70 years old,” said Pautsch, the long time host of the Quad Cities Prayer Breakfast. “…We have to restore God to government. You can’t have good government without God. You can have government without God, but it won’t be good because you need God in the government to give people a sense of right and wrong.”

Pautsch, who has raised very little money for his race, said he decided to run because of Miller-Meeks’ voting record, which he described as “intolerable.”

Miller-Meeks is an eye doctor, a former state senator and former Iowa Department of Public Health director who’s seeking a third term in the U-S House. Miller-Meeks, who has established a residence in Davenport, said she has the best chance of keeping Iowa’s first district seat in Republican hands.

“Our Democrat opponent raised $820,000 last quarter,” Miller-Meeks said. “I have raised the money to defend this seat and I will do everything in my power to keep it.”

With no statewide race, Iowa’s 2024 congressional primaries draw attention

A GOP Primary in Iowa’s Fourth Congressional District

Kevin Virgil is challenging Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull, who’s seeking a third term in the U-S House. Virgil is a former Army captain, a former CIA officer and the current owner of a software company. Virgil moved back to his family’s O’Brien County farm in December before announcing his run in early January.

Virgil’s main focus has been on the proposed construction of carbon pipeline. Virgil said eminent domain should not be used for the project.

“It’s not just unconstitutional to seize land from a private citizen for another person or another company’s private gain, it’s unAmerican,” Virgil said, “and I think it’s an extremely important issue.”

Feenstra’s campaign manager said Feenstra “delivers conservative results” and Iowans will “reject Steve King’s effort to send a New Yorker to congress to represent Iowa’s 4th Congressional District.” Former Congressman Steve King, who lost to Feenstra in a GOP Primary four years ago, encouraged Virgil to run and has endorsed him.

Feenstra is a former state senator, a former Sioux County Treasurer and a former city administrator in Hull who has taught at Dordt University.

A Democratic Primary in Iowa’s Third Congressional District

Two Democrats are running in Tuesday’s third district primary for the chance to challenge Republican Congressman Zach Nunn of Bondurant, who is seeking a second term in the U.S. House.

Lanon Baccam of Des Moines and Melissa Vine of West Des Moines are both first time candidates. Baccam, who was born and raised in Mount Pleasant, served in the Iowa National Guard for eight years. He’s also worked 10 years at positions within the USDA for former Iowa Governor and current U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, who has endorsed Baccam.

Vine, a recent law school graduate, is executive director of a non-profit that provides services to women recovering from a traumatic experience. She’s also a single mother to four boys.

Both candidates say the number one issue for Democrats in 2024 is to respond to the Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v Wade. Baccom calls Nunn “an extremist” on the issue and Vine argues that, as a woman, she is better able to attract female voters in the General Election who support abortion rights.

Vine fired her campaign manager and recently paid a state fine after the Iowa Ethics Board found her campaign manager made contributions to a political action committee as it was deciding who to endorse in this race. Vine said the incident is not an issue with the voters she’s talking to. “They are more interested in the issues like abortion, our economy and moving away from extremism,” Vine said, “so that’s what our campaign is focused on.”

Baccam said voters bring up the same issues to him. “People are concerned about our democracy,” Baccam said. “They see and sense people are moving apart and they just really want a sense of community again.”

Nunn is a former state legislator who has served in the Air Force, the Iowa National Guard and is currently a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve.

Democrats in Iowa’s First, Second and Fourth Congressional Districts Have No Primary Opposition

Christina Bohannon of Iowa City, a former state legislator, is the only Democrat running in Iowa’s first congressional district. “I kind of like my chances, but you know I’m not taking any votes for granted,” Bohannon said. “It’ll be interesting to really turn this corner to really be able to focus in on the General Election.”

Bohannon, a University of Iowa law professor, ran in the first district in 2022 and finished about 7% behind Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks.

In Iowa’s second congressional district, Democrat Sarah Corkery of Cedar Falls is unopposed in the primary and will be the challenger to Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, who doesn’t have a Primary opponent either.

“While a primary may not be exciting, it is important to have your voice count,” Corkery said, “and everybody’s vote counts the same when you enter that booth to cast your vote.”

Corkery is a breast cancer survivor who owns a marketing agency.

In the fourth congressional district, Ryan Melton of Nevada is making a second run for the U.S. House. “I’m really concerned about the viability of our communities, the cancer incidence rate,” Melton says, “…landowner rights and waterway health with these carbon capture pipelines.”

Melton, a supervisor for an insurance company, got about 30% of the vote in his 2022 race against Congressman Randy Feenstra.

Shelby County Sheriff’s report for the month of May, 2024

News

June 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has released a report on arrests that took place from May 5th through the 29th. Beginning with the with most recent arrests….

5/29/2024: Anthony Michael Bennett, Age 33, Harlan IA. Bennett was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant and transported to the Shelby County Jail

5/28/2024: Jonathon Anthony Montoya, Age 26, Harlan IA. Montoya was arrested after a traffic stop on Cyclone and transported to the Shelby County Jail. Montoya was charged with Failure to Provide proof of Insurance, Possession of drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a controlled substance, and Driving under Suspension.

5/27/2024: Amber Lea Nelson, Age 39, Dow City, IA. Nelson was arrested after a call for service and transported to the Shelby County Jail. Nelson was charged with Possession of a controlled substance- 3rd offense, Possession of a controlled substance Marijuana- 3rd offense, Possession of contraband in a correctional institution; Kirby David Stoneking, Age 40, Harlan IA. Stoneking was arrested after a call for service and transported to the Shelby County Jail. Stoneking was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault – 1st offense.

5/25/2024: John Joseph Bowen, Age 43, Harlan, IA. Bowen was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant and transported to the Shelby County Jail.

5/24/2024: Elizabeth Grace Christo, Age 41, Harlan, IA. Christo was arrested after a call for service and transported to the Shelby County Jail. Christo was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault- 2nd offense.

5/22/2024: William Joseph Daeges, Age 61, Harlan, IA. Daeges was arrested after a call for service and transported to the Shelby County Jail. Daeges was charged with Public Intoxication and Disorderly conduct.

5/20/2024: Rex Dean McDermott, Age 57, Elkhorn, IA. McDermott was arrested following a call for service and transported to the Shelby County Jail. McDermott was charged with OWI- 3rd Offense, and Open Container.

5/16/2024: Rex Dean McDermott. Age 57, Elkhorn, IA. McDermott was arrested following a call for service and transported to the Shelby County Jail. McDermott was charged with Public Intoxication.

5/15/2024: Sarah Jolene Finney, Age 54, Harlan, IA. Finney was arrested following a traffic stop on Chatburn Ave. Finney was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while License Denied or Revoked, OWI- 3rd offense, Open Container, and Driving on Wrong Side of Two-way Highway.

5/14/2024: Mark Anthony Gonzalez, Age 21, Denison, IA. Gonzalez was arrested following a traffic stop on HWY 59. Gonzales was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Interference with Official Acts.

There were numerous arrests in Shelby County on May 9th: Bryson Martin Kramer, Age 31, Wall Lake, IA. Kramer was arrested following a traffic stop on Linden Rd. Kramer was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance -3rd offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia,  Possession of a Controlled Substance- Marijuana 3rd offense, Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substance Violation, Driving while Barred, Improper brake light, and Failure to Provide Financial Liability; Dustin Allen Hansen, Age 36, Harlan, IA. Hansen was arrested following a traffic stop on Cyclone. Hansen was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while License Denied or Revoked; Rex Dean McDermott, Age 57, Elk Horn, IA. McDermott was arrested after a call for service. McDermott was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Public Intoxication; and Reid Jeffrey Hemminger, Age 39, Harlan, IA. Hemminger was arrested after a traffic stop on 10th Street. Hemminger was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while License Denied or Revoked.

5/7/2024: Essaye Michael Jaden, Age 19, Harlan, IA. Jaden was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant and transported to the Shelby County Jail; Christopher Charles Hargens, Age 37, Shelby, IA. Hargens was arrested following a traffic stop. Hargens was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Theft 2nd degree, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Keeping Premise or Vehicle for Controlled Substance, Controlled Substances, and Controlled Substance Violation.

5/06/2024: Joseph Bryan Schuemann, Age 37, Harlan, IA. Schuemann was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant and transported to the Shelby County Jail.

5/05/2024: Justin Ryan Smith, Age 33, Avoca, IA. Smith was arrested following a traffic stop on HWY 59. Smith was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Operating While Under the Influence- 1st offense, and speeding.

Attempted murder suspect in northwest Iowa jail briefly escapes

News

June 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Dickinson County’s sheriff says a jail inmate charged with an attempted murder in early May has been charged with another felony for trying to escape from the county jail.

Dickinson County Sheriff Greg Balloun says 19-year-old Caleb Crosby was being escorted to different area in the jail for a medical consultation when he pushed through an unlocked door at the courthouse and ran. Spirit Lake Police helped capture Crosby in about a minute.

Crosby was arrested in Osceola County on May 5th after allegedly shooting another man in Montgomery and stealing two different vehicles trying to elude authorities.

The sheriff says the door Crosby used to escape should have been locked.

Prepare for the camp-out with sunscreen, insect repellent and a weather radio

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – With kids out of school and warm weather in the forecast, Iowa’s county and state parks are filling up with campers, which means hospital emergency rooms will also be filling up with folks who’ve had mishaps while camping.

Dr. Benjamin Orozco, an emergency medical physician with the Gundersen Health System, says parents need to be especially vigilant to keep kids from playing near the campfire.

Dr. Benjamin Orozco (Gundersen Health photo)

“We will see a number of burns this summer, often on the hands, touching the hot fire ring, while the fire is hot but also right after,” Orozco says. “Something you always want to be especially mindful of is little children around a campfire. That happens really quickly and it can be a real heartbreaker when it does take place.”

While it’s great to get outdoors and enjoy nature, too much sun can lead to a severe burn. He says it’s important to use sunscreen, especially for kids.

“The number of sunburns that you get early in life, really, that impacts your cancer risk later in life,” Orozco says. “If you talk to someone who starts having problems with recurrent skin cancers, they’ll tell you they wish they would have covered up with sunscreen while they were younger and out in the open.”

Ticks and mosquitoes can turn an otherwise pleasant weekend outdoors into a nightmare, and Orozco says to stick with the tried-and-true repellent brands to keep the pests away.

“A common misconception is that people will want to use a natural or an herbal insect repellent,” Orozco says. “The AAP and virtually every reputable medical society that cares about kids and people recommend using a ‘real’ bug repellent, something with a high concentration of DEET.”

Wherever you may be camping or hiking, Orozco says to stay weather aware, because being oblivious to the forecast and potential temperature extremes could land you in the ER.

“If the heat index is high, you’ve got to stay hydrated. Think about your sunscreen, if it’s going to be cold, wet and rainy, or if you’re going to be out all day and there’s a possibility that storm can roll in, that’s where we see injuries from exposure and heat exhaustion. Or in the early spring and in the fall, where you can get into that hypothermia, unexpected, where somebody’s out farther than they should be and the weather changes abruptly.”

Gundersen Health System has clinics in Calmar, Decorah, Fayette, Lansing, Postville and Waukon, and a hospital in West Union.

Adair County Sheriff’s report, 6/3/24; Cumberland woman arrested on drug charges

News

June 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports there were four arrests over the past week:

On May 28th, 57-year-old Ronald Joseph Schaecher, of Greenfield, was arrested at around 12:17-a.m. by Greenfield Police, for Domestic Abuse Assault w/injury or mental illness – 1st offense. The report states he allegedly struck his female domestic partner in the face with a fist. Officers noted the woman had a red mark near the left eye. Schaecher was released later that afternoon, on a $1,000 cash or surety bond, with 10% acceptable.

At around 12:45-a.m. on May 30th, Police in Adair arrested 39-year-old Luke Daniel Hommes, of Adair, for Assault Causing Bodily Injury or Mental Illness, after allegedly struck a man in his face with a fist. The victim was spitting blood and advised police his right wisdom tooth had been knocked loose. Hommes was taken into custody and released later that day on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

Police in Stuart arrested 41-year-old Norma Dawn Purcell, of Cumberland, at around 2:22-a.m. on June 1st, following a traffic stop. A Guthrie County Sheriff’s Department K9 unit was requested. When the K9 conducted an open-air sniff around the vehicle, it alerted to a positive odor of narcotics coming from the vehicle Purcell was driving, but a Probable Cause search failed to turn-up any evidence of drugs. On her person, the Stuart Police Officer found she was in possession of a pipe and a burned crystalline residue inside the bowl. She also had in her pocket a small baggie of a substance believe to be methamphetamine.

Purcell was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine-1st offense, Possession of drug paraphernalia, and Driving While Revoked. She was later released on her Own Recognizance.

And, 22-year-old Emily Elizabeth Lewin, of Scribner, NE, was arrested by the Iowa State Patrol on Interstate 80 near Casey, on charges that include OWI/1st offense and Assault on persons in certain occupations (law enforcement) without injury. She was also cited for Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability/accident related, Failure to Maintain Control, and Open Container/Driver-21-years of age or older. Lewin was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $1,000 c/s bond.

Trooper Tyler Shiels was called to the scene of an accident and located a vehicle Lewin had been driving, in a ditch beside the roadway on I-80 eastbound at mile marker 83. Lewin declined medical attention and during a Standardized Field Sobriety test, was shown to have a Breath Alcohol Content of .333-percent, which was slightly more than four-times over the legit limit for intoxication.

During his interaction with Lewin, she allegedly spit on Trooper Fischels and kicked Schiels in the groin area as he was attempting to get her out of the Patrol car. Lewin was read the Implied Consent Advisory and refused to submit to a urine sample. She was placed under arrest and transported to the Dallas County Jail, after being medically cleared at the hospital in Perry. Lewin was transported to Dallas County due to the Adair County Jail being closed as the result of the recent tornado.

Hawkeyes Take Off for NCAA Championships

Sports

June 3rd, 2024 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa track and field will send five individuals to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, from June 5-8.

The entire 2024 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships will be broadcast on the ESPN Family of Networks. Competition from June 5-7 will air each night on ESPN2, while the action on June 8 will broadcast at 4:30 p.m. (CT) on ESPN. All events will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription required).

Senior Paige Magee qualified in the women’s 100-meter hurdles, placing 10th with a 13.01 at the NCAA West Preliminary in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The semifinals of the 100-meter hurdles are scheduled for 8:30 p.m. (CT) on June 6. At last season’s national meet, Magee placed 13th in 13.08, earning second-team All-America status. The native of Columbia, Missouri is a five-time outdoor All-American. Magee holds Iowa’s school record in the 100-meter hurdles with a 12.90.

On the men’s side, four Hawkeyes have punched their tickets to Eugene. Senior Austin West begins his title chase in the men’s decathlon at 2:30 p.m. on June 5. West is a two-time first-team All-American in the event, placing fifth in 2022 and third in 2023. The Iowa City, Iowa, native is the program’s record holder with 8,331 points and qualified with a season-best 8,024 points at the Mt. SAC Relays in April. West enters with the third-best point total in this year’s decathlon.

Junior Rivaldo Marshall is an NCAA qualifier in the 800 meters following his third-place time of 1:46.96 in Fayetteville. The Kingston, Jamaica, native holds the program record with a 1:45.86 set at the Jim Click Shootout in Tucson, Arizona, on April 5. During indoor season, he became Iowa’s first 800-meter national champion. In his career as a Hawkeye and Indian Hills CC Warrior, Marshall is an eight-time All-American. Marshall begins his title hunt with the semifinals scheduled for 8:10 p.m. on June 5.

Sophomore school-record holder Mike Stein broke through in the javelin this season, eclipsing the 80-meter mark on his way to the Big Ten title. Stein’s personal best of 81.19 meters at the Big Ten Championship ranks third among Division I competition. At the NCAA West Preliminary, the Milford, Iowa, native placed third with a 74.78-meter throw to book his spot in the NCAA finals. Stein sets his sights on the national title at 7:45 p.m. on June 5.

Senior Jordan Johnson returns to the national stage in the men’s discus after qualifying at the NCAA West Preliminary with a 58.22-meter throw. Johnson was a first-team All-American in the event in 2022, which was also hosted at Hayward Field in Eugene. The senior from Quincy, Illinois, placed eighth that season with a 59.52-meter mark, which still ranks sixth in school history. Johnson’s return to the circle takes place at 7:35 p.m. on June 7.

Fans can follow the Hawkeyes in Eugene via the official Iowa Track & Field social media channels (@iowaxc_tf on X, iowaxctf on Instagram, and Iowa Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook) for content and updates. A live results link can be found on the Iowa Track & Field schedule page at hawkeyesports.com.

2024 IHSBCA Baseball Rankings: Week 3

Sports

June 3rd, 2024 by admin

Class 4A

  1. Johnston 14-0
  2. Cedar Rapids Kennedy  14-1
  3. Iowa City High  14-2
  4. Ankeny Centennial  7-2
  5. Dallas Center-Grimes  10-1
  6. Southeast Polk  11-3
  7. Cedar Rapids Prairie  9-4
  8. Waukee  8-4
  9. Waukee Northwest  9-6
  10. Sioux City East  10-2

Others:

  • Dowling, West Des Moines  4-5
  • C.B. Abraham Lincoln  10-4
  • Iowa City Liberty  9-4
  • Linn-Mar  8-6
  • Urbandale  9-4

Class 3A

  1. Western Dubuque  8-3
  2. North Polk 7-2
  3. Marion  12-0
  4. Wahlert  10-3
  5. Central DeWitt  5-2
  6. Solon  9-2
  7. Bondurant-Farrar  9-5
  8. Harlan  7-3
  9. Heelan  8-4
  10. CPU  9-0

Others:

  • Assumption  4-5
  • Creston  8-4
  • Glenwood  5-1
  • Pella  7-2
  • Saydel  8-1

Class 2A

  1. Underwood  4-0
  2. West Marshall  12-1
  3. Beckman, Dyersville  9-2
  4. Van Meter  12-1
  5. Mid-Prairie  8-1
  6. Des Moines Christian  8-1
  7. New Hampton  11-1
  8. Pleasantville  7-3
  9. Estherville- Lincoln Central  9-1
  10. Anamosa  6-2

Others:

  • Clarinda  5-1
  • Interstate-35  9-2
  • Roland-Story  7-5
  • Spirit Lake  5-1
  • Sumner-Fredericksburg  6-1

Class 1A

  1. Burlington, Notre Dame  9-0
  2. Lynnville-Sully  10-0
  3. Akron-Westfield  8-1
  4. Saint Ansgar  9-1
  5. St. Mary’s Remsen  7-1
  6. Newman Catholic  11-2
  7. Tri-Center, Neola  6-0
  8. North Linn  7-2
  9. Wapsie Valley  11-4
  10. South Winneshiek  3-1

Others:

  • Grand View Christian  10-2
  • Kee, Lansing  9-3
  • Sigourney  7-0
  • Woodbine  7-0
  • Woodbury Central  8-2