(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Parks Advisory Commission will hold its first meeting since the Committee was established by the Atlantic City Council, in October. The commission replaces the former Parks and Recreation Board. It consists of three people living within Atlantic City limits, two Cass County residents, and one non-voting high school student. Those appointed include Kevin Ferguson (2-year term), Dolly Bergmann (2-year term), Shirley Jensen (1-year term), Ali Pieken (1-year term), and Mary Strong (1-year term).

During the Commission’s meeting at 3:30-p.m. Wednesday, in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall, they will discuss the “Purpose of a Park Advisory Committee,” which the City Council has stated is “to ensure that a formal public feedback and input system was in place regarding the operations and capital planning for the city’s park and recreation system.”

The Commission will introduce Park Advisory Committee members, receive an update on current Park Projects and Activities, and a Splash Pad update from Ali Pieken.

(Creston, Iowa) – Two people were arrested on drug and other charges, in Creston. According to Creston Police, at around 2:22-a.m. today (Monday), 44-year-old Lela Ann Churchwell, of Creston, was arrested at the Creston Union County Law Enforcement Center (LEC). Churchwell was charged with four Union County Warrants for: Disorderly Conduct-Loud Raucous Noise; Public Intoxication; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Public Intoxication and Harassment in the 3^rd Degree. Churchwell was transported to the Adams County Jail, where and was being held on a $900 cash-only bond, and a $300 cash or surety bond.

Sunday afternoon, Creston Police arrested 20-year-old Garrett Neal Thomson, of Creston, at the Hy-Vee parking lot, in Creston. Thomson was charged on two Union County Warrants for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs. Thomson was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on $1,300 cash or surety bond.

Two people died in Friday morning house fire, in northwest Iowa’s Orange City. The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office says the Sioux County Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call reporting smoke coming from a residence at 604 Albany Ave. northeast, at around 6:49 a.m. The Orange City Fire and Orange City Ambulance responded and discovered a single-family dwelling that was filled with smoke; aid was requested from several area fire departments.

Upon entering the residence, firefighters discovered 79-year-old Arlan Egdorf, and 82-year-old Linda Egdorf, both of Orange City, had died as a result of their injuries; they were pronounced deceased by the Sioux County Medical Examiner.

The house was a total loss with damage in excess of $100,000. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Orange City Fire Chief and Iowa State Fire Marshal.

Two people died in this house fire in Orange City. (KLEM photo)

(Radio Iowa) – A bill sponsored by Congresswoman Ashley Hinson that requires information on resources be given to pregnant college students has passed the House of Representatives. “Unfortunately many women on college campuses are pressured into having an abortion and told they must choose between having their baby and continuing their education despite Title Nine protections in place,” she says.

Hinson, a Republican from Marion, spoke about the bill on the House floor.”Under Title Nine pregnant students have the right to stay in school finish their education and achieve their career goals. However, academic disparity exists due to the lack of resources, support and tools for pregnant students,” Hinson says. “These women may fear institutional reprisal, a loss of athletic scholarship or negative impacts on their academic opportunity and standing.”

Rep. Ashley Hinson. (RI photo)

Hinson says pregnant students should know about all the options and resources available to them. “There are many organizations that provide physical and emotional support for new and soon to be moms, and pregnant students should know about these resources on college campuses. They deserve to be treated with respect and to be surrounded with care and love,” she says.

Hinson says the isolation of pregnant students might lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.

(Radio Iowa) – Hundreds gathered at this weekend’s funeral for the Perry High School principal who put himself in harm’s way to save others during a school shooting. Dan Marburger was shot several times on January 4th and died 10 days later. He was eulogized by his wife and one of his five children. Elizabeth Marburger says her husband modeled love and grace every day and she urged the congregation to see the good in the world.

“This that we’ve lived the last couple of weeks has been the rotten, but the good is out there and every day we have to look for the good,” she said. “…He fought like hell for 10 days and he gave us 10 days to love on him…He was so tired. He just needed to rest.” Marburger says her husband gave her unconditional love.

“It’s the only kind of love Dan gave. Forty-three years ago in eighth grade, I became the recipient of that — 43 years. eighth grade. It just doesn’t seem like long enough.” Claire Marburger says one of the biggest lessons she learned from her dad is that being present matters and he remains in their hearts and heads.

“If I had a genie with one wish it wouldn’t be a new car or a house or a dollar amount,” she said. “It wouldn’t even have to be to have dad back, because I know that’s a big wish. My wish would be for one of dad’s hugs.” Dan Marburger was a native of Sabula, Iowa, and played football for Central College in Pella. After graduating from Central in 1989, he returned to teach and coach at his hometown high school, East Central in Miles. Marburger started as an associate principal at Perry High School in 1995 and had been the school’s lead principal since 1997.

His family plans to use memorial contributions for a scholarship fund in his name.

(Sidney, Iowa) – Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports four arrests took place over the past week:

On 01/16/2024, deputies arrested Lynn Marie Ball, age 32 of St. Jospeh, Missouri, for Lascivious Acts with a Child and Sex Abuse 2nd Degree. Ball was arrested in connection to an incident that occurred in Sidney in August of 2023. Ball is being held on $35,000 cash/surety bond.

On 01/20/2024, deputies arrested Tasha Denise Beale, age 45 of Franklin, Virginia near the intersection of 210th Ave and Hwy 2 in rural Percival, Iowa. Deputies were called to a truck stop for a report of a stabbing. Deputies learned Beale was involved in a domestic disturbance leading to the victim reporting being stabbed with a set of car keys, causing minor injuries. Beale was arrested for Domestic Abuse with a Weapon and Going Armed with Intent. She is being held without bond, pending an initial appearance with a Magistrate.

On 01/20/2024, deputies arrested Anthony William Palma, age 19 of Schuyler, Nebraska. Deputies were called to a physical altercation in Randolph. The victim reported being lured from his residence and assaulted by Palma. Palma is being held on $2,000 cash/surety bond.

Beale

Ramos

Palma

Ball

On 01/20/2024, deputies arrested Jeremy James Ramos, age 39 of Tabor, Iowa near the intersection of 110th Street and 120th Street, in rural Tabor. Ramos was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated 1st Offense. He was released after posting a $1,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has suspended his presidential campaign, just six days after finishing a distant second to former President Trump in the Iowa Caucuses. “It’s clear to me that a majority of Republican primary voters want to give Donald Trump another chance,” DeSantis said. “…He has my endorsement because we can’t go back to the old Republican guard of yester-year, a repackaged form of warmed over corporatism that Nikki Haley represents.”

DeSantis made his announcement Sunday afternoon in a video posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. With the New Hampshire Primary coming up on Tuesday, DeSantis said he could not ask his supporters to volunteer their time and money if there was not a clear path to victory. A month ago, DeSantis was predicting he’d win the Iowa Caucuses. DeSantis and political action committees supporting his campaign spent 35 million dollars in Iowa and he visited each of Iowa’s 99 counties

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking to a crowd in a Pizza Ranch in Garner, Iowa on Aug. 28, 2023. (RI photo)

“Nobody worked harder and we left it all out on the field,” DeSantis said. DeSantis, in announcing his endorsement of Trump, mentioned he had signed a pledge to honor the Republican Party’s presidential nominee. Governor Kim Reynolds, who endorsed DeSantis in November, has also been saying she’ll back Trump if he’s the nominee.

“This wasn’t about President Trump. I supported him in ’16. I supported him in ’20. I wish he would have won,” Reynolds said. “…I can tell you without hesitation whoever our nominee is, I’m going to get behind them because this country is in trouble.”

Reynolds made her comments Friday on “Iowa Press” on Iowa P-B-S.

(Creston, Iowa) – No injuries were reported following a collision Saturday afternoon at 195th and 190th Streets, in Union County. According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, a 1996 Dodge pickup driven by 20-year-old Logan Osterhout, of Afton, was traveling south on 195th Street at around 4:50-p.m. and had attempted to slow and turn right onto 190th Street to head westbound. The pickup struck a 2016 Chevy pickup driven by 34-year-old Kyle Thelen, of Creston, and which was stopped at the intersection.

Osterhout was given a verbal warning for Failure to Maintain Control of a vehicle. Damage from the collision amounted to $5,000.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Montgomery County Auditor Jill Ozuna, today (Sunday), issued a Public Notice, stating that the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors may be attending a Regional Board of Supervisors meeting at the Griswold Community Center in Griswold, on January 24th. The meeting begins at 7-p.m.

Ozuna says while there is a possibility that there will be a quorum,  no official county business will be acted upon during that time.