(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission recently released a report that says the Iowa horse racing industry needs to make some changes to keep the system viable. Iowa Thoroughbred Association president Jon Moss says he appreciates the study and wants to have more discussion on it. “Definitely needs to be more follow up, in depth follow up, whereby industry stakeholders can kind of really drill down a little bit more into some of the different areas that were brought forward and the questions that were asked to try and see if there’s a way to pull some of that information out a little bit better,” he says.

Moss says he hasn’t felt that the industry is declining. “I felt as though horse racing in Iowa is doing pretty darn good. Iowa breeds are actually winning, not only here in Iowa, but across the country, and they’re doing exceptionally well,” Moss says. The report says horse racing has not kept up as other forms of gambling have developed and its product is not of a high interest to the public. Moss says he sees good attendance at the races.

“Come out on a Friday or Saturday night and compare the amount of people we have on the track apron and how many people are sitting in any one of the retail outlets for sports wagering,” Moss says. “There’s no comparison this place. They’re getting thousands of people to come out, participate and enjoy racing.” Moss says he doesn’t have exact figures, but from what he has seen, people came out during the pandemic looking for entertainment and have kept coming. “It’s kind of continued to carry through. I think it almost like, it almost forced people to reengage with activities that they may not have thought about before. And they came back out to the races, and a number of people found out, Hey, this is, this is easy. It’s family friendly. You can get out there pretty easily,” Moss says.

Moss says he looks forward to more discussions on these issues. Tom Lepic is the president of the Iowa Quarterhorse Association, and says he is glad state regulators got an outside look at the industry. “I welcome anytime anybody tries to help our industry. And it’s a tough industry, and it’s always changing. It’s getting more and more expensive for everybody. It’s getting more and more competitive everywhere,” Lepic says. Lepic says there has already been work underway to improve after the Racing and Gaming Commission had conducted some internal studies. “One of the big items that they talked about was the starters per race, and that, again, was a concern of Iowa Racing and Gaming the last two years. So we’ve worked hard at that, Lepic says.

He says the increase in starters has made a difference in betting. “Our handle quarter horses alone, from 2022 to 2023 went up over 50 percent from over four million to over six million (dollars), and that came from our starters per race and running a few more races because we had more horses,” he says. Lepic says every industry evolves and horse racing is no different.

The Chair of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, Daryl Olsen, says they plan to have some discussions about the study with all those involved to see how they can move forward. Olsen says he is confident those involved in the industry are willing to look at all the options to make things better.

(Corning, Iowa) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests over the past week. Deputies arrested 38-year-old Carl Daniel, of Bedford, Sunday, on charges that include: Possession of Methamphetamine/3rd Offense; Intent to Deliver Meth; Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia, and Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp. Daniel was being held without bond in the Adams County Jail, pending an appearance before a Magistrate.

On Saturday, Adams County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 40-year-old Ryan Nelson, of Neola, following an incident at the Casey’s General Store. Nelson was charged with Harassment in the 3rd Degree, and Driving While Suspended. Nelson was also arrested on an active warrant from Montgomery County, for Probation Violation. He was booked into the Adams County Jail and later posted bond.

And, on Sept. 2nd at around 4:30-p.m. Deputies in Adams County conducted a traffic stop at Highway 34 and Sycamore Avenue. Upon further investigation, including the deployment of K9 “Midge,” a probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted, which resulted in the recovery of 59-grams of methamphetamine. The driver of the vehicle, 44-year-old Michael Webster, of Red Oak, was arrested for Driving While Suspended, Poss. of drug paraphernalia, Poss. of Meth/3rd offense (A Class-D Felony), Intent to deliver at least 5 grams but not more than 50-kilograms of meth (A Class-B Felony), and Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp (Class-D Felony).

“Any potential criminal charges identified above are merely allegations and any defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Two people were seriously injured in a single-vehicle accident Monday night, in Red Oak. The Red Oak Police Department reports the Montgomery County Communication Center received a call about the crash at around 8-p.m., Monday. Upon arrival, Red Oak Police located a vehicle that had struck a bridge support in the 300 block of S. Broadway Street. Two people were trapped in the vehicle. They were extricated by Red Oak Fire and Rescue before being flown to Omaha, due to the extent of their injuries.

Authorities say the driver of the vehicle was identified as 64-year-old Rocky Lee Lukehart, of Red Oak. His passenger was identified as 64-year-old Tammy Rae Lukehart. Red Oak Police were assisted at the scene by Red Oak Fire & Rescue, Montgomery County 911, and the Sheriff’s Office.

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] — Iowa has experienced a significant rise in school threats, leading to 11 arrests since the school year began, according to the Governor’s School Safety Bureau. Matte Anderson, head of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, says the recent incidents span across Iowa and, due to social media, even affect other states. The responses to these threats strain limited resources and divert officers from other duties.

The 11 arrests include both students and a few adults, with charges that are often serious and sometimes felonies. In one case, a 12-year-old in Atlantic faces a terrorism charge. Since Sept. 4, there have been 10 reports from the Safe and Sound Iowa app, and law enforcement has responded to 11 threats. The app allows for anonymous reports of threats, bullying and other concerns. This year, 24 reports have come in through the app, with an additional 25 from other law enforcement agencies.

The Safe and Sound Iowa app is free, and schools that didn’t apply last year can seek access to radios. Anderson emphasized that training and resources are available. One significant step Anderson recommends is for parents to talk to their children about their phones and social media.

To report any concerning behavior, individuals can contact law enforcement or download the Safe and Sound Iowa app, available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.

(Radio Iowa) – U-S Senator Joni Ernst of Red Oak says any deal to end the Israel-Hamas war must bring American hostages home and lead to the demise of Hamas. “One that is not just favorable to Israel, but one that ensures the forever of survival of Israel,” Ernst said. Ernst made her comments during a speech at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual convention last week, shortly after returning from a trip to the Middle East. Ernst has made four trips to Israel since the October 7th attacks, including one in late August.

“During my meetings with the leaders in the region I delivered one simple message: we need to bring home our American hostages and we must ensure a favorable outcome for the safety and security of our Jewish friends,” Ernst said. Ernst says the murder of American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin shows every second counts in the negotiations. “For over 330 days, Hersh had been held by Hamas after having one of his arms blown off while trying to save others on October 7th of 2023,” Ernst said. “The reality it Hersh should still be alive today.”

Seven American citizens are still hostages of Hamas. During her visit to the region last month, Ernst met with Israel’s prime minister as well as the leaders of Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Ernst says Iran must be held accountable for its support of Hamas. “They should be cowering in dread of the response awaiting them for spilling American blood,” Ernst said.

Ernst describes the Biden-Harris Administration’s approach to the Middle East as risk averse. Ernst told reporters at the convention any other administration would have sought retribution and gone after a terrorist organization that took Americans hostage on October 7th.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were treated for minor injuries, following a collision Monday afternoon northwest of Thayer. According to report, the accident happened at the intersection of 185th Street and Highway 169, when a 2004 Chevy pickup driven by 15-year-old Wyatt Frasier, of Thayer stopped as he was heading westbound, but then proceeded into the intersection on 185th Street.

The teen failed to see an approaching southbound 2022 Chevy pickup driven by 58-year-old Lyle Maynes, of Corning. Maynes was unable to stop. His pickup struck the pickup driven by Frasier, on the passenger side. The crash happened at around 2:40-p.m.

A 5th wheel camper being pulled by Maynes’ truck became detached in the collision, and bent the hitch on the camper, before it struck the rear of Maynes’ truck.

Maynes and his passenger, 59-year-old Bobbi Jo Maynes, were treated for injuries at the scene and released. Both vehicles and the camper were towed-away. Damage from the collision amounted to $26,000, according to the sheriff’s department.

The teenage driver was cited for Failure to Yield to a vehicle on his right.

(Hardin County, Iowa) – Two people died in a head-on crash Monday afternoon south of Ackley. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2016 Ford Edge SUV was traveling north on Hardin County Road D-15 at the same time a 2024 Isuzu truck was traveling southbound. The vehicles struck each other head-on at around 3:45-p.m., just north of 120th Street.

Both drivers died. Their names were being withheld, pending notification of family. The crash remains under investigation.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, EMA and Emergency Squad, Ackley Fire, and Eldora EMS.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Board of Education for the Atlantic School District will receive presentations from three professional search (Headhunter) firms, Wednesday evening, as part of the Board’s regular monthly meeting, which begins at 5:30-p.m. in the High School Media Center.

Representatives from Ray and Associates, McPherson and Jacobsen, and HYA Associates are slated to make 45-minute presentations each, with regard to what those firms can offer to the district, in its search for the next Superintendent.

On August 28th, the Atlantic School Board decided to receive those, and other, possible presentations, in an effort to get an early start on finding a replacement for Interim Superintendent, Dr. Beth Johnsen. She was hired in 2023 to fill the void left by the resignation of former Superintendent Steve Barber. Dr. Johnsen took over the post with the understanding the position will expire at the end of her two-year contract, which concludes with the end of the 2024-25 School Year. Dr. Johnsen was encouraged to apply for the full-time position, if she so desires.

The special presentations will begin at 6:15-p.m., Wednesday. In other business, the Atlantic School Board will act on: funding for the Jack & Jill 4-year preschool; An HVAC replacement in the Bus Garage; and a 2026 planned trip for certain students to Costa Rica.

The Board is also expected to act on: The resignation of Oran Perkins as Asst. Baseball Coach for the 2025 Summer Season. Recommendations to hire Classified Hourly Positions for Kitchen Cooks, Felicia Swope and Destinee Well.

They will also act on recommendations for Supplemental Pay for the following Athletic and Activity roles:

• Mike Greving – HS Girls Wrestling Coach (’24-’25)
• Heath Kelley – JH Boys Basketball Coach
• Grace Clay –  HS Musical Pit Director
• Homecoming Float Sponsors:
  • Freshman – Elizabeth Herrick-Williams
  • Sophomore – Molly O’Hara
  • Junior – Trisha Koenig
  • Senior – Holly Esbeck.

View the full meeting agenda here: PUBLIC AGENDA 09112024

DES MOINES, Iowa – A federal grand jury in Des Moines has returned an indictment charging 18 individuals with offenses related to bank fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy. The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa today (Monday), said as alleged in the Indictment, Defendants orchestrated a nationwide scheme to defraud financial institutions and draw funds from stolen business checks. Defendants, located across the country, first obtained the stolen checks from uncharged co-conspirators.

They then registered sham entities with the IRS and state government agencies—including the Iowa Secretary of State—with names which were identical or similar to the legitimate recipients of the checks. After obtaining registration documents and IRS employer identification numbers, Defendants opened or attempted to open accounts at banks and credit unions in the names of the sham entities, intending to deposit the stolen checks. While attempting to open the accounts, Defendants made material misrepresentations to or concealed material facts from the banks and credit unions.

The Indictment alleges that once Defendants were able to open the accounts for the sham entities, they deposited or attempted to deposit the stolen checks in the accounts. If the deposit was successful, Defendants withdrew large amounts of cash from the accounts and/or obtained cashier’s or official checks from the accounts. Defendants distributed the proceeds among their co-conspirators.

Oftentimes, Defendants obtained cashier’s or official checks written to sham entities that were created for the purpose of laundering stolen check proceeds. Defendants used the money obtained from the stolen business checks for their personal benefit and purposes.

The Indictment alleges the Defendants’ conduct affected at least twelve business victims and at least fourteen financial institution victims. Defendants and their co-conspirators attempted to deposit at least $10 million worth of stolen checks into fraudulent accounts and were able to obtain at least $2.1 million in proceeds from their criminal conduct.

If convicted, Defendants face a maximum penalty of thirty years in prison on counts alleging bank fraud or bank fraud conspiracy and ten years in prison on counts alleging money laundering or money laundering conspiracy.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating the case with assistance from the Postal Inspection Service, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and Secret Service, as well as with assistance from numerous state and local agencies. Assistant United States Attorneys Kyle Essley, Kristin Herrera, and Joseph Lubben are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.