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Des Moines area video production company owner arrested on child porn-related charges

News

March 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

WINDSOR HEIGHTS, Iowa [WHO-TV] — The owner of a Des Moines area video production company was booked into the Polk County Jail Thursday on multiple child pornography-related charges. 57-year-old Frederick Amundson, of West Des Moines, is charged with 22 counts of Purchase/Possess Depiction of Minor in Sex Act 1st Offense. The charges stem from an investigation started in April of 2022.

An application for a search warrant in the case said an employee at Gate House Pictures, located at 6611 University Avenue #104, contacted the Windsor Heights Police Department after finding images of child pornography in the trash file of a shared computer. The officer who responded to the initial call observed the photos on the computer.

Windsor Heights police spoke with Amundson, the owner of the business, a few days after the initial call. According to the application, Amundson admitted to possessing approximately 12 images of nude underage girls. He claimed he downloaded the photos onto a work computer.

The computer and other electronic storage devices were seized during the investigation and the FBI did a digital forensic examination, according to court documents. In February of this year, the FBI passed along evidence that 22 pictures depicting child pornography involving nude females between the ages of 6 and 12 had been found on Amundson’s computer.

A $100,000 cash-only bond has been set for Amundson. A no-contact order was also put in place prohibiting him from having contact with anyone under the age of 18. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 1.

Atlantic City Council… extra news

News

March 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic, Wednesday, held a Public Hearing on authorizing the submission of a CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) application for the Atlantic Municipal Utilities (AMU) Water Project/improvements. Dani Briggs, SWIPCO Community Development Specialist, attending the meeting by phone, summarized the scope of the project.

AMU will provide a local match of approximately $1,054, 479. The total project cost is estimated at more than $1.08-million. The City will apply for the grant funds, and when received, will act as a pass-through agency for the funds to AMU. There is no cost to the City for its role in the matter.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council passed an Order to Adopt a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and the Nishna Valley YMCA, for 2024 management of the Sunny Pool. Councilperson Elaine Otte said the matter was previously discussed and reviewed in a Personnel and Finance Committee meeting.

The new management agreement includes pay for lifeguards at $15 per hour, an hourly pool manager rate of pay of $25, and a management fee of $20,000.

All lifeguards will be employed, hired, trained, provided with uniforms, and scheduled through the Y. The city will reimburse the Y for the lifeguards’ wages, the pool manager’s fee, and the management fee. The city will be responsible for all other costs associated with running Sunnyside Pool.

The Council set their meeting on April 3rd as the date/time for a Public Hearing/additional action, on proposals to enter into General Obligation Loan Agreements, and to Borrow Money for the same. City Administrator John Lund offered an explanation for the hearing.

And, the Atlantic City Council agreed to accept a recommendation from the Personnel & Finance Committee, with regard to FY 2025 Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) Progress and Beautification Budgets.

They approved an updated retainer agreement with Otto, Lorence and Wiederstein, which increases compensation from $2,000 per month, to $2,500 per month, and reflects changes in who the Assistant City Attorney is.

Most of the work for the City in legal matters, will be performed by David Wiederstein.

Ft. Dodge Police identify Officers involved in a fatal shooting

News

March 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

FORT DODGE, Iowa — Officials with the Fort Dodge Police Department, Friday, identified the four police officers who were dispatched to a scene that turned deadly, when an officer shot and killed a suspect. On March 16th, police shot and killed 24-year-old Tyler Stansberry of Fort Dodge, after he reportedly charged at the officers, while carrying two knives. Officers were called to the scene following a report of a person in a home, who was out of control, and had injured a dog. When they entered, Stansberry allegedly ran at the officers while holding the knives, leading to an officer shooting Stansberry.

The four officers involved were:

  • Officer Nicholas Ruggles
  • Sergeant Matthew Webb
  • Officer Andrew Lane
  • Officer Matthew English

All four are still on critical incident leave as the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations continues to investigate the fatal shooting.

Iowa’s Governor to meet w/Tyson Foods officials next week, in Perry

News

March 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds will be meeting with Tyson Foods leaders in Perry next week ahead of the plant’s shutdown in the summer. The governor’s office says Perry city leaders will also be a part of that meeting.

Tyson announced earlier this month that it would be closing the pork processing plant before July, putting hundreds of people out of work.

Iowa Workforce Development’s new mobile workforce truck will be on hand to help plant workers find their next career.

OWI arrest in Red Oak Saturday morning

News

March 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak say 19-year-old Jacob Matthew Haupert was arrested at around 4:50-a.m. today (Saturday), for OWI/1st offense. His arrest followed a traffic stop in the 1800 block of Highway 48. Haupert was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

Griswold man arrested Saturday morning (3/23) in Montgomery County

News

March 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) –  A traffic stop at 100th Street and I Avenue in Montgomery County early this (Saturday) morning, resulted in the arrest of a man from Cass County. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 32-year-old Timothy Alan Carlson, of Griswold, was arrested at around 1:10-a.m., for OWI/1st offense. Carlson was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

Adams County Sheriff’s report, 3/22/24

News

March 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Corning, Iowa) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Friday, issued reports on recent arrests/incidents. Authorities say following an investigation into an incident that took place Feb. 9th, 26-year-old Tyler Whaley, of Bella Vista, AR, who was being held in the Adams County Jail on previous charges, was arrested and charged with: Possession of Stolen Property (a Class-C Felony); Altering or changing VIN numbers (a Class-D Felony); Fraudulent Practice (Class-C Felony); Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree (Class-D Felony), and Theft in the 4th Degree (Serious Misdemeanor).

On February 25th, Adams County Deputies were dispatched at around 9:20-p.m. to 807 Nodaway Avenue, for a physical Domestic incident. After an extensive investigation, Devin Lee Heimke, of Corning, was arrested for Domestic Abuse/1st offense, Child Endangerment, and Interference with Official Acts. Heimke was booked into the Adams County Jail and held.

On March 9th, 32-year-old Willie Michael, of Norco, LA, was arrested for Possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance, following a traffic stop in Adams County.

Deputies in Adams County conducted at traffic stop March 10th at around 11:35-p.m., on a vehicle that was not maintaining its lane. The driver, 54-year-old Jodi Kae Ritnour, of Corning, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, following an investigation. Ritnour’s breath alcohol concentration was .203%, or more than twice the legal limit for intoxication. She was held in the Adams County Jail on a $1,000 cash bond.

On another traffic stop, Kelly Malone, of Corning, was pulled-over for Driving While Suspended. Upon a search of the vehicle, a methamphetamine pipe and meth were located in the vehicle. Malone was arrested on the Driving While Suspended charge, possession of drug paraphernalia, and poss. of a controlled substance (meth). Malone was transported to the Adams County Jail and later released.

On the 18th of March, 21-year-old Cody Robertson, of Creston, was arrested on four active warrants for Failure To Appear. While being booked into the Adams County Jail, Robertson was arrested on a new charge of possession of a controlled substance. He later posted bond and was released. That same date, 35-year-old Bryant Adkins, of Creston, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault (Impeding air/blood flow), two-counts of Child Endangerment, and Harassment in the 1st Degree. His bond was set at $20,000.

On March 19th, 30-year-old Bayram Osman, of Newton, was charged in Adams County with Harassment in the 3rd Degree. He was released on a Promise to Appear in Court. And, on March 20th, Deputies in Adams County arrested Thomas Greenwood, who was being held in the Adams County Jail. His additional charge of OWI/1st offense was the result of a pursuit that occurred on January 31st.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Saturday, March 23rd, 2024

Weather

March 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Increasing clouds, with a high near 39. Northeast wind 8 to 13 mph becoming east southeast in the afternoon.

Tonight: A slight chance of rain or freezing rain between 3am and 4am, then a chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. East southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Sunday: Rain. High near 49. Windy, with a south southeast wind 20 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday Night: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1am. Low around 41. Windy, with a south southeast wind 22 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Windy, with a south southeast wind around 23 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers before 10pm, then a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of snow showers before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. Windy.

Friday’s High in Atlantic was 38. We received a Trace of rain. Our Low this morning, 21. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 41 and the Low was 21. The all-time Record High in Atlantic on March 23rd, was 86 in 1910. The Record Low was 4 in 1974. Sunrise today: 7:19. Sunset tonight: 7:36.

Atlantic Tennis is feeling energized for upcoming year

Sports

March 23rd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The Atlantic Trojans tennis program is looking driven for their upcoming season with 55 active participants on this year’s roster and a host of underclassmen. Atlantic is led by seasoned Head Coach Mike McDermott who noted the unique atmosphere that a swarm of younger tennis players bring.

This year’s freshman core adds a positive level of competitiveness that Coach McDermott has seen sharpen each other.

With an influx of younger players, Coach McDermott has been looking towards his seniors for leadership and has noticed them stepping up.

The focus for Atlantic Trojan tennis now is solidifying the top six and getting better each and every day.

On the topic of expectations, Coach McDermott sees and expects his program to be competitive throughout the year.

The Atlantic Girl’s tennis team will face Kuemper Catholic at the Atlantic High School Tennis courts on April 1st. The Atlantic Boys’ team competes with Kuemper Catholic at Graham Park also on April 1st.

CROOKS PUSHES ISU PAST MARYLAND IN FIRST ROUND

Sports

March 23rd, 2024 by admin

STANFORD, California – Iowa State (21-11, 12-6 Big 12) continues to dance, downing Maryland (19-14, 9-9 Big Ten) in dramatic fashion, rallying back after being down by 20 to cement the seven-point victory of 93-86 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. It is the second-largest comeback in NCAA Women’s Championship history. Audi Crooks put up an all-time performance as she broke five Iowa State records on the night with 40 points at 90 percent.

The comeback stands one point behind the largest, where Texas A&M defeated Penn in 2017 in the first round. Iowa State fell behind by as much as 20 in the second quarter on account of Maryland shooting at 60 percent from the field including at 9-of-13 from deep, but Iowa State came alive in the second half outscoring Maryland 57-34. Crooks shot perfectly in the final two quarters with 10 shots, totaling 22 second-half points. Her final line stood at 40 points (18-of-20 shooting), 12 rebounds and two blocks.

Crooks downed the NCAA Championships single-game ISU point record (40), field goals made (18), field goal percentage (.900) along with the freshman single-game all-time record. Crooks also took down the freshman free throw record of 106 set by Jayme Olson in the 1994-95 season, now making the record 110. Crooks point total is the fourth-highest single-game total of any game in program history, just the fourth 40-point game for a Cyclone.

The freshman is the second player in women’s or men’s NCAA Championships history to score 40-plus points with at least 90 percent shooting, joining the company of Bill Walton who achieved the feat in the 1973 title game for UCLA. Crooks’ 40 points is the most by any player in her first career NCAA Tournament game dating back to 2000. The next most over that span is 39 by Elena Delle Donne on March 18, 2012. It is also the most by any freshman in any NCAA Tournament game since 2000.

The 40 points ties the Big 12 NCAA Championships record, matching Brittney Griner’s total set in the 2011 Regional Semifinal.

Emily Ryan totaled 18 points with 15 in the second half, also notching a double-double with 14 assists. It is her sixth double-figure assists game and second with 14 this season. Kelsey Joens (12) and Hannah Belanger (10) totaled four Cyclones with 10-plus points.

Up Next

The Cyclones move on to the second round of the NCAA Championship and will face the winner of the Stanford vs. Norfolk State game on Sunday, March 24. The time and network will be announced in the future.