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Tournament of Champions – Final Round Results (Complete)

Sports

August 11th, 2024 by Jim Field

Sunday, August 11, 2024 @ Atlantic Golf & Country Club

Open Division:

  • Alec Fuhs (Webster City) 73 – 64 – 69 = 206 (-1)
  • Ross Martens (Jefferson) 69 – 71 – 67 = 207 (E)
  • Zach Christianson (Atlantic) 67 – 70 – 71 = 208 (+1)
  • Alex Bireline (Adair) 69 – 69 – 74 = 212 (+5)
  • Chase Jahde (Anita) 70 – 70 – 74 = 214 (+7)
  • Evan Schuler (Altoona) 71 – 71 – 72 = 214 (+7)
  • Giani Chiodo (Des Moines) 69 – 77 – 69 = 215 (+8)
  • Jared Koch (Waukee) 71 – 70 – 74 = 215 (+8)
  • Ben Renaud (West Des Moines) 74 – 75 – 67 = 216 (+9)
  • Joe Schafer 76 – 64 – 77 = 217 (+10)
  • Matt Wynne (Norwalk) 72 – 76 – 69 = 217 (+10)
  • Evan Smith (Knoxville) 74 – 72 – 71 = 217 (+10)
  • Andrew Martin (Atlantic) 70 – 71 – 74 = 217 (+10)
  • Jackson Tennis (Missouri Valley) 70 – 73 – 74 = 217 (+10)
  • Rob Langfelt (Walnut) 75 – 67 – 77 = 219 (+12)
  • Jake Olsen (Atlantic) 69 – 78 – 76 = 222 (+15)
  • Matthew Gearheart (Waukee) 78 – 69 – 75 = 222 (+15)
  • Hank Weresh 76 – 71 – 76 = 223 (+16)
  • Nathan Ross (Atlantic) 71 – 77 – 75 = 223 (+16)
  • Matt Haley (Indianola) 68 – 77 – 78 = 223 (+16)
  • Jeff Gude (Atlantic) 74 – 77 – 73 = 224 (+17)
  • Avery Fuhs (Webster City) 73 – 74 – 77 = 224 (+17)
  • Blake Perrin (Grimes) 74 – 72 – 78 = 224 (+17)
  • Brennan Sefrit (New Market) 78 – 68 – 78 = 224 (+17)
  • Nathan Koch (Denison) 74 – 71 – 79 = 224 (+17)
  • Alex Snyder (West Des Moines) 77 – 77 – 71 = 225 (+18)
  • Derek Jacobsen (Omaha, NE) 76 – 74 – 76 = 226 (+19)
  • Michael West (Creston) 72 – 78 – 76 = 226 (+19)
  • Troy Finestead (Granger) 74 – 77 – 75 = 226 (+19)
  • Jess Marlow 76 – 79 – 71 = 226 (+19)
  • Drew Thompson (Lenox) 78 – 74 – 75 = 227 (+20)
  • Cyle Renaud (Atlantic) 78 – 77 – 74 = 229 (+22)
  • Austin Yoakum (Colfax) 79 – 77 – 74 = 231 (+24)
  • Ryan Muldoon (Atlantic) 75 – 81 – 75 = 231 (+24)
  • Matt Gross (Atlantic) 82 – 73 – 77 = 232 (+25)
  • Easton Emery (Denison) 74 – 81 – 77 = 232 (+25)
  • James Reynolds (Griswold) 76 – 77 – 80 = 233 (+26)
  • Cooper Langfelt 82 – 76 – 75 = 233 (+26)
  • Troy Pedersen (Treynor) 80 – 76 – 77 = 233 (+26)
  • Carter Trewet (Ankeny) 79 – 79 – 77 = 235 (+28)
  • Cole Burmeister (Exira) 79 – 77 – 79 = 235 (+28)
  • Jordan Schuler (Atlantic) 74 – 79 – 83 = 236 (+29)
  • McKinley Leonard (Lamoni) 83 – 78 – 79 = 240 (+33)
  • Jaxson Armstrong (West Des Moines) 75 – 86 – 79 = 240 (+33)
  • Kamron Brownlee (Griswold) 81 – 78 – 81 = 240 (+33)
  • Seth Hensley (Massena) 77 – 80 – 83 = 240 (+33)
  • Steven Martin (Shenandoah) 82 – 79 – 81 = 242 (+35)
  • Wes Dahlhauser (West Des Moines) 79 – 86 – 77 = 242 (+35)
  • Tom Leiferman (Ankeny) 82 – 78 – 83 = 243 (+36)
  • Tanner Dunn (Norwalk) 82 – 85 – 76 = 243 (+36)
  • Trevor Schweers (Corning) 82 – 84 – 79 = 245 (+38)
  • Travis Olsen (Anita) 80 – 86 – 81 = 247 (+40)
  • Phoenix Shadden (Atlantic) 80 – 84 – 83 = 247 (+40)
  • Spencer McCosh (Atlantic) 88 – 79 – 82 = 249 (+42)
  • Brody O’Brien (Atlantic) 89 – 89 – 84 = 251 (+44)
  • Scott March 86 – 86 – 79 = 251 (+44)
  • Mitch Burg (Atlantic) 75 – 88 – 90 = 253 (+46)
  • Marcus Lunning (Ankeny) 87 – 87 – 81 = 255 (+48)
  • Cooper McCosh (Granite Falls, MN) 88 – 85 – 84 = 257 (+50)
  • Lucas Mosier (Atlantic) 82 – 83 – 92 = 257 (+50)
  • Hogan Hook (Griswold) 89 – 86 – 83 = 258 (+51)
  • Seth Christensen (Ankeny) 85 – 87 – 89 = 261 (+54)
  • Kywin Tibben (Stanton) 94 – 91 – 84 = 269 (+62)
  • Nolan Jackson (Mt Vernon) 90 – 85 – 95 = 270 (+63)
  • Mitch Leiferman (Ankeny) 92 – 84 – 95 = 271 (+64)
  • Jake Oathoudt (Corning) 98 – 92 – 89 = 279 (+72)

Senior Division:

  • Chris Nelson (Atlantic) 70 – 70 – 71 = 211 (+4)
  • Shane Burmeister (Exira) 66 – 76 – 73 = 215 (+8)
  • Eric Boehlert (Ankeny) 72 – 71 – 73 = 216 (+9)
  • Steven Montgomery (Des Moines) 75 – 71 – 72 = 218 (+11)
  • Darby McLaren (Atlantic) 77 – 70 – 71 = 218 (+11)
  • Ryan Clark (Ankeny) 73 – 71 – 75 = 219 (+12)
  • Bret Taylor (Booneville) 74 – 75 – 73 = 222 (+15)
  • Darron Baker (Eagle Grove) 73 – 78 – 72 = 223 (+16)
  • Bill Matzdorff (Ankeny) 75 – 77 – 79 = 231 (+24)
  • Kyle Rock (Avoca) 80 – 79 – 73 = 232 (+25)
  • Barry Smith (Knoxville) 77 – 79 – 77 = 233 (+26)
  • Daryl Armstrong (Anita) 81 – 80 – 74 = 235 (+28)
  • Eric Brown (Mt Ayr) 75 – 80 – 81 = 236 (+29)
  • Steve Valline (Grimes) 86 – 80 – 71 = 237 (+30)
  • Jeff Heckroth (Grimes) 84 – 77 – 77 = 238 (+31)
  • Bob Franke (Ankeny) 84 – 77 – 89 = 250 (+43)
  • Chad Buresh (Clive) 85 – 88 – 83 = 256 (+49)
  • Richard Pendegraft (Elkhorn, NE) 97 – 94 – 91 = 282 (+75)
  • Roger Fisher 96 – 101 – 104 = 301 (+94)

Super Senior Division:

  • Rick Carter (Creston) 77 – 67 – 68 = 212 (+5) ** won playoff **
  • Del Miller (West Branch) 73 – 73 – 66 = 212 (+5)
  • Rick Thompson (Fairfield) 75 – 76 – 71 = 222 (+15)
  • John Willmore 84 – 69 – 73 = 226 (+19)
  • Arnie Leistad (Atlantic) 75 – 76 – 77 = 228 (+21)
  • Kim Peters (Adair) 73 – 82 – 77 = 232 (+25)
  • Jim Simmelink (Adair) 77 – 77 – 80 = 234 (+27)
  • Barry McGinn (Council Bluffs) 82 – 78 – 77 = 237 (+30)
  • Jeff Morenz (Atlantic) 74 – 87 – 77 = 238 (+31)
  • Rich Ward (Anita) 80 – 80 – 83 = 243 (+36)
  • Paul Huddleson (Atlantic) 85 – 82 – 85 = 252 (+45)
  • Merlin Bell (Leon) 86 – 81 – 86 = 253 (+46)
  • Ron Pendegraft (Creston) 86 – 83 – 85 = 254 (+47)
  • Mick Lee 86 – 88 – 85 = 256 (+49)
  • Ron Calhoun (Anita) 86 – 81 – 93 = 260 (+53)
  • Perry Paulsen (Exira) 91 – 85 – 86 = 262 (+55)
  • Tim Dooley (Eagle Grove) 88 – 87 – 95 = 270 (+63)

Posted in Sports |

UPDATE 8:29-a.m. 8/11/24: 2 men from Omaha die from shooting incident in Mills County

News

August 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

PACIFIC JUNCTION, Iowa – The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation reports two men from Nebraska died Saturday night during a shooting incident at a concert near Pacific Junction. Authorities say at approximately 8:59- p.m. on August 10, 2024, the Mills County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting at the I-29 Speedway in Pacific Junction. An outdoor concert was about to begin when the shooting occurred in the parking lot. Two men, 28-year-old Marcus L. Johnson, and 27-year-old Charles A. Williams Jr., both from Omaha, Nebraska, died as a result of the shooting.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa State Patrol, Omaha Police Department, and several surrounding law enforcement agencies. Law enforcement is asking anyone who has information about the shooting to contact the Mills County Sheriff’s Office at 712.527.4871. This is an ongoing investigation. No additional information will be released at this time.

Previous report by KJAN…

(Pacific Junction, Iowa) [UPDATED 7-a.m. 8/11/24]- Two people are now confirmed to be dead, and at least one person was critically injured during a shooting at a concert at the I-29 Speedway near Pacific Junction. One of the subjects was flown by LifeNet 1-1 from near Loess Hills Harley Davidson to Bergan-Mercy Hospital. The incident occurred at around 9-p.,m., during the concert that followed “The Pull Up Car Show and Music fest,” featuring musical acts Lil Bossie, Rob49, Rich the Factor and others.

The concert was cancelled just before 10-p.m. It was scheduled to end at 11-p.m.  Emergency crews staged near Agri-Vision while law enforcement was working to secure the scene. Authorities were looking for at least three suspects, reportedly in a black Mercedes sedan. Omaha Police helicopter ABLE-1 was requested to conduct a FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared Radar) [Heat seeking]  search of the area.

As of 10:10-p.m., a heavy law enforcement presence was still on-the-scene. At least two-thousand people were leaving the scene as the concert closed down, according to law enforcement. They were being stopped at gate checkpoints to look for possible suspects and/or witnesses.

Additional details are currently not available. The area was still an active crime scene late Saturday night.

Posted in News |

Tournament of Champions Forecast (Day 3) for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: 8/11/24

Weather

August 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming south southeast 5 to 10 mph this afternoon.
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms developing late. Low around 59. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Monday: Mostly cloudy w/showers & thunderstorms ending in the morning. High near 72. East winds 5-10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 77. E/SE winds 5-10.
Tue. Night: A 50% chance of showers & thunderstorms. Low around 61.
Wednesday: A 30% chance of showers & thunderstorms. High near 81.

Saturday’s High in Atlantic was 78. The Low was 44. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 87 and the Low was 59. The Record High here on Aug. 11th, was 104 in 1894. The Record Low was 40 in 1902. Sunrise today: 6:24-a.m.; Sunset: 8:25-p.m.

Posted in Weather |

(UPDATED) 2 dead, at 1 critically wounded in a shooting Saturday night during a concert near Pacific Junction

News

August 10th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Pacific Junction, Iowa) [UPDATED 7-a.m. 8/11/24]- Two people are now confirmed to be dead, and at least one person was critically injured during a shooting at a concert at the I-29 Speedway near Pacific Junction. One of the subjects was flown by LifeNet 1-1 from near Loess Hills Harley Davidson to Bergan-Mercy Hospital. The incident occurred at around 9-p.,m., during the concert that followed “The Pull Up Car Show and Music fest,” featuring musical acts Lil Bossie, Rob49, Rich the Factor and others.

The concert was cancelled just before 10-p.m. It was scheduled to end at 11-p.m.  Emergency crews staged near Agri-Vision while law enforcement was working to secure the scene. Authorities were looking for at least three suspects, reportedly in a black Mercedes sedan. Omaha Police helicopter ABLE-1 was requested to conduct a FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared Radar) [Heat seeking]  search of the area.

As of 10:10-p.m., a heavy law enforcement presence was still on-the-scene. At least two-thousand people were leaving the scene as the concert closed down, according to law enforcement. They were being stopped at gate checkpoints to look for possible suspects and/or witnesses.

Additional details are currently not available. The area was still an active crime scene late Saturday night.

Posted in News |

Creston man arrested on a Missouri warrant for SOR violation

News

August 10th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A man from Union County was arrested early this (Saturday) morning on a warrant out of Missouri for Failing to Register as a Sex Offender. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office arrested 48-year-old Theodore R. Barrett , of Creston, after a deputy stopped to assist a motorist near the Adams/Montgomery County line, at around 12:19-a.m., Saturday.

Barrett also goes by the aliases of “Mustafa Hussein Bin Beyyette,” “Beyyette H Bin,” and Mustafa Hussein Beyyette. Barrett was convicted in Nov., 2001, of having Incident Contact with a female 12 years of age or younger, in Clarinda.

“Mustafa Hussein Bin Beyyette.” Missouri State Hwy Patrol Sex offender Registry photo from 2012.

Following is arrest this (Saturday) morning, he was transported to the Montgomery County Jail where is awaiting extradition to Missouri.

Posted in News |

Tournament of Champions – Round 2 Results

Sports

August 10th, 2024 by Jim Field

Saturday, August 10, 2024 @ Atlantic Golf & Country Club

Open Division:

  • 1. Zach Christianson (Atlantic) 67 – 70 = 137 (-1)
  • 1. Alec Fuhs (Webster City) 73 – 64 = 137 (-1)
  • 3. Alex Bireline (Adair) 69 – 69 = 138 (E)
  • 4. Joe Schafer 76 – 64 = 140 (+2)
  • 4. Ross Martens (Jefferson) 69 – 71 = 140 (+2)
  • 4. Chase Jahde (Anita) 70 – 70 = 140 (+2)
  • 7. Jared Koch (Waukee) 71 – 70 = 141 (+3)
  • 7. Andrew Martin (Atlantic) 70 – 71 = 141 (+3)
  • 9. Rob Langfelt (Walnut) 75 – 67 = 142 (+4)
  • 9. Evan Schuler (Altoona) 71 – 71 = 142 (+4)
  • 11. Jackson Tennis (Missouri Valley) 70 – 73 = 143 (+5)
  • 12. Nathan Koch (Denison) 74 – 71 = 145 (+7)
  • 12. Matt Haley (Indianola) 68 – 77 = 145 (+7)
  • 14. Blake Perrin (Grimes) 74 – 72 = 146 (+8)
  • 14. Brennan Sefrit (New Market) 78 – 68 = 146 (+8)
  • 14. Evan Smith (Knoxville) 74 – 72 = 146 (+8)
  • 14. Giani Chiodo (Des Moines) 69 – 77 = 146 (+8)
  • 18. Matthew Gearheart (Waukee) 78 – 69 = 147 (+9)
  • 18. Hank Weresh 76 – 71 = 147 (+9)
  • 18. Avery Fuhs (Webster City) 73 – 74 = 147 (+9)
  • 18. Jake Olsen (Atlantic) 69 – 78 = 147 (+9)
  • 22. Matt Wynne (Norwalk) 72 – 76 = 148 (+10)
  • 22. Nathan Ross (Atlantic) 71 – 77 = 148 (+10)
  • 24. Ben Renaud (West Des Moines) 74 – 75 = 149 (+11)
  • 25. Derek Jacobsen (Omaha, NE) 76 – 74 = 150 (+12)
  • 25. Michael West (Creston) 72 – 78 = 150 (+12)
  • 27. Jeff Gude (Atlantic) 74 – 77 = 151 (+13)
  • 27. Troy Finestead (Granger) 74 – 77 = 151 (+13)
  • 29. Drew Thompson (Lenox) 78 – 74 = 152 (+14)
  • 30. James Reynolds (Griswold) 76 – 77 = 153 (+15)
  • 30. Jordan Schuler (Atlantic) 74 – 79 = 153 (+15)
  • 32. Alex Snyder (West Des Moines) 77 – 77 = 154 (+16)
  • 33. Jess Marlow 76 – 79 = 155 (+17)
  • 33. Matt Gross (Atlantic) 82 – 73 = 155 (+17)
  • 33. Cyle Renaud (Atlantic) 78 – 77 = 155 (+17)
  • 33. Easton Emery (Denison) 74 – 81 = 155 (+17)
  • 37. Cole Burmeister (Exira) 79 – 77 = 156 (+18)
  • 37. Troy Pedersen (Treynor) 80 – 76 = 156 (+18)
  • 37. Ryan Muldoon (Atlantic) 75 – 81 = 156 (+18)
  • 40. Austin Yoakum (Colfax) 79 – 77 = 157 (+19)
  • 40. Seth Hensley (Massena) 77 – 80 = 157 (+19)
  • 42. Cooper Langfelt 82 – 76 = 158 (+20)
  • 42. Carter Trewet (Ankeny) 79 – 79 = 158 (+20)
  • 44. Kamron Brownlee (Griswold) 81 -78 = 159 (+21)
  • 45. Tom Leiferman (Ankeny) 82 – 78 = 160 (+22)
  • 46. Steven Martin (Shenandoah) 82 – 79 = 161 (+23)
  • 46. McKinley Leonard (Lamoni) 83 – 78 = 161 (+23)
  • 46. Jaxson Armstrong (West Des Moines) 75 – 86 = 161 (+23)
  • 49. Mitch Burg (Atlantic) 75 – 88 = 163 (+25)
  • 50. Phoenix Shadden (Atlantic) 80 – 84 = 164 (+26)
  • 51. Lucas Mosier (Atlantic) 82 – 83 = 165 (+27)
  • 51. Wes Dahlhauser (West Des Moines) 79 – 86 = 165 (+27)
  • 53. Travis Olsen (Anita) 80 – 86 = 166 (+28)
  • 53. Trevor Schweers (Corning) 82 – 84 = 166 (+28)
  • 55. Spencer McCosh (Atlantic) 88 – 79 = 167 (+29)
  • 55. Tanner Dunn (Norwalk) 82 – 85 = 167 (+29)
  • 57. Scott March 86 – 86 = 172 (+34)
  • 57. Seth Christensen (Ankeny) 85 – 87 = 172 (+34)
  • 59. Cooper McCosh (Granite Falls, MN) 88 – 85 = 173 (+35)
  • 60. Marcus Lunning (Ankeny) 87 – 87 = 174 (+36)
  • 61. Nolan Jackson (Mt Vernon) 90 – 85 = 175 (+37)
  • 61. Hogan Hook (Griswold) 89 – 86 = 175 (+37)
  • 63. Mitch Leiferman (Ankeny) 92 – 84 = 176 (+38)
  • 64. Brody O’Brien (Atlantic) 89 – 89 = 178 (+40)
  • 65. Kywin Tibben (Stanton) 94 – 91 = 185 (+47)
  • 66. Jake Oathoudt (Corning) 98 – 92 = 190 (+52)

Senior Division:

  • 1. Chris Nelson (Atlantic) 70 – 70 = 140 (+2)
  • 2. Shane Burmeister (Exira) 66 – 76 = 142 (+4)
  • 3. Eric Boehlert (Ankeny) 72 – 71 = 143 (+5)
  • 4. Ryan Clark (Ankeny) 73 – 71 = 144 (+6)
  • 5. Steven Montgomery (Des Moines) 75 – 71 = 146 (+8)
  • 6. Darby McLaren (Atlantic) 77 – 70 = 147 (+9)
  • 7. Bret Taylor (Booneville) 74 – 75 = 149 (+11)
  • 8. Darron Baker (Eagle Grove) 73 – 78 = 151 (+13)
  • 9. Bill Matzdorff (Ankeny) 75 – 77 = 152 (+14)
  • 10. Eric Brown (Mt Ayr) 75 – 80 = 155 (+17)
  • 11. Barry Smith (Knoxville) 77 – 79 = 156 (+18)
  • 12. Kyle Rock (Avoca) 80 – 79 = 159 (+21)
  • 13. Bob Franke (Ankeny) 84 – 76 = 160 (+22)
  • 14. Daryl Armstrong (Anita) 81 – 80 = 161 (+23)
  • 14. Jeff Heckroth (Grimes) 84 – 77 = 161 (+23)
  • 16. Steve Valline (Grimes) 86 – 80 = 166 (+28)
  • 17. Chad Buresh (Clive) 85 – 88 = 174 (+36)
  • 18. Richard Pendegraft (Elkhorn, NE) 97 – 94 = 191 (+53)
  • 19. Roger Fisher 96 – 101 = 197 (+59)

Super Senior Division:

  • 1. Rick Carter (Creston) 77 – 67 = 144 (+6)
  • 2. Del Miller (West Branch) 73 – 73 = 146 (+8)
  • 3. Arnie Leistad (Atlantic) 75 – 76 = 151 (+13)
  • 3. Rick Thompson (Fairfield) 75 – 76 = 151 (+13)
  • 5. John Willmore 84 – 69 = 153 (+15)
  • 6. Jim Simmelink (Adair) 77 – 77 = 154 (+16)
  • 7. Kim Peters (Adair) 73 – 82 = 155 (+17)
  • 8. Rich Ward (Anita) 80 – 80 = 160 (+22)
  • 8. Barry McGinn (Council Bluffs) 82 – 78 = 160 (+22)
  • 10. Jeff Morenz (Atlantic) 74 – 87 = 161 (+23)
  • 11. Paul Huddleson (Atlantic) 85 – 82 = 167 (+29)
  • 11. Merlin Bell (Leon) 86 – 81 = 167 (+29)
  • 11. Ron Calhoun (Anita) 86 – 81 = 167 (+29)
  • 11. Kirk Nelson (Atlantic) 78 – 89 = 167 (+29)
  • 15. Ron Pendegraft (Creston) 86 – 83 = 169 (+31)
  • 16. Mick Lee 86 – 88 = 175 (+36)
  • 17. Tim Dooley (Eagle Grove) 88 – 87 = 175 (+37)
  • 18. Perry Paulsen (Exira) 91 – 85 = 176 (+38)

Posted in Sports |

Webster County animal neglect investigation results in 29 dogs & puppies being seized by law enforcement

News

August 10th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

WEBSTER COUNTY, Iowa — The Webster County Sheriff’s Office says an animal neglect investigation has resulted in the seizure of dozens of dogs and puppies from a residence near Badger. WHO-TV reports the investigation began on July 29th when Webster County Animal Control contacted WCSO about a possible case of animal neglect in rural Webster County. Investigators determined a property owner possessed around 25 dogs and puppies that were malnourished and not receiving veterinary care.

The WCSO said two of the puppies were released by the owner to Animal Control and taken to a veterinarian. They were found to be emaciated, underfed, and had a severe worm infection. The veterinarian’s report showed the puppies’ body condition was listed as a two out of a nine.

A search warrant was executed by the Webster County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday and 29 dogs and puppies were seized from the rural Webster County residence. The Animal Rescue League of Iowa and Webster County Animal Control assisted in removing and relocating the animals.

The WCSO says the investigation is continuing and there are criminal charges pending in the case.

Posted in News |

Injunction lifted on Iowa law restricting books in K-12 school libraries

News

August 10th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) The Iowa law prohibiting school libraries from having books containing sexually explicit material can go into effect, federal appeals court judges ruled Friday. According to the Iowa Capital Dispatch, the three-person panel moved to lift the injunction blocking the law from enforcement, on Friday. Portions of the 2023 law were previously blocked in January by U.S. District Court Judge Stephen Locher. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled that Locher’s decision was based on a “flawed analysis of the law.”

The law prohibits school libraries from including books with written and visual depictions of sex acts from, in addition to banning instruction and materials involving issues of “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. These regulations will now be allowed to take effect as legal challenges continue. The law is being challenged by multiple parties.

Iowa State Education Association President Joshua Brown said in a statement that the organization was “disappointed” by the appeals court decision. Critics of the measure say that the law will keep classic literature — like the books “Brave New World” and “Ulysses” — from being available in school libraries, but that a majority of the books removed from school shelves are those focused on stories about race and LGBTQ+ issues, like “Gender Queer,” “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” and “The Color Purple.”

Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye” was among more than two dozen books removed last month from a school library at Goddard, Kansas, following a challenge by a parent. The books have since been returned to the shelves. Max McCoy/Kansas Reflector

Educators have criticized the state for not clarifying the rules surrounding the law, as the Iowa Department of Education did not respond to advocates’ request to provide more information on what materials are considered “age-appropriate” under the law. The state department has said they plan to address allegations of noncompliance on a case-by-case basis.

But Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said the appeals court decision was a win for Iowa parents. “We went to court to defend Iowa’s schoolchildren and parental rights, and we won,” Bird said in a statement. “This victory ensures age-appropriate books and curriculum in school classrooms and libraries. With this win, parents will no longer have to fear what their kids have access to in schools when they are not around.” Gov. Kim Reynolds also released a statement supporting the court opinion:

“Today, the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit confirmed what we already knew – it should be parents who decide when and if sexually-explicit books are appropriate for their children,” Reynolds said. “Here in Iowa, we will continue to focus on excellence in education and partnerships with parents and educators.”

The lawsuit found that the district court decision did not properly evaluate the law under existing precedent — referring specially to the 2024 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Moody v. NetChoice, a lawsuit involving speech on social media platforms. However, the judges also rejected the state’s argument that school library materials constitute “government speech.” They also found that a transgender student whose school district banned gender-sexuality alliance clubs due to concerns about the law has standing to sue.

The decision returns the case to district court for further action.

Posted in News |

Decatur County man dies during a crash Friday evening

News

August 10th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Leon, Iowa) – Authorities say a medical condition may have caused a single-vehicle crash Friday evening in southern Iowa, that resulted in a fatality. The Iowa State Patrol reports 61-year-old Edward Ray Hiebing, of Leon, was driving a 2007 GMC Sierra pickup truck east on Highway 2 at around 6:45-p.m., when the vehicle left the road to the south and struck the Long Creek Outfitters Building at 1601 W. 1st Street.

Hiebing was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office, and Leon Fire and Rescue.

Posted in News |

Marshalltown Murder Suspect dead after being shot by law enforcement in California

News

August 10th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Marshalltown, Iowa) – Officials with the Anaheim, California, Police Department report an Iowa man wanted on a charge of Murder in the 1st Degree, in connection with a fatal shooting June 1st, 2024 in Marshalltown, died Friday after he was shot by law enforcement near a motel in California. 18-year-old Victor Delgadillo, of Marshalltown, was transported to a local hospital after he was shot at around 1:30-p.m. Friday near a Motel 6, by a U-S. Marshals law enforcement Task Force who were attempted to arrest the man.

According to a social media post by the Anaheim Police Department, officers responded to the 1400 block of N. State College Blvd. to assist a U.S. Marshal’s Task Force, The U.S. Marshal’s Task Force consisted of law enforcement personnel from the U.S. Marshal’s Office, the California Department of Corrections, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, and other agencies.

Victor Delgadillo

Task Force personnel and Anaheim Police contacted the suspect, and an officer-involved shooting occurred. One Anaheim Police officer and other members of the Task Force fired their weapons. The officers rendered first aid before the subject was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. There are no outstanding suspects.
A firearm was located at the scene. No officers were injured as a result of the shooting. However, a bystander was struck by a bullet, which resulted in a minor injury. The bystander was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated and released a short time later.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office responded to initiate the investigation into the circumstances of the officer-involved shooting. Anaheim PD Homicide Detectives, the Anaheim PD Major Incident Review Team (MIRT), Anaheim PD Internal Affairs, and personnel from the Anaheim Police Review Board (PRB) and Office of Independent Review (OIR) also responded to the incident. The investigation is ongoing at this time.

Posted in News |