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DCI investigates in-custody death

News

May 6th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DENISON, Iowa – Around 7:30 p.m. on May 5, 2024, officers from the Denison Police Department arrested a 61-year-old male for public intoxication. The subject was placed into a lone jail cell.

At approximately 9:00 a.m. on May 6, 2024, while conducting a scheduled welfare check, Crawford County jail staff discovered the subject had become unresponsive. Crawford County jail staff, deputies and EMS performed CPR on the subject and transported him to the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison where he was later pronounced deceased.

The male subject was identified by a family member as Abraham Gatwech Ngor of Denison. A forensic autopsy has been scheduled for May 8, 2024, at the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny, Iowa.

The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office requested the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to investigate the death of Ngor.

No further details will be released at this time.

IRMA JACOBSON, 94, of Greenfield (Svcs. 5/11/24)

Obituaries

May 6th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

IRMA JACOBSON, 94, of Greenfield, died Monday, May 6, 2024, at the Greenfield Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.  Funeral services for IRMA JACOBSON will be held 2:30-p.m. Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, in Fontanelle. Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield has the arrangements.

Burial is in the Fontanelle Cemetery.  A luncheon will be held at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, following the burial.

For her joy of reading, memorials in Irma’s name may be directed to the Greenfield Public Library.

IRMA JACOBSON is survived by:

Her daughter – Diane (Richard) Maaske, of Malvern.

Her son – Richard (& wife Shaney) Jacobson, of Mesa, Arizona.

2 grandsons, 5 great grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

JON PELZER, 53, of Excelsior Springs, Mo (formerly of Marne) –

Obituaries

May 6th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

JON PELZER, 53, of Excelsior Springs, Missouri and formerly of Marne, Iowa, died Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, MO. Funeral services for JON PELZER will be on Saturday, May 11th at 11-a.m., at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, in Atlantic.

Visitation with the family will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday at Schmidt Family Funeral Home.

Burial is in the Brighton Township Cemetery in rural Marne.

Memorial contributions my be directed to the Family and can be sent in care of Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 523 Atlantic, IA 50022.

JON PELZER is survived by:

His wife – Heather Christine (Seedorff) Pelzer, of Excelsior Springs, MO.

His daughter – Alexandra Pelzer, of Excelsior Springs, MO.

His sons – Zachary (Ariel) Pelzer, and Elijah Pelzer, all of Excelsior Springs.

His brother – Jeffrey Pelzer, of Atlantic.

1 grandchild,  other relatives and friends.

Iowa’s Brody Brecht on dominant run

Sports

May 6th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Iowa junior pitcher Brody Brecht has been showing why he was a considered a pre-season All-American the past few weeks. The native of Ankeny has won his last three starts and in 22 and two-thirds innings of work has allowed five hits and struck out 36 batters. He yielded two hits and one run in eight innings of work in Saturday’s 9-2 win over Northwestern.

That’s Iowa coach Rick Heller who says Brecht spent part of the season with an oblique strain.

The Hawkeyes are 13-8 in the Big Ten and open a three-game series at conference leader Illinois on Friday.

UNI is No. 2 seed in MVC softball tournament

Sports

May 6th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The Northern Iowa softball team is seeded second in this week’s Missouri Valley softball Tournament in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. The Panthers open on Thursday afternoon against the winner of Wednesday’s game between Drake and Evansville. The Panthers battled injuries to finish the regular season with a record of 31-16.

That’s Panther coach Ryan Jacobs who feels the tough schedule will benefit his team in the tournament.

It will take three wins in three days to win the tournament and lock up a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Atlantic RAGBRAI Launches “Atlantipalooza” Merchandise

News

May 6th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  The Atlantic RAGBRAI®  Committee reveals Atlantipalooza merchandise during the Town Hall Meeting on May 5th.

“The committee chose a music festival theme and came up with Atlantipalooza as a play off the well-known music festival Lalapalooza. The fun merchandise was revealed during the Town Hall Meeting this weekend, and the response from the community was great,” Kelsey Beschorner, Atlantic RAGBRAI Publicity Chair stated.

The merchandise features the bold “Atlantipalooza” logo on brightly colored tanks tops, tee shirts, sweatshirts, and stickers. The committee has limited designs and sizes on hand, but the full line of merchandise can be viewed and purchased on www. AtlanticRAGBRAI.com

The Atlantic RAGBRAI Committee will continue to meet regularly to plan for Atlantipalooza on July 22nd. All forms and information available can be accessed on the website www.atlanticragbrai.com. Community members and riders alike are encouraged to follow Atlantic RAGBRAI on Facebook and Instagram for all things Atlantic RAGBRAI.

EVELYN MORRELL, 97, of Fleming Island, FL (Memorial Svcs. 6/8/24)

Obituaries

May 6th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

EVELYN MORRELL, 97, of Fleming Island, FL, died Monday, May 06, 2024, at her daughter and son-in-law’s home in Fleming Island, Florida, under hospice care. Memorial services for EVELYN MORRELL will be held 10-a.m. June 8, 2024, at the United Methodist Church in Gray (IA). Schmidt-Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon has the arrangements.

Following the service, interment will take place at the Gray Cemetery. A luncheon will be held following the interment at the Gray School.

Memorials may be directed to the Morrell Family in memory of Evelyn, to be designated to many of her favorite organizations and charities. Memorials may be mailed to the Schmidt Family, in care of the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 523 Atlantic, IA 50022.

EVELYN MORRELL is survived by:

Her daughters – Barbara Morrell (& husband John Clement); Jeanette Morrell-Meeker (& husband Larry Meeker); and Deborah Morrell (& and husband Roger Frick) & their 2 children.

Her great-grandchildren, and a large, extended family.

Atlantic Senior Middents signs letter to run for Simpson College

Sports

May 6th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Atlantic Senior and multi-sport athlete Nicole Middents signed her letter of intent to participate in the Simpson College track program in the fall of 2024. When looking at colleges to attend, Middents wanted a cordial atmosphere and a comfortable student body population.

Most high school seniors might feel trepidation with moving away from home. But, thanks to the leadership opportunities and close-knit family culture from the Atlantic Track team. Middents feels assured about her decision to leave Atlantic and major in elementary education.

Girl’s Head Track Coach Matt Mullenix noted that he has nothing but confidence in Middents ability to compete and succeed at the collegiate level.

The fall semester for Simpson starts in August.

Ernst Staff to Host Traveling Office Hours in All 99 Counties in May

News

May 6th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

WASHINGTON — Starting TOMORROW (May 7, 2024), staff from U.S. Senator Joni Ernst’s (R-Iowa) office will be holding traveling office hours in every county throughout the state.

 *Please Note: Senator Ernst will not be at the traveling office hours*

Representatives from Senator Ernst’s office will be available in all 99 counties throughout May to assist Iowans with problems or questions about issues involving Social Security, veterans’ benefits, military affairs, passports, immigration issues, and other federal programs. “Assisting Iowans is a top priority for me,” said Ernst. “That’s why my staff is bringing our office to you this May. Don’t hesitate to stop by when members of my team are in your area!”

Constituents seeking assistance with federal agencies who are unable to attend the traveling office hours can contact one of the senator’s offices directly or submit a casework request online at www.Ernst.senate.gov.

If you have any questions, please contact her office. Some of Ernst’s staff office hours in western Iowa include:

Adair County: Thursday, May 9, 2024 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Adair County Courthouse, 400 Public St. Ste. 5, Greenfield

Adams County: Friday, May 10, 2024 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Corning Public Library

Audubon County: Wednesday, May 8, 2024 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Audubon Public Library

Carroll County: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Carroll Chamber of Commerce

Cass County: Thursday, May 9, 2024 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Atlantic Public Library

Crawford County: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Schleswig City Hall

Dallas County: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM Adel Public Library

Fremont County: Thursday, May 16, 2024 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Fremont County Courthouse, Sidney, IA

Guthrie County: Wednesday, May 8, 2024 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Mary J. Barnett Memorial Library, Guthrie Center, IA

Harrison County: Wednesday, May 8, 2024 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Missouri Valley City Hall

Madison County: Thursday, May 16, 2024 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Madison County Annex Conference Room, Winterset, IA

Mills County: Thursday, May 16, 2024 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Glenwood City Hall

Monona County: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Mapleton City Hall

Montgomery County: Friday, May 10, 2024 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Red Oak Public Library

Page County: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Clarinda Public Library

Pottawattamie County: Thursday, May 9, 2024 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM  Walnut City Hall, Walnut, IA

Ringgold County: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Ringgold County Court House, Mount Ayr, IA

Sac County: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Lake View City Hall Council Chambers

Shelby County: Wednesday, May 8, 2024 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Harlan Chamber of Commerce

Taylor County: Thursday, May 16, 2024 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Bedford Public Library

Union County: Friday, May 10, 2024 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Union County Court House, Creston, IA

Woodbury County: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM Danbury Shelterhouse, Danbury, IA

Rep. Zach Nunn announces mobile office locations

News

May 6th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES — U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) today announced mobile office hours across Iowa’s Third District to assist constituents who may not be able to travel to one of the congressional offices located in Creston, Des Moines, and Ottumwa. During these mobile office hours, Iowans will be able to get help from their Congressional office with Social Security, Medicare, passports, visas, veterans’ benefits, military records, tax returns, and other issues with federal government agencies.

“My top priority is providing exceptional services and support to Iowans,” said Rep. Nunn. “My hope is that these mobile office hours will ensure ease of access for all Iowans to receive assistance from my office regardless of where they live in the Third District.”

Mobile office hours will begin Tuesday, May 7. The schedule for May is below:

Cass County 
Griswold City Hall 
601 2nd Street, Griswold, Iowa
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Dallas County 
Perry Public Library 
1101 Willis Avenue, Perry, Iowa
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Page County 
Essex Lied Library 
508 Iowa Avenue, Essex, Iowa
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Montgomery County 
Villisca Public Library 
204 South 3rd Avenue, Villisca, Iowa
Thursday, May 9, 2024
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Adair County 
Fontanelle Public Library 
303 Washington Street, Fontanelle, Iowa
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Dallas County 
Perry Public Library 
1101 Willis Avenue, Perry, Iowa
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Madison County 
Earlham Public Library 
120 South Chestnut Street, Earlham, Iowa
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Adams County 
Corning Public Library 
603 9th Street, Corning Iowa
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Ringgold County 
Neighborhood Center/Matura 
306 South Garfield Street, Mount Ayr, Iowa
Thursday, May 30, 2024
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Additional dates and locations will be announced in the future.