(Radio Iowa) –  The Iowa Democratic Party has hired a national consulting firm to handle the party’s first-ever mail-in system to determine which presidential candidate Democrats in Iowa prefer. The traditional Iowa Democratic Party Caucuses are no longer first in the nation after a software meltdown significalty delayed reporting results from the party’s caucuses in 2020. The Iowa Democratic Party is now letting Iowa residents who are registered Democratic voters request a presidential preference cards. The cards will be mailed in and the results will be announced in March.

Iowa Democratic Party chair Rita Hart uses the word impressive to describe the firm hired to handle the party’s new mail-in system.”I am confident in this vendor,” Hart says. “Amber McReynolds has a very strong reputation. She and her firm have had 50 years of experience doing this kind of work.” McReynolds was Denver’s director of elections for nearly a decade before founding the non-profit National Vote at Home Institute in 2018. Hart says McReynolds, who has started her own consulting firm, advised three states that launched mail-in voting in 2020.  “Amber McReynolds and her team were able to get them through that process without a hitch,” Hart says.

Iowa Democratic Party leaders say compared to the previous Caucus night system, more voters will be able to participate by mail.  “We’re confident in it,” Hart says. We know it’s going to be accessible. We know it’s going to be transparent and we know it’s going to be accurate.” The Iowa Democratic Party’s State Central Committee will meet Saturday to determine what names will be listed on the presidential preference cards. Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips is challenging President Biden, but Hart dismisses the idea Phillips has a shot at beating Biden. “I don’t think he does,” Hart says. “I think President Biden is definitely going to be our candidate. There’s no question about that.”

The mail-in system replaces the way Iowa Democrats determined who won the most delegates assigned to each precinct. It involved counting people, calculating percentages and forcing people to go with a second choice if their preferred candidate didn’t have enough support in the room. “It’s going to be so much easier and no math,” Hart says. “When I announce this sometimes when I’m on the road talking to groups of Democrats, they cheer when I say: ‘There’s no math.” Iowa Democrats — like Iowa Republicans — will hold in-person Caucuses on January 15th. While Republicans will conduct a straw poll that evening, Democrats will only conduct party business — identifying party volunteers, developing policy statements that may wind up in the party’s platform and selecting delegates for the county conventions.

Hart expects Caucus-night turnout to be similar to when President Obama was seeking a second term and about 25-thousand Iowa Democrats participated in the party’s 2012 Caucuses. “This is a new animal,” Hart says. “We’ll be just working to see that we get as many people to participate as possible.”

The Iowa Democratic Party will start mailing out its 2024 presidential preference cards on January 15th. Registered Iowa Democrats have until February 19th to request a card. The results will be announced on March 5th. More than a half dozen other states are holding primaries that Tuesday.

(Creston, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Union County report two-vehicles collided Sunday afternoon on Nuthatch Avenue, but no one was injured. The collision occurred at around 1:15-p.m., as a pickup driven by 17-year-old Austin J. Lack, of Afton, was traveling south and making a left turn around a curve in the road. A pickup driven by 16-year-old Austin D. Jackson, of Afton, was traveling westbound and making a right-hand turn around a curve to go north.

Both pickups struck each other entering the curve. The collision caused both vehicles to be pushed-off to the west side of the road. Both drivers were wearing their seat belts.

Damage from the collision amounted to $4,000. No citations were issued.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Two men from Polk County were arrested last week on separate charges in Adair County. Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports 21-year-old Kevin Yamil Gonzalez-Acevedo, of Des Moines, was arrested November 21st by Adair Police on the I-80 Exit 76 off-ramp, following a traffic stop at around 10:22-p.m.  Gonzalez-Acevedo was pulled-over for having no license plates on the car he was driving eastbound on the Interstate, and for speeding.

As the Adair Police Officer was speaking with Gonzalez, the Officer detected a strong odor of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle, and a cup in the center console that looked to contain burned marijuana “joints.” During a subsequent search of the car, a large paper sack containing multiple different packages and containers of marijuana from a dispensary, and receipts in Gonzalez’ name, were found. A marijuana pipe was also found in the center dash area, and a digital scale with marijuana residue, was located.

Gonzalez was arrested for Possession of Marijuana/2nd Offense, Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp, and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released the next day on a $6,000 cash or surety bond.

And, on November 23rd at around 3:45-a.m., Stuart Police arrested 30-year-old Juan Jose Colin Urbina, of Des Moines, following a traffic stop on I-80 at mile-marker 88. He was pulled -over after authorities had received a call about vehicle with Wisconsin license plates, and a tired or intoxicated driver, traveling westbound near mile marker 110.

During the traffic stop, the Officer noticed an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Urbina, who admitted he had consumed 4 or 5 drinks. The man failed a field sobriety test and his Breath Alcohol Content registered .186%. Urbina was arrested for OWI/1st offense, Having no valid driver’s license, and speeding. He was released later that morning on a $2,500 cash or surety bond, with 10% acceptable.

(Corning, Iowa) – Officials with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office report the Sheriff’s Department is kicking off its second annual “Shop with A cop” program. Officials say the event will be held December 18, 2023. Anyone wishing to donate can drop off a check at the Adams County Sheriff’s Office or mail it to 901 Davis Avenue, Corning, Iowa, 50841.

Each participating child in the program receives $50 to $100 for shopping, depending on the size of their immediate family. One child is assigned to each Adams County deputy, who takes that child shopping and assists them in selecting appropriate gifts for each family member or themselves.

The Jailers and dispatchers assist the children with gift wrapping at the Corning Fire Department. If you would like to donate wrapping paper, please let the Sheriff’s Department know. Deputies will deliver the presents to each selected household, in time for the gifts to be opened on Christmas Day.

For more information, contact Deputy Ryan Carlson at (641)- 322-9096.

SHELL ROCK, Iowa (KCRG) – Around 4:00 PM on Saturday, first responders were called to an explosion at the Poet Ethanol Plant in Shell Rock. Upon arrival, responders reported no visible flames. Officials say crews spoke with employees and determined everyone was accounted for and no injuries were reported. First responders were on the scene for approximately one and a half hours.

Butler County Emergency Management says the unconfirmed cause was a combustible dust explosion, but an investigation into the cause will be conducted. The plant is currently operational at this time.

Responding departments include: Shell Rock Fire, Shell Rock First Responders, Clarksville Fire, Clarksville EMS, Waverly Fire, Waverly Paramedics, Butler County Sheriff’s Department, Butler County Emergency Medical Services, Butler County Emergency Management, and the Iowa State Patrol.

ORANGE CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — A two-year-old is dead after an incident involving a fallen tree near Boyden, in northwest Iowa. According to the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, the two-year-old’s family was cutting down trees at a farm residence about a mile and a half southwest of Boyden last Monday, when a tree fell and hit the child.

The sheriff’s office said that the 2-year-old, identified as Nathan Klok, sustained severe trauma and died from the injuries at the scene.

The sheriff’s office was assisted by Boyden Ambulance and Boyden Fire Department.

DES MOINES, Iowa — A cantaloupe recall is in effect after dozens of people fell sick across 32 states, including five people in Iowa and four people in Nebraska. Contaminated cantaloupes and cut fruit that may be tainted with salmonella were sold between Oct. 16 and Nov. 10. The recall includes whole cantaloupes and pre-cut chunks, cubes, melon medleys and fruit medleys from Malichita, Vinyard, and ALDI brands. Investigators are trying to find any other cantaloupe products that could have been contaminated.

Salmonella cases have now been reported in 32 states in connection with this outbreak, and 45 people have been hospitalized, according to CNN. The two deaths were reported by health authorities in Minnesota, the CDC said. Most who are infected with salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, or stomach cramps.

The number of brands involved in a related fruit recall has also expanded to include Rudy brand whole cantaloupes and Freshness Guaranteed brand and RaceTrac brand pre-cut cantaloupe, in addition to some Vinyard and Aldi fruit products. Recalled cantaloupes may have a sticker that says “Rudy” or “Malichita” with the number 4050 and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique,” the CDC said.

If you have any of these recalled products at home, throw them away or return them to the store where you bought them, the CDC said. Make sure you wash any items or surfaces that have come into contact with the fruit using hot soapy water. A dishwasher will also help get rid of the bacteria.

(Iowa DOT Road report, 11-26-23, 5 a.m.) – “We have nearly 300 plows out this morning, but roads are partially to completely covered in many parts of Iowa.

Winter driving skills are a must this morning:
Check www.511ia.org or the Iowa 511 app for current conditions
Leave space between vehicles
slow down
pay attention
wear your seat belts.”

(Pleasant Hill, Iowa) –  A crash at around 2:56-a.m. Saturday (Nov. 25, 2023) in Polk County, claimed the life of a man from Ames. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2013 Lincoln MKS driven by 24-year-old Jacob DeVries, of Ames, was traveling north on NE 112th Street, when DeVries failed to stop at the intersection with Highway 163.

His car struck the trailer being pulled by 2018 International Semi that was traveling east on Highway 163.  DeVries was not wearing a seat belt. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the semi was not injured.

The crash remains under investigation. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by numerous agencies.

ISP CORRECTION to original report (Richland, Iowa) – A head-on crash early this (Saturday) afternoon in southeast Iowa’s Keokuk County, claimed one life and resulted in two people being injured. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2017 Chevy pickup driven by 47-year-old Kathy L. Wagaman, of Brighton (IA), was traveling northbound on the 31,500 block of 323rd Avenue, north of Richland, when the pickup crossed the center line of the road and collided head-on with a 2019 Ford Explorer (SUV) driven by 79-year-old Marsha E. Patterson, of West Chester, that was traveling southbound. The accident happened at around 12:33-p.m., north of Richland.

Following the collision, the SUV came to rest in the west ditch. The pickup stopped on the east shoulder of the road. A passenger in the SUV, 82-year-old Frank. L. Patterson, who was not wearing a seat belt, died from his injuries at the Keokuk County Hospital. Marsha Patterson and Kathy Wagamon, both of whom were wearing their seat belts, were injured, and transported to the Univ. of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Patterson was flown to the facility by air ambulance. Wagaman was taken by ambulance. A report on their injuries was not available.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Keokuk County Sheriff’s Office, Medical Examiner and Ambulance Services, Richland Fire Dept., Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Ambulance Service.