(Radio Iowa) — An Osceola native is taking over as the new Mission Support Group Commander of Sioux 185th Air National Guard Refueling Wing. Colonel Sonya Finch was sworn in Saturday to lead the largest of four groups that comprise the 185th. Colonel Finch has spent her entire military career in the Iowa National Guard since joining at age 17. She says giving back to the community was one of two reasons she joined the Iowa Guard. “I always wanted to fly, and at some point, I started to realize that, to fly I really wanted to let the military help me with that,” Finch explains.

Col. Sonya Finch, Mission Support Group Cmdr./185th ANG Refueling Wing.

The support services group she oversees does a lot of things to help 85th complete its mission of flying their refueling missions around the world. “The security forces, the contracting, it’s the engineers, the supply, the services, how we feed people, how we serve people, all the logistics of that. Paying people, personnel, and then, of course, environmental management, we’ve got firefighters on base,” Finch says, “everything that it takes for a base to support the ability to fly a tanker.”

Finch has more than two-thousand hours flying experience including more than 500 combat hours. She had her inaugural membership in the 185th as a K-C-135 pilot during the mid-2000’s and has been working in current operations at the 132nd Wing in Des Moines. “It’s been a little over six years since I’ve been here, so coming back and finding faces and finding people that I’ve know for years — it’s really nice to be able to have those contacts and to be able to come back,” Finch says.

Colonel Finch takes over for Colonel Stephany Samenus, who has been promoted to Vice Commander of the 185th.

ATLANTIC—The Cass County Health System (CCHS) Foundation is hosting their annual gala on Saturday, March 28th at the Atlantic Golf & Country Club. The gala is a fundraiser for the CCHS Foundation’s 2020 campaign to purchase a C-arm, which is used to provide real-time x-ray images.

Dave Chase, CCHS Foundation Treasurer, says “The mission of the CCHS Foundation is to support Cass County Health System. Our project this year helps get important diagnostic imaging equipment into the hands of providers who are caring for us, our family, and our neighbors.” The theme of this year’s gala is “Wild, Wild West.” Attendees are encouraged to wear western wear like boots, hats, jeans, etc. The evening includes dinner, dessert auction, and entertainment.

CCHS Foundation Director Dawn Marnin says “Our entertainment this year is ‘The Family Feud’ with four fun families, and we will have DJ services from Chaos Productions, too.” Tickets to the event are limited and available through table sponsorships. For more information, please call Dawn Marnin at 712-243-7409 or visit casshealth.org/donors/2020-gala to view the details or pay online.

Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports his office received a complaint Friday, from the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS), in reference to an alleged incident of child abuse at a residence in Page County. During the investigation five minor children were taken into protective custody and turned over to the DHS for temporary placement. 36-year old Aaron Duwayne Childs, and 32-year old Elizabeth Renee Peek, both of Yorktown, were arrested. 

Both faces charges that include Felony Child Endangerment (A class D felony), and Assault causing bodily injury (a serious misdemeanor). Childs was also arrested on a Page County Warrant for Driving while license suspended / revoked – failing to appear for court. The incident in question allegedly took place at Thursday, at a residence in Yorktown. Both Peek and Childs have posted bond and were released pending further court proceedings.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports two people from Osceola were arrested Friday night, on Union County warrant for Violation of a Protective Order. 42-year old Ronald Dean Spurgin and 32-year old Ashley Sheehan were arrested at the Clarke/Union county line. In addition being taken into custody on the warrant, Sheehan was charged with disorderly conduct.  Spurgin was released from the Union County Jail on a promise to appear in court. Sheehan was released from the Adams County Jail, also on her promise to appear.

Authorities report also, 22-year old Kendal Leanne Hartman, of Afton, was arrested Sunday afternoon, for domestic assault. Hartman was being held for Union County in the Adams County Jail, while awaiting an appearance before a Judge.