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Work release escape of Darren Lehrkamp

News

February 4th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

FORT DODGE – Officials with the Iowa Department of Corrections said Sunday (today), Darren Scott Lehrkamp, convicted of Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon in Greene County, failed to report back to the Fort Dodge Residential Center as required yesterday (Saturday).

Lehrkamp is a 31-year-old Native American male, height 6’0″, and weighs 273 pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on November 17, 2023.

Persons with information on Lehrkamp’s whereabouts should contact local police.

Darren Scott Lehrkamp

Former Iowa college stars preview Super Bowl LVIII

Sports

February 4th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

It is Super Bowl week and two former Iowa college stars will lead the San Francisco 49ers against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas. Less than two years after being the final pick in the draft former Iowa State star Brock Purdy will try to quarterback the 49ers to their first Super Bowl victory since 1995.

Standing in their way is quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the defending champion Chiefs, who beat the 49ers 31-20 four years ago.

The 49ers rallied to win playoff games over Green Bay and Detroit to win the NFC Championship.

Former Iowa star and 49ers tight end George Kittle says they will need a better start than they had in their two playoff wins.

Kittle says rallying against the Chiefs would not be easy.

Kittle says Purdy’s mobility takes the San Francisco offense to a different level.

SHIRLEY CHESTER, 78, of Atlantic (Celebration of Life 2/13/24)

Obituaries

February 4th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

SHIRLEY CHESTER, 78, of Atlantic, died, Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Atlantic Specialty Care. A Celebration of Life Memorial service for SHIRLEY CHESTER will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at Trinity Christian Church in Bridgewater. Roland Funeral Service in Atlantic has the arrangements.

Visitation with the family present will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, February 12, 2024, at Roland Funeral Service in Atlantic.

The Celebration of Life will be followed by a luncheon at the church.

A private family burial will be held at Newlon’s Grove Cemetery, southwest of Cumberland.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

SHIRLEY CHESTER is survived by:

Her brothers – Dallas (Grace) Chester, of Jones, MI; and Richard (Margo) Chester, of Massena.

Her sister – Eleanor Heathman, of Toddville, IA.

and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

Fatal crash Sunday morning in Madison County

News

February 4th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Madison County, Iowa) – A passenger in a vehicle that crashed early this (Sunday) morning in Madison County died, and the driver was injured. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were dispatched at around 4-a.m. to the 1000 block of Pitzer Road, following a report about the crash.
Arriving deputies discovered an adult male identified as Jonathan Dale Taylor,42, of Adel. Taylor a passenger in the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene.
During the investigation, a second adult male identified as Charles Kegan Lohoff, 30, of Creston, was discovered and determined to be the driver.
Lohoff who suffered minor injuries was transported to a Des Moines hospital for treatment. An investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.

Afton man arrested on a sexual assault warrant; Creston woman arrested on a Theft warrant

News

February 4th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – Two people were arrested on separate warrants Friday, in Creston. According to the Creston Police Department, 33-year-old Clay Allan Brammer, of Afton, was arrested at around 2:45-p.m., Friday, at the Adult Probation Office. Brammer was charged on a Union County Warrant for Assault with intent to Commit Sex Abuse. He was taken to the Union County Jail and then transferred to Clarke County Jail, where his bond was set at $10,000. And, at around 9:30-p.m., Friday, 39-year-old Brandy Marie Sanden, of Creston, was arrested at the Creston Union County LEC (Law Enforcement Center). Sanden was charged on a Union County Warrant for 5 counts Theft 5th-other means under $300. She was taken to the Union County Jail, and later released on a $1,500 bond.

And, at around 12:37-a.m., Saturday, Creston Police arrested 18-year-old Jayson Lee Shimer, of Creston. He was charged with OWI 1st Offense. Shimer was taken to the Union County Jail and was later released on a $1,000 bond.

BARBARA ELLEN BEFORT, 83, of Avoca (Mass of Christian Burial 2/9/24)

Obituaries

February 4th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

BARBARA ELLEN BEFORT, 83, of Avoca, died Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, at home. A Mass of Christian Burial for BARBARA BEFORT will be held 11-a.m. Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Avoca. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Avoca has the arrangements.

The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Thursday, Feb. 8th, from 5-until 8-p.m., with a Rosary at 7-p.m.

Burial is in the Carson Cemetery in Carson, IA.

BARBARA BEFORT is survived by:

Her sons – Darren (Paula) Becker, of Harlan; Greg (Teri) Becker, of Avoca, & Steven (Angela) Becker, of Johnston.

10 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Bomb threat prompts evac of State Speech Competition in Ankeny: Police say threat was not credible

News

February 4th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

A bomb threat interrupted a state speech competition Saturday in Ankeny. About 2,000 people inside Ankeny Centennial High School were evacuated Saturday afternoon so investigators could search and sweep the property after the threat. A woman from Cumberland posted on social media that she received a call from her son telling her about the incident

Sgt. Corey Schneden with Ankeny police told KCCI-TV that someone used the AirDrop feature on an iPhone to send out a photo, which included text on the image that suggested someone put a bomb in the school. Schneden said they’ve located the person who allegedly made the threat, which police are saying was not credible. No arrests have been made as of 10 p.m. Saturday.

Ankeny schools said anyone who left belongings in the school during the evacuation can retrieve them between 8-11 a.m. today (Sunday).

A press release from the district said spectators should use the main entrance on the east side of the building, busses and school vehicles should use door E45, which will be slightly to the north of the main entrance on the east side of the building.

Skycan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024

Weather

February 4th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Northeast wind 9 to 11 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. North northeast wind 5 to 9 mph.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 50. North wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph after midnight.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. South wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Windy.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Windy.

VIRGINIA HOLSTE, 97, of Massena (Funeral Svcs. 2/7/24)

Obituaries

February 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

VIRGINIA HOLSTE, 97, of Massena, died Saturday, February 3, 2024, at the Corning Specialty Care in Corning.  Funeral services for VIRGINIA HOLSTE will be held 10:30-a.m. Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at the United Methodist Church in Massena. Lamb Funeral Home in Massena has the arrangements

Visitation will held at the funeral home on Tuesday, Feb. 6th, from 3-until 8-p.m., with the family greeting friends from 6-uyntil 8-p.m.

Burial is in the Victoria Township Cemetery.  A luncheon will be held at the church following the burial.  

Memorials may be directed to the Victoria Township Cemetery.

VIRGINIA HOLSTE is survived by:

Her sons – Richard (Sue) Holste, of Creston; Roger Holste, of Massena, & Vick Holste, of Gravity.

Her daughters – Kris Hardisty, of Minburn, & Karma (John) Green, of Corning.

12 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

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

PHYLLIS E. CARNEY, 101, of Adair (Svcs. 2/8/24)

Obituaries

February 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

PHYLLIS E. CARNEY, 101, of Adair, died Saturday, February 3, 2024, at the Community Care Center in Stuart, Iowa. Funeral arrangements for PHYLLIS CARNEY will be held 11-a.m. Thursday, Feb. 8th, at the First Presbyterian Church in Adair. Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Adair has the arrangements.

A visitation with the family will be held prior to the service at the church, starting at 9:30-a.m. Thursday and until the time of the service.

Interment will take place following the funeral at Sunnyhill Cemetery in Adair. A luncheon will be provided following the committal service in the fellowship hall of the First Presbyterian Church.

Memorials may be directed to the Carney Family in honor of Phyllis, to be designated to many of her favorite local organizations and charities. They may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.

PHYLLIS CARNEY is survived by:

Her daughter – Barb (Terry) Morris, of Okoboji.

Her son – Charles (Vickie) Carney, of rural Adair.

8 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and her sisters-in-law.