Iowa is one of the “toss up” states in this year’s presidential election — something Donald Trump drove home during his rally here on Friday. It was a few minutes into his hour-long speech in Des Moines when Trump told the crowd he’d raised “60 million dollars cash” in July for his campaign. “I’m spending a lot of money, folks. I’ll tell you what: if we don’t pull this off, I’m blaming Iowa,” Trump said, getting laughter from the crowd. “If we don’t pull this off, I’ll say: ‘We wasted a lot of money, time and energy.'”

Trump later repeated his promise that, as president, he would ensure Iowans get to cast the first votes in the 2020 presidential campaign. “I learned a lot about the world of politics from Iowa. I don’t love the caucus system, by the way. I could do without the (caucus). I like a vote. I like when you walk in and vote and leave. Not when somebody takes your people and they wine ’em and dine ’em. ‘Let’s go have dinner.’ ‘Let’s take a flight.’ ‘Would you like to see Iowa from a helicopter?’ Right? Nah,” Trump said, adding a sort of verbal shrug: “But — the caucus system.”

Trump landed his helicopter near the Iowa State Fairgrounds last August — during the state fair — and gave children rides. Last Friday, Trump thanked all the Iowa delegates at the G-O-P’s national convention in Cleveland for voting for him. And Trump concluded his speech by saying Iowa’s Caucuses are a thing of “a great beauty.”
“Iowa is an amazing place. You’re going to keep your place in history. You’re going to be that ‘first state,'” Trump said. “…I know so many people, good people — politicians, that came and they thought they were going to be president and they came and they had to go through Iowa and New Hampshire and they went to Iowa. And that was the end of their presidency.”

Trump campaigned on Saturday in New Hampshire, another swing state in the General Election. Indiana Governor Mike Pence, Trump’s running mate, will campaign in Sioux City and Council Bluffs later today (Monday). Hillary Clinton campaigned last week in Omaha, but Clinton has not appeared in Iowa since the Caucuses.

(Radio Iowa)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa is awash in a sea of delicate white flowers in nearly every roadside ditch, along bicycle trails and on the fringes of public parks. The Des Moines Register reports  that they’re known as Queen Anne’s Lace, or wild carrot.

The flower is abundant this year because of optimal road conditions and roadside management practices. Some view it as a nuisance, while others see it as a wildflower or weed. Photographers enjoy the flowers’ beauty, while gardeners yank them out.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources ecologist John Pearson says the plant has flourished because it’s free from normal pest controls in its native Europe.

DENISON, Iowa (AP) — Officials in a western Iowa county are trying to decide what to do with a damaged bridge that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Daily Nonpareil in Council Bluffs reports the Beaver Creek Bridge was damaged when a vehicle or towed equipment snagged the bridge’s west truss. It can’t be repaired and was permanently closed in April.

The Crawford County Board of Supervisors is gathering public input on how to proceed. About a dozen people attended a hearing on Tuesday. Some local residents say the bridge is too important to close. One idea is to replace the central part of the bridge at a cost of $100,000 to $125,000. That option would let the bridge handle light traffic but not necessarily a loaded truck.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office is reporting numerous arrests have taken place over the past couple of days. Several people were arrested on Friday:

Muellner

25-year old Samantha Muellner, of Sidney, was arrested at around 1:05-p.m. Friday, after deputies were called to Anderson for a report of an assault that had occurred. Deputies later made contact with Muellner at a residence in Randolph. Muellner was arrested for Simple Domestic Assault and taken to the Fremont County Jail.  She was later released on $300 bond.

Just before 8-p.m. Friday, Fremont County Deputies were called to the 1800 block of Western Ave for a one-vehicle rollover accident.  Upon arrival, Deputies determined that the driver had left the scene prior to their arrival.

Campbell

Deputies made contact with 52-year old Alan Campbell, of Thurman, at his residence. Campbell was arrested for Driving while License Revoked, Failure to Maintain Control, Fraudulent Registration, Leaving the Scene of an injury Accident, and Interference with Official Acts. He was later released on $2,030.00 bond.

At around 10-p.m. Friday, deputies in Fremont County made contact with 25-year old John Crum, of Bedford, at the Sidney Rodeo Grounds. Crum was initially contacted due to an alcohol violation and during the investigation found to be in possession of a concealed handgun.

Crum

Crum had a permit to carry a concealed weapon, however the permit was invalid due to intoxication. Crum was arrested for Public Consumption of Alcohol and Carrying a Concealed Weapon. He was later released on $2,300.00 bond.

And, at around 11:15-p.m. Friday, officers with the Tabor Police Department and deputies with the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office were called Main Street in Tabor for a report of a vehicle striking several mailboxes. Law enforcement made contact with 35-year old Michael West, of Council Bluffs.  West was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated 1^st Offense and is being held at the Fremont Count Jail.

Early Saturday afternoon, Deputies were called to Sidney for a report of an assault that had occurred.

Allen

Deputies made contact with 62-year old Thomas Allen, of Sidney. Allen was arrested for Serious Domestic Assault and taken to the Fremont County Jail. Allen was later released on $1,000 bond.

On Sunday, Fremont County Deputies were called to Sapp Bros Truck Stop for a report of an intoxicated male in the parking lot. Deputies arrested 60-year old Jeffery Davis, of Fort Smith Sebastian, Arkansas for Public Intoxication, (3^rd or Subsequent). Davis was being held at the Fremont County Jail.

Davis

At around 1:45-a.m., Sunday, deputies with the Fremont County K9 Unit stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation near the 6-mile marker southbound Interstate 29. The driver of the vehicle, 26-year old Sammy Jimenez, of Omaha, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Marijuana. Jimenez was later released on $1,500 bond.

At around 4:10-a.m. Sunday, Fremont County deputies were called to the 3000 block of 250^th Street for an unconscious male lying in the ditch.

Jimenez

Deputies made contact with 20-year old Kayle Riesberg, of Waukee. Riesberg was arrested for Public Intoxication, and he was later released on a $300 cash bond.

Riesberg

Republican Party Vice Presidential nominee Mike Pence will hold a town hall and rally at two sites in western Iowa this week. The Governor from Indiana has stops scheduled Monday in Sioux City, beginning at 4-p.m., where Pence will hold a Town Hall meeting at the Sioux City Convention Center. Doors to the event open at Noon. Afterward, he’ll travel to Council Bluffs for a 7-p.m. rally at the Mid-America Center. Doors for the event open at 4-p.m.

Indiana (R) Gov. Mike Pence

Tickets are required for both events. You can find them on the web at: https://www.donaldjtrump.com/schedule/

Authorities in Des Moines say a suspect is in custody in connection with a shooting at a bar early Saturday morning. Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek told KCCI-TV that 26-year-old Devin Carter was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, intimidation with a dangerous weapon and felon in possession of a firearm.

Police reported earlier in a news release, that 40-year-old William Dawson Sr. died at a hospital after he, his son and a woman were shot around 1 a.m. Saturday, outside Johnny Mac’s Bar and Grill. Dawson’s son, 20-year-old William Dawson Jr., and 20-year-old Carley Toomey remain at the hospital in critical condition, but were expected to survive.

Police said Dawson’s death is the city’s eighth homicide so far this year.

Authorities in Central Iowa have identified one of the two victims of a plane crash that happened late Friday morning, north of Indianola. Authorities said 22-year old Alex Michael Winter, of Indianola, died in the crash. The name of the second victim was still being withheld. Warren County Sheriff Brian Vos told KCCI-TV the Piper PA-11 crashed around 11:40 a.m. under what the Federal Aviation Administration called “unknown circumstances” in a field outside the airport.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash, which remains ongoing.

A woman suffered a head laceration and other injuries during a rollover accident Saturday night off Interstate 80, in Cass County. According to dispatch reports, Atlantic Fire and Rescue along with Medivac Ambulance were called to the 62 mile marker of I-80 westbound (or about 2-miles east of the exit to Highway 71) at around 9:45-p.m., for a reported personal injury accident. The female victim was said to have been out of the vehicle when law enforcement arrived on the scene.

No other details are currently available.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – As expected, a ban on guns at the Iowa State Fair will remain in place this year. The news comes after a heated legislative committee hearing in which people argued both for and against allowing fair-goes to carry guns. The Des Moines Register reports several people spoke Friday at a meeting of the Iowa Legislature’s Administrative Rules Review Committee against allowing guns at the fair. Opponents described scenarios in which drunken and irresponsible guests toting handguns could create dangerous situations.

But Richard Rogers, an Iowa Firearms Coalition board member, said he questions the Fair Board’s authority to ban guns when the state has authorized some to carry them. He said the ban leaves people defenseless if someone else brings a gun to the fair and begins shooting.

Firefighters from Anita and Wiota, along with the assistance of a tanker truck from the Atlantic Fire Department, responded to a structure fire northeast of Wiota Saturday afternoon. The fire was in a shed located about one-half mile east of County K (690th Street), just south of Fairview Road. It was reported at around 2:20-p.m.

Anita Fire Chief Josh Peach said when they arrived on the scene, the metal building which stored more than 30 bales of hay, was fully engulfed in flames and most of the roof had already collapsed. Peach said that factor made the flames “Interesting to fight,” because the tin roof was covering the burning bales. They had to cut holes in what was left of the roof in order to access the hay. 

Prior to firefighters’ arrival, a tractor, baler and straight truck for hauling grain had been removed from inside the building, and were not damaged. The structure was a total loss. Peach says his preliminary guess was some sort of an electrical malfunction, but he would not rule out spontaneous combustion.

Peach said if you bale green hay and store it in an enclosed structure such as a metal shed, that can create a spontaneous fire. He advised crop producers and harvesters to keep an eye on your hay, and make sure it’s dry when it’s being stored.