(Radio Iowa) – The Republican Party of Iowa raised over $800,000 to finance the operations for tonight’s Iowa Caucuses. The caucuses are not like a primary, when county auditors and county-owned voting machines process ballots. Iowa GOP chairman Jeff Kaufmann said it’s a major undertaking for the party. “We have done over 200 trainings face-to-face. We’re going to be approaching 10,000 volunteers to carry this out,” Kaufmann said during a speech at a recent Iowa GOP fundraiser. “We are very, very confident that we have done everything humanly possible to make sure this Caucus comes off without a hitch.”

Kaufmann uses the word “unprecedented” to describe the level of precinct-level organizing on the part of two campaigns. He won’t name the campaigns, but it’s clear from the activity Iowa Republicans are seeing that he’s referring to the Trump and DeSantis teams. “The organization is actually perfect training for what they’re going to have to do in the General Election,” Kaufmannn said.

Iowa GOP chairman Jeff Kaufmann speaks with reporters. (RI file photo)

You must be an Iowa resident and a registered Republican to participate in tonight’s straw poll vote. Democrats and independents are able to switch their party registration at Caucus sites, starting at 6 p.m. Kaufmann is issuing a warning to Democrats who may register as Republicans to participate in the Iowa GOP’s Caucuses and cast a vote in the Iowa Democratic Party’s new mail-in system to indicate which Democratic candidate they prefer. “If a Democrat attempts to do that and participates in both, that’s against the law,” Kaufmann said, “and we’re going to be monitoring that very, very carefully.”

Kaufmann has been chairman of the Iowa Republican Party for a decade.

(Radio Iowa) – Some state road crews are getting a breather after the double whammy of storms that kept them busy most of last week. D-O-T Winter Operations director, Craig Bargfrede, says things are looking better on state highways. “Overall we’ve made some pretty significant progress and getting road conditions across the state back to near normal winter seasonal driving condition,” he says. Eastern Iowa saw record snows and that’s where the most work remains.

“We still got a pretty significant area over in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa City over towards the Davenport area that we’re still dealing with issues as a result of the two storms that we had last week,” Bargfrede says. The sub-zero temperatures take away some of the chemical weapons the D-O-T uses to clear the roadways. “The regular salt, pre-wet salt and salt brine are just absolutely not as effective. So we have to shift to a different type of material. Typically, we shift to a 50-50 salt-sand mixture so that we can get material out there and it’s able to act and create some friction for the for the vehicles out there that are traveling,” Bargfrede says.

Bargfrede says the salt-sand mixture makes traction better, but it won’t melt hard-packed snow off the roadway. “That’s about all we can do right now. We’re just gonna have to fight through this for this week until we can get into next week when we’re hoping to see temperatures get up, back up to the freezing point where we’re able to get out there and break that packed snow and break that bond and get that plowed off,” he says. The subzero cold also takes it’s toll on the equipment. “Especially trucks freezing up on us during this weather,” Bargfrede says. “And so it’s tough when you have to pull the truck off, pull it back into the garage and let it warm up with all the different issues that we’ve got going on.” The double storm tested the limits of the drivers as well.

“Crews are tired. This has been over a week slog through this. So crews have been on 12 hour shifts 12 hours on 12 hours off here for over a week,” Bargfrede says. The D-O-T’s 5-1-1 Road Conditions map shows many highways are now marked green for “normal winter driving conditions.” Bargfrede says it’s still important for drivers to adjust their speed and be alert for changes on the roadway. “When you see the green yes, that means it’s winter seasonal conditions but that means you could also run into areas that could be slippery, you could see some isolated slick spots and patches of ice,” he says.

Bargfrede says the subzero temperatures add to the danger if you hit a patch of ice and go into the ditch. He says keep a survival kit in your car, your cell phone is fully charged, and keep the gas tank full if you have to head out.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports two arrests took place over the past few days. On Jan. 13th, 29-year-old Chutaia Marika Kei Brown, of Des Moines, was arrested by the Iowa State Patrol in the 1000 block of Pinewood Avenue, near Menlo. Brown was arrested for OWI/2nd offense, Child Endangerment, and for Driving Under Suspension. She was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $2,000 cash or surety bond, with 10% acceptable. Her arrest took place after Trooper Olson saw a vehicle stuck on Pinewood Avenue, south of Interstate 80, in Adair County.

The driver (Brown) was shoveling snow from around her 2006 Chevy Impala. The Trooper noted the woman seemed confused and lost and had bloodshot eyes. An odor of alcohol was coming from her, as well, according to the report. A 17-year-old and a seven-year-old were inside the vehicle. The Trooper learned Brown’s driving status was suspended. She allegedly told the Trooper she had had a wine cooler. The Trooper transported Brown to the Stuart Fire Department to perform Standard Field Sobriety Tests. During the process, she reportedly displayed many clues of impairment, and was placed under arrest. A test at the Adair County Jail indicated her Breath Alcohol content was .109, which is over the legal limit of .08.

And, Adair County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 34-year-old Amanda Dawn Ruchti, of Fontanelle for Possession of Drug Parapghernalia and Failure to Maintain control of her vehicle. The charges stem from an accident with entrapment, that took place October 12, 2023. On that date, Ruchti was extradited from a 2004 Chevy Cavalier by Fontanelle Fire and Adair County EMS. Firefighters observed a marijuana pipe on the floor of the vehicle during the extrication process, and informed Deputy Stofer. The pipe was covered with a green and red plastic covering. The pipe had a bowl with residue inside that was consistent with the smoking of marijuana. The pipe also smelled strongly of burnt marijuana.

A subsequent search of the car revealed a vape pen with a THC logo on it, indicating it contained THC. Both items were seized into evidence.

The Sheriff says following an investigation, Ruchti was arrested Jan. 11th, cited and released from custody.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Cass County, today (Monday), released a lengthy report on arrests occurring from Dec. 26th through January 14th.

On January 14th, 2024, Cass County Deputies arrested:

• 53-year-old Sarah Wohlt, of Griswold, for Violation of a No Contact Order, and
• 28-year-old Jeremy Stone, of Lewis, was arrested for OWI/1st Offense.

On January 11th, 24-year-old Cameron Hilligoss, of Shenandoah, was arrested by Cass County Deputies on a warrant for Violation of Probation.

On January 8th, 58-year-old Kande Maestas, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault 1st Offense.

On January 7th, 59-year-old Blaine Carbis, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Cass County, for Violation of a No Contact Order.

On the 5th of January, 45-year-old Matthew Eichelberger, of Elliott, was arrested in Cass County for Driving While Barred.

January 4th, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 19-year-old Efrain Sandiego, of Atlantic, on a warrant for Violation of Probation. And, 46-year-old Lydell Murray, of Griswold, was arrested for Theft 1st Degree.

On January 1st, 23-year-old Jackson Sally, of Atlantic, was arrested for Burglary 3rd Degree and Theft 5th Degree.

On December 31st, 23-year-old John Seyler, of Wiota, was arrested for OWI 1st Offense.

On December 26th, 39-year-old Rosita Rikar, of Beaverton, OR, was arrested in Cass County, on an extraditable warrant from Oregon.  Rikar was booked and held in the Cass County Jail pending her extradition.

And, on December 26th, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 46-year-old Edwin Miller, of Fremont, NE, on the charges of Theft 2nd Degree, Eluding and Reckless Driving.  Miller was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on bond.