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Iowa U.S. Reps. Nunn, Hinson, Miller-Meeks call on Santos to resign

News

November 16th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Three of the four Iowans who serve in the U-S House are calling on a fellow Republican to resign immediately. Congressman Zach Nunn of Bondurant says a report from the House Ethics Committee shows New York Congressman George Santos has not lived up to the ideals of honesty and transparency that Americans deserve from their elected representatives.

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion says Santos conduct was illegal and unacceptable. The ethics panel’s report found Santos blatantly stole from his campaign fund and lied about his background. Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of LeClaire says if Santos doesn’t resign, the House should vote to expel him.

Nunn, Hinson and Miller-Meeks posted their statements on social media shortly after the House Ethics Committee released its report today (Thursday). Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull has not commented publicly on the report. At the beginning of the month, all four Iowans who serve in the U-S House voted against a resolution to remove Santos from office — joining the majority of House Republicans who said they were waiting on the Ethics Committee report before making a judgment.

Santos has said he will not seek reelection in 2024, but he has refused to resign.

Iowa ACT scores drop, fewer students taking the test

News

November 16th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A-C-T scores among Iowa high school students who took the test dropped slightly from a year ago and far fewer students are taking the test.

The average A-C-T composite score for seniors who graduated from an Iowa high school last spring was 20-point-eight. That compares to a score of 22 for the 2014 graduating class in Iowa. Nine years ago, 68 percent of high school seniors in Iowa took the A-C-T. Just under half took it this past year.

Iowa, Iowa State and U-N-I no longer require students applying for admission to take the A-C-T.

Election fraud trial underway in Sioux City to last into next week

News

November 16th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The trial of the Sioux City woman accused of committing election fraud in elections when her husband’s name is underway and expected to last into next week. Kim Taylor is accused of filling out ballot request forms AND absentee ballots for several Vietnamese residents in the Sioux City area.

An Iowa State University student testified that when he tried of file his absentee ballot from Ames, he discovered someone had already cast a vote in his name. His mother, who testified through an interpreter, said Taylor called her to see if she needed help voting and Taylor completed the paperwork, but Nguyen signed the ballot. She also testified Taylor told her it was o.k. to complete ballot request forms for her son and daughter, but she never would have done that if she knew it was a crime.

Kim Taylor and her husband Jeremy Taylor have denied the charges.

Changes coming in how winter storm warnings are issued to Iowans

News, Weather

November 16th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Even though temperatures are in the 50s and 60s today (Thursday), there will be a time down the road, perhaps soon, when snow arrives in Iowa — and lots of it. Meteorologist Chad Hahn, at the National Weather Service in Johnston, says they’re launching new guidelines which stipulate how winter storm watches and warnings are issued, based on the amount of snow that’s predicted to fall.

For Iowa and all points north, Hahn says it’ll be six inches or more of snow, but as you go south, that criteria decreases to account for climatological differences. Hahn says the changes won’t be all that noticeable for the winter storm forecasts that are being issued in Iowa.

The old system used time restraints, so much snow over so many hours, and he says now, it’ll simply zero in on a winter event.

Ames Man Charged with Sex Trafficking Fourteen Victims and Sexually Exploiting One Minor

News

November 16th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa – A federal grand jury in Des Moines returned an Indictment today charging an Ames man with fifteen counts of sex trafficking by fraud and coercion, one count of sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a child, and one count of possession of child pornography.

According to the Indictment, Carl Dale Markley used and attempted to use fraud and coercion to cause 14 victims to engage in commercial sex acts. The sex-trafficking charges allege that Markley began trafficking one victim as early as 2004, and between 2004 to April 2023, Markley trafficked or attempted to traffic each of the fourteen victims. In addition, the Indictment states that from August 2020 to October 2020, Markley sexually exploited (or attempted to sexually exploit) one 15‑year-old minor by using the minor to create child pornography, and that Markley knowingly possessed child pornography.

Markley made his initial court appearance today before a United States Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.

Markley is charged with seventeen offenses in total. Each of the sex trafficking charges carries a 15-year mandatory minimum prison term, and a maximum term of imprisonment of life. Sexual exploitation of a child carries a 15‑year mandatory term of imprisonment and a maximum term of 30 years in prison. The charge for possession of child pornography carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Richard Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Ames Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation are investigating the case.

Human trafficking is a crime involving the exploitation of youth under the age of 18 for commercial sex; the exploitation of adults for commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion; and the exploitation of any individual for compelled labor. Human trafficking does not require the transportation of individuals across state lines, or that someone is physically restrained. Signs that a person is being trafficked can include working excessively long hours, unexplained gifts, physical injury, substance abuse issues, running away from home, isolation from others, or having a person in their life controlling them or monitoring them closely. Victims particularly susceptible to being trafficked include those with criminal histories, a history of physical or sexual abuse, uncertain legal status, and dependency on controlled substances.

Anyone who suspects human trafficking is occurring, be it a minor engaging in paid sex acts, or anyone being coerced into prostitution or labor, is urged to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. If anyone has information about this case, they are urged to call the Ames Police Department, FBI, or Iowa’s Division of Criminal Investigation, or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Fremont County Sheriff’s report for 11/16/23

News

November 16th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Sidney, Iowa) – Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope, today (Thursday), reports multiple arrests took place in his County a little over the past week.
• On Nov. 8th, deputies arrested 63-year-old Timothy Mark Garnder, of Hamburg,  for Harassment 3rd Degree. He was released on bond.
• The following day (Nov. 9th), deputies made a traffic stop in connection with a felony theft that occurred in Nebraska. The passenger, 38-year-old Santo Montenegro Sardina, of St Joseph, Missouri, fled the vehicle on foot near the 6-mile marker on Interstate 29. The Mills County Drone team and a Glenwood Police K9 and the Iowa State Patrol, assisted in tracking Sardina, who was concealed in a field. He was then taken into custody.
The vehicle’s driver, 27-year-old Jean Lesyan Mirball-Scull, of Lenexa, Kansas, was initially placed under arrest at the scene. However, he was able to escape from a Fremont County Patrol car and fled the scene on foot, while handcuffed. Mirball-Scull was unable to be located that evening. The next day (Nov. 10), the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Atchison County Sheriff’s Office in Missouri about a male, wearing handcuffs, walking along the railroad tracks near Phelps City, Missouri.
The Fremont County K9 Unit was called to assist and located Mirball-Scull walking south of Langdon, Missouri. He again fled  into a field, but was apprehended after a foot pursuit by a Fremont County Deputy. The suspect was arrested without further incident by the Missouri State Patrol and Atchison County Sheriff’s Office. And, on Nov. 11th, Mirball-Scull was transported to Iowa on a felony warrant. Montenegro-Sardina was being held in the Fremont County Jail on charges of Theft 2nd Degree and Interference with Official Acts. He was being held on a $10,000 cash bond as well as several out of state warrants.
Mirball-Scull was being held on charges that include Interference with official acts, Theft 5th Degree, Theft 2nd Degree, and Escape from Custody. He was being held on a $20,000 cash bond and several out of state warrants.
• Separately, Fremont County deputies, on Nov. 10th: Arrested 52-year-old Carmen Maria Florez, of Pacific Junction, for OWI 1st Offense. She was released on bond; 29-year-old Donald Wayne Riggins, of Sidney, who was previously arrested and held in the Fremont County Jail, was charged with two counts of Indecent Exposure, and Simple Assault. His bond is now set at $22,000 cash and $3,000 cash/surety; 26-year-old Alexander Page McGinnis, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Nov. 10th at the Otoe County, NE., Jail, on a Fremont County Warrant. McGinnis was wanted in connection to an incident that took place April 1st (2023), when Fremont County Deputies attempted to stop him on Interstate 29.
McGinnis fled deputies, driving southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 29, and then attempting to ram vehicles on Highway 2 before entering Nebraska. He was apprehended hiding in an apartment building by a Fremont County K9, Otoe County Sheriff’s Office and the Nebraska City Police Department. The vehicle was found to be stolen. McGinnis was charged with Theft 2nd Degree, Felony Eluding, and Driving while Revoked. He is being held on $5,000 bond.
• On Nov. 11th, Fremont County deputies arrested: 18-year-old Alivia Jaylynn Self, of Nebraska City, NE, on two counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. She was released on bond; 19-year-old Casey Nicole Smith,, also of Nebraska City, was arrested for Possession of Alcohol Underage. She was cited and released; That same day, deputies arrested Anthony Dumler on a Shenandoah Police Department warrant for Assault with Bodily Injury. He was released on time served; and, 33-year-old Rafael Pedrof Gregorio, of Sidney, was arrested Nov. 11th, for OWI 3rd or subsequent offense, and Providing False Identification Information to Law Enforcement. He was released on bond.
• And finally, on Nov. 14th, Fremont County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 38-year-old Megan Lynn Rasmussen, of Randolph, Iowa, for Violation of Probation. She was released on bond.

Dumler

Flores

Garnder

Gregorio

McGinnis

Mirabal

Montenegro

Rasmussen

Riggins

Self

Smith

Exira-EHK Basketball staying optimistic with “Senior Heavy” Team

Sports

November 16th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

The Exira-EHK Spartans are preparing for another basketball season with their new Head Coach and alumnus Tony Santisteban. The Spartans played sharp basketball a season ago going 19-5 and made it to the 1A-8 Semifinal before being knocked out by West Harrison 71-52. Exira-EHK’s offense was fast paced last year averaging 66 points per game and accurate from anywhere on the court going 52 percent on their field goals. One fact of the 2023 Spartan Squad that Coach Santisteban is counting on to keep his team in the top of the Rolling Valley Conference is his senior heavy team and the leadership that brings.

A few members of the senior heavy class that contributed well last year were Cash Emgarten and Aiden Flathers. Emgarten started all 24 games last year and averaged 15.2 points per game. Flathers also had an offensive averaging 11.3 points per game and over 74 assists. Both have impressed Coach Santisteban with their work effort in the offseason.

To help his team improve and go further into the postseason. Coach Santisteban is teaching his players the ability of communication. How it will not only upgrade the team on the floor but also in their personal lives.

Exira-EHK basketball has had a rich history of basketball success, with Coach Santisteban playing a personal part in it.  To continue the success and tenacity of Spartan basketball Coach Santisteban knows playing physical and hard will make all the difference.

Exira-EHK starts their basketball season on Tuesday November 28th on the road against Woodbine. Tipoff is set for 7:30pm.

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Pottawattamie County Under a Burn Ban

News

November 16th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Coordinator Doug Reed, Thursday (today) said in a new release that “An open burning ban will be in effect immediately for all areas and jurisdictions in Pottawattamie County. The ban prohibits all open and controlled burning in Pottawattamie County, including all incorporated city limits within the county.”

With the lack of sufficient ground moisture and precipitation, fire departments have responded to several grass/field fires requiring the need for multiple fire departments to respond to fight these fires. The current dry conditions and dead vegetative fuels create the perfect conditions for fires to spread rapidly.

During these dry conditions, citizens are reminded to not throw cigarettes out from moving vehicles and discontinue burning yard waste, piled tree debris, and grass/agricultural ground during the ban. The ban will remain in effect until the county receives sufficient precipitation to alleviate the increased fire threat.

Violation of a burn ban can subject a person to criminal penalties as well as civil liabilities for any damages, losses, or injuries resulting from the fire.

Visit https://pcema-ia.org for more information on burn bans and the law. All residents are also encouraged to sign up for Alert Iowa at the website to receive alerts for fire danger, evacuation notices, severe weather threats, and community emergency notifications.

Big Ten Conference Statement on University of Michigan Decision

Sports

November 16th, 2023 by admin

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference’s commitment to student-athletes, sportsmanship and the Commissioner’s duty to protect the integrity of competition will never waver. Today’s decision by the University of Michigan to withdraw its legal challenge against the Conference’s November 10th Notice of Disciplinary Action is indicative of the high standards and values that the Conference and the University seek to uphold. The University of Michigan is a valued member of the Big Ten Conference and the Conference will continue to work cooperatively with the University and the NCAA during this process.

Cass County (IA) Sheriff’s Office bulletin on suspicious activity

News

November 16th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Thursday) said they have been made aware of several incidents regarding at least one, possibly two men and a pregnant female that were traveling on Highway 148 in Cass County and also Highway 34 in Montgomery County.
The subjects’ vehicle (conflicting reports of a white or dark SUV) was pulled off to the side of the road, and they claimed to be having vehicle problems and/or ran out of fuel. Reports indicate that these people were well dressed, running / walking / standing in the roadway creating traffic hazards and asking nearby motorists for money and/or fuel. In at least one incident they offered to sell a piece of jewelry that they said was worth significantly more than it actually was.
These incidents occurred Wednesday (11/15/23). The Sheriff’s Office said since they have not received any reports today, it is likely the subjects have moved-on.
If you happen to come into contact with these people or a similar circumstance, please call the Cass County Public Safety Communications at 712-243-2204 so a Deputy or Officer can be dispatched to help or resolve the situation.
Officials say “Whereas we always appreciate responsible citizens stopping to help stranded motorists, victims of accidents, etc… we also encourage everyone to be aware of their surroundings, intervene only as necessary and as you see fit and call for first responder assistance during questionable and/or emergent times. Thank you all, stay safe!”