(Radio Iowa) – Officials have begun planning for upgrades at a popular, state-owned campground in northwest Iowa. Jake Schaben of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources says it’s been decades since there have been major renovations at Gull Point State Park in the Iowa Great Lakes region.”It’s probably been at least 50 years since there have been any real improvements aside from upgrading some rest rooms facilities,” Schaben says. “This is going to focusing on roads and camp pads.” There are 112 campsites at the park, which is near Milford. About half have electrical hook-ups.

Schaben says the upgrades at Gull Point State Park may be similar to what was done at state owned campsites that are about 10 miles away. “Two years ago we finished up with a campground renovation up at the Marble Beach State Recreation Area on Spirit Lake,” Schaben says. “Got a lot of complements on the results we got with that by kind of expanding campsites and full-hook-up amenities and some 50 amp electricity.”

Gull Point State Park is the second most popular park in the state-owned park system. In 2021, one-point-six MILLION people visited the park. The D-N-R will host an open house at the lodge in Gull Point State Park on August 22nd to discuss the proposed campground upgrades with the public.

(Sioux City, Iowa) – The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa report a Carroll man, 45-year-old Darwin Robinson, Jr., was convicted of illegally possessing a firearm and possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Robinson pled guilty July 20, 2023, in federal court in Sioux City.

Robinson was previously convicted of cocaine-possession and three domestic abuse assaults which prohibited him from possessing firearms.

At the plea hearing, Robinson admitted that he had these convictions and that he was a regular user of methamphetamine and possessed a .40 caliber handgun. On March 22, 2021, law enforcement stopped the vehicle Robinson was driving and officers seized two small bags of methamphetamine from Robinson and a loaded .40 caliber handgun from the vehicle. Robinson admitted that he planned on selling some or all the methamphetamine that was found.

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Robinson remains in the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. On the firearm conviction, Robinson faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and not more than three years of supervised release following any imprisonment. Robinson faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, and three years up to life of supervised release on the possession with intent to distribute conviction.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Carroll, Iowa Police Department, Iowa DCI Criminalistics Laboratory, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The National Weather Service-Des Moines has announced that very warm weather is on the way this week. Afternoon heat index values will likely be over 105 degrees by Wednesday and Thursday. Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon reports with this summer heatwave expected for much of the week, facilities in Cass County have opened their doors to people who need a break from the extreme heat.

Libraries throughout Cass County will be available as cooling stations during their regular operating hours. In Atlantic, the Nishna Valley YMCA at 1100 Maple Street is open until 8:00pm Tuesday thru Thursday and until 6:00pm on Friday.

Kennon said he would like to thank the YMCA and area libraries for providing this important service. ”Stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the heat of the day and check on relatives, neighbors, the elderly and pets. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency…call 9-1-1.”

(Radio Iowa) – Police say a suspect in an assault and kidnapping in central Iowa took his own life in southeast Iowa after being chased by the Iowa State Patrol and other officers. Des Moines Police sent an advisory Sunday afternoon that 31-year-old Joshua Paul Thompson had been involved in a violent domestic incident and a 31-year-old woman had been taken unwillingly in an S-U-V he was driving. Police said he was armed with a handgun.

About two hours later, police announced Thompson had been located in southeast Iowa and, following a police pursuit, he died in western Des Moines County of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The woman has been reunited with her family.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson says callers looking for federal benefits are being put on hold and because federal employees are teleworking. And Hinson says as the number of federal employees teleworking increased, says these agencies haven’t reduced space accordingly. “If these federal agencies aren’t going to use this space to work for the American people, they need to give it up. Clearly things aren’t reconciling between federal employees getting back to the office,” Hinson says.

U-S Office of Personnel Management found the shift to telework saved 90 million dollars across federal government, and the departments themselves report productivity increases and higher job satisfaction through telework and hybrid workplaces. On another issues, Hinson, a Republican from Marion, defends her support of amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act that prohibits the Defense Department from paying or reimbursing a service member for expenses related to abortions.

“We need to be focused on having a fighting force. And that’s what my biggest priority is with N-D-A-A,” she says. Hinson says military spending needs to be focused service members readiness and recruitment. The bill passed the House and now goes to the Senate.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports there were six arrests over the past week. On July 18th, at around 1:47-p.m., Police in Adair arrested 49-year-old David Robert Duarte, of Minneapolis, MN, at the Adair County Memorial Hospital. Duarte was taken into custody on an Adair County Felony warrant for the crimes of Criminal Mischief in the 1st degree, and OWI/2nd offense. His cash/surety bond was set at $1,000.

On the Friday, July 21st, 25-year-old Nathaniel Wayne Rogers, of Des Moines, was arrested on eastbound Interstate 80 in Adair County, at mile marker 96. He was arrested at around 1:17-a.m., for Drug Tax Stamp violations, and intent to deliver/false cocaine. Rogers was a passenger in 2020 Toyota Camry, that was pulled-over for speeding. The driver was identified as 24-year-old Nicholas Inrachavongsa, of Des Moines. Upon further investigation, Trooper Tyler Shiels became suspicious of criminal activity, and a K9 was requested to perform an exterior sniff of the vehicle. After the dog picked up the scent of illegal drugs and alerted his handler, a Probable Cause search of the car was conducted. During the search, a glass jar with a leafy green substance believed to be marijuana, was found in the center console. A digital scale was found under the passenger side seat.

When authorities searched Rogers, he was found to be in possession of 11.5 grams of a white powdery substance in two small baggies concealed in his sock. A One-dollar bill was also found in Rogers’ sock, balled up with a white, powdery rock, also believed to be cocaine. He was released from custody Friday night, on a $5,000 c/s bond.  Nicholas Inrachavongsa was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana-1st offense. He was released Friday morning on a $1,000 c/s bond.

Friday night, 29-year-old Michael Anthony McBride, of Wyoming, MI, was arrested by the Iowa State Patrol after the SUV he was driving on I-80 at mile marker 77, was pulled over for speeding. During the traffic stop, Trooper Ehrsam detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. He also saw a glass jar containing what appeared to be a marijuana shake, on the front passenger seat. McBride admitted to possessing marijuana. A probable cause search of the vehicle yielded about 1/8 of an ounce of marijuana, approx. 6 grams of cocaine, a loaded .9-mm handgun, and a short-barreled .223-caliber rifle. The handgun came back as stolen out of Mt. Pleasant, MI. An additional records check indicated McBride was a felon prohibited to possess firearms. He was charged with PCS/Marijuana-1st offense; PCS-1st offense; Felon in control of a firearm, and Theft in the 4th Degree. McBride bonded out of the Adair County Jail on July 23rd.

Saturday evening, Police in Adair arrested 43-year-old Caleb A. Root, of Concord, MI, following a traffic stop for speeding 91-mph in a 70-mph zone, on I-80 eastbound at Exit 75. Root handed the Officer a Nebraska ID (The person on the ID was later deemed not to be the same person driving the vehicle). Root admitted to Police that he smoked marijuana the day before, and said that’s what the smell was in the vehicle. A probable cause search was conducted, which resulted in the recovery of a small container of marijuana on the driver’s side floor, a pipe used to smoke wax on the back floorboard, and a small silver container in the driver’s door, containing two white rock-like substances that tested positive for methamphetamine. Also found in the vehicle was an Excedrin bottle that contained 4 orange oval pills described as Amphetamine Dextroamethamphetamine (a Schedule 2 controlled substance). A wallet found in the center console contained an ID the Root’s real information. Root admitted the weed and pills were his, but denied the meth was his. He faces charges of: Providing False Identification Information; Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia; Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp; PCS/Marijuana – 1st offense; PCS/1st offense;and PCS/Methamphetamine. Root was also being held in the Adair County Jail on an outside warrant.

At around 8-p.m. Saturday, 43-year-0ld Mark Ivanko, of Fairview, NJ, was arrested on eastbound I-80 at mile marker 93 in Adair County, for OWI/1st offense; Open Container – Driver/21-years of age, and Speeding 108-mph in a 70-mph zone. He was released the next day on a $1,000 c/s bond. And, early Sunday morning, 44-year-old Ryan James Cook, of Adair, was arrested by Adair Police, following a call about an allegedly drunk male who had caused damage to a vehicle by hitting it with a dolly, and who also allegedly punched holes in an apartment door. Cook was taken into custody for Criminal Mischief in the 3rd and 5th Degrees. He was also wanted on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department today (Monday), reported on an arrest and a property damage accident, both of which occurred this past Saturday. Officials say 48-year-old Travis Anderson, of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. He posted a $1,000 cash or surety bond, and was released.

And, a collision that occurred in the parking lot of the Glenwood McDonald’s Store Saturday afternoon resulted in a total of $3,000 damage, but no one was hurt, and no citations were issued. Glenwood Police say a a 2016 Hyundai Sonata driven by 21-year-old Joanna Nicole Perez, of Glenwood, was backing out of a parking stall at the fast food restaurant, when her vehicle struck a 2021 Hyundai Elantra, driven by 48-year-old Jennifer Michelle Tallmon, of Glenwood. The accident happened as Tallmon was driving through the parking lot.

Both vehicles were driven from the scene. Police say Perez failed to yield the right-of-way from parked position, but again, no citations were issued.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – One person suffered minor injuries during a two-vehicle collision at 7th & Poplar Streets in Atlantic. The accident was reported to have occurred at around 10:06-a.m.  Cass EMS along with Atlantic Rescue were dispatched to the scene. Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue explains what happened…

The Chief said the female driver of the Pontiac G6 would likely be cited for Failure to Slow/Stop in an assured safe distance. The drivers’ names were not immediately released.

Ric Hanson (Photos)

(Radio Iowa)  – A new museum will open on the Osceola County Fairgrounds next year. Beth Thole, who’s been working on the project, says the McCallum Museum in Sibley, which holds artifacts from the pioneer and Civil War era, was built in 1957 and has run out of space. “We’ve been fundraising for about four-and-a-half or five years,” Thole says, “and with the costs of everything — materials and labor — escalating, we came up with an idea that we proposed to the fair board members of using a historic building on the fairgrounds as a museum for agriculture.”

Thole, who is a member of the McCallum Museum Board, says some changes have already been made to the 99 year old Commercial Building on the fairgrounds. “We have done some structural work on making things handicapped accessible, creating a balcony for displays, put eight new fans in, Thole says. “We’re well on our way.”

The Osceola County Fair wrapped up this weekend and Thole says they’ll start moving artifacts into the building soon. The goal is to have a grand opening of the museum during the 2024 Osceola County Fair.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Kelly Butts-Elston, CEO of Connections Area Agency on Aging, has been elected as a USAging Board alternate. Butts-Elston will serve a three-year term in this role, partnering with Mike Donohue from Northeast Iowa Agency on Aging to represent Region VII which encompasses Iowa and Nebraska.

Butts-Elston will have the responsibility of ensuring that USAging fulfills its mission to help older adults and people with disabilities live with optimal health, well-being, independence and dignity in their homes and communities effectively.  As an alternate, Butts-Elston will actively engage in USAging’s standing committees such as conference, corporate, relations, membership and public policy and grassroots. By participating in these committees, she will provide input and contribute to shaping the association.

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Connections Area Agency is one of six Area Agencies on Aging in Iowa, and part of a nationwide network. With a mission of enhancing the quality of life for elders in 20 counties through education, planning and coordination of services, Connections Area Agency on Aging is the premier agency for assisting elders, caregivers, and their families to access the information and services needed for independence and life transitions. Offices are located in Council Bluffs, Creston and Sioux City. For more information, contact Connections AAA at 800-432-9209 or at www.connectionsaaa.org