(Adel, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Dallas County, Sunday, reported on social media, that at around 4:20-p.m. on Saturday, March 11th, 2023, Dallas County Deputy Brandon Bjoin was assisting a motorist who had become stuck in the median at the 102.5 mile marker on Interstate 80. Authorities says there were several different accidents on Interstate 80 at this time.

Deputy Bjoin was speaking with the person who got stuck, when an accident behind him occurred, unbeknownst to him. As a result of that accident, a black suburban entered into the median where Deputy Bjoin was standing and sideswiped him, striking his right arm and knocking him to the ground. The motorist Deputy Bjoin was assisting was not hit.

Deputy Bjoin was transported by Dallas County EMS to Methodist Hospital in downtown Des Moines. Deputy Bjoin was released from Methodist with bruising to his right arm. The Sheriff’s Department says Deputy Bjoin was extremely lucky that he did not suffer a major injury or death. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office is grateful for the rapid response by Dallas County EMS, the Stuart Police Department, the Earlham Police Department, Earlham Fire Department, and the Iowa State Patrol.

“We hope this serves as a reminder to all motorists to slow down when you see flashing lights and to use caution in winter driving situations. “

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County report there were two separate accidents Saturday afternoon, with two injured in one of the crashes. At around 1:45-p.m., a single-vehicle accident happened on Highway 34 near 210th Street. Alexander Guy, of Villisca, was traveling westbound in a 2006 Honda Accord, when the car began to lose control and entered the south ditch. Alexander and an 11-year-old male passenger were transported to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital, for treatment of minor injuries.

And, at about 1:41-p.m. Saturday, Montgomery County Deputies came upon an accident on the Nishnabotna River bridge on Highway 48, east of Elliott. The driver of the 2015 Chrysler 200, 55-year-old Sherri K. Turner, of Elliott, was traveling west when her car lost traction due to the snow and slush covered road. The vehicle slid across the eastbound lane of traffic and following Turner’s attempt to avoid contact with the southeast bridge guardrail, the car crossed to the northwest and hit a concrete wall on the north side of the bridge.The right front wheel and entire right side of the vehicle were damaged.

The damage left the vehicle inoperable and located near the middle of the bridge deck surface. Damage the car was estimated at $10,000. No injuries were reported.

No citations were issued following either accident.

(Area Counties) – Roads in western and southwest Iowa have deteriorated and are completely covered with snow as of 2-p.m. There have been numerous accidents, most are of the property damage variety, but a two-vehicle head-on, injury accident occurred on Highway 25 and 430th Street in Adair County, near Orient, at around 2:15-p.m.

The Iowa DOT reports they “have nearly 200 plows out right now, so if you are driving and see one, please give the snow fighter plenty of room to get the job done. Get traveler info updates at www.511ia.org or the Iowa 511 app.”

From the Cass County Sheriff’s Office (1:25-p.m.): Interstate 80 is snow and slush. One lane in areas. County roads are 100% covered. State highways are mostly covered use caution while driving.

Cass County

(Avoca) AHSTW Schools Superintendent Darin Jones, Friday, released statement on Twitter, announcing the District’s next High School Principal. Jones said  “The AHSTW Community School District is excited to announce that Mr. Davis Pattee has been named our next High School Principal beginning with the 2023-2024 school year!”

Pattee is a graduate of the District, where has also served in the past, as Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, including a runner-up finish in 2018. In February 2019, the Harlan Community School District hired Pattee as Assistant Principal and Athletic Director, replacing the retiring Mitch Osborn.

(Walcott, Iowa) – A head-on crash on Interstate 80 in eastern Iowa Friday night claimed three lives. One other person was injured. The Iowa State Patrol says the crash happened at around 11:15-p.m. north of Walcott, in Scott County. The report says a 2014 VW and a 2014 Chevy collided head-on in the inside land of I-80 at mile marker 284.

The direction of travel for each vehicle was undetermined and under investigation as of the latest report. The three victims of the crash who were not wearing their seat belts died at the scene. The fourth victim was wearing a seat belt. They were transported by Medic EMS to the Genesis East Hospital in Davenport. No names were released.

The Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Davenport Police, Iowa DOT, Walcott Fire assisted at the scene.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce issued a warning on Friday that they have been made aware of a scam that is targeting local businesses. An individual has reached out to a Chamber Member selling an “advertising opportunity” for a magazine that would go out four times a year to members of the Atlantic Golf & Country Club, Crestwood Hills, and the Griswold Golf Club. Be advised that this individual is very convincing.  If you receive this call, please ignore.

(Radio Iowa) – The pace of presidential campaigning in Iowa is accelerating, with former President Donald Trump due in Davenport Monday and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis there today.

DeSantis shared the stage with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. DeSantis touted how he and Reynolds responded to the pandemic by banning mask mandates and reopening schools. “Minnesota — they were fleeing lockdowns to come to Sarasota and Naples and these places, but when I meet Iowans in Florida, they’re happy,” DeSantis said, to laughter and applause. “They love their state because it’s well run.”

A large crowd cheered DeSantis as he listed several bills he’s signed into law, including one that dissolves a special taxing district for Walt Disney World that gave the Disney Company authority over things like roads, water systems, garbage collection on the property.

“Disney no longer controls its own government in Florida. There’s a new sheriff in town,” DeSantis said, to cheers.

DeSantis is here to promote his new book and is expected to enter the GOP’s 2024 presidential race later this year. He and Reynolds will make another appearance together early this evening in Des Moines.

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst hosted an event in Clive today with former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley focused on foreign policy. Haley was appointed by Trump to be U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. She’s on her second tour around Iowa after launching her presidential campaign in February.

“The United Nations, it’s a farce. I mean, that’s the first thing I’ll say,” Haley said as the crowd applauded and Ernst laughed. “The United Nations is not for the faint at heart. Every day, you know, it felt like I was putting on body armor because you knew you’d have a fight — you just didn’t know which country you were fighting that day.”

During a discussion of the war in Ukraine, a man in the audience yelled that Ukraine is not our ally and he was done with the Republican Party if it’s the war party. Haley responded.

“What I’ll tell you is we have no better ally at the United Nations than Ukraine,” Haley said. “There wasn’t one thing we voted for that they weren’t there. There wasn’t thing I fought that they weren’t standing beside us. There wasn’t any time that I had to ask Ukraine for anything. They were always there.”

Haley told the crowd winning the war in Ukraine sends an important message to adversaries like Russia and China and will prevent a world war. The man who raised the issue then left.

Trump’s event in Davenport Monday is his first event in Iowa since announcing he would run again for president. The Iowa Republican Party’s first in the nation Caucuses are less than a year away.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans are reminded to set their clocks ahead an hour before hitting the hay Saturday night, as Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday morning at 2 o’clock.

As we spring ahead, home safety expert Andrew Beckett says it’s the traditional time to check the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, though it could also be time to change out the devices themselves. “Carbon monoxide detectors should really be replaced about every five years,” Beckett says, “and smoke detectors about every ten.”

Studies find the risk of dying in a fire is cut by 50% if there’s a working smoke alarm in the house. While you’re changing your clocks, make sure to give your other safety supplies a once over. Beckett says be sure to have some essentials stored away in an emergency kit in case the power or water goes out.

Daylight Saving Time (DST) begins 2-a.m. Sunday

“Make sure that it has essential items like nonperishable food, and enough water to support you and anyone else in your house for 72 hours,” he says. Check the fire extinguishers in the house to make sure they’re still fully charged and ready for action. Beckett suggests a few other items be placed in your emergency kit.

“Flashlights, batteries, first aid kits, making sure that all those things are there,” he says. “In addition to that, it’s a great time to go around and check the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home and make sure that they’re working properly.” While we’ll lose an hour of sleep this weekend, consider this — we’re also gaining an hour of sunlight.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Brown Shoe Fit Co. on Thursday, March 9th, 2023. Ambassadors welcomed Avery Zakrzewski as the new Manager in Training/ Assistant Manager.

Avery grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska and graduated from Midland University with a degree in Human Performance with an emphasis in Strength and Conditioning. Avery started working at Browns Shoe Fit in 2020 after college and fell in love with the tight-knit business model and decided to move forward in the program to eventually own her own store.

Brown’s Shoe Fit’s program requires the individual to work under two managers. Avery has worked as the Assistant Manager in Columbus prior to moving to Atlantic in January 2023. Brian Ruge, owner, has encouraged Avery to take the reins and “learn by doing.”

Brown’s Shoe Fit Staff (Left to Right): Joyce Weiser, Avery Zakrzewski, Brian Ruge
Ambassadors (Left to Right): Kelsey Beschorner, Sue Liston, Krysta Hanson, Jo Beth Jensen, Julie Waters, Megan Sramek, Colt Doherty, Abbey Becker, Dr. Keith Leonard, John Bricker, Jim Kickland, Alden Harriman, Jeremy Butler, Anne Quist, Tori Gibson, Bailey Smith

When asked what goals Avery has for the store, Avery shared that she would like potential and existing customers to understand that Brown’s is not just a store for high quality shoes. Brown’s Shoe Fit can also help with dry-cleaning, tuxedo rentals, shoe inserts and more.

Brian Ruge, owner, shared that Brown’s Shoe Fit will be hosting “pop-up” events in Bedford and Red Oak in the coming months. These pop-up events consist of the Brown’s team loading a cargo trailer full of a variety of shoes and taking them to surrounding communities. Brown’s Shoe Fit will “set up shop” for a few days which allows the residents to shop Brown’s Shoe Fit’s great selection of shoes while staying close to home. Brian shared that he enjoys the pop-up events because he gets to build relationships with customers outside of the area.

Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. is located at 502 Chestnut Street; Contact 712-243-1336 for more information or visit http://www.brownsshoefitco.com/