(Radio Iowa) – Classes resume in most Iowa schools in the next week or two, and Iowa parents are being warned to be careful with what they share online about their children. Jim Temmer, with the Better Business Bureau, says those cute social media posts about your kid’s first day in their new grade give away a lot of key details of their lives that could be misused. “Are they holding a board with their name, their age, their height, what grade they’re in, whatever it is? Maybe they’re wearing the school uniform,” Temmer says. “Scammers or predators could use that information.”

That could mean basic identity theft, or even using that information to gain your child’s trust. “Make sure your home with your address and street sign are not visible so they can’t find out exactly where you live,” he says, “or there’s some landmark that everybody would know where you are.”

Temmer says if you are going to share those pictures on social media, make sure they’re only going out to actual friends.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports three recent arrests. Saturday night, 30-year-old Raymundo Herrera, of Houston, TX., was arrested in Greenfield for OWI/1st offense. His arrest was the result of a traffic stop on an SUV he was driving, that was moving at an “extremely slow” rate of speed on eastbound Highway 92, while entering the Greenfield City limits. There about one-block’s worth of vehicles stacked-up behind the vehicle, according to the deputy’s report. He said also, the SUV, a 2020 Jeep Wrangler, was swerving back-and-forth onto the shoulder of the road.

When he approached the vehicle following the traffic stop, the deputy had knock on the driver’s side window of the Jeep, to get the driver’s attention, because he was not paying attention to the deputy’s flashlight being shined through the window. Instead of rolling down the window, the driver – identified as Herrera, opened his door . During questioning of Herrera, the deputy detected an odor of alcohol coming from the man. Herrera completed a Field Sobriety Test, but ultimately refused a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT). He also refused to provide a breath sample for chemical testing at the Sheriff’s Office. Herrera was released later that night on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

As we’ve previously mentioned, on August 7th,  Adair County Deputies arrested 28-year-old Joshua James Jost, of Creston, on an Adair County warrant for failing to appear in court on a Violation of Probation charge. He was released the following day on a $2,000 cash or surety bond.

On August 7th also, Luke Daniel Hommes, of Fontanelle, was arrested on an Adair County warrant, after his bond on an Assault charge was “Revoked and Exonerated,” when his bail bondsman withdrew his surety bond for reason that Sheriff Jeff Vandewater said were not clear.  This was therefore NOT a new charge. Hommes was released the following day on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

And, on August 5th, Police in Stuart arrested 50-year-old Eric Wayne Whiting, of Stuart, on charges that include: Driving While Barred; Possession of Marijuana/2nd offense; Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia, and Felon in dominion/control of a firearm or offensive weapon by a domestic abuser. His arrest followed a traffic stop on a motorcycle in Stuart, whereby the Officer knew Whiting possessed a restricted license and did not possess a valid motorcycle license. A follow-up investigation at Whiting’s residence resulted in the discovery of multiple items of drug paraphernalia, a plastic baggie with a substance believed to be marijuana, a .9-mm pistol, and a black powder rifle. Whiting has a previous court order prohibiting him from possessing weapons, and a previous conviction in Madison County, for possession of marijuana.

He was taken to the Adair County Jail and released the next day on a $5,000 cash or surety bond.

(Audubon, Iowa) – Officials with the Audubon Community School District are pleased to announce that beginning this month (August, 2024) all Kindergarten through 12th grade students in Audubon Community schools will receive free activity tickets thanks to generous donations from AMVC, Audubon State Bank, and Dr. Daryl and Nancy Olsen. This is a three-year initiative of the school board, modeled after several other area schools. It was an easy sell for the school board according to President Mark Nissen, “This is a win-win for all involved. All our students will benefit from having an easier time getting to games. Our athletes will appreciate having more support from their classmates. And of course it makes attending events easier for our families to afford. Overall, it continues to bring our community together and we’re excited to see it happen.” Ultimately, however, the money from ticket sales is used to pay for the costs of hosting home events, most notably referees and umpires, an expense that continues to rise. “That’s the only downfall” says Nissen, “we don’t want to be in a situation where we’re letting people in free but can’t pay our expenses.” That’s where Dr. Daryl Olsen stepped in. Originally the board planned on holding a fundraiser to offset the costs of activity tickets and approached Dr. Olsen about supporting the effort with seed money. When Dr. Olsen shared the idea with his wife Nancy, she was immediately sold.

However, the Olsen’s opted not to provide seed money for a fundraiser. Instead, Dr. Olsen reached out and solicited support from AMVC and Audubon State Bank, two local businesses he’s directly involved in. Together, Dr. Daryl & Nancy Olsen, AMVC, and Audubon State Bank, have pledged to cover the costs of student activity tickets for the next three school years. “We’ve been fortunate to build a life here in Audubon, along with a business. We raised our kids here. We’re passionate about giving back, and supporting a program that clearly and directly benefits the kids and community is exciting,” says Dr. Olsen. Currently, the value of this donation is estimated at $45,000 over the course of the three-year commitment ($15,000 per year). “Unfortunately, the data over the past 10 years of ticket sales isn’t great,” states athletic director Sean Birks. “Especially with the covid years and cash ticketing, we don’t have a super accurate idea of student vs. adult ticket sales. However, now that the district has moved to the electronic ticketing system (Bound), we’ll be able to get really clear data on how many students attend games.” The school board has also made a commitment to track data over the course of the next three years, not just for the purposes of this donation, but also for future decision making. “It’s our hope that in three years the school board will have better data to look at when reevaluating this initiative. Having a three-year commitment gives us an opportunity other schools (attempting free student admission) don’t have. We get to track data and be thoughtful in our planning” states board member Anne Miller. “We’re so grateful to Dr. Daryl, Nancy, AMVC, and Audubon State Bank, this donation directly benefits every single one of our students, their families, and our community.”

Free student activity tickets via Bound will be available at the start of the 2024-2025 school year to all Audubon K-12 students. This program is anticipated to run through the 25/26 and 26/27 school years as well. All students will be issued an activity ticket that will need to be presented at games for admission. Students in grades 4 and below must be accompanied by a caring adult. All students will be expected to follow good-conduct expectations. The school will review frequently asked questions, rules, and expectations in greater detail with students and families.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – With all the recent family friendly events in Atlantic, from RAGBRAI to the Cass County Fair, and AtlanticFest, the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce reminds you that there is still plenty more fun to be had in Atlantic. The summer isn’t over yet! Chamber Program Director Kelsey Beschorner says “We have thoroughly enjoyed a summer full of community events and we look forward to wrapping up the summer with the All-Class Reunion festivities and “Back to School” Discount Dayz the weekend of August 16th and 17th.”

The weekend kick’s off this Friday August 16th, with the first inaugural AHS Alumni Banquet, hosted by the class of 79′ and 84′. That will be held at the Cass County Community Center. Discount Dayz will also begin Friday, with an exciting line-up of participating businesses offering great deals to help everyone get geared up for back to school.

On Saturday, August 17th, the AHS Alumni Smackdown Golf Tournament will take place in the morning at both the Nishna Hills Golf Course and Atlantic Golf and Country Club. All attendees of the tournament are encouraged to join the fun following the tournament to mingle and catch-up during Smack Down After Dark. The event will feature food trucks, a beer garden, and live music performed by “Off the Fritz” at the Band Shell in Sunnyside Park. It is free and open to the public.

For more information about any of these events, visit www.atlanticiowa.com, follow the Chamber on Facebook, email chamber@atlanticiowa.com, or call 712-243-3017.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports four recent arrests. Sunday night, 24-year-old Tylor Jay Rains, of Creston, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st Offense. Rains was taken to the Union County Jail where he is being held on a $300 bond. And, at around 4:30-a.m., Sunday, 21-year-old Levi Joshua Henry, of Creston, was arrested for OWI/2nd Offense. Henry was taken to the Union County Jail and later posted a $2,000 bond before being released.

Friday night, 37-year-old Christopher Micheal Phipps, Jr., of Creston, was arrested for Interference w/Official Acts, and Public Intoxication/1st Offense. Phipps was taken to the Union County Jail later released on $600 bond.

Wednesday afternoon, 29-year-old Ryan James Corder, of Storm Lake, was arrested in Creston on a Union County Warrant for Theft in the 3rd and 5th Degrees. Corder was taken to the Union County Jail and was later released on a $2,300 bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] — In 170 years of the Iowa State Fair, no day has drawn more visitors than Saturday. According to the fair, Saturday’s attendance was an all-time single-day record — 128,732. That broke the previous all-time daily record of 128,298 from 2022. It’s also more than 1,500 over the record for the first Saturday and 10,000 more than the same day last year. This year’s total through three days is 329,408, nearly 23,000 ahead of last year’s pace, which became the second-biggest fair ever with 1,133,958 people. The all-time attendance record of 1,170,375 was set in 2019.

This year needs to average 106,398 per day to break that record. Through three days, this year’s fair is averaging 109,803. Friday’s attendance was 109,854. That’s 8,677 more people than Day 2 last year when 101,177 went through the gates — but 5,849 shy of the Day 2 record.

Thursday’s attendance was 90,822. That’s 3,442 more people than Day 1 last year when 87,380 went through the gates — but more than 10,000 shy of the Day 1 record.

(Radio Iowa) – America will gain about four dozen new, young citizens this morning (10 AM Monday) at a special ceremony at the Iowa State Fair. Officials from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services are holding a citizenship ceremony on the state fair’s MidAmerican Energy Stage. A total of 47 children will be taking the Oath of Allegiance, after which, they’ll be presented with their citizenship certificate.

The children range in age from 10 to 18 and they come from 17 countries around the globe, from Brazil and Burma to Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The ceremony is designed to recognize and celebrate the naturalization of immigrants who have derived citizenship through their naturalized parents or adoption.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak, Sunday evening, arrested a man for Public Intoxication. 69-year-old Randal Joe Barr, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 5:45-p.m. in the 100 block of E. Oak Street.

Barr was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $300 bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa — A missing teen from Arizona flew to Iowa to meet someone she had met online, according to the FBI. Authorities say 17-year-old Liliana Munguia was seen on home security video leaving her father’s home in Bapchule, Arizona, at 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 5. Later that evening, she purchased a plane ticket and flew from Mesa, Arizona, to Des Moines to meet an individual she had met online. Security footage at the Des Moines International Airport showed Munguia arriving on Aug. 5.

The FBI says Munguia was briefly in contact with her family, but has since ceased communication. According to investigators, Munguia was last seen in the Clive and Waukee area on Thursday.

17-year-old Liliana Munguia

According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children website, Munguia may go by the name “Lily” or “Lil.” The website also says she has a mole on the left side of her neck. She is 5’2″ tall, weighs 125 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes.

If you have any information, you’re asked to call 911 or the FBI’s Phoenix Field Office at 623-466-1999.

(Radio Iowa) – Challenges have been filed with state election officials, claiming the Libertarian candidates running in three of Iowa’s congressional district are not qualified for the 2024 General Election ballot. Residents in the first, third and fourth congressional districts have signed petitions which allege Libertarians did not hold county conventions as required by law, so the three Libertarian congressional candidates were not properly nominated. The Libertarians say they did have county conventions, just not in every county.

Nicholas Gluba of Lone Tree, the Libertarian candidate in the first congressional district, says the challenges show Republicans are terrified of how Libertarians are appealing to voters. “They want to attack our ability to be on the ballot. They want to attack Iowans’ ability to vote for who they choose. We have to fight against that,” Gluba said. “…When the Republicans decided that they needed to take on the Republican Party, that was an admission of fear. They’re afraid that we’re going to take out the death grip that Republicans hold on the State of Iowa.”

Marco Battaglia of Des Moines, the Libertarian candidate in Iowa’s third congressional district, says Libertarians did have county conventions, they just didn’t have one for each of Iowa’s 99 counties because there were no Libertarian delegates in some counties. “Most of our population is in, like 12 counties,” Battaglia says. “What are we supposed to do in a county that’s never voted Democrat in their life? Why do they want to register as anything else if they want Republicans to keep winning?”

Battaglia says the Republican-led legislature and Republican Governor Kim Reynolds have repeatedly changed election laws to put Libertarians at a disadvantage. “If we’ve got to take this up further up the court system, I think we can kind of dismantle this kind of unfair, rigged game that they’ve got going,” Battaglia said.

Charles Aldrich of Clarion, the Libertarian Party’s candidate in the fourth congressional district, says there was county participation — from counties that have Libertarians. “What they’re saying is inaccurate,” Aldrich says.

The Libertarians were among six congressional candidates who appeared this weekend on the Des Moines Register’s Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair. Democratic candidate Ryan Melton of Nevada, who’s running in the fourth congressional district, says voters deserve as many choices as possible and the G-O-P attempt to toss Libertarians off the November ballot is awful.