A central Iowa Boy Scout has accomplished something only four other Scouts in state history have achieved — he’s earned every single merit badge. Charlie Stevens, of Ankeny, only needed 21 of the badges to earn the top rank of Eagle, but decided to broaden his experience by working to acquire every one — all 138 merit badges. Stevens, who’s 17, says it took him almost nine years to finish the feat.

From Astronomy and Archery to Wilderness Survival and Woodworking, Stevens learned a wealth of life skills during his quest to earn every possible patch.

When asked if he considers himself an overachiever, Stevens compared his accomplishment in Scouting to how he is in school, as there are some classes he enjoys more than others.

After he graduates from Ankeny Centennial High School next year, Stevens plans to attend the University of Iowa and major in computer science engineering.

For his Eagle Project, Stevens created the Agape Garden at Ankeny First United Methodist Church, which is an ecumenical faith garden that donates fresh produce to area food pantries. He hopes to complete his remaining Eagle rank requirements next month. Officials with the Mid-Iowa Council say only a few hundred Scouts have earned every merit badge in the history of the Boy Scouts of America, which was launched in 1910.
www.scoutingiowa.org

(Radio Iowa) – A judge has set a cash bond of two million-dollars for the man accused of killing an Algona police officer last week. 43-year-old Kyle Lou Ricke of Algona is accused of shooting Officer Kevin Cram to death early on Wednesday, September 13th as Cram was attempting to serve a warrant for Ricke’s arrest. Ricke made his initial appearance in Kossuth County District Court this (Thursday) afternoon and Judge Mark Laddusaw announced he’s seen enough evidence for the case to proceed.

Rickie has been charged with first degree murder and the judge explained the penalty is a sentence of life in prison.

Assistant Iowa Attorney General Scott Brown asked the judge to set a cash-only bond of five million dollars.

Judge Laddusaw settled on two million dollars and stipulated the full amount had to be paid in cash before Rickie could be released. A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for Friday, September 29th at 1 p-m in Kossuth County District Court. Ricke, who was arrested in Minnesota, is being held at the Kossuth County Jail in Algona.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Three people were recently arrested in Mills County. The Sheriff’s Office report 43-year-old Randy Dean Burton, of Glenwood, was arrested Tuesday afternoon at the Sheriff’s Office, for Child Endangerment. (Bond $2,000).

32-year-old Bernabe Hernandez Espinoza, of Des Moines, was arrested Wednesday in Polk County, on a Mills County warrant for Failure to Appear. (Bond: $10,000), and, 32-year-old Cody Robert Cunningham, of Bellevue, NE, was arrested Wednesday near Highway 34 and Levi Road, for Eluding and Reckless Driving. (Bond: $5,300).

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Auditor’s Office has released the final list of candidates for city elections who filed nomination papers for the Nov. 7th elections. The deadline to file was 5-p.m. Thursday (Sept. 21st). The latest candidates include, for:

Atlantic Ward 1- Emily Kennedy.

Massena City Council- Micah Lee;  Adam McCunn

Lewis City Council- Roy O Wheatley; Betty F Auten

Griswold City Council- Xavier Johnson.

As previously reported, here are the rest of the candidates:

Atlantic City Council – Ward 2: Jim Behrens.

Atlantic City Council – Ward 3: Pat McCurdy. Mike McDermott

Atlantic City Council – Ward 4: Linda Hartkopf; Shawn Sarsfield.

Atlantic City Council – At Large: Elaine Otte.

Anita Mayor: Kevin Littleton; Ben Daughenbaugh.

Anita City Council (Vote for 2): Roger L Huffman; Cheryl Sokol; Mark Harris.

Mayor – City of Cumberland: Nancy Virginia Coughlin.

City Council – Cumberland (Vote for 2): Sandra Eversole and Scott W. Becker

Griswold City Council (vote for 3): Brenda Tietz; Amanda Hansen.

Mayor- City of Lewis: Rick Sanny; Russell Hansen

Lewis City Council (Vote for 3): Ryan Lockwood; Leland M Baxter; Russell L. Miller; Larry W Perdue JR; Donna Roberts

Mayor – City of Marne: Randall I. Baxter

Marne City Council (Vote for 3) – Wayne Preister; Mark Opbroek; Zachary Schmitt

Massena City Council – Kevin McCunn.

Things to know:

• There are no candidates that filed for the two (2) positions for Wiota City Council or the Wiota Mayor
• Candidates now have until Tuesday, September 26, 2023 to withdraw by filing a written request to the Auditor
• Absentee ballots can be requested, they will be mailed on October 18, 2023 (last day to request a ballot by mail is October 23, 2023)
• In-person voting begins October 18, 2023 in the Auditor’s Office.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Montgomery County Auditor Jill Ozuna has released the final list of candidates for city elections, who filed nomination papers for the Nov. 7th elections. The deadline to file was 5-p.m. Thursday (Sept. 21st).

Offices that will be on the ballot and Current Candidates Filed

Mayor – 2 year terms (Except Stanton & Coburg Mayor is 4-year term)
Council Member – 4 year terms (Except Grant Council is 2-year terms)

Red Oak City Offices- Candidates Filled
Mayor 2yr term—Vote for 1–Shawnna L. Silvius
Council Member Ward #1 4yr term—Vote for 1—John F. Haidsiak
Council Member Ward #3 4yr term—Vote for 1—Adam Hietbrink
Council Member At Large 4yr term—Vote for 1–Sharon Bradley

Elliott City Offices
Mayor 2yr term -Vote for 1– Michael Carson
Council Member At Large 4yr term—Vote for 2– Leta Rush, Lisa Jamison

Grant City Offices
Mayor 2yr term—Vote for 1—John J. Giefing, Emerson Hill
Council Member At Large 2yr term— Vote for 5– Chelsea Dvorak, Nancy Taylor, Greg Karwal, Clay Amos, Connie K. Giefing, Jeff Brown, Lyn Sliger

Villisca City Offices
Mayor 2yr term—Vote for 1—Marilyn Halda
Council Member At Large 4yr term—Vote for 3– Robert Tripp Narup, Marsha S. Shepherd, Gabrielle Jackson, Vince Abraham

Stanton City Offices

Mayor 4yr term—Vote for 1—None Filed
Council Member At Large 4yr term-Vote for 2– Pier Osweiler, Greg Hampel
Council Member At Large – TFV 2yr term—Justin R. Rhamy
Coburg City Offices Council Member At Large 4yr term—Vote for 3—None Filed