DES MOINES, IA — The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau is urging Iowans to buckle up during the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Click It or Ticket high-visibility enforcement effort. The national seat belt campaign, which coincides with the Memorial Day holiday, is May 22-June 4, 2023.

In 2022, 55% of traffic fatalities in Iowa were unbelted or unknown. So far, in 2023 that number is about 60%. It is perceived everyone wears a seat belt, yet over half of our fatalities are unrestrained. This translates to 100’s of lives lost over the last few years.

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“No matter the type of vehicle you’re traveling in, where you’re seated, or what type of road you’re driving on, the best way to protect yourself in a crash is to buckle up,” says Brett Tjepkes, Iowa GTSB Bureau Chief.  “Unfortunately, many families are suffering because their loved ones do not follow this simple step. If this enforcement effort alerts people to the dangers of unrestrained driving, we’ll consider the mission a success”.

If you know a friend or a family member who does not buckle up, please talk to them about changing their habits.  Help GTSB and our law enforcement partners spread this lifesaving message before one more friend or family member is killed. Seat belts save lives, and everyone — front seat and back, child and adult — needs to buckle up.

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau works with city, county, state, and local organizations to develop and implement strategies to reduce deaths and injuries on Iowa’s roadways using federally funded grants.

(Radio Iowa) – A new report finds the number of Iowa teens in foster care has dropped significantly. The Annie E. Casey Foundation report says the number of Iowa foster kids 14 and older fell 40-percent from 2006 to 2021. Samanthya Marlatt, with the non-profit Y-S-S which works with foster care youth, says the report is encouraging, but she’s also concerned about the significant increase in kids who are being removed from their families due to neglect. Marlatt says, “I think as a state and as a community, we can really provide more supportive services to families so that we can ensure that those children are able to remain in their homes and they aren’t disrupted.”

She says this is often linked to poverty and families not having access to the resources they need. Marlatt says she’s glad to see the shift away from placing foster care teens in group care settings, and instead, putting them in family-based settings or with other familiar adults. “And that really ties back to the normalcy and really making sure that is the stepping stone to adulthood,” she says. “You want to have those normal connections and community-based settings.”

The report found about 16-hundred — or 22-percent — of Iowa’s foster kids were 14 and older in 2021.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest Saturday afternoon, of a woman from Pottawattamie County. Authorities say 38-year-old Tyanna Karee Monrreal-Robles, of Council Bluffs, was arrested following a traffic stop on I-29. She was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, the bond for which was set at $300.

(Harlan, Iowa) – A regular weekly meeting of the Shelby County Board of Supervisors will take place 9-a.m. Tuesday, in their courthouse Supervisors Room, in Harlan. Among the action items on their agenda is a Public Hearing on a FY 2023 Budget Amendment, followed by action on approving the budget as presented. Other discussion and possible action items can be viewed on the agenda below:

(Radio Iowa) – A historic wooden roller coaster in northwest Iowa will once again be taking on riders, when the Arnolds Park Amusement Park opens for the season this Saturday. Jon Pausley is C-E-O of the Arnolds Park Amusement Park. “The final part of The Legend has been redone, so the final refurbishment phase is finished and The Legend is all fresh and new,” he says. “…We’re excited to have that finished.”

The Legend was originally called The Speed Hound and the ride opened in 1930. It’s among the 15 oldest wooden roller coasters operating in the world. It was designed by John Miller, who’s considered the father of high speed coasters for developing some of the safety features still in use today.

Arnold’s Park roller coaster,

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors will meet in a regular session beginning at 9-a.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in their courthouse Board Room. Among their action items, is a Resolution approving the sale of County-owned farmland, at the former Willow Heights facility.During their meeting last week, the Supervisors explained the Resolution is simply a formality to close out the sale of the farmland, which was actually sold during an auction back in January.

The property consists of 117.73 acres of cropland and 34.43 acres of pasture land, and the former County Care Facility. Milk Unlimited; Kelly and Christy Cunningham had a high bid of $13,100 per acre for the farmland and a high bid of $6,200 per acre for the pasture. The former Willow Heights Care Facility itself did not sell.

The rest of their agenda is as follows:

RED OAK, Iowa – Joni Ernst today (Monday), announced that former Vice President Mike Pence will be one of her special guests at her annual Roast and Ride taking place on Saturday, June 3.

“I’m excited to welcome Mike Pence to Roast and Ride this year! As a fellow motorcycle fan, Mike will also be joining me on my Ride to benefit Iowa’s Freedom Foundation,” said Joni Ernst. “Even though Joe Biden and the national Democrats ditched Iowa, Republicans are maintaining our FIRST in the nation status. My annual Roast and Ride is THE event to be at in 2023! It’s the perfect opportunity to engage directly with Iowans from all corners of the state.”

“Wherever Joni Ernst asks me to be, I will be. As proud parents of a Marine pilot, Karen and I understand the importance of giving back to organizations like Cedar Rapids’ own Freedom Foundation, an incredible veterans support charity,” said Vice President Mike Pence. “I am honored that Joni has once again asked me to join her annual Roast and Ride and look forward to being back with the people of Iowa soon!”

Former V-P Mike Pence

As a combat veteran and a champion for all veterans, Joni always donates the proceeds from her annual motorcycle Ride to an veterans charity. This year, she will be honoring Freedom Foundation in Cedar Rapids.

Last week, Ernst announced Nikki Haley will also be a special guest for this year’s Roast and Ride. Ernst has invited all 2024 Republican presidential candidates and hopefuls. Additional special guests will be announced soon.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Two outstanding individuals from the Atlantic community – Maria Peterson and Heidi Williams – were each awarded a Turner W. Russell Memorial Scholarship for 2023. Turner’s father, Ron Russell, says the scholarships are given in memory of Turner Russell, who passed away in 2020, following a 2-year battle with brain cancer. Turner’s life was characterized by a love of God and others, and he was involved in service to his church and community, while growing up in Atlantic. Turner also served in a number of short term, overseas, mission trips during his high school/college years, and was involved in a ministry to homeless individuals in Denver, during his years at Colorado Christian University. The $1500 scholarships honor students who have demonstrated strong character, academic scholarship and service to others through school, community or church.

Maria Peterson

Maria Peterson Scholarship Photo 2023

Maria is a 2023 Atlantic High School graduate, who plans to attend Des Moines Area Community College in the Fall, with a planned field of study in the area of Business Administration, taking classes towards the Medical Office Specialist program. Maria has been a very involved student, participating in band, choir, girls swimming and management of boys basketball. Additionally, she has a record of academic excellence. Maria’s references describe her as a person of high character who helps others, and is respected by peers and adults alike. She has actively served others in the community and in her church, including ministries that support those in need, and individuals with disabilities. Her service and ministry to children has included participation in Vacation Bible School, and as a camp counselor at Central Iowa Bible Camp.

Heidi Williams

Heidi plans to attend Moody Bible Institute, in Chicago, this Fall to pursue a degree in Children and Family Ministry. She was a dual-enrolled student with Atlantic High School, and previously graduated from her Homeschool Academy. During her high school years, she participated in basketball, track, and cross-country, and was a member of the National Honor Society. She was also highly involved in her community and church. An active participant in GracePoint Church, she served as an Awana leader for children, was a musician for the Worship Team, and served several years as a counselor at Bethany Camp. After high school, she traveled with Life Action Ministries for three years in the role of Lead Children’s Minister for the team that taught 4-7 year olds. Life Action Ministries is an organization that hosts church conferences across the country that include Bible-centered preaching, quality worship, and children / student ministries. References describe Heidi as a person of high character, who demonstrates a love for God and a love for people, along with a servant’s heart.

Heidi Williams Scholarship Photo 2023

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A regularly scheduled Atlantic City Council meeting will be held 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. On the agenda is a Public Hearing on Amending the FY 2023 Budget, followed later on in the Council action items, by a Resolution to Amend the Budget as presented.

The Council is also expected to award the 2023 4^th of July Fireworks Display contract, the bids for which were solicited following the Council’s meeting on May 3^rd. City Administrator John Lund says only one bid was received by the 5-p.m. Deadline, this past Friday. The bid from Wild Wayne’s Fireworks was $12,500. The City has budgeted $10,750 for the event from the FY 2023 Budget. Lund says “without an alternative, the Council will either have to reject the bid and not have the show, or accept the bid.” He says he thinks he can accommodate the $1,750 difference in the LOST (Local Option Sales Tax) Progress Fund. The Atlantic City Council awarded the fireworks contract last year, to Wild Wayne’s.

In related business, the City Council will discuss the date of the fireworks display. The 4^th of July is on a Tuesday, this year. Traditionally, the Council has set the date of the 4^th and the preceding two days, as the time and days for residents to shoot-off fireworks. Since that would fall on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday this year, Lund says “there is a high degree of likelihood that they will be shot off on Saturday, July 1^st. The Council he says, “Will need to come to a consensus on what days should be allowed for the use of fireworks, so those dates are finalized by their June 7^th meeting agenda.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council will:

• Act on an Order to Approve an Agreement with Fusebox Marketing, for website design & development, website hosting, security and site health, a website enhancement plan and photography/video services.
• Act to pass a Resolution adjusting season 2023 benefits for Sunnyside Pool Lifeguards.
• Hold the 3^rd and final reading of an Amended Ordinance (#1031), with regard to Sewer Service Charges (as previously explained in our news reports)
• And, the 2^nd reading of an Amended Ordinance (#1032), pertaining to Special [downtown] Parking Permits (also previously mentioned in our reports).

(Audubon, Iowa) – A man from Exira was sentenced to prison last week, in Audubon County District Court. According to online court documents, 45-year-old Mark A. Smith agreed to a plea deal that resulted in his being sentenced May 9, 2023 to 10-years in prison, with credit for time served. Smith was charged with Felony 3rd Degree Sexual Abuse in connection with an incident that occurred March 3,2021.

Smith had previously been cited into court last Decemeber, on two counts Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree, and two counts Sex Abuse in the 2nd Degree, on September 22, 2022. In October, 2022, four-counts of Lascivious Acts with a child that allegedly took place in Sept., 2020, were dismissed by the court.

In addition to his prison sentence, Smith was ordered to pay a fine of $1,370, but that was suspended by the court. He must register on the State’s Sex Offender Registry, submit a DNA sample for the record, and pay a civil penalty.