(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who are advocates for victims of sexual assault say they’re pleased the re-authorized Violence Against Women Act includes money for prevention efforts as well as services for victims. Iowa Senator Joni Ernst hosted an event today (Thursday) to hear from Iowans who work with sexual assault survivors.

“We have actually increased the authorization that will be going to these specific programs that address prevention,” Ernst says. The updated Violence Against Women Act provides new housing protections for victims as well as new investment in culturally-specific programs. Tiahni Carrasco a sexual assault prevention specialist with Amani Community Services, working with black middle school students in Waterloo.

Senator Ernst during the discussion. (photo from Ernst’s office.)

“It’s important for survivors, but it’s also important that we stop it before it’s happening,” she says. “That middle school age is a primary target for sexual assaults happening.” Mira Yusef is executive director of Monsoon, an origination with offices in Des Moines and Iowa City that works to end human trafficking and violence against Asians and Pacific Islanders.

“Prevention is so crucial,” she says. “Man and boys who mostly are the perpetrators, the harm-doers of sexual violence…How do we prevent that?…How can we then extend that to the elementary school age, to the middle school, to have the discussion about healthy relationships?”

Kellie Markey is the founder of Dorothy’s House, a residential home for victims of human trafficking. She says pornography is distorting what young people, in particular, view as a healthy behavior. “It literally changes the way people, and children especially, view what sexual relationships are supposed to look like and what’s o.k. to do in those environments,” she says. “Every child in our community is presented and pushed porn by the time they’re in fifth grade, at the latest, and it’s starting create trends that we see in the normalization of these behaviors against people that are going to be a bigger and bigger problem.”

Markey was among more than a dozen people Senator Ernst invited to a round-table discussion of the Violence Against Women Act. A month ago, President Biden approved a bipartisan plan to reauthorize the law for five more years.

An investigation into illegal drug activity in Page County, resulted in the arrest at around 1:13-a.m. Thursday, of a Shenandoah man. The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports Deputies arrested 29-year-old Cory Daniel Archer near the 800 block of South Avenue, in Shenandoah.

Archer was arrested on charges of Prohibited Acts – Drug trafficking more than 5 grams – Methamphetamine (Class B Felony), Prohibited Acts – Drug trafficking less than 5 grams – Methamphetamine (Class C Felony), two (2) counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd or subsequent offense – Methamphetamine (Class C Felony), Gatherings where controlled substances unlawfully used (Class D Felony), Drug tax stamp violation (Class D Felony), Conspiracy (Class D Felony), and Possession of Drug paraphernalia (Simple Misdemeanor).

Cory Daniel Archer

Archer was transported to the Page County Jail where he is being held on $100,000.00 cash only bond after an initial appearance before a Magistrate.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Thursday (April 14, 2022), of 46-year-old Michael Lee Rose, from Hepburn. Rose was arrested on a Page County Warrant for Failure to Appear – at a Revocation hearing for Violation of probation. The hearing was with regard to a sentencing charge of Possession of a Firearm or Offensive Weapon by a DA Offender.

Rose was arrested at the Page County Courthouse. He was transported to the jail where he is being held on $5,000 bond, pending further court proceedings.

DES MOINES – More than 10,000 students across Iowa made their voices heard about the upcoming election by participating in Secretary of State Paul Pate’s Iowa Youth Straw Poll, Tuesday week. Students in K-12 schools were invited to vote for their preferred candidates in Iowa’s congressional and gubernatorial races. In the final update of results, Pate says Republican Chuck Grassley led all candidates in the U.S. Senate race with 40% of the vote. Republican Jim Carlin finished second with 23%. Democrat Abby Finkenauer garnered 19%.

Incumbent Governor Kim Reynolds easily won the gubernatorial race, with 65% of the vote.

Iowa’s four U.S. Congressional races were also polled, with Republicans leading in three of the four districts. Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks defeated Christina Bohannan in the First District, 64-36%.  Ashley Hinson picked up 69% of the vote in the Second Congressional District, with Liz Mathis garnering 31%.

Democrat Cindy Axne edged Republican Nicole Hasso by 17 votes in the Third District, 29-28%. Combined, Republicans Hasso, Gary Leffler and Zach Nunn picked up 1,535 votes, compared to Axne’s 625.

Republican Randy Feenstra led in the Fourth District with 66%.

Traditionally, the Iowa Youth Straw Poll has served as a strong indicator of how the actual elections will shape up. “It’s important to engage our young people in civics at an early age and this is a fun, hands-on way to do that,” Secretary Pate said. “Voting is not only a civic duty, but also the best way to make your voice heard. My thanks to all the students who participated, and to the teachers that helped organize events at their schools.”

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlas Crane Service, Inc., today (Thursday) announced its expansion to a new 15,000 square foot shop/storage building and 10 acres of outdoor storage in Atlantic, according to information provided by the company. According to Cory Dauner, Branch Manager, in January, Atlas (headquartered in Aurora, Illinois), purchased the spec building and land on Glacier Road just north of Atlantic, from Atlantic Community Development, LLC, .

Founded by Zach Prentis in 2009, Atlas is completing its 13th year in business providing a wide variety of crane services. It has a fleet of approximately 70 cranes for hire. This includes all-terrain, rough terrain, crawler, truck, carry-deck and mini cranes. “Whatever size and type of lifts a customer needs, we have the right crane for the job,” said Prentis, the current President of the Company.

Cory Dauner says Atlas’ recently opened branch in Atlantic has enhanced the company’s reach and responsiveness to customers in the Plains States. “The location, halfway between Des Moines and Omaha fits the company’s strategy to better serve its growing number of customers in the Upper Midwest,” he said. President Prentis says “We serve a rapidly growing group of customers in this region. Establishing a branch here lets us be more responsive.” The Iowa location is Atlas’ third location with facilities in Aurora and Peru, Illinois.

At a meeting of Atlantic Community Development, Dauner shared that the hope of the company is to have 65-70 cranes on hand at any one time and draw skilled labor from approximately 30 to 60 mile radius. Within 18 to 24 months the goal of the company is to have 20-25 employees based out of Atlantic, all positions well-compensated.

(Background on Atlantic Community Development: Atlantic Community Development, LLC, was formed in 2003 by a group of 9 local individuals and businesses to bring new, good-paying jobs to the community and strengthen Atlantic’s tax base, according to Dave Chase, Secretary of the LLC. He said the group developed a capital base of around $600,000 from its members to acquire land and construct spec buildings to lure new business. Its first project was Business Park Addition, the current home of Ziegler Caterpillar and other businesses. From the sale of the land and buildings in that development the group reinvested the proceeds in the project where the the new Atlas Crane expansion is located. According to Chase, these investments have increased the tax base by approximately $3 million and produced 60-70 current and prospective good-paying jobs. He went on to say the LLC’s membership has increased to 31 members and is looking for its next project. “The mission is solely the improvement of the economy of the community,” he said.

DES MOINES – The City of Atlantic was recently honored with the 2021 Tree City USA Award at the 31st Annual Community Forestry Awards Luncheon in Ankeny. The award was presented by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources April 12th at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. State forester Jeff Goerndt says “The Tree City USA award is a symbol for communities who have made a commitment to the management of public trees. The City of Atlantic,” he says, “has provided an outstanding example for other Iowa communities by enhancing our forest resources and demonstrating the great value of trees in providing multiple benefits for future generations.”

Atlantic was one of 74 Iowa communities to qualify for Tree City USA status. To receive the award, a city must, at a minimum, have either a city forester or an active city tree board; have a tree ordinance; spend at least $2 per capita annually for its community forestry program; and have a tree planting and maintenance plan.

Jeff Goerndt, State Forester and Dolly Bergmann, Atlantic Trees Forever (photo submitted)

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund said today (Thursday), they are pleased to be a sponsor of the Southwest Iowa Fishing Team again, this year. Trevor’s mom and Foundation spokesperson Melanie Petty says fishing was a huge part of Trevor’s life and watching this program grow in the last two years is wonderful to see.  Anyone who is interested in joining should email swifishingteam@gmail.com or reach out to Bob Harris at 712-304-2015.  The club has several opportunities to fish with a Boat Series, a Kayak Series and a Virtual Series.

(Grant Petty and Bob Harris) – photo submitted

The Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund raises money each year at their annual golf tournament.  This year the 14th TFred Memorial Golf Tournament will be held at the Atlantic Golf and Country Club on Saturday, June 18th.   Although the tournament is already full we are still accepting hole sponsors and items for our silent auction that will be held in the club house all day.  Stop out and have lunch with us and bid on some amazing items.  All monies raised are given back to the things that Trevor loved in a community that held a special place in his heart.

For further information call Melanie Petty at 712-249-3696.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The trial for an Atlantic man charged in connection with a stabbing incident during the late night hours on April 3rd, is set to take place June 28th at 9:30-a.m.. According to online court records, arraignment for 19-year-old Michael Gehling will be held May 2nd and a Pre-Trial Conference on June 6th. Both begin at 9-a.m. His preliminary hearing is set to take place today (April 14), at 2-p.m.

Authorities last week said Gehling faces a Class-B Felony charge of Attempted Murder, and a Class-C Felony charge of Willful Injury-Causing Serious Injury. He’s pleaded not guilty. Gehling was arrested without incident, following an investigation that began with a 9-1-1 call at around 12:03-a.m., on April 4th. The call came in from a local resident requesting medical attention for a man who had a stab wound. Officers learned the incident happened in the area of 6th and Pine Streets.

The victim (whose name was not released) was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital (Cass Health), in Atlantic, and was later transported to the UNMC in Omaha, for treatment of serious injuries.

[Updated] (Logan, Iowa) – A storm spotter/first responder was injured and several properties were damaged when severe storms swept through Harrison County, Tuesday. Harrison County Emergency Management coordinator Philip Davis said in a news release, that he found “significant damages” to two residences south of Logan while out assessing the storm damage on Wednesday. He also found “major damage” to a home in the Woodbine area. Trees and agricultural lands also sustained some damage.

Davis said also, a responder who was helping with storm spotting during the storm was injured. The extent of that person’s injuries has not yet been released. The National Weather Service issued a warning for Harrison County around 7:53 p.m. Tuesday. It warned of a line of severe thunderstorms capable of producing a tornado. The NWS has not yet confirmed a tornado touched down in that area. On Thursday, the NWS did say eight confirmed tornadoes took place elsewhere across the State, Tuesday.

The strongest twisters were rated at EF2 outside Gilmore City, in Pocahontas County, and in Humboldt County, near Bradgate. In the northeast part of the state, an EF1 hit southwest of Mason City, and an EF0 was briefly on the ground in Hancock County. Three weaker tornadoes were reported in Mitchell and Howard counties.  All but one of the twisters were packing winds in excess of 100-mph.

Harrison County officials want to know if anyone else in the county has damaged property as a result of the storm. Anyone with damage was asked to report it by clicking here or calling Harrison County Communications at 712-644-2244.

(Radio Iowa) – The third annual “Build My Future” event was held Wednesday on the grounds of the Iowa State Fair. Chuck Gassman, vice president of Iowa Skilled Trades, says recruiting young people into his line of work hasn’t been easy. “Twenty-seven years ago, if we could get 10 people here to an event like this, it was a major win,” Gasman says. “Today we have over 5100 students here and I get choked up because of that. That is awesome!”

The day is designed to give students a chance to see the opportunities there are for welders, electricians, carpenters and others in the construction and manufacturing industries. More than a dozen high school students participated in a signing ceremony, pledging that they intend to work in the skilled trades after graduating from high school. Governor Kim Reynolds signed each student’s letter of intent.

Build My Future students. (RI photo)

Governor Kim Reynolds signed each student’s letter of intent. “The world is your oyster, I’m telling you. There is such a need. Together you’re really helping and I think that’s what’s so great about this, too. Kids see so many other kids here who are excited and fired up about these careers, that they’re not alone in doing this, so thanks for helping us drive the momentum across the state,” Reynolds said. “…Congratulations! We appreciate you being here. Now we want you to stay in Iowa.”

Seventy-six Iowa high schools are working with local businesses and community colleges to set up apprenticeships for teenagers while they’re still in school, many with the promise of a full-time job after graduation.