(Radio Iowa) – A Poweshiek County judge is deciding whether Cristhian Bahena Rivera should get a new trial on his first-degree murder conviction in the July 2018 death of Mollie Tibbetts. Bahena Rivera and his attorneys were in Montezuma today (Tuesday)arguing there is new evidence that clears their client. Nate Maki, who is currently doing time in Oakdale for domestic violence, says an inmate he met in the Keokuk County Jail in 2020, Gavin Jones, claimed he was the real killer of Mollie Tibbetts.

Under cross-examination, prosecutor Scott Brown asked Maki if he knew where Jones was at the time Tibbetts was murdered.

Division of Criminal Investigation special agent Trent Vileta was questioned by Brown about the investigation into Tibbetts’ death and Bahena Rivera leading law enforcement to her body.

He had to actually point out the direction in a very large cornfield to us.” Judge Joel Yates says he will issue a written ruling on a new trial for Bahena Rivera as soon as possible.

(Radio Iowa) – After more than a year of masks, hand sanitizer and carry-out meals, a survey by Triple-A-Iowa finds Iowans are over the pandemic and they’re more than ready to return to vacations and traveling. Meredith Mitts, a spokeswoman for the motor club, says traveler confidence is soaring. “What we have seen from our travel surveys that we field quarterly is that three-quarters of Iowans are more comfortable taking a trip and traveling now than they were three months ago,” Mitts says, “which is really exciting for the travel industry and for anyone who’s been itching to travel.”

Over the course of the past three surveys, she says Iowans’ comfort level has significantly increased as their concern about COVID-19 waned.  “Some of our top reasons are: People are confident in the COVID-19 vaccinations,” Mitts says. “They are more confident in the safety measures that have been implemented nationwide. They are also less afraid of the dangers of the virus now that it’s not quite so new and unknown and as we know a little bit more what to expect.”

Of those who are already or plan to be vaccinated, 44-percent say travel was a motivating factor in doing so. Where are Iowans wanting to go? “The top couple of destinations we’re seeing for Iowa is major cities and metro destinations, whether that’s going to Des Moines or coming to a neighboring state and going to visit Minneapolis or Chicago,” Mitt says. “We also are seeing a rise in national and state parks, followed by beach or lake destinations.”

The survey also finds a growing number of Iowans are back on board with the idea of taking a cruise.  “Our data shows that almost half, about 42%, feel comfortable taking an ocean or river cruise,” Mitts says, “with about one-third of Iowans planning to take a cruise in the next couple of years.” The survey shows two-thirds of Iowans have already traveled or plan to take a trip in 2021, while more than half of those will take their next trip between July and September.

A car slowing down to turn into a rural driveway in Union County was struck from behind, Monday afternoon. The Union County Sheriff’s Office said the accident happened at around 1:15-p.m. on 110th Street, a county gravel road. A 2004 Ford Mustang driven by 49-year-old Kami Sue Winther, of Greenfield, was slowing to turn, when her car was struck by a 1999 Ford F-350 pickup, driven by 44-year-old Jason Richard Berendes, of Red Oak.

Berendes told authorities he couldn’t see the Mustang because of the gravel dust. Following the collision, the pickup entered the left/south ditch and struck a utility pole, causing it to break. The car entered the same ditch and struck the rear of the pickup.

Damage from the collision amounted to $15,000. Berendes was cited for Failure to Stop in an Assured, Clear Distance. The utility pole, owned by Alliant Energy, was valued at $2,000.

A fire that was reported at around 12:35-p.m. Tuesday at the Middle School in Atlantic, was under control about an hour later, thanks to quick action from Atlantic, Lewis, Marne and Griswold firefighters. The incident occurred on the roof of the building, about half-way between the north and northwest facing corners. Video from the scene prior to firefighters’ arrival showed intense orange flames and thick black smoke. Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon said the fire appears to have been confined to the roof.

Drone Photo courtesy Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Ben Bartholomew

Photo courtesy Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Ben Bartholomew

Photo courtesy Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Ben Bartholomew

According to persons at the scene, roofers were installing a new roof, and had left to go to lunch. Persons conducting tuck pointing on the sides of the building saw the smoke and called 9-1-1. The roof of the building is 12-inch thick concrete, so it’s not likely the fire would have spread easily to the rest of the structure. The roof was installed in the early 1930’s he said, as part of the WPA (Works Progress Administration) projects under FDR’s administration. The part that was burning was apparently the fiberboard placed on top of the roof liner. It wasn’t immediately known where the blaze began, or why.

Atlantic School District Superintendent Steve Barber said that he’s grateful for the quick response.

Atlantic Police, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Cass EMS and others assisted at the scene.

UPDATE 5:00 p.m. – In a message to school district members on Tuesday night Superintendent Barber said the fire did not penetrate the building but the school did experience significant water damage throughout most of the building. The fire marshal is evaluating the fire and they are asking everyone to stay away from the building. The building will be closed while they work through the cleanup process and will update everyone once everyone is able to enter the building again.

Update 7:25-p.m.: A press conference is set to take place at the Atlantic Fire Station, 1-p.m. Wednesday, with Atlantic Fire Chief Tom Cappel, Steve Barber, and a representative from the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Photos Courtesy Matt Smith

Atlantic Fire Fighters and Cass EMS were dispatched to the Atlantic Middle School for a report of a fire on the roof of the building. The page went out at 12:35-p.m.  Additional details were not immediately available. The first crews on the scene reported black smoke coming from one part of the roof. Mutual aid was requested from Marne and Lewis Fire.

The Montgomery County Recreational Trails Committee is hosting a Three Community Trails Bike or Walking Event on Friday, August 20 and Saturday, August 21, 2021, in Villisca, Stanton and Red Oak. Organizers say there is no charge to participate, but donations will be accepted and all the fun you will have is absolutely FREE. The first community event will be on Friday night, August 20 as Villisca hosts their “Every Street Bike Ride”. Participants will gather starting at 7:00 PM at the Park Shelter House, at the intersection of 3rd St. and 3rd Ave. A leisurely evening bike ride, lasting around an hour and a half, will take riders down and up every street and avenue in Villisca past well known historic attractions including the Ax Murder House. Bikers may also choose to ride only streets or only avenues, either of which takes about 40 minutes. There will also be a 2-mile and a ¾ mile walking route.

The next morning, August 21, participants will be able to ride or walk the Stanton Greenbelt Trail. The event will start anytime between 8 and 9 AM from Anderson Park. Participants will be able to also visit the Swedish Heritage and Cultural Center and enjoy a cup of coffee and pasties or lunch at the new Fika Coffee Hus on Main Street. The event will then travel to Red Oak for a 2:30 PM for the Historic Heritage Hill ride or walk including the WWII depot museum, and the scenic Red Oak Trail. Begin the journey at the Montgomery County Court House at 2nd and Coolbaugh St. ending at the “518” Building at the corner of Red Oak Square, 4th and Reed for wonderful music and drinks of all kinds.

For those who participate in all three communities, a FREE commemorative T-Shirt will be awarded.

Get a commemorative T-shirt for participating in all 3 rides! (Photo from the MCRTC Facebook page)

Those who choose to do only one or two segments will be able to make a suggested donation and get the same T-Shirt. Each community will have a separate route for biking and walking. Their purpose is to introduce to you the three participating communities and the NEW Montgomery County Recreational Trails Committee. We will also share the work of connecting our county from North to South and East to West through a new system of trails.

Pre-Registration is encouraged, but not required. You can register at Montgomery County Recreational Trails Face book page. Remember, when bicycling, “Think Safety. Wear your Helmet”.

(Radio Iowa) – The city of Des Moines wastewater treatment plant is part of a national program that tests wastewater for COVID-19 and its variants. Director Scott Hutchens says the program is a partnership with the U-S Department of Health and Human Services, the C-D-C, and the National Institutes of Health. “We’ll take samples and send them to them two to three times a week. We take our influent wastewater and it gets tested for the presence of COVID-19 and any variants that might be in that,” he explains.

Hutchens says the plant treats waste from 17 Des Moines metro communities and some 500-thousand people. “You know when you shower, when you go to the bathroom and flush your toilet — that’s coming through the sewer system and pipelines and interceptor sewers here to the treatment plant,” Hutchens says. The liquid is pulled out of the sewage and treated by the plant before being released into the river. The samples will test the water before the treatment. “They can do an analysis to determine how rampant COVID-19 is in the community — or how well the vaccination process is going,” according to Hutchens.

The program is paid for by the federal government and includes hundreds of wastewater treatment plants across the country.

Activities at the FREE 2021 Cass County Fair get underway bright and early Wednesday morning. From 9-a.m. Until 2:30-p.m., there is 4-H/FFA Static Exhibit Judging, and from 10:30-a.m.until 12:30-p.m., “Bucket of Junk” judging. Cass County ISU Extension Director Kate Olson says the event is sponsored by Weirich Welding

The projects created by the kids using the scrap metal are left on display throughout the week in the Community Center. On August 2nd, awards will be presented by the judges for technical effort and creativity, and a “People’s Choice” award, for the most creative bucket.

She said it should be a record-setting year for the Bucket of Junk Contest, with a good number of participants. Clover kids Showcase entries will also take place Wednesday, from 9-a.m., until Noon. Olsen says something different this year, than in years past, is that the Food Sale has been moved from Wednesday to Thursday, beginning at 5-p.m.

Another change this year, is the addition of a table-setting contest at the Community Center on the Fairgrounds.

The weather should be a little less hot and humid toward the end of the week, but some may be concerned about the welfare of the livestock, not to mention their handlers. Kate Olsen says their exhibitors know how to handle their animals, and watchful eyes will make sure both participants and animals are safe.

And, Olsen says with regard to COVID, there will be a lot of hand sanitizer available on the grounds, social distancing will be possible due to most of the events being outdoors, but a mask will not be required. You may of course, wear a mask at your discretion.

Some of the big events taking place during the Cass County Fair, include:

Little Miss/Mister Contest, 7-p.m. Thursday
King & Queen Contests, 7:30-p.m. Thursday
Senior Recognition, 8-p.m. Thursday
A Bull ride on Friday at 8-p.m.
Tractor Pulls 6-p.m. Saturday
Golf Cart Races Sunday at 7-p.m.
And, the Grand Champion Beef Selection takes place 6:30-p.m., Monday.

View the complete Fair Schedule HERE

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday) released a report detailing arrests from June 16th through July 25th. This past Sunday, 34-year-old Sunita Joan Phipps, of Creston, was arrested for Theft in the 5th Degree. She was being held in the Adams County Jail on a $300 cash-only bond. At around 10:20-p.m. on July 22nd, 74-year-old David Charles Crawford, of Villisca, was arrested on four valid warrants for Sex Abuse in the 3rd Degree, Lascivious Acts with a Child, Enticing a Minor under the age of 13, and Indecent Contact with a Child. Crawford was being held without bond in the Adams County Jail until seen by a magistrate.

Sheriff’s officials say on July 20th, Michael John Wray was arrested on four valid warrants for Failure to Appear. His bond was set at $6,000. The day before (July 19th), Adams County Deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 28-hundred block of 130th Street, and upon investigation, arrested Edwin Scott Blazek, for Harassment in the 3rd Degree. He was being held without bond until seen by a magistrate. Also arrested July 19th, was Jason Alexander Rahn, who was taken into custody on a warrant for Indecent Contact with a Child. He was also being held without bond, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

July 17th, Adams County Deputies arrested 36-year-old Fidel Anastacio Amaya Contarero, of Tampa, FL.,  on one count of Child Endangerment. He was taken into custody following a traffic stop, and in addition to his arrest, was cited for Failure to have a valid driver’s license, speeding, and failure to use a child restraint device. Amaya Contarere was later released on bond. On July 16th, a traffic stop on Highway 34 in Adams County, resulted in the arrest of Lyndon Bright, for having a suspended driver’s license, and for Open Container.

On June 19th, Jesse Beaman, of Red Oak, was arrested in Adams County, on an active warrant for Parole Violation. He was being held without bond pending an appearance before the judge. June 17th, a reported argument at the Adams County Speedway resulted in the arrest of Cadon Cornelison, of Corning, and Paige ONeall, of Creston, on charges of Simple Assault. Both were being held in the Adams County Jail pending an appearance before the magistrate.

(Radio Iowa) – Competition in the meat supply chain is the subject of a U-S Senate Judiciary Committee hearing scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday), and at least three Iowans will be in the chamber. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley calls the hearing “long awaited” as he says he’s been expressing strong reservations about consolidation within agriculture and the livestock industry for more than 20 years. “We have two Iowans as witnesses and I look forward to their testimony,” Grassley says. “Family farmers are very important to rural communities across America. We’ve got to keep the family farmer strong and from the standpoint of cattle feeders, they’re on life support.”

The two Iowans who are scheduled to testify are: Jon Schaben, owner of Dunlap Livestock Auction, and Shane Miller, group president of Fresh Meats at Tyson Foods. Tyson joins J-B-S, Cargill and National Beef as the four largest meatpackers which, Grassley says, control 80-percent of the marketplace.  “According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, for every one dollar Americans spend on food, farmers only get 14.3 cents,” Grassley says. “Meantime, the retail price of beef for consumers has increased and remains very high.”

The pandemic has brought to the forefront the U-S-D-A’s inability to preserve our nation’s beef supply chain, Grassley says, calling on the agency to be more engaged and aggressive in policing anti-competitive activities. “I’m not upset about paying more for my beef but I’m upset that farmers are not getting a fair price,” he says. The Senate hearing, called “Beefing up Competition: Examining America’s Food Supply Chain,” is scheduled for Wednesday at 1:30 PM/Central time.