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Bill sets new penalty for property owners who rent to human traffickers

News

April 30th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House and Senate have unanimously voted to give prosecutors another legal tool to crack down on human trafficking. Representative Megan Jones of Sioux Rapids says it targets people who set up businesses like nail and hair salons, spas and massage parlors, with workers who are actually victims of human trafficking. “This bill establishes a crime for knowingly letting your property be used for human trafficking,” Jones says. “…One really interesting part of this bill and I really appreciate this that the victims’ advocates brought this forward is that it provides restorative justice as a form of restitution.”

Victims of human trafficking will be able to avoid charges if they’re caught being forced to work in one of these businesses. Senator Brad Zaun of Johnston says the bill makes it harder to try to run an illicit spa or massage business using forced labor.  “We are in the state of Iowa to have Interstate 80 and Interstate 35 which brings a lot of business to the state of Iowa,” Zaun says. “Unfortunately, it brings a lot of despicable human beings that are abusing other humans in regards to human trafficking. This bill really just clamps down on the landowners that own these businesses that know what’s going on.”

The bill first passed the House on March 8th. The Senate gave it final approval this week. The bill also calls on the Iowa Public Safety Commissioner to establish a task force on human trafficking to understand the scope of the problem in Iowa and identify services for victims.

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Supreme Court rules in favor of State Auditor in request from U-I

News

April 30th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court has sided with the State Auditor in a subpoena request from the University of Iowa. State Auditor Rob Sand sought information from the U-I on its plan to lease out its utility system for the next 50 years for lease payment of more than one BILLION dollars. The University and Board of Regents fought the subpoena request, saying the auditor was not engaged in a legally authorized audit.

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled it does not need to decide the exact moment the request for information turned into an audit. It says the State Auditor has wide latitude to audit state agencies — and had the right in this case to subpoena the information.

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Minnesota restaurateur arrested in N. Iowa for COVID violations

News

April 30th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A southern Minnesota restaurant owner who was wanted by authorities for pandemic-related violations has been arrested after hiding out in Clear Lake. Melissa Hanson is the owner of The Interchange Wine & Coffee Bistro in Albert Lea and was wanted by Minnesota authorities on outstanding warrants for failing to appear for a court hearing . Hanson is facing criminal charges in Freeborn County for allegedly opening up her business in violation of Minnesota coronavirus restrictions.

The Freeborn County Sheriff’s Department says they were working with the Albert Lea Police Department in monitoring an Airbnb location in Clear Lake, with Clear Lake police arresting her on Thursday after being seen leaving the rental property.

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Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors Visit Five Q

News

April 30th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Five Q on Thursday April 29th, 2021. Ambassadors were introduced to new staff members and learned about the company’s services and expansions. Chad Williams, owner of Five Q introduced the two newest members of Five Q, starting with Alex Tarr, an Atlantic native that came on board two months ago and took on the role of Office Manager. He also introduced Rachel Czaja who started as an intern while attending Wheaten College in Chicago. Rachel moved to Atlantic in May 2020 and took on the role of Marketing Coordinator.

Photo courtesy the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce.

Five Q started in 2004 with the mission to help their customers multiply their digital impact through website building, design, mobile app design, Amazon Alexa skills, and 501c3 ad grant management. Five Q specializes in helping nonprofit organizations market and fundraisers. And, with their new personalization platform called “Journity,” the customer can create a digital marketing campaign in a short amount of time and get their message out on to the web faster.

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COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments in Cass County

News

April 30th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic, IA — Officials with Cass County Public Health (CCPH) report the agency, and local pharmacies, still have COVID-19 vaccine appointments available for anyone age 16 and older.

·         HyVee has Pfizer vaccine for those 16 and older at their pharmacy. To sign up, go to hyvee.com/covidvaccine.

·         For residents 18 and older interested in receiving the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, please call Cass County Public Health at 712-250-8008.

More information about coronavirus in Iowa can be found at coronavirus.iowa.gov.

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Glenwood man arrested for serious assault

News

April 30th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Police in Glenwood report the arrest today (Friday), of a Glenwood man. Authorities say 22-year-old Travis Barrett was arrested for serious Assault, and Interference with official acts. Barrett was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail, until seen by magistrate judge.

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Cass County Supervisors award bridge replacement contract to A.M Cohron

News

April 30th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Board of Supervisors held their regular weekly meeting, Friday (today), during which the Board awarded a bid for a bridge replacement project. 

(the Bridge is #208 on Indian Creek St., over a tributary to Indian Creek, from White Pole Road, north .4 miles on the west line of S5-T75-R37.)

That’s Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken, who said the project was let through the DOT on April 20th. There were three bids, the lowest of which ($621,942) came from A.M. Cohron, of Atlantic, and was within three percent of the Engineer’s estimate of $600,000. The other bids included: Gus Construction, Inc. (In Casey), $674,162; and Jenco Construction, Inc. (of Des Moines), $887,286).

In his report to the Board, Wolken said the Secondary Roads is still hauling contract rock in the county. There are about 140 miles worth of road to be covered this Spring. About 90-miles of Schildberg rock is hauled down, and they’re almost done applying that, and some other source of road rock.

Wolken said the Hunt Bridge had wood pilings and abutments that had deteriorated, and did not pass their rate capacity. A.M. Cohron handed the repairs and shoring-up of the deck and pilings. The work done will enable the load rating to be increased past the previous limit. The $60,000 cost of repairs was preferable he said, to a new $1-million bridge, and should be good for at least 20-to 25-years.

In other business, the Cass County Board of Supervisors approved the assignment of tax sales certificates in Section 7 of Grove Township (essentially an area adjacent to Frederickson Iron Recycling).

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Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s report (4/30/21)

News

April 30th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County say a 16-year old male was arrested Wednesday afternoon at a residence in rural Carson, for allegedly assaulting a 17-year old male. The unidentified suspect faces charges that include Assault and Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree (for damage amounting to less than $300).

Separately, 38-year-old Cody Jay Koenig, of Honey Creek, was arrested Wednesday afternoon, after a Jeep he was driving was seen parked in the traveled portion of the road at Old Lincoln Highway and Leisure Avenue, near Honey Creek. Koenig was asleep behind the wheel. The report says he showed signs of impairment, and had a Breath Alcohol Content (BAC) of .306% (nearly 4 times the legal limit). Koenig was arrested for Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender, and OWI/3rd or subsequent offense. His total bond was set at $7,000.

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Iowa COVID-19 update for 4/30/21: 396 additional cases; hospitalizations rising, however…positivity rate is down again

News

April 30th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines) – The Iowa Department of Public Health, on Friday (today), reported there were 396 additional positive COVID-19 cases, for a pandemic total of 394,397, and no additional deaths. Deaths attributed to COVID statewide, since the beginning of the pandemic amount to 5,931. Deaths at long-term care facilities in Iowa account for 2,314 of the total number of deaths statewide.

According to the state’s website, a total of 4,805,373 individuals received COVID-19 tests, and Iowa’s positivity rate declines to decline. Data show the 14-day average is 3.9%, and the 7-day average is 3.7%. Virus hospitalization data from the past 24-hours show: 191 hospitalized (7 more than before); 34 persons were admitted; 45 patients are in ICU, and 22 patients are on ventilators. In RMCC Region 4 (hospitals in western/southwest Iowa): 17 COVID patients are hospitalized; 11 are in an ICU; three people were admitted with symptoms of the virus, and there remain four people on a ventilator.

According to the Iowa DPH vaccination dashboard, 2,309,070 total COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Iowa. The dashboard reports that 952,859 individuals completed two-dose vaccinations and 88,603 individuals have completed single-dose vaccinations. The Iowa DPH reports 1,041,462 total completed vaccine series.

In the KJAN listening area, here are the current number positive cases by County; The # of new cases since yesterday {+} if any; and the total number of deaths in each county to date:

Cass, 1,452 cases; {+2}; 54 deaths
Adair, 980; {+0}; 32
Adams, 349 {+3}; 4
Audubon, 518 {+0}; 9
Guthrie, 1,280 {+0}; 29
Harrison County, 1,916; {+4}; 73
Madison County, 1,707; {+0; 19
Mills County, 1,772; {+0}; 21
Montgomery, 1,101;{+2}; 37
Pottawattamie County, 12,044; {+14}; 164
Shelby County, 1,355 {+0}; 37
Union County, 1,339; {+15}; 32

Posted in News |

Cass County Sheriff’s report (4/30): 3 arrests

News

April 30th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests took place over the course of this past week. Two people were arrested Monday (4/26):

  • Troy Gene Mack, age 36, of Audubon, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for assault causing bodily injury.  Mack was transported to Cass County Jail and later released on his own recognizance.
  • and, Monty Wayne Casteel, of Atlantic, was arrested for violation of a no contact order.  Casteel was transported to Cass County Jail where he later plead not guilty and was released pending pretrial conference.

On April 25th, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 41-year-old Bridget Ann Clayton, of Anita,  on a charge of OWI 1st offense.  Clayton was transported to Cass County Jail and later released on her own recognizance.

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