(Creston, Iowa) – Two people were arrested on separate warrants Friday, in Creston. According to the Creston Police Department, 33-year-old Clay Allan Brammer, of Afton, was arrested at around 2:45-p.m., Friday, at the Adult Probation Office. Brammer was charged on a Union County Warrant for Assault with intent to Commit Sex Abuse. He was taken to the Union County Jail and then transferred to Clarke County Jail, where his bond was set at $10,000. And, at around 9:30-p.m., Friday, 39-year-old Brandy Marie Sanden, of Creston, was arrested at the Creston Union County LEC (Law Enforcement Center). Sanden was charged on a Union County Warrant for 5 counts Theft 5th-other means under $300. She was taken to the Union County Jail, and later released on a $1,500 bond.

And, at around 12:37-a.m., Saturday, Creston Police arrested 18-year-old Jayson Lee Shimer, of Creston. He was charged with OWI 1st Offense. Shimer was taken to the Union County Jail and was later released on a $1,000 bond.

ANKENY, Iowa [KCCI] — A bomb threat interrupted a state speech competition Saturday in Ankeny. About 2,000 people inside Ankeny Centennial High School were evacuated Saturday afternoon so investigators could search and sweep the property after the threat. A woman from Cumberland posted on social media that she received a call from her son telling her about the incident

Sgt. Corey Schneden with Ankeny police told KCCI-TV that someone used the AirDrop feature on an iPhone to send out a photo, which included text on the image that suggested someone put a bomb in the school. Schneden said they’ve located the person who allegedly made the threat, which police are saying was not credible. No arrests have been made as of 10 p.m. Saturday.

Ankeny schools said anyone who left belongings in the school during the evacuation can retrieve them between 8-11 a.m. today (Sunday).

A press release from the district said spectators should use the main entrance on the east side of the building, busses and school vehicles should use door E45, which will be slightly to the north of the main entrance on the east side of the building.

IOWA – The Girl Scout Cookie Program^® is underway in Greater Iowa. Organization officials say the annual event allows Girl Scouts “unbox” their futures as young business leaders through the world’s largest entrepreneurial program for girls, and acquire important life skills like goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics. All proceeds from cookie sales stay 100% local to power Girl Scouts’ amazing experiences year-round.

This year’s theme, Unbox the Future, aims to remove social barriers that often keep girls boxed in. Every box of cookies sold provides invaluable experiences for Girl Scouts such as service projects, troop travel, and summer camp. This season, cookie lovers can enjoy the full assortment of Girl Scout Cookies, including fan favorites such as Thin Mints®, Caramel deLites®, Peanut Butter Patties®, and more.

“When you buy delicious Girl Scout Cookies, you are helping girls not only discover their inner leadership potential but also use their earnings to power amazing experiences for themselves and their troop,” said Beth Shelton, CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa. “Many Girl Scouts put the money toward impactful community projects right in their own backyards, from supporting animal shelters and food banks to working with local and state legislators to change laws.”

Just a few of the many cookie varieties available to purchase from your local Girl Scout

Cookie Varieties: Adventurefuls®, Caramel Chocolate Chip, Caramel deLites®, Lemonades®, Peanut Butter Patties, Peanut Butter Sandwich, Thin Mints®, Toast-Yay!®, and Trefoils®.

Price: $6 per package

When: February 1 – March 24, 2024. Customers can place orders starting on February 1, and booth sales begin on February 9.

How to purchase Girl Scout Cookies this season:

Girl Scout Cookie season is recognized in Greater Iowa from February 1 through March 24, 2024, Consumers can support Girl Scouts by purchasing cookies a few different ways:

• If you know a registered Girl Scout, reach out to her to find out how she’s selling cookies.
• If you don’t know a Girl Scout, visit girlscoutsiowa.org/findcookies to find cookie booths available in your area.
• Beginning February 16, customers who do not already know a Girl Scout will also be able to purchase cookies to be shipped directly to their homes by entering their zip code into the Girl Scout Cookie Finder. This link can also be used to find a local booth, purchase cookies, and/or to donate cookies for local community causes.
• You can also text COOKIES to 59618 to stay informed about how to purchase Girl Scout Cookies and other exciting Girl Scout news. Learn more about the Terms and Conditions and the SMS Privacy Policy.

For more than 100 years, Girl Scouts and their enthusiastic supporters have helped ensure the success of the iconic annual cookie program—and they’ve had fun, developed valuable life skills, and made their communities a better place every step of the way. Girl Scout Cookie season is recognized nationally from January through April, but local timing varies; visit girlscoutcookies.org to sign up to be notified as soon as your local troop begins selling in your area.

Girls in grades K–12 can start their journey to fun, friendship, and new experiences by joining the world’s largest entrepreneurial organization for girls at any point in the year. Girls can join and adults can become a volunteer at girlscoutsiowa.org/join.

(Soldier, Iowa) – A collision Friday afternoon in Monona County resulted in one person being transported to the hospital. The Iowa State Patrol reports the accident happened near Soldier (IA).

A 2015 Chevy Impala driven by 31-year-old Elizabeth Meadows, of Ute, was traveling south on Highway 183 at around 1-p.m., at the same time a 2015 Peterbilt semi driven by 21-year-old Jacob Boock, of Cushing, was traveling east on Highway 37. Meadows failed to yield at the posted stop sign prior to entering the intersection of Highways 183/37.

Boock saw the car enter the intersection and attempted to brake, but the truck struck the car in the middle of the intersection. Both vehicles entered the ditch on the northeast corner of the intersection before coming to rest. Meadows was not wearing a seat belt. She was transported by Monona County EMS to Burgess Medical Center, in  Onawa.

The crash remains under investigation. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Monona County Sheriff’s Office.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  Officials with the Cass County Tourism Committee report the Committee met on December 16, 2023. After some discussion, the group decided to change things up a bit for the 2024 year. The schedule will now include four meetings per year, with meetings at 9:00 a.m. on the first Wednesday of the following months: February, May, August and November. Meetings will take place at the Atlantic Chamber unless otherwise noted.

A new slate of officers was elected for the 2024 year.

President: Lora Kanning

Secretary: Emily Kennedy

Treasurer: Kenner Baxter

According to a report from Travel Iowa, the economic impact of visitors in Iowa is significant, including our own Cass County! Visitor spending in 2022 (the most current economic impact statement) was a whopping $6.9 BILLION dollars! That means approximately $19 MILLION was spent EVERY DAY by visitors to Iowa.

In Cass County, local sales taxes collected amounted to over $1,700,000! And state sales taxes collected in Cass County for the year was $2,170,000! Tourism is much more than fun and games…it means business!

If you’re interested in the future of Tourism in Cass County, please plan to attend the next Tourism Committee meeting this coming Wednesday, February 7, 9:00 a.m. at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Office on north Chestnut Street (the former Rock Island Depot).

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] – A Des Moines man convicted of participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the United States Capitol is out of federal prison. Doug Jensen, 44, was transferred last month from a Texas prison to a residential reentry management facility in Kansas City, Kansas.

In September 2022, Jensen was found guilty of obstruction of a law enforcement officer during civil disorder, obstruction of an official proceeding, assaulting, resisting or impeding a police officer, unlawfully entering a restricted building with a weapon, disorderly conduct inside a restricted building with a weapon, disorderly conduct in the Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a capitol building.

Douglas Jensen (2021 Polk County Jail photo)

Pictures and videos show Jensen at the front of a crowd in the Capitol Rotunda on the day of the riots. Jensen’s attorney said at trial that his client’s actions were motivated by right-wing conspiracy theories.

Jensen was sentenced in December 2022 to five years in prison with three years of supervised release.

Updates from Jensen’s wife say he’s able to find a job and will be able to come back home on weekends.

(Omaha, NE) – Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested an Iowa man following a pursuit in Omaha, early this (Friday) morning. Authorities say at approximately 1:40 a.m., a trooper observed a westbound Dodge Durango speeding on Interstate 80 near 60th Street in Omaha. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to yield and accelerated. The trooper initiated a pursuit.

The vehicle continued westbound, exited I-80 at 84th Street, crossed the median, lost a tire, and reentered I-80 westbound at a high rate of speed. The trooper continued pursuing as the vehicle fled westbound before exiting I-80 at 144th Street, where the driver turned around and reentered eastbound I-80. As the suspect vehicle reached the downtown area, it entered I-480 northbound.

The vehicle exited and reentered I-480 multiple times, running red lights on surface streets. The driver then reentered I-480 toward Iowa. Just before the Missouri River bridge, the vehicle hit a patch of ice on the roadway, lost control, and crashed into a concrete barrier. The driver was then taken into custody without further incident.

The driver, William Ganzhorn, 51, of Woodbine, Iowa, was transported to UNMC with non-life-threatening injuries. Ganzhorn was cited for flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, fictitious license plate, and numerous traffic violations.

KEOKUK COUNTY, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Public Safety reports that on Thursday, February 1, 2024, investigators with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Ottumwa Police Department, and Keokuk County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at 21891 Highway 78 near Ollie. The search warrant was part of an effort to locate 40-year-old Craig Smith, who was reported missing on January 20, 2024.

During the search, investigators found the remains of an adult. The condition of the remains is preventing law enforcement from making a positive identification. Evidence and statements collected during the investigation have led investigators to tentatively identify the remains as those of Craig Smith. The State Anthropologist, the Office of the State Medical Examiner, and the DCI Crime Lab are working to make a positive identification.

Jeffrey Gautreaux

This (Friday) afternoon, DCI agents charged 44-year-old Jeffrey Gautreaux with Murder in the First Degree and Abuse of a Corpse. Gautreaux, who lived with his stepfather, 63-year-old Steven Grant, at the Ollie address, was arrested without incident at the Keokuk County Sheriff’s Office on February 1. Gautreaux and Grant were initially charged with drug offenses. Grant has been released from custody.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the DCI at 515.725.6010 or at dciinfo@dps.state.ia.us.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.