IRWIN, Iowa – Republican Bret Richards is the first candidate in Iowa’s Fourth Congressional District to gather the necessary signatures to have his name placed on the 2020 Republican primary ballot. Republican candidates in the congressional district next year are required to gather 1,874 signatures, which is 1 percent of the total number of votes cast for the party’s 2018 gubernatorial nominee, Gov. Kim Reynolds. Candidates must also gather eligible voters’ signatures equal to at least 1 percent of the GOP vote in at least 20 of the district’s 39 counties. Iowans seeking federal offices must file their nomination petitions with the Secretary of State Paul Pate’s office between Feb. 24 and March 13, 2020.

(R) Bret Richards 4th District congressional candidate.

Campaign spokesperson Eric Woolson says the Richards campaign has gathered more than 3,650 signatures to date, topped the 1-percent threshold in 26 counties and has already collected signatures in every county. The Shelby County businessman and U.S. Army veteran spent the summer at almost 30 county fairs, listening to thousands of voters who, according to the campaign, says “want a representative focused on fixing America’s health care system, securing our borders and making immigration laws work, and solving the debt crisis.”

Bret Richards earned an ROTC scholarship to the University of Iowa to study civil engineering and served as a U.S. Army officer in the United States and Germany. He and his wife, Jill, returned to Irwin to work in the family business, which included a chain of convenience stores that employed more than 300 Iowans, and raise their three children. In addition to working at a full time job, he continued his education and earned a master’s degree in leadership and a Ph.D in human capital management, both from Bellevue University. Since the family business was sold in 2015, Richards has held several adjunct professor positions teaching all levels of students, currently at Creighton University. He has also stepped up to serve his community in a variety of roles, including as mayor of Irwin, coach of the local Little League team, and board member for the Manning Regional Healthcare Center.

Harlan, IA (August 12, 2019) – The Shelby County Conservation Board and City of Harlan are interested in improving public access to the West Nishnabotna River in Shelby County. Golden Hills RC&D and Iowa Department of Natural Resources are helping assess the possibility of developing approximately 18 miles of the river as a state water trail from just north of the city of Harlan (Reinig Access) south to the county line, connecting with the existing state water trail in Pottawattamie County.

The meeting will be held on Monday, August 19 at 6:30-p.m. at Nishna Bend Recreation Area (514 Maple Rd, Harlan, IA 51537).

Here are some of the changes that may occur if the river becomes a state water trail:
• Improved access and parking
• Wayfinding signage and interpretive panels, a brochure with a map.
• Greater maintenance and management of the river resource
• More on-water opportunities for interpretive/educational programs.
• Educational campaigns available for safety, river etiquette, and litter control.
• Access to funding and technical assistance for access improvements and interpretive materials (brochures, maps, interpretive panels, etc).
• Hazard mitigation and streambank stability opportunities.
• Broad partnership among public land managers for problem solving.

River recreation has increased significantly in recent years, and this meeting will be a way for river users to learn about Iowa’s water trail program, ask questions, and express concerns. Canoeists, kayakers, inner-tubers, and anyone else who currently uses the West Nishnabotna River for recreational purposes in and around Shelby County are welcome to attend. Questions should be directed to Lance Brisbois, Project Coordinator at Golden Hills RC&D: Lance@goldenhillsrcd.org or 712.482.3029.

The City Of Dexter has issued a temporary Boil Order,  affecting all Dexter residents and businesses. The order follows repairs to a leaking water main.  The city is advising residents on the Dexter water supply to the following: Do not consume or ingest any water from your normal household taps or public supplies without first boiling. You may use water for bathing, laundry and cleaning without any concerns.

This is a temporary order and you will be notified as soon as samples are confirmed free of any contamination.

Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports deputies arrested an Essex man Friday, at the Pottawattamie County Jail. 19-year old Harley Thomas Martin was arrested on a Page County Warrant for Probation Violation. Martin was unable to post $10,000 bond and was transported to the Page County Jail, where he is being held pending future court appearances.

Police in Creston have released additional information concerning the crash of a stolen vehicle, Friday morning. Authorities said the pursuit of the vehicle occupied by two students who absconded Thursday from the Clarinda Academy, began at around 5:15-a.m., after officers located the vehicle within the Creston city limits. The 2016 Chevy Silverado pickup had been reported stolen out of Clarinda.

The vehicle fled during a traffic stop and was engaged in a pursuit. The chased ended when the vehicle crashed near Afton. 15-year old Timothy Michael Nelson, of Swea City (IA), suffered suspected serious/incapacitating injuries and was flown by Mercy One helicopter to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. 13-year old Frank James Fischer, of Lake Andes, SD, was also injured, and transported by Mercy 2 helicopter to the same hospital. Both teens were wearing their seat belts.

The truck sustained $40,000 damage when it went airborne and crashed into a ditch. It was considered a total loss.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a traffic stop early Sunday morning at I-80 and Highway 59 near Avoca, resulted in the arrest of 42-year old Ryan Nicholas Schwery. He was arrested for Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and on a hold for another law enforcement agency. 44-year old Matthew R. Rosche was arrested Saturday evening for OWI/1st offense, following an investigation into a disturbance at a residence on Jennings Avenue, in Council Bluffs.

Early Saturday morning, 20-year old Xachary Michael Butler was arrested for OWI/1st offense, after a deputy observed his vehicle swerving in its lane on southbound Highway 59 in Avoca. The vehicle also did not have a registration plate lamp. Earlier that same morning, 33-year old Phillip Michael Houston was arrested following a traffic stop on I-80 in Pott. County, near mile marker 47. Houston faces a charge of Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender.

Friday night, 22-year old Michael Wallace Corrin was arrested following a traffic stop on Old Lincoln Highway. Corrin was charged with OWI/2nd offense. Friday night, two underage persons were cited at the Harrah’s Stir Concert Cove. One was a 15-year old juvenile male. The other was19-year old Robert Edwin Byrnes. Both were cited for Minor in Possession. 24-year old Caleb L. Andersen was arrested for the same incident. He was charged with Supplying alcohol to persons under the legal age.

And, late Friday morning, 19-year old Isabelle Lyn Chene Narron was arrested in the lobby of the Pott. County Jail, after she visited an inmate at the facility. Narron was wanted on a Pott. County warrant for Burglary in the 3rd Degree. She was read the warrant and turned over to Corrections staff.

(Radio Iowa) — Representatives from an opioid addiction awareness group called RALI (rally) are at the Iowa State Fair with a re-creation of a teenager’s bedroom that shows visitors where drugs can be easily hidden. Nate Passwaters works in law enforcement in Maryland. At the fair, Passwaters shows parents how to spot signs their child may be using drugs.  “Certain indicators that we typically wouldn’t think that there’s nothing to it, but when we look a little harder, it gives parents that edge that they can act sooner,” Passwaters says.

He notes that drug abuse among teens happens in all walks of life and early detection can often lead families to find help. With drug addiction, he says people often don’t know what to look for, especially with young people. “Especially when it comes to heroin use and intravenous use, it’s very clandestine, right?” Passwaters says. “They hide it for a significant period of time and unfortunately by the time parents do find out, it’s a little late.”

RALI stands for Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative. Thirty state organizations have signed on to help “RALI Iowa” bring awareness of drug addiction to the state, including corporations like Meredith, the Iowa Medical Society and the Iowa Farm Bureau.

(Thanks to John Pemble, Iowa Public Radio)

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A man has been sentenced to nearly 11 years in prison for robbing a bank in Davenport and one in Iowa City. The Quad-City Times reports that 35-year-old Tyson Hathaway was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court in Davenport. He must serve three years of supervised release after he leaves custody. He also was ordered to pay more than $9,800 in restitution.

Authorities say Hathaway admitted robbing a Northwest Bank & Trust branch in Davenport on Dec. 12, 2017, and a U.S. Bank branch in Iowa City on Dec. 29, 2017. No injuries were reported.

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office reports 19-year old Tucker Flynn, of Creston, was arrested Sunday, in the 1000 block of Highway 25, in Taylor County. Flynn was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He is being held at the Taylor County Jail on $1,300 bond. A 16-year-old was also charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, following the same traffic stop. The juvenile was released to the custody of a parent and referred to Juvenile Court.