(Radio Iowa) – An eastern Iowa man who pleaded guilty to using gift cards to get minors to send him sexually explicit videos has been sentenced to over 15 years in prison. Fifty-three-year-old Andrew Kyte of Cedar Rapids has been ordered to pay 24-thousand dollars in restitution to six minor victims.

According to a news release from the U-S Department of Justice, Kyte secretly recorded a minor through a hidden spy camera and engaged in the gift card scheme with minors from 2017 until 2019.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Iowa State Patrol reports a Trooper from District 3 in Council Bluffs recently stopped a motorist for traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour. The incident happened in a 65 mph zone on Interstate 29/80, in Council Bluffs. Authorities say the driver “admitted to 136mph at one point” The driver said they were “2 hours late for work,” that they wanted to see how fast their vehicle would run.

ISP photo from their Facebook page

The Iowa State Patrol reported that the number of drivers ticketed for traveling over 100 miles per hour has increased. In 2018, 730 drivers were ticketed for going over 100 mph; in 2019, 659 drivers, 1,497 in 2020, 1,205 in 2021, and 1,112 in 2022.

(Radio Iowa) – Tomorrow (Wednesday) marks one week since fire damaged four businesses in downtown Webster City and barricades still surround the area. A group of Webster City business owners sent a letter to the Webster City City Council to get the street reopened, as this is a critical holiday shopping time. Webster City Area Chamber of Commerce director Anna Woodward read part of the letter during last (Monday) night’s city council meeting. “While we understand the city’s intention to prioritize safety and other aspects by the closing of the street,” Woodward says, “we wish to express our deep concern about the negative impact this decision will have on our local businesses in the area.”

She says more than 80 people work in downtown Webster City and those barricades are hurting business. “They impacted the flow of customers during the peak holiday season,” Woodward says, “and consequently, the economic viability of over 30 establishments are at risk.” Webster City held its annual community Christmas celebration last Saturday and the route had to be changed for the Christmas parade due to the road’s closure. Ron Birkestrand, co-owner of a downtown women’s clothing store, says people don’t realize they can avoid the closed street and park behind the businesses. “Just to give you an example, last Saturday, it’s before Christmas, and we had three customers,” Birkestrand says. “My concern is no matter what you do, we gotta’ get better signage. People are just left out there in the dark on how to get back to the parking lot.”

Webster City officials are meeting today (Tuesday) to discuss reopening the street. Webster City Fire Chief Chuck Stansfield says the fire’s cause has not been identified and will likely go undetermined due to the severity of the damage. The fire appears to be unintentional. No one was hurt.

(Radio Iowa) – It will cost more next year for vehicles to cross a nearly mile-long toll bridge in southeast Iowa. The Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railway maintains the bridge, which connects Fort Madison to Illinois. It has a lower deck for trains and an upper deck for two lanes of vehicle traffic. The railroad says maintenance costs for the bridge exceed tolls. On January 1st, the toll for cars and pickups will increase from two to three dollars. Buses will pay seven-50 ($7.50) and tolls will increase for all other types of vehicles, including cars and pickups that are towing a trailer. Another increase is planned for January 1st of 2025. The railroad says toll fees to cross the Fort Madison bridge haven’t been raised since 2012.

The Fort Madison Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It opened to traffic in 1927.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Cass County today (Tuesday) received a presentation from Assured Partners Vice-President Ryan Berven, with regard to County employees health insurance year-to-date claims, and ISAC (Iowa State Association of Counties) insurance rates for July, and Wellness. The discussion lasted for more than one-hour. No action was taken on renewing the insurance. The Board will take the matter into further consideration considering the new rates which go into effect next year, at a future meeting.

Ryan Berven speaks with the Cass County BOS.

The Board then voted 4-to 1 to pass a Resolution pertaining to the setting of compensation of elected officials for Fiscal Year 2024, as previously approved by a Supervisors’ voice vote this past Spring. Supervisor Wendy Richter was the lone Nay vote. Auditor Kathy Somers reminded the Board of how they voted on March 21st before the final vote was taken.

In other business, the Supervisors received a regular, weekly report from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken. The Board received also, a report covering October and November, from Cass County General Relief/Mental Health Coordinator Debbie Schuler.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Montgomery County Engineer Karen Albert, today (Tuesday), reported some good news to the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors. The news was about 180th Street.

There was news on the 250th Street Bridge, also.

Montgomery County BOS mtg. 12/5/23

Karen Albert asked for the public’s help in notifying the authorities if you see any suspicious activity in the area of the a county worksite during off-hours.

And, Karen Albert reported on the status of two railroad bridges.

In other business, Supervisor Charla Schmid noted Montgomery County received an award last week. She deferred to Auditor Jill Ozuna to explain what the award was and what it means for the County.

The County received an actual pie as part of the award. The Supervisors then discussed having their regular meetings available (for archive purposes) on YouTube. Jill Ozuna explained…

The Board was not too thrilled with the idea of having their meetings being on the web for what Board Chair Mike Olson said could be “an eternity.” Some of their concerns were with regard to adding another layer of technology to the County’s IT Department, and security. There being no motion to either approve or disapprove of having their meetings archived on YouTube, the matter died for lack of action.

(Lewis, Iowa) – The Cass County Conservation Department and Iowa Bluebird Conservationists are once again hosting a “Cass County Christmas Bird Count,” on Sunday, December 17th. Those that want to participate in the count will gather at Cold Springs State Park in Lewis at 8-a.m. on the 17th.  Participants will then divide into groups to cover different sections of the count circle.

Birders are encouraged to dress for the conditions and bring along binoculars and bird books if you have them, otherwise they can be provided. It is also suggested to either wear or bring along an article of blaze orange clothing for any birding that may occur in parks that allow public hunting, as it will be the final day of deer season. The count will run until 3:30-p.m. that day as the bird enthusiasts cover a 15-mile diameter circle as thoroughly as possible.

Participants will meet-up for lunch at Noon at the Atlantic Pizza Ranch, to compare lists and reboot for counting in the afternoon. You are welcome to join them for the whole day, or just the morning or afternoon sessions. All abilities are welcome whether you are comfortable just birding from a vehicle and roadside or if you would like to walk through areas as well. Weather backup date will be determined if necessary.

Home birders may also contribute to the Cass County Count by watching their home feeder. Feeder counters will need to keep track of the time spent observing and will count the maximum number of a species seen at one time, not a cumulative for the day. Contact Chris Parks or Lora Kanning at Cass County Conservation if you would like to contribute and we will provide guidelines.

The Christmas Bird Count is a valuable research tool for the Audubon Society and is the nation’s longest running citizen-science bird project. This year is the 124th year of the count and the Cass County area is excited to join in again. Find more information on the Christmas Bird Count at www.christmasbirdcount.org. Persons interested in being a part of the event should contact Chris Parks or Lora Kanning, to let them know you are planning on coming out to Cold Springs State Park on Dec. 17th.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Conservation Department today (Tuesday), announced the sponsors of their Trumpeter Swan arrival contest have determined the official arrival of the swans in Atlantic, as December 2nd! On that day, there were 15 Trumpeter Swans that visited the Schildberg Quarry, and stayed more than twenty-four hours. The winner that picked that date was Rob Johnson! The contest was only open to residents of Cass County (IA).

Cass County Conservation thanks to all who participated! Trumpeter Swans have visited the Schildberg Quarry in Atlantic for, at least, twenty-four out of the last twenty-five winters.

WAUKEE, Iowa [KCCI] — Family members of a child who fell through the ice on a pond in Waukee last weekend and died, have identified the boy as 9-year-old Aiden James-Harrison Smith. KCCI reports, a neighbor called the police non-emergency number to report seeing a hole in the ice and shoes by the pond. Authorities confirmed First responders with the Waukee Police Department and Waukee Fire Department were called to conduct a welfare check at the pond located in the 1100 block of Northview Drive, a little after 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Aiden’s body was found after authorities and rescuers arrived.

Waukee’s Fire Chief Clint Robinson, said no one should be on the ice right now, and no one should go out alone. A GoFundMe has been created to help with the cost of Aiden’s funeral expenses.

FORT DODGE, Iowa [KCCI]— Officials in Webster County say no charges will be filed against the owner of the dogs who viciously attacked a woman last month. Investigators say the woman was mauled by three dogs while she was staying at a home in Fort Dodge. As previously mentioned, an officer was sent to the 800 block of 16th Street on Nov. 24th after receiving a call about someone screaming for help. The responding officer was forced to shoot and kill the dogs to stop the attack, according to Fort Dodge police Chief Dennis Quinn. Family members of the victim say both of her legs had to be amputated to her knees because of the attack, which also left her with severe head trauma.

Webster County Attorney Darren Driscoll said that an investigation didn’t find any evidence that shows a criminal act took place. In a statement provided to KCCI-TV, Driscoll said:

“The law enforcement investigation into the dog attack in Fort Dodge on November 24 has been completed. These dogs attacked the victim while she was inside the home of the dog owner, alone with the animals. Law enforcement responding to the scene shot and killed all three dogs involved in the attack. There was nothing revealed during the investigation to indicate that any criminal act occurred. This is a shocking tragedy and we wish the victim strength as she recuperates from her injuries.”

A GoFundMe for the victim has been set up to help pay for medical expenses.