(JOHNSTON, Iowa – December 4, 2023) – Officials with the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) today (Monday), announced Iowa Corn is the entitlement partner of the first-ever NASCAR Cup Series race in the state. The Iowa Corn 350, Powered by Ethanol, will showcase the performance of ethanol at the fastest short-track on the planet, which is surrounded by corn fields. Iowa Corn Promotion Board President Stan Nelson, a farmer from Middletown, says “I am pleased to share with the NASCAR family, why choosing higher blends of ethanol benefits everyone. We can make a sustainable difference today, without buying a whole new vehicle, but by simply choosing to fuel up with ethanol at the pump. And not only are we benefiting the environment but also our economy, as ethanol is the most affordable renewable fuel option on the market today.”

Grandstand tickets and camping for the Iowa Corn 350, Powered by Ethanol, are sold out and only a select number of tickets remain for the NASCAR Xfinity Series and ARCA Menards Series races on the World’s Fastest Short Track. Remaining tickets can be purchased by visiting www.iowaspeedway.com and fans are encouraged to secure them now while supplies last. Fans looking to buy or sell reserved seats for the Iowa Corn 350, Powered by Ethanol, should visit SeatGeek, the Official Ticket Marketplace of NASCAR.

The Iowa Corn 350, Powered by Ethanol, will take place at 6 p.m. CT, Sunday, June 16th, 2024, and be shown live on USA Network. This inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway culminates a weekend that will also include a NASCAR Xfinity Series race at 2:30 p.m. CT, Saturday, June 15th, on USA Network and ARCA Menards Series racing on Friday June 14. All three series are scheduled to be on track starting on Friday, June 14, prior to the ARCA Menards Series event.

Jolene Riessen, a farmer from Ida Grove, and ICGA President, says “The Iowa Corn 350, Powered by Ethanol, will give us as farmers a platform across the country to share the benefits of ethanol with consumers and fans. We know that a partnership like this is unique and will be impactful! With the audience NASCAR captures, Iowa Corn will be able to share the benefits of ethanol while also showcasing farmers from our great state.”

Video available HERE

Des Moines, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Insurance Division report a Clive man, 47-year-old Zachary James Flaherty, has pled guilty in federal court to wire fraud.  Flaherty used his position as an insurance agent and annuity salesperson to defraud elderly individuals out of their retirement savings and other monies.   The charges against Flaherty stem from an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau. He was prosecuted by the Southern District United States Attorney.

Flaherty is scheduled to be sentenced on April 12, 2024. He faces a potential sentence of up to twenty years in prison.  More information about the case can be found in the press release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Iowa.

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.

(Harlan, Iowa) – Sixteen people were arrested in Shelby County between Nov. 16th and the 29th. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports among those arrested, were four people who were taken into custody on separate drug charges:

• On the 16th, 31-year-old Crystal Jean Oliver, of Harlan, was arrested following a motor vehicle accident in the 2100 block of Road M-36. Oliver was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of Controlled Substance 2nd offense, Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, OWI 1st, and Failure to Maintain Control.
• The following day (Nov. 17), 22-year-old Dilynn John Ristau, of Preston, MN, was arrested following a traffic stop, in Harlan. Ristau was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of Controlled Substance Marijuana 1st, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
• 46-year-old Laura Ann Traufler, of Harlan, was arrested November 21st in Shelby County, following an investigation. Traufler was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Theft 2nd, Possession of Controlled Substance 3rd or Subsequent Offense, and Possession of Controlled Substance Marijuana 3rd or Subsequent Offense.
• And, on the 22nd, 37-year-old Bryan Joseph Schuemann, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop in the 1100 block of Willow Street. Schuemann was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving Under Suspension, Keeping Premises of Vehicle for Controlled Substance, Possession of Controlled Substance Marijuana 3rd or Subsequent Offense, Possession of Contraband in Correctional Institution, and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports also, the following arrests:

• On Nov. 17th, 58-year-old Rodney Craig Musich, of Kimballton, was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant. Musich was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Trespass 1st offense; 30-year-old Philip Brian King, of Harlan, was charged with Burglary 3rd after an ongoing Burglary investigation.
• On the 18th, 24-year-old Guillermo Dominic Hernandez, of Denison, was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant for Failure to Appear.
• November 19th, Deputies in Shelby County arrested 23-year-old Nyagach Dech Chigach, and 34-year-old Simon Buombiey Jacob, both of Harlan, were each arrested for  Violation of No Contact Order.
• On the 20th, 49-year-old Darin Lee Turner, of Harlan, was arrested for OWI/1st offense.
• The next day, 31-year-old Drew Ashton Gagnon, of Red Oak, was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant for Violation of Probation.
• On Nov. 22nd, Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 58-year-old Douglas Duane Curtis, of Harlan. Curtis was charged with Driving Under Suspension and Interference with Official Acts.
• On the 25th, 53-year-old Craig John Stork, of Harlan, was arrested following an investigation of a possible motor vehicle accident in the area of 7th and Court St., in Harlan. Stork was  charged with OWI/1st offense.
• On Nov. 26th, 22-year-old Avery Jon Zenk, of Denison, was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault. Zenk was transported to the Shelby County Jail.
• On the 27th, 40-year-old Brandon Glenn Billings, of Harlan, was arrested for Driving while License is Revoked, and Failure to Provide proof of Financial Liability.
• And, on the 29th, 69-year-old Gerard August Rueschenberg, of Harlan, was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant for Failure to Appear.

Note: “Criminal charges are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.”

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Two accidents occurred Saturday in Red Oak. Only one resulted in possible/unknown injuries. According to Red Oak Police, 59-year-old Sheryl Lynn Clark, of Red Oak, complained of pain following a collision between her 2006 Chevy Malibu and a 2011 Chevy pickup, driven by a juvenile male from Red Oak. She was not transported to the hospital. The report states the pickup, driven by 15-year-old Carson J. Davids, was traveling east on Walnut Street in Red Oak at around 9:18-a.m, Saturday, when the vehicle was struck broadside by the car, which was traveling north on 1st Street.  Clark was cited for Failure to Yield. Damage from the accident amounted to $18,000.  Red Oak Fire and EMS assisted at the scene.

The second accident in Red Oak, happened at around 1:38-p.m., Saturday, at the intersection of Corning and Broadway Streets. Police report a 2011 Toyota 4Runner (SUV) driven by 17-year-old Cyrus S. Mensen, of Red Oak, was rear-ended by a 2012 Ford Explorer (SUV), driven by 40-year-old Christopher R. Fowler, of Red Oak. The collision occurred as both vehicles were northbound from the intersection stoplight. Fowler was cited for Following too closely, and Failure to provide proof of insurance/accident related. Damage from the accident amounted to $4,500.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who like watching the barges and tugs make their way on the Mississippi River will soon start seeing less traffic. The shipping season officially ends today (Monday) on the Upper Mississippi, and winter maintenance begins on four locks and dams between Hastings, Minnesota, and Guttenberg, Iowa. Liz Stoeckmann, with the U-S Army Corps of Engineers, says these lock and dam closures end the 2023 navigation season. “We’re really just protecting the longevity of these locks and dams,” Stoeckmann says, “so that we can continue our operations for safe, reliable economy of our barges going up and down the river.”

Stoeckmann says they’re not shutting down boat traffic because of ice or cold weather. “This is standard winter maintenance for our locks and dams,” she says, “so that it doesn’t affect the navigational season as far as barges and traffic going up and down the Mississippi River.”

Crews will be making repairs on several locks and dams in Minnesota, including Number-2 at Hastings, Number-3 in Welch, Number-4 near Alma, Wisconsin, and Number-7 near La Crescent. Last year’s shipping season ended on November 29th.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County 4-H is hosting a Family Find Out Night for the community and current 4-H or Clover Kid members, to learn more about what the 4-H program does. This (Monday) evening (12/4), from 5:30-until 7-p.m., you can come and go as you please through the Cass County Community Building at 805 W 10th Street in Atlantic, and learn more about 4-H.

The event is free, and you don’t need to make a reservation. A short 10-minute overview of the program will be presented at 5:45- and 6:45-p.m., with questions to follow. Throughout the event you will be able to stop at different tables to learn more and ask questions.

Extension staff will have information on why 4-H is free in Cass County, the basics of what 4-H is, including what it stands for and the motto, project areas to get involved with, along with various programs, record books, and livestock identification and more. Officials say this is a no-pressure event for youth K-12 in the community to learn about opportunities they can get involved in.

Get all of your questions answered about 4-H and Clover Kids in Cass County and find a club that best suits you! For more information about 4-H visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass, or call 712-243-1132.

Authorities in Union County say no injuries were reported following two separate accidents, Friday. The first happened at around 11:20-a.m. on Highway 25 North (Sumner Street), in Creston. Creston Police said a 2013 Chevy Equinox driven by 18-year-old Hazin Floyd Clayton, of Lorimor, was traveling northbound in the left lane, when the vehicle in front of him attempted to turn left. Clayton attempted to merge into the right lane, and in doing so struck a 2012 Jeep Liberty driven by 17-year-old Evy Isabelle Marlin, of Corning, as her SUV was traveling north in the right lane. Damage from the collision amounted to $2,000. No citations were issued, but Police noted Clayton made an improper or erratic lane change.

The second accident happened at around 4:50-p.m., Friday, in the Creston City limits. The Union County Sheriff’s Office says a 2018 Honda Pilot (SUV) driven by 37-year-old Jennie P. England, of Creston, and a 2023 Toyota Sequoia SUV driven by 41-year-old Jacqueline H. Welchans, of Creston, were traveling north on Highway 25 near the intersection with Montgomery Street, and had just left the stoplight at the intersection with Adams Street, when England attempted to change lanes in order to turn right at the next intersection. She didn’t see the Toyota next to her. The accident was witnessed by a Conservation Officer, who remained on the scene for officers to arrive.

Damage from the collision amounted to $2,000. Both vehicles were driven from the scene. There were no citations issued.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report two men were arrested on drug-related charges, Sunday. At around 1:40-p.m. 34-year-old Chevy Van Sauer, of Greenfield, was arrested at the intersection of Elm and Summit. Sauer was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession Of Controlled Substance Methamphetamine 3rd Offense, and Driving while Barred. Sauer was taken to the Union County Jail where he was being held on $7,300 cash or surety bond. And, at around 11:05-a.m., Sunday, 42-year-old David Junior Richman, of Creston, was arrested in Creston on a Union County Warrant for Possession Of Controlled Substance Methamphetamine/3rd or Subsequent Offense, and Possession of Controlled Substance Marijuana/3rd or Subsequent Offense. Richman was being held in the Union County Jail on a $5,000 cash or surety bond.

Just before 1-a.m., Sunday, 31-year-old Lafi Khaled Alaqrabawi, of Minnesota, was arrested in Creston for OWI/1st Offense. Alaqrabawi was taken to the Union County Jail, and later released on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

Friday afternoon, Creston Police arrested 18-year-old Xander Getting, of Creston. He was taken into custody at his residence, on a Union County Warrant for two counts of Child Endangerment with Serious Injury. Getting was being held in the Union County Jail on a $20,000 cash or surety bond.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were injured during a collision between a car and pickup truck, Sunday afternoon. Authorities say the pickup, driven by 57-year-old Scott Eugene Mitchell, of Afton, was traveling east on Highway 34 at around 12:46-p.m., and was turning left onto Old Highway 34, when the vehicle was struck from behind by an eastbound 2014 Chevy Impala, driven by 20-year-old Kaden Lee Briggs, of Creston.

Following the collision, the car entered the south ditch and hit a utility pole before coming to rest. Briggs, and a passenger in the pickup, 64-year-old Jeff Smith, suffered suspected minor/incapacitating injuries. Both men were transported by EMS to the hospital in Creston. No citations were issued.

(Radio Iowa) –  Many Iowa restaurants are wondering how they’ll be able to start paying off federal loans that were made available at the start of the pandemic. Payments on Economic Injury Disaster Loans were deferred for more than two years. Iowa Restaurant Association C-E-O Jessica Dunker says it’s a struggle for some restaurants to start making those monthly payments — since spending patterns have changed and more customers are not ordering appetizers, sharing entres and only drinking water.

Dunker says for most restaurants, profits are razor thin. and very few restaurants are back to the profitability levels that they had in 2019. By the end of LAST year, about 800 restaurants that were open at the beginning of the pandemic had closed. And Dunker warns there will be more to add to that list when the tally is done for 2023.