(DES MOINES, Iowa via KCCI)—A convicted Iowa murderer is now out of prison. KCCI reports online records show Burt Smith has been transferred to a Des Moines facility to serve work release. He had been incarcerated at the Rockwell City prison but was granted parole last month.

Smith, his brother Derek, and two other men were convicted in the murder of Rebecca Hauser in Marshall County in 1994. They were all teenagers at the time.

Three of the four were originally sentenced to life in prison without the chance for parole, but they have since been resentenced to have a chance for parole. That came after the state supreme court ruled life sentences without parole for minors were unconstitutional.

(Creston, Iowa) – No injuries were reported following a collision Friday night in Union County, between an SUV and a deer. According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, a 2022 Chevy Trax driven by 53-year-old Quentin Lee Hingeley, of Diagonal, was traveling west on Highway 34 at around 7:45-p.m., when a deer came out of the north ditch.

Hingeley was unable to avoid hitting the deer, which struck the passenger side of the vehicle, causing damage to the hood and fender. The damage was estimated at $3,000.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A Public Hearing on a proposed FY23-24 Budget Amendment in Montgomery County will take place at 8:45-a.m. Tuesday (Oct. 10th), as part of a regular meeting of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, that begins at 8:30-a.m. The hearing will be followed by action on approving an Appropriations Resolution for the FY 23-24 Budget Amendment.

In other business, the Montgomery County BOS will act on:

• Approving an agreement with the Iowa DOT for a DOT-initiated Detour of Primary Highways onto Local Roads.
• Approving claims payable for Wed., Oct. 11, 2023.
• Approving the Recorders and Sheriff’s reports on fees for the month of September.
• Approving the Montgomery County Treasurer’s semi-annual report for the month of Sept. ending fund balance ($19,272,982.10).
• Approval of the Sept. Rural Services tax ($424, 128.26) and Sept. General Basic tax ($32,264.74) transfers in the month of October.
• Approving an agreement for assignment of a Montgomery County Tax Sale Certificate for two parcels, to the City of Elliott.

*Please note, this is a public meeting; however, it may be conducted via ZOOM

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86185141628

Meeting ID: 861 8514 1628

Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 If you are calling in, Press *9 to raise your hand if you wish to speak.31

(Anita, Iowa) – A Public Hearing will be held Monday evening (Oct. 9) with regard to an extension of bus route times in the CAM Community School District. The hearing takes place during the CAM School Board’s regular meeting which begins at 6:30-p.m.

The Board’s regular agenda includes discussion and/or action on the following:

• An extension of the Bus Route Times
• Approval of SBRC Modified Supplemental Amount application and Supplemental Aid, for the 2023-24 Special Education Program deficit.
• Board Policies
• Green Hills AEA Director District 3 Election (discussion)
• (Discussion) Iowa Assoc. of School Board (IASB) Convention Nov. 15-17, 2023
• Discussion & a review of the proposed 2024 Legislative Platform
• Discussion with regard to the Facility Project process.
• Board Report

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Fire Department is hosting a free-will donation breakfast at the fire station (1203 SW 7th St .) this Sunday morning. The event from 7-a.m. until Noon, kick’s-off donations for the department’s annual Fire Prevention Week. Atlantic Firefighter Jake Vetter says the week culminates next Saturday (Oct. 14th), with the Annual Fireman’s Parade, the preparation for which began several months ago.

Sunday’s breakfast will be served by the firefighters.

Fire Prevention week will see firefighters and some of their equipment appearing at local schools to share information about fire safety.

He says the hope is that the kids will take what they’ve learned back home to their parents, and make sure the adults have fresh batteries in their smoke detectors, which are the first line of defense to fighting and escaping the flames. It’s recommended you test your alarms at least once a month to ensure they are working properly, and replace the batteries in your smoke alarm every six months. The detector itself should be replaced at least every ten years.

The theme of this year’s Fire Prevention Week is “Cooking Safety Starts with You.”

Vetter says a person’s life was recently saved when they used a fire extinguisher in the kitchen to put out a cooking flare-up. There have also been fires associated with outside grills placed on decks. The October 14th Fireman’s Parade in Atlantic begins with participants lining-up at 4-p.m. at 3rd and Olive Streets, and the parade getting underway at 6-p.m. It features a precision drill team, clowns, local marching bands, candy for the kids, and more.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson has been back in her eastern Iowa District on the recess following the ouster of the House Speaker.

The Republican from Marion says she supports Louisiana Representative Steve Scalise as the next speaker.

IA (R) Congresswoman Ashley Hinson

Ohio Representative Jim Jordan is getting some support, and Hinson says she would be okay with that.

Hinson can’t say if there will be any consensus among House Republicans when the meet to select the new speaker.

Hinson says Republicans saw what can happen when eight members join with all the Democrats to oust a Republican Speaker. She says that is “abhorrent and shouldn’t be allowed to happen going forward.”

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Democratic Party chair Rita Hart says their plans for the 2024 Iowa Caucuses have been found in conditional compliance with the national party. The National Democratic party moved Iowa out of its first spot for 2024, and the plan is designed to keep Iowa Democrats on the same night as Iowa Republicans without going against the national party.

Hart says they believe this delegate selection plan meets the requirements of the national party for the timing of the results, and for the Iowa law that requires caucuses to be held in person.

Rita Hart (Iowa-Democrat Party photo)

Hart also says Iowa Democrats will get a chance to move back to the front of the line in four years.

Scott Brennan, and Iowan who is on the Democratic National Committee says he is confident Iowa will get another shot as well.

Hart says the whole goal of Iowa Democrats is to create an inclusive and accessible caucus process.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) announced today her staff will be holding traveling office hours in every county throughout the state during October and November. *Please Note: Senator Ernst will not be at the traveling office hours*

Representatives from Senator Ernst’s office will be available in all 99 counties throughout October and November to assist Iowans with problems or questions about issues involving Social Security, veterans’ benefits, military affairs, passports, immigration issues, and other federal programs. Constituents seeking assistance with federal agencies who are unable to attend the traveling office hours can contact one of the senator’s offices directly or submit a casework request online at www.Ernst.senate.gov.

The list of some upcoming dates and locations for her traveling office hours in this area, can be found below (in alphabetical order). All times are Central Time.

Adair County: Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, 10 AM – 11 AM; Greenfield Chamber, 202 S. 1^st Street (Greenfield, IA)

Adams County: Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, 1 PM – 2 PM; Corning Public Library, 603 9th Street (Corning, IA)

Audubon County: Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, 1 PM – 2 PM; Audubon County Courthouse, 318 Leroy Street (Audubon, IA)

Cass County: Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023, 9 AM – 10 AM; Atlantic Public Library, 507 Popular Street (Atlantic, IA)

Guthrie County: Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, 3 PM – 4 PM; Mary J. Barnett Memorial Library, 400 Grand Street (Guthrie Center, IA)

Montgomery County: Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, 3 PM – 4 PM; Red Oak Public Library, 400 N. 2^nd Street, (Red Oak, IA)

Pottawattamie County: Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, 3 PM – 4 PM; Walnut City Hall, 229 Antique City Drive, (Walnut, IA)

Shelby County: Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, 11 AM – 12 PM; Harlan Chamber of Commerce, 1901 Hawkeye Avenue, (Harlan, IA)

DES MOINES, Iowa – Gov. Kim Reynolds today (Friday), announced her appointment of David Brooks as a district associate judge in Judicial Election District 4. Judicial Election District 4 includes Audubon, Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby counties.

Brooks, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, is an assistant public defender at the Office of the Iowa State Public Defender.  He is also a Judge Advocate General for the Iowa National Guard.  Brooks received an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law. 

Brooks fills a vacancy created following the appointment of the Hon. Eric J.  Nelson as a district court judge.