Cedar Rapids, Iowa (via KCRG) – Two men from Iowa have returned to the State following an around the world trip to end polio. KCRG in Cedar Rapids reports Peter Teahen, of Robins, has been a member of Rotary International for years and has always dreamt of flying around the world. In 2019 he announced he and his fellow rotary member, experienced aviator, and cousin, John Ockenfels of Shueyville would be doing just that. The trip was part of Rotary International’s End Polio Now initiative.

The men faced several obstacles such as the COVID-19 Pandemic, and having to change planes to one that could fly their new route after Russia banned aircraft from NATO and EU countries from entering its airspace. They took off on their journey from the Eastern Iowa Airport on May 5th visiting 19 countries on 4 continents, and spent time talking with local leaders about their mission.The team spent time in Pakistan, giving children Polio vaccinations.

In total, they raised over $1,000,000 for the Rotary’s Polio Plus Program which provides vaccines to those in need around the globe. On Sunday, they touched down for the final time. Over one hundred friends, family members, and loved ones were waiting to great them. Ockenfels says the self-funded trip cost around $100,000. They say it’s money well spent, and the project helps people in Iowa realize while the disease may seem distant… its only a flight away.

Donations are still being accepted and will be matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 2:1.

POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY, Iowa — Voters in Pottawattamie County will be hitting the polls, Tuesday, August 1^st, to decide on the outcome of a Special Election. The election will serve to determine how residents of the county elect their county supervisors. The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors approved the special election on June 6th, after private groups gathered nearly 4,000 signatures and submitted a petition to allow county residents to choose between three options for county supervisor elections.

Currently, Pottawattamie County is a Plan One county. Each member of the Board of Supervisors is allowed to reside anywhere in Pottawattamie County (At Large) and the voters of the county elect all five members of the Board of Supervisors. Plan Two would divide Pottawattamie County into five districts of roughly equal population. One Supervisor must reside in each of the districts, and voters would still elect all five members of the Board of Supervisors. Plan Three would also divide Pottawattamie County into five districts of roughly equal population, but. voters would elect the one Supervisor who resides in the same district as the voter and would not vote for the other four Supervisors in the other four districts.

If Plan Two or Plan Three passes, Pottawattamie County will be divided into five districts of approximately 18,733 residents. Council Bluffs will be split into four districts, with one of those four also including some portions of the county adjacent to the city. One district will not include any portion of Council Bluffs. Districts cannot be set until after the election. The video below, released by Pottawattamie County explains the lawful factors that determine district size and outlines where district boundaries will likely be drawn.

Polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sample ballots and polling site information can be viewed HERE.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report an Adair County man was arrested Friday at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center. 31-year-old Dalton James Cormeny, of Fontanelle, was arrested on a Union County Warrant for Theft 1st Degree, Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree, and Burglary 3rd Degree. Cormeny was later released on a $20,000 cash or surety bond.

And, at around 2:20-a.m. Saturday, 61-year-old James Leo Pettit, of Afton, was arrested at the intersection of Highway 34 and Iris Street. Pettit was charged with OWI 1st Offense. He was taken to the Union County Jail, and later released on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa State Patrol hopes you’ll vote for their picture submitted as part of a contest to be featured on a 2024 calendar. The “2023 Best Looking Cruiser” contest will help to determine which of the 45 pictures from state patrol units from across the country, will be used in the American Association of State Troopers (AAST) calendar. It’s the 10^th year the organization has held the contest.

According to the AAST website, “The contest began as a friendly competition between the state agencies and is proving to be a fun and engaging way to allow our state’s community members to support and interact with law enforcement in a positive manner.”

The Iowa State Patrol has entered this photo in the “Best Looking Cruiser” contest

The winner of the “Best Looking Cruiser Award” will be featured on the cover of the AAST’s “America’s Best Looking Cruisers 2024 Wall Calendar”. Calendars will be available for purchase on the AAST website beginning Oct. 1st. All sales will benefit the American Association of State Troopers Foundation.

Last year, the Kentucky State Police cruiser took home the coveted prize. Voting began July 17 and will continue through today (July 31) at 11 a.m.

You can cast your vote by clicking here.

(Underwood, Iowa) — A collision between a motorcycle and a van Saturday evening near Underwood, resulted in one person being transported to the hospital in critical condition. Authorities said vehicles crashed in the area of Railroad Highway and Road L-34. Additional information was not immediately available.

(Radio Iowa) – An event planned for this coming weekend in central Iowa will feature nationally-known speakers, a film premiere, a live podcast recording, an “ideas contest,” and more, all designed to inspire conversation. Nathan Beacom, executive director of The Lyceum Movement, says “Tallgrass: The Des Moines Festival of Ideas” is planned for Sunday (August 6th), focused on things like history, art, and philosophy.

Beacom calls the fest a revival of something that used to happen in Iowa a century ago, when chautauquas would have interesting speakers, thinkers, culture and food. We’re living in a time where many people are consumed by the anxiousness of online life, and Beacom says this will be a space where neighbors can slow down and meet face to face.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A woman from Red Oak was arrested at around 9:20-p.m., Sunday, following a traffic stop. Red Oak Police say 24-year-old Ashlyn Nicole Kephart was pulled over in the 1800 block of N. Broadway Street, in Red Oak. She was charged with Driving While Revoked – serious misdemeanor – and transported to the Montgomery County Jail. Kephart’s bond was set at $1,000.

(Rural Red Oak, Iowa) – A traffic stop at around 1-a.m. today (Monday) south of Red Oak, resulted in the arrest of an Audubon County man. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 23-year-old Timothy Dethlef Asmus, of Audubon, was arrested after he was pulled over at 230th Street and Highway 48. Asmus was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense – a serious misdemeanor. He was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $1,000 bond.

Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Montgomery County K-9 Unit.

(Radio Iowa) – Former President Donald Trump’s status as the central figure in the 2024 presidential race was on full display at the Iowa Republican Party’s fundraiser that kicked off the weekend. Trump was the last of 13 candidates to speak to a crowd of over a thousand Republicans.

Trump mentioned only one G-O-P competitor by name, using the nickname he has for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Former Vice President Mike Pence acknowledged Trump’s hold on the party.

And Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, at this point Trump’s top challenger, said the G-O-P is not getting a mulligan this time around. “We’re doing all 99 counties in Iowa because this Caucus demands that you earn it,” DeSantis said, to cheers. “Let’s win in 2024.” Only two candidates, both lagging behind in polls on the race, directly mentioned the indictments Trump faces.

Former Texas Congressman Will Hurd was booed by Trump fans in the crowd when he said Trump was running for president to stay out of prison. “Listen, I know the truth is hard, but if we elect Donald Trump, we are willingly giving Joe Biden four more years in the White House,” Hurd said, “and America can’t handle that.” Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson said the G-O-P must not abandon its support for the rule of law.

During an appearance Sunday on “Face the Nation” on C-B-S, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley suggested having Trump as the party’s 2024 nominee would be “handing over the election” to Democrats given the legal woes Trump faces. This is how she put it when speaking to Iowa Republicans Friday night.

Doug Burgum, the current governor of North Dakota, said the country needs a 180 degree change in direction.

Candidates Tim Scott, Vivek Ramaswamy, Francis Suarez, Larry Elder, Ryan Binkley and Perry Johnson also addressed the crowd. LeAnn Willis of Cedar Rapids says she’s still evaluating which candidate she’ll Caucus for in January.

Jim Handsaker of Story City is a Trump supporter. Handsaker says the speech he delivered for Trump at his local Caucus in 2016 still rings true today.

Gwen Eklund of Denison, past president of the Iowa Federation of Republican Women, has been hosting candidates at events in western Iowa for several presidential campaign cycles. Ecklund says it’s too soon to say what will happen in the 2024 Iowa Caucuses.

Iowa Republican Party chairman Jeff Kaufmann acknowledges the race for the G-O-P’s next presidential nomination may get tense as the Caucus date draws closer.

Eleven of the 13 candidates hosted receptions after the speech part of the night was over. The lines were longest for Trump and DeSantis. The 2024 Iowa Caucuses are scheduled for January 15th.

(Crawford County, Iowa) – Officials with the Denison Volunteer Fire Department report DVFD was called to assist the Deloit Volunteer Fire Department, Sunday morning, for a reported helicopter crash near 310th Street, north of Deloit. The call came in at around 8:32-a.m.

Several other agencies also responded to the area in an attempt to help locate the crash site. When the helicopter was located, rescue crews had to use the “Jaws of Life” mechanical extraction device to safely and quickly extricate the pilot. The pilot was transported by Life Flight helicopter to an Omaha hospital.

The persons name and condition were not immediately available. The FAA has no current listing of the crash at this time, but its expected they will do so on Monday.