CARLISLE, Iowa — Authorities have identified a Carlisle teenager who was killed June 9th in a crash that injured two others. According to Iowa State Patrol, a Toyota Camry Solara was traveling northbound on 200th Avenue in Warren County on Sunday evening. The vehicle entered the ditch near the intersection of 200th and Delaware avenues, rolled and ejected two of the three occupants.

A passenger in the car, 15-year-old Hanna Shaffer, was airlifted to a Des Moines hospital, where she died from her injuries. The 16-year-old driver and another 15-year-old passenger were taken to a hospital; their conditions is not available. All Carlisle school district activities for Monday evening have been postponed. Services for Hanna Shaffer are set for Tuesday.

According to the latest data from the Iowa Department of Transportation, 119 people have died so far this year on Iowa roads. That number is 24 fewer than at the same point in 2023. Over the last five years, an average of 350 people have been killed in statewide crashes annually.

(Denison, Iowa) – KJAN’s sister station KDSN in Denison reports they were informed of a pursuit that occurred Friday afternoon, that ended in a field. The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office told the station they were made aware of a stolen vehicle out of Woodbury County, and that at approximately 3:12-p.m.. authorities located the vehicle in Denison.

When a traffic stop was initiated by Denison Police, the stolen vehicle driven by a male, fled North on Highway 59 and escalated into a high speed pursuit towards Schleswig. Crawford County Sheriff’s Deputies assisted in the chase when it crossed into the County.

The stolen vehicle eventually turned east onto County Highway E-16 in Schleswig, and continued toward County Highway 39, before turning north onto Highway 39. Speeds at that point increased to as much as 110-miles per hour, with vehicle being passed in No Passing Zones.

The Sheriff’s Department terminated the pursuit due to public safety concerns. Approximately 20-to 30-minutes, later Sac County Sheriff’s Deputies came into contact with the driver and engaged in a pursuit. The stolen vehicle eventually came to rest in a field.

KDSN says there are unconfirmed reports suspect driver of the stolen vehicle died from self-inflicted wounds. Additional information is currently not available.

(Butler County, Iowa)  – The operator of a motorcycle was injured in a collision Friday afternoon in northeast Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol reports 34-year-old James Cummings, of Greene, was hurt when the 2008 Honda motorcycle he was riding, struck a 2016 Chevy pickup truck, as the pickup was turning from southbound Yale Avenue onto eastbound Highway 188, west of Plainfield. The accident happened at around 3:20-p.m.

The Patrol says Cummings, who was wearing a helmet, was ejected from his motorcycle during the collision, and transported by helicopter to Unity Point/Allen Hospital in Waterloo. The driver of the pickup, 46-year-old Patrick Lentz, of Plainfield, was cited for Failure to Obey a Stop Sign, and Yield the Right-Of-Way.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, Clarksville Ambulance, Waverly paramedics, Plainfield 1st Responders, Plainfield Fire Dept. and Mercy One Airmed 3 helicopter.

(Woodbury County, Iowa) – A vehicle traveling about the posted speed limit crashed on the southeast side of Sgt. Bluff, Friday morning, resulting the death of its driver. The Iowa State Patrol says a Woodbury County Sheriff’s Deputy was trying to catch-up to a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero driven by 24-year-old Donovan Burrell, of Orange City, when the crash occurred at around 3-a.m.

The car was traveling on S. Lakeport/Old Lakeport Road near Wilde Street, when it went out of control and traveled southbound in the northbound lanes. The vehicle then went off the east shoulder, back on to the road and crossed over both lanes onto the west shoulder, before it struck a shed and came to rest.

Burrell, who was not wearing a seat belt, was transported to St. Lukes Hospital by Sgt. Bluff Fire/Rescue, and died from his injuries. The State Patrol says excessive speed, alcohol &/or drugs, and erratic driving were all contributing factors in the crash.

The Patrol was assisted by the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office.

(Lyon County, Iowa) – One person died and another was injured during a collision Friday afternoon in northwest Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol reports a car and an SUV collided head-on at around 4:30-p.m. near Rock Rapids. The Patrol says a 2004 Chevy Impala driven by 48-year-old Joni Wulf, of Rock Rapids, was traveling north on Highway 75, when it crossed the center line of the road.

A 2018 Jeep Compass SUV driven by 29-year-old Megan Klapperich, of Orange City, was traveling southbound on Highway 75 and swerved to the left to avoid striking the car, but the vehicles collided in the northbound lane.

Joni Wulf died at the scene. Klapperich was injured and flown by helicopter to a hospital in Sioux Falls. Both women were wearing their seat  belts.

(Radio Iowa) – One of the Cornell College professors attacked in China has made it back to the United States. David Zabner  (Dah-VEED Zahb-ner) was greeted by family at Cedar Rapids Airport for an emotional reunion Thursday.

Zabner was one of four educators from Cornell College in Mount Vernon who were attacked while leaving a park in China. The other three victims have not been publicly identified. Their current state of health is unknown. Zabner lives in Boston but has family in Iowa City, including a younger brother, Adam Zabner who is a state representative. Police in China say a 55-year-old man was arrested in the stabbing. The man allegedly bumped into Zabner’s group and responded by stabbing them.

(by Maddy Anderson, Atlantic FFA Reporter) – The Atlantic FFA Chapter competed in the annual Iowa FFA Horse Judging Career Development Event held at Kirkwood Community College on June 11, 2024.

Atlantic FFA had a team and individual that participated in this year’s Career Development Event. Team members Kayedance Sturm, Clara Kennedy, Rylan Martin and Paislee Klever earned a silver medal. Callie Rudy also competed in the middle school division.

The Horse Judging CDE is designed to provide the student an opportunity to display their agricultural knowledge and skills in the area of Equine Science. Each team member evaluated halter and performance classes. They also answered questions over the classes and gave oral reasons to explain their placings. A written examination was included along with a team problem solving competition. In the Performance division, Kayedance scored a nearly perfect score of 149 out of 150 possible points.

A unique part of the Horse Judging CDE is allowing 8th graders to participate. This year Atlantic FFA had 4, 8th grade members compete on the team. Team members Clara Kennedy, Pailsee Klever, Rylan Martin and Callie Rudy. When asked about their experiences Kennedy said, “I was impressed with our placing because ¾ of the team are 8th graders and this was our first FFA contest”. Rudy also said, “I thought it was a lot of fun. This event pushed us outside of our comfort zone and we all tried our hardest with the work paying off.” Klever said, “For doing this for my first time and trying something new I thought it was a great experience. I was a little rusty on something’s but I thought we did good. Overall I thought it was a fun experience.” Martin finished by saying, “For this being my first time competing in a FFA contest and not really knowing what to do or what to expect I was impressed with how we did. Although some parts were a little rough, I was proud of myself and the team for trying our hardest and putting in as much effort as possible.”

The Iowa FFA Horse Career Development Event was made possible with support through the Iowa FFA Foundation Gold Standard Partners. The Horse Career Development Event was coordinated and held at the Iowa Equestrian Center in Cedar Rapids. Kirkwood Community College also provided lunch to all participants. The official judge was Mary Pohlmann from Truro.

(By Atlantic FFA Reports Maddy Anderson) – The Atlantic FFA Chapter competed in the annual Iowa FFA Floriculture Career Development Event held at Kirkwood Community College on June 11, 2024, placing 34th earning a Silver rating.

Addalyn Sonntag, Lily Wilrich and Maggie Cohrs participated in this year’s Career Development Event designed to provide students an opportunity to display their agricultural knowledge and skills in the area of floriculture. The event consisted of a general knowledge exam, problem solving and decision making, plant identification, floral design, pesticide use and application, floral production, and a team activity.

This is the first year Atlantic FFA has competed in a contest like this. Atlantic FFA Advisor Eric Miller said, “I was impressed with how hard the team has worked. This year we focused on the hands-on, practical part of the event. Next year, we will have a better idea what to prepare for.” The Atlantic FFA team would like to thank Ann Johnk from Farmhouse Flowers in Atlantic for helping train the team.

Picture Left to Right
Lily Willrich, Addalyn Sonntag, Maggie Cohrs

The Iowa FFA Floriculture Career Development Event was coordinated and conducted by Bob Smith, Hannah Dunlap and the faculty and staff at Kirkwood Community College. Kirkwood Community College also provided lunch to all participants. Official judges of the floral design components of the event include Karen Garrett, Debbie McCallister and Stacie Hoag from Flowers on the Avenue as well as Jill Kinsinger, former graduate of the Floral Careers program at Kirkwood.