(Radio Iowa) – The wife of G-O-P presidential candidate Ron DeSantis is stepping up her solo appearances in Iowa as the Caucuses draw closer. In May, Governor DeSantis invited his wife to join him on stage during his first campaign speech here. As she approached the microphone to speak and the crowd cheered, he said: “Let ‘er rip.” A few weeks ago it was Casey DeSantis who introduced Governor Kim Reynolds at the rally where Reynolds delivered her public endorsement of the Florida governor.

During an interview with Radio Iowa, Casey DeSantis laughed when asked if she had a role in securing that endorsement for her husband. “She is an exquisite governor. She is a fighter. She is somebody who stands up for what is right and she is very much like the governor,” Casey DeSantis says. “…She understands what it’s like to be able to put yourself in the line of fire.”

DeSantis campaign rally on Nov. 6, 2023 featured Casey DeSantis introducing Gov. Kim Reynolds, who endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that night.

DeSantis says as first lady of Florida, she decided not to sit on the sidelines. “I could have been taking the easy path where sometimes when you’re not out putting yourself in the arena, you’re not going to get hit,” DeSantis said, “but I saw it as an opportunity not necessarily about me, but about the position as first lady, to be able to do good on behalf of the people of Florida and hopefully of the country.”

Governor DeSantis says he and his wife shrug off criticism from the left. And Casey DeSantis says the associate of former President Trump who recently made a crude comment about her is part of the campaign noise that should be ignored. “When you’re standing up for what you know in your heart is right, you’re going to get attacked. People are going to come after you…You just have to stand strong and you know the truth and remember: ‘Mission first.’ And that is saving this country.”

Casey DeSantis is an Ohio native who graduated from the College of Charleston with a degree in economics. She’s a former T-V anchor and reporter and currently the mother of three children under the age of seven.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa report a Des Moines man was sentenced on November 16, 2023 to 13-and-a-half years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon.

According to public court documents, 36-year-old Fawnie Allen Avery, was on parole with the State of Iowa when he led officers with the Des Moines Police Department on a nighttime chase through residential neighborhoods after law enforcement attempted to conduct a traffic stop of his vehicle. Avery crashed his vehicle, climbed out of his window, and attempted to flee on foot. A uniformed officer attempted to apprehend him. Avery struggled against the officer and pulled a firearm from his waistband. Avery pointed his firearm at a plain clothes officer and chambered a round in the firearm. Police were able to subdue Avery when a third officer arrived on scene.

At sentencing, the District Court found that two Des Moines Police officers were victims of Avery’s offense because Avery pulled his gun during the struggle leading to his arrest, pointed his gun at an officer, and chambered a round in his gun. The Court also found that Avery recklessly created a substantial risk of injury or death during the vehicle chase prior to his arrest.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Des Moines Police Department.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School Board held two meetings this (Wednesday) evening. The first was the last regular, Annual meeting of the Retiring Board, headed by President Laura McLean and Vice-President Kristy Pellett. During the meeting the Board acted to approve the resignations of: Kelli Evans, High School Nurse; Tori Brummer, Freshman Volleyball Coach; and Megan Andersen, Kitchen Staff. The also approved recommendations to hire: Kelli Evans, Director of Health Services, and Megan Andersen, Media Center Para.

The Board then spent a considerable amount of time discussing modifications to the Early Retirement Plan for Certified and Non-Certified Staff. With regard to the re-hiring of retiring Certified Staff, the Board concluded those individuals must resign from all positions within the District and then re-apply and not be hired for a full-time position. They will only be re-hired at the Board’s discretion. With regard to the Early Retirement plan for Non-Certified Staff, the policy will state those persons cannot be rehired for any full-time positions. They approved amended wording for those plans as discussed.

Final meeting of the Retiring Atlantic School Board. (YouTube pic by Ric Hanson)

At the end of regular business, the Retiring Board adjourned. Retiring Board Members Nick Hunt and Jenny Williams each received a plaque for their respective four-and eight-years of service. Hunt had served 4-years. Williams was on the Board for 8-years. Nick Hunt ended his term by thanking the Board and saying he’s enjoyed serving and learning. He said realizes that everyone on the Board is “Passionate and want the school to succeed, and I think our time was productive. I think our school is in good shape, and I wish the new Directors all the best of luck.”

Williams echoed his comments. She said “It’s been a crazy eight-years. We’ve been through a lot together…the District has survived. It’s been a fantastic educational learning opportunity that I used daily and will continue to use.” She also thanked all the students and staff, and everyone who reached-out to speak with her.

Soon thereafter Board Secretary Lisa Jones called the Organizational Board to Order, and administered the Oath of Office to newly elected members Gini Jordan and Jodi Stowater-Goodrich, and re-elected Board member Laura McLean.

Board Secretary Lisa Jones swears-in New Board member Jodi Stowater-Goodrich, re-elected Board Member Laura McLean, and new member Gini Jordan.

The new Board nominated and selected Kristy Pellett and President and Laura McLean as Vice-President. They also appointed Lisa Jones as Board Secretary/Treasurer. Gini Jordan was nominated to serve as the Board’s Cass County Conference Board Representative. And, they left the dates and time for their meetings unchanged. The Atlantic School Board will continue to meet on the second and fourth Wednesday’s of the month (with the second meeting generally a Work Session). Their sessions will take place in the High School Media Center, beginning at 5:30-p.m.

In other business, the New Atlantic School Board established the Atlantic News Telegraph and the District’s Official Publication, and Ahlers and Cooney as Legal Counsel.

(Radio Iowa) – Davenport police say a 16-year-old has been arrested and charged with threats of terrorism after threats of violence Tuesday against students and staff at Davenport Central High School and McKinley Elementary School.

Police say it was determined that there was no immediate threat to students or staff and the the school day continued with students dismissed at their normal time. The teen was taken to the Juvenile Detention Center.

(Radio Iowa) – Three northeast Iowa men are accused of attacking a man with golf clubs and a baseball bat. The assault happened at a residence in Waukon, on November 16th. This week, police have arrested three men from Waukon, all in their mid-20s. Each has been charged with first degree burglary, going armed with intent and assault while displaying a dangerous weapon.

According to the criminal complaints, the three men are accused of breaking into a man’s residence and one of the suspects allegedly hit the man with a baseball bat, while the other two used golf clubs to beat the man. The victim required multiple staples in his head due to the injuries suffered in the assault.

Police say the suspects were identified by the victim and two other witnesses.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston say the driver of a car admitted she wasn’t paying attention when her vehicle rear-ended a pickup truck early this (Wednesday) afternoon. No injuries were reported. The accident happened at the intersection of Sumner  (Hwy 25 N) and Mills Streets, at around 1:20-p.m.

According to the report, a 2022 Chevy Silverado pickup driven by 22-year-old Andrew Davis, of Murray, was traveling north on Sumner and slowing for a vehicle that was turning in traffic. A 2016 Hyundai Elantra driven by 30-year-old Brittani Dillon, of Greenfield, was behind the pickup. Dillon was unable to stop in-time. Authorities noted she was following too close. Her car struck the rear hitch of the pickup, causing $300 damage to the truck and $1,500 damage to the car.

There were no citations issued.

(Red Oak, Iowa) –  Police in Red Oak have arrested a man for Domestic Abuse Assault (a Simple Misdemeanor). Authorities say 39-year-old Daniel Lee Fasce, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 10:52-a.m. today (Wednesday), in the 100 block of E. Market Street. He was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

(Radio Iowa) – A southeast Iowa man who pleaded guilty earlier this year to shooting his then-wife with a crossbow has been arrested after a house fire at his mother’s home. The Ottumwa Police Department says a homeowner called 9-1-1 on November 21st to report she was trapped in a house fire. Officers were able to pull 82-year-old Patricia Byrd out of a bedroom window after arriving at the scene. Byrd was treated at the local hospital and released.

An investigation revealed two pet dogs died in the fire. 67-year-old George Dennison was arrested and charged with first-degree arson and two counts of animal cruelty. Police say Dennison is Byrd’s son and was living in his mother’s home at the time of the fire.

Dennison is on probation and serving two suspended five-year sentences for shooting his former wife with a crossbow in August 2022 after pleading guilty in February. He is currently in the Wapello County Jail where he is being held without bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Human remains found in northeast Iowa are believed to those of a Manchester man who’s been missing for years, but confirmation may not come quickly. The Delaware County Sheriff John LeClere says they do not have a timeline on how long it will take to identify the remains. LeClere says information about the condition of the remains is not being released at this time. Pheasant hunters found the remains in a field west of Manchester earlier this month.

Authorities believe the remains are those of 55-year old Brian “Farmer” Burns of Manchester, who was reported missing nearly ten years ago. The remains have been transported to the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office for positive identification and autopsy.

Des Moines, Iowa – Nov. 29, 2023 – The Iowa Department of Transportation reports if you drive near the Interstate 35/80/235 east systems interchange, you need to be aware of upcoming construction work that may slow down your trip.

Nighttime construction work to place bridge beams for the new bridge at the I-35/I-80/I-235 east systems interchange will require closing the following areas overnight on Tuesday, Dec. 5 and again on Wednesday, Dec. 6. The closures are expected to begin at 10 p.m. and run through 5 a.m. the next morning.

• All lanes of westbound I-80
• The ramp from westbound I-80 to westbound I-235
• The loop from eastbound I-235 to westbound I-80

While work is taking place you will follow a marked detour route that will take you north to the Corporate Woods interchange and then back south to continue on westbound I-80 or westbound I-235 (see map).

Help keep everyone on the road safer. Drive cautiously, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, you should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through the 511 system.