(Atlantic, Iowa) – A collision early this (Friday) afternoon northeast of Atlantic claimed three lives and left two others injured. The crash on Highway 71 and Troublesome Creek Road happened at around 12:50-p.m.  According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 1999 Ford F-350 pickup driven by 43-year-old Micheal Adam Warnaca, of Exira, was traveling north on Highway 71 and a 2001 Toyota Camry driven by 46-year-old Erick William Kerkman, of North Liberty, was traveling southbound.

For reasons unknown, near the intersection of Troublesome Creek Road, the pickup crossed the center line of the Highway and struck the Camry head-on. The car came to rest in the west ditch, facing west. The pickup rolled onto its passenger side and came to rest on the west shoulder, facing west.

Michael Warnaca, Erick Kerkman and a 15-year-old female passenger in the Camry, from North Liberty, died at the scene. A 10-year-old male from Exira and a 12-year old male from North Liberty, were injured in the collision. The 10-year-old was transported by Cass EMS to Cass Health in Atlantic, while the 12-year old was transported by Cass EMS to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, in Omaha

Warnaca and his 10-year-old passenger were not wearing their seat belts. Kerkman, the 15-year-old female and the 12-year-old, were wearing their seat belts. Highway 71 was blocked in both directions for about 3 1/2 hours, while the crash remained under investigation, and the vehicles and debris were removed.

The accident remains under investigation.

(Red Oak, Iowa) — A man from Pottawattamie County who was wanted on a Montgomery County warrant, was arrested at around 4:15-p.m., today (Friday). According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, 31-year-old Jesse Schleip, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at 106 W. Coolbaugh Street in Red Oak, on a warrant for violation of probation.

Schleip was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 cash bond.

Walcott, Iowa – In partnership with the Walcott Police Department, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s Missing Person Clearinghouse is seeking the public’s assistance in locating missing person Sandra Rubinstein.

Rubenstein is a 57-year-old female who went missing from Walcott, Iowa and was last seen and heard from in the Walcott area on March 14, 2023. Rubenstein is a Caucasian female, approximately 5’ 04” tall. She weighs between 140 and 160 lbs. A description of her clothing was unknown at the time of her disappearance.

Those with information relative to the disappearance of Rubenstein can contact the Iowa Missing Person Clearinghouse at mpicinfo@dps.state.ia.us.

Sandra Rubinstein (2 photos, via the IDPS/DCI)

This is an active missing person investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.

(Radio Iowa) – A Polk County District Court Judge heard arguments today (Friday) from Planned Parenthood North Central States and the Emma Goldman Clinic seeking and injunction to block the fetal heartbeat bill. The hearing that started before the governor signed the bill into law, and Planned Parenthood Attorney Peter Im argued for an injunction against the law, saying it creates an undue burden on women.

Im says the burden falls on women in many ways.

Im asked the judge to rule from the bench following arguments.

Assistant Attorney General Daniel Johnston argued for the state, saying Planned Parenthood’s argument leaves one thing out.

Johnston argued the state has an interest in protecting the unborn.

Peter Im (Media Pool photo)

Johnston says there is harm done by not putting the law in place.

He says he will do his best to issue a ruling on Monday.

DES MOINES—The State Library of Iowa has announced that the Atlantic Public Library has met the conditions for state accreditation as outlined in “In Service to Iowa: Public Library Standards Sixth Edition.”

Achieving accreditation requires a significant, ongoing local commitment to high quality library services. The Atlantic Public Library has been recognized for its efforts in all areas of library operations including governance and funding, staffing, library collection, services, public relations, access, and facilities. The accreditation status begins July 1, 2023, and is valid through June 30, 2026.

State Librarian Michael Scott says “The director and board of trustees of the Atlantic Public Library and the city of Atlantic are to be commended for this achievement and their commitment to excellence in public library services for their community.”

Of Iowa’s 543 public libraries, 414 – including the Atlantic Public Library – are accredited. Iowa’s accredited public libraries are recognized for being responsive to their communities and for exhibiting excellence in their provision of library services. Almost two-thirds of all Iowans have active public library cards. Iowa libraries play key roles in workforce and economic development, lifelong learning and e-government activities. Iowans use their libraries to find jobs, do homework, locate a good book to read, research legal information, access government information, and more.

Accredited libraries receive a higher rate of compensation through the State Library’s Enrich Iowa program. They also receive a Certificate of Accreditation signed by Governor Kim Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg, State Librarian Michael Scott, and Iowa Commission of Libraries Chair Zachary Stier.

For more information on the State Library’s accreditation program, and to view the Public Library Standards, go to https://www.statelibraryofiowa.gov/index.php/libraries/search/accred-stand.

(Radio Iowa) – Milk is a tough commodity for food banks to store and distribute, because of its short shelf life and need for refrigeration. Kemp’s Dairy and local Hy-Vee stores are partnering to help the Food Bank of Siouxland by donating thousands of “Giving Cow” cartons or milk for distribution across the 11-county service area. Jay Johnson, sales director for the Kemp’s facility in Le Mars, and says theses cartons have a special advantage for distribution.

Jamie Bockelmann is operations manager of the food bank and says this milk will help children who are among the nearly 25-thousand food insecure people in the region.

While it sounds like a lot of milk, the cartons will be distributed quickly over the next two months. Food bank associate executive director Valerie Petersen says companies like Kemp’s are critical to having enough food to meet the area’s demand.

Kemp’s plans to have another Giving Cow contribution to the food bank in November. That donation will likely be chocolate milk.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that will ban most abortions in Iowa.

Reynolds signed the bill on stage at The Family Leader’s summit in Des Moines. The crowd of two-thousand evangelical Christians at the event stood as she put her signature on the document and cheered her along with the Republican lawmakers who joined her on stage.

The Republican-led legislature passed the bill Tuesday during a special session and it’s almost identical to the Fetal Heartbeat Act Reynolds signed in 2018, but was never enforced due to a court injunction. Last month’s three-to-three tie on the Iowa Supreme Court kept that injunction in place. Reynolds criticized the three justices who rejected her call to let that 2018 law take effect.

The legislation bans most abortions after about the sixth week of a pregnancy, with exceptions for rape, incest and certain medical conditions.

Tony Angran, pastor of the Solid Rod Church of God in Centerville, is thrilled.

Earlier this (Friday) afternoon, an attorney for two Iowa abortion providers asked a judge to at least temporarily block the law from going into effect. Peter Im said abortion is time sensitive care and even small delays can be significant for patients. An attorney for the State of Iowa says that ignores the unborn patient.

(Cass County, Iowa) – A head-on crash northeast of Atlantic occurred at around 12:53-p.m. at 650th (Highway 71) and Troublesome Creek Road.  Multiple vehicles and subjects were involved.  Anita Rescue & two helicopters were requested, along with Atlantic Fire and Rescue and Cass EMS.   At least one of the helicopters declined due to incoming weather.  The road is blocked.

Additional details are not available. Please stay away from the area.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – On Thursday, July 13, 2023, the Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors visited Sunnyside Pool in Atlantic to celebrate and view their new renovations and amenities. The Ambassadors also had the opportunity to learn about the process behind their renovations.

Chelsie Rush and Chelsie Huddleson, new managers of the Sunnyside Pool, shared about why they decided to step up in the community and what it took to reach their goal of fixing up the pool. Alongside Jess Larsen, the three women saw a need to fill at the pool, which has been a staple of summertime in the community for many years. With their prior experience, they have been able to bring many new and exciting features to the pool such as new toys, new concession stands menu, and items new building updates such as a mural and bathhouse renovations.

The crew is excited to watch their work continue to grow and benefit the community. Rush and Huddleson shared that attendance numbers have increased this year in comparison to previous years. They are very thankful for everyone that has helped them out along the way, especially their new staff members, who allow the pool to be open each day.

Ambassadors from Left to Right: Lana Westphalen, Dawn Powers, Jake Olsen, Shannon Nelsen, Steve Andersen, Sue Liston, Rick Mericle, Elaine Otte, Kathie Hockenberry, BJ Hart, Dolly Bergmann, Dr. Keith Leonard, Alisha Wagner, Alex McAfee, John Bricker, Anne Quist, Colt Doherty, Chelsie Huddleson, Jim Kickland, Chelsie Rush, Jeremy Butler, Krysta Hanson, Alex Sampson, Megan Sramek, Tori Gibson and Laurie West. (Photo courtesy Paige Jensen)

Sunnyside Pool is open to the public every day from 1-7 p.m., with adult swim from 12-1 p.m. For more information about the pool, visit their Facebook Page, Sunnyside Pool, or call 712-243-4171. More information about the pool and other area events is also available on the Community for Kids app. Sunnyside Pool is located at 1000 Sunnyside Lane in Atlantic.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A driver in Red Oak was issued a written warning following a collision Thursday evening at N. Miller Avenue and E. Summit Streets. No injuries were reported. Police report a 2008 Buick Lucerne driven by 43-year-old Peter Alan Rabotinsky, of Red Oak, was traveling south on N. Miller Avenue at around 5:13-p.m., and a 2014 GMC Acadia (SUV) driven by 35-year-old Ashley Lanae Bolte, of Red Oak, was traveling east on E. Summit.

The Police report says Rabotinsky stopped at the controlled intersection, and then proceeded into the intersection, striking the SUV. Police issued a written warning to Rabotinsky for Failure to obey a stop sign, and failure to yield the right-of-way.

Damage from the collision amounted to $12,000. Red Oak Police were assisted at the scene by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.