Democrat Iowa Senator and Lieutenant Governor candidate, Rita Hart, paid a visit to the Cass County Fair Saturday afternoon. Hart, the running mate of Gubernatorial candidate Fred Hubbell, sat down with reporters after visiting with residents, to discuss what she’s hearing are concerns from Iowans. She said people are concerned about healthcare, its affordability and accessibility, and they’re particularly upset about the privatization of Medicaid which has caused a lot of people to “fall through the cracks.”

Senator Rita Hart

Hart, who was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2012, and re-elected in 2014, said she’s used her position as District 49 State Senator to intercede for people that have not received the care that they need as a result of the decision to privatize Medicaid. She said also, a lot of providers that have not been paid as a fallout of Medicaid privatization. Those she’s spoken with want to see that move reversed, and get Medicaid back under state control.

Hart represents Clinton, as well as northern and eastern parts of Scott Counties. She said another issue of concern Iowans have spoken about, is the status of mental healthcare in the state. Other topics include rural economic development, concerns about the affects of the trade war, investment in education and about raising Iowans’ incomes. Hart has worked as a teacher for more than 20 years in the Calamus-Wheatland and Bennett school districts. She and her husband farm south of Wheatland and have lived there for over 30-years and raised their five children. The last six years she has served as the District 49 State senator.

She said the goal of the Hubbell-Hart campaign is to listen to people and putt their needs first. She said they will strive to turn the budget around and eliminate the deficit, as well as examine wasteful tax giveaways so the means can be found to invest in Iowa in “the right way.” Hart said as Governor, Fred Hubbell would be a good manager “at the helm, where the budget is concerned, as evidenced by his business background. His philanthropic endeavors, she said, is proof he cares about Iowans.

A traffic stop in Adams County at around 12:40-a.m., Saturday, resulted in the arrest of two women. The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports during the investigation, the K9 “Baxo” was deployed on the vehicle and gave a positive indication to the presence of narcotics. Upon further investigation, Joleen Most was placed under arrest for Possession of a Controlled Substance (Oxycodone), Possession of a Controlled Substance (Hydrocodone), and Possession of a Controlled Substance (Clonazepam). A passenger in the vehicle, Netosha Stalder, of Corning, was placed under arrest for Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd Offense (Methamphetamine) and Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd Offense (Marijuana).

And, Friday night, Adams County Deputies arrested Michael Arthur, of Corning, for Disorderly Conduct.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 4:00 a.m. CDT

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa State Patrol says an 18-year-old woman has died after her car was hit by a train in southeastern Iowa. Television station KCCI reports that the crash happened just after 1 a.m. Saturday at a railroad crossing in Mount Pleasant. A report by the State Patrol says Lydia Johnson, of Brighton, tried to drive around crossing gates when her car was hit by a westbound train.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police in Des Moines are investigating after a bicyclist was killed in a hit-and-run crash. Police say the crash happened early Saturday morning. Witnesses tell police that 56-year old Darrel Ford, of Des Moines, crossed into an intersection against a red light and was hit by a sport utility vehicle. The bicyclist was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died. Police say the SUV left the scene, and investigators are asking the public’s help in tracking it down.

WASHINGTON, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa mother convicted in the starvation death of her toddler has been sentenced to 50 years in prison. The Des Moines Register reports that 30-year-old Ambrashia “Amber” Chrzan, of Wellman, was sentenced Friday. Chrzan was found guilty in May of child endangerment resulting in death after her 17-month-old daughter, Avery, was found dead in November 2016. The child weighed just 11 pounds.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines woman is fighting City Hall to protect the lush garden she has created along a parking strip. The Des Moines Register reports that Des Moines officials have asked 74-year-old Mary Farrell to cut back or remove the plants she has in the border strips near her home. City code says borders between the street and sidewalk can only contain grass or naturally occurring plants.

One person is dead following an accident at a Poweshiek County wind farm, Saturday, According to a spokesperson for Blattner Energy – the company build wind turbines for MidAmerican Energy – a crane operator died at the site. Additional details were not immediately available.

The company is cooperating with local authorities and OSHA in the investigation.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police in Des Moines are investigating after a 56-year-old bicyclist was killed in a hit-and-run crash. The crash happened early Saturday morning. Witnesses tell police that the bicyclist crossed into an intersection against a red light and was hit by a sport utility vehicle. The bicyclist was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died. He was identified late Saturday afternoon as Darrel Ford, would had lived in Des Moines for about a year, after moving from Texas.

Police say the SUV left the scene, and investigators are asking the public’s help in tracking it down. Police say the vehicle was a newer model, red SUV and will likely have damage to its windshield and front end on the driver’s side.

An accident early this (Saturday) morning in southeast Iowa’s Henry County has claimed the life of a young woman. The Iowa State Patrol reports 18-year old Lydia Danielle Johnson, of Brighton, who was wearing a seat belt, was driving a 2005 Ford Focus northbound on N. Iris Street in Mt. Pleasant at around 1:10-a.m., when she crossed the railroad tracks and was struck by an approaching train. Authorities say the crossing gates were down and lights were flashing to indicate the approaching locomotive. Johnson tried to drive around the gates when her car was struck broadside by the westbound train. The car came to rest northwest of the railroad crossing, while the train stopped on the tracks.

Johnson was transported by Med Force Air Ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, where she died from her injuries.

(12:40-p.m.)

Officials with the Clarinda Police Department said today (Saturday), that the search for two missing students from the Clarinda Academy has been called-off, and that the students are still missing.

The two male, Native American students absconded from the Clarinda Academy early Friday afternoon. One of the students is 16-years old. He stands about 5-feet five-inches tall and weighs 125 pounds. He has short black hair. The other student is 13-years old. He is about five-feet tall and weighs about 100 pounds. He has medium length black hair. A description of their clothing was not available.

If you see two teens matching the description provided, contact law enforcement, and do not approach them. The Clarinda Academy is a residential foster care facility that provides treatment to at-risk and delinquent male and female youth from several states.

Two Democrats running for office are set to appear at the Cass County Fair, Sunday. Cass County Democratic Party Chair Sherry Toelle reports Sara Ramsey, candidate for Iowa Senate District 11, is scheduled to visit the fair Sunday, sometime between 1-and 4-p.m., and Cindy Axne, candidate for the Third District Congressional seat, is scheduled to be in attendance between 5- and 6-p.m.

While no specific locations for the candidates was announced, it’s expected they will be at the Cass County Democrat’s Fair booth in the Commercial Building, to meet area constituents.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines woman is fighting City Hall to protect the lush garden she has created along a parking strip. The Des Moines Register reports that Des Moines officials have asked 74-year-old Mary Farrell to cut back or remove the plants she has in the border strips near her home.

City code says borders between the street and sidewalk can only contain grass or naturally occurring plants. City traffic engineer Jennifer McCoy says Farrell’s vegetation limits room on the sidewalk.

Farrell says she understands the safety concerns but that her garden provides beauty and has positive environmental effects. Farrell’s appeal of the city code has been put on hold. She has until Aug. 29 to trim plants that are encroaching on the sidewalk.

INDIANOLA, Iowa (AP) — The skies over southern Iowa will be dotted with nearly 100 hot air balloons through early August. The National Balloon Classic has begun in Indianola and will run through Aug. 4.
Balloon pilots compete for points and prizes every morning and every evening in the classic, filling the sky with the brilliant color and unique shapes of the balloons. On the ground, those attending the festival will enjoy live music and other entertainment, food vendors and rides. Balloon rides will also be available for purchase.