(Radio Iowa) – Davenport is leading an effort to better regulate adult entertainment establishments. A bill proposed in the state legislature would allow cities and counties to restrict the hours of a strip club if local courts find sufficient evidence of assault, gunshots, or a riot within 500 feet of the business. Davenport Police Chief Jeffery Bladel says a bill legislators passed in 2022 contained a loophole as it didn’t cover adult establishments that don’t serve alcohol. Bladel says the new bill would fix that.

“There was a loophole in there where they didn’t fall anywhere,” Bladel says, “and this does leave us, at the end of the day, the assurance that we can at least take some kind of action when action is needed.” Chief Bladel says managing complaints locally instead of at the state level would be swifter and more effective.

“That is the biggest piece,” he says, “that allows jurisdictions and cities to customize sanctions to whatever issue is they’re dealing with.” The bill has the support of the Metro Coalition, which represents some of Iowa’s largest cities.

FOREST CITY, Iowa – The Iowa Dept. of Public Safety reports that on Monday, February 12, 2024, the Forest City Police Department began an investigation into a shooting incident which had occurred over the weekend, on the 100 block of North 4th Street. The Forest City Police Department requested the assistance of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) in this investigation. This incident occurred on February 10, 2024, but was not reported to the Forest City Police Department until February 12, 2024, at 5:57 p.m.

The investigation resulted in the arrest of Jose Alberto Carrera Patino in the early morning hours of Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Patino was charged with Attempted Murder – Iowa Code 707.11(1) and Going Armed with Intent – Iowa Code 708.8. Patino was held at the Winnebago County Jail on a $30,000 bond. No injuries were reported in this incident.

The Forest City Police Department was assisted by the NCINT Special Operations Group, the Division of Criminal Investigation and the Forest City Ambulance Service.

Anyone with any information regarding this case is asked to call the Forest City Police Department at 641.585.2113 or the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation at 319.217.1580.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports a central Iowa man was arrested Friday night on an Adair County warrant. 36-year-old Lee Delmar Goll, of Ankeny (formerly of Stuart), is charged with:

• Robbery in the 1st Degree
• Intimidation with a dangerous weapon – injure or provoke fear
• Kidnapping in the 3rd degree
• Dominion/control of a firearm/offensive weapon by a felon
• Going armed with intent
• 2 counts of Harassment in the 1st Degree, and
• Domestic Abuse Assault – Injury or mental illness – 1st offense.

Goll was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $300,000 cash-only bond. There were two other arrests reported on Feb. 16th: 27-year-old Austin John Worthington, of Adel, was picked-up from the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Department on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. He was being held without bond in the Adair County Jail. And, 32-year-old Dalton James Cormeny, of Fontanelle, was picked-up from the Cass County Sheriff’s Dept. and held in the Adair County Jail, on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. He was also being held without bond in the Adair County Jail.

On Feb. 14th, Adair Police arrested 32-year-old Brian Dean Schultz, of Greenfield, on an Adair County warrant for OWI/2nd offense, and Operating a Vehicle without the owner’s consent. He posted bond and was released.

35-year-old Nontsikelelo Nothemba Sifka, of Grand Rapids, MI., was arrested by Adair Police, for OWI/2nd offense, and Possession of Marijuana/1st offense. Sifka was pulled-over at around 11-p.m. Feb. 13th because her SUV had no taillights and her vehicle was seen crossing the center-line of I-80 westbound, near mile marker 76. During an investigation, Adair Police Officer Sawyer Ocheltree had reason to conduct a probable cause search of the vehicle, which resulted in the discovery of marijuana in a jar located on the passenger seat, and an empty beer can and whiskey bottle under the driver’s seat. Sifka refused a breath alcohol test at the scene and at the Adair County Sheriff’s Office. Records indicated she had a prior OWI in Michigan. She was arrested at around 1:18-a.m. on the 14th and released later that afternoon on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

Two people were arrested on Adair County warrants, Feb. 13th: 64-year-old Pamela Sue Goodson, and 64-year-old Ronald Dean Goodson, both of Ankeny, were taken into custody at a residence in Fontanelle, on warrants for Theft in the 5th Degree against an older individual. Both were released on a $300 cash/surety bond, each.

TRAER, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety report, that on February 19, 2024, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s Major Crime Unit and the Tama County Sheriff’s Office arrested 46-year-old Karina Cooper at her residence in Traer, Iowa.

Karina Cooper was arrested for her role in the shooting death of her husband, Ryan Cooper, on June 18, 2021. She was transported to the Tama County Sheriff’s Office and charged with Murder in the First Degree, a Class A Felony. Cooper is being held at the Tama County Jail. Bond is to be determined.

Karina Cooper

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information related to this investigation can contact the Tama County Sheriff’s Office at 641.484.4111, the DCI at 515.725.6010, or email dciinfo@dps.state.ia.us.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

No further information will be released at this time.

(Radio Iowa) – As we move toward spring, a program providing discounted trees is once again available for some state residents. The D-N-R’s Pete Hildreth says it’s designed to help plant more trees in the state. He says the D-N-R and Alliant Energy are partnering to offer landscaped-size trees to private residents at a discount. Hildreth says trees provide a variety of benefits to homeowners.

“Including and reduced home heating and cooling costs, decreased stormwater, shade for outdoor activities, higher home values, and enhance beauty,” Hildreth says. “Alliant Energy customers can place their orders on the D-N-R residential tree distribution program page found on our D-N-R website.” There are a variety of species available, and once you order the trees they will be deliver in several cities.

Here are the tree pick up locations:
Thursday, April 25, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Awaysis Park (1409 E Lakeshore Dr, Storm Lake)
Tuesday, April 30, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Greene County Extension Office (104 W. Washington St, Jefferson)
Thursday, May 2, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Grimes Farm and Conservation Center (2349 233rd St, Marshalltown)
Tuesday, May 27, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Burlington Depot (300 S Main St, Burlington)
Saturday, May 11, 9:00-11:00 a.m., Swiss Valley Park (13069 Swiss Valley Rd, Peosta)

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks says the government-run Veterans Administration hospitals and clinics need to develop a strategy to keep up with what’s happening in the private sector when it comes to artificial intelligence. “While progress tends to be incremental, occasionally a process or technology emerges that pushes our boundaries out significantly,” Miller-Meeks says. “The integration of artificial intelligence or augmented intelligence in health care offers this opportunity.” Miller-Meeks says there appear to be pitfalls in A-I when it comes to data privacy, but A-I could help quickly and accurately diagnose health issues and predict patient risks — and save money.

Miller-Meeks suggests clear guidelines for human input is critical, however. “If the data A.I. learns from is incorrect or biased, it can make incorrect, predictions that result in over or under diagnosis or mistreatment,” Miller-Meeks says. The Veterans Health Administration is the country’s largest health system, with 172 hospitals and over 11-hundred clinics. “While A.I. holds great promise, the reality is it’s a new, developing technology and we’re still figuring out what is possible and practical and ethical,” Miller-Meeks says.

Miller-Meeks, a Republican who represents Iowa’s first congressional district, is an eye doctor and an Army veteran. She made her comments during a hearing hosted by the U-S House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County (IA) Auditor’s Office reminds persons interested in running for county offices, that the first day for Democratic, Republican and Libertarian candidates to file nomination papers in the office of the county auditor, is Monday, March 4, 2024. Last day to file is Friday, March 22, 2024. Nomination papers may be circulated prior to first date for filing as well as during the filing period. Nomination papers and candidate information are available at the office of the county auditor and from the secretary of state:www.sos.iowa.gov

The county positions to appear on the Cass County ballot for the 2024 PRIMARY ELECTION are:
Sheriff
Auditor
District 1 Supervisor
District 4 Supervisor
District 5 Supervisor

List of current position holders – County Offices:
Sheriff………………….Darby McLaren, Republican
Auditor…………………Kathy Somers, Republican
District 1 Supervisor….Stephen Green, Republican
District 4 Supervisor…..Steven Baier, Republican
District 5 Supervisor…..Bernard Pettinger, Republican

The filing periods for the November 5, 2024, General Election are:
• U.S. Senate, U.S. Representative and State Office: July 29 – August 24, 2024 (5:00 p.m.)
• County Office: August 5 – August 28, 2024 (5:00 p.m.)
• Ag Extension, Soil & Water Conservation District, Hospital Trustee: Anytime up until August 28, 2024
Monday, August 5, 2024 is the first day for candidates nominated by petition to file nomination papers for county-wide or township offices for the General Election with the County Auditor’s office. Last day to file is Friday, August 28, 2024. Nomination papers may be circulated now. Nomination petitions and other election forms (including a Candidate’s Guide to the General Election) are available at the office of the County Auditor, and from the Iowa Secretary of State (sos.iowa.gov) via the internet.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: The Cass County Auditor, Courthouse 5 W 7th St, Atlantic, IA 50022 Phone: 712-243-4570 and Fax: 712-243-4572. Email: skarns@casscoia.us.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Two local churches are teaming-up to offer those 14-years of age or older, and who have intellectual or physical limitations, a prom-like night of celebration. The honored guests dress up and are treated to an evening of dinner, dancing, flowers, karaoke, photo booth pictures and goody bags filled with fun swag for them to take home. Billie Hoover is part of the group that’s helping to chair the “Shine like Stars” event, in March.

Hoover says they really look forward to the annual event they’ve had since 2018 (with some modification, of course during the COVID years).

She says opportunities and special recognition such as Shine Like Stars for those with physical or intellectual limitations aren’t very prevalent, and it’s a unique demographic in our community. It also offers a chance for the community to volunteer.

Any lady or gentleman who would like to attend the event can come to the First Church of Christ’s “Yes to the Dress-up” in Atlantic, on Feb. 25^th, from 2-until 4-p.m., and see if there is a dress or suit they might like to have for the event – at no charge. The free, Shine Like Stars event takes place March 16^th, from 6-until 8:30-p.m., at the First Church of Christ. Doors open at 6-p.m. Any interested guests or volunteers can sign up at https://www.fccatlantic.com/ministries , or see links on the FCC’s Facebook page.

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, make your check out to FCC/Shine Like Stars, 1310 SW 7^th Street, Atlantic, Iowa, 50022. If you need more information, contact one of the following committee members:

Monica Sanny Brandt, 515-971-6270 (monicabrandt17@gmail.com)

Emily Clark, 402-980-0934 (eclark811@gmail.com)

Billie Hoover, 712-250-0286 (bhoover265@gmail.com)

Stephanie Kinzie, 712-249-8087 (stephanie.kinzie@mvtransit.com).

(Radio Iowa) – The federal government says Iowa isn’t processing food assistance applications fast enough. U-S Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack sent Governor Kim Reynolds and 43 other states letters urging them to improve the efficiency of their SNAP benefits programs. Luke Elzinga, with the Des Moines Area Religious Council or DMARC, says delays in getting SNAP benefits can be detrimental to those who need them. “For a lot of people, that’s the difference between having funds to feed their families or not,” Elzinga says. “These are people who are waiting for benefits to pay for groceries.”

The letter from U-S-D-A says Iowa has an application processing timeliness rate of just under 83 percent. That’s far below the feds’ acceptable performance rate of 95 percent. Elzinga says he’s concerned the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services doesn’t have sufficient resources to process applications. Elzinga says, “Our HHS, those workers who are processing those applications, they have a lot of work on their hands, especially during the Medicaid unwinding.”

A spokesperson for Iowa H-H-S says the department continues to review and make improvements to the process for reviewing SNAP applications.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Here’s a reminder: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a series of town hall-style meetings where local staff will provide updates on recently completed hunting and trapping seasons, discuss possible changes to hunting and trapping rules and regulations, and address other topics as requested. “We want people to come out to these meetings, listen to the seasons reviews, ask questions and hear directly from our staff,” said Todd Bishop, chief of the Iowa DNR’s Wildlife Bureau. “Part of the meeting will be devoted to discussing potential rule changes and collecting feedback as we work through the rules process.”

The meetings are open to the public. Comments collected from these public meetings will be considered along with other related comments received by the Iowa DNR prior to proposing changes to hunting rules and regulations. Proposed rules will be presented to the Natural Resource Commission during a regular public meeting for consideration and additional public comment.

Meeting date, time and location

• Algona, Feb. 20, 7 p.m., Waters Edge Nature Center, 1010 250th Street
• Bloomfield, Feb. 20, 6 p.m., Wapello County Conservation Board Pioneer Ridge Nature Center, 1339 Hwy. 63
• Boone, Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m., Boone Wildlife Research Station, 1436 255^th Street
• Council Bluffs, Feb. 20, 6 p.m., Bass Pro Shops, Green Room, 2901 Bass Pro Drive
• Des Moines, Feb. 20, 6:45 p.m., Des Moines Izaak Walton League, 4343 George Flagg Parkway
• Maquoketa, Feb. 20, 7 p.m., Hurstville Interpretive Center, 18670 63^rd Street
• Okoboji, Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m., Maser Monarch Lodge, 22785 Nature Center Road
• Wapello, Feb. 20, 6 p.m., Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge Office, 10728 County Road X61
• Chariton, Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., Chariton Community Center, 502 North Main Street
• Creston, Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., PAC 124 Multi-Purpose Room, Southern Prairie Family Fitness Center, 1201 West Townline Street
• Iowa City, Feb. 21, 7 p.m., Johnson County ISU Extension Office, 3109 Old Hwy. 218 South
• Lake View, Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., Speaker Park Shelter House, 418 North Blossom Street
• Perry, Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., Forest Park Museum, Dallas County Conservation Board, 14581 K Avenue
• Toledo, Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., Tama County Nature Center, 2283 Park Road
• Waverly, Feb. 21, 6 p.m., Waverly Civic Center/City Hall, 200 1st Street NE
• Decorah, Feb. 22, 7 p.m., Franklin W. Olin Building, Room 102, Luther College, 700 College Drive, next to the Prues Library
• Onawa, Feb. 22, 5 p.m., Onawa Public Library, 707 Iowa Avenue
• Ventura, Feb. 22, 7 p.m., Iowa DNR Wildlife Office, 15326 Balsam Avenue

Any person attending the public meeting that has special requirements, such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments, should contact the Iowa DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.