(Radio Iowa) – A large group of veterans, mostly from north-central and northwest Iowa, will fly to Washington, D-C this coming weekend. The Brushy Creek Chapter of Honor Flights will depart Fort Dodge early Saturday for the day-long journey. Charlie Walker, one of the tour’s organizers, says it’ll be a full charter. “We got about 150 total people,” Walker says. “I’m guessing about 130 veterans and the rest of them are support staff.”

The support staff members for this flight include a physician, three nurses, and a firefighter/paramedic. Among the veterans, there are at least six Iowans who served in the Korean War. “It’s mostly Vietnam veterans but we do have a 101-year-old World War Two lady veteran, Navy veteran going,” Walker says. “Edna Marusca out of Lake City, and her granddaughter is going to go and take care of her in the wheelchair.”

The group will fly to Dulles International Airport and board buses to visit various sites monuments and historic sites in Washington. The plane will return to Fort Dodge Saturday night. The flights have been held from Fort Dodge for more than 10 years. Another one is set for August 27th.

(Radio Iowa) – Today (Monday) marks the start of National Small Business Week as merchants and entrepreneurs all across Iowa are being credited for their resilience and staying power during the pandemic. Jayne Armstrong, director of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Iowa District Office, says she and other S-B-A staffers will be visiting a long list of Iowa businesses. “We always like to keep it personal,” Armstrong says. “We like to get out and recognize the businesses and organizations that win awards by celebrating in front of their employees, in front of their stakeholders, and other community leaders that played a role in their success.”

In the interest of health and safety, this week’s in-person gatherings in Washington D-C are being postponed for one more year, but they’re only as far away as your computer. “National Small Business Week is virtual this year, and next year we’ll be back to in-person with a lot of the classes online, too,” Armstrong says. “There’s always a lot of great speakers and different things like that in different workshops.” While some Iowa businesses were forced to close during the pandemic, others found ways to adapt, stay afloat and succeed, which she says is an accomplishment worth celebrating. “They’re survivors, they’re resilient,” Armstrong says. “These businesses, especially now that are being recognized, really deserve some extra praise if you will, because of coming out of one of the hardest economic cycles we’ve ever seen in this country.”

The S-B-A’s virtual summit is free and offers access to critical federal resources, new business strategies, and an opportunity to meet other business owners and chat with industry experts.

https://www.sba.gov/national-small-business-week

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak, Sunday night, arrested a man for OWI/1st offense. Authorities say 38-year-old Keegun Michael Hoyt, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 8:15-p.m. in the 1800 block of Crestline Drive. Hoyt was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A REMINDER: The second of two Cass County Republicans “Know your candidates” forums will take place this (Monday) evening, at the Cass County Community Center, in Atlantic. The event will begin at approximately 7-p.m. and conclude at 8:30-p.m. Whereas the last forum covered the candidates’ positions on Laws & Regulations; Energy & Labor, and Exploring Agriculture, this second forum will lean more toward discussion concerning Government Control, Education, and Law and Order.

The following Republican candidates for office have been invited to attend:

• For U-S Senate: Incumbent Charles Grassley.
• State Senator – Candidate for U-S House: Jim Carlin
• Candidate for U-S House/3rd District: State Senator Zach Nunn; Nicole Hasso; Gary Leffler.
• Candidates for State Auditor: ToddHalbur; Mary Ann Hanusa.
• Candidate for State Attorney General: Brenna Bird.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Democratic Party’s candidates for governor, U.S. Senate and congress rallied with about 600 activists at a party fundraiser this weekend. The three Democrats vying for their party’s U.S. Senate nomination shared their biographies and their plans for defeating Republican Senator Chuck Grassley in November. Former Iowa Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer, of Ceder Rapids touted her 2018 race to defeat Republican Congressman Rod Blum  of Dubuque.

“Every single time I have been a Democrat on the ballot, I have gotten more votes and overperformed Democrats above us who had more money,” Finkenauer said. “…I am the only federal Democrat to win Dubuque County since 2014.” Mike Franken of Sioux City, a retired Navy admiral, told the crowd he’s running to dial down the political temperature in the country.

“We elect leaders more interested in representing a political party than our communities,” Franken said. “We glorify them. We plant our flags. We pray for demagogues…We distrust more easily and we judge more quickly.” Glenn Hurst, a physician from Minden, said if Democrats want to beat Grassley, they need to nominate a prairie progressive like former U.S. Senator Tom Harkin.

“That’s the type of candidate that wins in Iowa,” Hurst said, “and I am happy to be the only progressive in this race.” Candidates in all four of Iowa’s congressional districts spoke to the crowd. Congresswoman Cindy Axne of West Des Moines, who is seeking a third term in the House, was the closer for the group.

“I’ve been literally standing in the face of incredible opposition for the last four years now,” Axne said. “Nobody thought I was going to flip this seat, but not only did I flip this seat, I held it last (election) against every single odd in this state and I plan on doing it again,” Axne said. Some of the evening’s loudest applause came when speakers praised teachers — and criticized Republican Governor Kim Reynolds for proposing to send state tax dollars to parents who enroll 10-thousand children in private or religious schools.

Deidre DeJear is the Democratic Party’s candidate for governor.  “100% of our students need our governor’s attention right now, today, and she’s only focused on 2%,” DeJear said. “That’s unreasonable.” House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst) was more blunt. Konfrst used the words petty and vindictive to describe Reynolds. “She has become very focused on her national brand, her national image. She wants to be a Trumper,” Konfrst said. “…She’s auditioning for a Fox News gig or a VP slot and none of that is good for Iowa.”

A spokesman for the Republican National Committee says Iowans know who really represents their values and beliefs, and who’s pushing a far-left agenda.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Trees Forever, Friday, planted an Accolade Elm tree with the fourth graders, in observance of Arbor Day. The tree was planted near Schuler Elementary.

Pictured are the students and Mayor Garrett with the tree in the background near the large 150 held by students. (Photos and story courtesy Dolly Bergmann)

Dolly Bergmann with Atlantic Trees Forever, explained that Arbor Day was started in Nebraska, on April 10, 1872, making this year the 150th Anniversary. Mayor Grace Garrett joined the students to celebrate the anniversary of Arbor Day.

Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett had signed the Arbor Day Proclamation at the April 20th council meeting.

Fremont Sheriff Kevin Aistrope, today (Saturday), said that at around 10-a.m. Friday, his deputies were called to Hamburg for a report of a stolen semi and trailer. The caller advised the suspect had fled the scene and was hiding near an abandoned residence on southern Washington Street.

The K9 “Roby” was deployed, and the male was located and arrested without incident. The suspect, 39-year-old Joshua Osborne, of Omaha, Nebraska, was placed under arrest for Operating without Owner’s Consent, Burglary 3rd Degree, Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree, and Interference with Official Acts.

Joshua Osborne

Authorities allege Osborne was driving a semi-tractor near the area of Main Street and Willis Street when his vehicle become disabled in mud. He then allegedly burglarized a nearby semi and then took a second semi without the owner’s consent, causing damage.

Osborne was being held at the Fremont County Jail on $5,000 bond.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports two recent, separate arrests. Saturday morning (April 30) deputies arrested 20-year-old Lucas Robert Swanson, of Stanton. He was charged with driving while suspended and failure to file SR-22 insurance. Swanson was being held on bond in the Montgomery County Jail.

And, Friday afternoon (April 29), 53-year-old Rene Telesforo Valdivia, of Fort Collins, Colorado, was arrested for possession of marijuana. He also was being held on bond in the Montgomery County Jail.

Andrew Lee Edwards

A Des Moines man was arrested early Saturday morning in Mills County following a short pursuit. According to the Mills County Sheriff’s Office a Sergeant attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am for speeding on Interstate 29. The vehicle failed to stop and continued for a short distance on the Interstate before stopping near the 40-mile-marker.

The driver, 39-year-old Andrew Lee Edwards of Des Moines was taken into custody on multiple charges. During the pursuit Edwards threw a bag out of his window, which was recovered and identified as methamphetamine. Edwards then admitted to swallowing a large amount of meth during the pursuit. He was taken to Mercy Hospital by Pacific Junction Rescue and later released and taken to the Mills County Jail. Edwards faces charges of Eluding, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Driving While Barred, and Obstruction Prosecution.

Edward also had multiple outstanding warrants for his arrest. That included a warrant out of Adel for Harassment 1st Degree. Another warrant out of Benton County, Minnesota was for Probation Violation.

The Mills Count Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Iowa State Patrol, Glenwood Police Department, and Pacific Junction Rescue.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest of 32-year-old Mildred Helenora Douglas of Red Oak on an Adams County Warrant for Failure to Appear. Douglas was arrested on Friday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. in the 1300 block of North Broadway Street in Red Oak. Douglas was then transported to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and turned over into their custody.