(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s first district congresswoman is firing back at those who’ve criticized two of her votes for House Speaker. Republican Congresswoman Miller-Meeks supported Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan on the first round of voting on the House floor last week, but not during the other two rounds and she has reported receiving death threats.

“I am never going to quit fighting for Iowa and I am never going to quit fighting for this country and if you think you can intimidate me…suck it up, buttercup,” Miller-Meeks said, to applause. Miller-Meeks hosted a campaign fundraiser in Coralville on Friday night. Miller-Meeks did not mention Jordan by name, but she referred to the pressure campaign Jordan allies waged against her.

“I am not a Democrat. I am a proud Republican. If anybody thinks that I’m going to give up and I’m going to lay back…they’ve got another thing coming,” Miller-Meeks said. Miller-Meeks told reporters she’s confident House Republicans will come together and elect a speaker.

“Most of us are there to govern, to legislate, to pass bills. We’ve got important appropriations bills to pass,” Miller-Meek says. “The important thing about those bills is not the level of spending, it’s also the policy priorities.” Iowa Democratic Party chair Rita Hart — who lost to Miller-Meeks in 2018 by six votes — says Miller-Meeks should have stayed in D-C to elect a speaker rather than host a party in Iowa Friday night.

Seven G-O-P presidential candidates attended and spoke at the Miller-Meeks fundraiser.

(Radio Iowa) – Foreign policy is front and center of the conversation as Republican presidential candidates campaign for votes in Iowa’s Caucuses. During weekend events, though, candidates offered a variety of responses to what’s happened in Israel, in Gaza and in the United States. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley served as President Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations. She says Hamas committed flat out torture of Israelis in the October 7th attacks and President Biden should be wary of both Iran and Qatar — even though Qatar helped negotiate the release of two American hostages.

“They will do this to try and get you to back off. They are doing this to keep Israel from going into Gaza,” Haley said. “…Support Israel. Whatever they want, whatever they need — we need to be there for them.” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says President Biden should be blocking humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza, because it will wind up in the hands of Hamas.

“You see students demonstrating in our own country in favor of Hamas terrorists. Some of them are foreigners on student visas, When I’m president (and) you’re making common cause with Hamas, I am cancelling your visa and I am sending you home.” South Carolina Senator Tim Scott says there should be consequences for American colleges and universities that allow anti-Semitic protests.

“As president of the United States, I would sign the bill…that takes away the Pell Grants from any college or any university that says: ‘It’s o.k. to spread terrorism on our campuses…It’s o.k. to be anti-Jewish. I say, ‘No!'” Scott said. Tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy says Israel needs to learn the lessons of the mistakes the U-S made after the 9/11 attacks — and the trillions Ramaswamy says was wasted on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I am deeply worried about the wisdom of this ongoing, potentially imminent ground invasion to Gaza which I do not believe is going to be good for Israel,” Ramaswamy said, “and do not believe it’s going to be good for the United States.” North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and Texas pastor Ryan Binkley also campaigned in the state this weekend.

(Chickasaw County, Iowa) – The operator of a UTV was injured Sunday afternoon, responding to a fire in northeast Iowa, near Ionia. The crash occurred on Exter Avenue, north of 215th Street.

The Iowa State Patrol says a 2004 Polaris Ranger converted into a firefighting vehicle  and 2009 Fire Truck, both owned by the City of Ionia, were responding to a fire at around 4-p.m., when the operator of the UTV attempted to pass a slower moving tractor. The driver of the fire truck attempted to pass the tractor as well.

The fire truck struck the UTV, causing it to lose control. When the UTV rolled over, the operator was ejected. They were transported by Aircare helicopter to the Mayo Clinic, in Minnesota. Names of those involved were withheld, pending notification of family.

The crash remains under investigation.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – One person died and another was injured early this (Sunday) morning, during in a crash just north of Des Moines. The Iowa State Patrol says a 2019 Kia Optima driven by 51-year-old William Owen Barnhart, of Pleasant Hill, was traveling east on Interstate 80 near the 133 mile-marker, when the car crashed into the rear of an eastbound 2024 Freightliner semi tractor, driven by a man from Illinois. The accident happened at around 1:40-a.m.

The Patrol says following the impact, the Kia flipped onto its top and slid to a stop in the center lane of I-80. William Barnhart  was injured and transported by Johnston Fire and Rescue to Methodist Hospital. His passenger, 40-year-old Kimberly Louise Barnhart, also of Pleasant Hill, died from her injuries at the scene of the crash. Both were wearing their seat belts.

The driver of the semi tractor was not injured.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston, Sunday (Today), reported the arrest at around 6:05-p.m. Friday, of 28-year-old Dennis Simmerman, from Creston. He was arrested at his residence and  charged with a Clarke County Warrant for 2 counts of Sexual Offender. Simmerman was taken to the Union County Jail then later transferred to Clarke County Jail, where he was being held on $4,000 cash or surety bond.

Creston Police say there were two incidents of vandalism reported last Thursday:

Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance, 206 N Elm reported Thursday morning, that sometime over the night someone painted graffiti on the side of their building. Estimated loss $100.

Dan Little, of Creston, reported Thursday afternoon, that someone painted on the door at 211 N Vine. Estimated loss $100.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Two people were arrested on separate charges late Saturday evening, in Red Oak. According to the Red Oak Police Department, 40-year-old Michelle Lee Szymarek, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 5:50-p.m. in the 500 block of E. Linden Street, for being a fugitive from justice. Szymarek was wanted on an active Sarpy County, NE warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance. She was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail, while awaiting extradition to Sarpy County.

And, at around 8-p.m., Saturday, Red Oak Police arrested 36-year-old Bryce Michael McKinnon, of Clarinda, for Interference with Official Acts. He was taken into custody in the 1100 block of N. 5th Street in Red Oak, and was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Police in Council Bluffs are asking for your help in locating a missing woman. 41-year-old Rebecca R. Stock, from the Twin City neighborhood of Council Bluffs was last seen in that area, on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. She is white female, 5-feet 2-inches tall, and weighs about 160-lbs. She has blue eyes and blond hair.

Rebecca Stock

The woman is believed to be wearing a dark blue Chicago Bears hooded sweatshirt.

The police department and Rebecca’s family are concerned for her wellbeing, and ask that anyone who may know of her whereabouts, contact 911 or the Council Bluffs PD Criminal Investigation Division, at 712-328-4728.

MILFORD – The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is investigating a hunting incident that occurred this (Saturday) morning, in Dickinson County. At approximately 8:17 a.m., the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department received a report of a hunting incident at the Spring Run Wildlife Management Area one mile east of Lower Gar Lake. The victim had suffered a gunshot injury while waterfowl hunting with friends. The incident remains under investigation by the DNR and the Iowa State Patrol.

The victim was located in the Wildlife Management Area and airlifted to Avera Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The condition is unknown at this time.

The Iowa DNR, the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department, Milford Police Department, Milford Fire Department, Arnolds Park Fire/Rescue, and Lakes Regional Hospital responded to the incident this morning and will continue the investigation throughout the day.

The public is asked to avoid the tract Northeast of 210th Street and 240th Avenue of the Spring Run Wildlife Management Area at this time.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  Over 20 bicycle rides participated in the 2023 ‘Tour de Parks’ free, community bicycle ride around Atlantic organized by Nishna Valley Trails and Cass County Conservation. While this year Tour de Parks offered a shorter route option, Nishna Valley Trails President Dave Chase said he was “really impressed that everyone elected to try the long route, and found that there are places to safely ride bikes without hills in Atlantic.

Now in its third year, Tour de Parks offers participants the chance to ride on both trails and streets as they visit various parks where area organizations greet them and share information.

Ride stops and highlights:
1. The first stop this year was at Sunnyside Park, which offers tennis and pickleball courts, in addition to one of the best disc golf courses in Iowa. At Sunnyside, Atlantic City Councilperson Elaine Otte gave an update on the Splash Pad Project.
2. At Cedar Park, Atlantic Lions Club President Alan Ladd and Lion Greg Schuler shared information on their club and the club’s community projects including improvements to Cedar Park itself.
3. The third stop on the ride was the Rotary Shelter at the Schildberg Recreation Area where Rotarian Dolly Bergman talked about Atlantic Rotary’s service projects, including scholarships to high school students, and the upcoming Rotary Auction.

Tour de Parks riders enjoy cherry tomatoes and granola from Brun Ko Farm while learning about Grow Another Row and edible landscaping projects at Mollett Park

4. Mollett Park offered a chance to learn about local food efforts. Ciara Hoegh showed riders the Grow Another Row stand at the park, where anyone can share and take fresh produce during the growing season, and pointed out new raspberry plants at the park that are part of a multi-year grant to develop edible landscapes. Emily Paulsen of Brun Ko Farm handed out mid-ride snacks of fresh cherry tomatoes and homemade granola.
5. At Harl Holt Park and Bull Creek Pathway, Otte discussed improvements that have been made to the park and pathway over the past two years costing in excess of $300,000, and the further work on Bull Creek that needs to be done that will cost at least that much or more.
6. When the riders passed the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, Board Member Christina Bateman gave an update on adult and children’s recreation programs offered by the Y, and the Y’s continuing work to offer childcare and wellness programs to both adults and kids.
7. The ride ended at the Atlantic City Park, where Sarah Selders sang, Cass County Conservation and Healthy Cass County shared information on a multitude of health and wellness programs, and the Atlantic Kiwanis provided riders with a free meal and an update on their commitment to making safe bike riding accessible to all children.

The Atlantic Kiwanis are known for provide free helmets to third graders, but Steve Green shared about an exciting new development with the club. Thanks to donations of bikes, and partnership from Bike Farm, Dvorak Tire, and the Atlantic Police Department, the Atlantic Kiwanis are hoping to be able to give away bicycles in addition to helmets.

Nishna Valley Trails is a tax-exempt local nonprofit that promotes the development of recreational trails and cycling. People who support these causes are welcome to join the group. For more information on Nishna Valley Trails or to join the organization, contact President Dave Chase at barbdavechase@gmail.com or 712-249-3059.

Police in Red Oak (IA), Friday night reported the arrest at around 6:45-p.m., of 68-year-old Randal Joe Barr, from Red Oak. Barr was taken into custody in the 1700 block of N. Broadway Street in Red Oak, on a charge of Public Intoxication. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond.