(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak, Sunday afternoon, arrested 21-year-old Chad Stanley Padilla, of Red Oak, on a trio of charges. Padilla was taken into custody for: Disorderly Conduct; two counts of Interference with Official Acts – one of which is a Class D felony; and a Simple Misdemeanor charge of Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree. Padilla was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $5,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa G-O-P’s chairman says there will be layer upon layer of safeguards for voting in the 2024 Iowa Republican Party’s Caucuses that will kick off the G-O-P’s presidential campaign.  “Any system we use will have multiple checks and it will be open to anyone in the media, any Republican to take a look at it,” Kaufmann says. Jeff Kaufmann was just re-elected to another term as chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa. He also led the party during the 2016 and 2020 Iowa Caucuses.

“We’re going to be aware of all the shenanigans that can potentially occur, especially if it’s just the GOP,” Kaufmann says. “We all know if it’s just the GOP Caucuses, there’s going to be a lot more people interested in the GOP not being able to get this right.” The Democratic National Committee voted earlier this month to replace the Iowa Democratic Party’s Caucuses and have the South Carolina Primary kick-off voting as Democrats select a presidential nominee.

Kaufmann says he’s not ready to give up on Iowa Democrats somehow getting that decision reversed. However, Kaufmann has assembled a committee to consider what needs to happen to ensure an Iowa voter doesn’t participate in the Iowa G-O-P’s Caucuses AND in the Democratic Party’s Caucuses, if they’re not on the same night. “We are having conversations about that very potential problem,” Kaufmann says, “and that would not be in the spirit of the Caucuses and we are searching for solutions.”

Kaufmann says the pressure’s on because there will be Republicans in other states lobbying to end the Iowa G-O-P’s first in the nation status if something goes wrong here next year.”We are working overtime and have been in terms of how to make sure that this Caucus, that’s entirely funded by the party unlike a primary — taxpayer dollars don’t go into this and making it right and making sure the country and the 168 (Republican National Committee) members know…we can handle this,” Kaufmann says. “And we will.”

Kaufmann made his comments during this weekend’s “Iowa Press” program on Iowa P-B-S.

(Radio Iowa) – Arizona Republican Kari Lake is urging Iowans to ask the presidential candidates who’ll be campaigning here where they stand on election integrity.  “I don’t care is they call us election deniers,” Lake said. “I’m an election reform advocate. That’s what I am.” Lake lost her 2022 race for Arizona governor by 17-thousand votes. She’s asking the Arizona Court of Appeals to revive her lawsuit alleging illegal voting and problems with ballot printers cost her the election. Lake, an Iowa native, drew large crowds at events in Bettendorf and Ankeny this weekend.

“We’re off the sidelines. We are ready to hire people — I say ‘hire.’ I mean, ‘vote for,’ but we’re really hiring them for the job — who are going to go and represent us and give us back our government,” Lake said, “because we’re tired of it being tied up with a bunch of crooks and criminals.” Lake’s events had the features of an Iowa Caucus campaign stop. After addressing the crowds from a stage, she lingered to speak with individual Iowans, but Lake told reporters she’s a big supporter of Donald Trump’s campaign to return to the White House and does not plan to run for president herself.

(Muscatine County, Iowa) – A collision between an SUV and a pickup truck Sunday afternoon north of Muscatine, left three people dead and six others injured. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2019 Toyota Highlander SUV was traveling east on County Road F-70 at around 2:30-p.m., at the same time a 2012 Dodge Ram pickup was traveling north on Highway 38.

The SUV failed to stop at the controlled intersection and was struck by the pickup truck. The name of the dead and injured were not immediately released. The accident remains under investigation.

The patrol was assisted at the crash scene by Muscatine Sheriff’s Deputies and Police, Wilton Fire and Muscatine Fire/EMS.

[UPDATED 6:30-P.M. (Atlantic, Iowa) – Firefighters, medics and law enforcement responded to the scene of a garage fire in Atlantic, Sunday evening. The blaze was reported at around 4:38-p.m.  Law enforcement on the scene said the structure located south and nearly adjacent to 807 E. 6th Street, was fully engulfed in flames. Thick black smoke from the fire could be seen for blocks.

The occupants were able to escape the home. Atlantic Fire Chief Tom Cappel told KJAN News flames from the garage spread to the south side of the house, as well.

The owner apparently was able to save a classic Ford Mach 1 from the fire, but the vehicle sustained some damage to its bumper/front end. As for the cause of the blaze…

A male resident of the home was transported to CCMH for treatment of smoke inhalation. Crews remained on the scene for about 90-minutes. Cappel thanked everyone who helped out at the scene.

(Ric Hanson/Photos)

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors will meet in a regular weekly session, beginning 9-a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14th, in their Courthouse Board Room. Action items on their agenda include:

• Approving a Class C Retail Alcohol License for the Griswold Golf & Country Club
• Authorizing Participation Agreements to receive additional, National Opiod Settlement funds.
• Discussion on recommendations from the Compensation Board.
• The possible appointments of persons as Brighton Township Clerk and Victoria Township Trustee, if applicants are available.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A regular weekly meeting of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors takes place in the Courthouse Meeting Room, beginning at 8:30-a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. New Business on their agenda includes the following:

• Approve Western Iowa Tourism annual contribution of $500 for FY23/24 with action as necessary
• Vote to accept the tentative agreement reached between the County and AFSCME Iowa Council 61 on January 26, 2023, representing employees of the Sheriff’s Office, with action as necessary
• Vote to accept the tentative agreement reached between the County and AFSCME Iowa Council 61 on January 26, 2023, representing Secondary Roads, with action as necessary
• Approve Resolution 23-4 Appointment of Montgomery County Representative to Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority with action as necessary
• Recorder’s Report of Fees for January 2023 in the amount of $18,791.33 with action as necessary
• Treasurer’s ending fund balance for January 2023 in the amount of $11,358,006.88 with action as necessary
• Approve Rural Service Basic Tax transfer in the amount of $9,038.14 with action as necessary
• Approve the General Basic Tax transfer in the amount of $637.54 with action as necessary
• Set the public hearing for FY 2023-2024 Total Maximum Property Tax Dollars Levied
• Budget discussion with action as necessary
• Approve the appointment of Katie VanMeter to fill the vacancy of Pilot Grove Township Clerk with action as necessary
• Board & Committee assignments with action as necessary

The next Regular Meeting of the Montgomery County BOS will take place February 21st, at the same time and place,

(Anita, Iowa) – The CAM Community School District’s Board of Education will meet 6:30-p.m. Monday, in the High School Superintendent’s Office. Items on their “Consent Agenda,” include Resignation, Contracts and other, regular matters.

Discussion/Action items include: Approval of Board Policies; Approval of a Budget Guarantee for 2023-24; Approval of Excess Property; buses and excess parts, and Facilities discussion.

Following regular business, the CAM School Board will hold an Exempt (Closed) session, to discuss negotiations.

(Cedar Falls, Iowa) – A collision between two passenger cars in northern Cedar Falls, Saturday night, left one person dead and three others injured. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2013 VW Passat driven by 23-year-old Braden Williams, of Holy Cross (IA) was westbound on Cedar Wapsi Road at around 10:16-p.m.  A 1999 Chevy Cavalier driven by 18-year-old Ethan Roethler, of Janesville (IA) was traveling north on Leversee Road, and failed to yield at a stop sign. The Cavalier was struck broadside by the VW.

A passenger in one of the vehicles, 19-year-old Quincy Friedrich, of Cedar Falls, died at the scene. Three other passengers, 20-year-old Peyton Franzen, of Triopli (IA), 15-year-old Ethan Roethler, of Janesville, and 18-year-old Isabella Sellers, of Lithia, FL., were injured. Franzen and Ethan Roethler were transported by Denver Ambulance to Allen Hospital. Sellers was taken to the UIHC by Mercy One.  All of the crash victims with the exception of Peyton Franzen, were wearing seat belts.

The accident remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by: the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Department; Janesville PD/Fire/1st Responders; Denver Ambulance; Mercy One Ambulance; and the Black Hawk County Medical Examiner.

(Iowa DNR News) – A midwinter visit to check on the boat − no matter if stored ashore in a backyard or a marina parking lot − is a wise thing to do. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has four tips to ensure there are no surprises at spring commissioning.

Water is bad. The number-one concern for any boat in long-term winter storage is water. It can’t be allowed in, but if it does, the water needs a way out. Check the boat’s winter cover to ensure it still allows rain and heavy snow loads to easily shed away from the boat. Small boats should have the drain plug removed. A tight-fitting winter cover will also help keep out the critters, including raccoons, feral cats and muskrats, whose damage boat insurance policies generally do not cover.

Take it home. If you forgot to bring home life jackets when you put the boat away in the fall, it’s best to do it now. That includes throwable devices you keep near the helm. Lifejackets will last longer and stay cleaner. Store in a dry location at home. Signal flares can be kept aboard if they are in location not affected by moisture. Some handheld air horns can leave a not-easy-to-remove rust ring when stored in their upright position. Both signal devices can be put into zip top freezer bags. Other common items left on the boat during winter storage are liquid cleaners that can burst open during the freeze/thaw cycle and food, which draw vermin.

Air it out. Try to ventilate the boat, which will help keep mold and mildew at bay. If the boat is closed tightly and doesn’t have ventilation, use desiccants – often sold in bucket type containers – in cuddy cabins or living space below. Follow the manufacturer instructions and you should be able keep a fairly dry boat making spring cleanup easier and preserving the boat’s value.

Be safe. There may be ice and snow this time of year. If you need to use a ladder, ensure its firmly planted, always tie it off at the top, and have a friend hold it while ascending/descending. Never move or adjust a jack stand – call the yard for assistance. Tying off a winter cover to jack stands is also a bad idea as the stands could be yanked out from under the boat during high winds.