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Cass County Sheriff’s Office (IA) – arrest report for 7/26-8/12/2024: 7 arrested on drug charges

News

August 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday), released a report on arrests that occurred from July 26th to August 12th (today).

On August 12th, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Andrew Nickum, 35, of Casey, on a warrant for Theft 5th Degree.  Nickum was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked; and 33-year-old Jennifer Avey, of Casey, was arrested on a warrant for Theft 5th Degree.  Avey was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release after her initial appearance.

Four arrests took place Sunday (August 11th), in Cass County: 54-year-old Craig Griffin, of Atlantic, was  arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance – 2nd Offense, Possession of Marijuana – 2nd Offense and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Griffin was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance; 33-year-old Tera Reyes, of Atlantic, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Reyes was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release on her own recognizance.; 57-year-old Danny Devore, of Cumberland, was arrested on a warrant for a Controlled Substance Violation as well as an additional charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Devore was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held; and 49-year-old Stacey Ashton, of Elk Horn, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance.  Ashton was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release on her own recognizance.

On August 10th, Cass County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 36-year-old Timothy Chandler, of Atlantic, on the charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Chandler was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance. And, 33-year-old Morgan Leeder, of Lewis, was arrested on three charges of Child Endangerment as well as Interference with Official Acts.  Leeder was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release on bond.

On August 7th, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Jeremy Nolan, 43, of Westville, IL, on the charges of Driving while Revoked, Providing False Identification to Law Enforcement and Speed.  Nolan was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on bond.

On August 6th, 2024, 69-year-old Ricky Roby, of Atlantic, was arrested on two warrants for Possession of Methamphetamine.  Roby was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on bond.

On August 4th, 2024, 65-year-old Timothy Meyer, of Massena, was arrested on the charges of OWI 1st Offense, Driving Under Suspension and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Meyer was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance.

On August 2nd, 2024, Edward Neff, 34, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Child Endangerment causing Bodily Injury.  Neff was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held.

On July 29th, 2024, 45-year-old Ronnie Chandler, of Avoca, was arrested for OWI 1st Offense and Open Container.  Chandler was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance.

On July 26th, 2024, 22-year-old Walter Sanchez-Balcazar, of Kennesaw, GA, was arrested for Trespass 1st Offense.  Sanchez-Balcazar was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance.

All criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in the court of law.

Cyclists will soon have a 120-mile paved loop to ride in central Iowa

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A long-anticipated connection between two of Iowa’s most popular bike trails opens this weekend. The trail extension from Woodward to Perry creates a nearly-continuous 120-mile paved loop for bikers, runners and walkers on the Raccoon River Valley Trail and the High Trestle Trail. Andrea Boulton is the trails and community conservation director for the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, one partner behind the nine-mile project that’s been years in the making.

“There’s so much excitement to see this project finally come to fruition,” Boulton says. The new segment links two iconic and nationally-recognized trails, and makes the network a destination for Iowans and out-of-state visitors. To mark the opening, the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association has organized a bike ride and ribbon cutting on Saturday and Boulton says there are more trails to come.

The High Trestle Trail (Natural Heritage Foundation photo)

“We’re not done yet as a state,” she says. “We’ve got a very big vision.” Linking Lake Red Rock to Saylorville, Eldora to Marshalltown, and filling in gaps across the Great American Rail-Trail are part of that vision. Boulton says developing long-distance, destination trails gets more people outdoors. “As they’re doing that, they’re discovering new places, new restaurants, new stores, new parks, and places that they’ve never been to before,” she says, “and they’re realizing they can make a whole vacation out of it.”

A 2012 study found cyclists and trails generate over 360-million dollars in direct and indirect economic impacts on the state. A new study is underway.

(Rachel Cramer, Iowa Public Radio)

End of Summer Traffic Enforcement

News

August 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa – Last year, during the final weeks of summer, there were 54 traffic fatalities in Iowa; 44% involved impairment.* To prevent future tragedies, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) is partnering with law enforcement across the state to decrease impaired driving. August 16-September 2, agencies will be participating in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over high-visibility enforcement project. You’ll see officers working together to remove impaired drivers/motorcycle riders from the road.

“We want drivers to understand it’s law enforcement’s first priority to keep people safe, so we’re asking everyone to make a plan,” says GTSB’s Law Enforcement Liaison Randy Kunert. “The drive sober/ride sober campaign is an awareness effort to spread the message that impaired driving is illegal, and it takes lives.”

There are plenty of options to get impaired drivers home safely. Designate a sober driver or call a taxi/rideshare service. If available, use your community’s sober ride program. If you see a drunk driver/rider on the road, contact local law enforcement.

GTSB works with city, county, state, and local organizations to develop and implement strategies to reduce deaths and injuries on Iowa’s roadways using federally funded grants.

Bortz High School Jersey to be Retired

Sports

August 13th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

PARDEEVILLE, Wis. — Former University of Iowa football player Mark Bortz will have his high school jersey retired at Pardeeville High School on Aug. 23 prior to the season opener.

Bortz, who was a four-year letterman for the Hawkeyes from 1979-82, earned second-team All-America honors as a senior. The defensive tackle was also a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 1981 and 1982.

As a senior, Bortz was named team captain and was selected for the East-West Shine Game. He finished his Hawkeye career with 231 tackles and was named to Iowa’s All-Time Team in 1989.

After being selected by the Chicago Bears in the 1983 NFL Draft, Bortz enjoyed a productive professional career. He moved from defense to offense guard, where he went on to earn two Pro Bowl (1988, 1990) and one first-team All-Pro distinctions (1990).

The Bears won the 1985 Super Bowl, and he made a franchise record 13 playoff appearances. Bortz played in 171 career games with 155 starts in his professional career.

Clark Named CSC Division I Academic All-America Team Member of the Year

Sports

August 13th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Former University of Iowa guard, Caitlin Clark, was named the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Division I Academic All-America Team Member of the year for all sports in 2023-24.

Clark earns her second straight award after becoming the first University of Iowa student-athlete to receive the overall Academic All-America® Division I Team Member of the Year honor in 2022-23. She is the second Division I two-time winner joining the University Division’s Sarah Pavan of Nebraska (volleyball, 2006-07 and 2007-08), and the fifth overall along with the NAIA’s Giovanna Tapigliani of Missouri Baptist (volleyball, 2020-21 and 2021-22), Division III’s Maryann Gong of M.I.T (women’s track and field/cross country, 2015-16 and 2016-17), and College Division/NAIA’s Leah Esposito of Carroll (women’s track and field/cross country, 2015-16 and 2016-17).

Clark was the No. 1 overall draft selection by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft. She repeated as the Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year for Division I women’s basketball in 2023-24, becoming the seventh player to earn the honor in back-to-back seasons.

Clark won the 2024 Honda Cup and was named Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year as by THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA). She also won the 2024 Naismith, Wooden and Wade Trophies along with the Associated Press and USBWA Ann Drysdale Player of the Year honors. She was also became the first Hawkeye to win back-to-back Big Ten Athlete of the Year honors.

She is also a three-time winner of the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award and is the first-ever three-time winner of the Dawn Staley Award. She also won the Honda Sport Award for Basketball in April.

Clark, who now plays for the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, is the NCAA basketball all-time leading scorer and the only player in NCAA Division I men’s or women’s basketball history to lead her conference in scoring and assists in four consecutive seasons. Clark led the nation in 10 different offensive categories, including averaging 31.6 points and 8.9 assists per game and also broke the NCAA women’s tournament scoring record during the Hawkeyes’ final NCAA Tournament run.

Higgins, Jackson Named to Butkus Award Watch List

Sports

August 13th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa linebackers Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson have been named to the Butkus Award Watch List, it was announced Tuesday.

Higgins and Jackson are two of 51 linebackers named to the watch list this season – a nod to the storied “51” pro jersey worn by the award’s namesake, the late Dick Butkus. Candidates represent 44 colleges and universities and includes two 2023 semifinalists – Higgins and Alabama’s Deontae Lawson.

Iowa is one of seven programs, along with Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, South Carolina and Utah, to have two linebackers on the list.

Higgins (6-foot-2, 232 pounds) recorded 171 tackles (79 solo, 92 assists) during the 2023 season, which led the Big Ten and ranked third nationally. The tackle total tied Iowa’s single-season record. The Indianapolis native was a FWAA first-team All-American.

This season, Higgins is Phil Steele’s Preseason National Defensive Player of the Year. He is also on the watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award and Wuerffel Award, while being a preseason first-team All-America selection.

Jackson (6-2, 235), finished with 110 tackles (51 solo, 59 assists) to rank second on the team and fourth in the Big Ten in his first season as a Hawkeye. The Atlanta native earned third-team All-Big Ten honors by the league media and honorable mention recognition by the league coaches in 2023.

Jackson, who enters his sixth year with 464 tackles – the 12th-most in FBS history – has also been named to the Nagurski and Bednarik Watch Lists leading into the 2024 campaign.

Jack Campbell won the Butkus Award in 2022, while Larry Station finished second in the voting in 1985. Josey Jewell was a finalist in 2016 and the program had semifinalists in 2005 (Chad Greenway), 2017 (Jewell), 2021 (Campbell) and 2023 (Higgins).

Award semifinalists are expected to be named Nov. 4, with finalists named Nov. 25 and the winner named by Dec. 10. Appearing on the watch list is not a requirement to win the award. The 2024 Butkus Award winners at the high school, college and pro level will be honored at an event planned for early 2025 at Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois as part of the Big Ten Network television special.

The 51-person Butkus Award selection committee comprised of coaches, scouts and journalists guides the selection process emphasizing qualities that defined Dick Butkus’ career: toughness, on-field leadership, competitiveness, football character and linebacking skills. The award is increasingly focused on recognizing linebackers who consistently play off the ball on their feet in a two-point stance in traditional form.

The Hawkeyes open the 2024 season Aug. 31, hosting Illinois State at 11 a.m. (CT) inside Kinnick Stadium. The game is sold out.

HAWKEYES ON 2024 WATCH LISTS
* Sebastian Castro – Bronko Nagurski Trophy (D-POY) // Chuck Bednarik Award (D-POY) // Jim Thorpe Award (DB)
* Jay Higgins — Butkus Award (LB) // Bronko Nagurski Trophy (D-POY) // Chuck Bednarik Award (D-POY) // Wuerffel Award (community service)
* Nick Jackson — Butkus Award (LB) // Bronko Nagurski Trophy (D-POY) // Chuck Bednarik Award (D-POY)
* Leshon Williams — Doak Walker Award (RB)
* Logan Jones – Outland Trophy (OL) // Rimington Award (C)
* Drew Stevens – Lou Groza Award (PK)
* Luke Elkin — Mannelly Award (LS)
* Cade McNamara – Comeback POY
* Luke Lachey – Mackey Award (TE) // Comeback POY

City of Okoboji eases shoreline ordinance to assist restoration projects

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Officials in the City of Okoboji have made temporary changes to a key ordinance to assist property owners dealing with significant erosion along the shore of West Lake Okoboji. City Administrator Michael Meyers says it usually takes at least a month to get a lakeshore landscaping permit. but requirements for a public meeting and other administrative steps are being waived. “In the City of Okoboji we had between 10 and 15 just catastrophic lakeshore collapses,” Meyers says. “…Recognizing the emergent situation that we were in, the city made a decision that having a month long process was just too long.” Property owners will still be required to get an engineer’s evaluation of the project and follow other zoning rules.

“Those are all still intact, so it’s not necessarily a blank slate for folks to do whatever they want, but it is an opportunity to make things go a heck of a lot quicker because for some of these landowners, time is not necessarily in their favor,” Meyers says. Lake-adjacent properties in the City of Okoboji are in a zone where landowners are to follow landscaping methods allowed in the ordinance.

“The intent of the City of Okoboji’s lakeshore landscaping ordinance is really to make shorelines appear as before any of us were here,” We’re really promoting native shoreline restorations, deep-rooted plants and just making sure that these lakeshores are really set up for success in the long term.” The shoreline of both West Lake Okoboji and East Lake Okoboji are within the city limits of the City of Okoboji, but Meyers says the majority of intense flood damage has been along the West Lake Okoboji shoreline.

2024 Iowa State Fair Queen has shown cattle, camped at the fair

News

August 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – An 18 year old who’s a frequent camper at the Iowa State Fair is the 2024 Iowa State Fair Queen. Elli Blackford says being crowned at the end of Saturday night’s contest was a surreal moment. “It was just so unbelievable and it’s something I never imagined I could do,” she says. “It was truly a dream come true and I can’t even tell you what was running through my head because it was running at 10,000 miles per hour.” Blackford watched the queen contest as a child, one of the activities she’s enjoyed due to having such close access to the fairgrounds. “I’ve been at the fair 18 years and I’ve camped at least 13 of them,” she says. “It’s just a super fun tradition with our family. I actually camp with my grandparents and my aunt and uncle have a site real close to us.”

Blackford, a 4-Her, has showed cattle — Simmental heifers — at the fair, too. “You get to know so many 4-H and FFA members throughout the entire state, so we really build a community in the barn as a family and as a 4-H group, as a county, being stalled with the people that you’re working with all year long, just building those connections,” she says, “then also having the ability to cheer on your fellow 4-H or FFA members while they’re also doing the same in the stands for you.” Blackford joined a different community this past week as she, along with 102 other Iowa county fair queens, gathered in Des Moines. The group learned the lyrics to “Our State Fair” — featured the State Fair play on Broadway and in the State Fair movies.

2024 Iowa State Fair Queen Elli Blackford of Weldon. (Iowa State Fair photo)

Blackford and the rest of the queens sang it as they rode a trolley down Grand Avenue in Des Moines in this year’s Iowa State Fair parade. “They taught it to us kind of on the buses on the way there. I’d heard it before, but didn’t 100% know all the lyrics. I was able to catch on pretty quick,” Blackford says. “Sometimes it gets in my head and other people will be singing it and I kind of hum along with them.” Blackford is from Weldon, a small town in Clarke County and she graduated from Clarke Community School in Osceola this spring. She’ll be a student at Iowa State University this fall and plans to study animal science and agricultural business. “That career pathway for me right now looks like marketing or sales with either of the two degrees,” she says.

Blackford, the queen of the Clarke County Fair, provided daily reports on “Go Clarke TV” — a video network run by her school — to provide updates on activities during the local fair.

Fremont County Sheriff’s Dept. arrest report: 7/29-8/12/2024

News

August 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Sidney, Iowa) – The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office has released a report on arrests occurring from July 29th through August 12th. The entire press release can be found in the link below:

081324 press release

Montgomery County Supervisors approve courthouse A/C replacement, & repairs to other units

News

August 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, today (Tuesday), approved a proposal from Camblin Mechanical, Inc., to remove and replace a bad courthouse air conditioning unit in the courtroom, that was causing some people to become overcome with heat exhaustion. Board Chair Mike Olsen…

The also approved an invoice from Camblin Mechanical for repairs to A/C units on the second and third floors of the courthouse, amounting to a little more than $27,538. Supervisor Mark Petersen said faulty work by a contractor, resulted in the units failing. He wanted to make it clear, that he did NOT blame Camblin Mechanical for the issues associated with those units.

In her weekly report to the Board, Montgomery County Engineer Karen Albert said for one thing, they’ve been hauling rock.

She said also, there are road repair and other projects that are, or will soon-be, underway, so please slow down when you approach those crews as they work to make the roads smoother and safer.

In other business, the Board approved the Treasurer’s Semi-Annual Report, with an ending fund balance as of July 31, 2024, of nearly $10, 526, 468. They also discussed and agreed to accept a Letter of Intent from the estate of Rodney Most, to acquire the bordering vacant property known as Walnut Street in Hawthorne. Board Chair Mike Olsen explained…

And, they approved claims payable on August 14th, in the amount of $560,048.44. West Township resident Jan Norris spoke to the Board during the Public Comment part of their agenda. Here is a transcript of what she had to say:

“Good Morning, I am Jan Norris from West Township. Summit Carbon Transport is planning to kickoff their Phase II public information meetings in Red Oak on Tuesday, Aug 27 at noon at the Red Coach Inn. There will also be a meeting at the Corning Opera House on Mon, Aug 26 at 6:00pm. The public is invited to attend as many meetings as they wish and ask questions.  Summit filed their slide presentation to the docket yesterday.

These 14 new lateral routes will expand Summit’s total project by about 50% in Iowa & are gaining a lot of attention. Corning will be the first official Summit meeting, but last week 200 people showed up in Guthrie Center and 75 in Jefferson to hear the Sierra Club’s presentation.  Sunday night a couple of us held an informal Q&A in Stanton where 35 people stayed for 2 hours asking questions.

Other than Charla & Randy attending the first event in Stanton earlier this spring, I haven’t seen board members showing up to learn more. Two weeks ago the board asked Snyder & Assoc to wait until members had left the room before opening public Q&A. I hope you are not going to ONLY rely on Summit for information. Their meeting on the 27th will be heavy on spin, and skimpy on facts. I would be happy to meet with you individually any time to review what I have learned over the last 3 years of research.

The Free Soil Foundation is holding a meeting at the Viking Center next Tuesday, Aug 20 at 6:30 pm with former Congressman Steve King. Maybe you could announce a possible quorum and be in attendance?

Just an update on the open meetings complaint – last week the County filed their response and I filed a rebuttal. Our case can expect to be on the Iowa Public Information Board agenda on Sept 19. This process is neither pleasant nor easy and is not intended to be adversarial. Our communities are all stronger when we have open and transparent government. I trust that we all agree on that.

Thank you.”