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Guthrie County Sheriff’s report, 7/1/24

News

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Guthrie County say no injuries were reported following two accidents that took place last week. Wednesday morning, a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 18-year-old Mason Joseph Sawyer, of Coon Rapids, was traveling north on Andrews Terrace. When Sawyer attempted to turn into a driveway, the SUV went out control and rolled over before coming to rest against a tree. Authorities say he was driving too fast for conditions, but there were no citations issued. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $4,500.

And, on June 23rd, a 2010 Chevy Traverse driven by 49-year-old Kerry Ann Stonehocker, of Linden, backed into a gas pump at Sparky’s Gas Station, in Guthrie Center. The woman told authorities she was backing-up and thought she saw someone in her peripheral vision. She accelerated in reverse into the gas pump, to avoid a potential collision. No citations were issued. Damage to the car amounted to $4,000. Damage to the gas pump was estimated at $50,000.

Authorities said also, Panora Police covered the accident that took place Friday. Three juveniles were injured – two were ejected. Additional details were not immediately available.

Radio Iowa/Baseball Coaches Association High School Poll 7/1/24

Sports

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The top ranked teams remain the same in the latest Radio Iowa/Baseball Coaches Association High School Poll, out July 1st:

Class 4A
1. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (29-2), LW #1
2. Dallas Center-Grimes (30-2), LW #2
3. Iowa City High (30-6), LW #3
4. Johnston (27-5), LW #4
5. Ankeny Centennial (22-9), LW #4
6. Linn-Mar (23-7), LW #6
7. Iowa City Liberty (21-11), LW #8
8. Waukee Northwest (21-12), LW #9
9. Davenport North (25-10), LW #10
10.Waukee (23-13) LW #7

Class 3A
1. North Polk (19-5), LW #1
2. Marion (25-4), LW #2
3. Dubuque Wahlert (24-8), LW #3
4. Sioux City Heelan (25-9), LW #5
5. Western Dubuque (20-10), LW #5
6. Davenport Assumption (19-12), LW #7
7. Grinnell (22-9), LW #8
8. Solon (23-10), LW #9
9. Bondurant-Farrar (19-8), LW #10
10.Pella (20-7), LW (X)

Class 2A (Final)
1. West Marshall (31-1), LW #1
2. Des Moines Christian (27-2), LW #4
3. Underwood (21-2), LW #2
4. Van Meter (26-5), LW #3
5. Dyersville Beckman (16-8), LW #5
6. New Hampton (22-5), LW #6
7. Estherville Lincoln Central (17-5), LW #7
8. Sumner-Fredricksburg (20-3), LW #8
9. Clarinda (19-3), LW #9
10.Northeast (Goose Lake) (16-7), LW (X)

Class 1A (Final)
1. Akron-Westfield (20-3), LW #1
2. Burlington Notre Dame (23-3), LW #2
3. Mason City Newman (24-5), LW #3
4. Remsen St. Mary’s (18-3), LW #4
5. Lynnville-Sully (22-3), LW #5
6. Saint Ansgar (21-2), LW #6
7. Wapsie Valley (28-6), LW #7
8. Sigourney (17-2), LW #10
9. Algona Garrigan (19-5), LW (X)
10.Don Bosco (20-7), LW (X)

Straka set to defend his title at John Deere Classic

Sports

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Defending champion Sepp Straka is one of eight former champs in the field at this week’s John Deere Classic in the Quad Cities. George McNeilly reports.

The first round of the John Deere Classic is Thursday.

Special traffic enforcement planned for holiday

News

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Independence Day holiday is going to be a long one with the 4th falling on Thursday, and that could mean a lot more celebrating across the state. State Patrol Trooper Paul Gardner says they don’t want the celebration to spill over to the highways. “July 4th, there’s gonna be a lot of celebrations and we want to make sure that everyone is partying responsibly,” he says, “and if those parties do involve alcoholic beverages that need to just make sure that they’re going to be having designated drivers to get everyone home safe.” He says a special holiday enforcement effort will start on Wednesday.

“And that’s really going to focus on O-W-I enforcement so we’ll have extra troopers on the roads we’ll be working with our local law enforcement agencies as well,” Gardner says. Gardner says alcohol and driving can be fatal for you and others.  “Last year in 2023, statewide we had 377 traffic fatalities and we were at a five year high and we’ve seen a reduction in that so far this year, but last year’s total also included 38 percent of those that were killed in traffic crashes were involving drunk drivers,” Gardner says.

The special holiday traffic enforcement will run through Sunday July 7th.

Hospital exec warns assaults on nursing staff are rising

News

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) -A top administrator in one of Iowa’s leading health care systems says the safety of staff is becoming a concern. Scott Curtis is vice president of network development for MercyOne. “We aren’t that much unlike what we hear about in the airline industry, for example, certainly law enforcement,” Curtis says, “but our health care workers are continually put in situations that are not safe and that’s a challenge.” An Iowa Hospital Association survey found hospitals in the state reported nearly 37-hundred incidents of what it classified as workplace violence last year. That includes verbal threats as well as being kicked, punched and scratched.

Curtis recently discussed the issue with U-S Senator Joni Ernst during her visit to a MercyOne clinic in Forest City. “We continue to talk with the senator and other representatives about the type of laws that we could put in place that would heighten the ramifications to folks that bring harm to our workers,” he says. Nearly 40 states have laws with enhanced penalties for assaults on health care workers. A recent report from a company that surveys patients and employees throughout the country found nearly 17-thousand assaults on nursing staff in U-S hospitals were reported last year. That’s a record.

Adair County Sheriff’s report, 7/1/24

News

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater, today (Monday), reports two arrests took place last week. Thursday night, 71-year-old Dennis Devee Buckner, of Fontanelle, was arrested for Harassment in the 3rd Degree, after the Adair County Communications Center received a report that a minor child working at the Casey’s Store in Fontanelle, was being harassed at the store. The incident was authenticated through video surveillance and by a witness statement.

Buckner claimed he had known the girl since she was little, and that anything he said was a joke. He was transported to the Adair County Jail and released that same evening on a $3,000 cash or surety bond.

And, at around 10-p.m. Friday, Adair County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 22-year-old Igor Stovan, of Lincoln, NE, for OWI/1st offense. His arrest took place following an investigation into a reported road rage incident on Interstate 80. In addition to his OWI arrest, Stovan was cited for Open Container – Driver 21 years and older. He released Saturday night on a $1,000 bond.

JULY BIRTHDAY CLUB 2024

Birthday Club

July 1st, 2024 by Lori Murphy

July 1:

  • Rayden Moore of Exira (winner)
  • Emmy Benton of Exira
  • Michele Kirchhoff of Lewis
  • Mark Knudsen of Atlantic
  • Jo Ann Brahms of Griswold
  • Bev England

July 2:

  • Jacob Thomas of Atlantic (winner)
  • Kay Wickman of Atlantic
  • Julie Vais of Exira

July 3:

  • Cora Zikuda of Lewis (winner)

July 4:

  • Brandy Fieblekorn of Exira (winner)
  • Justin “Dudley” Freeman of Avoca
  • Joyce Jensen of Exira

July 5:

  • Chris Wahlert of Exira (winner)
  • Greg Waters of North Bay, Australia

July 6:

  • Heather Sager of Atlantic (winner)
  • Jordan Dailey of Atlantic
  • Bev Moffatt of Atlantic

July 7:

  • Arnie Lamp of Atlantic (winner)
  • Reid Mosier of Atlantic

July 8:

  • Chris Williams of Atlantic (winner)
  • Sheli Brown of Atlantic

July 9:

  • James Klindt of Atlantic (winner)
  • Cestra Dodson of Atlantic

July 10:

  • Ellie Wahlert of Exira (winner)
  • Emery Dean Nelson of Audubon
  • Chris Witzman of Atlantic
  • Zach Blanchard of Atlantic

July 11:

  • Mike Bagshaw of Massena (winner)
  • Lynn Andersen of Audubon
  • Adelyn Sanderson of Bonesteel, SD

July 12:

  • John Johnson of Atlantic (winner)
  • Leah Schmidt of Harlan

July 13:

  • Annette Andersen of Kimballton (winner)
  • Carol Seddon of Atlantic

July 14:

  • Olivia Jo Bateman of Atlantic (winner)
  • Jole Jens of Atlantic
  • Keegen Kemp of Atlantic

July 15:

  • No Birthdays Submitted

July 16:

  • Bill Michael Stockwell of Elk Horn (winner)
  • Braydon Androy of Elk Horn
  • Connie Jessen of Exira
  • Parker Wedemeyer of Van Meter

July 17:

  • Mike Haley, Sr of Exira (winner)
  • Bad Dad Brother Mike Waters of Atlantic
  • Erin Kelly of Griswold
  • John Paul Walker of Exira
  • Hayden Landsdown of Atlantic
  • Spenser Sothman of Cumberland

July 18:

  • Mike Mathisen of Lewis (winner)
  • Shari Lewis of Audubon
  • Vern Kinnison of Wiota

July 19:

  • Teri Smith of Atlantic (winner)
  • Wednesday Pruitt of Atlantic
  • Megan Wedemeyer of Van Meter
  • Betty Oehlertz of Avoca

July 20:

  • Meredith Fauton of Griswold (winner)
  • Melissa Dodson

July 21:

  • Heath Robinson of Atlantic (winner)
  • Hervetta Ronnfeldt of Hancock
  • Pat Nymand of Atlantic

July 22:

  • Howard Lawshe of Audubon (winner)
  • Vickie Christensen of Atlantic
  • Connie Briles of Atlantic
  • Bill Larsen of Atlantic
  • Madison Loving of Atlantic
  • Terri Thompson of Exira
  • Judy Hill of Exira
  • Xander Cook of Exira
  • Janie Voss of Villisca

July 23:

  • Pastor Glen Meyers of Exira (winner)

July 24:

  • Ruth Barton of Exira (winner)
  • Laurie Johnson of Exira
  • Cheryl Newton of Atlantic

July 25:

  • Ella Roselle of Atlantic (winner)
  • Nancy Armstrong of Atlantic
  • Mark McNees of Atlantic
  • Darreld Landon of Exira
  • Harper Embree of Massena

July 26:

  • Nick Templeman of Wiota (winner)
  • Connie Paulsen of Anita
  • Ricky Wood of Atlantic
  • Rumor Norma Jean Waters of Lavine, Az

July 27:

  • Janice Rasmussen of Atlantic (winner)
  • Suxanne Meyer of Atlantic

July 28:

  • Brinley Knudsen of Marne (winner)
  • Fletcher Toft of Atlantic
  • Randy Steffen of Griswold

July 29:

  • Kerrigan Larsen of Audubon (winner)
  • Nick Myers of Atlantic
  • Kim Wood of Exira
  • Lisa Meseck of Exira

July 30:

  • Dave Schmidt of Exira (winner)

July 31:

  • Sherri Sieck of Atlantic (winner)

Atlantic fire called to gas line struck during digging project

News

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Fire Department was dispatched to 7th and Birch Streets at around 9:32-a.m. today (Monday), following a reported gas line that was struck while a company was digging in the area. Authorities were beginning an evacuation of some houses south of 7th Street. Alliant Energy responded to the scene as well. Authorities reported the line was “hissing” pretty good, at around 9:42-a.m.

The gas leak was stopped by 10:30-a.m. Alliant Crews requested the area be blocked-off for about an hour once the leak was stopped, so that repairs could be made to the line.

(UPDATE) – Teenager from Louisiana injured in Atlantic motorcycle accident Saturday evening

News

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – In an update to our previous reports, the Atlantic Police Department reports a teenager from Louisiana was injured during a motorcycle accident Saturday evening, on Atlantic’s north side. 13-year-old Hazel Clark, of Calhoun, LA, was riding a pit bike in the grass along the sidewalk of the Schilberg Recreation Area Campgrounds, when she attempted to cross the sidewalk. The rear tire of the bike caught the concrete, causing Clark to be ejected from the machine. The accident happened at around 6:36-p.m.

Clark suffered a head injury and was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital (CCHS). Her parents tell KJAN News the teen is recovering from her injuries.

Stay sober and alert on the water this July 4th weekend

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – State, federal and local law enforcement agencies encourage all boaters to avoid alcohol and drugs this busy holiday weekend to ensure everyone’s safety on Iowa waters. “Operation Dry Water,” July 4-6, is a national campaign to reduce the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities on the water throughout the year. This effort to deter impaired boating and enforce Iowa’s boating while intoxicated (BWI) laws reminds boaters to stay sober and alert, always wear your life jacket, and take a boating safety education course.

Susan Stocker, boating law administrator and education coordinator for the Iowa DNR, says “Recognizing that impaired boating is as dangerous as impaired driving is vital. Together, we can prevent incidents and save lives.” Alcohol and drugs (legal and illegal) can severely impair a boater’s judgment, reaction time and ability to operate a vessel safely. The effects of alcohol, drugs and some medications can be intensified when combined with sun, wind and wave action. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating fatalities. The risk of serious injury is equal for operators and passengers. Intoxicated passengers can easily slip, fall overboard or suffer other life-threatening incidents. Stocker says “One-third of all boating fatalities nationally involved alcohol.“Many of those victims were innocent bystanders.”

DNR Water Patrol boat

In 2023, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and its partners contacted more than 1,487 vessels containing 5,2634 boaters resulting in 531 citations or warnings as part of Operation Dry Water. The DNR has partnered with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, and local police and sheriff’s departments as part of previous Operation Dry Water campaigns.

2023 top areas for BWI arrests

  • Okoboji: 5
  • Clear Lake: 3
  • Saylorville Reservoir: 3
  • Coralville Reservoir: 2
  • Lake Manawa: 2
  • Rathbun Reservoir: 2
  • Mississippi River: 2
  • Total BWI: 27