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Autopsy shows missing western Iowa trucker’s death was not a homicide

News

June 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Officials say FINAL autopsy results indicate a western Iowa truck driver whose body was found about a mile from his abandoned semi, did not die as the result of a homicide. Because there was no crime involved in David Schultz’ death therefore, officials will not release more information about the cause of death, and the case is considered closed.

The 53-year-old Schultz, from Wall Lake, went missing in November  of 2023.  His body was not found until April, 2024, when his remains were discovered in a farm field.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation released an update the day after he was found, saying PRELIMINARY autopsy results showed no signs of trauma or serious injury and that foul play was not suspected.

Gov. Reynolds issues Disaster Emergency Proclamation for six counties impacted by recent severe weather

News

June 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, today (Wednesday), issued a disaster emergency proclamation for six counties in response to severe weather that occurred on June 12. The governor’s proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and Disaster Case Advocacy Program for the following counties: Carroll, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Harrison, O’Brien.
The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website https://homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/assistance. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.
The Disaster Case Advocacy Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions. Disaster case advocates work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referrals to obtain a service or resource. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation.
For information on the Disaster Case Advocacy Program, contact your local community action agency or visit iowacommunityaction.org.

Marion man pleads not guilty in beating of 4 people

News

June 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Marion man accused of killing four people has entered a written plea of not guilty. Thirty-four-year-old Luke Truesdell is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the alleged attack with a pipe that happened in a building in rural Linn County on June 5th.

K-C-R-G T-V reports that Truesdell is asking for a speedy trial. Investigators say 44-year-old Romondus Cooper, 26-year-old Keonna Ryan and 33-year-old Amanda Parker died in the attack. While Brent Brown was taken to the hospital in critical condition and later died.

All residents have been transferred from soon-to-close Glenwood Resource Center

News

June 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services director Kelly Garcia says the closure of the state-run Glenwood Resource Center is nearly complete. The last resident moved into the community Tuesday afternoon, according to Garcia. “So as of (Tuesday) night, she said, “there were no residents left at Glenwood.”

Glenwood has provided residential care for Iowans with severe physical and intellectual disabilities. After federal investigations raised concerns about the welfare of residents, Governor Reynolds announced two years ago that Glenwood would be closed on June 30th of this year. Garcia says it was important to make that decision public, to give residents, their guardians and employees time to plan for the transition.

Garcia said “…The closure decision I think a few folks are still grieving and that is understandable.” U-S Justice Department investigators cited the facility for subjecting residents to unethical experiments and for providing poor medical care to residents.

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services director Kelly Garcia spoke with Radio Iowa on June 19, 2024. (RI photo)

Garcia says because of those federal reports, she had to hire part-time, temporary medical staff because full time clinicians would not take jobs at Glenwood due to its reputation.

About 150 residents were at the facility when its eventual closure was announced in April of 2022. Direct care workers and other staff were offered quarterly bonuses to stay on the job.

Garcia says over 200 employees are staying through June 30th and they’ll get another bonus of 10-thousand dollars.

The Glenwood Resource Center campus covers nearly 400 acres. After July 1st, about 20 state employees will work to maintain the campus until the property is turned over to the community. Garcia says January 1st is the target date for the transfer.

Some Glenwood staff members have taken jobs at other state-run facilities, including the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown and the Woodward State Resource Center which provides temporary residential services to Iowans with disabilities. Garcia says a few of the direct care workers at Glenwood are providing in-home care to former Glenwood residents.

Page County Sheriff’s report, 6/19/24

News

June 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Clarinda, Iowa) – The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports 15 arrests dating back to June 6th. Most recently, those arrested include:

  • On June 17th: 58-year-old Timmy Jay Blank, of Council Bluffs, for Arson in the 2nd Degree; and 37-year-old Isaac Calvin Hayes, of Farragut, for Violation of Probation.
  • There were three arrests June 15th in Page County:
    • 19-year-old Taylor Douglas Lattin, of Shenandoah, was arrested for Public Intoxication, Disorderly Conduct, and Interference with Official Acts.
    • 47-year-old Amber Jean Russell, of Clarinda, was booked into the Page County Jail to serve time.
    • And, 60-year-old James Vincent White, of Clarinda, was arrested for Assault on a Peace Officer.
  • On June 14th, 35-year-old Vanessa Ranae Dugan Jones, of Clarinda, was arrested for OWI.
  • On the 13th of June, 33-year-old Bradley Aeron Haley, of Clarinda, was arrested by Page County Deputies, on an active warrant for Violations of the State Sex Offender Registry. Haley was later transported to the Cass County (IA) Sheriff’s Office.

You can read about the other arrests and persons who were cited in Page County, here: 6-7-24–6-18-24

Audubon Chamber announces “abrupt” resignation of the Chamber Director

News

June 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Audubon, Iowa) – The Audubon Area Chamber of Commerce Director has suddenly resigned. The Chamber announced today (Wednesday), former Director Mercedes Johnston, “abruptly resigned on Friday June 14th, 2024,” sighting personal reasons. No other details were provided. A native of Colorado, Johnston began her duties as Chamber Director in Audubon, in April, 2023.

In a statement on social media, the Chamber wrote “When we hired Mercedes, we had three candidates, one turned the position down and one did not want to work any hours outside of when the office was open (which is just not feasible). The director position requires a lot more hours than the chamber has funds to pay. This year’s board members voted to compensate this by giving two weeks paid vacation.

“The Chamber has actively been searching for board members, and now a new director. In the past, this has really been an issue to fill these positions. One of the biggest fundraisers the chamber does each year is the community banquet, and with so many other groups and organizations in need, people don’t have the time, energy and resources to do it all – so it seems that usually the Chamber fundraiser is one that people, understandably, remove from their calendar.

“Each year, the Chamber is responsible for selling over $10,000 in Chamber Bucks that is in turn, put directly back into our businesses and community. We organize and host the Hometown Christmas gathering, featuring Santa Claus, which is a community staple. We take a huge role in helping organize the annual T-Bone celebration. We organize “shop local” events, sell Audubon memorabilia and are always working to put our community’s name out there. In saying all of this, we are struggling to make ends meet, finding board members and now finding a new director.

“We are looking for input from our Chamber Members and community members, because, as always, we really want to do what is the best for our members and community. With these struggles at hand, is this the time that we make some major changes to the Chamber?

“We would really like input from the community. We put a poll on the Audubon Chamber Facebook page.
We have some decisions to make. We have three options:
1. Hire a new director.
2. Make it a Board run Chamber. It would take a lot more hard-working, willing to put in the time and effort board members to fulfill this option.
3. Disband the chamber as of January 2025. We would fulfill all community obligations until then.

“We would really appreciate input from you. We have put together a survey-on-Survey Monkey that we would be most grateful for you to complete!” A link to the survey can be found on the Audubon Chamber’s Facebook page.

Comments are also welcome by mail, to:
Audubon Chamber
421 S Park Place
Audubon, IA 50025

Atlantic Rotary to Host Pancake Flight Breakfast on July 4

News

June 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Rotary Club is excited to announce that they will again host their Annual 4th of July Flight Breakfast featuring the Pancake Man. Rotary members invite the public to join them for this fun local tradition!

The Atlantic Rotary 4th of July Flight Breakfast is scheduled for Thursday, July 4th, 2024 at the Atlantic Airport, located at 59706 Airport Road just west of Atlantic.

Breakfast with The Pancake Man will be served by Rotary members from 7-11 AM, featuring $8 all you can eat pancakes with sausage and drinks.

Pilots from across Southwest Iowa and beyond are invited to fly into the airport for breakfast as well, and all fly-in pilots will eat for free. The public will be able to enjoy watching the planes take off and land at the airport while enjoying a meal.

All proceeds from the flight breakfast support Atlantic Rotary Club Service Projects.

State Auditor Sand to Visit Area Counties

News

June 19th, 2024 by Jim Field

Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand will visit southwest Iowa on Thursday, June 20, as part of his 100 Town Hall Tour across Iowa’s 99 counties. Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend.  Stops include:

Harrison County Town Hall
Missouri Valley City Park
800 W Huron St, Missouri Valley, IA 51555
9:30am-10:30am

Shelby County Town Hall
Potters Park
1200 Grand Ave, Harlan, IA 51537
1:15pm-2:15pm

Audubon County Town Hall
Albert the Bull Park
111 Circle Drive, Audubon, IA 50025
2:45pm-3:45pm

Cass County Town Hall*
Atlantic City Park
Across from Cass County Courthouse, Atlantic, Iowa 50022
4:15pm-5:15pm
* During this appearance, Auditor Sand will spend time at Produce in the Park following brief remarks at the bandstand. Members of the press and public are welcome to ask questions.

Iowa State’s 2023-24 Big 12 Athlete of the Year Nominees

Sports

June 19th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

(big12sports.com) Each institution nominated one male and one female athlete of any classification that competed for their institution during the 2023-24 school year. Student-athletes were required to be in good academic standing and had to be from a league-sponsored sport.

The 14 schools that competed during the 2023-24 academic year are eligible.

The winners will be announced Wednesday, June 26. Stay tuned to Big12Sports.com and the league’s social media platforms to see the rest of the candidates.

This afternoon’s featured candidates are Iowa State’s David Carr and Sydney Willits.

Iowa State Male Athlete of the Year Candidate
David Carr, Wrestling
Sr., Canton, Ohio
Accomplishments

  • 2024 NCAA Championship at 165 pounds (his second career national title).
  • He scored 22.5 team points at the NCAA Championships, leading ISU to its best finish (fourth) and highest-point total (68.5) since 2010.
  • Compiled a 27-2 record, including 14-0 in duals and a 10-2 mark against top-10 opponents.
  • Graduated in May with his master’s in higher education with a 3.81 GPA and was named a 2024 National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-American along with making the Fall 2023 Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

Iowa State Female Athlete of the Year Candidate
Sydney Willits, Track and Field
Jr., Glenview, Illinois
Accomplishments

  • The long jump NCAA Indoor National Champion after improving her record by a full foot and the school record by six inches (22-1 ½, 6.74m).
  • She was named the USTFCCCA Midwest Region Field Athlete of the Year.
  • Earned Honorable Mention All-America honors after finishing 18th in the long jump at the NCAA Outdoor National Championship.
  • Holds a leadership position in the SAAC Event Subcommittee at Iowa State while working towards her degree in kinesiology and health.

2023-24 Big 12 Athletes of the Year Nominees
Baylor – Johnny Keefer and Alexis Brown
BYU – Kenneth Rooks and Brecken Mozingo
UCF – RJ Harvey and Rayniah Jones
Cincinnati – Ty Gingerich and Juliette Laracuente-Huebner
Houston – Jamal Shead and Kelly-Ann Beckford
Iowa State – David Carr and Sydney Willits

Hawkeyes Head to U.S. Olympic Trials

Sports

June 19th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa track and field will be represented by seven current members of the roster at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team Trials from June 21-30 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Athletes that finish within the top three of their respective events and have met the qualifying standard will make the Olympic roster. There have been 25 track and field Olympians in program history. Kineke Alexander (400 meters), Troy Doris (triple jump) and Diane Nukuri-Johnson (10,000 meters) were the latest Hawkeyes to make the Olympic team, competing at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Competition begins on Friday, June 21, when senior Austin West begins the decathlon at Noon (CT). Reigning Big Ten Champion Mike Stein participates in the qualifying round of the men’s javelin on Friday night at 5:30 p.m.

Kalen Walker returns to the track, competing in the first round of the 100-meter dash on June 22.

Seniors Kat Moody and Gratt Reed open in their respective events at the trials on June 24. Moody steps into the circle for the qualifying round of the women’s discus at 7 p.m. Reed follows with the first round of the 110-meter hurdles at 7:05.

Tionna Tobias and Paige Magee are the final two Hawkeyes to compete at the Olympic Trials. On June 27, Tobias beings with the first round of the long jump at 8:15 p.m. The following day, Magee gets set for the opening round of the 100-meter hurdles at 7:25 p.m.

Seven alumni will also be competing at this year’s trials. Jamal Britt (110-meter hurdles), Brittany Brown (200 meters), James Carter Jr. (triple jump), Nik Curtiss (shot put), Erin Dowd (400-meter hurdles), Laulauga Tausaga (discus) and Reno Tuufuli (discus) will vie for spots on the U.S. Olympic team. 

The 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials will be broadcast on NBC, Peacock and USA. Additional coverage can be viewed on USATF.TV.