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Red Oak Fire responds to report of a smoke-filled home

News

July 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Officials with the Red Oak Fire Department say crews responded a little after 8-a.m. today (Thursday), to 305 S. 6th Street, for a report of a house filling with smoke. The sole occupant of the residence was able to self evacuate without injury. Firecrews made entry and found the residence had a large amount of smoke coming from the basement area. The source of the smoke, was an overloaded power cord in the basement which ignited, causing a fire which extended to the adjoining floor joists. Minimal damage had occurred.
Fire crews took care of the flames and then ventilated the smoke out of the residence. The property was released back to the home owner (Duane Lasley). No injuries were reported.

Red Oak FD Facebook page photo (7/25/24)

Red Oak Fire was assisted at the scene by: Red Oak Police; The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and Communications, and MidAmerican Energy. Stanton and Elliott Fire were initially dispatched for mutual aid, but were told to disregard.

1,600 acres along Missouri River transferred to Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources say roughly 1,600 acres of land along the Missouri River in Woodbury County is being transferred from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska after President Biden signed the Winnebago Land Transfer Act. The Act was passed by unanimous consent by the U.S. Congress.

The land, known as Winnebago Bend Wildlife Area, including the majority of the waterfowl refuge at Snyder Bend Wildlife Area, will become part of the Winnebago Reservation. It will be posted with signs stating that Winnebago Bend and the portion of Snyder Bend is no longer open for public use.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources had agreed to manage the land for public hunting and other recreation in 1981.

Cong. Hinson offers legislation targeting China’s trade violations

News

July 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson is introducing a bill she says aims to change trade laws so China can no longer “take advantage of U-S workers and rip off U-S businesses.” Hinson, a Republican from Marion, says federal agents recently raided an Ohio warehouse that’s a subsidiary of a Chinese auto parts maker, which had been shipping in parts via Thailand to avoid import taxes. Hinson says the practice causes “severe economic harm to American competitors.” “For decades, Communist China and its subsidiaries frequently and purposefully violate U.S. trade laws,” Hinson says. “They do that through fraud, through duty evasion, and trans shipments, leading to the closures of U.S. factories and a lot of good-paying manufacturing jobs.”

The U-S Department of Justice currently has a trade fraud task force, but Hinson says it’s only seen limited success. “My bill aims to combat these crimes by directing the Department of Justice to establish a new initiative, specifically dedicated to prosecuting international trade crimes,” she says. “This bill specifically establishes a new task force or similar initiative within the DOJ Criminal Division to investigate and prosecute trade-related crimes.” Hinson says the Chinese Communist Party, or C-C-P, is responsible for siphoning billions of dollars from the U-S economy.  “We do have to continue to be clear-eyed about Communist China,” Hinson says. “They will not play by the rules. They will not follow the law. China enjoys Most Favored Nation trade status with us, while simultaneously violating our trade laws that are in place to protect American workers and businesses.”

Hinson says the D-O-J task force is “under-resourced,” so her bill would allot 20-million dollars to establish the new task force.  “It may be something that we have to revisit in a year,” Hinson says. “$20 million may not be enough to target this. We just need to get a good gauge on how many of these cases they’re able to go after. But we did work directly with the DOJ in crafting this bill to make sure that it was exactly what they needed in terms of the tools to be able to specifically target and go after the CCP for these trade related crimes.”

Hinson says the bill, the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act, has bi-partisan and bi-cameral support.

Cass Health Med Spa Hosting Open House August 8

News

July 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

ATLANTIC, IOWA – The Cass Health Med Spa is hosting an open house on Thursday, August 8 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Visitors will be treated to Med Spa tours, exclusive discounts, raffle drawings, and refreshments.  Dermatology provider Lace Sindt, ARNP provides care at the Med Spa and will be on hand to answer questions and showcase the newly renovated space. Lace has worked in aesthetic dermatology since 2009, including the management of two medical spas. Maddy Peppers, RN and Brenna Irlmeier, RN will be doing live demonstrations of the SkinPen and VI Peel treatments.

The Med Spa offers services such as Botox, dermal fillers, chemical peels, and facial resurfacing treatments. The Med Spa also carries a wide range of medical grade skin care products from SkinMedica and EltaMD. For patients interested in the treatments and services, the Med Spa offers free consultations. The Med Spa is open the second and fourth Thursday of each month, and appointments are required. Appointments can be made anytime online through the patient portal found at casshealth.org/medspa or by calling 712-243-7500.

The public is invited and welcome to attend; all attendees are asked to enter through the Main Entrance, and either take the main staircase or elevator to the second floor to access the Med Spa.

Atlantic Police report 15 arrests from July 12th through the 23rd

News

July 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Police Department has issued a report on arrests that occurred from July 12th through the 23rd. On the 23rd, 28-year-old G Love Kovac, of Atlantic, was arrested for Theft in the 2nd Degree. Kovac was also arrested July 16th, for Violation of a No Contact Order, and on July 12th, for Public Intoxication. On July 22nd, 44-year-old Mathew Steffens, of Atlantic, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct and Interference with Official Acts. And, 57-year-old Rex McDermott, of Elk Horn, was arrested for Driving While License is barred, and on a Shelby County warrant.

There were five arrests that took place July 21st, in Atlantic:

19-year-old Efrain Sandiego, 18-year-old Shantell Michaels, and 22-year-old K-Son Seker, all of Atlantic, were each arrested for Violation of a No Contact Order. Also arrested on the 21st, was 52-year-old Lynette Berg, and 53-year-old Angela Crisafi, both of Walnut. Both were charged with three-counts each of Violation of a No Contact Order.

On July 15th, Atlantic Police arrested 44-year-old Kantauo Mark, 46-year-old Robert Loving, and 32-year-old Tiffany Rice, all of Atlantic. Each was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault. 58-year-old Michael Brownsberger, of Atlantic, was arrested that same day, for Aggravated Assault (Willful Injury).

And, on July 12th, 36-year-old Louis Chipenson, of Atlantic, was arrested for Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree, Public Intoxication, and Disorderly Conduct.

Each of the individuals mentioned above were transported to the Cass County Jail and booked-in. The A-PD says two people were cited for Theft in the 5th Degree (Shoplifting): 37-year-old Jason Wingrove, of Anita, was cited July 8th, and 45-year-old McKenzie Flathers, of Brayton, was cited on July 12th. 45-year-old Tesha Stevens, of Atlantic, was cited July 11th, for Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree. All three subjects were cited into court and released from the scene of their respective incidents.

Kids’ Day At Kinnick Set For Aug. 10

Sports

July 25th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa football team will host its annual “Kids’ Day at Kinnick,” presented by the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, on Saturday, Aug. 10. Supporting sponsors for the event include Alliant Energy, Chick-fil-A, Delta Dental of Iowa, and Scheels. The open practice begins at 11 a.m. (CT), with gates A, B and H opening at 10 a.m.

Team members will sign autographs for kids at approximately 10:30 a.m. along the front of the west and south stands. During the practice, the 2024 Kid Captains will join players on the field for photos following an exclusive “inside look” at Kinnick Stadium. The Kid Captain program, a partnership between UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital and the University of Iowa football team since 2009, features the inspiring stories of 12 current and former patients throughout the football season.

Admission is free for all fans, and free parking is available in designated hard surface lots, with regular ramp fees applying. Cashless concession stands will be open, accepting debit or credit cards only, and Kinnick Stadium’s clear bag policy will be enforced.

The Hawkeyes open the 2024 season with three straight home games, first hosting Illinois State (11 a.m., BTN) on Aug. 31, followed by the annual Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series against Iowa State on Sept. 7 (2:30 p.m., CBS) and Sept. 14 versus Troy (3 p.m., FS1) for the annual Gold-Out game and Family Weekend. Additional home games feature the ANF Black & Gold Spirit game versus Washington (Oct. 12, TBA), Homecoming against Northwestern (Oct. 26, 2:30 p.m.), the Black-Out and Military Appreciation contest versus Wisconsin (Nov. 2, TBA), and Senior Day against Nebraska (Nov. 29, 6:30 p.m., NBC). All seven Hawkeye home games are sold out for 2024.

CHARLES M. MINERMAN, formerly of Exira (Memorial Svcs. 7/27/24)

Obituaries

July 25th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Retired Colonel CHARLES M. MINERMAN, formerly of Exira, has died. The life of COLONEL CHARLES MINERMAN will be celebrated with a Memorial get together on Saturday July 27th, at the American Legion Park in Exira, with the Exira high school class of 1958. Light refreshments will be served at 12:30pm and a military service will begin at 1:30pm at second base.

Beware of ongoing online puppy/dog sale scams

News

July 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (WOWT) – An old, but ongoing scam continues to fool more victims. The latest to fall for it is a woman who doesn’t need more stress in her life by losing money. WOWT-TV in Omaha reports a Council Bluffs woman had wanted an emotional support/therapeutic animal as a companion while she underwent treatment for cancer. She thought a teacup Shih Tzu puppy would fit the role, and paid for one online.

The woman made a $100 down-payment, but the seller, who claimed to be from Winterset, wanted the funds on a money app, which the Better Business Bureau (BBB) says can be a red flag. BBB in Omaha President Jim Hagerty said he suspects the puppy seller is much farther away, possibly in West Africa.

BBB’s scam tracker reports show more than 1,500 victims of a puppy scam in the last year. One of the ways you can tell it’s a scam, Hagerty says, is that the person never allows you to physically visit the puppy. Therefore, you should never send them money UNTIL you can see the dog in person.

The victim paid more than $300 total through money apps and never received the dog. The BBB says the average loss in a puppy scam in a puppy scam is $1,000. Nearly 20% of reported online scams are tied to phony pet sales.

 

NW Iowa college settles lawsuit over human trafficking

News

July 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The board of a northwest Iowa community college has accepted a settlement with international students who accused the school of human trafficking. Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City will pay two-point-three million dollars to settle a lawsuit involving ten students from Brazil. College President Terry Murrell talked to reporters after a special board meeting Wednesday afternoon and took full responsibility for the program’s problems. “We got too deep into something we were not overly familiar with, and we didn’t do a good job. And not doing a good job certainly had implications to those students,” Murrell says. “To those students, I would say, ‘We wish you luck and hope you are able to pursue your education and career goals.”’

Murrell says he thought the program would have success like others at the school when it was launched in 2019. “The J-1 Program is complex, it’s complicated,” he says, “and I don’t think we appreciated that when we stepped in, and all of that is my fault.” In April, the college’s board of directors approved paying three-million dollar to students from Chile who filed a lawsuit in 2020. The students said they were promised a free, two-year program with internships but were instead forced into working manual labor jobs to pay off tuition.

Murrell disputed that claim, saying the students were free to leave at any time and were paid for every hour they worked, plus free tuition and other amenities. He expects insurance to cover most of the cost. The dismissal of the lawsuit, which also includes college employees, is expected to be finalized in federal court in 60 days.

(by Sheila Brummer, Iowa Public Radio)

Treasurer Smith Highlights College Savings Iowa as Savings Vehicle for K-12 Education

News

July 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa – As families plan for the upcoming school year, State Treasurer Roby Smith is reminding Iowans how the College Savings Iowa 529 plan can be used to achieve a variety of education savings goals, including K-12. “College Savings Iowa continues to expand the mindset that 529 plans can only be used for traditional two- and four-year college,” Smith said. “For families that want to put money aside to pay for K-12 tuition at a public or private school, while also receiving all the tax benefits 529 plans provide, College Savings Iowa could be the answer.”

Up to $10,000 per year per student can be withdrawn from a College Savings Iowa account to pay for tuition expenses in connection with enrollment at a K-12 institution. “We’re here to help support families in their education savings journey, whatever that may be for them and their student,” continued Smith. “It’s what College Savings Iowa is all about.”

In addition to K-12 tuition, money invested in College Savings Iowa can be used to pay for tuition; room and board; computers; textbooks and other qualified education expenses at any eligible higher education institution in the U.S. or abroad. This includes colleges, universities, trade schools and apprenticeship programs. Additionally, up to $10,000 can be used for repayment on any qualified education loan of the Beneficiary or a sibling of the Beneficiary.

As a 529 plan, College Savings Iowa also offers tax advantages such as tax-deferred earnings and tax-free qualified withdrawals. Plus, there is an added tax benefit of deducting up to $5,500 in contributions per Beneficiary account from 2024 Iowa income taxes.

To learn more about the Plan, visit CollegeSavingsIowa.com or call (888) 672-9116. Connect with College Savings Iowa on Facebook, Instagram and X to stay informed on current events and updates. For additional details about the Plan, read the Program Description.