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Grassley calls for far-reaching probe into Trump assassination attempt

News

July 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley says he’s launching a multi-pronged investigation into last weekend’s assassination attempt on former President Trump. Calling it a “very dark day in American politics,” Grassley says he’s requesting records and responses from several key federal agencies regarding what he says was a “monumental security failure.”

“I have a very good investigative staff,” Grassley says. “That staff has already been in direct contact with the Secret Service. I’ll be following up with the Secret Service, the Department of Homeland Security, and of course, the FBI.” Grassley says he’s also contacting the Department of Justice and the Homeland Security Inspector General.

He’s calling for a review of all policies and procedures, telling agency leaders in a letter: “You owe Congress and the American people full and complete transparency on how this tragedy could possibly occur.” Grassley says the lack of information from the various agencies is “unacceptable.” Grassley says, “The American people need assurances that the federal agencies are doing all that they possibly can to protect against future violence and potential loss of life.”

Senator Grassley. (photo from Senate Budget Committee hearing) File Photo

Trump was shot in the ear while speaking onstage in Pennsylvania on Saturday. One rally attendee was killed and two were badly injured. The gunman was killed by law enforcement.

Grassley says the Secret Service needs to provide a thorough accounting to the public, to assure them past problems have been corrected and that the agency “is fully and effectively carrying out its core mission: protection.”

Athens, GA man arrested following a pursuit in 2 counties, Tuesday

News

July 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – A man from Athens, Georgia, was arrested Tuesday evening, following a pursuit that took place in two western Iowa Counties. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports a 2020 Toyota Camry driven by 58-year-old Paul William Bolin, was traveling westbound on Highway 141 at a high rate of speed. When he approached and passed a Guthrie County Deputy’s squad car, his speed was clocked at 83 mph.

When Deputy Kirkpatrick sped up to pace the car, the Toyota increased its speed. The Deputy activated his emergency lights and sirens and engaged in a pursuit at around 4:57-p.m., but Bolin refused to yield. His vehicle sped-up to 97 mph and passed several cars at a high rate of speed. The Sheriff’s report says after Bolin ran a stop sign at the intersection of Highways 141 and 71 north, Bolin pulled over, and finally stopped near Falcon Avenue after other law enforcement officers assisted in the bringing the incident to its conclusion at around 5:07-p.m.

Bolin had a .22-caliber pistol in the center console of the Camry. A check of his criminal history indicated Bolin (who identified himself as “God”), had no warrants, and was not a felon. He is, however, disqualified from possessing a firearm. Bolin was arrested on Guthrie County charges that include Speeding in road work zones (11-to 20 mph over the posted limit), and Dominion of firearm/offensive weapon by a felon.

His charges in Carroll County include Failure to Obey a traffic control device, and Eluding (Speed 25 mph+ over the limit). Bond, at the Guthrie County Jail, was set at $5,000.

Iowa’s Taylor McCabe on summer workouts

Sports

July 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa junior guard Taylor McCabe says summer drills are even more important for a new-look Hawkeye team that lost several key players. The native of Fremont, Nebraska appeared in 33 games last season and says summer is when roles and team chemistry are developed.

McCabe shot better than 41 percent from three point range last season and is working to diversify her game.

BECKY JO PIERCE, 68, of Oakland (Private Celebration of Life at a later date)

Obituaries

July 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

BECKY JO PIERCE, 68, of Oakland, died Monday, July 15, 2024, at her home. A private, Celebration of Life for BECKY PIERCE will be held at a later date. Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland is assisting the family.

BECKY JO PIERCE is survived by:

Her children:  Carey Boot; Randi (Wes) Henderson; Jamie Stephens, and Corey Stephens.

Her brothers – Terry (Deb) Pierce, and Jerry (Suzanne) Pierce.

Her sister – Tami (Sid) Skank.

10 grandchildren and great grandchildren; other relatives, and friends; and her significant other Jim.

Pymosa Lodge Masons award scholarships

News

July 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Masonic Pymosa Lodge Number 271 AF & AM recently held an evening meal for the 2024 Scholarship recipients and their families. Lodge officials say 2024 Scholarships were presented to graduating Seniors from Atlantic and CAM high Schools. Obedience Lodge No 380 in Anita merged with Pymosa Lodge in 2023.

Scholarship funds from Pymosa Lodge come from the generosity of the community. Each year a St Patrick’s Day stew feed is held at the Lodge in Atlantic with proceeds going to the Scholarships. In addition, the Lodge has set up can collection points at the Lodge, Cass County Landfill and Boes Repair in Atlantic. With the donated cans and bottles, the Lodge sorts and redeems them.

This year the Lodge presented ten $500 scholarships, seven to Atlantic Seniors and three to CAM Seniors. The recipients are Wyatt Simons, Bennett Whetstone, Alyssa Neal, Riley Wood, Korbin Johnson, Nichlas Bennett, Maylynn Ferrell, Jenna Platt, Bradyn Burmeister-Bohnsack and Natalie Behnken. Every year Masonic Lodges around the state of Iowa and across the United States donate Thousands of dollars to high school graduates through the generosity of their communities.

Pictured left to right with members of the Lodge are: Bennett Whetstone, Donnie Drennan, Nicholas Bennett, BJ Hart, Bradyn Burmeister-Bohnsack, Joh Bricker, Wyatt Simons, Rob Clausen, Emily Bicker, Natalie Behnken, Dave York Maylynn Ferrell, Jenna Platt, Corey Elliott, Alyssa Neal, Rick Mericle, riley wood, Dave Wright, Mike Blevins, Gary Warwick and Randy Aggen. Not pictured Korbin Johnson.

Emily Bricker, a Senior at Exira-EHK Schools was also present. She was a recipient of a $5000 scholarship from the Grand Lodge of Iowa. The Grand Lodge of Iowa, in 2024, awarded fifteen $5000 scholarships and eleven $2500 scholarships.

Pymosa Lodge officials say they are “Proud to present these scholarships to help in the further education of these amazing young people. The Lodge also wants to thank the community for there [sic] generous support of all our projects.”

Creston teen injured in an accident Wed. morning

News

July 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports a teenager from Creston was injured during a collision today (Wednesday), at around 7:40-a.m.  15-year-old Allen W. Reed was transported by ambulance to the Creston hospital to be checked-out. Authorities say Reed was driving a 2023 moped and stopped at the corner of Mulberry and Townline Streets, heading northbound. He told officers that he looked before proceeding into the intersection.

As the moped left the stop sign and was attempting to turn left, it was hit by an eastbound 2024 Nissan, driven by Oscar Ramiro-Nunez Alvarez, of Mexico. There were no citations issued. Police estimated the damage at $2,000 to the moped, and $1,000 to the Nissan. No citations were issued.

SW Iowa mayor says long string of severe weather is proof of climate change

News, Weather

July 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Even though the Council Bluffs area didn’t see as much widespread damage from flooding last month as other parts of western Iowa, the city’s top elected official says he’s concerned about future severe weather episodes — due to climate change. Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh points to record-breaking flooding and deadly tornadoes as signs climate change is real and too costly to ignore. “People justify what they want to justify,” Walsh says. “I think the proof is in the pudding and the pudding is saying that FEMA is running out of money and between fires and hurricanes and tornadoes and flooding, it’s pretty hard to deny evidence that’s right in front of your face.”

Federal officials say FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund could run out of money by mid-August without additional help from Congress. If that happened, the director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security told the Associated Press money would be taken from other programs to cover the most urgent needs. Mayor Walsh says a levee protected Council Bluffs from devastating flooding seen upstream, but some low-lying areas near the Missouri River were underwater, with about 50 homes impacted by groundwater. A storm late in June also caused substantial tree damage. Walsh blames climate change. “I think it’s time to do a little reality check and take some steps,” Walsh says. “I don’t know if it’s too late to correct it, but it’s certainly not too late to address it and try to slow it down.”

The Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area received a $1 million grant from the federal government to pay for climate change planning to reduce greenhouse gases. Walsh says his community has worked to help encourage solar energy development to reduce carbon emissions and air pollution.

Glenwood Police report, 7/17/24

News

July 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department reports two people were arrested on separate Driving While Revoked/or Barred charges. 28-year-old Breanna Studey, of Glenwood, was arrested for Driving while Revoked. Her cash or surety bond was set at $1,000. And, 32-year-old Richard Jacobs, of Glenwood, was arrested for Driving While Barred. His c/s bond was set at $2,000.

The 2024 East Pottawattamie County Fair is underway

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Avoca, Iowa) – The 2024 East Pottawattamie County Fair is underway in Avoca, now through Monday, July 22nd. On the schedule for Thursday (July 18th), is: the Poultry Show at 9-a.m.; Food truck & Family Night from 5-until 8-p.m.; 2024 Pott. County Fair Queen and Junior Queen Crowning, and a Pedal Tractor Pull at the conclusion of the stage events.

 

See the full schedule of events in this PDF link:

20240701095935857

CAM School Board approves facility petition language & passes FLEX Fund resolution

News

July 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Anita, Iowa) – The CAM School District’s Board of Education, Monday evening, held a Public Hearing with regard to the proposed Flexibility Resolution, as previously published. Superintendent Paul Croghan told KJAN News the hearing was part of a process to move some Teacher Leadership funds to the Flex fund, which have been accumulating over the past couple of years. Following the hearing, and later on during their meeting, the Board passed a Resolution to that effect, as presented.

The Board discussed with Site Logic, continuing information from the Facilities Committee, with regard to the shrinking of district facilities. The Board voted later on in their meeting to approve a Resolution for petition language – as prepared by the District’s Attorneys – to go to a General obligation bond during the election in November. The petition asks district patrons for permission to move to a one campus classroom addition site, and facility improvements.

During the regular Board meeting that followed a Board Workshop, the CAM School Board voted to approve several resignations and shuffling of responsibilities/positions.

In other business, the Board approved handbooks for the 2024-2025 School Year, bids for Bread, Milk and Chemicals, as well as sharing agreements with the Nodaway Valley CSD for Human Resources, Payroll, Building and Grounds, School Business Official (SBO), and Superintendent. The Board then discussed an improvement plan for the SWAT (Girls wrestling) Booster Club, to make sure things are being done correctly, and that the kids are eligible to play and participate.

The 2024-25 School Year at CAM begins August 23rd.