(Radio Iowa) – Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis now has the public support of a well-known voice in Iowa’s evangelical community. Bob Vander Plaats, president and C-E-O of The Family Leader, endorsed DeSantis late yesterday (Tuesday) during an appearance on the Fox News Channel.

Vander Plaats says DeSantis is the candidate best positioned to win the presidency in 2024. Vander Plaats personally endorsed Mike Huckabee in 2008, Rick Santorum in 2012 and Ted Cruz in 2016 before those candidates won the last three competitive Iowa Caucus campaigns.

Former President Donald Trump’s campaign points to a pollster’s memo suggesting Vander Plaats’ endorsement would have no significant impact on the 2024 Iowa Caucus race.

Polls show Trump has a significant lead among likely Iowa Caucus goers, with DeSantis and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley battling for a second place finish.

Annual Holiday Event Moves to Chestnut Street November 30-December 3 to Raise Funds for Cancer Society

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A longstanding holiday tradition will once again bring holiday spirit to Cass County, as organizers are excited to share that the annual Festival of Trees will be back for the 2023 Christmas season, with a new location in Downtown Atlantic. This multi-day event, sponsored by the Cass County Unit of the American Cancer Society, is set for November 30-December 3 and will be relocating to 410 Chestnut Street in Downtown Atlantic. This is the former Aunt B’s and Bonnesen’s location. Co-chairs Carole Schuler and Vicki Nordskog are looking forward to welcoming visitors to this new downtown location when doors open on Thursday November 30 at 10 AM.

Hours to visit the festival will be 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday November 30 and Friday December 1; 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday December 2 (closing just in time to enjoy the lighted parade right outside the location in downtown Atlantic!), and 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday December 3 for their final day. Last year’s event featured over fifty trees decorated in a variety of themes, as well as several other unique holiday displays. Organizers are excited to have several new displays and showcase new themes for returning trees this year, and to take full advantage of the new location in downtown to be a central part of the Christmas in Atlantic atmosphere!

In addition to helping spread holiday cheer with a variety of engaging displays, the festival serves as a fundraiser to benefit the American Cancer Society. Admission to the festival is a free will donation, and raffle tickets are also sold for attendees to win a chance at a variety of seasonal, home and gift items. Last year’s raffle featured seventeen unique items donated by the community, in addition to a red metal Coca-Cola themed outdoor bench, fabricated and donated by Weirich Welding in Lewis.

This year’s feature raffle item is a unique Iowa Hawkeye basketball fan opportunity. The raffle winner will receive two tickets to the Iowa Hawkeye men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on December 16, 2023. The men play Florida A&M at 3:30 p.m. followed by the women playing Cleveland State at 6:00 p.m. that day. In addition to the tickets the winner will receive a personalized autographed item from the University of Iowa women’s basketball coaching staff. Tickets for this special raffle are $10 for one entry or $20 for three entries. Tickets can be purchased at Festival of Trees or anytime before December 3 using Venmo (@CassRelay2023). If entering through Venmo please put your contact information in the payment notes. Flyers with details about the raffle are located at several area businesses including Brown’s Shoe Fit in Atlantic and Rolling Hills Bank and Trust locations. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to enjoy a great event and support the battle against cancer in Cass County.

Make plans now to visit the 2023 Cass County Festival of Trees, located at 410 Chestnut Street in Downtown Atlantic, November 30-December 3 and support the Cass County Unit of the American Cancer Society through a free-will donation or raffle ticket purchase.

You can also honor local cancer warriors by listening to our Radio Luminary show from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on December 3rd on KJAN Radio, presented in conjunction with the Anita Winter Walk, featuring luminaries in the Anita City Park.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, this (Tuesday) evening, mentioned on social media, that deputies recently arrested two Juveniles who were allegedly burglarizing vehicles. A number of victims have been identified but authorities believe there could be more.

If you live in the area shown in the map below, please check your vehicles and if you find something missing please call our Office 712-755-5026.

As a reminder always lock you vehicles and remove any valuables from them.

The Sheriff’s Office says “A huge thank you” goes out “to the witness who saw these subjects breaking into cars and calling 911 to report it, without this it would have been very difficult to identify suspects.”

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Nov. 21, 2023 – If you’re traveling on U.S. 20 east of Sioux City, traffic lanes will be shifted onto the recently reconstructed ramps and eastbound lanes on Wednesday, Nov. 22 at noon, weather permitting. Please pay close attention to all signs in the area as you get adjusted to the new traffic pattern.

Help keep everyone on the road safer. Drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, you should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

DES MOINES, Iowa – A federal grand jury in Des Moines returned a 51-count indictment on November 16, 2023, charging seven individuals with offenses related to a racketeering conspiracy, which involved a conspiracy to engage in a years-long pattern of violence, including attempted murders, robberies, drug trafficking, the straw purchasing of firearms, and the trafficking of firearms.

As alleged in the Indictment, those charged were members and associates of a criminal organization or Enterprise known as “Only My Brother” or “OMB.”  OMB originated in early- to mid-2021.  Prior to that, some members and associates of OMB referred to themselves as various other names, including C-Block, 600, East Side Crips, Crips, and Gangster.  The principal purposes and objectives of the Enterprise were to distribute controlled substances, obtain money and things of value, and earn and maintain respect in the neighborhood.  To achieve those purposes and objectives, members and associates of the Enterprise committed acts involving attempted murder, robbery, and assault; threatened to commit acts of violence; trafficking in controlled substances and firearms; and straw purchased firearms.

The following members and associates of OMB, all of Des Moines, are charged in the Indictment:

Majok Majok, 19, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute at least 400 grams of fentanyl, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to traffic firearms, possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm, illegal possession of a machinegun, and four counts of distribution of fentanyl.  Majok is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 40 years of imprisonment and up to life.

Santiz Cortez Langford, Jr., 20, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute at least 400 grams of fentanyl, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, two counts of conspiracy to straw purchase firearms, conspiracy to traffic firearms, two counts of firearms trafficking, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a machinegun and firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, three counts of unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm, and illegal possession of a machinegun.  Langford is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 40 years of imprisonment and up to life.

Semaj Johnson, 19, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute at least 400 grams of fentanyl, conspiracy to traffic firearms, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm.  As part of this investigation, Johnson was previously charged with, and pled guilty to, illegal possession of a machinegun and is awaiting sentencing (Southern District of Iowa, 4:22-cr-106).  Johnson is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years of imprisonment and up to life.

Avontae Lamar Tucker, 20, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute at least 400 grams of fentanyl, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm and ammunition, interference with commerce through robbery, possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  Tucker is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 22 years of imprisonment, and up to life.  As part of this investigation, Tucker was previously convicted of interference with commerce through robbery, possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm.  (Southern District of Iowa, 4:22-cr-164).  On July 20, 2023, he was sentenced to 192 months of imprisonment.

Dahaba Bahari Lula, 18, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute at least 400 grams of fentanyl, and five counts of distribution of fentanyl.  Lula is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment and up to life.

Dawn Ellease Robinson, 44, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to straw purchase firearms, four counts of false statement during purchase of a firearm, straw purchasing of a firearm, and two counts of unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm.  Robinson is facing up to a combined total of 105 years of imprisonment.

Deon Ellease Cooper, 27, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, six counts of false statement during purchase of a firearm, conspiracy to straw purchase firearms, and straw purchasing a firearm.  Cooper is facing up to a combined total of 95 years of imprisonment.

The Indictment may be downloaded at this link: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/seven-des-moines-gang-member-and-associates-indicted-federal-charges. Lula made her initial court appearance today (Tuesday) before a United States Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.  The remaining defendants will make their initial court appearances on later dates.

As part of this investigation, several other members and associates of the Enterprise were charged with various drug- and firearms-related crimes, as previously stated.  The following defendants charged in those cases have now entered guilty pleas:

Armani Eugene Gates, 19, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute at least 400 grams of fentanyl, unlawful user in possession of a firearm, two counts of conspiracy to traffic firearms, conspiracy to straw purchase firearms, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  At sentencing, which is set for March 8, 2024, Gates faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years of imprisonment, and up to life.
Deadrian Maurice Nelson, 19, pled guilty to two counts of felon and unlawful drug user in possession of firearms.  He faces up to a combined total of 30 years of imprisonment.  Nelson’s sentencing is scheduled for March 7, 2024.
Bakier Mohamd Esmaeil, 18, pled guilty to one count of being a drug user in possession of a firearm.  At his sentencing on March 6, 2024, Esmaeil faces up to 15 years of imprisonment.
Johnetta Marie Strode, 36, is scheduled for a change of plea hearing on November 28, 2023.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. United States Attorney Richard Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.  Assistant United States Attorneys Kristin Herrera and Mallory Weiser are prosecuting the case.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Des Moines Police Department, and the United States Postal Inspection Service are investigating the case, with assistance from the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement (DNE), Iowa State Patrol, and Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center.

This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — The City of Council Bluffs is continuing to discharge wastewater from its I-80 Sanitary Pump Station. The discharge, which began last week, is necessary to repair a damaged force main. The  city unsuccessfully attempted to repair the leaking pipe last week and are currently making preparations for a second attempt at repairs.

The city has put dewatering wells in place to facilitate excavation of the damaged main. Groundwater from these wells, which has also included some sewage, has been discharged to a wooded area east of Catfish Road.

The public should avoid the area, including bike trails running through the wooded area, and avoid contact with the Missouri River downstream from Interstate 80.