(Radio Iowa/Fox News) – Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says the U.S. should stop humanitarian aid to Ukraine and focus on providing more military equipment.  “This is where we can provide some savings,” Ernst says. “Let’s focus on what America does well and that’s providing military platforms and those types of services.” Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, served 23 years in the Iowa National Guard and Army Reserve. Speaking on Fox News, Ernst says it’s important to our own national security to provide Ukraine with what it needs to defeat the Russians.

“The Ukrainians are doing an incredible job of pushing back our adversary,” Ernst says, “and because of what they have done in Ukraine and these incredible fighters, we see a diminished capacity from Russia over the next 10-15 years for them to come after our great United States of America.” The Biden Administration last month gave the go-ahead for NATO allies in Europe to provide F-16 fighter jets and air defense systems to Ukraine. “Russia has invaded a sovereign nation,” Ernst says. “…I think we need to provide the military platforms as necessary for them to win and I am critical of this administration because I don’t feel they have done enough soon enough.”

Since the war began in February of last year, the U.S. has provided 75 BILLION dollars in aid to Ukraine, most of it military assistance. Ernst says our European allies are better positioned to provide food and other humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Ernst made her comments Monday, during a debate series sponsored by the Edward Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. Her hour-long conversation with a Democratic senator from New Hampshire will air Sunday night on Fox News.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Guthrie County say there were three, separate accidents over the past week. The latest occurred at around 5:20-a.m., Saturday, on Wagon Road, near Panora. Authorities say 37-year-old Donald P. Felgate, of Panora, was driving a 1992 Chevy Silverado pickup, when he swerved to miss a deer on the road. He over-corrected, causing the vehicle to roll over. The pickup struck a mailbox and 911 address marker in the process. The property, belonging to Ronald Clark, of Panora, sustained $500 damage.  Felgate was complained of pain and was examined by Panora EMS before being transported to the Guthrie County Hospital. He was cited for Failure to hold insurance, accident-related.

The second accident happened Friday night on 280th Street at the Guthrie/Dallas County line. The Sheriff’s Department says 40-year-old Daniel Rice, of Guthrie Center, was traveling southeast on 280th Street at around 11-p.m. The 2008 Dodge RAM pickup he was driving failed to negotiate a curve in the road and continued straight, until it hit a utility pole. He was transported by his mother to the Guthrie County Hospital to be treated for minor injuries. Authorities said there were no visible skid marks on the road. Daniel told his mother that he saw a deer and swerved to avoid a collision, but the Sheriff’s report said “There is no evidence to support or back up that claim.” The pickup was totaled in the crash. Rice was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

And, at around 7:45-p.m. June 6th, a 1999 Chevy pickup driven by 22-year-old Bryce C. Block, of Bayard, was traveling south on 1st Avenue in Bayard. A 2000 Ford Ranger pickup driven by 27-year-old Rodney J. Blackmon, of Bayard, was also southbound on 1st Avenue, and behind the Chevy. The report says Block and a witness advised authorities the Ranger pickup was following too closely. When Block turned-off onto a gravel parking lot/driveway because the Ford was too close.

The Ranger continued southbound, and the Chevy also drove southbound. Blackmon’s Ranger stopped on the traveled portion of the road, cutting off Block’s vehicle in the process. Block locked-up his brakes and slid on the gravel into the driver’s side door of the Ranger. Damage from the collision amounted to $4,000. Deputies cited Rodney Blackman for Reckless Driving, Following too close, and stopping on the paved portion of a highway.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports one-person was injured during a motorcycle accident Tuesday evening, in Lewis. Authorities say at around 7:39-p.m., first responders were called to an area within the 500 block of East Main Street in Lewis for a motorcycle accident with injury.  Deputies and area first responders found that a 2010 Harley Davidson motorcycle, being operated by Bo Wilson, of Lewis, was operating South on 582^nd St.

As his motorcycle was approaching a curve towards the West, Wilson failed to negotiate the curve. The motorcycle continued South and went out of control before sliding into a ditch in the 500 block of East Main St.  Wilson suffered injuries to his face and head, and was flown to an area hospital via Life Flight.  The accident remains under investigation.

(Creston, Iowa) – A woman from Creston was arrested Tuesday evening at her residence. According to Creston Police, 47-year-old Rachelle Lynn Hardisty, who resides in the 1000 block of Manor Drive, in Creston, was arrested at around 5:28-p.m., for allowing an Animal (to run) at Large. Hardisty was issued a citation, and released at the scene on a Promise to Appear (in Court).

(Radio Iowa) – A northwest Iowa community of nearly a thousand residents will celebrate the 150th anniversary of its founding this weekend. Aurelia was named for the daughter of the man who owned the Illinois Central Railroad that had tracks running through the town. The school in Aurelia will be open Saturday morning so returning residents can reminisce and reconnect.

Until the 1990s, the Aurelia Community School District was the only one in the state that had unique names for its boys and girls teams. Aurelia boys teams were known as the Bulldogs. Girls teams from Aurelia were known as the Atoms. Alta and Aurelia districts began sharing grades in the 1990s and voted to merge in 2017.