712 Digital Group - top

Ames Police investigate fatal motorcycle accident

News

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Ames, Iowa) – Officials with the Ames Police Department said today (Monday, Officers and Ames Fire Department personnel responded at around 4:03-p.m. Sunday, June 30th, to a motorcycle crash with injuries. The crash occurred in the area of Bloomington Road and Top O Hollow Road. First responders arrived to find a crashed motorcycle and the adult driver injured in the roadway. The motorcyclist was taken to an area hospital and pronounced deceased. The identity of the victim is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Ames Police Department at (515) 239-5133 or the anonymous tip line (515) 239-5533. You may also contact Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa at (515) 223-1400. Online anonymous tips may be submitted to www.crimestoppersofcentraliowa.com.

Mills County Sheriff’s report, 7/1/24

News

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports six recent arrests. Early Saturday morning, 38-year-old Julio Alberto Reyes-Ramirez, of Omaha, was arrested for OWI/1st offense.

Four people were arrested Friday in Mills County:

  • 61-year-old Ralph Arthur Brewer, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Driving Under Suspension. (Bond $300)
  • 31-year-old Jimmy Joe Gappa, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on two counts of Burglary in the 3rd Degree (Bond $2,000)
  • 36-year-old Jack Ray Winchel,of Bellevue, NE, was arrested Friday in Mills County, for Accessory After the Fact (Bond $300).
  • 63-year-old Jeannette Lousie Zaiger, of Tabor, was arrested for Criminal Mischief in the 3rd and 4th Degrees (Bond$2,000).

And, on June 26th, Mills County Deputies arrested 45-year-old Joshua Robert Saunders, of Pacific Junction, for Driving Under Suspension (Bond $300).

Fremont County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, for arrests June 4th through July 1st, 2024

News

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Sidney, Iowa) – The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office today (Monday) released a report on arrests that took place from June 4th through July 1st. The list of names and alleged offenses are shown below:

On 06/04/2024, deputies arrested Santasia Unique Smith, age 30 of Omaha, Nebraska for three counts of Child Endangerment. She was released after posting a $2,000 bond.

On 06/05/2024, deputies arrested Aunkia Jean Hayes, age 19 of Hamburg, Iowa for Possession of Alcohol under Legal Age. She was cited and released.

On 06/05/2024, deputies arrested Brooklyn Ann Harris, age 19 of New Market, Iowa for Possession of Alcohol under Legal Age. She was cited and released.

On 06/07/2024, deputies arrested Julio Cesar Galan Vargas, age 49 of Omaha, Nebraska for OWI 1st Offense and Providing False ID. He is being held without bond pending court proceedings

On 06/10/2024, deputies arrested Benjamin Michael Johnson, age 40 of Shenandoah, Iowa for Probation Violation. He was sentenced to the Regional Correctional Facility.

On 06/13/2024, deputies arrested Mariah Marie McKeone, age 32 of Council Bluffs for Driving Under Suspension. She plead guilty and was released.

On 06/17/2024, deputies arrested Billy Ray Foster, age 49 of Clarinda, Iowa for Probation Violation. He was booked and released.

On 06/19/2024, deputies arrested Kateria Marie Shearer, age 24 of Raymond, Nebraska for Disorderly Conduct. She was released on $300 bond.

On 06/19/2024, deputies arrested Abraham Menses-Sanchez, age 32 of Omaha, Nebraska as a Fugitive from Justice. He is being held awaiting extradition to Nebraska.

On 06/21/2024, deputies arrested David Dale Morelock, age 38 of Farragut, Iowa for OWI 1st Offense and Driving While Revoked. He was released on a $1,000 bond.

On 06/21/2024, deputies arrested Brandon Michael Goff, age 30 of Shelby, Iowa for Possession of a Controlled Substance and OWI 1st Offense. He was released on a $2,000 bond.

On 06/21/2024, deputies arrested Raebecca Emmily Warner, age 29 of Omaha, Nebraska for Possession of a Controlled Substance. She was released on a $1,000 bond

On 06/21/2024, deputies attempted to stop two sport motorcycles for speeding near Sidney, Iowa. Both motorcycles fled law enforcement reaching speeds over 135 miles per hour in a 55 Mph zone. Deputies were able to identify both suspects and on 06/23/2024, both suspects turned themselves into law enforcement. Deputies arrested John Jacob Myers, age 22 of Hamburg, Iowa and Logan Young Birkby, age 22 of Thurman, Iowa for felony Eluding. Both were released on a $5,000 bond.

On 06/26/2024, deputies arrested Cristian Omar Rodriguez De Paz, age 26 of Sidney for three counts of Child Endangerment. He was released on a $2,000 bond.

On 06/27/2024, deputies arrested Amy Jo Liles, age 37 of Shenandoah, Iowa for Leaving the scene of an Injury Accident. She was released on a $1,000 bond.

On 06/27/2024, deputies arrested Sherry Danette Young, age 46 of Polo, Missouri for Probation Violation. She is being held without bond pending District Court.

On 06/28/2024, deputies arrested Tyler James Nichols, age 37 of Council Bluffs, IA for Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released on a $1,000 bond.

On 06/28/2024, deputies arrested Kaitlyn Jean Banks, age 29 of Council Bluffs, IA for Possession of Marijuana – 1st Offense and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was released on $1,300 bond.

On 06/29/2024, deputies arrested Heather Autumn Shaw, age 36 of Farragut, IA for Driving Under Suspension. She was released on $566.25 bond.

On 06/29/2024, deputies arrested Paul Michael Laughlin, age 59 of Imogene, IA for Domestic Abuse Assault – 1st Offense. He was released on $300 bond.

On 06/30/2024, deputies arrested Theresa Renee Charles, age 38 of Council Bluffs, IA for Driving License Denied/Revoked – OWI. She is being held on $1,000 bond.

On 07/01/2024, deputies arrested Corbin Michael Reed, age 22 of Shenandoah, IA for Public Intoxication and Possession of Controlled Substance. He is being held on $1,300 bond.

Banks

Birkby

Charles

Foster

Goff

Harris

Hayes

Johnson

Reed

Nicholas

Myers

Morelock

Laughlin

Liles

McKeone

Menses-Sanchez

Young

Warner

Vargas

Smith

Shearer

Shaw

Rodriguez De-Paz

40% of homes in Spencer hit by floodwaters

News

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Stoplights in Spencer are back in action, but power is still out in many neighborhoods following flash flooding that hit the city ten days ago. Spencer Mayor Steve Bomgaars says initial estimates indicate 40 percent of homes in Spencer have flood damage. “Some of our friends on the southside of the town who are without electricity still,” he says, “and we even have some pockets on the north side of town that don’t have electricity.” FEMA representatives went door-to-door in southeast Spencer on Saturday. Bomgaars says the latest tally shows nearly 15-hundred Spencer residents have applied in person or online for some form of federal assistance.

Iowa Department of Transportation dump trucks started hauling debris out of Spencer this weekend. Kevin Robinson, the deputy city manager in Spencer, says the first D-O-T crews who rolled into Spencer on Saturday collected 152 loads of debris — including 350 appliances from the north central area of Spencer. “Their run time is going to be from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.,” Robinson says. “They work straight through. They don’t take breaks. They eat their meals in transit.”

Some Clay County residents who live outside of Spencer have brought their flood damaged debris into Spencer for disposal, but Clay County officials say residents in rural areas can also arrange for crews to pick-up flood debris at their homes.

Drug investigation in Clarinda nets two arrests

News

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Clarinda, Iowa) – Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports his Officers recently made two arrests, in connection with an investigation concerning the distribution of methamphetamine in Clarinda. On Friday afternoon, June 28th, officers arrested 54-year-old Lowell Richard Wilcox, of Clarinda, and 44-year-old Cindy Jo Gray, of New Market. Wilcox and Gray are both charged with felony distribution of methamphetamine, felony possession of methamphetamine and failure to affix drug tax stamps.

The pair are currently in custody at the Page County Jail on $25,000 bond, pending formal charging decisions by the Page County Attorney’s Office.

All defendants are presumed innocent under [the] system of criminal justice, until found guilty in a court of law.”

Guthrie County Sheriff’s report, 7/1/24

News

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Guthrie County say no injuries were reported following two accidents that took place last week. Wednesday morning, a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 18-year-old Mason Joseph Sawyer, of Coon Rapids, was traveling north on Andrews Terrace. When Sawyer attempted to turn into a driveway, the SUV went out control and rolled over before coming to rest against a tree. Authorities say he was driving too fast for conditions, but there were no citations issued. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $4,500.

And, on June 23rd, a 2010 Chevy Traverse driven by 49-year-old Kerry Ann Stonehocker, of Linden, backed into a gas pump at Sparky’s Gas Station, in Guthrie Center. The woman told authorities she was backing-up and thought she saw someone in her peripheral vision. She accelerated in reverse into the gas pump, to avoid a potential collision. No citations were issued. Damage to the car amounted to $4,000. Damage to the gas pump was estimated at $50,000.

Authorities said also, Panora Police covered the accident that took place Friday. Three juveniles were injured – two were ejected. Additional details were not immediately available.

Radio Iowa/Baseball Coaches Association High School Poll 7/1/24

Sports

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The top ranked teams remain the same in the latest Radio Iowa/Baseball Coaches Association High School Poll, out July 1st:

Class 4A
1. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (29-2), LW #1
2. Dallas Center-Grimes (30-2), LW #2
3. Iowa City High (30-6), LW #3
4. Johnston (27-5), LW #4
5. Ankeny Centennial (22-9), LW #4
6. Linn-Mar (23-7), LW #6
7. Iowa City Liberty (21-11), LW #8
8. Waukee Northwest (21-12), LW #9
9. Davenport North (25-10), LW #10
10.Waukee (23-13) LW #7

Class 3A
1. North Polk (19-5), LW #1
2. Marion (25-4), LW #2
3. Dubuque Wahlert (24-8), LW #3
4. Sioux City Heelan (25-9), LW #5
5. Western Dubuque (20-10), LW #5
6. Davenport Assumption (19-12), LW #7
7. Grinnell (22-9), LW #8
8. Solon (23-10), LW #9
9. Bondurant-Farrar (19-8), LW #10
10.Pella (20-7), LW (X)

Class 2A (Final)
1. West Marshall (31-1), LW #1
2. Des Moines Christian (27-2), LW #4
3. Underwood (21-2), LW #2
4. Van Meter (26-5), LW #3
5. Dyersville Beckman (16-8), LW #5
6. New Hampton (22-5), LW #6
7. Estherville Lincoln Central (17-5), LW #7
8. Sumner-Fredricksburg (20-3), LW #8
9. Clarinda (19-3), LW #9
10.Northeast (Goose Lake) (16-7), LW (X)

Class 1A (Final)
1. Akron-Westfield (20-3), LW #1
2. Burlington Notre Dame (23-3), LW #2
3. Mason City Newman (24-5), LW #3
4. Remsen St. Mary’s (18-3), LW #4
5. Lynnville-Sully (22-3), LW #5
6. Saint Ansgar (21-2), LW #6
7. Wapsie Valley (28-6), LW #7
8. Sigourney (17-2), LW #10
9. Algona Garrigan (19-5), LW (X)
10.Don Bosco (20-7), LW (X)

Straka set to defend his title at John Deere Classic

Sports

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Defending champion Sepp Straka is one of eight former champs in the field at this week’s John Deere Classic in the Quad Cities. George McNeilly reports.

The first round of the John Deere Classic is Thursday.

Special traffic enforcement planned for holiday

News

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Independence Day holiday is going to be a long one with the 4th falling on Thursday, and that could mean a lot more celebrating across the state. State Patrol Trooper Paul Gardner says they don’t want the celebration to spill over to the highways. “July 4th, there’s gonna be a lot of celebrations and we want to make sure that everyone is partying responsibly,” he says, “and if those parties do involve alcoholic beverages that need to just make sure that they’re going to be having designated drivers to get everyone home safe.” He says a special holiday enforcement effort will start on Wednesday.

“And that’s really going to focus on O-W-I enforcement so we’ll have extra troopers on the roads we’ll be working with our local law enforcement agencies as well,” Gardner says. Gardner says alcohol and driving can be fatal for you and others.  “Last year in 2023, statewide we had 377 traffic fatalities and we were at a five year high and we’ve seen a reduction in that so far this year, but last year’s total also included 38 percent of those that were killed in traffic crashes were involving drunk drivers,” Gardner says.

The special holiday traffic enforcement will run through Sunday July 7th.

Hospital exec warns assaults on nursing staff are rising

News

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) -A top administrator in one of Iowa’s leading health care systems says the safety of staff is becoming a concern. Scott Curtis is vice president of network development for MercyOne. “We aren’t that much unlike what we hear about in the airline industry, for example, certainly law enforcement,” Curtis says, “but our health care workers are continually put in situations that are not safe and that’s a challenge.” An Iowa Hospital Association survey found hospitals in the state reported nearly 37-hundred incidents of what it classified as workplace violence last year. That includes verbal threats as well as being kicked, punched and scratched.

Curtis recently discussed the issue with U-S Senator Joni Ernst during her visit to a MercyOne clinic in Forest City. “We continue to talk with the senator and other representatives about the type of laws that we could put in place that would heighten the ramifications to folks that bring harm to our workers,” he says. Nearly 40 states have laws with enhanced penalties for assaults on health care workers. A recent report from a company that surveys patients and employees throughout the country found nearly 17-thousand assaults on nursing staff in U-S hospitals were reported last year. That’s a record.