(Red Oak, Iowa) – A collision between an SUV and a motorcycle just before Noon on Friday, May 3rd, resulted in one person being transported to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital. According to Red Oak Police, a 2014 Hyundai Tucson (SUV) driven by 67-year-old Annette Ruth Archer, of Red Oak, was backing onto N. 4th Street from the alley on the east side of the road. Her view was partially obstructed due to vehicles parked along the roadway. As she was backing-up, Archer failed to see a northbound 2017 Harley Davidson motorcycle, operated by 55-year-old Ronald Water Lorenz, of Red Oak.

Lorenz saw the SUV, but was unable to avoid the collision. The motorcycle struck the passenger side of the SUV. Lorenz complained of pain and possible injury. He was transported to the hospital by private vehicle, to be checked out.

Annette Archer was cited for Failure to Yield upon entering a through highway. Her vehicle sustained an estimated $2,000 damage, while the Harley sustained an estimated $15,000 damage.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests. On May 2nd, Deputies in Adair County arrested 24-year-old Drew Darin Steckelberg, of Adair. He was taken into custody in Adair, on Adair County warrants for FTA (Failure to Appear in court) on charges that include: Theft in the 5th Degree; Trespass/1st offense, and Theft in the 2nd Degree. Steckelberg was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $5,600 cash-only bond.

And, on April 29th, Stuart Police conducted a traffic stop on I-80 eastbound at mile marker 97. The driver of the vehicle, 42-year-old Daniel Grant Lund, of Des Moines, was arrested for Driving While License Denied or Revoked. Lund was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Guthrie County will hold their regular weekly meeting at 9-a.m. on Tuesday, May 7th in their Guthrie County Courthouse Board Room. On their agenda is discussion and possible action, with regard to Juvenile Court Officer space, and the adoption of a resolution adopting a Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP).

The Board will receive Department Head updates and possibly take action on related matters. Updates are expected from Jotham Arber with Health Services, and Jamie Lindsay, with Human Resources.

Join the meeting electronically:

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(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday (May 7, 2024), will discuss and take possible action on, an economic development grant for the Anita Locker. They are also expected to receive a request for ARPA funds from Griswold City Administrator Sheryl Owen, with regard to a Splash Pad ($10,000 request), and a lift station at the Land of Oz Housing Development ($227,400 request). They will discuss guidelines for using County funds for economic development.

The Board will receive a presentation from Cass County Wellness Coordinator Grace McAfee, and act on a request to proclaim May as “Mental Health Awareness Month.” Regular reports are expected from: Conservation Director Micah Lee (Quarterly report); Mike Kennon, on Zoning; and Trent Wolken – Cass County Engineer.

In other business, the Cass County Supervisors will act on appointing to the Eminent Domain Commission: Justin Miller; and David Riedemann. And to accept the resignations of: Max Potter, Cass Township Clerk (effective May 7th), and Duane Ortgies, as Victoria Township Trustee (as effective May 7th).

The Supervisor’s meeting begins at 9:00-a.m. in their Cass County Courthouse Board Room.

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(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled that a lawsuit over the ownership of donated artifacts inside the official residence of the governor should be allowed to proceed. According to the Iowa Capital Dispatch, the ruling centers on a dispute between the private, nonprofit Terrace Hill Society Foundation and the state’s Terrace Hill Commission, both of which are dedicated to restoring, preserving and furnishing Terrace Hill, the official residence of Iowa’s governor. The building, located at 2300 Grand Ave. in Des Moines, is a National Historic Landmark built in 1869. For years, the foundation worked closely with the commission, a state entity that manages the governor’s residence, by placing items from its collection of artifacts on display at Terrace Hill.

In recent years a dispute arose over ownership and control of the collection, which, the foundation claimed, resulted “in the commission, in effect, seizing control of the collection.” In 2022, the Terrace Hill Society Foundation sued the commission, alleging that for nearly 50 years, the foundation and its predecessors had received hundreds of items of donated property, including historical artifacts and monetary donations, for the restoration and improvement of Terrace Hill.

The foundation argued that it had placed many of the donated items into the “custody and control of the commission,” while relying on an agreement the two had to work “harmoniously” and “cooperatively” in a joint effort to improve the mansion. According to the foundation, the agreement provided that donations from the foundation to the commission were made with the understanding that the foundation would retain ownership of the items. The commission, represented by the attorney general’s office, attempted have the district court dismiss the lawsuit, arguing it was barred by the doctrine of sovereign immunity. The district court denied that motion, but the state appealed, sending the matter to the Iowa Supreme Court.

Terrace Hill

The court on Friday ruled in favor of the foundation, affirming the district court judge’s decision that the foundation “has property rights under state law and the Iowa Constitution, and it is entitled to have this court rule on the merits of its ownership claims.” The ruling means litigation over the issue of ownership can resume at the district court level.

The Terrace Hill Commission is a nine-person board, created by statute and appointed by the governor, that provides for the preservation, maintenance, renovation, landscaping and administration of Terrace Hill.

(Creston, Iowa) – (Updated w/Creston PD CORRECTION!**) Four people were arrested on drug charges over the weekend, in Creston. According to the Creston Police Department, at around 12:33-a.m. Saturday, 45-year-old Robert Todd Jackson, of Creston, was arrested at the intersection of Mills and Sumner Streets, on charges that include: Possession of Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine/1^st Offense, and Driving while Suspended. Jackson was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on a $1,300 Cash or Surety Bond; 47-year-old Deanne Michelle Jackson, of Creston, was arrested at the same time and place, for Possession of Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine/1^st Offense. Jackson was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on a $1,000 Cash or Surety Bond; and, at around 3:30-p.m. Saturday, Creston Police arrested 49-year-old Carrie Ann Johns, of Creston**, at the intersection of Jarvis and Adams Streets. Johns was charged with Driving while Barred. She was cited and released on Promise to Appear (in court). 

Sunday evening, Creston Police arrested 20-year-old Daemon Cole Rodriquez, of Texas, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Rodriquez was cited and released on Promise to Appear. And, 41-year-old Amanda Morris, of Afton, was arrested at Casey’s North, in Creston. Morris was charged on a Guthrie County Warrant for FTA Possession of Contraband in Correctional Institution, Possession of Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine 1^st Offense and Operating while Under the Influence 1^st Offense. Morris is being held in Adams County on No Bond awaiting extradition to Guthrie County Jail.

Creston Police report also, that at around 2:36-a.m. Saturday, 21-year-old Aaron James Cozad, of Creston, was arrested for  OWI/1^st Offense, and Driving while Revoked. Cozad was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on a $2,000 Cash or Surety bond.

(Pottawattamie County, Iowa) – In response to the overwhelming cleanup efforts following the severe weather of April 26th, Pottawattamie County has announced the establishment of a tree debris drop-off location. There is no charge for property owners in the county to utilize the drop-off, and officials emphasize material outside vegetative debris will not be accepted. Loads including scrap metal, lumber, and other material will be denied.

• LOCATION: 145th Street & Rosewood Road; formerly known as the ‘KOA Campground’
• DATES: Now through June 6, 2024 (Seven days a week, closed Memorial Day)
• HOURS: 8:00AM-4:00PM

The drop-off is open to all property owners in the county who experienced damage from the recent weather events. Pottawattamie County Secondary Roads employees will be on-site with equipment to assist in the process. Once operation of the drop-off location is complete, Pottawattamie County Conservation will burn the debris.

With the governor’s request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration, Pottawattamie County officials are emphasizing the importance of residential and business property owners submitting their damages to the Pottawattamie County Emergency Management website. The reports provide vital information that support the request for federal assistance to homeowners and business owners. The damage reporting portal can be accessed at pcema-ia.org.