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Creston Police report, 5/30/24: Creston man arrested on a Sex Abuse charge; Creston woman arrested on Harassment & Assault charges

News

May 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports the arrest at around 6:15-a.m. today (Thursday), of a man charged with 3rd Degree Sexual Abuse. Authorities say 21-year-old Jodie Ray Perkins, II, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. Perkins’ bond was set at $10,000.

And, around 10:40-p.m. Wednesday, Creston Police arrested 32-year-old Shanda Faith Kile, of Creston, in the 500 block of Livingston Street. Kile was taken into custody on a Union County Warrant for Harassment in the 1st Degree, and Assault causing bodily injury or mental illness. Shanda Kile was subsequently released on a $3,000 bond.

Boyer Valley Girls Softball Team Prepares for a Non-Conference Game Against Griswold Thursday Night

Sports

May 30th, 2024 by admin

The Boyer Valley girls softball team knows they are going to playing against a good Griswold Tigers team Thursday night. The Bulldogs are coming off 18-7 loss to Tri-Center on Wednesday Night.

Boyer Valley coach Tommy Dumbaugh says he is up to the challenge for this weeks challenging schedule.

Coach Dumbaugh talked about the five seniors who have made a impact on his roster over the years.

Coach Dumbaugh commented on what’s going to take to get a road win over Griswold Thursday night.

Boyer Valley softball team will travel to take on Griswold on Thursday May 30th in a non-conference game. The game can be heard on KJAN, our coverage will begin at 7:20 p.m.

Iowa’s older voters projected to decide primary election outcome

News

May 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Iowa News Service) – Advocates for Iowa’s older population are calling on seniors to vote in Tuesday’s primary election and have identified their priorities for candidates seeking their support. There are three ways to vote in Tuesday’s primary. Voters can choose to cast a ballot by mail, vote early in person at their county auditor’s office, or the old-fashioned way, by going to polling places and filling out a paper ballot on Election Day. Brad Anderson, state director of AARP Iowa, said whatever method they choose, there is power in numbers for the state’s older voters.

“One thing we know for sure is that older voters will dominate the overall turnout,” Anderson pointed out. “During the last primary election in 2022, 77% were 50 or older.” Anderson said because Iowa’s older voters turn out in high numbers at the polls, AARP is telling candidates exactly what is important to the state’s seniors and what it takes to win their support. He pointed out retirement and health care-related issues top the list. Anderson added the group has laid out a list of priorities for the candidates, reminding them three of four voters in Tuesday’s primary will be 50 or older and their votes could decide the election.

“Older voters care deeply about the future of Social Security,” Anderson observed. “They also care about Medicare and making sure Medicare is intact. And then finally, they care deeply about lowering the cost of prescription drugs.” Anderson stressed despite recent steps taken as part of the Inflation Reduction Act to reduce the prices of some prescription medications, cost remains a hurdle for many older Iowans.

The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4th.

Payton Sandfort Returning for Senior Season

Sports

May 30th, 2024 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa junior Payton Sandfort has withdrawn from the NBA Draft to return to Iowa City for his senior season with the Hawkeye men’s basketball program, the forward announced Wednesday night.

“This process has been an unbelievable experience and thanks to everyone for all the help along the way,” said Sandfort. “But my heart is still in Iowa City, unfinished business.  Trust in God’s plan always.”

Sandfort, a 6-foot-7, 215-pound forward, put up career-best numbers across the board during the 2023-24 season, averaging 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists, while shooting 44.6 percent from the floor, 37.9 percent from distance and 91.1 percent from the free throw stripe. He ranked second in the Big Ten in free throw percentage, third in 3-point percentage, eighth in scoring, 12th in field goal percentage and 13th in rebounding en route to third-team All-Big Ten honors.

The Waukee, Iowa, native scored in double figures in 27 games and posted a team-best 11 20-point contests, including a career-best 30-point, 12-rebound outing in Iowa’s NIT First Round win over Kansas State. He made a career-high seven 3-pointers in the victory.

During the season, Sandfort was one of the best shooters in the Big Ten, leading the league with 94 3-point field goals. He made two or more 3s in 27 games, three or more in 17 games and four or more 12 times. The 94 makes ranked in the top 40 nationally.

Sandfort, who became just the second Big Ten Player since 1992-92 to average 16+ points, 6+ rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 3-point field goals, made Iowa history during a Feb. 27 victory over Penn State. He recorded the first triple-double in program history, finishing with 26 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and three blocks in the game.

“Everyone in our program is elated to have Payton return for his senior season,” said Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery. “Going through the NBA Draft process has been very beneficial for Payton as he was able gain valuable feedback and meet directly with NBA personnel.

“We are looking forward to having Payton return as our team leader and as one of the top players in the Big Ten Conference.”

A Matter of Balance Beginning June 10

News

May 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

ATLANTIC, IA – Cass County Public Health will host a new session of A Matter of Balance beginning Monday, June 10. This free class is designed to help decrease falls and help older adults manage their fears about falling.

A Matter of Balance is an award-winning program to help older adults learn to manage their concerns about falling, make changes to reduce the risk of falling, and increase their physical activity. It includes 8 weekly two-hour sessions for a small group of 8-12 participants led by trained facilitators.

Cass County Public Health has been offering this program since 2018 because falls among adults aged 65 and older are common, costly, and preventable. According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of injury for adults ages 65 years and older, with 1 in 4 older adults reporting falling every year. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults ages 65 and older. The age-adjusted fall death rate increased by 41% from 2012 to 2021. Over 30% of older adult Iowans reported a fall in the past year, totaling over 157,000 individual older adult falls.

For more information, or to sign up, call Cass County Public Health at 712-243-7443.

High School Boys State Soccer Tournament results from Wednesday May 29th

Sports

May 30th, 2024 by admin

IOWA BOYS SOCCER STATE TOURNAMENT 

CLASS 1A STATE QUARTERFINALS

Van Meter 3 West Branch 1

West Liberty 2 Western Christian 1 — OT

North Fayette Valley 2 West Sioux 1

Regina Catholic 3 Hudson 0

 

CLASS 2A STATE QUARTERFINALS

Assumption 4 Glenwood 0

Bishop Heelan Catholic 5 Webster City 1

Gilbert 2 Center Point-Urbana 1

Perry 2 Decorah 1 — 2 OT/PKs

 

CLASS 3A STATE QUARTERFINALS 

Des Moines Hoover 2 Indianola 1

Norwalk 2 Marion 0

Cedar Rapids Washington 2 Xavier 0

Dallas Center-Grimes 8 Storm Lake 1

 

CLASS 4A STATE QUARTERFINALS 

Johnston 3  Iowa City High 2

Iowa City West 4 WDM Valley 2

Pleasant Valley 2 Waukee Northwest 1

Dowling Catholic 3 Ankeny 2

High School Softball results from Wednesday May 29th

Sports

May 30th, 2024 by admin

HAWKEYE TEN CONFERENCE

Atlantic 12, Kuemper Catholic 1

Shenandoah 4, Glenwood 3

Clarinda 15, Red Oak 2

Lewis Central 10, Harlan 1

 

 

WESTERN IOWA CONFERENCE 

Audubon 5 Treynor 4

 

ROLLING VALLEY CONFERENCE 

CAM 13 Glidden-Ralston 3

Woodbine 6 Ar-We-Va 0

 

NON-CONFERENCE 

Thomas Jefferson 10, Essex 0

Sioux City North 9, Underwood 3

Sioux City North 19, Underwood 6

Tri-Center 18, Boyer Valley 7

Panorama 17, IKM-Manning 11

Orient-Macksburg 13, East Union 1

West Central Valley 18, Southwest Valley 7

Murray 6, Lenox 5

Southeast Warren 6, Earlham 1

Martensdale-St. Marys 13, Des Moines Christian 0

Coon Rapids-Bayard 12, Colo-Nesco 3

Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 13, Moravia 1

High School Baseball results from Wednesday May 29th

Sports

May 30th, 2024 by admin

HAWKEYE TEN CONFERENCE

Glenwood 6, Shenandoah 3

Clarinda 10, Red Oak 0

Harlan 3, Lewis Central 2

 

ROLLING VALLEY CONFERENCE

Woodbine 14, Ar-We-Va 3

Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton 10, Boyer Valley 6

CAM 18, Glidden-Ralston 3

 

MISSOURI RIVER CONFERENCE

Abraham Lincoln 17, Thomas Jefferson 2

Abraham Lincoln 13, Thomas Jefferson 8

NON-CONFERENCE

Logan-Magnolia 13, St. Albert 2

Interstate 35 13, Creston 3

Underwood 4, Kuemper Catholic 1

 East Mills 9, AHSTW 4

West Central Valley 15, Southwest Valley 2

Lenox 9, Murray 1

Earlham 5, Southeast Warren 1

Madrid 13, Martensdale-St. Marys 10

Iowa’s severe weather sparks record home insurance claims, premiums

News

May 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Tornadoes and other types of severe weather can make life hard on property owners, but also on the companies that insure them. The Insurance Journal says most home insurance companies paid out more in claims in Iowa last year than they collected in premiums. In some cases, the so-called “loss ratio” was well over two-to-one. Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen says the last few years have been especially difficult for mutual insurance companies, which are owned by policy holders and write most of the policies in Iowa.

“They’re able to write business in our state based upon obtaining reinsurance,” Ommen says, “and the reinsurance rates have just really gone up dramatically, since really the 2020 derecho, and the hail storms that we’ve had in very recent years.” Ommen says national carriers have more access to capital, and are able to spread risk across a larger geographic area. Just a few years ago, he says Iowa led the nation in affordability for homeowner’s insurance, but that changed with the derecho. Ommen encourages property owners to contact their insurance agent and review policies every year, so they aren’t caught by surprise when a storm causes damage and the insurance payout isn’t what’s expected.

“So many times, the complaints that come to our office are driven by that idea that ‘I didn’t understand,’ and that’s why it’s critically important to understand what is the coverage,” Ommen says, “to do an annual review of your coverage, to know and understand what that means.”

The trade publication Insurance Journal says nationally, the number of insurers entering liquidation or receivership in 2023 was close to twice the 2022 level. Many of those companies provided reinsurance, essentially coverage for insurance companies.

Former western IA Fire Chief arrested on Theft & Money Laundering charges

News

May 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Updated) – The former fire chief in Pacific Junction is accused of stealing at least 40-thousand dollars from the charity fund for the town’s fire department. Sixty-seven-year-old Ernie Gencarelli, Junior, is charged with first degree theft, money laundering and ongoing criminal mischief. Gencarelli served as fire chief for about five years, from 2018 until he resigned in May of 2023. Mills County Deputy Sheriff Jeremy Ripperger says in late 2023 the city’s new fire chief came forward with concerns.

“He had noticed some unusual charges on their Pacific Junction Fire Responders Association charity account. This wasn’t an account that was tied to the city. This was a straight charity account for the fire department,” Ripperger says. “He had noticed some charges at local restaurants and and things that didn’t seem appropriate.” The funds in the account came mostly from department fundraisers – like pancake feeds or cookouts – as well as donations from local residents. Over the course of his five-month investigation, Ripperger says he uncovered about 40-thousand dollars worth of inappropriate charges.

“Cash withdrawals, personal purchases, loan payments, even things such as a chest freezer and diapers,” Ripperger says. The Pacific Junction Fire Department was officially disbanded last December, when all of its members resigned. Fire calls in the community are now handled by Glenwood’s fire department. Mills County Attorney DeShawne Bird-Sell says the alleged misconduct is disheartening because the money all came from donations.

“These were all volunteer firemen and women. These were the individuals that were here on their own time. These were all the individuals that made all the fundraising that put all of these funds into these accounts,” she says, “and one of their own took them and utilized them for his own purposes.” Ripperger says the charity account lacked the kind of oversight that could have prevented the former fire chief’s alleged actions. “He was the president, secretary and treasurer of that charity fund,” the deputy said, “and when I’ve talked to other members of the department, (they said) he would just give a balance update, so there weren’t checks and balances in place at the time.”

Gencarelli faces up to 45 years in prison if convicted on the felony charges.