(Radio Iowa) – A Des Moines Register “Iowa Poll” released this weekend shows Republican Senator Chuck Grassley with a 12 point lead over Democratic challenger Mike Franken. Grassley has joined a group of Republicans running for statewide office flying to campaign rallies in eight different cities today (Monday). “Like the governor and everybody else up here, we don’t take your vote for granted,” Grassley said, “so in a humble way, I ask for your vote.” Grassley is seeking an eighth term in the U.S. Senate. “The people tomorrow have a choice between a rubber stamp for the Biden Administration and everything that’s gone wrong in the last two years or this person that’s serving the people of Iowa,” Grassley said. “I think I’m in tune with the people of Iowa by traveling the state as I do every year.”

Franken says he’s appealing to independents and Republicans as well as Democrats who believe Grassley’s 63 years in office is enough. “If we want a different direction for the state of Iowa,” Franken said, “if we want a clean thought process, a place where America looks in the mirror and feels good about itself and where economically, scholastically, health care are of high import to you, then give me a look.” Franken suggests having former President Trump campaign for Grassley last Thursday was an act of desperation.

“And in my hometown, in Sioux City,” Franken said. “…In phone calls I got flooded with from Sioux Citians afterwards, saying: ‘OMG, save us from ourselves.’ I’m not that type of savior, but I am a steady hand on the tiller and hopefully we get this ship of state back on course.” Franken is campaigning in Sioux City, Council Bluffs and Ames today (Monday).

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A man was cited for Failure to provide proof of insurance, following a hit-and-run accident Friday afternoon, in Red Oak. According to Red Oak Police, officers were called to 300 block of W. Reed Street, for a report of a hit-and-run property damage accident. They observed a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 legally parked in front of a residence with damage to the driver’s side rear. The owner of the truck, said a black SUV was parked across the street in front of the Red Oak Greenhouse, when it backed into the parked truck. The SUV took off westbound on Reed Street. There were no injuries reported.

The vehicle returned to the scene while officers were working on their report. The driver of the SUV, 24-year-old Jose Ramiro Cruz Palafox, of Red Oak, told police his vehicle hit the pickup truck. Damage from the collision amounted to $4,100. No citations were issued.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department says no injuries were reported following a crash Wednesday afternoon, at the uncontrolled intersection of Harsh and Mulberry Streets. According to the report, 38-year-old Denise Michelle Squires, of Creston, was driving a 2018 Lexus northbound on Mulberry, at the same time a 2002 Dodge pickup driven by 17-year-old Jesetta D. Miller, of Creston, was traveling west on Harsh Street.

Authorities say Miller told them she was driving at around 30 mph when her pickup collided with the car. Squires told police she saw the pickup “flying” down the road at around 40 to 50 mph, and that she didn’t have time to react.  Both drivers were checked out by medics and cleared. The car was totaled in the crash, with damage estimated at $30,000. The pickup sustained $7,000 damage. Both vehicles were towed from the scene. No citations were issued.

Creston Police report also, an accident happened at around 12:24-p.m. Friday, but no one was hurt. The incident involving a 2003 GMC pickup and a 2020 Honda SUV, occurred at the intersection of Sumner and Russell Streets. An investigation determined the SUV, driven by 70-year-old Sally Ann Ross, of Marshalltown, was stopped facing north in traffic, waiting for other traffic to clear for her to make a left turn. The driver of the pickup, 18-year-old Peyton Wyatt Parrish, of Creston, told police he tried to stop, but was unable to do so in-time. The pickup hit the SUV in the rear.

Damage from the collision amounted to an estimated $5,000.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – A man riding a motorcycle was seriously injured Saturday afternoon, during a collision with a Dodge pickup truck. Council Bluffs Police reports the crash victim, 18-year-old Reese Schlotfeld, of Council Bluffs, was transported by rescue squad to the UNMC in Omaha. A report on his condition was not released. Police say he’s one of the same motorcyclists suspected of fleeing from police about 5-minutes earlier.

Authorities say about at about 4:25-p.m., a Council Bluffs Police Office attempted to stop two motorcycles on Frontage Road near the 3600 block of W. Broadway. When the officer activated his cruiser’s emergency lights and siren, the two cycles drove off-road through an open field, away from the officer. At that point, the chase was terminated and the officer turned-off his emergency equipment before going back into service on patrol. The last known siting of the motorcycles by police, was in the 3400 block of Avenue A.

At around 4:30-p.m., authorities were notified about a personal injury crash involving a motorcycle and a pickup truck at 26th and Avenue A.  Witnesses said the motorcycle were seen driving recklessly on Broadway and through residential yards at high rates of speed. A report of a black SUV (Not a police cruiser) was seen following the cycles at one point. The case remains under investigation by the Council Bluffs Police Special Operations/Traffic Unit. Charges are pending in the case. The driver of the pickup truck, 50-year-old David Petersen, of Council Bluffs, was not injured.

Anyone with information about the owners/operator of the black SUV, should call 712-328-4948.

(Western Iowa) – Voters across the State will be heading to the polls Tuesday, to select those who will lead Iowa in County, State and Federal positions. Area results will be posted on the KJAN News page as soon as the become final from either the County Auditor’s Office or Secretary of State’s website, whichever comes first. In addition, listen for Radio Iowa’s statewide election reports at the following times, Tuesday:

• 8:06 p.m.
• 8:30 p.m.
• 9:06 p.m.
• 9:30 p.m.
• 10:06 p.m.
• 10:30 p.m.

Locally, there are no contested races in Cass County, but Adair County voters will determine who fills the County Supervisor District 4SE seat on the Board of Supervisors. Republican Nathan Baier, and Doug Davidson are running for the position.

In Adams County, six people are running for one of five seats on the non-partisan Adams County Extension Council. The candidates include: Chris Gilbert; Laura Bowman; Sue Privett; Rex Townsend; Kyle Shipley, and Clifford Mann. Gilbert, Mann and Townsend are running for re-election to the Extension Council.

There are no contested seats in Audubon County, but in Pottawattamie County, four people are running for three seats on the Board of Supervisors. They include Republicans Jeff Jorgensen, Susan Miller, and Scott Belt, along with Democrat Jeff Shudak. Scott Belt is running as an incumbent.

There are no contested races in Montgomery and Shelby Counties. In Guthrie County, Republican Maggie Armstrong and Democrat Tom Flanary, are competing for the District 3 seat on the Board of Supervisors. Democrat Michael Herbert and Republican Steve Smith are vying for the District 4 seat. And, Democrat John Maschman is hoping for a win over his challenger, Republican Dana Minteer, and claim the job of Guthrie County Attorney.

There will also be a question about an IOWA Constitutional Amendment with regard to the right to keep and bear arms: