United Group Insurance

Work Release Escape of Brent Robinson

News

October 13th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

Coralville, Iowa – The Iowa Dept. of Corrections, on Wednesday, reported 21-year-old Brent Lee Robinson, convicted of Robbery 2nd Degree in Linn County, failed to report back to the Hope House Residential Facility as required, Tuesday.

Robinson is a white male, height 6’3″, and weighs 201 pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on August 11, 2022. Persons with information on Robinson’s whereabouts should contact local police.

Brent Robinson (IA DOC photo)

West Des Moines Man Charged with Securities Fraud; State Encourages Potential Victims to Come Forward

News

October 13th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

Des Moines, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau report, 68-year-old Alan Steven Kessler, of West Des Moines, was recently charged with one count of Theft in the First Degree Against an Older Individual (Class B Felony), one count of Ongoing Criminal Conduct (Class B Felony), and one count of Securities Fraud (Class C Felony) following an investigation by the Iowa Attorney General’s Office and the Iowa Insurance Division’s Securities Bureau. The charges against Kessler stem from an investigation which began in April of 2022.  According to a criminal complaint filed by the Dallas County Attorney’s Office, Kessler allegedly had an ongoing scheme to steal from and defraud an elderly individual.

Alan S. Kessler (Photo Courtesy of Dallas County Sheriff’s Office)

Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen said “This case is working its way through the legal system, but it’s possible that there may be more victims out there. I encourage anyone that may have been defrauded by Mr. Kessler to come forward and contact our offices immediately.” Attorney General Tom Miller says “This is one of the first charges filed under Iowa’s new criminal elder abuse law, which went into effect July 1. We’ve been advocating for the legislation for years to address abuses like these.” Miller encouraged Iowans to report other alleged instances of fraud by Kessler to the Consumer Protection Division at consumer@ag.iowa.gov or 888-777-4590.

On October 2, 2022, Kessler was arrested and booked into the Dallas County Jail.  Kessler posted a $25,000 bond and was released.

In a separate case, 47-year-old Sang Nguyen, of Des Moines, pled guilty on October 4, 2022, to one count of Insurance Fraud – Application Submission (Class D Felony) following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau.  The investigation began in June of 2022 after the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau received information indicating Nguyen had provided false information to an insurer when purchasing full coverage automobile insurance.

The investigation determined that after Nguyen’s motorcycle was involved in a single vehicle collision and sustained over $3,000 in damage he contacted an insurer to purchase auto insurance coverage.  During the purchase Nguyen provided false information about the existing damage to his motorcycle and was granted full coverage automotive insurance.  Days later, Nguyen filed an insurance claim alleging that the pre-existing damage occurred after he obtained the insurance coverage.  Nguyen’s intent was to receive insurance benefits to which he was not entitled.  Nguyen was arrested on July 20, 2022.

Sang Nguyen (Photo courtesy of the Polk County Jail)

Following his guilty plea, Nguyen received a five year suspended prison sentence and was placed on supervised probation for two years.  Nguyen was also ordered to pay a fine of $1,025.

Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Atlantic Police report on arrests & citations, 9/26/22-10/9/22

News

October 13th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Police Department have issued a report on arrests and citations covering the Sept. 26 through Oct. 9, time-frame. Most recently….

  • This past Sunday (Oct. 9), officers arrested 27-year-old Mikenda Ifraim, of Atlantic, for Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree.
  • Last Friday (10/7), Atlantic Police arrested 22-year-old SK Kovac, of Atlantic, for Harassment in the 2nd Degree.
  • On Oct. 6th, 33-year-old Brett Pryor, of Atlantic, was arrested on charges that include: Domestic Abuse Assault (3rd or subsequent offense); Interference with Official Acts; Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations; Public Intoxication, and Disorderly Conduct.
  • Atlantic Police arrested 24-year-old Kimboy Alian, of Atlantic, on Oct. 5th, for Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree, and Public Intoxication.
  • 26-year-old GLove Kovac, of Atlantic, was arrested Oct. 4th, on a Cass County warrant for Failure to Appear.
  • 22-year-old Justin Rollin, of Atlantic, and 35-year-old Michael Leeper, of Adair, were arrested in Atlantic Oct. 3rd, on separate charges. Rollin was charged with Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree. He was released at the scene with a citation; Leeper was arrested for OWI/1st offense.
  • On Oct. 1st, officers with the APD arrested 48-year-old Dan Christensen, of Atlantic, for: Public Intox.; Interference w/Official Acts; Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree; Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations; Assault; Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana), and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia.
  • Sept. 27th, Atlantic Police arrested 23-year-old Rosemary Moses, of Atlantic, for Disorderly Conduct.
  • And, on the 26th, 19-year-old Myson Kovac, of Atlantic, was arrested for Theft in the 3rd Degree.

With the exception of Justin Rollin, Rosemary Moses, Michael Leeper, GLove Kovac and Mikenda Ifraim, each of the other individuals mentioned remained held in the Cass County Jail, as of Thursday morning.

IATC Individual Cross Country Rankings 10/12/2022

Sports

October 13th, 2022 by admin

Class 1A Girls

4. Madison Sporrer, Logan-Magnolia
11. Ava Campbell, ACGC
13. Allysen Johnsen, Logan-Magnolia
22. Mya Moss, Logan-Magnolia
23. Addison Murdoch, Woodbine
30. Carly Henderson, Riverside

Class 1A Boys

1 Justin Reinhart, ACGC
4. Patrick Heffernan, Boyer Valley
6. Landon Bendgen, Woodbine
7. Colin Lillie, St. Albert
8. Caden Keller, IKM-Manning
12. Doug Berg, Nodaway Valley
28. Andrew Mahaffey, ACGC

Class 2A Girls

5. Mayson Hartley, Clarinda
14. Raenna Henke, Clarinda

Class 2A Boys

25. Treyton Schaapherder, Clarinda
28. Kyle Wagoner, Clarinda

Class 3A Girls

4. Lindsey Sonderman, Harlan
19. Lola Mendlik, Denison-Schleswig
20. Claire Pellett, Atlantic

Class 3A Boys

2. Ethan Eichhorn, Lewis Central
10. Bryant Keller, Glenwood
14. Kade Diercks, Lewis Central
17. Andrew Smith, Glenwood

Tender Barbecued Chicken (10-13-2022)

Mom's Tips

October 13th, 2022 by Jim Field

  • 1 broiler/fryer chicken (3-4 lbs), cut up
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium lemon, thinly sliced
  • 1 bottle (18 oz.) barbecue sauce
  • 3/4 cup cola

In a large skillet, brown chicken in oil in batches.  Transfer to a 3-quart slow cooker.  Top with onion and lemon slices.  Combine barbecue sauce and cola; pour over chicken.

Cover and cook on low until chicken is tender, 4-5 hours.  If desired, skim fat and thicken cooking juices; serve with chicken.

YIELD:  6 servings

Heartbeat Today 10-13-2022

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

October 13th, 2022 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with Carole Schuler about the Cass County American Cancer Society Festival of Trees preparation.

Play

Shannon City man arrested in Creston

News

October 13th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

Police in Creston (IA) report a man was arrested Wednesday morning. Authorities say 34-year-old Jeffrey Michael Hoffman, of Shannon City, was arrested at around 9-a.m.. for Violation of Probation. Hoffman was being held in the Union County Jail on a $5,000 bond.

DOROTHY ELAINE (Anderson) SLOTH, 75, (Celebration of Life Graveside Svcs. 10/15/22)

Obituaries

October 13th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

DOROTHY ELAINE [Anderson] SLOTH, 75, died September 27, 2022, at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines. A Celebration of Life Memorial Graveside service for DOROTHY SLOTH will be held 1-p.m. Saturday, October 15, 2022, at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon has the arrangements.

DOROTHY SLOTH is survived by:

Her daughter – Donisha Cosby, of Audubon.

Her sisters – Diana (John) Ballou, of Audubon; Peggy (Larry) Winegar, of Runnells.

Other relatives and friends.

ROBERT FRANKLIN FRY, 84 (Graveside Svcs. 10/14/22)

Obituaries

October 13th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

ROBERT FRANKLIN FRY, 84, died Sunday, Oct. 9th. Graveside services for ROBERT FRY will be held 1-p.m. Friday, Oct. 14th in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon has the arrangements.

Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday, from Noon until 1-p.m.

ROBERT FRY is survived by:

His sister – Donna Fry, of Audubon.

His brothers – Harry H. (Donna) Fry, Jr., of Sedalia, MO., and Emerson Fry, of Audubon.

Other relatives and friends.

PHYLLIS E. HOFFMAN, 75, of Exira & formerly of Walnut (Svcs. 10/15/22)

Obituaries

October 13th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

PHYLLIS E. HOFFMAN, 75, of Exira (& formerly of Walnut), died Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022. Funeral services for PHYLLIS HOFFMAN will be held 10:30-a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, at the Exira Lutheran Church. Kessler Funeral Home in Exira has the arrangements.

Friends may call at the funeral home, where the family will meet with friends on Friday, Oct. 14th, from 5-until 7-p.m.

Burial is in the Layton Township Cemetery, near Walnut.

PHYLLIS HOFFMAN is survived by:

Her sons – Jerry (Robin) Hoffman, of Elk Horn; Steve Hoffman, of Granville, and Brian Hoffman, of Exira.

Her daughter – Jen (Jeff) Boelter, of Schleswig.

Her sister – JoAnn Barten, of Audubon.

9 grandchildren,  4 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, other relatives and many friends.