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Shelby County Sheriff’s report, 7/19/22: 2 men arrested on Human Trafficking charges*

News

July 19th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has issued a lengthy report on arrests dated from July 3rd through the 18th.

7-3-22: John Todd Prichard, age 28, Portsmouth, IA was arrested after a traffic stop near Fir Rd and St F32. Prichard was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI 1st and Speeding; Marshall Devin Slack, age 20, Elk Horn, IA was arrested after a traffic stop at Catalpa St and Main St in Elk Horn, IA. Slack was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while Barred and Fail to Display Registration Plate.

7-7-22: Ashley Elizabeth McWilliams age 31, Atlantic, IA was arrested after a traffic stop at Catalpa St and Main St in Elk Horn, IA. McWilliams was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while License is Revoked and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability.

7-8-22: Angel Destiny Lentsch, age 20, Des Moines, IA was arrested after a traffic stop in the 800 block of Hwy 59. Lentsch was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while License is Revoked, Operating a Non-Registered Vehicle, and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability.

*7-10-22: Royal Eugene Robinson, age 69, Arion, IA was arrested after a traffic stop on Hwy 59. Robinson was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while License Denied, Suspended, Canceled or Revoked, and Speeding.; Jordan Scott Saathoff, age 20, Walnut, IA was arrested after a traffic stop on Hwy 59. Saathoff was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI 1st, Minor in Possession of Alcohol, and Speeding.

7-11-22: Bryan Ray Dunn, age 34, Des Moines, IA and Hunter Dale Gregory age, 23, Mount Vernon, IL were arrested after a call for service in the 600 block of road M47. Dunn was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Human Trafficking, Theft 1st, and Driving while License is Suspended. Gregory was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Human Trafficking and Theft 1st.

7-12-22: Joshua Caleb Leonard, age 25, West Valley City, UT was arrested after a call for service regarding a suspicious vehicle in the 200 block of road M56. Leonard was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with 3 counts of Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substances.

7-14-22: Jill Annette Wensel, age 50, Logan, IA was arrested after a traffic stop on Hwy 44. Wensel was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while Barred, Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substance, Possession of Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.; Donald Dale Blunk, age 63, Kiron, IA was arrested on a Shelby County Warrant for Failure to Appear on a previous charge of Driving while Barred, Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substances. Blunk was transported to the Shelby County Jail.

7-16-22: Scott John Schimerowski, age 53, Earling, IA was arrested after a call for service in the area of Highway 37 and Highway 191. Schimerowski was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Disorderly Conduct.

7-18-22: Anthonie Damian Newcomb, age 19, Omaha, NE was arrested after a call for service in Kirkman. Newcomb was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Willful Injury causing Serious Injury.

Note: Criminal charges are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Cass County Supervisors discuss Environmental Health report, and appoint Lewis Library Board member

News

July 19th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass/Guthrie County Environmental Health Executive Director Jotham Arber provided the Cass County Supervisors with a Quarterly report this (Tuesday) morning. In it, Arber said the Environmental Health Department was busy conducting many perc tests over the past few months, along with providing well tests and septic system inspections. The perc test is meant to simulate the actual conditions in a working septic system.

Arber said he had some good news with regard to grants to help property owners pay with some of those services.

He mentioned also, that over the next couple of months there will be information coming out through the media and advertisements, reminding people there is money available through the grants, to property owners.

Septic system grants, he says would help he and his staff cover their entire service area, not just the unincorporated area. On a separate note, Arber says they are working on writing a Tanning Ordinance that would cover his four-county service area.

Currently, they are working under the old rules for inspections of tanning shops. In other news, the Cass County Board of Supervisors approved the appointment of Nadine King to the Lewis Library Board. They tabled action on appointments for the Massena and Washington Township Trustees, due to no applicants for those positions. And, the Board tabled action of a Resolution to vacate an Excess Row, until a later meeting when more information could be gathered.

ISU’s Hutchinson named to Maxwell Award Watch List

Sports

July 19th, 2022 by admin

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State senior wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson has been named to the Maxwell Award Watch List. The Maxwell Award is given annually to the outstanding player in college football.

Hutchinson, a Jacksonville, Florida, native, earned First Team All-Big 12 honors for the second-straight season in 2021. He broke the ISU single-season record and led the Big 12 Conference with 83 catches.

Hutchinson finished just short of 1,000 receiving yards (987) and had five touchdown receptions last season, running his career marks to 147 receptions, 1,758 yards and nine touchdowns. He leads all active Big 12 receivers in career receptions (T-14th nationally) and receiving yards (18th nationally).

Hutchinson was 23rd nationally in receptions per game (6.4) and owns an active streak of 25-straight games with a reception. His best performance came against Oklahoma State with career highs in catches (12) and receiving yards (125).

Iowa State opens the season Saturday, Sept. 3 against Southeast Missouri at MidAmerican Energy Field at Jack Trice Stadium. Football season tickets are on sale now for as low as $249 or $35 per game. Join Cyclone Nation this fall by clicking here.

3 Hawkeyes taken in MLB Draft

Sports

July 19th, 2022 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa redshirt sophomore Adam Mazur became the highest drafted Hawkeye in 32 years when he was selected in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres on Sunday night.  He was the 53rd pick overall and the highest drafted player in the Big Ten.

The Woodbury, Minnesota, native is the highest drafted Iowa player since Tim Costo in 1990 when he was picked eighth overall by the Cleveland Indians.  The last Hawkeye to be a second-round pick was Wes Obermueller in 1999 (58th pick) by the Kansas City Royals.

Mazur is the 24th player selected in the MLB Draft during head coach Rick Heller’s tenure in Iowa City.

The right-handed pitcher had a breakout season in his first as a Hawkeye, going 7-3 with a 3.07 ERA in 15 starts en route to earning Big Ten Pitcher of the Year honors.  He allowed just 60 hits and 37 runs (32 earned) over 93 2/3 innings, while fanning 98, limiting hitters to a .178 average and walking just 30.


IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa redshirt sophomore Peyton Williams was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday in the seventh round of the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft.  Williams was the 218th pick overall.

The Johnston, Iowa, native is the second Hawkeye selected in this year’s MLB Draft, joining second round pick Adam Mazur, and he is the 25th player drafted during head coach Rick Heller’s tenure in Iowa City.

Toronto has selected three Iowa players – Nick Allgeyer, Trenton Wallace and Williams – since 2018.

Williams had a breakout 2022 season, hitting .335 with 55 runs, 41 RBIs and 32 extra base hits (17 doubles, 13 home runs and two triples).  The first baseman started 54 games, hitting safely in 38 games and reaching safely in 49 contests and he had 20 multi-hit games.

During the season, Williams ranked seventh in the Big Ten in on-base percentage (.464), eighth in slugging (.622) and eighth in OPS (1.086).


IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa redshirt senior Dylan Nedved was selected by the San Diego Padres on Monday in the ninth round of the 2022 Major League Draft.  Nedved was the 270th pick overall.

Nedved is the third Hawkeye selected in the top 10 rounds – a first in program history.  The right-handed pitcher joins Adam Mazur in San Diego, while Peyton Williams was selected in the seventh round by the Toronto Blue Jays.

Head coach Rick Heller has now coached 26 MLB Draft picks during his tenure in Iowa City.  The three picks this season are the most for the program since 2018 when five players were selected.

Nedved was a jack-of-all-trades pitcher for the Hawkeyes during the 2022 season, spending time as a starter, long reliever and closer.  The Shawnee, Kansas, native went 6-2 with a 3.47 ERA with three saves in 19 appearances, including six starts.  He finished with 75 strikeouts (to 28 walks) over 72 2/3 innings.


Dubuque Wahlert outfielder Tommy Specht was also selected in the 6th round by the Texas Rangers with the 169th overall pick.

Rainfall deficit approaching an inch in many parts of Iowa

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

July 19th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The latest Iowa crop and weather report from the U-S-D-A suggests drought conditions will expand in northwest Iowa this week. The U.S. Drought Monitor’s measurements last Tuesday indicated parts of Plymouth, Cherokee and Woodbury Counties were in extreme drought and much of northwest Iowa were classified as in severe or moderate drought. The state climatologist says while there were heavy rains in northeast Iowa last week, the remainder of the state was drier than normal and the rainfall deficit is approaching an inch in many areas.

Weekly rainfall was just a hundredth of an inch at several reporting stations in northwest and southwest Iowa. The U-S-D-A rates 81 percent of Iowa’s corn crop in good or excellent condition, while just over three quarters of Iowa soybeans have a condition rating of good or excellent.

“Discount Dayz 2022” coming to Atlantic this Saturday

News

July 19th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Residents of Atlantic will find more people buzzing around town, shopping and dining this Saturday, July 23rd, during “Discount Dayz (Previously known as “Crazy Dayz”). Participating Atlantic businesses will offer crazy summer deals during the shop local event. Kelsey Beschorner, Programs Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, says “In the past, Crazy Dayz has primarily been focused on retail-based businesses. We wanted to be more inclusive to businesses of all forms, so we decided to change the name. Businesses will still offer the same great deals, consumers will have the opportunity to experience savings beyond typical retail,” she said.

One lucky shopper will get the chance to win $250 in AtlantiCash. Shoppers are encouraged to post their shopping or dining selfies on Facebook during Discount Dayz, using the hashtags #MyAtlanticIA and #LoveLocal. The winner will be announced Monday, July 25th LIVE on the Chamber’s Facebook Page. “This is a great way to thank and reward people for shopping local. It gives them that extra nudge to spend the day in Atlantic,” Beschorner said.

Shop or eat at these participating locations to be entered in to win $250 in AtlantiCash.

  • Bonnesen’s Five & Ten Store
  • Brown Shoe Fit
  • Brymons Interiors
  • CoffeeGirl
  • Downtowner Cafe
  • Golden Dragon
  • Hanson’s Fine Jewelry
  • Hy-Vee
  • Jazzercise
  • Olsen’s Fuel
  • Outfitters Plus
  • Plaza Azteca
  • Rancho Grande
  • Randy’s Computer
  • Shaved Tail Louie’s
  • Something For You
  • Subway
  • Udderly Delicious

For more information on Discount Dayz deals and other Chamber events, visit www.atlanticiowa.com or contact the Chamber office at 712-243-3017. Discount Dayz is sponsored by First Whitney Bank & Trust and the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission.

Iowa Auditor of State to hold Town Hall tours in the area

News

July 19th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand will meet with community members across southwest Iowa on Wednesday and Thursday this week, as part of his 100 Town Hall Tour.  Auditor Sand will highlight the accomplishments of the office that have saved Iowa taxpayers millions of dollars.  They include uncovering the misuse of public funds and the creation of the Public Innovations and Efficiencies (PIE) program, which encourages local governments to cut costs by reducing waste.

Locally, on July 21st: Sand will be in Atlantic from 6:15-to 7:15-p.m., in the downtown Atlantic City Park; In Audubon at Albert the Bull Park, from 4:15-to 5:15-p.m.; In Red Oak at the Legion Park, from 9:30-until 10:30-a.m., Thursday, and in Harlan, Sand’s Townhall will be in Harlan at Potter’s Park, from 2:45-to 3:45-p.m. See the graphic below for other scheduled dates and times (please click on the image to enlarge).

 

MARGARET MYRTLE RICHARDS, 98, of Bridgewater (Celebration of Life 7/29/22)

Obituaries

July 19th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

MARGARET MYRTLE RICHARDS, 98, of Bridgewater, died June 1, 2022 at the Greenfield Manor, in Greenfield. A Celebration of life service for MYRTLE RICHARDS will be held 11-a.m. Friday, July 29, 2022, at the Carl United Methodist Church, with a luncheon will follow the service at the church. The Cremation Society of Iowa is assisting the family.

Visitation with family takes place one-hour prior to service, at the Carl United Methodist Church.

MYRTLE RICHARDS is survived by:

Her daughter- Ellen Roseann Moore, Greenfield.

Son- Martin (Nita) Richards, Omaha, NE

Five grandchildren, 6 great grand children, other relatives, and friends.

Grassley says he’s not worried about polls or his opponent

News

July 19th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The latest Des Moines Register “Iowa Poll” shows Republican U-S Senator Chuck Grassley may be facing his closest election since 1980. Grassley says he’s not concerned. “You know, I don’t worry much about these polls,” Grassley says. “I don’t worry much about who my opponent is, because I’ve got to work hard as a Iowa’s senator and I’m fighting the bad policies of this Biden administration.”

The poll shows fellow Republican and Governor Kim Reynolds has a 17-point lead over her Democratic opponent, while the same respondents gave Grassley an eight-point lead over his Democratic challenger, Mike Franken.”I got an opponent that says Biden’s doing a fabulous job and I think Iowans disagree with that as evidenced by Biden inflation, by gas prices going up, and not enforcing the open border,” Grassley says. “I think things are very much in Republicans’ favor, particularly in Iowa.”

Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) speaks to SWIPCO employees and community leaders. (Ric Hanson photo) _ FILE PHOTO

A politician once said there’s only two ways to run for reelection, unopposed or scared. Grassley disagrees: “Listen, I’ve never run unopposed as far as I can remember, at least not since I’ve been in Congress, and I never run scared. I’m running doing my job.”

The Iowa Poll was conducted July 10-13 and shows Grassley leads Franken, a retired Navy admiral, by 47 to 39-percent.

Dubuque airport terminal named in honor of Tuskegee Airman who was Dubuque native

News

July 19th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The main terminal at the Dubuque Regional Airport has been named in honor of a man who helped desegregate the U.S. military. Captain Robert L. Martin was born in Dubuque in 1919 and was one of the original members of the Tuskegee Airmen, a World War II unit of black pilots. Dawnelle Gordon is chair of the Martin Commemoration Committee. “At the time, people in the military were in debate and argument over whether Black Americans could be successful as officers in the military,” she says.

Captain Martin had graduated from Dubuque Senior High School, and studied engineering in Ames at what was then called Iowa State College. He was one of 12 Tuskegee Airmen from Iowa. “They stepped up to serve this country during a time when they had few opportunities, even worse adversity than today,” Gordon says, “but they wanted to serve this country they wanted to protect the United States and its freedom.”

Capt. Robert L. Martin

Gordon says convincing local officials to name the terminal for Martin was easy, but it was harder to raise the money to pay for an exhibit and for signs at the airport. Donations totaled 80-thousand dollars.