(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Joni Ernst spoke out against the Democrat-led effort to pass the so-called voting rights bill by ending the Senate filibuster. Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, says it was Democrat Speaker Nancy Pelosi who tried to steal an election in Iowa by considering overturning the election of Congresswoman Marianette Miller-Meeks. “In a blatant political power grab — the speaker of the House spent over 600-thousand dollars of taxpayer money in an attempt to unseat the duly elected Congresswoman Miller-Meeks,” Ernst says.

Ernst says Democrats have criticized Iowa’s new voting laws without looking at the facts. “Three-time since the new Iowa voter law was implemented — the state has seen record-high turnout for elections. Record high turnout. Huge voter participation,” Ernst says. Ernst says the president and other Democrats are not telling the truth.

“Plain and simple, Washington Democrats are gaslighting the American people,” according to Ernst. “There is not a voting crisis in this country — it is manufactured. Their push to blow up the Senate and take over elections isn’t about voter access, it’s about power.” Representative Miller-Meeks sat behind Ernst as she spoke on the Senate floor.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Harlan Police Department, Tuesday, issued a report on arrests dating back to Dec. 23rd. Beginning with the most recent arrests:

• Hugo Gallegos Reyes, age 52, of Omaha, NE, was arrested following a traffic stop on January 1st. Gallegos Reyes was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with operating while intoxicated, failure to have a valid driver’s license, and speed.

There were three arrests on Christmas Day, in Harlan:

• Preston Max Russell, age 21, of Kirkman, was arrested following a traffic stop. Russell was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance, prohibited acts penalties, possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of prescription drugs.
• Sterling Svend Holley, age 28, of Murdock, NE and Phillip Keith May, age 32, of Early, TX, were both transported to the Shelby County Jail. Holley was charged with prohibited acts penalties, unlawful possession of prescription drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while suspended. May was charged with prohibited acts penalties and possession of a controlled substance.

Arrested Dec. 23rd, in Harlan, was:

• 32-year-old Keith Larenta Wilson, of Akron, OH, who was arrested following a call for service. Wiilson was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with public intoxication and interference with official acts.
• 36-year-old Nicholas James Nelson, of Omaha, NE, was arrested following a call for service. Nelson was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of stolen property.
• and, 31-year-old Kaleigh Marie Turner, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop. Turner was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with driving while barred, defective muffler, and no proof of insurance.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest of 50-year-old Sally Mae Petersen of Red Oak on a charge of Trespassing, 1st Offense Tuesday afternoon. Petersen was arrested at 606 Riverview Drive at approximately 1:26 p.m. She was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Iowa State Patrol Tuesday afternoon, released the name of a child who died Monday evening, after being struck by a Red Oak Police Departmment patrol vehicle. Authorities say 12-year-old Vana Marie Redd, of Red Oak, died at the scene of the accident that occurred at around 5:55-p.m. The girl was a student at Inman Elementary School, in Red Oak. She had only lived in Red Oak for a few months. The superintendent of Red Oak schools says grief counselors will be available to support students and staff throughout the week.

A Go-Fund-Me account has been established for the family of Vana Redd. Learn more HERE.

The Patrol reports the accident happened as 22-year-old Red Oak Police Officer Reece Anderson was responding to the Acorn Acres Apartments for a fire. The emergency lights and siren were activated on the 2019 Dodge Durango Anderson was driving. The SUV was traveling north on N. Broadway Street near the intersection with Joy Street, when Redd ran into the roadway and was struck. Anderson has served on the force for two years. He’s now on paid administrative leave. The accident remains under investigation.

Assisting the Patrol with their initial investigation, was officers with the Red Oak P-D, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies, and Red Oak Fire/Rescue personnel and Montgomery County EMA.

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County, Tuesday, said no injuries were reported following a vehicle-versus-deer accident. A 2011 Honda driven by 22-year-old Skyler Grace Nagunst, of Red Oak, was traveling south on Highway 59 at around 1:32-a.m., Tuesday, when a deer ran out in front of the vehicle, and was struck. The accident happened near the intersection with Paddock Avenue. The Honda sustained disabling damage.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors spent a considerable amount of time, Tuesday, discussing budgetary considerations, but took no action. Near the end of the conversation, Board Steve Baier said, with regard to compensation for County employees, told Sheriff Darby McLaren and Recorder Mary Ward, “This will be a difficult budget time.”

Supervisor’s Hartkopf and Green addressed a declining county population when considering law enforcement needs and pay.

Green said he knows the Deputies serve the rural, and there may be other areas of funding to pay for some aspects of their salary/benefits. Chair Steve Baier said “Salaries are the issue.”

In other business, Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken said work on Bridge #280 which is on 700th Street, which includes the replacement of the deck, began Monday.

His crews are also cutting brush and conducting sign maintenance.