(Harlan, Iowa) – Officials with the Harlan Police Department, Wednesday, released information pertaining to five arrests conducted over the past week. On Wednesday (10/27), 26-year-old Matthew Allen Strong, of Harlan, was arrested on an active Shelby County warrant. Strong was transported to the Shelby County Jail. On Tuesday, 32-year-old Daniel Jon Kenkel, of Harlan, was arrested on active Shelby County warrants. Kenkel was transported to the Shelby County jail where he was charged with violation of a no contact order, harassment, possession of a controlled substance and prohibited acts.

Last Friday, 64-year-old Terri Jo Utterback, of Harlan, was arrested following the execution of a search warrant. Utterback was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. And, on Oct. 19th, 35-year-old Albert Alexander Johnson, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop. Johnson was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with driving suspended, speed, fail to yield to emergency vehicles, operating a non-registered vehicle and no proof of insurance.

That same day, 49-year-old Jamie Dean Anderson, of Harlan, was arrested on an active Jasper County warrant. Anderson was transported to the Shelby County Jail.

(Albia, Iowa) – Two people were injured during a collision late Wednesday morning between an AMTRAK train, and a garbage truck. The collision happened at around 11:30-a.m. in Monroe County, northwest of the small town of Avery, which is northeast of Albia. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2011 International garbage truck driven by 33-year-old Kyle Vincent Redinger, of Fairfield, was traveling east on 160th Street from 695th, when the truck was struck broadside by the train, and the truck was attempting to cross the Burlington Northern tracks.

The force of the collision caused Redinger to be ejected from the truck, and resulting in serious, life threatening injuries. He was not wearing a seat belt. Redinger was transported by Mercy One Air helicopter, to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.The garbage truck was destroyed by the crash.

The operator of the train, 49-year-old Jennifer Harvey, of Gretna, Nebraska, was injured during the collision, but refused medical care.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department report one-person died as the result of a single-vehicle accident that took place at around 10:45-p.m., Wednesday. The crash happened near the 50 mile-marker of Interstate 29 northbound.

Council Bluffs Police and Fire Department first responders arrived at the scene, where the 68-year-old male driver of the vehicle was found dead.  His name was not immediately released, pending notification of family.

A preliminary investigation revealed the vehicle was northbound on I-29, lost control and left the roadway to the right. The vehicle struck a collapsible barrier in front of a sign board and flipped onto its top.

The accident remains under investigation. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the CBPD Traffic Unit 712-328-4948.

(Radio Iowa) – The cost to fill our gas tanks and heat our homes is rising and Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra says he’s worried about bounding energy prices, especially gasoline, as we head toward the holidays. “This is really significant,” Feenstra says. “We just saw the price of crude oil go up to $85 a barrel so it’s not looking good anytime soon. They’re talking maybe by Christmas having $4.50 gas and this is a real concern.” Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, says the rising price of natural gas is also worrisome.

“I’m on MidAmerican and they sent me a letter saying natural gas is going up 46-98% this winter and we should be prepared for those bills,” Feenstra says. “This is not good for the family and the small business owner and things like that. These are direct costs that come out of our regular paycheck.” Feenstra echoes Senator Chuck Grassley’s comments to Radio Iowa on Tuesday, blaming the Biden administration’s actions for the situation.

“We have the capability of being energy independent. We did that under Trump,” Feenstra says. “When you cut off the XL pipeline and you keep shooting yourselves in the foot when it comes to all the things they want done, that’s what creates all these increased prices.”

Triple-A-Iowa says the average price for gas in the state today is $3.16 a gallon, up from $2.02 a year ago. The current national average is $3.39.

(Radio Iowa via KCRG) – Hundreds of law officers filled the Waukon gymnasium today to say good-bye to State Trooper Ted Benda who died earlier this month after being in an accident on the way to a call. Iowa Public Safety Commissioner Stephen Bayens gave the eulogy.

Benda, was 37 and leaves behind a wife and four daughters. Bayens says he has a lot in common with Benda’s daughters.
“I grew up like most cop kids do — taking for granted that my dad would show up at the end of his shift. As a child, the prospect that anything else would ever happen never crossed my mind,” Bayens says. “My dad like Ted was consistent, steady and strong. My mom, like Ted’s wife Holly knew better, for only they understood the weight and scars their husbands carried.” He says it took him many years to understand why his dad would risk his life for others — and says it was for his family and a sacrificial love for them.

“In law enforcement we are quick to focus on our oath to protect and serve. But when it came to Ted, it was his other vows that truly defined the man,” he says, “his vow to love and cherish his wife Holly. His vow to be a caring and doting dad to his girls. His vow to be a good son, a good brother, a good friend. Underpinning every single one of those vows was a sacrificial love,” Bayens says. Bayens says Benda loved his community and in a final act gave back to others.

“Even in death, Ted’s impact was undeniable. Last week on a gray morning in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, Ted’s family, friends, and coworkers had a chance to honor his final gift to the world as he donated his organs to those in need,” he says. Bayens ended up with this message to Benda’s family.

“To Holly and the girls, thank you for sharing your husband and your dad with use. He could not have served the people of Iowa without your steadfast support. His sacrifices were your sacrifices,” Bayens says, “and we will be forever grateful for his service to the Iowa State Patrol and to the State of Iowa.” The funeral ended with the traditional end of watch call from the dispatcher using Benda’s 313 badge number.

Benda started his career in 2005 with the Division of Criminal Investigation in Marquette before transferring in 2016 to the Iowa State Patrol, serving out of Mason City and most recently at Post 10 in Oelwein.