COUNCIL BLUFF, IA – The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa reports that on Friday, July 23, 2021, 71-year-old Hershal James Ratliff, of Council Bluffs, a long time businessman and owner of Jimmy’s All American Malt Shop and Grill in Council Bluffs, was found guilty of four counts of sex trafficking minors, two counts of sex trafficking adults and two counts of distributing a controlled substance to a person under twenty-one years of age. The verdict came after a four-day trial in Council Bluffs U-S District Court.

Evidence presented at trial showed that RATLIFF, over the last ten years, would have minor girls come to his house an perform sex acts on him and with his friends in exchange for money, drugs, and other material things. The testimony showed that Ratliff provided the minor girls with alcohol, prescription Xanax, and marijuana both before and after they participated in sex acts at his residence.

In addition, the evidence showed that Ratliff obtained sex acts for his friends from adult women by the use of force and coercion. No sentencing date has been set. The investigation was conducted by the Council Bluffs Police Department with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassador’s were hosted by Atlantic City Hall on Thursday, July 22nd. Ambassadors heard from Mayor Dave Jones, and he thanked the community for the opportunity to serve as Mayor and he looks forward to his retirement with his wife Rosie. Mayor Jones spoke about his appreciation and pride in each department of the city and shared that he is optimistic about the direction Atlantic is headed. Mayor Jones shared that each City Hall staff member has great strengths that make the office run smoothly. John Lund, City Administrator, is a great asset when it comes to crunching numbers and researching ideas. Barb Barrick, City Clerk, and Amanda Martin, temporary Deputy City Clerk, provide great support to the department heads and city residents.

Ambassador’s Pictured: (Standing Left to Right) Heidi Hinman, Dawn Marnin, Nedra Perry, Rich Perry, Anne Quist, Bill Saluk, Arlene Drennan, Donnie Drennan, Dr.Keith Leonard, Ruth Sears, Krysta Hanson, Scott Bennett, Dolly Bergmann, Dianne Gipple McCurdy, Kelsey Beschorner.
(Seated Left to Right) Barb Barrick, Grace Garrett, John Lund, Dave Jones, Linda Hartkoff, Pat McCurdy, Amanda Martin, Hannah Richter. (photo courtesy the Atlantic Area CoC)

The Ambassadors learn more about Hannah Richter, temporary Administrative Assistant, as she prepares to head back to Northwest Missouri State University to continue her education in Agriculture Science and Music. City Hall is located at 23 E 4th Street, Atlantic Iowa. For more information about the City of Atlantic, please visit www.atlanticiowa.com or call 712-243-4810.

(Radio Iowa) – Authorities in northwest Iowa are releasing more information about a fatal one-vehicle accident on Thursday morning. Emmet County Sheriff Mike Martens says at around 5:40 A-M, his office received a call from a motorist reporting a vehicle on its top about three miles north of Estherville. Upon investigation at the scene, it was determined that the 2002 Ford pickup was traveling southbound on 400th Avenue when the driver lost control causing the vehicle to skid. The vehicle began rolling on the roadway before coming to rest on its top on the east shoulder and ditch of 400th Avenue.

The driver of the vehicle, 16-year-old James Dean Woodyard, of rural Estherville, was ejected from the vehicle during the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A collision between an SUV and a pickup truck in eastern Iowa, early Friday morning, resulted in a death. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2012 Nissan Rogue driven by 40-year-old Seth Sanderson, of Denver (IA) was westbound on 280th Street in Butler County at around 4:35-a.m., when he failed to stop at the posted intersection with Temple Avenue. The SUV collided with a northbound 2012 Ford F-150 driven by 58-year-old Denis Morrow, of New Hartford.

Sanderson, who was not wearing a seat belt, died at the scene. The accident remains under investigation.