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Sand releases report on a Special Investigation requested by the City of Yale (Guthrie County)

News

December 19th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) –  Auditor of State Rob Sand today (Tuesday), released a report on a special investigation of the City of Yale for the period June 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023. The special investigation was requested by City officials as a result of concerns regarding certain financial transactions processed by the former City Clerk, Jill White.

Sand reported the special investigation identified $19,384.70 of improper disbursements and $644.52 of unsupported disbursements. The improper disbursements identified includes $7,753.29 of payment to Ms. White’s Capital One Credit card and Credit One Bank Credit card bills, $5,008.38 of excess checks issued to Ms. White, $2,525.15 of payroll related late fees and interest, $1,977.27 of personal purchases made with the City’s credit card, $724.49 of purchases at gas stations, and $1,396.12 of personal purchases made at Fareway and Hy-Vee.

The $644.52 of unsupported disbursements identified includes $500.00 of reimbursements issued to Ms. White, $119.52 of purchases made with the City’s credit cards to various vendors, and $25.00 for a purchase of a gift card. Because the credit card charges and payments were not supported by sufficient documentation to determine the items paid for, it was not possible to determine if payments were for City operations or personal in nature.

In addition, Sand reported City officials did not implement policies or procedures to address the recommendations included in a report released by Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn, and Co., PC. In November 2021 for the period ending March 21, 2021. The report included recommendations to segregate duties, reconcile bank accounts, disbursements exceeding budgeted amounts, not maintaining a written investment policy or depository resolution, approval of all disbursements by council, and preparation of timesheets.

Sand recommended City officials implement procedures to ensure the City’s internal controls are strengthened, including properly segregating duties, performing independent reviews of bank reconciliations, and ensuring all disbursements are properly supported, approved, and paid in a timely manner.

Copies of this report have been filed with the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Guthrie County Attorney’s Office, and the Attorney General’s Office. A copy of the report is available for review on the Auditor of State’s website at Special Interest Reports.

Posted in News |

Creston man arrested on drug charges Tue. morning (12/19)

News

December 19th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston say a man was arrested early this (Tuesday) morning, on drug charges. 25-year-old Dylan James Lawrence, of Creston, was taken into custody at around 12:07-a.m., at the intersection of Lincoln and Prairie Streets. He was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Marijuana/2nd Offense. Dylan Lawrence was taken to the Union County Jail and held on a $1,300 cash or surety bond.

And a man residing in the 200 block of E. Mills Street, in Creston, reported to police Monday afternoon, that someone took his jacket on December 6th, while he was at the Laundromat washing clothes. The coat is described as black and gold with an Iowa Hawkeye symbol on the back. The loss was estimated at $75.

Posted in News |

Health officials urge Iowans to get their RSV vaccination to prevent the spread to those most at risk

News

December 19th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Federal and state health data show just 20 percent of Iowans have received the updated COVID-19 booster, and only 30 percent have gotten their annual flu shot. Madison VanGundy with the Polk County Health Department is urging people to get vaccinated ahead of the holidays. “It does take two full weeks to get that full immunity protection from vaccines, but you’re still going to help us you know, reduce the spread of respiratory viruses if you get vaccinated now,” she say.

The Centers for Disease Control reports the rate of COVID and flu hospitalizations have been increasing statewide. VanGundy says some people aren’t getting the shots due to time constraints and the minor side effects that can come from the vaccines. “To the mild side effects reasoning, we would say, you know, would you rather be out for 24 hours with some minor aches?,” she says. “Or would you rather be hit hard with the respiratory viruses and be out for one to two weeks.”

VanGundy says the number of residents in her county who are up to date on their respiratory virus shots is down significantly this year.

Posted in News |

Webster City HS Asst. Principal’s immediate resignation accepted Monday

News

December 19th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

Webster City, Iowa (KCCI) — The Webster City High School is now looking for a new assistant principal. The board unanimously accepted Patrick Farley’s resignation Monday morning. It is effective immediately. It’s not clear what prompted his immediate resignation.

The district released a statement, Monday, saying:”During a board meeting on December 18, the Webster City Board of Education accepted the resignation of Webster City High School Assistant Principal Pat Farley. The resignation will take effect immediately. Because this is a personnel matter, we cannot share further details at this time. The district will now begin the process of finding the next assistant principal at WCHS. We will share more information on updates as we are able to do so. In the meantime, our focus will be on continuing to meet the needs of our students and families for the remainder of the school year.”

Posted in News |

High School Boys Basketball Scores

Sports

December 19th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

Hawkeye Ten Conference:
Grinnell 53, Creston 49

Western Iowa Conference:
Earlham 43, AHSTW 31
Tri-Center 63, MVAOCOU 49

Rolling Valley Conference:
Glidden-Ralston 51, Ar-We-Va 37
West Monona 90, Boyer Valley 64

Corner Conference:
Essex 67, Heartland Christian 39
Fremont-Mills 71, Hamburg 17

Pride of Iowa Conference:
Martensdale-St Marys 58, Mormon Trail 53
Chariton 83, Central Decatur 61
Lenox 68, Murray 56

Posted in Sports |

High School Girls Basketball Scores

Sports

December 19th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

Western Iowa Conference:
#12 MVAOCOU 64, Tri-Center 34

Rolling Valley Conference:
Glidden-Ralston 62, Ar-We-Va 43
Woodward-Granger 69, Paton-Churdan 12

Corner Conference:
Fremont-Mills 53, Hamburg 3
Essex 42, Heartland Christian 19

Pride of Iowa Conference:
#15 Chariton 49, Central Decatur 35
Southeast Warren 41, Moulton-Udell 17

Posted in Sports |

DNR reminds everyone to check ice conditions

Ag/Outdoor, News, Sports

December 19th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Temperatures are expected to be above normal the rest of this week in what has already been an up-and-down cycle in Iowa. The wide range of temperatures can impact the quality of ice forming on lakes and rivers. The D-N-R’s Pete Hildreth says you should be checking for a minimum of four inches of clear ice for fishing and at least five inches for snowmobiles and A-T-V’s. “Because ice conditions change constantly and its thickness can vary across the lake,” he says. Hildreth says it’s better to wait than risk a chance of going out on thin ice. “Always trust your instincts if the ice does not look right, and don’t go out,” Hildreth says.

The D-N-R has has several other tips for those venturing out on the ice this winter. “No ice is 100 percent safe. New ice is usually stronger than old ice. We encourage folks not to go out alone. If the worst should happen. Someone should be there to call for help or to help rescue,” he says. Hildreth says off-colored snow or ice is usually a sign of weaker ice.  “The insulating effect of snow can slow down the freezing process. And we encourage folks to bring along some basic items to help keep them safe such as hand warmers, ice cleats to help prevent falls, ice picks to wear around your neck to help you crawl out of the water if you do happen to fall in,” he says. “A life jacket or a floating safety rope, a whistle to call for help.”

Hildreth says you should also take a basic first aid kit and an extra set of dry clothes including a pair of gloves when you’re exploring the ice this winter.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News, Sports |

Union County man arrested on sex abuse charges after being on the run for weeks

News

December 19th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa/KCCI) — A Lorimor man who cut-off his ankle bracelet monitor in November while on a pre-trial release, and who was on the run from law enforcement, was arrested over the weekend in Union County. 33-year-old Dalton Barber was wanted on a warrant for sexual abuse. A Union County Sheriff’s Deputy saw Barber on Saturday. Chief Deputy Chris Nouse told KCCI the deputy engaged in a pursuit of Barber. The Iowa State Patrol and Clarke County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the chase, which ended soon after Barber wrecked his vehicle in Clarke County, and took off on foot.

The sheriff’s office used a heat-seeking drone to search for Barber. Nouse said the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office also deployed a drone. A female who was with Barber was located, but Barber wasn’t found until later that afternoon. He was placed under arrest and is being held without bail in the Union County Jail.

Posted in News |

Fantastical holiday ‘Cirque’ show makes Iowa debut this weekend

News

December 19th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) -What’s billed as a whimsical holiday spectacular will make one stop in Iowa this year, boasting an international cast of talented performers. Rebecca Shubart is the artistic director for Cirque Dreams Holidaze, which will be offering four shows over two days this weekend at the Des Moines Civic Center.

“We’ve got amazing acrobatic acts, aerialists. We have someone who hangs from the ceiling from their hair, it’s incredible,” Shubart says. “One of the great things about it is that there’s something for everyone. Some people are really going to be drawn into the music, there’s a lot of holiday music, some people are going to be drawn into the costumes.” The Broadway-style production promises to dazzle audiences with an infusion of contemporary circus arts — and the artists hail from around the globe.

“They come to us from Europe, from Canada, from all over the U.S. We even have some artists from Ethiopia and Mongolia,” Shubart says. “They are well-trained, well-disciplined and they know how to put on a great show time after time after time.” She says the show focuses on the imagination and offers fun for children to senior citizens and all ages in between.

“Our softer, quieter moments with ‘Carol of the Bells’ that are ethereal and lovely, and then there are some crazy, fun moments that are a little more kid-centric,” Shubart says. “We have an audience participation that is always a favorite, but if it’s not your kind of thing to participate, you don’t have to, you can just sit back, relax and enjoy.”

There are shows Friday and Saturday nights, along with two Saturday matinees.

DMPA.org

Posted in News |

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023

Weather

December 19th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. Wind chill values as low as 10. Breezy, with a south wind 13 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. South wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 50. South wind around 7 mph.

Wed. Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Southeast wind 5 to 7 mph.

Thursday: A 20 percent chance of rain after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51.

Thu. Night: A 20 percent chance of rain before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55.

Monday’s High in Atlantic was 34. The Low was 13. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 35 and the Low was 5. The Record High on December 19th in Atlantic, was 58 in 1966. The Record Low was -33 in 1983. Sunrise is at 7:41. Sunset is at 4:51.

Posted in Weather |