DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds has announced her appointment of Ashley Sparks as a district judge in Judicial Election District 2B.  Judicial Election District 2B includes Boone, Calhoun, Carroll, Greene, Hamilton, Hardin, Humboldt, Marshall, Pocahontas, Sac, Story, Webster, and Wright counties.

Sparks, of Bondurant, Iowa, is the Owner of Sparks Law, PLLC and is a Boone County Magistrate. She received an undergraduate degree from Western Illinois University, a master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa and her law degree from Drake University Law School.

Sparks fills a vacancy created following the retirement of the Honorable James C. Ellefson.

DES MOINES, Iowa – A central Iowa man was sentenced Friday (Nov. 17)  to 18 months in prison for preparing, presenting, and making false tax returns. According to public court documents, 41-yearold Bakou Kees Vonty, of Ames, also known as “Bob Vonty,” prepared and filed hundreds of federal individual income tax returns on behalf of individual taxpayers, from approximately 2011 to 2022.

On a 2019 tax return, Vonty, on behalf of an individual, falsely reported business losses and qualified education expenses. As part of his plea agreement, Vonty agreed to not prepare, file, or assist in any way with the preparation of federal or state tax returns for any third parties. Further, in at least 2016, Vonty falsely reported business losses and qualified education expenses on his own tax return. Vonty’s false returns resulted in a combined tax loss exceeding $400,000.

Following his prison term, Vonty must serve a one-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division investigated the case.

(Radio Iowa) – The prosecution rested its case earlier than expected Thursday in the trial of the wife of a Woodbury County supervisor accused of 52 counts of voter fraud. Kim Phuong (Fong) Taylor allegedly filled out or helped fill out absentee ballots for numerous Vietnamese residents in the Sioux City area and either signed them or had them signed by other people who were not authorized to cast the ballot.

Prosecutors heard testimony from more local Vietnamese residents about that Thursday. Federal attorney’s then rested their case against Taylor, the wife of Woodbury County Supervisor Jeremy Taylor, without calling other county officials to testify as had been expected.

The defense will call their first witnesses beginning next Monday

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by JJ Design, Thursday, November 16th, 2023, to celebrate their new building on Maple Street. The Ambassadors visited with the owner, Jamie Joyce, about the addition and observed a demonstration of their new equipment.

Jamie started his business in his Atlantic garage in 1998. Jamie saw a market for designing and creating which was already a passion of his and once he saw the opportunity to run his own business, he took the plunge. Fast forward, Jamie now has a small team that includes Gene Sanny, Allison Cooper, and Andrea Lowary and have, once again, outgrown their current location at 217 Walnut Street in Atlantic.

Pictured Left to Right: Linda Joyce, Grace Garrett, Tori Gibson, Kennedy Freund, Kathie Hockenberry, Rick Mericle, Beth Spieker, Russell Joyce, Allison Cooper, Tonya Larsen, Gene Sanny, Emily Kennedy, Scott Bennett, Karen Joyce, Bill Saluk, Kelsey Beschorner, Jamie Joyce, Dolly Bergmann, Elaine Otte, Andrea Lowary, Alisha Wagner, Sue Liston, Julie Waters, Jeremy Butler, Anne Quist, Keith Leonard, Jim Kickland, John Bricker, Graydon Schmidt, Lana Westphalen (Photo & story courtesy the Atlantic Chamber)

Earlier this year, Jamie purchased property on 3rd and Maple, and started construction on an additional building. The building is now home to multiple large format printing machines and space to work on large projects indoors. Jamie shared that with the addition of the climate-controlled building, the team is able to complete projects on vehicles, semi-trucks, and trailer year-round.

JJ Design specializes in designing and installing business signage, creating promotional items, brochures, school apparel, and much more. JJ Design’s retail space, located on Walnut Street, features an assortment of retail items such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, flannels, stocking hats, and more.

For more information about JJ Design call (712) 243-2925 or visit their Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/jjdesignatlantic/

(Radio Iowa) – Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has returned to the Iowa campaign trail as recent polling shows her support among likely Iowa Caucus-goers growing. The most recent Des Moines Register “Iowa Poll” shows Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis tied for second place, 27 points behind former President Donald Trump. Haley. who served as Trump’s United Nations ambassador, is asking Iowa Caucus goers to consider Trump’s flaws.

Republican competitor Vivek Ramaswamy called Haley “Dick Cheney in heels” during last week’s televised debate. During an event in Waverly last (Thursday) night, a man in the crowd asked Haley how high her heels were. “I analyze the threats and the stronger the threat, the higher the heel,” she replied, drawing laughter and applause.

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley on the Iowa campaign trail. (RI file photo)

Earlier this week, 72 current and former elected officials as well as business leaders endorsed Haley. State Representative Brian Lohse (LOH-see) of Bondurant, who describes himself as a Reagan Republican, says the group hopes to send a message that the Iowa Caucuses can be won by someone other than Trump.

Earlier this month, Lohse hosted a private meeting in his home that prompted broader discussions and ultimately led Republicans like Casey’s founder Don Lamberti and Mike Richards, whose company owns three Iowa casinos, to publicly endorse Haley. Lohse says Haley’s background and temperament are among her most effective traits.

Haley, DeSantis and Ramaswamy are scheduled to appear together later today (Friday) in Des Moines. The Family Leader, a Christian conservative group, is hosting a conversation among the candidates. Trump is scheduled to speak at a rally in Fort Dodge tomorrow (Saturday).

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who are heading to the grocery store this weekend to stock up for next week’s big feast will be pleased to hear they may actually be paying less to feed the family for Thanksgiving. Christopher Pudenz (POO-dens), an economist for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, says they figured the average cost to prepare a traditional turkey dinner with all of the fixings for a family of ten at the table.

The survey found the biggest price fluctuations were in 12-ounce bags of cranberries and half pints of whipping cream, which dropped 18-percent and 23-percent respectively, while a 12-pack of dinner rolls and pumpkin pie filling saw modest price increases of between three and four-percent.

Roasting Turkey in the Oven for Holiday Dinner (Iowa Farm Bureau photo)

Other items on the menu for the survey include: frozen pie crusts, whole milk, frozen peas, sweet potatoes and stuffing. Overall food prices have risen about 25-percent since the beginning of 2020, according to Pudenz, who says inflation has continued to take a significant toll. Plus, he says, bird flu was a key factor in the price shifts.

While there have been more outbreaks this fall, he says they haven’t been nearly as severe. Iowa is the nation’s seventh largest turkey producer with an estimated 12-million birds raised here each year.

DES MOINES, Iowa – A man from Sigourney was sentenced today (Friday) to 33 months (over 2.5-years) in prison, for committing fraud by selling grain as organic. The grain was grown in violation of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP). NOP is a federal regulatory program governing organic agricultural products.

In April 2023, 48-year-old Mark Lynn Haines pleaded guilty to mail fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States. According to public court documents, key among Haines’ NOP violations were the use of treated seed, which is prohibited by NOP. Haines concealed his NOP violations from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), the organic certifier. The grain was then sold by Haines to a number of unwitting purchasers at a total sale price of over $6.5 million.

Haines also conspired to impede and obstruct the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the assessment and collection of income taxes. Between April 2017 and April 2019, Haines obtained false invoices, backdated checks, and exchanged checks to give the appearance of an expense that was not in fact incurred. In total, Haines concealed over $1.3 million in income. Restitution was ordered to the IRS in the amount of $408,107 and $25,233.44 to a purchaser of the purported organic crops.

Following his prison term, Haines must serve a two-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. USDA OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Shantel R. Robinson said “Consumers trust when they see the USDA Organic Seal, they are purchasing organically produced agricultural products. Haines’ fraudulent activity compromised the integrity of the program and harmed USDA’s ability to protect American agriculture.  This investigation and prosecution should serve as warning to all farmers participating in the USDA National Organic Program that organic agriculture fraud will be vigorously investigated by the USDA-OIG, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and its stakeholders.”

After the sentencing, FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said, “Mark Haines’ deception and greed not only defrauded the American government, it compromised the trust and confidence of consumers who purchase organically grown products.[Friday’s] sentence should serve as a warning to others who ignore regulations and use deceptive practices to make a profit.”

IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) Special Agent in Charge Thomas F. Murdock, said “Mr. Haines took steps to falsify documents and obstruct the IRS’ efforts to assess and collect his correct tax obligation. This investigation shows our commitment to upholding the integrity of the nation’s tax system and holding those who try to cheat the system accountable.”

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The United States Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) revoked Haines’ organic certificate in 2018 due to several NOP violations and assisted the federal agents in the investigation and the prosecution of the case.

If you witness or have knowledge of any violations of laws and regulations related to USDA programs, contact the OIG Hotline by telephone at (800) 424-9121 or TDD (202) 690-1202, or visit https://usdaoig.oversight.gov/hotline.

(Sidney, Iowa) – The Holiday “Step Wave” will across Iowa is underway through November 28th. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office says a STEP grant will help buy a camera system for one of their patrol vehicles. The camera system that is in the current vehicles are at getting to the end of their support. Watch Guard has discontinued the body cameras that the S/O uses, and they will discontinue the car cameras in 2024. Support for the system Fremont County uses will eventually stop. The cost is about five-thousand dollars for the car system and installation per vehicle.

During the Wave the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office will be doing several projects with the Iowa State Patrol in the county, including a seatbelt enforcement.  Chief Deputy Sheriff Tim Bothwell says “Many times, when we are doing seatbelt enforcement, we hear that wearing one should be “my choice”.

“Not wearing one,” he says, “can have many immediate side effects, death, or disability. Trauma to the family and friends to the loss of a loved one. Along with financial loss and the stability of the household.”

November 17, 2023 (DES MOINES, IA) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board, today (Friday), approved an award for a manufacturer in Independence, which will assist in the creation of 229 jobs and result in nearly $15 million in new capital investment for the state. The board also approved innovation funding in support of two startups located in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines. In addition, IEDA approved assistance from Iowa’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Innovation Fund for a startup in Des Moines.

The newly formed Independence Foods LLC will manufacture a wide range of food products. The company plans to purchase an existing pet food facility in Independence and make upgrades to accommodate production capabilities and requirements. The project represents a capital investment of $14.8 million and is expected to create 229 jobs incented at a qualifying wage of $25.90 per hour. The board awarded $1.5 million in direct financial assistance through the High Quality Jobs (HQJ) program.

Cedar Rapids’ FES Solutions, LLC developed a market-ready fire extinguisher stand for construction companies. Drawing on years of expertise in the construction industry, the start-up company identified the need for a consistent product that was typically made with leftover project materials. The prototype has the potential to offer a more durable and lighter weight solution. The company was awarded a $50,000 Proof of Commercial Relevance (POCR) loan for IP development and evaluation, market analysis, proof of concept work, and market planning and entry activities.

Another start-up company, Ten5, Inc., based in Des Moines, created a communications platform for the trucking industry to improve driver safety and fleet productivity and lower driver and dispatcher turnover rates. The platform uses a driver voice application that allows the driver to communicate hands-free using voice input only. It also allows dispatchers and managers to prioritize driver messaging, which reduces the number of driving delays and distractions. The company was awarded a $50,000 POCR loan for product refinement, key personnel, and market planning and entry activities.

Award recommendations for those funds are made by the Technology Commercialization Committee to the IEDA Board for approval.

Hummingbirds, based in Des Moines, is an SaaS-enabled marketplace that helps brands find and work with local people to drive awareness and sales. Customers can create a campaign inside the software and their content creators (called “hummingbirds”) express interest in the campaign. Customers select interested hummingbirds and provide a complimentary perk to experience their brand and share about it on social media. The company was awarded a $250,000 an SSBCI Innovation Acceleration Launch Fund loan, for key personnel.

The SSBCI program’s Innovation Fund increases assistance available through Iowa’s innovation continuum to support entrepreneurs through concept, launch and expansion. Award recommendations for these funds are made by the SSBCI Review Committee to the IEDA director for approval. The committee met on November 14, 2023, to review eligible applications.