Anamosa, Iowa – A correctional officer was assaulted by an inmate at the Anamosa State Penitentiary (ASP) at approximately 7:30 p.m., Thursday. The Iowa Department of Corrections reports the correctional officer was working in one of the facility’s living units when the inmate, unprovoked, approached the officer and began striking him. Additional staff responded immediately and put a stop to the situation.

The officer was taken to a local hospital for treatment and has since been released. The incident remains under investigation.

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is urging Iowans not to fall victim to election misinformation and disinformation. Instead, voters should turn to trusted sources for election information, the people that run elections in Iowa: the Secretary of State and county auditors. Secretary Pate updated the Myth vs. Fact section of his Election Security in Iowa webpage Friday morning with several more entries. A reported case of election disinformation happened in Iowa earlier this week. A voter in Mahaska County who had requested an absentee ballot reported receiving a call from an out-of-state number falsely telling him he could register his ballot over the phone and there is no need to return it to the county auditor’s office. The Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident.

Last week, Secretary Pate and his bipartisan Auditors Advisory Group released a joint media release about their united effort to dispel election misinformation and disinformation.

For a detailed breakdown of many of the election security measures Iowa has in place, click here. If you see or hear of something suspicious related to elections, call the Iowa Secretary of State at 1-888-SOS-VOTE.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Area Chamber Ambassadors met with Ann Johnk, owner of Farmhouse & Flowers, to see the space, located at 700 Spruce Street, along 7th Street in Atlantic. Ann opened Farmhouse & Flowers in 2020 and quickly outgrew her space located inside Megan Roberts, State Farm. The property at 700 Spruce Street came up for rent early this summer and everything seemed to fall into place quickly. Ann shared they packed up the old location, moved into their new space and opened their doors within four days.

She thanked the community for the amazing support she’s received since opening and can’t believe how fast she’s been able to grow her business.  Ann also thanked her husband of 34 years, Larry, her children and close friends who helped her put the new location together. She credited their help and support for getting her business to where it is today.

Photo Courtesy of the Atlantic Chamber (Click to enlarge)

Farmhouse & Flowers offers an array of décor, handmade candles, jewelry and floral arrangements for any need including funerals and weddings. Ann prides herself in keeping as much of her inventory as she can farm and Iowa raised as well as locally crafted. Farmhouse & Flowers also has a flower cooler located in the Cass Health Gift Shop for those needing items for loved ones.

For more information about Farmhouse & Flowers, call 712-249-2885 or visit https://atlantic-farmhouse-flowers.square.site.

CRESTON, Iowa – Sept. 23, 2022 – The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Creston construction office reports, a project to set beams for the new Ashworth Road bridge over Interstate 80 in West Des Moines, requires a full closure of eastbound I-80 and a left-lane closure of westbound I-80 between Grand Prairie Parkway (exit 118) and Jordan Creek Parkway (exit 121) overnight Monday, Sept. 26 and Tuesday, Sept. 27, weather permitting.

The left lane of westbound I-80 and both lanes of eastbound I-80 will be closed:

• Monday, Sept. 26 at 10 p.m. until Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 5 a.m.
• Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 10 p.m. until Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 5 a.m. 

Permitted and oversize loads are prohibited from traveling in this area during the closures. During these closures, traffic will follow a marked detour route using Grand Prairie Parkway, University Avenue, and Jordan Creek Parkway. The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports a man admitted to the Council Bluffs Residential Correctional Facility (RCF) on April 21st, failed to report to the facility from work release, Wednesday. Authorities say 33-year-old  David John Kalani Kaneala Kauai was convicted of  Assault Intent of Injury Peace Officer/Others in Page County.

David John Kalani Kauai (IA DOC photo)

Kauai is an Asian male who stands six-feet tall and weighs 188  pounds. Persons with information on Kauai’s whereabouts should contact local police.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Online court documents indicate Cass County District Court Judge Greg Stensland, Monday (Sept. 19) issued a Bench Warrant for 30-year-old Anthony Rey Asay. The warrant is for Failure to Appear for his Sept. 19th Pre-Trial Conference, as required. In Cass County, Asay faces a Class-D Felony charge of Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury, and Serious Misdemeanor charges of Assault causing bodily injury or mental illness, and Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense – Marijuana, associated with a stabbing incident that took place May 5th, in Atlantic. On August 29th, Asay’s Pre-Trial release was revoked and his cash-only bond was set at $5,000. His trial remains set for Sept. 27th at 9:30-a.m. in Cass County District Court.

Asay, who was wearing an ankle tracking bracelet was arrested Aug. 11^th in connection with a stabbing incident at a gas station in Blair, Nebraska while he was awaiting trial on the incident in Atlantic. The victim in the Nebraska incident was treated for an injury to his arm. Asay faces charges associated with the Nebraska incident that include: 3^rd Degree Assault for punching the victim; 2^nd Degree Assault for stabbing the victim;Use of a Weapon to Commit a Felony; Possession of a Deadly Weapon by Prohibited Person – for possessing the knife he used to stab the male after being convicted of multiple felonies prior to this incident; and Driving under Revocation.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Animal Rescue League of Iowa reports its Mobile Rescue Team received a call to help a family struggling to provide for a large number of sick cats and kittens that had multiplied in their home. Officials say as the team entered the home, Wednesday, they were hit with ammonia so strong it burned their eyes and throats. Cats and kittens were everywhere, walking on a floor covered in feces. Even being in the home for a few minutes was difficult. Crews quickly began loading them into clean carriers to get them help as soon as possible.

The organizations’ “Miracle Medical Team” was waiting to triage as soon as they arrived back from the two-hour drive. The kittens were said top be in the most critical condition. Many were thin, with eyes so infected they’re matted shut and upper respiratory infections so bad they sneeze constantly. All the cats and kittens were crawling with fleas and ear mites – particularly dangerous for kittens so small.

Pictures via the ARL Facebook page

The ARL says “At a time when our animal numbers are already so high, we desperately need your help to provide critical medical treatments and ongoing care for these kittens and cats … and ensure we can always answer the next call for help whenever it may come.”