(Orange City, IA) – Sheriff’s officials in northwest Iowa’s Sioux County say a one person died as the apparent result of a structure fire in Alton, Iowa. According to a press release, emergency responders were dispatched to a residential structure in the 500 block of 5th Avenue Thursday evening.

A body was found in the home when fire crews searched the inside of the structure. The individual – whose name has not yet been released – pronounced deceased at the scene.

(Red Oak, IA) – Police in Red Oak report the arrest at around 5:30-p.m. today (Saturday), of 44-year-old Jessie Elaine Gaunt, from Red Oak. Gaunt was taken into custody in the 1000 block of Eastern Avenue, and charged with Public Intoxication.

Gaunt was then transported to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on a $300 bond associated with the Simple Misdemeanor offense.

(Harlan, IA) – A man from Mills County was arrested Friday night following a pursuit that began in Shelby County and ended with a crash in Pottawattamie County. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports a traffic stop on a speeding vehicle was attempted at around 9:30-p.m, Friday on Highway 59 in Shelby County near County Road F-32. Authorities say the vehicle was traveling in excess of 80-mph in a 55-mph zone. Instead of stopping, the driver, later identified as 34-year-old Nicholas James Gragg, of Malvern, began to elude law enforcement.

Nicholas Gragg (Shelby County S/O photo)

Gragg’s vehicle fled south on Highway 59 through Avoca, Hancock and Oakland, until turning west onto Highway 6 into Council Bluffs. During the pursuit, two Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies performed PIT (Precision Immobilization Technique) maneuvers in an attempt to end the chase. Gragg ultimately crashed his vehicle and the 4.9-mile marker of the Interstate 29/I-80 Expressway. Once his vehicle came to a stop, Gragg fled on foot and was apprehended immediately.

In addition to multiple citations, Nicholas Gragg was charged with the following:

• Possession of a Controlled Substance- 2nd offense
• Prohibited Acts
• Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia
• Reckless Driving
• Eluding (A Class-D Felony).

Agencies assisting the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office during the incident, included the following: Pott. County Sheriff’s Office; Iowa State Patrol; Council Bluffs P-D, and the Council Bluffs Fire Department.

Sioux City, IA — Iowa 4th District Congressional candidate/former Iowa House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl, of Missouri Valley, announced Friday Feb. 6th), that he had suspended his campaign, and endorsed Chris McGowan for Congress in advance of the GOP Primary. Windschitl’s announcement came one day after President Trump endorsed McGowan, the president of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce.

The 4th District Congressional seat in Iowa became open when Republican Representative Randy Feenstra announced his bid for Governor, in Iowa.

Responding to the announcement and endorsement, Chris McGowan said in a news release, Friday, that “Representative Matt Windschitl has served in significant leadership roles for nearly a quarter century. As a fellow veteran, I salute his service in the United States Marine Corps, as well as his 20 years in our state legislature. As Majority Leader, Matt was responsible for successfully crafting, negotiating, and shepherding some of the most transformational legislation in Iowa history, including the heartbeat bill and Second Amendment protections. I am proud to accept his endorsement and wish him every success as he pursues a number of exceptional opportunities in the private sector.”

Other Republicans in the running for the 4th District Congressional seat in Iowa, include Ryan Rhodes and Christian Schlaefer.

(Clay County, IA) – Two people were injured during a collision Friday  evening in Spencer. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2013 Ford Focus driven by 25-year-old Breanna Ferreira, of Spencer, was traveling north on Highway 71 at around 5:30-p.m., and proceeded to turn west onto W. 18th Street. Authorities say a non-contact vehicle in the southbound inside lane that obscured Ferreira’s vision, and a southbound 2019 Chevy pickup driven by 64-year-old Aaron Hyatt, of Milford.

The Ford and the pickup collided in the intersection. Both drivers and two passengers suffered minor injuries.  Both passengers, 66-year-old Becky Hyatt, of Milford, and 26-year-old Storm Walvord, of Spencer, were transported to the hospital in Spencer, by ambulance. The Patrol says they were wearing their seat belts.

Spencer Police assisted at the scene.

(Red Oak, IA) – A woman was arrested on drug and other charges, Friday. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 51-year-old Angela Sue Vanderhoof, of Red Oak, was arrested following a traffic stop in the 1900 block of D Avenue. Upon further investigation, Vanderhoof was charged with:

• Possession of Methamphetamine w/the intent to deliver – a Class-B Felony;
• Unlawful Possession of Prescription drugs – A Serious Misdemeanor;
• Possession of a controlled substance/2nd offense – An Aggravated Misdemeanor,
• and Possession of Burglary tools.

Vanderhoof was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $25,000 bond.

(Rural Lewis, IA) – A controlled burn that got out of control resulted in the destruction of an outbuilding/medium-size barn east of Lewis, Friday afternoon. The blaze near 63748  600th Street was reported by a motorist at around 4:15-p.m. By the time firefighters arrived at around 4:30-p.m., the first personnel on scene reported the building was fully engulfed in flames and had collapsed.

Fanned by northerly winds, the flames spread to a grassy area, but were quickly brought under control. Griswold Fire provided Mutual aid.

(Photo courtesy Tim Pope)

(Atlantic, IA) – Officials with the Atlantic Rock Island Society Enterprise (ARISE) invite you to the American Legion Memorial Building (The Armory) in Atlantic, on Sunday, Feb. 15th, for a documentary film and presentation by Jeremy Glazier, entitled “From Iowa and Back: The Vietnam Era.” The program begins at 2-p.m. There is no fee to attend, and everyone is welcome.

Glazier is a photographer, writer and documentary film maker who has always been proud of his father’s service, and in awe of stories heard from his dad. Glazier realized that Vietnam veterans did not have the spotlight that veterans of previous wars and conflicts were provided. That prompted him to visit with many others to explore the lives of ordinary Iowans.

Through Glazier’s lens, the film chronicles these veterans’ journeys from small- town roots to the turbulence of war and to the challenges of reintegration upon returning home. The film honors a generation often overlooked, offering a platform to reflect on their truths and the impact of that era on lives today.

The American Legion Memorial Building in Atlantic is handicapped accessible. The program is sponsored by ARISE.