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Anita teen injured in an Adair County crash Friday morning

News

December 6th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, IA) – In an update to our social media posts Friday morning, with regard to a two-vehicle accident in northwestern Adair County, a report from the Adair County Sheriff’s Office said 16-year-old Kason Jene Calhoun, of Anita, was injured in the crash that occurred at occurred at around 8:15-a.m., in the 1700 block of Brown Avenue (near 170th Street).

Sheriff’s officials say a 2012 Dodge Durango SUV driven by Kason Calhoun was traveling northbound on Brown Avenue at the same time an end loader driven by 35-year-old Kyle Christian Jorgensen, of Anita, was traveling southbound. The SUV and end loader met at the crest of a hill. Calhoun swerved to the right and drove into snow on the side of the roadway. The SUV lost traction and veered to the left the driver’s side of the before it struck the end loader.

The SUV then entered the east ditch and rolled an undetermined amount of times before coming to rest on its wheels. Jorgensen told authorities he swerved to the right in order to try and avoid the collision. Calhoun was found outside of the SUV. Authorities believe he may have been ejected.

Calhoun was transported by Anita Fire and Rescue to Cass Health in Atlantic (CCHS) before being flown by Lifeflight 3 helicopter to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

Iowa Gov. Reynolds orders flags to half-staff in honor of those killed, wounded in Pearl Harbor attack

News

December 6th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered flags to be at half-staff in honor of those wounded or killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Reynolds has ordered flags to be lowered in honor of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Flags will remain at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on December 7.

Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 17, 1941. It claimed over 2,400 lives and led to America’s entry into World War II.

“On Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we honor the thousands of servicemembers and civilians who were killed and wounded in this horrific attack on our country,” Governor Reynolds said. “This day is a solemn reminder that our freedom isn’t free, and we are grateful for every American who serves in uniform.”

The State Capitol Building and flag displays in the Capitol Complex will be at half-staff. All public buildings, grounds, and facilities will also fly flags at half-staff in Iowa.

Grinnell College to launch new scholarship program for top Iowa students

News

December 6th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

GRINNELL, Iowa (IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH) – Grinnell College is launching a new scholarship program aimed at Iowa’s high-performing students. The private university announced the new Iowa Dean’s Scholarship — an annual, renewable $50,000 scholarship — Thursday in a news release. Students from Iowa need to have earned a 4.0 or higher grade-point average or “have succeeded in the most demanding curriculum offered by their schools” to qualify for the scholarship, the release stated.

“Iowa has always been home to Grinnell College, and Grinnell College champions Iowa. We are grateful for the support and advocacy that we receive from the state, the Grinnell community, and all of the people who make Iowa home for these outstanding students,” President Anne Harris said in the release. “This scholarship recognizes that support and the impact that Iowa’s top students can have at the College and as they go on to professional success and community leadership in our state.”

The Iowa Dean’s Scholarship will become available to students in the fall 2026 semester, the release stated. It joins other financial aid programs offered by the college, including the full-tuition Iowa Access Initiative for students coming from households earning less than $100,000 annually, according to the release, and the $20,000 Founders Scholarship for all admitted resident students. According to the college’s website, 92% of Grinnell College students receive financial aid, and 100% of “demonstrated need” is met by the college without requiring students to take out loans.

Grinnell College Dean Ruth Feingold said in the release that the university “brings bright, engaged students from around the world to live and learn in Iowa” and fosters a campus where students can join the intellectual community and learn from more people than just their teachers. “Our new Iowa Dean’s Scholarship is our way of extending a clear welcome to high-performing students from our home state: come join us here,” Feingold said in the release.

Cass County (IA) man arrested for alleged threats against a man from Dallas County

News

December 6th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Adel, IA) – Reports out of Dallas County indicate a Cass County man was arrested Wednesday (Dec. 3rd) in Adel, in connection with an incident that took place Oct. 22nd. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office reports say 40-year-old Delaney Luke Pace, of Atlantic, was arrested by Adel Police and booked into the Dallas County Jail on a charge of Harassment in the 1st Degree – an Aggravated Misdemeanor.

According to court documents, Pace allegedly threatened to harm an Adel man and his friend, during a confrontation at a residence in Adel. His alleged victim told Police about the incident on Nov 14th, during which Pace allegedly threatened to snap his and his friend’s necks” during the confrontation. Two witnesses told Adel Police that they heard Pace make the alleged threats.

Pace was being held in the Dallas County Jail without bond.

Delaney Luke Pace (Dallas County Jail photo)

*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Legislature convenes in 38 days, lawmakers still pondering property tax plans

News

December 5th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

The lawmaker who leads the Commerce Committee in the Iowa House says it’s too early to say what path legislators may take to reduce property taxes for Iowans. Representative David Young of Van Meter suggests nothing’s been ruled out — yet.

Young was part of a panel discussion earlier today (Friday) at the Iowa Taxpayers Association annual meeting.

Representative Larry McBurney, a Democrat from Urbandale who was part of the discussion, is not opposed to starting over from scratch and redesigning the property tax system.

Senator Bill Dotzler, a Democrat from Waterloo, suggests new restrictions based on household income and finding some way to limit property tax increases for Iowans who are retired.

Young says legislators are hearing emotional stories from older Iowans who are getting priced out of their homes because of rising property taxes.

Young and other panelists raised concerns about property tax breaks for some economic development projects and suggested lawmakers may no longer allow those tax breaks to be permanent. The 2026 Iowa legislative session begins January 12th.

Power transmission project to connect central and eastern Iowa

News

December 5th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The electric transmission provider I-T-C Midwest is now starting to upgrade and build new high voltage power lines through four eastern Iowa counties. Spokesperson Rod Pritchard says the Morgan Valley-Twinkle Project will connect a substation in Marshall County to one in Linn County, as part of the Long-Range Transmission Plan (L-R-T-P) to increase the supply of electricity.

(as said)“The load growth is definitely here, and so the L-R-T-P projects, including Morgan Valley-Twinkle, are going to help provide power to all of the load growth anticipated in the greater Cedar Rapids area,” Pritchard says.

The project was introduced before Google and Q-T-S announced their plans for data centers in Cedar Rapids that will need a lot of energy. Pritchard says that won’t impact the advantages of more robust transmission infrastructure and reduced congestion.

(as said)“We are confident that energy consumers will still realize the benefits of the project as envisioned by MISO ( Midcontinent Independent System Operator),” he says. The lines are expected to be in service by 2027.

Western Iowa supervisor removed from board

News

December 5th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Pottawattamie Board of Supervisors has set next Friday at 4:30 p.m. as the deadline for any county resident to submit a letter of interest in filling a vacancy on the board.

Radio Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson reports.

(As said) – Scott Belt was temporarily removed from the board last month. After a two-day trial this week, a judge ruled Belt cannot serve on the board because he was intoxicated during official county business. Belt was accused of being intoxicated when county officials met with residents in Carson on November 5th. An attorney for Belt argued it was not an official meeting of the board. Video shown in court showed Belt drinking in a bar and others who were in the bar testified Belt was drunk when he left to attend the meeting. Belt served on the Council Bluffs City Council before his election to the county board of supervisors in 2008. He was reelected in 2022 to a term that will expire in 2026.

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Pottawattamie County officials plan to appoint a replacement for the last year of Belt’s term rather than hold a special election to fill the vacancy.

Work release escape of Ashley Duncan from Pottawattamie County

News

December 5th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports 31-year-old Ashley Nicole Duncan, who was convicted of Conspiracy/Commit Felony (Property) and Assault with a Weapon – Peace Officers/Others in Pottawattamie County, failed to report back to the Council Bluffs Residential Correctional Facility as required on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025.

Ashley Nicole Duncan

Duncan is a 146-pound White female. She was admitted to the work release facility on July 22, 2025. Persons with information on Duncan’s whereabouts should contact local police.

Iowa fire chief offers tips to reduce fire risks during December

News

December 5th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The twinkling lights on a tree decked with ornaments can look beautiful, but one expert reminds to take precautions, especially if you have a fresh-cut tree inside the house this month. Webster City Fire Chief Chuck Stansfield says you have to keep up with watering that tree daily, and if you leave home, switch the lights off or keep them on a timer.

Stansfield says Iowans can minimize other fire risks that come with the season of celebration.

When decorating the outside of the house, the chief suggests buying new lights instead of using old ones that might not be the safest.

Another advantage to modern L-E-D lights is they use much less power, and multiple strands can typically be plugged into one outlet.

Atlantic Police Dept. report on arrests, 11/22-12/3/2025

News

December 5th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, IA) – The Atlantic Police Department report five arrests took place between Nov. 22nd and Dec. 3rd.

  • 32-year-old Nathan Frazier, of Atlantic, was arrested Dec. 3rd, on two-counts of Harassment in the 3rd Degree.
  • 28-year-old Tristan Stevens, of Audubon, was arrested Dec. 2nd on a Cass County warrant for Driving While Barred.
  • 33-year-old Rensen Berdon, of Atlantic, was arrested Nov. 24th for Public Intoxication and Disorderly Conduct. Berdon was arrested again on Nov. 27th for Public Intoxication.
  • And, on Nov. 22nd, Atlantic Police arrested 35-year-old Patrick Lockard, of Atlantic, for OWI/2nd Offense.

The A-PD says also, 33-year-old Reybert Aguilar, of Atlantic, was cited into court on Nov. 21st for Theft in the 3rd Degree (Shoplifting).