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New inductees named for Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame

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January 17th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – This year’s inductees into the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame are being announced for what will be the organization’s 25th anniversary year. Executive director Clay Norris says one of the individual inductees will be the late Tommy Bolin, a Sioux City native, who was a guitarist and songwriter for bands including Deep Purple, The James Gang and Zephyr.

“He has not been inducted to date,” Norris says. “He had been through a band, but it is wonderful to finally give him the notoriety that he deserves from his career, and then also, his brother, Johnny, is being inducted the same year.” Norris says another Iowa artist who’s being honored with the association’s Spirit Award this year is 24-year-old singer Maddie Poppe from Clarksville.

“Maddie is one of these up and coming stars that has already reached national notoriety as being the American Idol champion in 2018,” Norris says. “What a wonderful young lady and a great ambassador for the state of Iowa and just music in general.”

The induction ceremony weekend at Arnolds Park is September 1st through the 4th. There will be an opening ceremony, the guitar marching band, an autograph party, Iowa Rocks Talent Contest and Inductee Meet and Greet. The Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Induction Ceremony and Concert will be on September 4 at the Roof Garden.

Learn more at www.iowarocknroll.com

Staff Assault: Iowa Medical and Classification Center

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January 17th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

Coralville – Two correctional officers were assaulted by an inmate at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center (IMCC) in Coralville, IA at approximately 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 15.

The correctional officer was working his post in one of the facilities living units when an inmate approached him and began assaulting the officer. Another officer in the area quickly responded and attempted to apprehend the inmate. At this time, the inmate assaulted the second officer with closed fist strikes. Additional staff arrived and were able to apprehend the inmate without further incident.

The first officer that was assaulted was taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for treatment of his injuries via ambulance. He was treated and released. The other officer that suffered minor injuries in the incident was seen by IMCC medical staff and was sent home following his shift.

This incident remains under investigation.

Traffic stop leads to pursuit & 2 arrests in Fremont County

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January 17th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

A traffic stop on a vehicle that was allegedly speeding in Fremont County last week, escalated into a pursuit, and resulted in two arrests. According to the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, on Jan. 12th, deputies attempted to stop a 2021 Volkswagen Jetta for speeding on Highway 2, east of Sidney. The vehicle failed to stop and at times accelerated to 116 mph.

The vehicle traveled for approximately five miles until it stopped near Farragut, and the occupants switched drivers.  The initial driver, 30-year-old Jacob Morton, of Ablemarle, North Carolina, initially gave a fraudulent name to law enforcement and later found to have an active warrant for his arrest out of North Carolina.

Morton was charged with: Reckless Driving; Eluding; Providing False Information; Fugitive from Justice; Possession of Controlled Substances (meth); and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (meth).  The second driver, 58-year-old Jeanna Dockter, of Sidney, Iowa was arrested for: Possession of Controlled Substances (meth), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Morton was being held without bond pending charges in both Iowa and North Carolina. Dockter was released without posting bond by the Fremont County Magistrate.

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

2 non-injury accidents in Mills County

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January 17th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office says no injuries were reported following two separate accidents that took place over the past few days. On Jan. 14th at around 6:42-p.m., a 2000 International Snow Plow driven by 48-year-old David Hoose, of Malvern, and a 1997 Ford driven by 45-year-old Sean Hicks, of Emerson, collided at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and W. 7th Street. The accident happened as the Ford was heading westbound on 7th, down a hill. The vehicle went out of control and was unable to stop before it collided with the snow plow. Both vehicles were driven from the scene.

The other Mills County accident happened at around today (Mon., Jan. 17th) at around 8:16-a.m.  Authorities say a 2019 Chevy driven by 41-year-old Candace Kreifels, of Glenwood, and a 2022 Hyundai driven by 35-year-old Shelli McVaney, of Pacific Junction, collided at the intersection of 195th Street and Eastman Road. The report says the Chevy was traveling west on Eastman Road, while the Hyundai was southbound on 195th.

The Chevy entered the intersection that happened to be slick due to the weather. The vehicle slid across into the southbound lane while trying to go north. The Chevy struck the Hyundai on the left rear wheel, causing the vehicle to spin around. Officials say the Chevy’s airbags deployed upon impact. Both vehicles came to rest on the west side of the intersection. Authorities say while Kreifels was at fault, no citations were issued.

House GOP proposes exempting retirement income from 2022 Iowa income tax

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January 17th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – House Republicans have introduced a bill to eliminate the state income tax on retirement income from pensions, I-R-As and 4-0-1-Ks. Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley suggests it might prompt some older Iowans to think twice about relocating or living more than half the year in another state that doesn’t tax retirement income.  “I think we’re losing a lot of those people that I would say are the pillars of our communities, They’re the ones that volunteer. They’re the ones that philanthropically are supporting those organizations and foundations in the community,” Grassley says. “We want to keep those people and they want to stay in Iowa, but if it’s beneficial to maybe just move across the border or move to some other states that don’t have these (taxes), I don’t want that to be a barrier to keep those people in our communities.”

Grassley made his comments this weekend on “Iowa Press” on Iowa P-B-S. Social Security benefits are not taxed in Iowa. This House G-O-P plan — to expand that exemption to all retirement income — would go into effort for the 2022 tax year. That’s a year earlier than Republican Governor Kim Reynolds has proposed. Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls says the idea doesn’t meet the goal of targeting tax relief to low and middle income Iowans. “We know that folks who are on fixed incomes can sometimes struggle with the tax burdens that they face,” Wahls says. “But, again, if you’re a multimillionaire and you’ve got a really significant income from your investments, what have you, I don’t think that makes a lot of sense.”

The governor’s staff estimates the state would collect 400 million dollars less in taxes annually if income from pensions and other retirement accounts is no longer subject to the Iowa income tax.

Guthrie County Sheriff’s accident reports for 1/17/22

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January 17th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports two accidents took place over the weekend, neither of which resulted in any injuries. Authorities say at around 12:07-a.m. Saturday, a 2004 Toyota Camry driven by 22-year-old Mohamed A. Nour, of Iowa City, was traveling on I-80 eastbound near mile marker 91, when the vehicle went out of control, due to the adverse weather conditions. The car entered the median, spun around and struck a cable barrier. The vehicle sustained about $1,000 damage.

The second accident happened at around 4:40-p.m Sunday, on Wagon Road, in Guthrie County. The Sheriff’s Office says 37-year-old Tiffany Ranae Miller, of Stuart, was traveling north in a 2003 Ford Expedition, when she came upon a slow moving pickup that was pulling a trailer. When Miller went to pass the pickup/trailer, her SUV went out of control, due to slush on the road. The vehicle entered the west ditch and struck a small tree before making contact with a fence.

Damage to the SUV was estimated at $3,500. The fence, owned by an LLC based in Panora, sustained about $500 damage.

No citations were issued to the drivers of the respective vehicles.

Cass County Sheriff’s report for 1/17/22

News

January 17th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Friday, (Jan. 14), of 18-year-old Turner Steffens, from Atlantic, for OWI/1st offense.  On January 11th, 29-year-old Richard Lewis JR, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Cass County on a warrant for violation of the Sex Offender Registry.  On Jan. 9th, 50-year-old Lynn Young, of Elliott, was arrested for OWI 1st offense.

And, as mentioned in a separate report, on Sunday, Jan. 16th, 46-year-old Vanessa Strazdas, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI 1st offense.

All subjects were booked into the Cass County Jail and later released on their own recognizance.

All criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in the court of law.”

Atlantic Senior selected as Coca-Cola Foundation Scholarship finalist

News

January 17th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic High School have announced on social media, that AHS Senior Bryan York is a 2022 Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Scholarship Semifinalist.
Bryan applied for the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation 2022 scholarship back in November. He is one of 1,617 students chosen as a semifinalist. A total of 68,000 applications were received.
Semifinalists are currently submitting their Semifinalist Applications to be reviewed by the foundations Program Reading Committee. 250 will advance as Regional Finalists, with 150 becoming Coca-Cola Scholars and receiving a $20,000 college scholarship.

Bryan York

Bryan plans to attend Iowa State University in the Fall, majoring in Computer Engineering. He is a student representative on the SIACC Committee, a 2022 Class Officer, is actively engaged with The Booster Club, Band, FFA, 4H, The Community School Garden, and with his church – The First United Methodist Church in Atlantic.

Cass County Supervisors to receive quarterly reports & discuss Wellness/Budgetary concerns

News

January 17th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday morning, will received quarterly reports from Cass County Conservation Director Micah Lee, and Veteran’s Affairs Director Mitch Holmes. They’re also expected to discuss and act on approving the 2022 Cass County employees Wellness Program, and, if there are candidates available, the Board will approve the appointments of:

  • 28 or more members to serve on the Condemnation in Eminent Domain proceedings
  • 3 persons to the Cass County Zoning Commission
  • A Franklin and Brighton Township Trustee
  • and a Pleasant Township Clerk.

The final order of business is to discuss and take possible action on budgetary considerations. The Cass County Supervisor’s meeting takes place at 9-a.m. in their Boardroom at the Courthouse, in Atlantic, and will be viewable through Zoom, HERE. If you use the Zoom option, be sure and MUTE YOUR MICROPHONE until the time comes for those without an appointment to address the Board.

Cass County Atty. arrested for OWI

News

January 17th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County (Iowa) Attorney was arrested over the weekend. According to the Cass County Jail roster and online records, 46-year-old Vanessa Elizabeth Strazdas was arrested a little after 4-a.m. Sunday, for OWI/1st offense. Strazdas was released about five hours later, on her own recognizance. No further details are available.