COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Officials with the U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa, Friday (today), said that on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, 43-year-old Myron Lee Brandon, of Pacific Junction, was found guilty in federal court of two counts of kidnapping and two counts of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. The verdict came after a three-day trial. Sentencing has been set for March 2, 2022 in Council Bluffs.

According to evidence presented at trial, on June 21, 2003, Brandon was in downtown Omaha, Nebraska, and offered a ride to two teenage girls. One female was fifteen years old and the other fourteen. The girls were expecting to be transported to a location in Omaha, but Brandon drove to a location near Pacific Junction, Iowa. On a rural road outside Pacific Junction, Brandon brandished a knife before sexually assaulting both victims and used a cigarette to burn each of them on the breast area. The victims escaped from Brandon and managed to walk to Interstate 29 where they were picked up by a motorist and taken to safety.

Law enforcement began an investigation on June 22, 2003, that included a medical exam and collection of evidence from each victim. After an extensive investigation failed to identify a suspect, the evidence that had been collected was stored until a suspect was identified.

In 2015, the Iowa Attorney General’s Office created the Sex Assault Kit Initiative, a program that submits old case evidence to a laboratory to determine if DNA evidence is present to help identify suspects. In July of 2018, the sexual assault kits collected from the victims were placed in this program. In February of 2020, Brandon was identified as a suspect, and further DNA evidence collected from Brandon confirmed he was the person who sexually assaulted the victims.

It was the first jury trial in the State of Iowa using DNA evidence processed by the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. The first conviction in a Sexual Assault Kit Initiative case occurred in 2019 in Dallas County, Iowa.  Acting U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The investigation was conducted by the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, Council Bluffs Police Department, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Omaha Police Department, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Iowa Attorney General’s Office.

Police in Red Oak have arrested a man for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense. Authorities say 44-year-old Clyde Everett Zeigler, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 10-a.m. in the 1300 block of N. Miller Avenue. He was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail.

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Public Health released new COVID-19 data today (Friday), that shows a decline in positive tests and hospitalizations. The health department reported 8,966 new positive tests over the last seven days, down from 9,198 from the last report on Wednesday. The statewide positivity rate remains at 9.5%. Those under 18 make up the majority of positive tests, at 23%. However, that age group represents only 3% of those hospitalized with COVID-19.

IDPH reports virus hospitalizations are also in decline. There are 573 hospitalized with COVID-19 in Iowa, down from 626 from the last report on Wednesday. Of those hospitalized with the virus, 76.5% are not vaccinated, while 84.1% of those listed in intensive care with COVID-19 are unvaccinated. There have been 3,514,279 vaccine doses administered in Iowa, with 66.5% of those 18 and older fully vaccinated, and 68.9% of those 12 and older with at least one dose.

The number of Iowa long-term care facilities reporting outbreaks remains at 31. The Iowa Department of Public Health reports new COVID-19 data each Monday, Wednesday and Friday

(Radio Iowa) – Firefighters are working a fire at a grain elevator fire at the Ag Partners facility in Albert City. Initial reports indicate that the fire is believed to be electrical in nature in the outside conveyers. There is no dust or grain involved and the flames are not in any of the bins. Multiple fire departments have responded to the scene.

Radio Iowa via KCIM

(Radio Iowa) – If you filed for an extension time to file your 2020 taxes, you now have one week to get it done. I-R-S spokesman Christopher Miller says the deadline is next Friday. (October 15th) “In Iowa, around 109-thousand people asked for an extension of time to file their federal taxes for 2020. So, those folks should remember that the deadline is nearing,” Miller says.  He says there are a variety of reasons why people seek an extension. “These are generally folks who may’ve been waiting on additional paperwork or records to file their taxes. Perhaps they didn’t have all their receipts or records from their bank that they needed,” according to Miller. “But hopefully, an extra six months gave them the time that they needed to be able to file a complete and accurate tax return now.”

Miller says the free filing option can still be used if you filed for an extension. “For anyone making less than 72-thousand dollars a year — free file lets you file online using brand name tax software. And it’s easy, it’s fast, it’s safe and secure. So that’s a great option if you still need to file by October 15th.”

Miller says families that aren’t normally required to file a tax return can get advance payments of the Child Tax Credit by filing now. If a family has not yet filed a tax return for 2019 or 2020 they can still get advance payments of the credit for the remaining months of this year by filling out a simple tax return through the IRS Free File program. Or they can go to IRS.gov and use the Non-filer sign up which will then redirect them to fill out a simplified tax return through the Free File program. If a family does not update their info but still qualifies for the Child Tax Credit, they will get that credit when they file a 2021 tax return.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by the Schmidt family on Thursday, October 7th, 2021. The Ambassadors joined Graydon and his parents in celebrating taking ownership of Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home.

Jon & Robin Schmidt owned and operated a funeral home in Centerville, Iowa from 1994-2016. Graydon planned to join his family in the funeral home industry and attended mortuary school and soon after graduation he took a position at a funeral home in Ames. Through this position, Graydon was able to gain experience in both funeral services and cemetery work. It was through mutual connections in the industry that he met Kathie Hockenberry, and Graydon joined Kathie with the plan to take over the business when the time came. Fast-forward to September 2021, Graydon and his father, Jon, took ownership and so became Schmidt Family Funeral Home.

In the last three years, Graydon has had the opportunity to serve at many of the churches, which has allowed him to meet the officiants and clergy members. Graydon is very thankful for the warm welcome he has received from the community. He looks forward to teaching his father Jon about the great community he now calls home.

Schmidt Family Funeral Home has three locations located in Atlantic, Anita, and Adair. The Schmidt Family takes great pride in providing personal service that is as unique as the person lost, and treat each loved one entrusted to their care, with the utmost respect, gentleness, and devoted professionalism.

Schmidt Family Funeral Home’s Atlantic location is located at 1804 East 7th Street. For more information contact 712-243-4111 or visit their website https://www.schmidtfamilyfh.com/

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Republican Party has raised funds for the Atlantic Police Reserves, as part of the political organization’s “Fund the Police” efforts. A check for $1,500 was presented Monday at the American Legion Memorial Building (the Armory). Atlantic Police Lt. Devin Hogue says the proceeds came from a raffle held by the Cass County Republicans.

He said the funds will be used for the Drone Program, which benefits the Police Department, Cass County Sheriff’s Department, and Atlantic Fire Department.

Lt. Hogue said the Drone has been deployed many times, already on different call outs, and calls for service.

From left to right: Cass County Supervisor Steve Green; Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson; Cass County Sheriff Darby McLaren; Cass County EMA Director Mike Kennon & Cass County Republicans Treasurer Cathy Zimmerman.

Hogue says they just purchased drone, which can be used to fly inside a home if needed. It will be used in tighter spaces than the larger drone is used, such as during a shots-fired incident in August at a local motel.

Hogue says while the drones are available locally, to the Police, Sheriff’s and Fire Departments, that doesn’t mean it won’t be shared elsewhere in the County when needed.

Lt. Hogue expressed his appreciation for the funds they received, Monday.

(Radio Iowa) – Union workers at a dozen John Deere plants in Iowa, Illinois and Kansas will vote Sunday on a new, six-year contract. The agreement would cover more than 10-thousand John Deere employees. United Auto Workers leaders have said the deal would provide significant economic gains and it includes a minimum starting wage of 19 dollars an hour that could range as high as 30 dollars an hour if the worker has experience.

John Deere’s Iowa factories are in Ankeny, Davenport, Dubuque, Ottumwa and Waterloo. The last time Deere workers went on strike was in 1986, during the upheaval of the Farm Crisis.

The broadcast News at 8:07-a.m., from Ric Hanson.

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The broadcast News at 7:06-a.m., from News Director Ric Hanson.

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