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Shooting incident in Fremont County

News

August 6th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports that at around 2:47-p.m., Friday, Deputies were called to a truck stop in Percival (Iowa) for a report of a domestic disturbance in the semi parking lot. While en route, deputies were advised a report of a gunshot being fired at the scene.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered a 28-year-old male, from Tennessee, with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The man suffered serious injuries, and was transported to Nebraska Medicine by Lifenet.

Sidney Fire and Rescue and Officers with the Iowa Motor Vehicle Enforcement assisted the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office with the call. Charges are pending in the case.

Inmate pleads guilty to killing nurse and guard at Anamosa prison

News

August 6th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – One of the two inmates accused of killing a nurse and corrections officer at the Anamosa prison in March pleaded guilty today ( Friday) to all the charges against him. Thomas Woodard reached a plea agreement on two counts of first-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping, attempt to commit murder in the deaths of correctional officer Robert McFarland and nurse Lorena Schulte, the injuring of another inmate. In the hearing streamed by K-C-R-G T-V, Judge Fae Hoover explained to Woodard that he is giving up his right to a trial on the charges

“With regard to the killing of Robert McFarland, I ask you at this time, Thomas Allan Woodard Junior, how you plead to the offense of murder in the first degree: guilty or not guilty?” Hoover asked. Woodard responded, “Guilty.” The judge continued with the second count of murder. “With regard to the killing of Lorena Schulte, a Class D Felony, how do plead, guilty or not guilty?,” She says. Woodard replied “Guilty.”

The judge followed the same procedure for the other counts and Woodard answered guilty to each charge. Under the agreement, he will serve his life sentence in his home state of Nebraska. The judge and attorneys are working on a sentencing date. The other inmate involved, Michael Dutcher, has pleaded not guilty, and waived his right to a speedy trial.

Waterloo welcomes back Iowa Irish Fest

News

August 6th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Green will be a popular color in downtown Waterloo this weekend when Iowa Irish Fest returns. The state’s largest Celtic celebration features an entertainment lineup that includes nearly 20 music groups from across the U.S. and around 50 performances. Festival Director Chad Shipman says organizers are preparing to welcome as many as 50,000 visitors to the Cedar Valley. “We have over 10-thousand tickets out there in people’s hands and we’ve got 70 partner sponsors that have employees, friends, and family that I know are coming out,” Shipman says. “That being said, we’re still short some volunteers. It’s looking good, but we could use some help. If you haven’t signed up online yet please come to the fest and go to the volunteer tent. If you want to work a couple of hours, we can definitely use your help.”

Shipman says it takes around 1,500 volunteers to make the festival run smoothly and around 500 of them are still needed to work at booths, beer tents, and other areas. Iowa Irish Fest was held as a virtual event in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shipman says there’s plenty of excitement surrounding this year’s celebration, which is taking place just days after an overnight RAGBRAI stop brought an estimated 20,000 visitors to Waterloo last week. “We’ve got momentum going right now,” Shipman says. “I think everyone is excited about these outdoor events. RAGBRAI was a great success downtown and Experience Waterloo is a big (sponsorship) partner. The Convention and Visitors Bureau office over there supports us. From what it sounds, this is going to be incredible.”

Shipman says several first-time activities have been planned for this weekend’s festival. Among them will be a variety of workshops — some free and others requiring pay-in-advance registration — that focus on the Irish culture. “We’ve got Whiskey and Yoga and we’ve got the Irish Cream workshop. We’ve got Food and Whiskey workshop. We’ve got a new, large Bloody Mary Cedar Ridge Whiskey and Vodka Garden this year. I can go on and on,” Shipman says. “We’ve got a ton of new bands coming in. Some of them we’re able to get across the pond into the U.S., so we’ve got all kinds of Keltic and Irish bands coming from all over the U.S. this year.”

The 15th annual Iowa Irish Fest begins this afternoon and continues through early Sunday evening. Event organizers have launched an Iowa Irish Fest phone app, which is available on the Apple and Google store. The newly developed app allows users to purchase tickets and view the entertainment schedule, among other things.

Davenport hosts its 50th toe-tappin’ Bix Jazz Festival this weekend

News

August 6th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – After last year’s 49th annual event went virtual due to the pandemic, the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival is marking its golden anniversary with in-person live music this weekend in Davenport. Steve Trainor, president of the Bix Jazz Society, says their 50th fest got underway last (Thursday) night and is featuring five concerts of five hours each over three days with an all-American line-up of bands. “We do have ones from Denver, Minneapolis, Toledo, St. Louis, Chicago, Des Moines,” Trainor says. “So, a total of eight professional bands, two of which are all-star groups from some of the other bands, and then the ninth is our Bix Beiderbecke Youth Band.”

Bix, a Davenport native, was a jazz pioneer on the cornet and piano nearly a century ago who died at age 28 in 1931. His music remains popular around the globe and the festival has, in pre-COVID times, attracted Bix lovers from as far away as Australia, Japan and Europe. For this 50th year though, Trainor says far fewer people are traveling. “There was a time years and years ago when there wasn’t this thing called the internet and we didn’t have a festival every other weekend,” Trainor says.

Bix Beiderbecke. (photo courtesy of Bix Jazz Society.)

“We had 10,000 people in the park, sometimes more. We’re averaging about 3,000 (a day) and we have to be happy with that, especially considering last year. We’re just looking forward to seeing real people and to hearing real music.” Every effort is being taken, he says, to make sure this year’s festival is a *safe* festival. “There’s no mask mandate at this point in the state of Iowa, but we have masks that we can give people,” Trainor says. “We have seating for two, seating for four, and you can spread out as there’s like 700 seats. There’s hand sanitation stations.”

Most of the concerts are being held at the Rhythm City Casino’s Events Center in north Davenport, though a few select shows will be performed at the Putnam Museum and at the Oakdale Cemetery, where Bix is buried. Fans will also want to visit the Bix Museum in the lower level of the River Music Experience in downtown Davenport. It’s dedicated to telling the story of the hometown hero through recordings, photos, videos, storyboards, letters and his instruments.

Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors Visit Armour Insurance

News

August 6th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Armour Insurance on Thursday, August 5th to welcome their new agent, Jake Olsen. Jake was born and raised in Atlantic, went to Northwestern University where he graduated with a degree in Finance. Soon after graduation, owner Lucas Mosier, approached Jake about coming on board in which he accepted and joined the Atlantic team at the beginning of June 2020. Since joining the company, Jake has received licensing in personal, commercial and life insurance.

Armour Insurance has offices in Atlantic, Griswold and Council Bluffs and specializes in auto, home, farm, business, personal, commercial, life, health and crop insurance. Armour Insurance is located at 700 E. 7th St. Contact 712-243-1630 or visit https://www.insarmour.com/ for more information.

Ambassador’s Pictured Left to Right: Kevin Ferguson, Abby Becker, Kelsey Beschorner, Jim Kickland, Rachel Czaja, Jason Nicholas, Krysta Hanson, Anne Quist, Kennedy Freund, Margo Larson, Ruth Sears, Jessi Klever, Katie Hockenberry, Bill Saluk, Jessica Oswalt, Dr.Keith Leonard, Dolly Bergmann, Marcia Anderson, Colt Doherty, Alden Harriman, Dawn Marnin, Nedra Perry, Rich Perry, Amy Coenen, Donnie Drennan, Graydon Schmidt. Seated: Lucas Mosier & Jake Olsen.

2 bird programs scheduled for later this month in Cass County

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 6th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Conservation Board has two programs coming up later this month for nature lovers: the “Breakfast with the Birds” Program, and “Raptor Identification” Program. Both will be held August 21st in the Camblin’s Addition Shelter at Sunnyside Park. The  “Breakfast with the Birds” Program begins at 9-a.m.  For a free-will donation, you can enjoy a light breakfast. During the program, Cassie Wendl, will show and discuss live birds.  Raptor Identification Program

You can learn about different raptors (birds of prey) and tips about how to increase your birding knowledge, during the “Raptor Identification” Program, which will be held at 10-a.m. on August 21st. You can bring along your own pair of binoculars, or some will be provided. Funding for the program is provided by the Resource Enhancement and Protection – Conservation Education Program (REAP – CEP).

The Raptor workshop will be conducted by Kelly McKay (BioEco Research and Monitoring Center), with assistance from Mark Roberts (Clinton County Conservation) and Brian Ritter (Nahant Marsh Education Center). It’s the third of the CCCB’s “Building a Better Birder Workshop Series,” and is brought to you through aResource Enhancement and Protection (REAP-CEP) grant.

Pre-Registration is appreciated. Call  769-2372 or email to sign up lkanning@casscoia.us Of course this qualifies for our 120hrs Outdoor Challenge don’t forget to use #120hrsCassCoIA as a hashtag for your adventures.

Urgent need for Foster Parents in western Iowa

News

August 6th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Denison, Iowa)  – Officials with Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) are putting out an urgent request for foster parents in western Iowa. Danette Morgan, Training and Development Coordinator for LSI in Denison, says if you have ever considered foster parenting, NOW is the time.

LSI is contracted with the Department of Human Services to cover 30 counties in western Iowa. They take referrals from DHS, which provides services in the home before the children are removed. Morgan says this is far different from the “myth” of simply coming in and grabbing the children from their unsafe home and bouncing them around until they find suitable temporary housing.

Danette says in cases where the child is not able to stay in their original home, LSI is notified of the need for a home. This year, up through the end of June, that has happened more than 300 times for the 30 counties LSI serves. She says throughout the State of Iowa, from January 2020 through the end of December, 3,936 children entered foster care.

When it’s not possible for the child to return home, they become eligible for adoption. As of July 22, 2021, there are 780 children eligible for adoption, in Iowa. Becoming a foster parent is a process that begins with an filling out an inquiry form at lsiowa.org/foster.

Free orientation classes will be held August 12th in Council Bluffs, September 9th in Audubon, and September 23rd, in Sioux City. The no obligation classes offer you an opportunity to learn more about what it is to be a foster parent. If you’re still interested, the paperwork, including a background check is conducted.

If you pass that, LSI will talk with you about TIP (Trauma Informed Parenting) Classes. That involves training once a week for 3-hours each week for 10 weeks, or a total of 30 hours training, in addition to your home study.

There is no amount of income requirement to be a foster parent, but LSI does ask for verification of income. Single parents over the age of 21 may become foster parents, regardless of whether you own or rent your home. They’re simply looking for a safe, nurturing environment for foster children.

For more information, go to https://lsiowa.org/foster-care-adoption/, or Email fosteradopt@lsiowa.org to ask questions and sign up.

Montgomery County Fire Departments Receive Life Saving Gas Detection Monitors

News

August 6th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) — Montgomery County fire departments had received life saving gas detection monitors through a generous donation from the E.F. & Sylvia Schildberg Foundation in partnership with the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency and the Southwest Iowa Squadron of Heroes. The new gas detection monitors will be used for a wide array of emergency situations that each fire department responds to on a daily basis and will better assist them in responding to and mitigating hazardous material situations, gas leaks and first responder safety during incidents.
Brian Hamman, Montgomery County Emergency Management Director says “Once again, the Schildberg Foundation has supported our local public safety agencies by providing financial support towards capital improvement projects such as this. By standardizing our equipment throughout the county, it ensures that when an emergency or disaster strikes these new monitors can be used efficiently amongst members and will assist when mutual aid is needed between departments.”

Photo credit” Montgomery County EMA Facebook page

The overall cost of this project was nearly $7,500.00 and was paid entirely through the generous donation by the E.F. & Sylvia Schildberg Foundation. Montgomery County Emergency Management was awarded $5,000.00 in the 2021 grant cycle towards this project and the Southwest Iowa Squadron of Heroes guaranteed the remaining balance of $2,500.00 from their Fire/EMS fundraising efforts.
Background:

The Schildberg Construction Company of Greenfield, Iowa was founded in 1937 by a great husband and wife team, E.F. and Sylvia Schildberg. They valued hard work, honesty, loyalty and a desire to help others. The company prospered over the years and the list of employees and customers grew. E.F. and Sylvia always gave a great share of the credit for their success to their employees and customers.
On September 30, 1987, fifty years after the founding of the Schildberg Construction Company, the Schildberg Foundation was created by Sylvia Schildberg as an ongoing expression of appreciation to the people of this area. On June 9, 2011, the name of the Schildberg Foundation was changed to E.F. and Sylvia Schildberg Foundation. The purpose of the Foundation is to give financial assistance to non-profit charitable, educational, or other causes that better the human condition and encourage community betterment. It was the hope of E.F. and Sylvia that in helping others, the ultimate reward would be for that same dedication to be passed on to future generations.
With that in mind, those of us now involved with the E.F. and Sylvia Schildberg Foundation ask that each of you who might benefit in some way make your own pledge to “pass it on”.

Former Insurance Producer Sentenced for Insurance Fraud Scheme

News

August 6th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Des Moines, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Insurance Division said Friday (today), former insurance producer Dustin French of Red Oak, was recently sentenced in Montgomery County District Court after pleading guilty to his actions in an insurance fraud scheme. The sentence follows an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau which began in April of 2020.  The investigation concluded French received compensation from his insurer on multiple occasions following claims to his insurance provider.  The investigation determined the documentation supporting the claims was not accurate, leading to French receiving benefits to which he was not entitled.

In February of 2021, French was charged with one count of Insurance Fraud – Presenting False Information (Class D Felony) and one count of Theft in the 2nd Degree (Class D Felony).  In July of 2021, French pled guilty to one count of Theft 3rd Degree (Aggravated Misdemeanor).  French received a deferred judgement and was ordered to serve two years probation.  French was also assessed a civil penalty of $855 and ordered to pay $1,800 in victim restitution.

Photo courtesy of the Montgomery County Jail.

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.

(Podcast) KJAN 8:07-a.m. News, 8/6/21

News, Podcasts

August 6th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

With Ric Hanson.

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