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Adventure Pass Program Expands with Audubon Rec Center Partnership

News

February 2nd, 2026 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic & Audubon, IA) – Officials with “A Community for Kids” and the Atlantic Public Library have announced a new addition to the Adventure Pass program: the Audubon Recreation Center. The partnership, officials say, brings even more opportunities for families to stay active, connect, and create meaningful memories together. Through the new Adventure Pass offering, families can enjoy a free game of bowling for up to six people along with complimentary access to the Audubon Rec Center gym space—all with the use of a library card.
The Audubon Rec Center offers 8 lanes of bowling, featuring cosmic bowling on Friday and Saturday nights. Located within the bowling alley is a soft play area for young children, an arcade, and full service restaurant and bar. Within the same building is a gym space with a walking track and batting cage.
Adventure Passes allow patrons to “check out” experiences just like books, turning ordinary days into extraordinary adventures. Instead of reading a story, families get to live one—laughing together, moving together, and exploring local fun in a way that’s accessible to all. The addition of the Audubon Rec Center strengthens the Adventure Pass mission of removing barriers to family-friendly recreation while supporting local destinations. It’s a win-win: families discover new places to play, and community partners welcome new visitors through the doors.
Adventure Passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis through the Atlantic Public Library. Any adult with a library card in good standing may check out a pass, and families will have seven days to use it after checkout.
A Community for Kids is grateful for the Audubon Rec Center’s commitment to supporting families and enriching the lives of children throughout the area. This exciting new partnership ensures that even more families can bowl, play, and move their way into unforgettable memories.
For more information about Adventure Passes and participating locations, visit acommunityforkids.com or stop by the Atlantic Public Library.

Iowa House bill would regulate vertiports

News

February 2nd, 2026 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A bill introduced in the Iowa House is sparking a discussion of how to designate and regulate vertiports — take off and landing fields for electric aircraft. Republican Representative John Wills of Spirit Lake says Iowa needs to prepare for battery powered aircraft that can carry people and cargo.

“This is going to be the transportation of the future and if we don’t get in front of it, we’re going to be well behind it,” Wills said. “and we want to be a state this is welcoming to business.” Tim McClung is the aviation director for the Iowa Department of Transportation. He says Iowa’s part of a 37-state group talking about electric aircraft that take off and land vertically as well as battery powered fixed-wing planes that need a runway to take off and land.

“It’s a new generation of aircraft that are being developed with new materials, manned or unmanned,” he said. “Primarily right most of these right now are expected to be electric. It’s expected that they’ll start getting their certifications the next two or three years, then we’ll see a slow ramp up in that arena.” These aircraft will also need battery charging facilities. McClung says Iowa’s smaller airports could be a critical part of the infrastructure for what the manufacturers call advanced mobility aircraft.

“They’ll be electric powered,” McClung said. “They will be flown by trained pilots and initially they will rely on airports as their center of operation.” Jim Obradovich is a lobbyist for the Iowa Public Airports Association, which is monitoring the concept. “We just want to have well-regulated airspace and when you add new technology to traditional technology to technology that’s developing and then to the stuff we can’t even in our minds think of that will be out there in the future that we can’t even think of, we just want to make sure it’s well integrated and safe for everyone,” Obradovich said.

One company that’s producing a battery-powered aircraft that operates like a helicopter may start service in Dubai as soon as this year. A company called Archer is looking to do vertical take offs and landings from O’Hare Airport for travel to and from downtown Chicago.

Iowa National Guard Soldiers Begin Phased Return from Operation Inherent Resolve

News

February 1st, 2026 by Ric Hanson

JOINT FORCE HEADQUARTERS – DES MOINES, Iowa — Approximately 250 Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division are arriving back in the United States this weekend as part of a phased return from
their deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. During their deployment, these Soldiers worked alongside coalition and regional partners to significantly reduce the capabilities of ISIS in Iraq and Syria, helping improve security and stability throughout the region.

Due to progress achieved toward U.S. Central Command objectives, some Soldiers and units have completed their assigned missions and are beginning a phased redeployment home in accordance with higher headquarters guidance. Not all Soldiers return at the same time. Some are returning earlier because their specific mission requirements have concluded, while others will remain deployed to continue essential responsibilities, including partner support and base security.

This phased return is based on mission needs, personnel requirements, and transportation availability. Details regarding welcome home ceremonies are currently being coordinated and are expected to take place within the next 14 days in both Des Moines and Sioux City. Additional information will be released once details are finalized.

2 arrested following a pursuit and crash in Crawford County early Sunday morning (Feb. 1st)

News

February 1st, 2026 by Ric Hanson

(Denison, IA) – A pursuit in Crawford County early this (Sunday) morning resulted in a crash and two people being arrested. According to the Iowa State Patrol, the accident happened at around 2-a.m. as 22-year-old Carlos Gomez-Paz, of Papillion, NE, was driving a 2013 Hyundai Elantra westbound on Highway 30,attempting to elude Denison Police. At the intersection with 12th street, the car struck a southbound 2024 GMC Acadia (SUV), driven by 30-year-old Blake Beymer, of Denison.

Following the crash, the SUV came to rest south of the intersection, while the car came to rest in a parking lot west of the intersection. The Patrol says both drivers and a passenger in the SUV (who was not identified) were provided medical attention for minor injuries at the scene, and released.

The State Patrol says Gomez-Paz was arrested for Eluding, and Beymer was arrested for OWI.

Clarinda man arrested on an Assault charge Sunday morning

News

February 1st, 2026 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, IA) – Sheriff’s Deputies in Montgomery County have arrested a man from Page County on an asault charge. According to the Sheriff’s Department, 28-year-old Jason Lee Sarabia, Jr., of Clarinda, was arrested just before 2-a.m. Today (Sunday), in the 100 block of W. 3rd Street, in Villisca. Sarabia, Jr., was taken into custody for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense. He was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held without bond.

Deputies with the Page County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the arrest.

DNC panel to let Iowa Democrats to make pitch for 2028 Caucuses to go early

News

February 1st, 2026 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Democrats will have a chance to make the case to national party leaders that the Iowa Democratic Party’s Caucuses should move back to a lead-off position in the next presidential election. A panel of national Democrats met this weekend and agreed Iowa and 11 other states will be competing for up to five early voting slots in 2028. Minyon Moore is chair of the group that will make the decision and she says they are looking for one thing.

“The calendar that produces the strongest possible Democratic nominee for president,” she said. Iowa will be competing against Illinois and Michigan to host one of the four regional voting events that will kick-off the 2028 presidential election. Some committee members like David McDonald of Washington state are raising concerns about having large states like Illinois host the opening contests for Democratic candidates in 2028.

“We make a trade off if we put one of those states up front,” McDonald said. “It is both more expensive and it is less retail campaigning and historically we have tried to emphasize person-to-person contact as much as possible by using small states up front to get a read on the candidates.”

Two other members of the panel that will consider Iowa’s pitch say Iowa Democrats must make clear in their presentation how they plan to conduct the 2028 Caucuses rather than present a menu with early voting options alongside Caucus night voting.

The Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee is scheduled to meet again in April, but there’s no date set yet for Iowa and other states to make their presentations about hosting early primaries — or the Iowa Caucuses — in 2028.

Busy day fighting grass fires, Saturday

News

February 1st, 2026 by Ric Hanson

(Southwest Iowa) – Area firefighters kept busy Saturday afternoon battling grass and at least one structure fire. The Anita Fire Department was called to assist in fighting a grass fire that was spreading to an adjacent field, Saturday. And, the Creston Fire Department responded to the first of three grass fires on January 31st, at around 1:5-p.m.
The Avoca Fire Department responded at around 1-p.m. Saturday to a garage fire. The structure was not attached to the residence, though. The Walnut, Harlan and Shelby Fire Departments were requested and responded with mutual aid in the form of additional equipment and personnel. The blaze occurred in the 1100 block of N. Frost Avenue, in Avoca.

Photo from the Avoca FD Facebook page.

Officials with the CFD say that initial fire was located on 130th St, west of Beechwood Avenue. Due to the size and intensity of the blaze, additional resources were required, prompting a response from the Afton Volunteer Fire Department, Prescott Fire & Rescue, and Orient Volunteer Fire Departments for mutual aid. Approximately 36 acres were burned in this incident.
(Photos by Chuck Spindler w/the CFD)
As that fire was being brought under control, fire officials say a second grass fire was reported at 3:21 p.m. on Juniper Rd, east of Joshua Ave. The Afton Volunteer Fire Department responded to this call while Creston was still engaged with the first fire.
They quickly contained the fire, which was less than one acre in size, and completed their assignment by the time Creston arrived on the scene.
A third grass fire was reported at 4:48 p.m. on 12 Mile Lake Rd. Once again, the Afton Volunteer Fire Department responded to the mutual aid request. They arrived first on the scene and successfully extinguished the flames before Creston arrived.

Red Oak man arrested for Public Intoxication, Sunday morning (Feb. 1st)

News

February 1st, 2026 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, IA) – Police in Red Oak report the arrest of a man early this (Sunday) morning, on a Public Intoxication charge. Authorities say 32-year-old  Joshua Dean Jones, of Red Oak, was taken into custody on the simple misdemeanor charge at around 12:18-a.m. in the 1200 block of Senate Avenue, in Red Oak.

Jones was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $300 cash or surety bond.

Pedestrian dies after being struck by a vehicle in Mason City parking lot

News

February 1st, 2026 by Ric Hanson

(Mason City, IA) – A person walking in the traveled portion of a grocery store parking lot  in Mason City, was struck by an SUV Saturday afternoon. According to the Iowa State Patrol, the accident happened at around 2:40-p.m., as a 2004 Chevy Tahoe was traveling south in a parking lot. The pedestrian was transported by Mason City Ambulance to the hospital but died from their injuries.

The name of the pedestrian was being withheld by authorities, pending notification of family. The name of the SUV driver was also not immediately released. The incident remained under investigation.

Mason City Police assisted State Patrol at the scene.

Tama County road crew finds grooming kit with more than what’s needed for grooming

News

January 31st, 2026 by Ric Hanson

(Toledo, IA) – An Iowa Department of Transportation road crew in Tama County came across an unexpected find, recently. In a social media post, the Tama County Sheriff’s Office says, “While doing their normal maintenance and daily rounds along Highway 21 south of Highway 30, our Iowa DOT crew came across this roadside surprise. Just another reminder that these folks do a whole lot more for Iowa than people realize.
“At first glance,” authorities said, the road crew thought it was a nail file or grooming kit. Something you’d toss in a glove box and forget about. “Turns out,” the sheriff’s said, “it was less self care and more future court appearance. Inside this stylish little zip up case were needles, syringes, assorted tools, and a large baggie of a white crystal substance that absolutely does not belong on Iowa highways, in a manicure kit, or anywhere near good decision making.”

Drug kit found in Tama County (Tama County Sheriff’s Office photo via Facebook)

Tongue-in-cheek, the sheriff’s office said in their post, “If this belongs to you and you are suddenly wondering where your portable felony went, please stop by the Tama County Sheriff’s Office to claim it. Bring your ID. Bring patience. Expect questions. Paperwork will follow. Regret is likely. For everyone else, rest easy knowing this roadside science project has been picked up and will not be returning to circulation.”
Authorities issued a reminder also, that “if your grooming kit contains syringes and methamphetamine, it is not a grooming kit. It is evidence.”