Atlantic Bottling Company and Variety Iowa-the Children’s Charities on Friday presented a special bike to a very special young man.  Allison Hanner, Director of Development & Communications for Variety Iowa-the Children’s Charities, was on hand to present an adaptive bicycle to seven year old Leland Bailey, the son of Jodi and Eric Bailey of Wiota.

Morgan Elgersma, Commercial Marketing Manager for Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, says they have been involved with Variety Iowa for more than 20 years.

Jodi Bailey said this was a special day for Leland as he gets wheels.

Jodi says this gift is more than just a bike.

Atlantic Bottling and Variety have teamed up to provide seven of these special bikes, which can cost up to $15,000.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office this (Friday) afternoon, released information about an accident that took place Monday evening, and that resulted in a woman being seriously injured.

Authorities say 30-year-old Paige Marie Clarke of Red Oak, was driving a 2008 Kia Sorrento northbound in the 1700 block of Highway 48 at around 6:20-p.m., Monday, when for reasons unknown, the vehicle crossed the southbound lane of traffic on the highway, and drove into the west ditch where it struck several trees.

The impact caused the car to spin 180 degrees before it came to rest upright, facing south. The vehicle sustained heavy front-end damage. The Montgomery County Communications received an iPhone crash detection alert, which placed the vehicle near the East Nishnabotna River Bridge.

Red Oak Fire and Rescue and Red Oak Police arrived on the scene to find Clark trapped inside the vehicle. After being extricated by rescue crews, Clark was taken to Montgomery County Memorial Hospital.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Thursday, said the DNR ordered Vision Atlantic, Inc., to pay an $8,000 administrative penalty associated with illegal discharges into state waters. The Consent Order required Vision Atlantic to cease all illegal discharges and to comply with all conditions of its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. The penalty was paid on Sept. 24th.  (Read details about the Administrative Consent Order here: 2025WW19

A consent order is issued as an alternative to issuing an administrative order. A consent order indicates that the DNR has voluntarily entered into a legally enforceable agreement with the other party.

The DNR says its staff work with individuals, businesses and communities to help them protect our natural resources by complying with state and federal laws. The approach is very effective, they noted. In the few cases where compliance cannot be achieved, the DNR issues enforcement actions.

Find the entire, original orders on DNR’s website at www.iowadnr.gov/EnforcementActions

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Joni Ernst — who won’t be seeking reelection next year — is hosting her annual motorcycle ride and pig roast tomorrow (Saturday). “My final ‘Roast and Ride’ here in Des Moines, Iowa,” Ernst said last month. Ernst has started to reminisce about her career and tomorrow (Saturday) she’s likely to mention her she rose through the ranks of the Iowa National Guard and served as Montgomery County Auditor and a state senator before her election to the U.S. Senate in 2014.

“Thirty-three years I’ve given of my life in service to our nation, both in uniform and then in public service throughout local elected office, state elected office and federal elected office,” Ernst said, “and I tell every step of this journey it has been an absolute privilege. I do not take it for granted.” Her first “Roast and Ride” fundraiser was in 2015 and the annual event has showcased a string of G-O-P candidates running for president.

Sen. Joni Ernst on a “Roast and Ride.” (2016 file photo from Radio Iowa)

In 2016, Donald Trump was the keynote speaker. In 2017 and 2023 Mike Pence road motorcycles. Entry fees for the morning ride through the countryside have been donated to veteran’s charities and Ernst has chosen the Blue Star Mothers of Iowa as the beneficiary this year. “They are now supporting through care packages all of our deployed National Guardsmen,” Ernst said, “and we have 1800 that are deployed, so they will be sending individual care packages to each one of those service members overseas at the holiday time, so think about Christmas and individual packages for our loved ones.”

Tickets for the pig roast had raised money for her campaign until 2023, but are now free. A super PAC called Mission Iowa pays for the meals and other set up costs for the afternoon rally. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will be the keynote speaker.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce’ Board of Directors, Friday (today) announced the appointment of Kelsey Beschorner as the new Executive Director. Kelsey has been part of the Chamber team since 2020 as Program Director, where her energy, creativity, and leadership have shaped many of Atlantic’s most beloved traditions — from AtlanticFest and Christmas in Atlantic to the work of the Ambassadors and Atlantic Rising.

“Energetic, outgoing, and engaging, Kelsey brings a contagious enthusiasm to everything she does,” said Anne Quist of First Whitney Bank and Chamber Board President. “Her creativity and leadership have breathed new life into many of Atlantic’s long-standing traditions.” From managing events and volunteers to growing the Chamber’s marketing and media presence, Kelsey has been instrumental in strengthening community connections and showcasing all that makes Atlantic shine.

“We’re thrilled that Kelsey has agreed to step into this important role,” added Tim Cappel of Cappel’s Ace Hardware and Immediate Past President. “We have every confidence she will continue to strengthen the Chamber’s mission and build on the strong foundation that makes Atlantic such a special place to live and work.”

Originally from Council Bluffs, Kelsey moved to Atlantic in 2012 and quickly fell in love with Cass County. With a degree in Therapeutic Recreation and Gerontology from Northwest Missouri State University, she brings a deep appreciation for meaningful connections — both personally and professionally. “It’s a privilege to serve in this role and to help share the Chamber’s story — while also showing the world that this really is the best place to live, work, and play,” Kelsey said. When she’s not planning the Chamber’s next big event, you’ll find Kelsey on the farm with her husband, Adam, and their pack of happy pups.

Officials with the Chamber say as they Chamber begins this exciting new chapter, the volunteer Board of Directors will continue working closely with Kelsey to ensure programs, partnerships, and events thrive — keeping Atlantic’s community spirit strong and its businesses growing.

(Radio Iowa) – Republican candidate Eddie Andrews says if he’s elected governor, he’ll press for campaign finance reform to get the stain of money out of politics.  “It’s not who has the best ideas,” Andrews says. “All the experts, all the smart people say: ‘Well, how much money have you raised?’ And that’s a disgusting commentary on our state of politics.” Andrews says the issue has been a priority since he was first elected to the Iowa House in 2020.”My very first bill…I put limits on Iowa contributors…and then I suggested a $1 limit for out-of-state contributions and people were like, ‘Well, that’s way too low,’ and I said: ‘Make the case that someone from out of state should have an impact on Iowa politics,” Andrews said. That bill stalled in the legislature in 2021.

Andrews is among a field of G-O-P candidates that includes Congressman Randy Feenstra, who’s been raising money for his race since May. Andrews says wants he wants his own campaign to be a mandate on money. “When I become governor, we will make a number of inroads on removing the stain of money on Iowa politics,” Andrews says. Andrews says the influence of money in politics here is not nearly as bad as it is at the national level, but Andrews says he’s seen how money can affect votes in the state legislature.”I have seen how money can invite corruption and it’s disgusting, quite honestly,” Andrews said.

Andrews made his comments during taping of the “Iowa Press” program that airs tonight (Friday) on Iowa P-B-S.

(Des Moines, Iowa; A report by the Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Three Republican Iowa state senators called on state Auditor Rob Sand, a Democratic candidate for governor, to perform an audit of Des Moines Public Schools in the wake of the arrest of former Superintendent Ian Roberts. Sand replied Thursday that he does not have the authority to perform an audit without the district’s request. Sens. Jesse Green, R-Boone, Kerry Gruenhagen, R-Walcott and Lynn Evans, R-Aurelia, sent a letter to Sand Wednesday calling for the state auditor to investigate the spending and practices of DMPS following the Sept. 26 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrest of Roberts.

Since the arrest, multiple reports have found that Roberts, a citizen of Guyana according to court documents, had falsified parts of his credentials and resume in addition to not disclosing his immigration status or previous criminal charges. Roberts had been given an order of removal by an immigration judge in May 2024. The letter from the three GOP senators said they were “becoming more and more alarmed” by reports of false information disseminated by Roberts about his background, and called for Sand to “take the time to do the job and help both lawmakers and Iowans as we continue to deal with the consequences of Roberts’ deceptions.”

“As senators with duties to pass budgets, implement policy, and hold government accountable, our job includes evaluating the process of retaining individuals to lead public schools and the accountability required to ensure the almost $4 billion of taxpayer funds are managed by people Iowans can trust,” the letter stated. In a statement responding to the letter, Sand said he agrees with the “descriptions of Ian Roberts’ deceptions and agree that DMPS needs to be more transparent around what happened here.” But he said lawmakers should know the auditor’s office does not have the authority to conduct an audit of DMPS outside of a request for reaudit from a DMPS employee or school board official.

Auditor of State Rob Sand speaks at a press conference on Jan. 30, 2025. (Photo courtesy of the Auditor of State’s Office)

The GOP senators also brought up Sand’s efforts to audit the state’s Education Savings Account program providing public funds for private school tuition and associated costs in the letter. While the ESA program is expected to cost the state roughly $314 million, DMPS, which employed Roberts, received $460 million in fiscal year 2025, according to the release. “You, as the state’s auditor, who claims to be the taxpayer watchdog while politicizing your office and spending more time campaigning for governor than actually focusing on your job, have a duty to that office and to Iowans to focus more of your time on your current job than trying to get the next one,” the senators wrote in the letter. “Iowa needs the state auditor to take the time to do the job and help both lawmakers and Iowans as we continue to deal with the consequences of Roberts’ deceptions.”

Sand responded that the senators “supported the vouchers law they chose to bring into this, which provides for no audits whatsoever of private schools spending public money, despite the fact that every public school district, including DMPS, is audited every year.” The auditor’s office released an independent report in February about the ESA program and Odyssey, the company the state contracts with to administer the program, which stated the Iowa departments of Education and Revenue did not provide their office requested documents about whether students receiving ESA funds met the income eligibility requirements. Gov. Kim Reynolds and state department leaders responded by saying the office had not followed the correct procedures for obtaining this information, and that Sand was launching a political attack against the ESA program.

Sand also criticized Republicans, who hold a trifecta of control at the Iowa Statehouse, for passing legislation he said could allow officials to legally hide documents during an audit. “They all have my number,” Sand said in a statement. “Had they just called me, I could have saved them the embarrassment of the public learning these lawmakers don’t know, or don’t care about, the law. I will still take their calls to save them further embarrassment.”

On Wednesday, Reynolds signed an executive order requiring state government departments use the federal E-Verify and SAVE systems to confirm immigration and citizenship status when granting occupational and professional licenses and confirming state employees’ work eligibility. The Des Moines School Board is also pursuing a lawsuit against JG Consulting, the firm contracted during the search to hire Roberts, for not disclosing information on his immigration, criminal and educational background that should have been flagged during the background check process.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – A man was arrested late Thursday night in Pottawattamie County. 28-year-old Shaun Patrick McCarthy, of Avoca, was booked into the Pott. County Jail at around 11:35-p.m., on charges that include:

• Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense – Residential Household Member (A Simple Misdemeanor)
• Attempt to Commit Murder – A Class B Felony
• Reckless Use of Firearm – Resulting in bodily injury – A Class D Felony
• Going Armed with Intent – A Class D Felony
• 3 counts of Child Endangerment w/Substantial Risk – Aggravated Misdemeanors, and
• Willful Injury – Resulting in Bodily Injury – A Class D Felony

Bond on those charges amounts to $40,000. McCarthy was being held in the Pottawattamie County Jail. Additional information concerning his arrest was not immediately available.

(Radio Iowa) – For the first time in over a century, a woman is serving as a county sheriff in Iowa. The Sac County Board of Supervisors picked Katie Stange to be the new sheriff last month. The deadline for citizens to ask for a county-wide vote has ended — so the job is officially hers. “It’s really an honor to be a trailblazer in this position,” she said. “…I hope that it’s known that I didn’t get this spot just because I’m a woman. It’s because of the skills that I have as a law enforcement officer.”

Stange started with the department seven years ago and was the deputy sheriff. “I was appointed to this position not just because, ‘Oh, you know, it would be a good idea to finally put a woman in a position like this.’ It was because I’ve proven myself,” she said. Stange says one of her top priorities is persuading voters to approve building a new jail. Sac County residents will be voting a bond measure to build a new county jail in November.

Kate Stange (Sept. 2025) – Sac County S/O Facebook page photo

Last year, a 10 million dollar bond proposal to build a new Sac County Jail fell one percent short of reaching the needed 60 percent support for passage. “I can feel, like, the anxiety rising, knowing that vote is coming up here shortly,” she said. “That’s going to be a really pivotal point for this office. I hope the community decides that it’s a necessity not only for the Sac County Sheriff’s Office and the other law enforcement agencies in our county, but also for the community as a whole.” The current jail is more than 80-years old and officials say it doesn’t meet current safety standards.

Stange is the first woman to serve as sheriff since Gunda Martindale. She was appointed in Allamakee County in 1921 when her husband, who was sheriff, died in office. That was common practice at the time because sheriffs didn’t have pensions that transferred to survivors. Stange replaces Jonathan Meyer, who had been appointed Sac County Sheriff in July when the county’s long-time sheriff announced his retirement. In early September, Meyer resigned and asked to return to his position as sergeant.