(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday) released a report on nine separate accidents that took place between Feb. 15th and March 6th. Starting with the most recent, on Sunday, March 6th, 2022, deputies responded to a single vehicle accident near the intersection of Lewis Road and 560th St. in rural Lewis. A 2020 Freightliner Mid American work truck being operated by Gildardo Zarazua Gonzalez, of Bellevue, NE, was traveling East on Lewis Rd. when the driver fell asleep and entered the ditch near 560th St. The vehicle overturned and landed on the passenger side, coming to a rest in the South ditch just east of 560th St. The Mid American work truck received extensive damage. No injuries were reported during this accident.

There were two accidents on February 24 in Cass County:  A single vehicle accident happened on Highway 83 just east of Wiota. A 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche being operated by Brianna Long, of Anita, was negotiating the curve traveling East and North outside of Wiota. The vehicle struck a slick portion of the roadway and entered the East ditch. During this course the vehicle struck several trees causing an approximated $7,000 worth of damage. Long suffered minor injuries and was transported by EMS to a local hospital for treatment; And, a single vehicle accident occurred Feb. 24th on/near Interstate 80 at the 64 mile marker. Officials say a 2007 Chrysler Van being driven by Bobbi Moneer, of Red Oak, was traveling East on Interstate 80 when it struck a slick portion of the roadway and lost control. The vehicle entered the South ditch and ended up rolling, coming to a rest on it’s driver’s side. The damage was estimated at $10,000. No injuries were reported.

On February 23rd, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a single vehicle accident on Highway 83, West of Glacier Road. A 2020 Chevrolet Traverse being driven by Heather Bauerkemper, of Walnut, was traveling West and failed to negotiate a curve. In this action, the vehicle entered the North ditch and rolled, coming to rest on the driver’s side of the vehicle and facing East. Emergency responders that had arrived on scene extricated the woman and transported her by air ambulance to the hospital.  The vehicle sustained about $28,000 worth of totaling damage.

On February 18th, a single vehicle accident occurred near the intersection of Olive Street and Boston Road, north of Atlantic. A 2021 Kenworth being operated by Dakota Cronister, of Overland Park, KS, was traveling South on Olive Street. The driver told deputies he may have fallen asleep and lost control. The vehicle left the roadway and entered the ditch, striking a utility pole during this course. The vehicle and trailer partially rolled onto its left said and sustained significant damage estimated at $20,000. The utility pole received approximately $5,000 worth of damage as well. No injuries were reported during this accident.

On February 17th, a single vehicle accident happened near the intersection of 720th Street and Eastland Road, in rural Anita. A 1997 Plymouth Breeze being operated by a juvenile female had crested the hill on a gravel road and lost control. The operator attempted to correct the vehicle’s movement and further lost control, going into the ditch and eventually rolling. During this motion, the vehicle went through a field fence and came to a rest against a tree. The operator was able to get out, go to a nearby residence to request assistance and was eventually transported to a local hospital by EMS for injuries sustained during the accident. The vehicle sustained approximately $5,000 worth of damage and the fence received approximately $475 worth of damage.

On February 16th, 2022, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a single vehicle accident at the intersection of 5th and Harrison Street in Griswold. A 2002 Peterbilt being operated by Ethan Schmitt, of Griswold, was attempting to make a left-hand turn. In doing this, the trailer left the roadway and struck a fire hydrant. This action pulled the fire hydrant from the ground, causing an estimated $5,000 of damage to the hydrant. The vehicle sustained an approximated $300 worth of damage. No injuries were reported during this accident.

And there were two separate accidents on Feb. 15th, in Cass County: A 2 vehicle accident occurred in Anita at the intersection of Highway 148 and Main Street. A 2014 Ford F150 being operated by Taylor Lewis, of Carthage, MO, rolled rearwards to allow room for an oncoming semi to turn. In doing this, the vehicle rolled into a 2021 Kia Forte being operated by Danielle Mardensen, of Adair. The F150 sustained an approximated $500 of damage while the Kia sustained approximately $1,500 worth of damage. No injuries were reported during this accident; And, a single vehicle accident took place on the Interstate 80 Eastbound exit ramp 54 on the 15th.

A 2018 Nissan Rogue being operated by Elaine Baughman, of Kirkman, IA, was exiting Interstate 80 and negotiating a slight curve on the exit ramp. In doing this, the vehicle steered too far to the left and struck a cable barrier. The vehicle sustained approximately $6,000 worth of damage and the cable barrier sustained approximately $700 of damage. No injuries were reported during this accident.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Tuesday (today), released a report on arrests dating back to Feb. 15th.  Two people were arrested last Saturday (March 5th) in Cass County:

• 34-year-old Sophin Phylon, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense.
• and, 57-year-old Donald Worth, of Lewis, was arrested Saturday for OWI/ 2nd offense.

On March 2nd, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 48-year-old Paul Jackson, of Omaha, for OWI/1st offense, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Jackson was being held in the Cass Cass County Jail. On March 1st, 28-year-old Donovan Bruning, of Griswold, was arrested for Theft in the 2nd degree, after he turned himself-in to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and later released on bond.

The Cass County Sheriff’s says 38-year-old Christina Crawley, of Atlantic, was arrested Feb. 26th, for OWI 1st offense. On the 25th, 36-year-old David Coenen, of Lewis, for OWI/1st offense, Theft 2nd degree, Criminal Mischief 4th degree and Driving While Barred. Sheriff’s officials say on Feb. 23rd, 30-year-old Dalton Cormeny, of Fontanelle, was arrested on a warrant for Failure to Appear.

On the 18th of February, 28-year-old Alexandra Thorpe, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI/3rd or subsequent offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was later released on bond. And, on the 15th, 29-year-old Lynnea Jessen, of Atlantic, was arrested for being an Accessory After the Fact, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

*unless otherwise stated, each subject was ROR (Released on their Own Recognizance).

The city of Kimballton has issued a 24-hour water boil notice.  Monday night, the water tower pump broke down.  It has been fixed, but for safety reasons, citizens are asked to observe a 24 water boil order through Wednesday afternoon.

(Crescent, Iowa) – An adult female died and a child was injured during a rollover accident this (Tuesday) morning, in Pottawattamie County. The crash happened at around 7:23-a.m. on Interstate 29 southbound, near mile marker 61, or near the Crescent exit. The Patrol says 62-year-old Wanda Jean Trovato, of Missouri Valley, was driving a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer and attempting to change from the right to the left lane, when the SUV went off the road to the left and into the median.

The SUV rolled over and came to rest on the driver’s side, facing northwest. Trovato, who was wearing a seat belt, was transported to the UNMC in Omaha, where she died. An infant that was properly strapped into a child safety seat was injured, and transported by Crescent Rescue to the UNMC.

The Patrol was assisted at the crash scene by Pott. County Sheriff’s Deputies, a DOT Highway Helper, Council Bluffs and Crescent Rescue.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports three accidents took place over the past few days. At around 3:25-p.m., Saturday, an accident occurred on Nice Avenue, just south of White Pole Road. Authorities say a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan driven by 53-year-old Shannon Rose Pierson, of Casey, was traveling southbound, at the same time a 2010 Ford F-250 pickup driven by 41-year-old Troy Lee Miller, of Menlo, was traveling northbound. Both vehicles approached an arched, one-lane bridge, that makes it difficult to see another vehicle beyond the crest of the bridge. The van and pickup met at the crest of the bridge arch, and collided head-on. Pierson reported having suffered minor injuries, but was not transported to the hospital. She was, however, cited for Failure to provide proof of financial liability (Insurance). Miller was not injured. Both drivers were wearing their seat belts. Damage from the collision amounted to $5,000.

A little after 4-a.m. Sunday, a 2017 Ford F-150 pickup driven by 49-year-old Greg Alan Sporrer, of Dedham, was traveling eastbound on Highway 141, when the vehicle went out of control on the snow-covered road. The pickup entered the north ditch and rolled over, coming to rest on the passenger side on a frozen pond. The front and side airbags were deployed. Sporrer was wearing a seat belt, and was not injured. Damage to the pickup was estimated at $20,000. No citations were issued.

And, at around 9:30-a.m., Sunday, a 1993 Ford F-150 pickup driven by 16-year-old Gavin Cole Hegstrom, of Jamaica, was traveling south on 1st Avenue, in Jamaica, when he braked on the icy roadway. The pickup entered the east ditch and struck a satellite dish and continued into the next yard, where it hit a tree before finally coming to rest. Hegstrom was wearing his seat belt, and was not injured. Damage to the pickup was estimated at $15,000. Damage to the satellite dish and tree amounted to $225 altogether.

A man from Shenandoah was injured after his 2008 Chrysler struck a deer at around 5:30-a.m. Tuesday (Today), in Mills County. Sheriff’s officials say 49-year-old James Prudhomme was traveling west on Highway 34 in the right-hand lane, near 221st Street (mile-marker 8), when a deer that crossed the road in front of him was struck by the Chrysler.  Prudhomme was transported by Glenwood Rescue to Jennie Edmundson Hospital, in Council Bluffs.

Sheriff’s officials report also, 23-year-old Bayleigh Jebdiah Major, of Glenwood, was arrested at around 1:15-a.m., Tuesday (today), on Highway 34. Major was charged with Driving Under Suspension.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken informed the Cass County Board of Supervisors during their meeting today (Tuesday), that the Iowa DOT has two bridges in Cass County that they will conduct overlays on, In both causes, there will be road closures and detours. The first to close on Monday, March 14th, is the Highway 6 bridge over Indian Creek, near Lewis. It won’t be done until at least the end of May. Detours will be established for both bridge projects.

Most of the locals, it was noted, will use the Lewis Road as a detour, instead. The second bridge to be closed is over the East Nishnabotna River on Highway 83, northwest of Atlantic. Similar work will begin March 28th on that project.

Changeable electronic message signs will remind motorists of the impending changes. Wolken said also, later this summer, the bridge on Highway 92 near Griswold will be closed for repair work. Additional information will be available closer to the project date. In other news, Wolken said bridge #280 on 700^th Street is finished, and open to traffic.

And, Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon reported the EMA trailer was in the Winterset area this past weekend, following the devastating and fatal tornado.

The trailer Cass County is supplying is 15-years old, Kennon says, but it works perfectly and is equipped with a generator.

(Radio Iowa) – Six teenagers are now charged in Monday’s shootings outside Des Moines East High School that left one boy dead and two young women hurt. Investigators say shots were fired by multiple shooters from multiple vehicles. Officers searched five homes and six vehicles, recovering six firearms. The six suspects range in age from 14 to 17 and all six are charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. Police say all six are from Des Moines but it’s unclear if they attended East High. The name of the 15-year-old boy who was killed remains withheld, while the 16-year-old girl is hospitalized in serious condition, and the 18-year-old woman is in critical condition.

The suspects in custody are: 16-year-old Manuel Buezo, 14-year-old Nyang Chamdual, 17-year-old Octavio Lopez,15-year-old Alex Perdomo, 16-year-old Romero Perdomo and 17-year-old Henry Valladares-Amaya.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he does -not- oppose the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U-S Supreme Court, but Grassley says the timeline Democrats propose to confirm her by Easter isn’t “realistic.” Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, says Democrats want to start Jackson’s hearings on March 21st. “That probably would allow them to get done by Easter,” Grassley says. “It wouldn’t have to be done by Easter because the ninth seat on the court that she will fill won’t be vacant until the first of July, around that period of time, so there’s no hurry from the standpoint of the court only having eight members.”

Comparisons are being made to how swiftly Republicans confirmed now-Justice Amy Coney Barrett in 2020, but Grassley says it’s not apples-to-apples. “Barrett didn’t have any federal government relationship whatsoever when she was picked to be on the Supreme Court,” Grassley says, “whereas there’s just 500 cases by Judge Jackson at the district court level, only two at the D.C. circuit court level.”

Grassley says senators are going through all of those cases but also need time to review Jackson’s years of service on the sentencing commission. Jackson and Grassley met one-one-one earlier this month, shortly after President Biden announced she was his choice to replace Justice Stephen Breyer, who’s stepping down at the end of June. Grassley says it would be tough to schedule one-on-ones with everyone who might want one before March 21st. “It’s a short period of time if 100 senators want to see her and probably not 100 senators do want to see her face-to-face,” Grassley says. “I only took 40 minutes with her when she was in my office but some senators might want to take a longer period of time.”

Certainly, he says, all 11 Republicans on the Judiciary Committee will want to meet with Jackson, but Grassley says there are 39 other G-O-P senators who deserve an opportunity to question her before they cast a vote. Grassley makes the following prediction about the confirmation process for the potential first black woman on the nation’s high court. “It’s going to be fair and thorough, both the vetting as well as the questions before the committee,” Grassley says, “and Republicans are not going to get down in the gutter like the Democrats did with Kavanaugh.”

Grassley is referring to now-Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who was nominated for the Supreme Court by President Trump in 2018. Shortly after being nominated, Kavanaugh was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in the 1980s when they were in high school, and two other women accused him of sexual misconduct, all allegations he denied. After fiery hearings, Kavanaugh was confirmed by the Senate on a 50-to-48 vote.

(Radio Iowa) – A Mason City man who was reported missing has been found dead. Mason City police late last month had said they were looking for 38-year-old Travis Kummer, who had been reported missing to police on February 18th. Family members at the time reported that he had last been seen in Mason City on February 11th. Police on Monday say that officers were called to a wooded area near in the southeastern part of town on Sunday after a citizen reported finding a body.

Officers believed that the deceased was Kummer. The police department says an autopsy will be performed at the State Medical Examiner’s Office.