A head-on collision between a car and a pickup truck in northwest Iowa’s Sioux County resulted in both drivers being transported to the hospital. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2008 Nissan Altima driven by 20-year-old Dalton Denhartog-Hopcroft, of Alton (IA), was traveling west on Iowa Highway 10 at around 7:27-a.m., when the vehicle crossed into the eastbound lane. An eastbound 2014 Chevy Silverado pickup driven by 21-year-old Colin Heronemous, of Orange City, was traveling eastbound and swerved left to avoid a collision. Denhartog-Hopcroft swerved back into his own lane prior to the vehicles colliding head-on.

Dalton Denharthog-Hopcroft, who was wearing a seat belt, was flown by Mercy Air Care to MercyOne Siouxland Hospital. Heronemous was not wearing a seat belt. He was transported by Orange City Ambulance to the Orange City Hospital. The accident remains under investigation.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners is proposing an emergency rule to let para-educators continue to serve as substitute teachers in any class in the district where they’ve been working. Paraeducators had been allowed to sub in multiple classrooms under the governor’s public health emergency proclamation, which expires tomorrow (Tuesday) at midnight. Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls says he heard from superintendent who’d been assigning para-educators to cover for multiple teachers and was concerned the governor’s proclamation was expiring.

“A lot of our schools are already having a shortage,” Wahls says, “and they’re really worried that we’re going to see that be dramatically exacerbated.” Before the pandemic proclamation, para-educators had been assigned to work under the supervision of a licensed teacher rather than serve solo in any classroom as a substitute. A legislative committee that reviews agency rules is scheduled to meet tomorrow (Tuesday) and is expected to approve the emergency directive to let para-eduators continue to be substitutes for any class.

(Ames, Iowa) – Iowa’s beef producers are asking their fellow Iowans to help find Iowa’s Best Burger in 2022. In this year’s quest, the Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) are encouraging you to nominate your favorite burger, whether it’s gourmet or down-home style. Kent Pruismann, a Rock Valley cattleman and IBIC Chairman, says “We are looking for the best burger served in an Iowa restaurant. Although burgers are often standard fare, we know from experience that the winners of this contest are well-above standard, and serve outstanding burgers. Finding these great burgers depends on Iowans choosing their favorite, and nominating them.”

This is the thirteenth year the two groups are holding the annual Iowa’s Best Burger contest, which officially kicks off on February 14, 2022. During the first phase of the contest, Iowans are encouraged to nominate their favorite burger before March 14, 2022. To qualify to be named Iowa’s Best Burger, the burger must be a 100% real beef patty and served on a bun or bread product. The more nominations a restaurant receives, the better the chances are for that burger to make it on the “Top Ten” list announced March 18 on WHO Radio’s “The Big Show”. Finalists will receive a certificate and be eligible for the secret taste-test of contest judges. The 2022 Best Burger in Iowa will be announced on May 2, 2022, with the kick-off of May Beef Month in Iowa.

Details about the contest, rules, and the voting form are available on the Iowa Beef Industry Council website, www.iabeef.org. Burger lovers can also find a link to the online nomination form at the Iowa Beef Council Facebook page; or by texting BEEF to (515) 337-8924. Photos of your favorite burger can be shared socially using #IABestBurger. The nomination period will close at 5 p.m. on March 14, 2022.

Restaurants can download a digital toolkit including promotional materials for the contest from IBIC’s website at www.iabeef.org to promote the contest to their customers. The promotional materials can be used in the restaurants, online, or on social media.

U-S Naval Intelligence News reports the commanding officer of USS Sioux City (LCS-11) (Gold Crew) was relieved Friday, due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command.  Cmdr. Bradford Tonder had served as the commanding officer since December 2020, according to a Navy release. A Navy official said he was relieved due to substantiated sexual harassment concerns. Cmdr. Joseph Caldwell, who is currently the commanding officer of USS Detroit (LCS-7) (Blue Crew), will take over as temporary commanding officer. Tonder will be temporarily reassigned to the staff of Naval Surface Squadron 14.

Cmdr. Bradford Tonder (US Navy photo)

Officials say there is no impact to the ship’s mission or schedule. The USS Sioux City is a Freedom-variant littoral combat ship that was commissioned in 2018. The littoral combat ships are manned by two different crews, named Blue and Gold, to keep them operating at sea for longer periods. The Gold crew returned to the Sioux City’s homeport in Mayport, Fla., in December 2021 after a deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet in support of U.S. Southern Command and Joint Interagency Task Force South.

USS Sioux City (Navy photo_

The Navy says during deployment, the ship worked with the U.S. Coast Guard to disrupt transport of about 7,400 pounds of cocaine.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Attorney Vanessa Strazdas, last Wednesday, was ordered to serve two days in the Cass County Jail, following her voluntary plea of guilty on Feb. 9th, to Operating a Motor Vehicle while under the Influence (OWI) -1st Offense. The term must be served by no later than March 31st. In addition, Strazdas was assessed a fine of $1,250 plus any applicable surcharges and court costs.

Atlantic Police say Strazdas was arrested after crashing her car near the Atlantic Airport on Jan. 16. Her BAC (Breath Alcohol Content) was .159 (nearly twice the legal limit). Since her arrest, Strazdus has completed a court required Drinking Driver’s course and a Substance Abuse Evaluation. Because she complied with those requirements, the Judge did not order her to serve probation. She also submitted her Temporary Restricted License (TRL) to the Court, which waived one-half of the fine, accordingly.

Strazdas became the Cass County Attorney in Feb., 2019, after Governor Kim Reynolds announced the appointment of former County Attorney Michael Hooper to serve as a Fourth Judicial District Judge.

Davenport, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports 19-year-old Noah Harlan Bierman, who was convicted of Assault While Participating in a Felony in Scott County, failed to report back to the Davenport Work Release Facility as required Saturday evening. Bierman is a White male, 5-feet 11-inches tall. He weighs 176 pounds and was admitted to the work release facility on October 13, 2021. Persons with information on Bierman’s whereabouts should contact local police.

Noah Bierman (IA DOC photo)

CORYDON, Iowa — A head-on collision between a car and a semi tractor-trailer Friday morning in southeast Iowa, claimed the life of a man from Chariton. The Iowa State Patrol reports the crash happened on Highway 14 in Wayne County at around 8:30-a.m. For reasons unknown, a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by 44-year-old Brian Irving, swerved in front of an oncoming semi near Corydon.

The 43-year-old driver of the semi, a man from Henderson, Nevada, tried to avoid the collision but could not. Irving died at the scene. The truck driver was not injured in the crash. The crash remains under investigation.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors will hold their regular weekly meeting 9-a.m. Tuesday, in their Boardroom at the courthouse. Their agenda is rather light for the morning. It includes the regular/weekly report from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken, and discussion with regard to an economic development project in the unincorporated part of the County.

Other business includes the appointment of Cass County Zoning Commissioners, if any applications have been received and interested persons interviewed.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A local organization, Atlantic Business and Professional Women (BPW), has five scholarships available for 2022. The Iowa Business and Professional Women’s Foundation also has a scholarship available.  Persons who could benefit from these scholarships should contact Laurine Price, at 712-249-6688 or lprice_79@msn.com for an application, or local high school scholarship websites. All applications are due by or postmarked by: April 1, 2022

• The $750 Collen Scholarship is available to any female resident of Cass, Shelby, or Audubon Counties in Iowa. The student must be pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Computer Systems Management, Chemistry or Engineering. The student may attend college full-time or part-time.
• The $1,000 BPW and/or $1,000 Bev Mendenhall Nursing Scholarship is available to a Cass County resident non-traditional (has been out of high school 5+ yrs.) female or male who: (1) Is a United States citizen; (2) Has been out of the work force and is seeking to get back into the work force and needs additional education; (3) Completed high school five or more years ago and wants to start or resume their college education; (4) Demonstrates financial need, scholastic ability, leadership skills and career goals. The Mendenhall Scholarship honors the memory of a long-time active BPW member.
• The $1,000 Don Sonntag Nursing Scholarship provided by the generous donation from Don Sonntag. The scholarship is available to a female or male resident of Cass County, Iowa is a high school graduate or non-traditional student who is a US citizen and is pursuing education in the Nursing profession

The Atlantic Business and Professional Women (BPW) are honored to offer the Bev and Bart Webb Memorial $500 Scholarship. The Webb Family graciously donated memorial money for this scholarship to be awarded to an Atlantic High School Senior for 2022.

In addition, Iowa Business and Professional Women Foundation Scholarships are available:

The Iowa Business and Professional Women Foundation will award three educational scholarships for the 2022-2023 academic year. Three $1,000 scholarships will be available to those who apply and meet the following criteria. The awards will be presented at the Annual IBPWF Meeting on April 30, 2022.

Applicant Criteria:

• Is a resident of Iowa; Is a United States citizen; Wants/needs to reenter the workforce but needs additional education; Wants to start or resume a college education. Graduated high school five (5) or more years ago (2016 or before);
• Demonstrates financial need, scholastic ability, leadership skills and career goals.

Applicant must*:
· Complete the formal application in its entirety by Friday March 25th. Forms are available at https://www.bpw-iowa.org/bpw-iowa-foundation-scholarship
· Submit a copy of official transcripts from an accredited institution of higher learning. (Transcripts if stamped “Issued to Student” are acceptable.)

Submit three letters of reference (on letterhead) from non-family members, i. e. employer, teacher, community leader, pastor/priest, etc., who can attest to applicant’s character and need for this scholarship. *Requirement: Application, Transcripts, and References must be submitted simultaneously by March 25, 2022.

The applicant need not be a BPW member except in the case of the applicant living out of state (Check overview document for definition of active member).
A 2022-2023 application form and overview document outlining the guidelines for the Educational Scholarship Program are available at https://www.bpw-iowa.org/bpw-iowa-foundation-scholarship