(updated) (Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Board, Monday night, approved a contribution of $4,000 toward the $12,000 cost of a study designed to move forward on getting a Splash Pad at the Sunnyside Pool and other renovations/remodeling at the pool. Prior to approving the funds, the Board heard from Quality of Life Committee members Brigham Hoegh (Cass County Wellness Coordinator), and Dave Chase (with Nishna Valley Trails), who said there were numerous members from various groups who comprised the committee that spearheaded the 2021 Cass County “What people want and Need” study, which covered several areas, including Physical and Outdoor Recreation. Chase says..

That’s where the studies come in, and Chase said “those studies don’t come cheap.” The committee, he said, is asking everyone with a stake in the endeavor, “to kick-in a little bit.”

Chase said the Nishna Valley YMCA “has provided the leadership to call meetings and get the ball rolling, but it’s gotta be a community effort.” Chase said those persons who sat-in on the committee were asked to go back to their respective organizations and ask if they can kick-in something for the studies. He included himself and the NVT group as part of the funding stream. The YMCA he said, he agreed to chip-in $6,000. Parks Board member John Krogman, speaking via video conference, said he hopes others kick-in on the study or later, when the projects are ready to come to fruition.

Parks Board Chairperson Jolene Smith agreed.

Other sources of funding could possibly include the Community Promotion Commission (CPC), Cass County Community Foundation and various grant opportunities. Parks and Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen said in discussions with City Administrator John Lund, it was clear having the Parks & Rec Board chip-in for the study wouldn’t impact the department’s projects planned for this year or next year.

The second phase study will specifically focus on how to raise funds for the project itself, once the price tags have been established. The total cost of both studies is estimated to be $33,000. The Parks and Rec Board will contribute additional funds in the upcoming Fiscal Year, once the funding streams come together.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports four recent arrests. On Jan. 13th, 26-year-old Andrew John Meissner, of Eagan, MN., was arrested by the Iowa State Patrol on I-80 near Adair. Meissner was taken into custody following a traffic stop for speeding at around 1:48-a.m., Thursday. A K9 Unit showed up at the scene and conducted a free-air search around the vehicle. After the K9 indicated the presence of drugs in the vehicle, a search was conducted, and resulted in the recovery of a jar with green, plant-like material, and a grinder. Meissner turned over another jar containing a similar material. He was subsequently arrested for Possession of Marijuana/1st offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released later that same day on a $1,300 cash or surety bond.

On Jan. 11th, Stuart Police arrested 40-year-old Kristina Marie Johnson, of Stuart, for Poss. of drug paraphernalia, Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine, and Child Endangerment – Meth Exposure. Her arrest was the result of a DHS Caregiver request, who was at Johnson’s apartment, visiting with the woman and her minor son. The DHS worker told Police there was visible drug paraphernalia in the bedroom of the residence.

After Officer Katherine Guisinger received permission to enter the bedroom, she saw a collection of glass bongs, pipes and baggies. One of the bongs and multiple pipes had a dried white residue consistent with meth. Prior to the Officer’s arrival, the DHS worker advised most of the items were located in a cabinet in the closet. A glass pipe was found in Johnson’s purse. Two other bongs were found that were filled with liquid, under the sink. Additional drug paraphernalia including baggies, pipes, a glass mirror with glass pipes, razor blade and tubing. Most of the items were accessible to anyone in the residence. Johnson was released at the scene on her Own Recognizance.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office says on Jan. 10th, 43-year-old Jereamy Lee Rice, of Stuart, was arrested on an Adair warrant for Driving While Barred, following an investigation into a domestic incident at a residence in Stuart. Rice was released after posting a $3,000 cash or surety bond.

And, 32-year-old Jennifer Nicole Troxel, of Adair, was arrested Jan. 9th in Casey, for Driving while license denied or revoked for and OWI test failure. Troxel was cited and released, and issued written warnings for vehicle equipment violations.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

(Radio Iowa) – Travel on the state’s roadways is back to what you’d normally expect in January after the big weekend storm that dumped more than one foot of snow in some areas. D-O-T winter operations administrator, Craig Bargfrede says clearing the snow was not easy as it started out wet and then froze.

“We actually saw a lot of compaction and a lot of freezing to the pavement, so we really had to adjust our treatment practices in or to really break up that snow and ice pack on the pavement, so that we could get back down to the bare pavement,” Bargfrede says. He says that made the job tougher in some areas.

“Took us a little longer than typical — but we are back to pretty much winter seasonal conditions all across the state,” he says. The sun has been out since the storm blew through, and temperatures rose above freezing today (Monday). “That actually does help tremendously when we can get that sunshine and get those warmer temperatures. That helps us with the treatment that we do have out there to continue to work, and make sure that we don’t get the refreeze,” Bargfrede explains.

He says there was some drifting in parts of the state and they have been also working on clearing in those areas today (Monday). “We’ve had a number of trucks out working on some of the known trouble areas. We’ve had some blowing and drifting, we’ve had some issues with some slick ramps — just those known kind of trouble spot areas that traditionally we have problems with. We’ve been out working on those all day today,” according to Bargfrede. There was a lot of advanced warning about the storm and Bargfrede says it appears drivers were paying attention.

“For the most part, they listened to the warnings — but as the snow let up and things started to clear up a bit, then traffic started to pick up quite a bit and we did have some issues out there with traffic and whatnot,” he says. “We did have some closures during the event as well where we had some semis that jackknifed. That caused some problems. Overall, we really got through this not too bad.” Bargfrede says it’s one of the biggest snowfalls we’ve had in a while.

(Radio Iowa) – This year’s inductees into the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame are being announced for what will be the organization’s 25th anniversary year. Executive director Clay Norris says one of the individual inductees will be the late Tommy Bolin, a Sioux City native, who was a guitarist and songwriter for bands including Deep Purple, The James Gang and Zephyr.

“He has not been inducted to date,” Norris says. “He had been through a band, but it is wonderful to finally give him the notoriety that he deserves from his career, and then also, his brother, Johnny, is being inducted the same year.” Norris says another Iowa artist who’s being honored with the association’s Spirit Award this year is 24-year-old singer Maddie Poppe from Clarksville.

“Maddie is one of these up and coming stars that has already reached national notoriety as being the American Idol champion in 2018,” Norris says. “What a wonderful young lady and a great ambassador for the state of Iowa and just music in general.”

The induction ceremony weekend at Arnolds Park is September 1st through the 4th. There will be an opening ceremony, the guitar marching band, an autograph party, Iowa Rocks Talent Contest and Inductee Meet and Greet. The Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Induction Ceremony and Concert will be on September 4 at the Roof Garden.

Learn more at www.iowarocknroll.com

Coralville – Two correctional officers were assaulted by an inmate at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center (IMCC) in Coralville, IA at approximately 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 15.

The correctional officer was working his post in one of the facilities living units when an inmate approached him and began assaulting the officer. Another officer in the area quickly responded and attempted to apprehend the inmate. At this time, the inmate assaulted the second officer with closed fist strikes. Additional staff arrived and were able to apprehend the inmate without further incident.

The first officer that was assaulted was taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for treatment of his injuries via ambulance. He was treated and released. The other officer that suffered minor injuries in the incident was seen by IMCC medical staff and was sent home following his shift.

This incident remains under investigation.

A traffic stop on a vehicle that was allegedly speeding in Fremont County last week, escalated into a pursuit, and resulted in two arrests. According to the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, on Jan. 12th, deputies attempted to stop a 2021 Volkswagen Jetta for speeding on Highway 2, east of Sidney. The vehicle failed to stop and at times accelerated to 116 mph.

The vehicle traveled for approximately five miles until it stopped near Farragut, and the occupants switched drivers.  The initial driver, 30-year-old Jacob Morton, of Ablemarle, North Carolina, initially gave a fraudulent name to law enforcement and later found to have an active warrant for his arrest out of North Carolina.

Morton was charged with: Reckless Driving; Eluding; Providing False Information; Fugitive from Justice; Possession of Controlled Substances (meth); and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (meth).  The second driver, 58-year-old Jeanna Dockter, of Sidney, Iowa was arrested for: Possession of Controlled Substances (meth), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Morton was being held without bond pending charges in both Iowa and North Carolina. Dockter was released without posting bond by the Fremont County Magistrate.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office says no injuries were reported following two separate accidents that took place over the past few days. On Jan. 14th at around 6:42-p.m., a 2000 International Snow Plow driven by 48-year-old David Hoose, of Malvern, and a 1997 Ford driven by 45-year-old Sean Hicks, of Emerson, collided at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and W. 7th Street. The accident happened as the Ford was heading westbound on 7th, down a hill. The vehicle went out of control and was unable to stop before it collided with the snow plow. Both vehicles were driven from the scene.

The other Mills County accident happened at around today (Mon., Jan. 17th) at around 8:16-a.m.  Authorities say a 2019 Chevy driven by 41-year-old Candace Kreifels, of Glenwood, and a 2022 Hyundai driven by 35-year-old Shelli McVaney, of Pacific Junction, collided at the intersection of 195th Street and Eastman Road. The report says the Chevy was traveling west on Eastman Road, while the Hyundai was southbound on 195th.

The Chevy entered the intersection that happened to be slick due to the weather. The vehicle slid across into the southbound lane while trying to go north. The Chevy struck the Hyundai on the left rear wheel, causing the vehicle to spin around. Officials say the Chevy’s airbags deployed upon impact. Both vehicles came to rest on the west side of the intersection. Authorities say while Kreifels was at fault, no citations were issued.

(Radio Iowa) – House Republicans have introduced a bill to eliminate the state income tax on retirement income from pensions, I-R-As and 4-0-1-Ks. Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley suggests it might prompt some older Iowans to think twice about relocating or living more than half the year in another state that doesn’t tax retirement income.  “I think we’re losing a lot of those people that I would say are the pillars of our communities, They’re the ones that volunteer. They’re the ones that philanthropically are supporting those organizations and foundations in the community,” Grassley says. “We want to keep those people and they want to stay in Iowa, but if it’s beneficial to maybe just move across the border or move to some other states that don’t have these (taxes), I don’t want that to be a barrier to keep those people in our communities.”

Grassley made his comments this weekend on “Iowa Press” on Iowa P-B-S. Social Security benefits are not taxed in Iowa. This House G-O-P plan — to expand that exemption to all retirement income — would go into effort for the 2022 tax year. That’s a year earlier than Republican Governor Kim Reynolds has proposed. Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls says the idea doesn’t meet the goal of targeting tax relief to low and middle income Iowans. “We know that folks who are on fixed incomes can sometimes struggle with the tax burdens that they face,” Wahls says. “But, again, if you’re a multimillionaire and you’ve got a really significant income from your investments, what have you, I don’t think that makes a lot of sense.”

The governor’s staff estimates the state would collect 400 million dollars less in taxes annually if income from pensions and other retirement accounts is no longer subject to the Iowa income tax.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports two accidents took place over the weekend, neither of which resulted in any injuries. Authorities say at around 12:07-a.m. Saturday, a 2004 Toyota Camry driven by 22-year-old Mohamed A. Nour, of Iowa City, was traveling on I-80 eastbound near mile marker 91, when the vehicle went out of control, due to the adverse weather conditions. The car entered the median, spun around and struck a cable barrier. The vehicle sustained about $1,000 damage.

The second accident happened at around 4:40-p.m Sunday, on Wagon Road, in Guthrie County. The Sheriff’s Office says 37-year-old Tiffany Ranae Miller, of Stuart, was traveling north in a 2003 Ford Expedition, when she came upon a slow moving pickup that was pulling a trailer. When Miller went to pass the pickup/trailer, her SUV went out of control, due to slush on the road. The vehicle entered the west ditch and struck a small tree before making contact with a fence.

Damage to the SUV was estimated at $3,500. The fence, owned by an LLC based in Panora, sustained about $500 damage.

No citations were issued to the drivers of the respective vehicles.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Friday, (Jan. 14), of 18-year-old Turner Steffens, from Atlantic, for OWI/1st offense.  On January 11th, 29-year-old Richard Lewis JR, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Cass County on a warrant for violation of the Sex Offender Registry.  On Jan. 9th, 50-year-old Lynn Young, of Elliott, was arrested for OWI 1^st offense.

And, as mentioned in a separate report, on Sunday, Jan. 16th, 46-year-old Vanessa Strazdas, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI 1^st offense.

All subjects were booked into the Cass County Jail and later released on their own recognizance.

“All criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in the court of law.”