More area, and state News from Ric Hanson.

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(Radio Iowa) – It was once the fastest and best service available — but the 3-G network phone service is now going away. Iowa Utilities Board spokesman, Don Tormey, says you may be without service soon. “If your mobile phone is more than a few years old — you may need to upgrade your device to avoid losing service before your mobile provider shuts down its 3-G network. And that transition is beginning with some providers this month,” Tormey says.

He says the impact depends on how you see your phone. “Some consumers like to switch their phones all the time whenever they’re eligible for an upgrade. There’s others, if there’s nothing wrong with their phone they don’t want to mess with it,” he says. “If people have had their phone for more than a few years, they should really check with their provider to see if they are impacted by the 3-G transition.” Phones aren’t the only thing that might be impacted. He says if you have a medical device, tablet, smartwatch, vehicle s-o-s device, or home security system that uses 3-G service, you’ll want to check with your provider as well.

You can find out more information on the I-U-B website. He says you can also go to the F-C-C’s website. “And this transition is going to take some time — it’s not all going to happen in the month of January. It’s a phase out, so it happens over time,” Tormey says.Tormey says the phaseout is will vary by company and their timelines.

The latest/top area News from Ric Hanson.

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(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds will deliver the annual “Condition of the State” address tonight (Tuesday) — and she’s promised to reveal details of what she has described as a bold, yet practical plan to cut income taxes.  “Iowa is moving in the right direction and I’m — and we’re — determined to build on the progress and the momentum that we’ve seen over the last couple of years,” Reynolds says. Reynolds signed a bill into law last June that eliminates the state inheritance tax and cuts personal income tax rates. This follows income tax reductions she approved in 2018.

“Despite tax cuts and record investments, the storms, the droughts and a worldwide pandemic,” Reynolds says, “we still managed to end Fiscal Year 2021 with $1.24 billion surplus and a billion dollars in cash reserve.” Democrats say the surplus wouldn’t have been possible without the billions in federal pandemic aid from the Trump and Biden Administrations. Reynolds took over as governor in mid-2017. Since then, Reynolds notes the state has endured unprecedented events like droughts, flooding, two derechos and a pandemic.

“As we all begin 2022, I really couldn’t be more hopeful about Iowa’s future and there are many reasons for my optimism, but at the top of the list is the strength and the resilience of Iowans in the face of adversity,” Reynolds said. The governor is scheduled to deliver her “Condition of the State” address in the Iowa House shortly after 6 p.m. tonight (Tuesday).

(Red Oak, Iowa) –  A pedestrian child is dead following an incident in Red Oak. According to Iowa State Patrol Trooper/Public Resource Officer Ryan Devault, at around 7-p.m. Monday, (Jan. 10th), several Red Oak Officers were responding in an emergency mode to an apartment fire within the City of Red Oak.

The patrol cars were northbound on N. Broadway Street near the intersection of Joy Street when one of the three patrol cars struck a pedestrian (minor child) that was in the roadway.  The child sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash.

In an email to parents, Red Oak School District Superintendent Ron Lorenz says the district was able to confirm the victim was a student at the Inman Elementary School. The crash remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol. More details will be released after all notifications have been made.

(Look for an update to this story posted at 10:35-p.m.)

(Red Oak, Iowa) – An incident involving a Red Oak Police Officer Monday evening, has resulted in a death of a young girl.  Additional details are expected to be released by the Iowa State Patrol.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – In the spirit of Martin Luther King Day of Service, Healthy Cass County and the Iowa Department on Aging (IDA) Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) have teamed up to sponsor a volunteer opportunity to make a
difference from the comfort of home. The group is asking volunteers to simply write cards or a letter with a bright message. Cards will be delivered to Cass County residents in early February.

Ingrid Stukerjurgen, RSVP Coordinator, said “Winter weather and fragile health often keep people home for longer periods of timeduring the winter. The same conditions might make it hard for some folks to get out and volunteer. This is a safe way to make a difference from home,” said  Volunteers can drop off or mail cards and letters to the Cass County ISU Extension Office (805 W. 10th St. Atlantic, IA 50022) by February 1. Volunteers may use their own cards, or Healthy Cass County has blank cards available for pick up at the ISU Extension Office.

People interested in card writing who do not have transportation are asked to contact Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at 712-249-5870 or bhoegh@iastate.edu. Hoegh says “We don’t want transportation to be a barrier to
participating in card writing.” Although anyone can volunteer, Stukerjurgen says the group is especially looking to
engage volunteers, age 55 and better, who might want a weather-proof way to help their community, “We find that those who write cards get almost as much out of the experience as those who received them.”

The group is also looking for volunteers who are willing to deliver the cards as the weather permits. To volunteer or for questions, contact RSVP Coordinator, Ingrid Stukerjurgen at the Iowa Department on Aging, 515-975-3063 or email idarsvp@iowa.gov. Brigham Hoegh, Cass County Wellness Coordinator has also helped Healthy Cass County sponsor this opportunity in the past, “We have found that receiving these notes and cards can really brighten someone’s day, and that feeling carries over because they can re-read the messages,“ Hoegh added.

To nominate someone in Cass County who could use an uplifting card, email their name and address to idarsvp@iowa.gov or call 515-975-3063.

The Iowa Department on Aging (IDA) RSVP offers meaningful volunteer opportunities for adults age 55 and better to make a difference in their community. To learn more about IDA RSVP in Cass County, contact Ingrid Stukerjurgen by emailing idarsvp@iowa.gov or calling 515-975-3063.

Healthy Cass County is a community-focused volunteer network formed to promote the health and well-being of Cass County residents. Reach out to Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or call 712-249-5870 for more information. Healthy Cass County welcomes participants from across Cass County. Healthy Cass County is looking to increase representation from communities outside Atlantic.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Monday (Today) released more details about a pursuit that took place during the early morning hours of January 3rd. As KJAN first reported, the pursuit began at around 12:20-a.m., when a Cass County Deputy attempted to stop a full-size pickup for a traffic violation, near the intersection of Bayard St and Dunbar Road, in Lorah (near Highway 71 & I-80).

The pickup and driver (Later identified as 22-year old Kadin Schoenfeld, of Lewis), failed to yield or pull over for the Deputy and continued to operate in an attempt to elude law enforcement.  The vehicle drove on several county gravel roads and ended up traveling South on Olive St., eventually entering Atlantic at speeds nearing 90 MPH.  The pickup was identified as a Ford extended cab with no license plates.

The Ford continued South through Atlantic on Olive St at speeds upwards of 80 MPH.  The pursuit continued traveling South and West of Atlantic on several county roadways.  At approximately 12:42AM the vehicle was located at a residence on Yankton Rd, unoccupied.  Deputies were not able to find the operator at the time, but through subsequent investigation at the scene and within the following day, deputies determined Schoenfeld to be the driver of the vehicle.

Schoenfeld was charged with Driving while license denied, suspended, cancelled or revoked, Reckless Driving, Eluding – Speed over 25 over limit, False Report to Public Entity and numerous traffic citations.  A warrant was requested for the criminal charges and on Saturday, January 8th, 2022, Schoenfeld was arrested without incident.

The Cass County Sheriff’s office was assisted by the Atlantic Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol and Audubon County Sheriff’s Office.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce will host its Annual Dinner Saturday, January 29th, 2022, at The Venue in Atlantic. Bailey Smith, Executive Director of the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says “It’s a great opportunity for us to reflect on what we’ve accomplished, look forward to what we will accomplish and most of all, highlight all of our members and volunteers that have invested their time and money back into our organization and our community.”

The Chamber will be recognizing businesses, organizations and individual leaders in the community. The 36th Annual Distinguished Service Award will also be given out at the dinner.

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual, business or organization who has made the community a better place to live. They have rendered special services for the benefit of the community and have demonstrated an active leadership role for the betterment of the community through their involvement in business, civic and social service organizations.

Last year, the Distinguished Service Award was given to Cass County Public Health for their unwavering leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cass County Public Health 2020

Nominations for the Distinguished Service Award are due by January 18th, 2022. You can nominate someone by submitting a nomination letter to the Chamber at 102 Chestnut Street, or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com. The Annual Dinner will begin at 6:00 PM with a social followed by dinner at 6:30 PM. You can register for the dinner at www.atlanticiowa.com.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports two recent arrests, and additional charges for a man already in custody. 38-year-old Richard Lee Ray, of Des Moines, was arrested by Greenfield Police at around 9:36-p.m. Friday. Ray was charged with Driving While Barred, after the van he was driving was pulled over for speeding. Ray was cited at the scene and released.

At around 3:08-a.m. Saturday, Stuart Police arrested 18-year-old Brady Alan Caldwell, of Stuart, for Driving While Barred, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Multiple smoking devices), and Possession of a controlled substance/marijuana – 2nd offense. Caldwell was released later in the day, Saturday, on a $3,300 cash or surety bond.

And, as we mentioned last week, 57-year-old Charles Raymond Bradshaw, remains in the Adair County Jail following a pursuit and officer-involved shooting on Dec. 30th.  DPS officials said Bradshaw was charged last week with attempted murder of a peace officer, assault on a peace officer and intimidation with a dangerous weapon, in addition to his prior charges.  Sheriff Vandewater said in his report, an investigation determined Bradshaw fired a handgun toward Deputy Armstrong from inside his vehicle, causing damage to the windshield of the Honda Civic.

Additional information released today (Monday) indicated near the end of the pursuit, Deputy Armstrong, saw Bradshaw holding a gun with one hand on top of the steering wheel. As law enforcement approached the Honda, Deputy Armstrong realized the other officers were in danger. He fired four rounds from his service weapon at Bradshaw, striking him in both arms, and causing him to drop his weapon. Bradshaw received medical attention and was eventually released to law enforcement.

A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of a Kelltec .9mm handgun on the front passenger side, loaded with five additional rounds in the magazine. There was also a Sig Sauer .9mm Luger spent shell casing in the vehicle.

His cash-only bond is $100,000.