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Four young ladies from Audubon were vying for the title of Audubon County Fair Queen. When their scores were tabulated, Kennedy Rohe was crowned Queen. Kennedy is the daughter of Derrick and Jessica Rohe. Runner-Up went to Madi Steckler, the daughter of Toby and Pam Steckler. Abby Brooks and Abigail Zaiger were also in the running for Audubon County Fair Queen.

(Left to right) Madi Steckler, Runner-up, & Kennedy Rohe, 2021 Audubon County Fair Queen. (Photos via the Audubon County Fair Facebook page)

Audubon County Fair Queen candidates

(Radio Iowa) – Barbara Wilson took office Wednesday as the 22nd president of the University of Iowa, the third woman to hold the position. Wilson replaces Bruce Harreld, who retired after taking the office late in 2015. Wilson is a communications scholar and academic administrator who previously served as the second in command at the University of Illinois system. U-I Undergraduate Student Body President Regan Smock says she hopes campus mental health will be a priority for Wilson. “COVID illuminated a lot of what some people were living in silence about,” Smock says. “I really hope that we can try to push more funding towards mental health services in general. I think, especially for students of color, students of underrepresented and underserved backgrounds.”

Smock said she anticipates one of Wilson’s biggest challenges will be earning trust across a diverse range of constituents on campus. “There are students who will never think about who’s making decisions about stuff, but those who do, do not feel heard in what they need and what they want,” Smock says. “Part of that is that you have constituents with different demands and different things they need and that makes it difficult.”

Wilson has also spoken about her goals to expand diversity, equity and inclusion and improve graduation rates. Reports say Wilson received a five-year contract with an annual salary of 600-thousand dollars as well as a five-year deferred compensation plan with an annual contribution of 400-grand.

(By Kate Payne, Iowa Public Radio)

(Radio Iowa) – Former Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to visit Des Moines and Sioux Center today (Friday), his first stops in the state since leaving office. Bob Vander Plaats is president and C-E-O of The Family Leader, the organization that’s hosting one of the events where Pence is scheduled to speak. Vander Plaats considers Pence one of a handful of front-runners for the G-O-P’s 2024 presidential nomination — if Donald Trump doesn’t run. “If Trump were to get in and secure the nomination, because he has a very vibrant base, all of a sudden it becomes: ‘Who is going to be the VP?'” Vander Plaats says. “Now you could see a Kristi Noem get raised, a Tim Scott get raised and even people who aren’t running for president, like Governor Kim Reynolds.”

Vander Plaats would NOT expect Trump to offer the V-P slot to Pence again, nor does Vander Plaats think Pence would accept it. A week ago during an appearance on Iowa P-B-S, Vander Plaats was asked if Pence did the right thing in certifying the Electoral College outcome in January. “The question I ask to people who push back on that is…’Do you want Vice President Harris in a few years to be able to do what Mike Pence was asked to do?’ And I think common sense would say: ‘No,'” Vander Plaats said.

Polls show a segment of Republicans, though, believe Pence should have refused to certify Joe Biden as the 2020 victor. At a recent conservative conference in Florida, chants of “traitor” rose from the some in the crowd as Pence started speaking. “He will not be booed at our event,” Vander Plaats says. “I read an article about when he spoke in Orlando…when he got heckled. When he spoke in New Hampshire, it was a sold out crowd and recorded eight standing ovations.” Vander Plaats suggests continuing to focus on the 2020 election outcome is unwise for the G-O-P. “We need to keep our focus on 2022 as well as 2024,” Vander Plaats said.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will also speak at today’s (Friday’s) Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines. Vander Plaats describes both as presidential candidates of the future, although, Noem has said she doesn’t plan to run for president. Pence is due to headline a midday fundraiser in Sioux Center for Congressman Randy Feenstra. Early this (Friday) evening, Pompeo will speak at a fundraiser in Ottumwa for Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks.

Audubon County Fair

• 9:00 AM Judging Open Class Static & Antiques Entries
• 10:00 AM 4-H/FFA Horse Show
• 2:30 PM Livestock Judging Contest Sign up
• 3:00 PM Livestock Judging Contest
• 4:00 PM-9:00 PM Inflatable Attractions
• 5:00 PM Clover Kids Rabbit Show
• 4-H/FFA & Open Rabbit Show
• 7:30 PM Figure Eight Races

Montgomery County Fair

• 8:00 AM 4-H/FFA Swine Show – Livestock Pavilion
• 9:00 AM-9:00 PM 4-H Exhibit Bldg Open
• Throughout the day: Chain Saw Artist; Meyer’s Petting Zoo; Kid’s Zone (Old white Commercial Bldg. by the YMCA); Kiddie Train; and Country Critters.
• Noon-9 PM: Commerical Bldg. Open
• 1:00 PM: 4-H/FFA Rabbit Show in the Livestock Pavillion
• 1:00-4:00 PM: Senior Citizens Day Bingo at the Fairgrounds Auditorium
• 1:00-5:00 PM: Caricature Artist Wayne Sealy at the 4-H Exhibit Bldg
• 4:00-8:00 PM: Horseshoe Court open for Tournament Throw at the Kirk Vannausdle Horseshoe Court
• 4:30-6:30 PM: Balloon Creations at the 4-H Exhibit Bldg
• 5:00-7:00 PM: Mill/Montgomery Cattlemen’s Assoc. Steak Supper at the Fairgrounds Auditorium
• 7:00-9:00 PM: Bingo at the 4-H Exhibit Bldg
• 7:00-10:00 PM: Villisca Lion’s Kiddie Ferris Wheel at the Fairgrounds Midway
• 7:30 PM: FREE Bull Ride in the Grandstand Arena
• 9:00 PM: DJ Jenny Ellis – Grandstand Area (Following the Bull Ride).

Pottawattamie County Fair

• 8:00am Goat Show, followed by Sheep Show
• 1:00pm Poultry, Rabbit, Small Pet and Dog Show

Shelby County Fair

• 7:45a.m ………………. Swine Exhibitors Meeting
• 8:00a.m ………………. Judge 4-H/FFA Swine
• 10:00a.m …………….. Judge 4-H/FFA Horses
• 10:00a.m. ……………. Carnival
• 2:00p.m ………………. 4-H Rabbit Agility – Tent
• 3:00p.m ………………. 4-H Working Exhibits – Tent
• 4:00-4:30p.m.………Strolling Act – Farmer Phil
• 5:00-5:30p.m……….. Strolling Act – Farmer Phil
• 6:00p.m ………………. Kiddy Parade – Grounds
• 6:00p.m ………………. Bill Riley Talent Show
• 6:00p.m ………………. Registration for Mutton Busting – Starts at 7:00 p.m. – Show Ring
• 6:30p.m ………………. Family Fun Night Games – Tent
• 8:00-8:30p.m.……….Strolling Act – Farmer Phil
• 8:30p.m ………………. Concert: Finding Dixie– West of Grandstand
• Dark………… ………. Fireworks Show – Shooting off North of Grandstands
• 4-H & Open Class Buildings open 10:00a.m. to 9:00p.m.
  Commercial Building open 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Nishna Valley Model Railroad Building open 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Thursday, issued a report on recent arrests. Today (Thursday), 28-year-old Jesse Beaman, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 12:10-a.m., on two counts of Harassment in the 1st Degree, and Interference with Official Acts.

On Wednesday, 69-year-old Daniel Jungbuth,  of Saint Charles, was arrested at around 11:50-p.m., for Public Intoxication, following an investigation into a Corvette parked on the shoulder of Highway34 near Cherry Avenue. There were two arrests that took place Monday: 28-year-old Deven Heimke, of Corning, was arrested at around 8:40-p.m, for Assault Causing Bodily Injury. And, 55-year-old Steven Wirtz, of Corning, was arrested at around 7:15-p.m., for Assault Causing Bodily Injury.

And, on July 4th at around 8:40-p.m., Adams County Deputies arrested 35-year-old Brandon Clayton, of Clearfield, for Violation of a No Contact Order.

(Radio Iowa)  -Iowa’s state-licensed casinos saw a post-pandemic surge and set a record for the fiscal year that ended in June. Racing and Gaming Administrator Brian Ohorilko says gross revenue was more than one-point-five BILLION dollars. (1,575,410,919) The adjusted gross receipts this last fiscal year was our highest to date,” he says. Ohorilko says with many entertainment venues still not open — people visited one of the 19 casinos. “We have seen record numbers at all of the casinos. Attendance still hasn’t bounced back completely — but the folks that are attending are spending their discretionary income” according to Ohorilko.

The gross revenue is 412 million dollars more than the previous fiscal year, and attendance was up by more than 860-thousand compared to the previous year when there were pandemic shutdowns. “It really has been a very interesting time to be in this industry, no different than other industries. Prior to the pandemic the casino business had been growing slightly — but had fairly stabilized — it was a very predictable market,” Ohorilko says. He says the last five or six years had seen some modest increases or decreases in casino revenue. “Attendance numbers had continued to decline and that was the trend we were seeing prior to the pandemic. Obviously, with the pandemic, it really impacted the casinos. A few of them even had to take advantage of some of the federal assistance that was available. A number of employees were furloughed during this period of time,” Ohorilko says. And then coming out of the pandemic, there is no doubt some pent-up demand.”

Ohorilko believes the post-pandemic surge is not a new upward trend. “I think most people in the industry are cautiously optimistic that things will continue to be good and that there won’t be too much leveling off,” he says, “but I do think most people expect at some point that we will have some stabilization.” The casino news comes on the heels of the news by the Iowa Lottery that they had set a revenue record through may with the June numbers still remaining to be tallied for their fiscal year.

Here are the comparisons of gross revenue for this fiscal year and last:

Ameristar II (2020 FY) $125,069,899 (2021 FY) $165,813,532

Casino Queen – Marquette (2020 FY) $16,774,521 (2021 FY) $18,122,047

Catfish Bend Casino (2020 FY) $32,120,253 (2021 FY) $43,312,686

Diamond Jo -Dubuque (2020 FY) $56,288,403 (2021 FY) $68,075,215

Diamond Jo -Worth (2020 FY) $66,176,954 (2021 FY) $95,879,440

Grand Falls Casino Resort (2020 FY) $51,068,556 (2021 FY) $77,985,618

Hard Rock Casino (2020 FY) $61,131,382 (2021 FY) $87,071,790

Harrah’s Council Bluffs (2020 FY) $52,346,691 (2021 FY) $58,119,156

Horseshoe Casino Council Bluffs (2020 FY) $141,079,667 2021 FY $180,348,582

Isle of Capri -Bettendorf (2020 FY) $51,185,660 (2021 FY) $68,543,830

Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo (2020 FY) $65,610,428 (2021 FY) $88,403,509

Lakeside Casino (2020 FY) $40,140,089 2021 FY $47,606,985

Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino (2020 FY) $157,183,728(2021 FY) $206,650,185

Q Casino (2020 FY) $39,695,531 (2021 FY) $50,257,313

Rhythm City Casino (2020 FY) $64,095,082 (2021 FY) $110,258,958

Riverside Casino (2020 FY) $76,697,150 (2021 FY) $116,284,366

Wild Rose – Clinton (2020 FY) $23,962,022 (2021 FY) $32,920,515

Wild Rose – Emmetsburg (2020 FY) $20,300,642 (2021 FY) $27,418,527

Wild Rose – Jefferson (2020 FY) $22,489,579 (2021 FY) $32,338,665

(Radio Iowa) – A judge says he’ll rule by Friday on whether the defense attorneys for the man convicted of murdering Mollie Tibbetts should have access to state investigation records in two other cases. The attorneys for Cristhian Bahena Rivera say they learned hours after a jury convicted Bahena that another man was claiming he killed Tibbetts. Attorney Jennifer Frese suggests there may be a link with the case of a missing 11-year-old boy from Montezuma. “Three people have vanished out of thin air in this small rural county: Mollie Tibbetts, Xavior Harrelson and the woman that reported being abducted in May of 2018 and being sex trafficked,” Frese said.

Scott Brown, the lead prosecutor on the case, says Bahena’s attorneys are on a fishing expedition. “This whole issue that they raised with Xavior Harrelson. That is a pending investigation. The fact that they would put this information in a public document, which we did try to get ahead of, is unconscionable in my mind.” Brown says he offered to stop the trial in May after learning two people had claimed to have heard another man confess he was the one who killed Tibbetts, but Bahena’s attorneys declined. Brown says the account Bahena’s lawyers presented in court today was confusing. “No evidence supports it. None,” Brown said “Zero!”

Bahena was to be sentenced today (Thursday), but the trial judge granted a delay to consider the request to pursue new leads in the case. Chad Frese, one of Bahena’s attorneys, suggests prosecutors sat on information about a woman who says she was kidnapped in Brooklyn two months before Tibbetts was abducted. “There’s evidence here that 10 kids in this area have gone missing. We’ve provided that,” Frese said. “There’s something rotten in this area.”

The judge plans to hold a hearing July 27th to consider defense motions for a new trial.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports two women were arrested this week, on separate warrants. On Wednesday, Deputies arrested 23-year-old Bailey Nicole McClarnon, of Clarinda, on a Montgomery County Warrant for Violation of Probation. McClarnon was arrested at her residence and was unable to post the $1,000 cash-only bond. She was subsequently transported Villisca and turned over to a Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy.

And, on Tuesday, Page County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrested 30-year-old Destiny Estalin Louise Graham, of Coin, on two Page County warrants. She was taken into custody at her residence. The first warrant was for Failure to appear on original charges of Disorderly conduct & Interference with Official acts. The second warrant was for Failure to appear on an original charge of Violation of Compulsory Education Mediation Agreement/1st Offense. Bond on each warrant was $500 cash only.  Graham was transported to the Page County Jail and held on a $1,000 cash only bond stemming from the two warrants, pending further court appearances.

Destiny Graham

(Radio Iowa) – Nobody knows yet just how many tornadoes touched down in Iowa Wednesday afternoon and evening, but the National Weather Service says there were at least 12 and perhaps as many as 16. Miraculously, there are no injuries reported, but there’s damage to homes, businesses, trees and power lines across central and eastern Iowa. Meteorologist Brooke Hagenhoff, at the National Weather Service in metro Des Moines, says they’re sending survey crews to the worst-hit communities. “The most important thing is to go to the areas that had the most damage,” Hagenhoff says. “That for us today is going to be in Calhoun and Hamilton counties and also Bremer and Butler counties, and we’ll also likely swing through Tama County where Dysart got some damage.”

In this age where practically everyone has a smartphone, she says there’s plenty of evidence to sift through documenting the storm cells, large and small. “For areas where the tornado maybe remained in open farmland and didn’t cause as much damage, a lot of those tornado ratings can be determined based off of the video and pictures that we get rather than visiting the site directly,” Hagenhoff says, “especially if it didn’t strike a home or cause any injuries.”

The Johnston office of the Weather Service covers western and central Iowa, where Hagenhoff says “at least a dozen” tornadoes were reported. Of those, one is standing out. “Based off of video and pictures that we’ve seen, the Lake City tornado in Calhoun County appears to be the largest one,” Hagenhoff says. “Sometimes, the ones that are visually the largest may not actually be the strongest, but right now it looks like they’ve got the damage and just the size we’ve seen in pictures.” Calhoun County was under two separate tornado warnings that lasted until shortly before 7 PM. Mid-American Energy confirmed Wednesday night, that nearly 1,400 Calhoun County residents were without power. Mid-American Energy issued an update on Thursday morning that said they had restored power to over half of those residents. No deaths or injuries were reported as a result of the tornado.

Tom Philip is a meteorologist at the Davenport office of the National Weather Service, which covers Iowa’s eastern third. “We’ve got some crews going out to survey a couple of counties in different areas,” Philip says. “They’re headed to Jones County, Delaware County, Benton and Linn County.”  Philip would only say the damage in eastern Iowa is from four “possible” tornadoes.  “There may have been more but that’s why we’re going out to survey to determine paths and strength,” Philip says, “and whether or not they were tornadoes, too, or just straight-line winds.”

Tornadoes were reported in or near the following communities: Dysart, Gowrie, Jewell, Lake City, Manchester, Mason City, Monticello, Nemaha, Stanhope, Stratford and Waverly. In Story County, the town of Maxwell had more than five-and-a-half inches of rain, which brought flash flooding. Clarksville reported hail the size of ping pong balls. A Waverly man was reportedly trapped in his home for a time by downed trees and power lines, but he wasn’t hurt. Forecasters say a few scattered showers remain today but the next several days should bring relatively calm weather, with mostly clear skies and highs in the 80s.