(Radio Iowa) – A Democrat who came within a couple of points of defeating Republican Congressman Steve King in 2018 has announced his plans for the 2022 election cycle. J.D. Scholten, of Sioux City, released a video message this (Tuesday) afternoon. “I have decided not to seek elected office this time around,” Scholten says. “Instead, I’m joining RuralVote.org as their executive director.”

Scholten had been among those Democrats mentioned as potential candidates for the U.S. Senate in 2022. Scholten says the national group he’s now leading aims to boost Democratic turnout in about three dozen rural counties around the country. “RuralVote.org last fall in just a few weeks put 42,500 yard signs in three battleground states in rural communities,” Scholten says. “Now, this cycle we’re looking take 39 counties across this nation and improve Democratic performance by 5%.”

JD Scholten

Scholten, who also ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. House in 2020, got more votes than Joe Biden did in Iowa’s fourth congressional district. Scholten drove himself around in an R-V he called “Sioux City Sue” and visited each of the district’s 39 counties. Scholten suggests Democrats have to learn the lessons of 2020 as they prepare for the next election.  “Right now, Democratic policies are very popular, however they’re being drowned by mis- and disinformation. We have to remember that we’re just a handful of states and under 100,000 votes from a Donald Trump second term and a Republican-controlled House and Senate,” Scholten says.

“Our campaign’s going to be focused on being in battleground states in 2022.” He says that may or may not include Iowa. Before he entered politics, Scholten played professional baseball in Canada, Europe, and the U.S., including a stint with the Sioux City Explorers. This season, at the age of 41, he’s been pitching for a Minneapolis-based team in an amateur baseball league.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is introducing a bill today (Tuesday) which he says will help rural Iowa communities — as well as isolated towns across the U-S — get high-speed internet connections. The measure is called the Assisting Broadband Connectivity Act and it’s being co-sponsored in the Senate by Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar.

Grassley says, “This bipartisan bill will make changes to the rural broadband program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture so that areas aren’t automatically ineligible for federal funding because a project previously received state funding.” The update will help rural Iowa to move forward, Grassley says, by providing more coordination and funding for broadband projects. He says the bill should help to remove barriers to broadband expansion and streamline the process for hard-to-serve rural areas.

“States will be able to use federal funds such as COVID aid for broadband,” he says, “fulfilling their requirement in most applications to match federal dollars.” Grassley, a Republican, says the legislation promises to help small communities connect all the pieces from state and federal levels to get the expensive, urgent projects completed. Grassley says he’s held town halls in 85 of Iowa’s 99 counties so far this year, and at practically every meeting, broadband is brought up.

“Some places you go in rural Iowa are mostly connected with the work of small telephone companies,” Grassley says, “and some of them have outstanding service and then other areas you go and they have no service or they’re underserved.” He says boosting broadband will spark economic development and create jobs in rural America.

(Radio Iowa) – Visitors to a popular tourist destination in Omaha-Council Bluffs may have been exposed to a dangerous disease, and it’s not COVID-19. The Henry Doorly Zoo held an event over the 4th of July weekend where guests stayed overnight in the aquarium complex. One woman reportedly awoke to find a wild, brown bat near her head. She wasn’t injured but a total of seven wild bats were later caught in the building and one tested positive for rabies.

The zoo is recommending all 186 people who attended camping events that weekend and the last weekend in June seek treatment for exposure to rabies — at the zoo’s expense.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports five arrests. At around 3:15-a.m. Monday, four people: 39-year-old Pi La; 36-year-old Has Ger Htoo; 24-year-old Ler Lar Shee, and 35-year-old Kta Dee, all of Omaha, were arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Their bonds were set at $1,300, each.

And, last Friday night, 21-year-old Monta Arnell Johnson, Jr., of Glenwood, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault, and Child Endangerment. He was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail. The Sheriff’s Office reports also, two people suffered minor injuries during a collision at around 11-a.m. Friday at the I-29/Bunge Ave ramp. Authorities say a 2021 side-dump dirt hauler driven by 33-year-old Arthur Saucier, of Bellevue, NE, was traveling west on Bunge Avenue. A 2019 Subaru driven by 59-year-old Timothy Charon, of Emerson, was traveling behind the dirt hauler when it slowed to turn left (South) onto an un-named dirt road (used for construction purposes).

Saucier advised authorities when he slowed, activated his turn signal, and was in the process of initiating the turn, the Subaru began to pass him. The front of the Subaru collided with the side/front of the dirt hauler, and entered the south ditch before continuing west and hitting a construction fence. The dirt hauler entered the south ditch and continued south. Charon told authorities the turn signal of the dirt hauler was activated AFTER he began the process of overtaking the truck.

(Radio Iowa) – A man who got federal pandemic relief through banks in Iowa and Minnesota for a non-existent business has been sentenced to more than three years in federal prison. Fifty-seven-year-old Donald Franklin Trosin of Armstrong, Iowa, used to live in Champlin, Minnesota. He submitted more than 20 applications for Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans for a business he claimed had 120 employees and a five MILLION dollar payroll — but Trosin didn’t operate a business.

He pleaded guilty this spring to major fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors say he tried to transfer the pandemic relief he got to people in other states and countries, including China. He’s been ordered to pay one-point-three million dollars in restitution.

(Radio Iowa) – A northwest Iowa man wanted for what witnesses described as a hit-and-run has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly driving over someone in Rock Valley early Sunday morning. Police say their investigation revealed the driver of the vehicle and the pedestrian had gotten into an argument. Police allege the argument continued into the street when the pedestrian confronted the driver on the side of the road. The driver backed his vehicle away from the pedestrian and then allegedly drove towards the pedestrian, striking and dragging them under the car until they were run over by the rear wheels.

The driver’s been identified as 39-year-old Jaime Martinez Montiel. He was found inside a closet at an apartment in Rock Valley. He was arrested and charged with attempted murder and serious injury by vehicle. He is being held on a $50,000 bond in the Sioux County Jail. The investigation is ongoing and police are expecting more charges to be filed. The condition of the victim is unknown.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday morning in a regularly scheduled session. During their meeting, County Veteran’s Affairs Director Mitch Holmes presented his three-part report. The fourth quarter report he said, is mandated by State Code.

In the same report, Holmes noted the Cass County Veteran’s Affairs (CCVA) office assisted 121 Veterans, conducted 96 Office and 4 home visits, made 184 phone contacts, answered 167 various pieces of correspondence (Mail, e-mail & faxes), and they assisted five Veterans with their Driver’s Licenses. Then came the Annual Report for FY2020-21.

The CCVA assisted 47 Veterans process and receive their Federal VA Compensation Benefits, and other benefits, such as Nursing Home and Health Care, Death/Burial Benefits, and other matters. They also assisted a total of 341 Veterans, had 407 Office visits and 40 home visits. CCVA made 988 phone contacts, handled 1,288 pieces of correspondence, and assisted with 20 driver’s licenses.

The third and final report Holmes presented to the Board was the FY Geographic Distribution of VA Expenditures. The report shows the County has a Veteran population of 1,258. Total Federal dollars coming into Cass County specifically for Veterans, amounted to more than $8.9-million, including $4.1-million in Veterans Compensation and Pension.

In other businesses, Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken presented his regular report on Secondary Roads Department matters. He mentioned they placed project pipe along Troublesome Creek Road the last week or so, which allowed to be re-opened. He says they’ll continue to work with project pipes as they are delivered to the County. And, work on the Boston Road and Olive Street Bridge projects continues.

He said also, work will begin soon on a Indian Creek Road box culvert project, north of Highway 6.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  Atlantic will find more people buzzing around town, shopping and dining on Saturday, July 17. Participating Atlantic businesses will, once again, offer crazy summer deals during the Annual Crazy Daze shop local event. Crazy Daze is an annual event that encourages customers to support local businesses. Kelsey Beschorner, Programs Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says “We would like to thank all the customers for supporting our small businesses throughout 2020. What better way to celebrate shopping local then with AtlantiCash?”

Four lucky shoppers will get the chance to win $250 in AtlantiCash. Shoppers are encouraged to post their shopping or dining “selfies” on Facebook during Crazy Daze, using the hashtags #MyAtlanticIA and #LoveLocal. The four winners will be announced Monday, July 19th LIVE on the Chamber’s Facebook Page. Kelsey says  “This is a great way to thank and reward people for shopping local. It gives them that extra nudge to spend the day in Atlantic.”

Shop or eat at these participating locations to be entered in to win $250 in AtlantiCash:

• Akin Building Center
• Atlantic Motor Supply
• Aunt B’s
• Bonnesen’s Five & Ten Store
• Brown Shoe Fit
• Brymons Interiors
• Cappel’s Ace Hardware
• CoffeeGirl
• Downtowner Cafe
• Eleven O’ Three
• Elixir Downtown
• Farmhouse & Flowers
• Golden Dragon
• Hanson’s Fine Jewelry
• Interior Touch
• Plaza Azteca
• Rancho Grande
• Scooters Coffee
• Shaved Tail Louie’s
• Something For You
• Sweet Joy Shoppe
• Udderly Delicious
• Valley Boutique

For more information on Crazy Daze deals and other Chamber events, visit atlanticiowa.com or contact the Chamber office at 712.243.3017.

ATLANTIC, IA (July 13, 2021) – Produce in the Park is welcoming a special musical guest to the market this Thursday, July 15. The country music band Cloverdayle will be giving a free concert in the Atlantic City Park this Thursday, July 15 from 5:00-6:00 PM. Rolling Hills Bank & Trust is sponsoring this week’s musical entertainment. Bring a lawn chair, and enjoy yard games and dinner at the park while you listen to the music.

Produce in the Park is held every Thursday evening from 4:30-6:30 PM in the Atlantic City Park from the beginning of June through the end of September. This week, the market will offer fresh produce favorites including green beans, cucumbers, zucchini, carrots, and more. In addition to delicious, fresh, local produce, Produce in the Park offers baked goods including Danish Kringle from the Kringleman Danish Pastries, dinner in the park, and handmade crafts including goat-milk soaps and lotions, candles, and more. The market also features a guest chef offering taste tests, free produce snacks for kids, and other kids activities, in addition to information booths by area community organizations.

Produce in the Park’s summer farmers market and community gatherings are sponsored by Atlantic Community Promotion Commission, 1st Whitney Bank and Trust, Cass County Tourism, Camblin Mechanical, Cass Health, Nishna Valley Family YMCA, and the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. Produce in the Park now accepts SNAP EBT, a payment method also known as “food stamps,” and many vendors accept credit cards and Venmo.

Stay up to date on the latest with Produce in the Park by signing up for the Produce in the Park newsletter at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com, and following Produce in the Park on Facebook @ProduceInThePark and Instagram @ProduceInTheParkAtlanticIA.

CRESTON, Iowa – July 13, 2021 – Road construction work on U.S. 6 between Iowa 71 near Atlantic, and Iowa 48 near Lewis, will require intermittent lane closures weekdays from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. beginning on Monday, July 19 until Aug. 5, weather permitting. That’s according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Creston construction office. Officials say during the project, traffic will be controlled with flaggers and a pilot car while work is taking place. A 16-foot lane width limit will be in effect.