(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest at around 12:30-a.m. today (Monday), of 47-year-old Frank Hartford Kretzschmar, of the Omaha/Council Bluffs area. A Deputy on patrol observed Kretzschmar at the Casey’s store at 19900 Virginia Hills Road (Council Bluffs), who he knew had been banned for life from the location. Kretzschmar was later arrested for Trespass – Refuse to Vacate/1st offense. He was being held without bond, in the Pottawattamie County Jail.

Sheriff’s officials said also, two prisoners being held in the Douglas County, Nebraska Jail, were transferred to the custody of Pott. County deputies, late last week. 44-year-old Enrique Torres, of Omaha, was wanted on a Pott. County warrant for Theft in the 3rd Degree (Larceny ranging from $750-$1,500). His bond was set at $2,000. And, 30-year-old Daniel Joseph Schmit was transported to Pott. County to address a Probation Violation warrant.

Atlantic, IA – SHIFT ATL, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, will be hosting their first Atlantic Merch Pop-Up Shop on Saturday, April 23, from 11am – 1:30pm at The Telegraph building, located at 14 E. 4th Street. The City Council, last Wednesday, approved the temporary closure of part of E. 4th between Walnut and Chestnut, for the event. The pop-up shop is open to the public and will also include complimentary beer sampling from Full Fledged Brewing Company from Council Bluffs and Kinship Brewing Company from Des Moines. Lunch and snacks will be available for purchase from a Des Moines-based food truck, Off the Griddle.

SHIFT ATL will be unveiling a line of Atlantic-branded merchandise available for purchase, such as t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, crew neck sweatshirts, coffee mugs, pint glasses, baseball caps, keychains, tea towels, postcards and more! These are one-of-a-kind items that will be first-come, first-served and likely won’t be reprinted.

Throughout the event, Kinship Brewing Company and Full-Fledged Brewing Company will be onsite handing out beer samples for those that are interested. This is free, compliments of SHIFT ATL. Off the Griddle food truck will be parked in front of The Telegraph with a full menu available for purchase for lunch. There will be limited tables and chairs for those that wish to eat their lunch at The Telegraph.

SHIFT ATL is also hosting their quarterly SHIFT Network meeting for current members, and those that would like to sign up that evening, on Tuesday, April 19 from 5:00 – 6:30pm. A formal presentation will be given at 5:30 with an organization update and look into the future. SHIFT Network members will then get the first peek at the Atlantic merch and be able to purchase that evening ahead of the pop-up event.

SHIFT Network membership starts at $100 per year and is a group of community-minded people interested in the economic development of Atlantic. If you’re unable to attend but would like to join SHIFT Network or get the updates, please email shiftatlantic@gmail.com or visit shiftatl.com/join. For more information about SHIFT ATL, the Atlantic Merch Pop-Up or SHIFT Network, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/shiftatl, their website at shiftatl.org or by email at shiftatlantic@gmail.com.

(Radio Iowa) – A judge has ruled Democratic U.S. Senator candidate Abby Finkenauer cannot appear on the June Primary ballot, a decision likely to be appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court. Finkenauer is a former Iowa congresswoman and one of three Democrats competing for a chance to face Republican Senator Chuck Grassley in the General Election. Two Republicans challenged Finkenauer’s nominating petitions for the Democratic Primary, arguing three nominating signatures were invalid, because one had the wrong date, one had no date at all and one had a zip code listed on the signature line.

Abby Finkenauer

The district court judge issued his ruling late Sunday night, saying those signatures were invalid. That changes the narrow tally of signatures Finkenauer’s campaign collected. Candidates for the U.S. Senate are required to gather at least 100 signatures in at least 19 counties. Without the three signatures, Finkenauer does not have enough signatures in two counties and falls short of the requirement.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department say four people were arrested Friday. At around 5:30-p.m., 19-year-old Elizabeth Rose Rolland, of California, was arrested at the Creston Walmart, on a charge of Theft in the 5th Degree (Shoplifting). Rolland was cited at the scene, and released. Later that evening, 41-year-old George Hancock, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center (in Creston), for having Animals at large on public lands. He was also cited and released.

Two people were arrested on drug charges in Creston. At around 11:15-p.m., 19-year-old Kacy Lynn Nevitt, of Perry, and 18-year-old Shalaya Ann Marie Armstead, of Independence, were arrested at McKinley Park, for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 1st offense. Both were later released on $1,000 bond, each.

And, at around 2:20-a.m. Saturday, Creston Police arrested 28-year-old Andrew Thomas Palmer, of Adair, for OWI/2nd offense. He was later released on a $2,000 cash or surety bond.

Creston Police said also, a resident who lives in the 900 block of W. Mills Street, reported to Police that sometime between April 5th and 10th, someone entered his residence and took multiple items. The loss was estimated at $2,700. The missing items include:

• Ignition parts for a 1988 302 Engine
• Grayco x9 paint sprayer
• 55″ Sony smart TV
• a hand-held paint sprayer
• car audio equipment
• and miscellaneous tools.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A traffic stop Sunday night in Red Oak resulted a man’s arrest on drug charges. Authorities say 52-year-old Fred Francis Welch, of Omaha, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana, Possession of Drug paraphernalia, and OWI/1st offense. He was later released on a $1,000 bond.

Separately, 43-year-old Michael Gene Landon, Jr. of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Red Oak, for Driving with a Suspended license. His bond was set at $491.25. Early Sunday morning, 32-year-old Dylan Thomas Griffeth, of Red Oak, was arrested for Driving While Suspended. His bond was also set at $491.25.

On Saturday, Red Oak Police arrested 74-year-old Dennis Leroy Vanderhoof, of Red Oak, on three counts of driving with a suspended license. Bond was set at $491.25.

(Anita, Iowa) – The CAM School Board will open their meeting this evening at 6:30, with Public Hearings on the 2022-23 School Calendar and Certified Budget (as published). The hearing and regular business take place in the CAM High School Superintendent’s Office, in Anita.

During their regular session that follows, the Board will act on personnel and other administrative matters, as well as the approval of:

• The 2022-2023 School Calendar
• 2022-23 Certified Budget
• The adjusted 2021-22 School Calendar
• List of graduating seniors for the CAM High School and Connections Academy.
• Approval of: an out-of-state After Prom event; Green Hills AEA/CAM 2022023 Library Agreement; a technology purchase; Licensed Staff Bonuses (that were not included in the Governor’s Retention Bonuses); approval of an out-of state Senior trip,
• and discussion along with possible approval of selling real property.

A Public hearing is set for 6-p.m. today in the High School Conference Room in Elk Horn, with regard to the Exira-EHK FY 2023 Budget. The hearing is part of the Exira-EHK School Board meeting, and will be followed by a presentation from Lori Stitz, with regard to Iowa Western Community College.

Action items later on during the meeting include:

• Approval of the FY 2023 School Budget, and related matters.
• Approval of an AEA Purchasing Contract for Food Service items
• Approval of a Sharing Agreement with the Green Hills AEA for a Librarian and School Based Interventionist.
• ”               ” a  new contract for the Elk Horn building lunchroom.
• and approval of the 2022 Graduating Class (Pending the meeting of graduation requirements)

The Exira-EHK School Board will act on approving resignations that include: Ryan Gaumer – 4th grade Teacher; Emma Bireline – HS English Teacher; and, Para-Educators Stephanie Thompson & Kristi Madsen. They will also act on approving the hiring of:

• Sara Mayes – MS/HS Guidance Counselor
• Stephanie Ford – 5th Grade Teacher
• Derek Reischauer, HS Social Studies Teacher
• Andrea Schwery, Head Softball Coach; Courtney Peppers, Asst. Softball Coach
• Tom Petersen – Head Baseball Coach; Drew Buckholdt, Ass.t Baseball Coach.

(Radio Iowa) – The federal tax filing deadline is now one week away. I-R-S spokesman, Christopher Miller, says you will get a few extra days to file. “So the deadline this year is Monday, April 18th, instead of the traditional 15th. And that’s because the 15th falls on a holiday in the District of Columbia, which has the same effect as a federal holiday,” Miller says. That moves the deadline to the next business day — which is the 18th. Miller says everything appears to be going well as the deadline approaches.

“We already have well over half of the 160 million expected individual tax returns, with around 96 percent of them being e -filed, which is certainly good news from our standpoint,” Miller says. “For Iowa, we expect to receive nearly two-point-six (2.6) million individual tax returns this year.” He did not have a count on how many federal returns from Iowa have already been filed. If you see you are not going to meet the deadline — then there is an action you should take. “Taxpayers who need more time to complete their returns can request an automatic six-month extension to file. An extension allows for the extra time to gather, prepare, or file that paperwork with the I-R-S,” He says. The extension will you get until October 17th to file.

“In Iowa, we expect nearly 89-thousand taxpayers to ask for an extension of time to file. But this is important, remember that an extension to file a tax return is not an extension of time to pay your taxes. So if you owe, you will need to estimate and pay any old taxes by the regular deadline,” according to Miller. He says failing to pay by the deadline can lead to penalties and interest. He says the I-R-S encourages you to file electronically and use direct deposit for the refunds because your electronically filed returns are much more accurate than a paper return. And paper returns will be delayed in processing and in issuing a refund.

(Pomeroy, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Calhoun County said Sunday, a man is in jail after a deadly shooting Saturday afternoon. Authorities report 66-year-old Michael Hinners shot 59-year-old Anthony Hinners around 4:25 p.m., in Pomeroy. First responders found Anthony Hinners with a gunshot wound to the chest. Despite life-saving measures provided, Anthony Hinners was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Michael Hinners booking photo

Authorities didn’t release a motive. The relationship between the two is unclear. Michael Hinners is now charged with first-degree murder. He has been booked into the Carroll County Jail.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds is calling on Christian conservatives to lobby Republicans in the House to pass a bill that provides state scholarships for 10-thousand students to attend a private or parochial school.   “We need to get it done and it’s just common sense and it’s a fairness issue, so help me get it across the finish line,” Reynolds said, to applause.” Reynolds was among a handful of Republican office-holders who spoke to hundreds of the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition members on Saturday night.

“We need to give more parents the option to find a school that fits the unique needs, the moral commitments and the religious convictions of their family,” Reynolds said. Thirty-one Republicans in the Iowa Senate have passed a bill to send 55-hundred state payments to low and moderate income Iowa parents who enroll their kids in private schools, but the bill has yet to be debated in the Republican-led Iowa House. In Saturday night’s speech, Reynolds reviewed a list of other school-related measures that have already been enacted.

“We got our kids back in the classroom and we did it before anybody else. We banned mask mandates and we said, ‘No!’ to woke culture,” Reynolds said, to loud cheers. The governor also discussed proposals pending in the legislature that require schools to list library books and require teachers give advance notice online about what books, articles and other materials they plan to use in the classroom.  “I can tell you without hesitation when parents are informed, they make informed choices, but that is only part of the solution and that is why I’ve asked the legislature to expand school choice,” Reynolds said, to cheers.

This is the second year Reynolds has asked the Republican-led legislature to create a program that sends state money to parents who enroll their children in private schools. Critics say once the program is established, it will become an ever-expanding entitlement for private school parents and siphon state resources away from public schools.