(Radio Iowa) – Iowa National Guard members in northwest Iowa are preparing for a major, year-long deployment next month that’ll take them to an undisclosed location in the Middle East. Captain Ivan Naranjo, commander of the Le Mars-based 113th Cavalry Unit, says they’re ready to carry out their assigned mission.

“Wherever we go, we’re going to just provide security for the place that we are at,” Naranjo says. “It’s a defensive mission. We’re just going to help protect the base that we’re in, and our partner nation forces in supporting them in what they do. We’re letting them take the reins on operations, and we’re just helping to provide security along the way.” The Le Mars unit is one of many from Iowa that will make up a force of 18-hundred taking part in the mission.

Naranjo took over command of the 113th about a year ago, and he says he’s very fortunate. “I came into it and it already had an incredibly positive and productive culture. People want to go to extra schools. They want to go to extra training. They take the job seriously, as they should, for being infantry men,” he says. “We have a potentially dangerous job in terms of what we do, but everybody here approaches it like a true professional.”

Following his service in Afghanistan, this will be Naranjo’s second deployment overseas, a mission for which he and the rest of the unit have long been training. “This is a fantastic opportunity, because I get to use it, you know, it’s not just training anymore,” he says. “I get to take all the lessons learned in training and apply them into real life situations. That’s going to help keep me and my soldiers safe, which is the ultimate end goal, to bring everybody home, keep them safe and teach them how to be a more professional soldier.”

There will be a sendoff ceremony for the Le Mars unit on May 28th at Le Mars Community High School. After the sendoff, the 113th will leave for the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson, Louisiana, then the soldiers will be overseas for about ten months.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A public hearing will take place Wednesday evening, with regard to the 2025-26 Atlantic School District Calendar. The meeting is on the agenda as part of the Atlantic School Board’s regular meeting that takes place in the High School Media Center, beginning at 6:30-p.m.

Action items on the agenda include:

a. 25-26 MOU with Green Hills AEA
b. 25-25 Educational Agreement with Iowa Western Community College
c. 25-26 Timberline Billing Services Annual Agreement for Medicaid and Addendum
d. Sponsorships for Industrial Tech Club
e. District Career Academic plan
f. Graduating Class of 2025

The Board will also act on the following:

Resignations/Retirements

• Brooke Lamp Middle School Volleyball; Fall Season
• Daniel Johnmark, Para
• Charisma Burg, Para

Recommendation to Hire

• 2025 Summer School Supervisor
• Summer Weight Room Coordinators
• Baseball and Golf 2025 season volunteer coaches
• Fall Sport coaching recommendations

View the complete agenda here: PUBLIC AGENDA 04092025-1

(Clarinda, Iowa) – Page County Attorney, James L. Varley, today (Tuesday) reports the following activities in the Iowa District Court for Page County for the week of March 24, 2025. The Honorable, Michael Hooper, District Court Judge of the Fourth Judicial District presided. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

• Christopher Chane Adkins, age 35, of Shenandoah, Iowa, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Operating While Intoxicated, First Offense. The Defendant was granted a deferred judgment and placed on probation for 9 months. The Defendant was ordered to attend and complete a 12-hour drinking drivers’ course, as well as complete a drug/alcohol evaluation and follow through with any recommendations. A civil penalty of $1,250 was assessed and the Defendant was ordered to pay all court costs, surcharges and court-appointed attorney fees.
• Matthew Ross David Buckridge, age 45, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, appeared pro se and admitted to violating the terms and conditions of probation. The Defendant was found to be in willful contempt of court and sentenced to 48 hours in the Page County Jail. Defendant is to continue on probation as previously ordered and obtain a new substance abuse evaluation and follow any recommended treatment. Court costs and court-appointed attorney fees were imposed.
• Alexis Lynn Eveland, age 21, of Shenandoah, Iowa, appeared by counsel and admitted to violating the terms and conditions of probation. The Defendant was found to be in willful contempt of court and sentenced to 20 days in the Page County Jail, with credit given for time previously served. The Defendant was ordered to pay court costs and court-appointed attorney fees.
• Cindy Joe Gray, age 45, of New Market, Iowa, appeared with counsel and pled guilty to Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver. The Defendant was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined $1,000. The term of incarceration and fine were suspended and the Defendant was placed on probation for 3 years. As a condition of probation, the Defendant must obtain a drug/alcohol evaluation and follow through with any recommendations. The Defendant was ordered to pay court costs, surcharges and court-appointed attorney fees. This case will run concurrently with the case below.
  • Cindy Joe Gray, age 45, New Market, Iowa, appeared with counsel and pled guilty to Count 1: Operating While Under the Influence, First Offense and Count 2: Possession of a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance, Marijuana-2nd Offense.
  • Count I: The Defendant was sentenced to 20 days in the Page County Jail, with all but 2 days suspended and given credit for time served. The Defendant was placed on probation for 9 months and required to complete a 12-hr Drinker Driver’s Course and a substance abuse evaluation. The Defendant was assessed a fine of $1,250, and ordered to pay court costs, surcharges and court appointed attorney fees.
  • Count II: The Defendant was sentenced to 2 years in the State Penitentiary, all time suspended, and placed on probation. The term of probation will run concurrently with Count 1 and the case above. The Defendant was assessed a fine of $430, and ordered to pay surcharges, court costs and court-appointed attorney fees.
• Timothy Alan Groves, age 55, of Etna, Maine, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Sexual Exploitation by a Counselor or Therapist. The Defendant was sentenced to 365 days in the Page County Jail, with all time suspended, and placed on probation for 1 year. Defendant was ordered to complete the Sex Offender Treatment Program and register as a sex offender. In addition to the sentence above, a special sentence was imposed and the Defendant was sentenced to a term of 10 years of supervision as if on parole. The Defendant was ordered to pay a fine of $430, plus surcharges, court costs, and court-appointed attorney fees.
• Shalee Dawn Laughlin, age 53, of Imogene, Iowa, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Theft in the 4th Degree. The Defendant was granted a deferred judgment and placed on 9 months of probation. The Defendant was ordered to pay a civil penalty of $430, plus court costs, surcharges and restitution.
• Jessie Gregory McFarland, age 48, of Farragut, Iowa, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Count I: Operating While Under the Influence, 2nd Offense and Count II: Driving While License is Denied or Revoked. The Defendant was sentenced to 60 days in the Page County Jail on each count, with all but 7 days suspended, and the sentences shall run concurrently. The Defendant will be on probation for 9 months and as a condition will obtain a drug/alcohol evaluation and attend and successfully complete the Drinking Driver’s School. The Defendant was ordered to pay a fine of $1,875, plus court costs, surcharges, and court-appointed attorney fees.
• Misty Dawn Nolan Myre, age 50, Shenandoah, Iowa, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Operating While Intoxicated, 1st Offense. The Defendant was granted a deferred judgment and placed on probation for 9 months. The Defendant was specifically ordered to complete a 12-hour drinking drivers’ course, as well as complete a substance abuse evaluation and follow up with any recommendations. A civil penalty of $1,250 was assessed and the Defendant was ordered to pay all court costs, surcharges and court-appointed attorney fees.
• Phillip Wayne Reynolds, age 34, Shenandoah, Iowa, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Interference with Official Acts. The Defendant was fined $430 and ordered to pay court costs, surcharges and court-appointed attorney fees.
• Charles Eugene Woods, age 62, of Shenandoah, Iowa, appeared with counsel and admitted to violating the terms and conditions of probation. The Defendant was found to be in willful contempt of court and sentenced to 20 days in the Page County Jail. Defendant was unsuccessfully discharged from probation and ordered to pay all court costs and court-appointed attorney fees.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports an Adams County woman was arrested Monday afternoon on drug and other charges. 24-year-old Mirtha Castro Yesenia, of Corning, was arrested at around 4:15-p.m., for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and OWI/1st offense. She was being held in the Union County Jail on a a $1,300 bond, with an allowed 10-percent posted, before she was released.

(Midwest News) – The night sky lit-up early this (Tuesday) morning when a bright meteor streaked across the atmosphere and broke apart. The event was seen by people across the Midwest at around 5:21-a.m. central time. A video of the meteor was captured by a property surveillance camera located between Griswold and Oakland. The video, submitted to KJAN on our Facebook page by Chelsey Muhlbauer, has garnered over 200 comments from those impressed by the event, and from those who witnessed the celestial happening from around southwest Iowa and beyond.

Still frame image of a meteor breaking-up (image taken from a video of the event, as viewed between Griswold & Oakland), courtesy Chelsey Muhlbauer

The American Meteor Society says reports were coming in from Minnesota to Texas from those who saw the entire 3.5-second event, or parts of it. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1C4gY23mw5/

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors held their regular weekly meeting, which began with a moment of silence, at the request of Board Chair Charla Schmid, for Montgomery County Veteran’s Affairs Executive Director Curtis White, who passed away April 3^rd. Under regular business, Montgomery Engineer Karen Albert provided her weekly Secondary Roads Department report.

Under New Business, the Board approved the Iowa Department of Transportation FY 26 Budget (in the amount of $13,539, 200), which is the same as the Secondary Roads Budget, and, they approved the Secondary Roads Department FY26 5-year Construction Plan. Board member Mike Olsen had a question for Engineer Albert, prior to the vote, with regard to the FY 26 projects. Karen Albert said they have a very busy fiscal year ahead for numerous projects.

Montgomery County Board of Supervisors mtg (4-8-25)

The Board discussed an appointment to the Eminent Domain Compensation Commission. Auditor Jill Ozuna said they have received an application for Rick VanSyock for the Commission. She said there is no directory for the Commission on County’s website, because it “is constantly changing.” VanSyock is falls under the category of “City owned property,” where the Commission is concerned.

The Board approved the appointment as presented. Auditor Ozuna said there are still openings on the Commission.

Supervisor Bryant Amos explained the Eminent Domain Compensation Commission’s purpose.

The next meeting of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors takes place at 9-a.m. Tuesday, April 15^th.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he’ll continue drumming up support for his bill that would limit a president’s power to impose tariffs, even after President Trump vowed he’ll veto the measure if it reaches his desk. Grassley says he’s long pushed for changes in two laws dating back to the 1960s and ’70s in which Congress delegated to the president most of its power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce. “It’s one of 18 powers specifically listed for Congress to do,” Grassley says. “Congress gave up this authority. I think Congress ought to try to recapture its constitutional authority, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Grassley says his bill is bipartisan and he notes six fellow Republican senators have signed on to support it, but he didn’t comment on the bill’s chances to pass. Just last week, the president enacted another round of steep tariffs, impacting trade with dozens of nations. “This bill obviously doesn’t affect what Trump did, because it’s not retroactive,” Grassley says, “but Trump did give me the opportunity when he raised the issue of tariffs to get back on my bandwagon.”

The bill would require Congress to approve the president’s tariffs on trading partners before they could take effect. Calling himself a “free and fair trader,” Grassley says trade benefits the family farmer, while tariffs usually target agriculture. He says the timing of the bill was intentional. “I’m just taking advantage of an opportunity when people are talking about tariffs, because people wouldn’t pay any attention to my efforts if tariffs wasn’t already highlighted,” Grassley says. “I see it as a conversation worth having.”

Even though a veto looms, Grassley says he’ll continue shepherding this legislation, “regardless of the president’s comments, because the Constitution’s on my side.”

(Fort Dodge, Iowa) –  A Webster County Sheriff’s Deputy is on paid administrative leave (per standard procedure), following a shooting incident Monday night, near Gowrie. According to a statement from Webster County Sheriff Luke Fleener, at around 9:45-p.m., Monday, Webster County Telecommunications received a 911 call regarding a domestic disturbance in Gowrie, Iowa. Information gathered was a male involved had been consuming alcohol and was currently driving a GMC Sierra. The caller stated it was also believed the male had a firearm inside his vehicle.

While en route, Webster County Deputies located the vehicle in question and attempted a traffic stop. The driver failed to stop and attempted to elude deputies through Dayton and the southern part of rural Webster County. Hamilton County Deputies assisted in the pursuit and were able to Stop-Stick one of the vehicle’s tires near Taylor Avenue and Highway 175.

A Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) was utilized to eventually disable the vehicle near River Road and Highway 175. Deputies then exited their vehicles and ordered the suspect to put his hands up. The suspect then reached down to the passenger seat area and stated he was getting his firearm. He then made a shooting motion toward a deputy through the back window of the vehicle.

A Webster County Deputy then fired one shot through the back passenger window, striking the suspect in his right hand. Deputies were then able to detain the suspect and render medical aid. The suspect was transported by ambulance to Unity Point ER in Fort Dodge and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. A pistol was located on the driver floorboard of the suspect’s vehicle. There were no injuries to law enforcement or members of the public. The deputy involved in the shooting was placed on administrative leave until the Webster County Attorney’s Office has reviewed all evidence and case facts.

Agents with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI) were notified and responded to the scene to conduct a thorough investigation into the shooting. The Webster County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this incident by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, Iowa State Patrol, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Webster County Reserve Officers, Webster County Attorney’s Office and Dayton EMS.

(Griswold, Iowa) – The Griswold Community School District’s Board of Education will hold a Special Meeting next Monday, April 14th, to consider approval of a Softball sharing agreement with the CAM Community School District. The meeting takes place 5:30-p.m., Monday, in the Griswold School’s Conference Room.

The public will be offered a chance to provide input on the matter prior to the Board making a decision on the agreement.

(Des Moines, Iowa/Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Senators sent legislation on Iowa’s elections to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ desk Monday that included provisions on verifying Iowa voters’ citizenship status. The Senate also passed bills addressing the governor’s math instruction proposal, vaccines for a sexually transmitted virus, and fireworks.

House File 954, passed 32-15, was a bill proposed by Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate that would allow the Secretary of State’s office to contract with federal and state agencies, and with private entities, for voter roll verification and maintenance. The bill also laid out steps for setting a voter’s registration status as “unconfirmed” in cases where the state registrar or a county commissioner “has received information from a reliable source indicating that the registered voter is not qualified.” A “unconfirmed” voter’s status would be changed to “active” after they provide proof that they are qualified to vote under the legislation. The bill also allows for a voter to be challenged at the polls over their citizenship status. A challenged voter is allowed to present precinct election officials evidence or facts to prove they are qualified to vote. If the challenge is not withdrawn after this procedure, the voter would cast a provisional ballot.

Senators approved House File 784 in a 46-1 vote, sending it to Reynolds. The mathematics instruction bill is the governor’s proposal seeking to improve Iowa students’ mathematics aptitude after the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) found mathematics scores decreased for both fourth and eighth graders. The legislation would require Iowa schools to assess K-6 students’ math skills at least three times a year. If students are deemed “persistently at risk,” schools would be required to implement a personalized mathematics plan for the student, alongside other intervention strategies, to help the child reach grade-standard proficiency. The Iowa Department of Education would also be required by the bill to develop and distribute a comprehensive mathematics plan to Iowa schools to increase math proficiency, and provide mathematics instructional aid for teachers and parents.

(Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Senate File 304 would remove a current exemption in Iowa law allowing minors to consent to receive vaccinations for sexually transmitted infections, like the HPV vaccine, without their parent’s permission. Sen. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, said the bill would prevent children from accessing a vaccination that can prevent cancers caused by human papillomavirus infections. She also said the measure does not acknowledge the fact that minors who are seeking this vaccination may be the victims of child sex abuse. Sen. Sandy Salmon, R-Janesville, said the bill only applies to vaccinations, and does not change other sections of Iowa law that allows minors to receive medical care related to the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of sexually transmitted diseases or infections without their parents or guardians’ consent.

And, Senate File 303, a bill passed 31-16 after it was deferred by lawmakers in March, would prohibit county boards of supervisors and city councils from placing restrictions on the use of fireworks on July 3, 4 and Dec. 31 outside of existing restrictions in Iowa Code on fireworks. Local governments would still be allowed to set restrictions on fireworks for other days.