Cass County Republican Party Chair Dave Wiederstein has released details with regard to the February 3rd Republican Caucuses in Cass County. The start time at each location is 7-p.m.

Activity at each location will include:

• Selecting persons to be the Precinct meeting chair and secretary.
• Holding the Presidential Poll.
• Selecting individuals to serve on the County Central Committee, Delegates and Junior Delegates to the County Convention on March 14.
• Discuss amendments to the County Platform.

Wiederstein says he anticipates the meetings will move along pretty quickly, as the Republicans have their candidate in President Trump.  The other items of party business do not take much time to go through, either.

Precinct Caucus Sites:
Precinct 1:  Atlantic Ward 1 – Atlantic Elks Lodge (411 Walnut St.)
Precinct 2:  Atlantic Ward 2 – Armory (2nd & Poplar)
Precinct 3:  Atlantic Ward 3 – Atlantic Public Library
Precinct 4:  Atlantic Ward 4 – Zion Lutheran Church (811 Oak St.)
Precinct 5:  Atlantic Ward 5 – Heritage House (1200 Brookridge Cir.)
Precinct 6:  Lewis; Cass & Bear Grove Townships – Lewis Fire Department Meeting Room (401 W. Main St.)
Precinct 7:  Wiota; Benton & Franklin Townships – Wiota Fire Department (311 Center St.)
Precinct 8:  Marne; Brighton, Pymosa, Washington & Grove Townships – Atlantic Airport (59706 Airport Road)
Precinct 9:  Edna/Victoria Townships – Massena Library (122 Main St.)
Precinct 10:  Anita; Grant & Lincoln Townships – Anita Community Center (805 Main St.)
Precinct 11:  Griswold; Pleasant & Noble Townships – Griswold Community Bldg. (601 2nd St.)
Precinct 12:  Massena City & Township) – Massena Library (122 Main St.)
Precinct 13:  Cumberland; Union Township – Cumberland Library (119 Main St.)

Two people were injured in two separate accidents that occurred in nearly the same location, Tuesday morning, in Fremont County. The Iowa State Patrol reports the first accident happened at around 7:08-a.m. on County Road J-46, west of 390th Avenue, southeast of Farragut. Fremont County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Wake, of Tabor, was driving a Sheriff’s Department 2019 Dodge Charger eastbound on J-46, when the car went out of control on the icy road, and slid into the south ditch. The cruiser rolled over and came to rest upright in the ditch. Wake was reportedly taken by Shenandoah Rescue to the Shenandoah Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The second accident happened at around 7:51-a.m., Tuesday, as a 1990 Buick Lesabre driven by 65-year old Ronald Fritschle, of Nebraska City, NE., was traveling east, also on County Road J-46. As he approached the accident scene involving the deputy, the Buick went out of control and onto the north shoulder, before getting back on the road and heading towards the south shoulder. As the car slid sideways, the left rear struck Fremont County Sheriff’s Deputy Austin Richardson, of Hamburg, who was standing on the road investigating the first accident.

The Fritschle vehicle came to rest in the south ditch. Richardson was also taken by Shenandoah Rescue to the Shenandoah Memorial Hospital.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The trial for the man charged with killing University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts in 2018 has been delayed. Cristhian Bahena Rivera had been scheduled to stand trial for first-degree murder on Feb. 4 in Sioux City. That plan became uncertain last week when Judge Joel Yates suspended the case so that the Iowa Supreme Court could decide whether to grant Rivera’s pretrial appeal of a key ruling.

A court spokesman said Tuesday that the trial has been delayed and will not happen in the month of February. A new trial date will be set after the Iowa Supreme Court decides how to handle Rivera’s appeal.

Pottawattamie County Chief Deputy Sheriff Rob Ambrose, Tuesday, announced his candidacy for Pottawattamie County Sheriff. If elected in the June Primary, Ambrose would succeed Jeff Danker, who, on Jan. 8th, announced he would not seek an eight term in office.

Pott. County Chief Deputy Sheriff Rob Ambrose

Ambrose, who was selected by Danker in 2018 to be his Chief Deputy, started his career with the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office in 2006, working for the Road Division. Sheriff Danker appointed him to the Investigations Division in 2008. While working in the Investigations Division, Ambrose was promoted to corporal in 2010 and sergeant in 2013. In 2015, he was promoted to lieutenant and assigned to oversee the Road Patrol and Investigations Division.

When he was appointed as Chief Deputy Sheriff, Rob Ambrose began overseeing the entire Sheriff’s Office. This includes six divisions, approximately 215 full-time employees, and a budget of approximately $21,000,000. As Sheriff, he says he “Will be committed to working diligently to provide residents of Pottawattamie County with dedicated and quality leadership within the law enforcement, communications and jail divisions.”

Ambrose is a graduate of Upper Iowa University. He previous experience, as from the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office, include serving as a Corrections Office for the Missouri Department of Corrections, and as deputy with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

He and his family live in Underwood. Ambrose’ wife teaches second grade at Underwood Elementary. The couple has three school-aged daughters. His bio says in his free time, he enjoys being with his family, watching our daughters participate in their school and athletic events, and playing golf. He says he’s also been actively involved with the community and school by volunteering his time as a coach for several athletic teams, and as a member of the Underwood School Safety Committee.

Ron Ambrose said also, “I enjoy participating in the annual Shop with the Sheriff event.”

Police in Harlan report two recent arrests. On Jan. 21st, 23-year old Stephaun Javon Lancer, of Harlan, was arrested on trespass and possession of drug paraphernalia charges. And, today (Tuesday), 34-year old Brandon Amos Woodruff along with 36-year old Maura Margarita Reyes Mejia, both of Omaha, NE were arrested following a traffic stop.

Woodruff faces charges that include speeding, failure to have a valid driver’s license, and prohibited acts. Reyes Mejia was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Harlan Police report also, a 1996 Dodge Ram driven by Michael Arnold, of Harlan, went out of control Jan. 23rd at 12th and Hill Streets. The pickup left the road and hit a tree before going airborne over an embankment and flipping. The vehicle landed on all four wheels, and was declared a total loss. No injuries were reported.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – A warming center being evicted for not meeting fire codes has found a new spot to serve the homeless in Waterloo. The Waterloo Warming Center announced Tuesday it will be moving to the former Hawkeye Community College Metro Center and open for service on Friday. The overnight shelter opened Jan. 6 at Jubilee United Methodist Church Freedom Center to provide a safe haven from freezing temperatures. But organizers later were told it would have to close because inspectors found the space didn’t have a sprinkler system — a requirement for any building serving residential needs.