(Newton, Iowa) – A man from Mills County faces a trio of felony charges following an incident Sunday, in eastern Iowa. According to the Newton Police Department, a little after 7-p.m., Sunday, Newton Police responded to reports of gunfire during a road rage incident on Interstate 80. Investigators determined that the driver of a blue Peterbilt semi pulling a white grain trailer fired multiple rounds at another semi as the victim attempted to pass near the 164-mile marker. The victim pulled into Love’s Travel Center in Newton, while the suspect continued eastbound on I-80.

At approximately 7:36 p.m., Jasper County Deputies located a matching blue Peterbilt with a white grain trailer parked on the off-ramp at the 179-mile marker exit off I-80. The driver, identified as 56-year-old Patrick Lee Miller of Malvern, Iowa, was detained. A search warrant was executed on the semi, leading to the discovery of a handgun and multiple spent shell casings.

Miller was arrested and transported to the Jasper County Jail. He faces charges of:

• Attempted Murder (Class B Felony)
• Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon (Class C Felony)
• Going Armed with Intent (Class D Felony)
• Reckless Use of a Firearm (Aggravated Misdemeanor)

The victim was not injured. Authorities confirm this was an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Note: A criminal charge is an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office says three people were arrested on separate charges over the past few days. On Sunday (Feb. 2nd), 21-year-old Jace Andrai Merriett, of Omaha, was arrested for Public Intoxication, Assault with Bodily Injury, and Interference with Official Acts. His bond was set at $1,600.

Mills County Deputies arrested 42-year-old Bradley Gene Olsen, of Griswold, last Friday, for Violation of Probation. His bond was set at $500.

And, on Jan. 28th, 22-year-old Zachary Lee Still, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Mills County for Violation of Probation. His bond was set at $25,000.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Gov. Reynolds today (Monday) authorized a disaster proclamation for O’Brien County, Iowa effective immediately through March 5, 2025. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed a positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in commercial layer chickens.

This proclamation allows state resources from Iowa Homeland Security, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and other agencies to assist with tracking and monitoring, rapid detection, containment, disposal, and disinfection. The proclamation also waives regulatory provisions related to commercial vehicles responding to affected sites.

The recent HPAI detections in birds do not present an immediate public health concern, and it remains safe to eat poultry products. If producers suspect signs of HPAI in their flocks, they should contact their veterinarian immediately.

(Radio Iowa) – Republicans in the Iowa Senate are proposing a two percent increase in state per pupil funding for pubic schools, the same level Governor Reynolds proposed last month. It would amount to about 79-hundred dollars per student — and the parents of private school students who’ve signed up for state tuition assistance would get that amount, too. Senate President Amy Sinclair says the goal is to get the plan enacted by late next week.  “We believe that we should do timely funding of our school districts so that they know what numbers they’re working with,” Sinclair says, “so they can finish their budgets on time.” School districts must hold public hearings on budget plans and school boards must adopt a budget for the next academic year by April 30th.

Republicans in the Iowa House, led by Speaker Pat Grassley, have not released a proposal on per pupil funding for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. “We’re waiting to see whether the Senate can get us that bill,” Grassley says. “Right now our conversations are looking at what additional things we may have interest in.” Grassley suggests House Republicans may propose additional state funding for rural school districts with long bus routes. Democrats say schools should get a five percent boost in per pupil spending. Senate Democratic Leader Janice Weiner says due to the state’s per pupil funding formula, schools with declining enrollment will take a hit.

“Governor Reynolds and Republican lawmakers have proposed a school funding number that would force many Iowa schools into significant budget cuts,” she said, “resulting in fully half of our school districts getting less funding…a first that we do not want to have.”

Democrats say schools need a five percent increase in per pupil funding. Weiner says that would be a 315 MILLION dollar increase — the same amount the state sent this year to the Education Savings Accounts for private school students.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports three arrests took place last week. At around Noon on Thursday, 59-year-old Michelle Renee Evans, of Lorimor, was picked-up at the Cass County Jail in Atlantic. Evans was wanted on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation/Failure to appear in court on Dec. 6th, 2024 – an Aggravated Misdemeanor. She was being held in the Adair County Jail until seen by a Magistrate Judge.

On January 27th, 20-year-old Moises Gabriel Torrealba-Rodriguez, of Chicago, IL, was arrested by Stuart Police in Interstate 80 eastbound in Adair County, following a traffic stop near Stuart, for speeding 102 in a 70 mph zone. When the Stuart Police Officer approached the vehicle, he saw a baby inside, who was unrestrained in the back seat. The one-year old was later identified as Rodriguez’ daughter. The child was released to the custody of her mother, who was a passenger in the vehicle. At the Adair County Jail, Moises Rodriguez was charged with Reckless Driving and Child Endangerment. He was released from custody Friday morning, on a $2,000 bond.

And, at around 1:17-a.m. on January 26th, Stuart Police arrested 25-year-old Jaylen Nigel Cuba, of Grand Blanc, MI, following a traffic stop on I-80 near Stuart, for traveling at a high rate of speed in a SUV. When questioned by Stuart Police, Cuba admitted to having marijuana inside the vehicle. A probable cause search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of the marijuana, along with a baggie with a white powder-like substance that tested positive for cocaine. Cuba told police the baggie was his. He was arrested for Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance (cocaine), and later released on a $1,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who can afford a pair of tickets to this weekend’s Super Bowl probably don’t care so much about the cost of airfare or hotels, but if you’re trying to make the trip on the cheap, well, it won’t be. Triple-A spokesman Nick Chabarria says depending on when you arrive in New Orleans and how long you plan to stay, you could shave several hundred dollars off the price.

If you can be flexible in where you’ll stay before and after the big game, Chabarria says that could also be a major cost savings.

Reports say ticket prices for the Super Bowl, depending on seat location and which website you use, range from around 38-hundred dollars to more than seven-thousand. Chabarria says another thing to consider is travel insurance, which can help cover unexpected events like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost luggage. With everything you may buy online, he says to be watchful for scams.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic High School’s Senior Alumni Scholarship Foundation (SASF) recently held their annual meeting and welcomed new members Becky Ludington Stahr, Brad Pellett and Ann Johnk. The SASF was created by Atlantic alumni with the goal of providing need-based scholarships to graduating seniors of AHS.

Funding for the foundation is provided by donations from Atlantic alumni. Generous donations from individuals and previous classes have allowed the foundation to grow. The first $500 scholarship was given out in 2003. In 2024 the number of scholarships awarded was expanded to reach as many students as possible. The SASF increased the scholarship amounts this year and will award five, $2,500 scholarships to the Class of 2025. Students must have a GPS of 2.5 and higher to qualify. Applications are online at the Atlantic High School website and are due April 7th of this year. Students are encouraged to apply and contact Gina Honke for more information.

front row L to R…Ted Robinson Vice chair, CJ Heithoff President, Linda Robinson, Cathy Baragary Executive Directors.
2nd row… Becky Ludington Stahr, Tammy Wickman, Ann Johnk
3rd row…Steve Wallingford, Brad Pellett, Jackie Sampson, Cathy Hansen, Deb Schuler and JC Van Ginkle. Not present were Mark Smith Treasurer, Mark McNees, and Billie Hoover. (Photo courtesy of Mark McNees)

Alumi, or friends of the Atlantic High School, who would like more information on donating to the 501c3 foundation are encouraged to visit the website at atlanticsasf.org or visit the Atlantic High School Senior Alumni Foundation Facebook page.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department says personnel with the Creston Tobacco store reported early Sunday morning, someone stole vape products from the store’s location in the 600 block of W. Taylor Street. The loss was estimated at just under $300.

Creston Police said also, seven people were arrested between Jan. 26th and Feb. 1st:

At around 2:50-a.m. Saturday (Feb 1st), 34-year-old Trevor Alan Miller, of Lenox, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. He was later released on his Own Recognizance. At around 12:20-a.m. Saturday, 47-year-old Brandy Dawn Scheuerman, of Winterset, was arrested in Creston in the area of Highway 34 & Wyoming Avenue. Scheuerman was charged with Possession of drug paraphernalia, and Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd offense. She later posted a $5,300 bond and was released. And, at around 12:06-a.m., Saturday, 18-year-old John William Egly, the 4th, of Creston, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. He later posted a $1,000 bond and was released from the Union County Jail.

There were three separate arrests Friday, in Creston: 42-year-old Becky Ann Bochniak, of Creston, was arrested at around 5-a.m., for Driving While Suspended and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was cited and released from the scene on a Promise To Appear (in Court); 47-year-old Toby Annette Crawford, of Creston, was arrested at around 5:20-p.m., Friday, for Driving While Revoked. She was cited and also released on a Promise To Appear; And, a little after 9-p.m., Friday, Creston Police arrested 73-year-old Danny Paul Hacker, of Creston, for OWI/1st offense, and Interference with Official Acts. Hacker was later released on a $1,300 bond.

On January 26th, Police in Creston arrested 45-year-old Rebekah Raelyn Moon, of Creston, for OWI/2nd offense. She was taken into custody at around 6:20-a.m. and later posted a $2,000 bond.