(Radio Iowa) – The 2024 General Election ballots in several Iowa counties will let voters decide whether to raise local taxes to support ambulance services. Emergency Medical Services are generally staffed by volunteers in rural areas and response times vary widely. In 2021 the Iowa legislators passed a law allowing county-wide votes on proposed property tax levies that support emergency medical crews and equipment.

Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett says if Cass County voters approve their local referendum, the county’s board of supervisors would come up with a plan on how the money would be spent.  “We are wanting to pass this in November to make it an essential service,” she said, “which will allow us to take funds and specifically allocate them to EMS.”

In the past three years, about a dozen counties have approved raising local taxes for ambulance services. The most recent was last month in a special election in Henry County, as 92 percent of voters approved the move to raise property taxes to fund Emergency Medical Services.

(Worth County, Iowa) – A single-vehicle crash on Interstate 35 in northern Iowa, Sunday afternoon west of Kensett, claimed the life of the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. The Iowa State Patrol says a 2017 Cadillac CT6 was traveling south on I-35 near the 208 Exit ramp, when the car went out of control for reasons unknown. The vehicle entered the median, passed through a cable barrier and struck a bridge pillar before coming to rest.

The accident happened at around 1:45-p.m. The driver was identified as 33-year-old Samuel Joseph Poquette, of New Ulm, MN. The Patrol says he was not wearing a seat belt.  The crash remains under investigation.

(Anita, Iowa) – The CAM School Board is set to hold their regular monthly meeting beginning at 6:30-p.m. Monday, Oct. 14th, in the CAM High School  Media Center. Discussion and/or action items on their agenda include:

• Approval of Daycare Agreement
• Approval of Board Policy Revisions
• Approval of SBRC Modified Supplemental Amount Application and Supplemental Aid for the 2023-2024 Special Education Program Deficit of $1,062,396.81
• Review and Approve FY22 Audit Report
• Approval of Iowa Connections Academy School Handbook
• Discuss Iowa Association of School Board Convention November 20-22nd
• Discuss Facility Updates.

(Delaware County, Iowa) – A head-on collision between a car and a semi tractor-trailer early this (Sunday) morning in northeastern Iowa, claimed the lives of three people, and left one person injured. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2014 Chevy Impala was traveling east in the west bound lanes of U-S Highway 20 at around 3:36-a.m., when it collided head-on with a 2018 Freightliner semi. Upon impact, both vehicles become fully engulfed in flames. The driver of the semi was injured. Their name was not released.

The driver of the car and two passengers in the vehicle died at the scene. The names of those who died were being withheld pending an autopsy by the Delaware County Medical Examiner’s Office. The passengers were not wearing their seat belts.

The crash remains under investigation. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Delaware County and Dubuque County Sheriff’s Offices, Dyersville and Manchester Police Departments, Earlville Fire and Ambulance, and Dyersville Fire Department.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak arrested a man on an assault charge, late Saturday night. 31-year-old Thomas Andrew Schooling, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 11:17-p.m. in the 200 block of 1st Avenue, for Domestic Abuse Assault. Schooling was transported to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held without bond.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire at 506 N. Palm St at around 1:40-a.m., Sunday (today). Authorities say the home’s owner was alerted by her smoke detector and called 911.

Upon arrival, firefighters found a small fire in the basement, likely caused by an overheated electric fan. Firefighters used several ventilation blowers to push fresh air into the house while forcing the smoke out.

The Creston Fire Department on social media, said thank-you to the Creston Police Department, whose officers were first on the scene, and assisted the homeowner.

Creston Fire Dept. Facebook page (photo)

Fire officials remind area residents to “Please test and clean your smoke alarms monthly and replace the battery at least once a year or as needed. If you have a fire or smoke in your home, get out fast. Don’t stop to take anything.”

(Calhoun County, Iowa) – Attorneys for a 21-year-old male from northern Iowa accused in the murder of a 17-year-old female from Farnhamville, have entered a plea of not guilty for their client.

Michele “Luna” Jackson was reported missing in Farnhamville on Sept. 22. Her body was then found the following morning. The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office says 21-year-old Nathaniel Bevers-McGivney, of Gowrie, has been charged with first-degree murder in her death.

Nathaniel Bevers-McGivney(Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office photo)

Criminal complaints said Jackson’s mother encountered Bevers-McGivney, and said he was covered in blood and had some of Michele’s belongings. Bevers-McGivney was taken into custody. The criminal complaint says when law enforcement questioned Bevers-McGivney about the blood that was on his clothing, he requested to speak to a lawyer.

Investigators say the location of Jackson’s body suggest that Bevers-McGivney had hid the body to cover up a crime.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – In observance of his service to the City of Atlantic, Atlantic Fire Chief Tom Cappel was awarded the Iowa Medal of Merit by Iowa Republican 3rd District Congressman Zach Nunn, today (Saturday).

Congressman Nunn mentioned the Atlantic Fire Department has responded to “Dozens and dozens of emergency events this year,” with about a dozen involving extrication efforts through use of the “Jaws of Life.” On that note, the event also served as a chance for Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett to encourage people to come out and vote “Yes to EMS.”

She said the County has purchased an ambulance, and the City is in the process of getting that approved to also purchase an ambulance.

Congressman Zach Nunn pins the Iowa Medal of Merit to Fire Chief Tom Cappel.

Afterward, Congressman Nunn pinned the Iowa Medal of Merit award to Chief Tom Cappel’s dress uniform. He also presented the Chief with a certificate and a challenge coin.

All the members of the Atlantic Volunteer Fire Department who were present for the ceremony received a challenge coin. Chief Cappel humbly spoke about his team of hard working firefighters.

Fire Chief Tom Cappel (Center), his daughter ReAnn (left) and Tim Cappel (Left of ReAnn), along with other Cappel family members and volunteer firefighters who were honored by, and received “Challenge Coins” from, Congressman Nunn.

The Cappel family has a long history of serving the City of Atlantic on the fire department.

After the ceremony, Congressman Nunn spoke about being in-touch with the Iowans he serves in Washington,  D-C.

He was asked about complaints from Iowans about being inundated with political advertising through the various forms of media, including through the mail. Some have said they received as many as four letters or postcard-type advertisements, in one day alone.

Nunn concluded his stop in Atlantic by participating in the Fireman’s Parade, before proceeding to Shenandoah for another public engagement.