First-term Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse spoke to a crowd of about 200 Republicans in Nevada (IA) this (Friday) evening. Sasse says as a “newbie” politician, he is “frustrated” by the G-O-P’s current stalemate over health care. “For seven years, this party has been for the repeal and replace of ObamaCare,” Sasse says. “The president just ran and won on it. There are 52 Republicans in the Senate. Fifty-one of us have pledged to repeal ObamaCare.”

And Sasse questions why the Republican leader in the U.S. Senate would even suggest striking a deal with Democrats rather than come up with a Republican plan. “I acknowledge it is really hard to do that, to get to agreement on what a replace plan looks like,” Sasse said. “What wouuld a rational person who’s made a bunch of pledges do? You’d say: ‘Well, maybe we ought to separate these steps. Maybe we ought to keep our word on repeal.'”

And Sasse says after passing a bill that repeals ObamaCare this month, congress should skip its August recess and stay and work on a replacement “full time.”  “And we ought to not leave DC until we finish the work,” Sasse said, to applause. There was heightened attention to Sasse’s appearance at the Story County Republican Party’s fundraiser after Iowa G-O-P’s chairman said Sasse should “stay on his side of the Missouri River” if he planned to criticize President Trump.

Jeff Ortiz, the co-chair of Story County Republicans, says ticket sales actually soared after the remark. “Jeff Kaufmann called me the next day to make sure I wasn’t mad at him,” Ortiz said, with a smile. “And I told him: ‘Heck no…It’s all good.'” Sasse did not mention the name “Donald Trump” during his 55 minute appearance and the audience didn’t press Sasse on his past Trump critiques. Jim Frevert has lived in Nevada for 53 years and he says Trump is popular in the community. “He’s doing his own thing,” Frevert says. “And he’s getting things done.”

Sasse, who is sometimes listed in national media as a possible 2020 primary challenger of President Trump, was asked by a woman in the crowd why he was in Iowa, not Nebraska Friday night. Sasse said his kids are participating in a triathlon in Des Moines Saturday and that’s the main reason, plus he’s honoring a lost bet over the Nebraska-Iowa football game. Sasse was a Uber driver in Des Moines Friday night — and he wore Hawkeye gear while doing it.

(Radio Iowa)

Rescue crews, law enforcement and other emergency agencies were called to the scene of a semi-vs. van accident Friday evening in Interstate 80, about a mile east of the Wiota exit (65.15 mile marker). The accident happened at around 8:30-p.m., when a semi struck the van in the westbound lanes. The van ended up on the eastbound side of I-80, while the truck was on the bridge, partially blocking the westbound lanes of travel. The eastbound side was also congested with traffic.

One injury was reported. A female in the van suffered from head, neck and back pain. Wiota Fire and Rescue, Anita 1st responders, the Iowa State Patrol and Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies were all heading toward the scene.

Officials with the Danish Mill Corporation in Elk Horn, Friday, announced that they have received a $150,000 gift toward their $200,00 goal, from the Mike & Lou Howard Charitable Fund. The funds will support the major restoration project that is underway on the historic 1848 Danish Windmill.

Lisa Steen Riggs, Manager of the Mill said in a press release, that this is a much needed and appreciated donation. “The Mill is replacing its 67’ long sails, which were installed 41 years ago when the Mill arrived in Elk Horn, as well as the wind shaft, repairing the brake wheel and fan tail. Windmills are very complicated pieces of machinery and our Mill is close to being 200 years old. This major overhaul will help to insure its future well-being for many years to come.”

Mike and Lou Howard of Elk Horn presented the check saying, “After our frequent business trips, when we arrive in Elk Horn and see the Windmill with its sails welcoming us with open arms, we know we’re home. This is an opportunity to show our support for the community where we live and where our businesses have prospered. We look forward to seeing the Windmill turning again soon.”

The installation of the Mill’s new components is expected to occur the around the end of August. To find out more about the historic Danish Windmill and the restoration project, visit danishwindmill.com.

Photos from the Danish Windmill Corp. Facebook page

In update to our earlier reports, Cass County Sheriff’s Officials say the accident whereby a person was trapped,  involved a soil packing/compacting machine. Sheriff’s Deputy Bill Ayers told KJAN News that 49-year-old Jeffrey Albert, of Kimballton, was running the machine, prepping the area for a new grain bin pad, when the machine tipped over on a slope. Crews from Heuton Construction were on the scene and immediately used a backhoe to lift the compactor off of Albert’s legs.

Albert suffered from multiple fractures of both legs and was flown by LifeNet to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, in Omaha. Griswold Fire and Rescue, Lewis 1st Responders and Medivac assisted the Sheriff’s Office at the scene.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa woman charged with voting twice for Donald Trump last fall has pleaded guilty to election misconduct. Court records show Terri Lynn Rote entered a plea on June 27 to the felony charge and a district court judge in Des Moines accepted the plea. Sentencing is set for Aug. 15.

Rote, who is 56 and lives in Des Moines, told police she turned in two absentee ballots before the November election because she believed Trump’s unsubstantiated claims that the election was rigged and that her first ballot would be changed to a vote for Hillary Clinton.

She was arrested on Oct. 21 at a satellite voting station in Des Moines attempting to vote the second ballot. Court documents show attorneys are recommending two years of probation and community service.

Sheriff’s deputies in Page County this (Friday) morning, arrested a man wanted on a sexual abuse warrant. Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports 26-year old Kenton John Lyle Alexander, of New Market, was taken into custody a little after 1-a.m., in Clarinda.

Alexander was arrested on a Page County Warrant for three separate counts of Sexual Abuse 3rd degree and Lascivious acts with a child – fondle or touch.  He was transported to the Page County Jail for holding as he was unable to post the $40,000 Cash only bond.

Kenton John Alexander

The FBI says a Nebraska man was arrested Thursday for allegedly making threats against a Republican Senator from southwest Iowa. 64-year old Robert William Simet, of Omaha, Nebraska, was arrested for making the alleged threats against United States Senator Joni Ernst.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the matter. No other information or comments will be released until documents have been filed with the court as part of the public record.

Emergency crews from Griswold and Lewis were dispatched to the scene of a rollover accident late this (Friday) morning. The crash happened near 65375 620th Street at around 11:30-a.m.  There was a man reportedly trapped under the vehicle, but he was conscious and breathing. A later report indicated he was suffering from a broken femur.

Griswold Fire and Rescue and Lewis 1st Responders responded to the scene. No other details are currently available.