(Warren County, IA) – A pursuit involving a Warren County Sheriff’s vehicle and a UTV early this (Saturday) morning, resulted in the UTV crashing, and two people being transported to a hospital by helicopter. The Iowa State Patrol says the UTV – operated by 31-year-old Arik D. Smith, of New Virginia – attempted to elude law enforcement as it was was traveling eastbound on SW 98th Avenue. The machine went out of control and entered the north ditch. It continued east until it came to a field drive before vaulting off the field drive and becoming airborne.

The UTV landed on the east side of the drive on the edge of the roadway, and began to roll. It came to rest on its wheels in the north ditch. Smith and his passenger, 20-year-old Wyatt T. Smith, of Indianola, were injured and flown by Mercy Air Med to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. The patrol says the men were wearing seat belts.

There was no information provided as to what initiated the pursuit.

(Audubon, IA) — A collision involving a car and a tractor Friday afternoon in Audubon County resulted in one person being transported to a hospital by helicopter. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office said the accident happened at around 1:30 p.m. on 190th Street.

The name of the person injured was not immediately released, and the accident remained under investigation, according to authorities.

(Red Oak, IA) – A traffic stop at around 9:45-p.m. Friday in Red Oak, resulted in an arrest. According to Red Oak Police, 29-year-old Luis Ibrarra-Rodriguez was taken into custody in the 200 block of N. Broadway Street. Rodriguez was charged with Operating While Intoxicated (OWI)/1st offense. He  was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

(Henry County, IA) – A rollover accident Friday afternoon in southeastern Iowa claimed the life of the sole occupant of the vehicle, a juvenile male from Wayland, IA.  The Iowa State Patrol says the accident happened south of Trenton at around 1:40-p.m., in the 1700 block of Franklin Avenue.

Authorities say a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder was traveling southbound on Franklin Avenue when the juvenile driver failed to navigate a curve and lost control. The vehicle rolled multiple times. The driver – who was not wearing a seat belt – died from his injuries after being flown by helicopter to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

The juvenile’s identity has not been released at this time.

(Mount Ayr, IA) – The Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office today (Feb. 13th), issued a report on an investigation into a fatal fire that occurred Saturday, Feb. 7th, in rural Clearfield. The report stated multiple fire departments and the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a house fire at 1665 110th Avenue at around 2:17-p.m. on Feb. 7th. First responders were met with a fire that had fully engulfed the single-family home. They found a man suffering from “thermal injuries,” and inside the home, a deceased woman. The woman was identified as 78-year-old Deborah Scott, a resident of the home.

An initial investigation by the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office, State Fire Marshal’s Office, and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation determined the fire was the result of an accident. Foul play is not suspected.

Sheriff’s officials thanked the following fire departments for their assistance:

• Lenox
• Clearfield
• Diagonal
• Mount Ayr
• Kellerton
• Blockton
• Prescott, and
• Bedford.

They paid special recognition to the many Diagonal firefighters’ spouses for provided the food and drinks for crews, as they battled the house fire.

(Radio Iowa) – None of the four Republicans who serve in the U.S. House crossed party lines this week to join Democrats in passing a resolution to override President Trump’s tariffs against Canada. Third District Congressman Zach Nunn of Ankeny says Trump’s trade reset with Canada is necessary. “Talking to a dairy farmer in western Iowa…when they tried to see dairy product to Canada, they were facing a 200% increased tariff are impacting,” Nunn says. “That was not only unfair to them, but it really goes to the point of what tariffs on both sides of the border are impacting so on this one, we feel very strongly that Canada needs to bring those down and make fair trade across the board a reality.”

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion says she voted against the resolution because Trump is the only one willing to even the playing field and reduce trade imbalances. Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Ottumwa says she appreciates Trump’s willingness to take on the egregious trade practices of foreign adversaries. Iowa Democrats say Trump’s tariffs are crushing farmers and hurting the overall economy. Nunn says Trump’s trade and tariff strategy is addressing a situation that’s been decades in the making.

“We have seen tariffs against the United States just really punish, particularly, our ag community,” Nunn said. “…When President Trump did tariffs on places like Vietnam and said: ‘Bring it to zero or you’re getting the same thing back,’ and they were at 95% against U.S. producers, in 24 hours we saw Vietnam drop it and so did the United States.” Nunn suggests, though, there could be a day when he’d vote to rescind tariffs imposed by a president. “I don’t want to see tariffs used viciously and I still believe that the first article in the Constitution says that congress should be leading this, but I do support the president in holding offenders accountable,” Nunn said. “Let’s bring trade tariffs down to zero.”

Nunn made his comments today (Friday) during taping of the “Iowa Press” program that airs tonight on Iowa P-B-S.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court has upheld the license suspension of a Manchester daycare provider after a child died in her care. Amanda Cooke found a five-month-old child she was caring for unresponsive when she went to check on the child who was taking a nap. The baby was on its stomach with its face in a blanket, and the autopsy found it died from lack of oxygen to the brain.

The Department of Health and Human Services found this was a child abuse case because Cooke did not following safe sleep regulations, and revoked her childcare registration. Cooke appealed saying she should not be held to a higher standard for supervision than a parent.

But the Supreme Court says Cooke violated safe sleep practices she had agreed to follow as a compensated state-registered childcare provider, and upheld the H-H-S action.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s entire Congressional delegation is sponsoring legislation to name two Veterans Administration facilities after the two Iowa National Guard soldiers killed in Syria. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says the V-A facility in Des Moines would be named after Staff Sergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar, and the V-A outpatient clinic in Marshalltown would be named after Staff Sergeant William Howard.  “We’re forever indebted to them for their dedication and service to Iowa and protecting our country,” he says.

The legislation is called the Iowa National Guard Heroes Commemoration Act. “Our legislation ensures their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten,” Grassley says. The facilities are in the hometowns of the two soldiers who were killed by a terror attack while deployed. The legislation is called the Iowa National Guard Heroes Commemoration Act.

Other members of the Iowa delegation released statements in support of the act:

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson says in her statement: “This is a tribute to not just their service, but their families who stood beside them, and every veteran who receives care here will do so in a place that honors their sacrifices for generations to come.”

Senator Joni Ernst’s statement says: “I’m honored to lead this effort and tell the stories of their service by designating places in their hometowns that will serve generations of Iowa veterans. The legacy of Iowa’s heroes will continue to live on.”
Congressman Zach Nunn’s statement says: “They wore the uniform with honor, stood for something bigger than themselves, and represented the very best of the Iowa National Guard. Renaming these VA facilities in their honor will ensure their legacy endures as a permanent tribute to two Guardsmen who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Congressman Randy Feenstra’s statement says: “I’m grateful to help introduce this legislation with the Iowa Delegation to rename two VA facilities in their honor to ensure their legacy of service endures, and their sacrifice is never forgotten. My thoughts remain with the Gold Star Families of Staff Sergeant Howard and Staff Sergeant Torres-Tovar and the men, women, and families of the Iowa National Guard, who exemplify the very best of our state.”-

Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ statement says: “As a 24-year Army veteran, I’m honored to join the Iowa Delegation in paying tribute to Staff Sgt Nathaniel ‘Nate’ Howard and Staff Sgt Edgar Torres-Tovar. These brave Iowans made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Renaming these VA facilities in their honor ensures their legacy lives on, a lasting reminder of their courage, commitment, and the deep gratitude of a nation they served with distinction.”

(Atlantic, IA) – Officials with Vision Atlantic, Friday (today) said the Xi Beta Phi Sorority recently donated of $1,900 from their holiday greens fundraiser in support of Vision Atlantic’s transformative community development project, which includes a new housing development, child development center, and YMCA expansion.

“We are very happy to support Vision Atlantic,” Xi Beta Phi member, Sara Nelson said. “It’s an exciting and ambitious project for our community, and we truly appreciate our customers’ support, which allowed us to make this donation.”

Vision Atlantic, through extensive research and surveying of the community and surrounding region, identified three areas that will help increase Atlantic’s population: expanded childcare, quality housing and quality of life amenities. Infrastructure for the 142 mixed unit Camblin Hills housing development and 300 capacity child development center is almost complete, with construction of 48 homes currently underway. Construction of the child development center and YMCA expansion is slated to begin in 2026.

Pictured: Sara Nelson (Xi Beta Phi member) and Christina Bateman – Photo courtesy Vision Atlantic.

Vision Atlantic has a fundraising goal of $39 million, which will be used to construct the YMCA expansion and child development center. To date, they have raised $34.1 million of that goal, thanks to an $8.6 million lead grant from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and significant support from local donors. In addition to their grant support, the Lakin Foundation has created a separate investment fund of $23 million that will be used to construct homes in the Camblin Hills housing development. The capital will be used as a line of credit, and as the dollars are paid back, the Foundation will donate up to 5% of the interest paid back to Vision Atlantic, who will use those dollars to operate the child development center.

Vision Atlantic’s Project Committee is actively working to secure the remaining $4.9 million needed to meet their fundraising goal. If you are interested in helping transform Atlantic, whether it’s through monetary donations or acts of volunteerism, please contact Vision Atlantic at visionatlanticiowa@gmail.com. Visit www.visionatlantic.org and follow on Facebook for behind-the-scenes access to project updates and in-depth information of the project scope.

Vision Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to empower growth, enhance lives, and build a thriving community together through the economic development of Atlantic, Iowa.

(Council Bluffs, IA) – In an update to our earlier report, officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department say a man who escaped arrest while handcuffed, faces numerous charges. Just before 6-a.m. today (February 13th), officers were called to the 3000 Block of Ave E in reference to a check the welfare complaint. Officers located the male and female from the call in the area of 2900 Ave B.

Based off of information gathered it was determined that the suspect 18-year-old Marcus Colanino, of Council Buffs, would be charged with Domestic Assault from this incident. He was placed in handcuffs and as he was being directed toward a cruiser Colanino was able to break free and elude officers.

Officers set up a perimeter in the area and after period of time were able to track Colanino to his parent’s residence where he was found hiding in the attic. Colanino was charged with Domestic Assault, Eluding, Escape from custody and Fugitive from Justice for an out of state warrant. He was then transported to Pottawattamie County Corrections and booked without further incident.