(Red Oak, IA) – A traffic stop at around 3:25-a.m. today (Thursday) in Montgomery County, resulted in an arrest. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports Deputies conducted a traffic stop near Main and Oak Streets in Elliott, and upon further investigation, arrested 41-year-old Cory Ross Smith, of Elliott, for driving while barred – an aggravated misdemeanor. Smith was taken into custody and transported to the Montgomery County Jail in Red Oak, where he was being held on a $2,000 bond.

(Osceola, IA) – A collision between a car and a semi tractor-trailer Wednesday afternoon in Clarke County, resulted in two people being transported to the hospital. The Iowa State Patrol reports the accident happened on Interstate 35 southbound, at the Osceola Exit (mm 33), at around 1:10-p.m.

According to the Patrol, a Chevy Cruz driven by 20-year-old Ryleigh Ann Rawls, of Iowa City, attempted to merge into the right lane to take the exit ramp, when the vehicle came into contact with a Kenworth semi, driven by 40-year-old James Keith Lawrence, of Iowa City. Rawls’ action caused her vehicle to become pinned in between the semi and the guard rail before both vehicles came to rest.

Ryleigh Rawls and her passenger, 71-year-old Patricia Louise Swartzendruber, of Iowa City, were injured in the collision. Both women were transported to area hospitals by Clarke County EMS.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House has voted to toughen Iowa’s law on habitual offenders and set a minimum 20-year prison sentence for people convicted of several serious crimes. Representative Steve Holt, a Republican from Denison, says it would be a mandatory sentence of at least two decades, as there would be no possibility for parole under the new system for repeat offenders.

“House File 2584 will close the revolving door, make our communities safer and in six years or so if we have to spend more money to increase the number of prison beds it will be money well spent for the cost in saved lives and reduced violence and disruption in our communities will be incalculable,” Holt said. Multiple convictions for theft, harassment or possession of a controlled substance would not be considered when a court decides whether someone should be sentenced to 20 years as a habitual offender.

The clock for counting felony and aggravated misdemeanor convictions that would lead to getting a 20 year sentence wouldn’t start until the bill becomes law. Representative Eric Gjerde, a Democrat who’s a Cedar Rapids policeman, voted against the bill.  “As someone who works in the system, I can tell you the majority of repeat offenders are not deterred by sentence length calculations,” Gjerde said. “Many are driven by addiction, mental illness, trauma or economic desperation.”

Gjerde says states that passed similar laws in the 1990s saw dramatic increases in prison costs without a long-term drop in crime. Representative Ross Wilburn, a Democrat from Ames, says the worst of the worst should get long sentences, but he says a young person convicted of a series of non-violent crimes could wind up in prison for 20 years if the bill becomes law. “We have a justice system, a Department of Corrections — not a Department of Locking People Up,” Wilburn said.

Holt says the new system will prioritize victims and public safety. “It will establish real and effective deterrence which is non-existent in our current system,” Holt said. The bill passed on a 68-to-23 vote.

Two other crime-related bills passed by a far larger margin. One would provide the public with more information about the performance of judges. The other sets new statewide standards for bail.

(Radio Iowa) – Five of Iowa’s community colleges would be able to offer a limited number of four-year degrees if a bill that cleared the Iowa House last (Wednesday) night becomes law. Representative Taylor Collins, a Republican from Mediapolis, says it’s a pilot project that would address workforce gaps.

“Many of these high-demand careers lack adequate, affordable bachelor’s level pathways in every part of the state, especially in rural Iowa,” Collins said. “…This bill moves the needle for household income and helps Iowans reaching for new opportunities.”

Southeastern Community College in Burlington, Southwestern in Creston, Iowa Western in Council Bluffs, Iowa Central in Fort Dodge and Iowa Lakes in Estherville are the five institutions that would be part of the experiment. Each would offer no more than three bachelor’s level programs — and those programs would have to be offered at the community college’s main campus. The bill passed on a 56-to-36 vote — but that tally was not along party lines.

Sixteen of those who voted no were Republicans. Eight Democrats who voted for it. The leaders of Iowa’s private colleges and universities warn increased competition for a dwindling number of high school graduates could force some private institutions to close.

(Radio Iowa) – A bill to establish state guidelines for a relatively new way of renting vehicles is on its way to the governor after winning nearly unanimous support from the House and Senate. Privately owned vehicles are being offered for rent through smart phone apps like Turo, Zipcar and Car2Go. Representative Jacob Bossman of Sioux City says the bill sets up the liability framework for peer-to-peer car sharing.

“This is essentially Airbnb for vehicles,” Bossman said. “This system exists in the state currently, but it’s kind of the wild west. There’s not any rules around it, so this bill sets up those rules.” For example, Bossman says the bill creates clarity about when a rental period begins and ends. “It has insurance provisions, like requiring a platform to ensure that the vehicle is constantly covered by insurance and there are some safety measures, disclosures that are required,” Bosssman said. “A driver’s license is required. You have to disclose any active recalls.”

Under the bill, the car sharing platform must confirm that the vehicle owner and the person renting the vehicle have liability insurance. Supporters of car sharing say is a way for vehicle owners to earn extra money. Others note it may be an option for young adults, as some rental car companies charge extra to drivers under the age of 25.

(Radio Iowa) – The Pentagon has announced a second Iowan is among the six American soldiers killed Sunday in a drone strike on a facility in Kuwait. Major Jeffrey O’Brien of Indianola was commissioned in the Army Reserve in 2012 and deployed to Kuwait in 2019. O’Brien, who was 45, died in the same attack that killed Sergeant Declan Coady, a 20-year-old Drake University student, and three other soldiers who served in a unit based in Des Moines.

O’Brien was a decorated officer who received the Army Achievement Medal and an Army Superior Unit Award as well as medals for his service in the Army Reserve. Congressman Zach Nunn says the leaders of O’Brien’s unit have told him nine other soldiers from the unit were injured in the same attack and those soldiers have been taken to a U-S military base in Germany for medical evaluation.

Nunn says the soldiers’ families are receiving updates as more information becomes available and Nunn is asking Iowans to join him in praying for these families and in thanking the military medics and doctors providing life-saving care to the wounded.

(Hancock County, IA) – Two people died and two others were injured during a crash that occurred at around 4:40-a.m. Wednesday, east of Duncan, in northern Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol says a pickup driven by 46-year-old Angel Ruiz-Tamayo, of Clarion, was westbound on Highway 18, east of Oak Avenue, when the vehicle went out of control on the ice-covered road. The pickup struck an eastbound KIA Sorento broadside. The KIA was being driven by 51-year-old Jason Foell, of Britt.

Ruiz-Tamayo and a rear seat passenger in the pickup, 40-year-old Constantino Cruz Barradas, of Goodell (IA), died from their injuries. Jason Foell, and a front seat passenger in the pickup, 41-year-old Tomas San Juan Ruiz, of Belmond, were injured and transported by Garner Ambulance to MercyOne North Iowa Hospital.

The State Patrol was assisted at the crash scene by the Hancock and Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Offices, Garner Fire and Ambulance, Clear Lake Police and Ambulance, in addition to the Garner Ambulance Service. The crash remains under investigation.

(Griswold, IA) – Cass County Board of Supervisor’s Chairman Steve Baier, a Republican from Griswold, today (Wednesday) announced he intends to run for Iowa District 9 Senate seat that will be open, following the announcement State Senator Tom Shipley (R-Nodaway) will retire at the end of his current term. Iowa Senate District #9 includes the counties of, Cass, Montgomery, Adams, Taylor, Page, Ringgold, and a large portion of Union County.

Baier has spent the past several years serving as the chair of the Cass County Board of Supervisors. He’s a former wrestling coach and educator. Baier also serves as the president of the Noble Initiative Foundation, which helps local families and parents looking for high-quality child care, including building a $3 million child care center in Griswold. Baier also taught Chemistry and Physics for over 25 years.

Steve Baier (R) – Griswold

Baier operates a family farm on land his family bought back in 1943 and has previously served as a leader at the Noble United Methodist Church. In the press release announcing Baier’s candidacy, Tom Shipley threw his support behind Baier’s candidacy, saying ““I have known Steve for many years dating back to my time on the school board and we have worked together over that time to support our rural communities,” said Senator Shipley. “He’s a hard-worker, solutions-focused and cares a lot about southwest Iowans and their families. I know he will do a great job taking his work ethic to the Iowa Senate and working to not just make our district better, but the entire state.”

JOINT FORCE HEADQUARTERS – DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa National Guard has announced official Welcome Home ceremonies for approximately 575 Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division who are returning from deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The Soldiers recently began a phased return to the United States following successful mission completion overseas, where they worked alongside coalition and regional partners to significantly reduce the capabilities of ISIS in Iraq and Syria, helping make the region safer.

Welcome Home ceremonies will take place on two days: Saturday, March 7th, in both Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, and Thursday, March 12th, in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Sioux City. Ceremony times for March 12th will be announced at a later date. These events allow families, friends, and community members the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the Soldiers’ service.

Des Moines Welcome Home Ceremonies:
• Location: 132d Air Wing, Des Moines International Airport
• Address: 3100 McKinley Ave, Des Moines, IA 50321
• Date: Saturday, March 7th
• Ceremony Time: 1:45 p.m.

*This ceremony is not open to the public.

Cedar Rapids Welcome Home Ceremony:
• Location: Cedar Rapids Armory
• Address: 1500 Wright Brothers Blvd W, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
• Date: Saturday, March 7th
• Ceremony Time: 1:45 p.m.

These ceremonies mark an important moment for Iowa communities to welcome home Soldiers who have served overseas in support of national security objectives. While some Soldiers have returned earlier as part of a phased redeployment, others remain deployed to complete essential mission requirements, including partner support and base security. This phased return is based on mission needs, personnel requirements, and transportation availability.

Help us give our hometown heroes the powerful welcome home they have earned. Media are strongly encouraged to attend and capture this momentous event.