In about three weeks, voters from across Iowa will be gathering for the First in the Nation Caucus. The Cass County Democratic Party Caucuses will be held on Monday, February 1st, for each of the county’s thirteen precincts. Democratic Party Chair Sherry Toelle shared the eligibility requirements for participating in the Democratic caucus.

Toelle says “The voter must be a registered Democrat. We will have voter registration forms available at each of the caucus sites so that people who have yet to register to vote or need to change their voter status can do so the night of the caucus. Reasons that they might have for changing their voter status include having legally changed their name, a change of address, or if they wish to change their party affiliation. Youth who will be 18 years old as of election day, November 8, 2016, may also participate in the caucus.”

Caucus sites will open at 6 PM and voters must have signed in by 7 PM or be in line by 7 PM in order to caucus. The doors to caucus sites will close at 7 PM. According to Toelle, “The purpose of the caucus is three-fold: 1. To elect Delegates and Alternates for viable Presidential candidates to the County Convention as well as committee members to that convention; 2. To discuss and adopt proposed resolutions to be included in the County Platform; 3. To elect Precinct Committee members to the Cass County Democratic Central Committee.”

People can also attend as observers but they would not be able to participate in the caucus activities. For more information on the caucus process, contact Toelle at 243-4861.

Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer, today (Monday) released a report on recent arrests. Starmer says on January 2nd, 30 year old Jessica Renee Grogan and 38 year old Christopher John Grogan, both of Audubon, were arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault and Child Endangerment. The couple was transported to the Audubon County Jail. Jessica Grogan was released on bond Jan. 3rd and issued a No contact order. Christopher Grogran posted a $2,000 bond Jan. 4th. He was also issued a No Contact Order. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the arrests.

On Dec. 25th, Audubon Police arrested 24 year old Cody Allen Pleis, of Audubon. Pleis was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault and Child Endangerment, and transported to the Audubon County Jail. He was later released on a Recognizance bond and ordered to have No Contact with his alleged victim. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the arrest.

And, on Dec. 26th, Audubon Police arrested 33 year old Kwon Lapreed Gullie, of Omaha, Nebraska. Gullie was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Resisting Arrest. Gullie plead guilty to the charges Dec. 28th and was assessed a fine.

Officials with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation said today (Monday), a teenager is charged in connection with the death of his father in Davis County. 16-year old Michael Thomas Goodwin Jr., was charged with 1st Degree Murder, a Class “A” felony, in the death of his father, 39-year old Michael Thomas Goodwin Sr., of Bloomfield.

On December 13, 2015, a call came in to the Davis County Sheriff’s office requesting a welfare check on an individual.  The Davis County Sheriff’s office responded to a residence located at 12795 Highway 63 in rural Davis County.  Upon entering the residence, Davis County Deputies located the body of Michael Thomas Goodwin Sr.

This is an ongoing investigation being worked jointly by multiple law enforcement agencies. No additional information is being released at this time.

(Updates w/ISP report clarifying Neal as the driver)

Authorities in Mills County are searching for a Council Bluffs man involved in a pursuit and crash this (Monday) morning, in Glenwood. According to Glenwood Police, 28-year old Rodney Kephart Jr., of Council Bluffs, fled from the scene of a crash at Highway 34 and Hilman Road.

Kephart was in a 2007 Ford Focus driven by 25-year old Jennifer L. Neal, of Council Bluffs, that was being pulled over by Glenwood Police at around 6:15-a.m. The car was traveling east on Highway 34 when Neal failed to yield to a stop sign. The vehicle was struck by a 2013 Volvo semi driven by 50-year old Paul D. Grass, of Carter Lake.

Following the collision, the car entered the southeast ditch. Kephart took off on foot. Neal, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was injured and transported by Glenwod Rescue to Creighton Medical Center, in Omaha.

Kephart Jr. has an active warrant out of Council Bluffs for carrying a concealed weapon, possession of burglary tools, and assault on persons in certain occupations. His bond was set at $5,000. Officers from several agencies assisted in looking for  Kephart, including K-9 units from Fremont County and Council Bluffs, Able one from Omaha Police Department, Iowa State Patrol and Mills County Sheriff s Office along with officers from the Glenwood Police Department.

Anyone with information on Kephart Jr.’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact their local law enforcement and or the Glenwood Police Department at 712-527- 4844.

(12:40-News)

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a Montgomery County man was arrested
Sunday, on a drug charge. 49-year old Shawn Allen Graham, of Villisca, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Open Container. His bond was set at $600. Another Villisca resident, 45-year old Keith Allan Currin, was taken into custody Sunday, and charged with Open Container. Bond was set at $300.

Sheriff’s officials said 53-year old Brian Jeffrey Combs, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Sunday, for Driving Under Suspension. His bond was set at $300. Three arrests occurred Saturday, in Mills County. Authorities say 51-year old Deanna Lee Andrews, of Glenwood, was arrested for being a Fugitive From Justice. Her bond was set at $5,000. 36-year old Nicholas Thomas Rohrberg, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Mills County on a warrant for Probation Violation. Bond was set at $5,000. And, 42-year old Jeffrey Scott Leytham, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Saturday for Driving Under Suspension. Bond was set at $300.

(12-p.m. News)

For a fourth year, members of the private sector (business & industry) in Adair & Guthrie Counties are joining with the public sector (city and county governments) to support the budget needs of the Adair & Guthrie County Emergency Management Programs. According to Adair & Guthrie County Emergency Management Coordinator Robert Kempf, “Emergency Preparedness is not just the responsibility of our local governments. Emergency Management and Preparedness are a team sport; everyone has a part to play. The participation by the private sector is critical to accomplishing our planning and response goals and objectives.”

Kemp says “In 2015 we introduced our Mobile app. This app is free through the Goggle Play Store and ITunes and is the first of its kind in the State.” It is a one stop shop for basic information about preparedness, to get Emergency Information, current emergency management updates, weather, utility outage, closing and road condition information. Residents can also use the app to sign up for the county’s emergency notification system and to report damages to their property from storms. Kempf says “It also contains contact information for all the emergency services units in Adair & Guthrie Counties.”

The agencies maintain a Hazardous Materials Response Contract to help provide response information and assistance to emergency responders and industry in the case of a chemical spill or leak. According to Kempf, “Our emergency services cannot afford the equipment and training required to maintain a local hazardous materials team. Our contract with the Council Bluffs Fire Department allows our first responders 24/7 access to the information and expertise that might be needed for this type of incident.’

The Emergency Management Program provides preparedness and recovery information to the public in many ways throughout the year. Kempf says ” We are available to speak to different civic groups and business throughout the year”.

The Sponsorship Program includes four support levels: Bronze up to $100.00, Silver up to $250.00, Gold up to $500.00 and Platinum over $500.00. Any businesses, industry or groups in Adair & Guthrie Counties that would like to learn more about the program or become a sponsor or would like a presentation about preparedness can contact Kempf at 641-332-3030 or agcema@guthriecounty.us.

Governor Terry Branstad says he believes the state can afford to send Iowa’s public schools a two-point-45 percent increase in general state aid for the next school year. “I think this is an extraordinary commitment, especially in light of the fact that we’ve had to reduce spending in other areas of the budget,” Branstad says. Branstad will release his entire plan for the entire state budget tomorrow (Tuesday).

He’s carving out a 145 million dollar increase in state support of public schools. That includes the percentage increase he’s recommending in general state aid, plus about 53 million dollars more for a teacher leadership program. Branstad says it’s a tight budget, because state tax collections are lagging.  “This year revenue is down from we anticipated it would be last year, so I think this shows that we have made an extraordinary commitment to reduce spending in other areas in order to do this,” Branstad says.

The Republican governor is urging legislators to make the decision about general school funding quickly rather than engage in a months-long stand-off like they did last year. Senate President Pam Jochum, a Democrat from Dubuque, says that’s the goal for Democrats. “Certainly all of us have a desire to get this done quickly. We don’t want to see a repeat of the 2015 session and that was what held us up,” Jochum says. “…It’s good news that the governor is above where the House currently is.”

House Republicans last year signaled they want a two percent general boost in state support of schools for the next budgeting year. House Speaker Linda Upmeyer of Clear Lake says Republicans “are committed” to making the school funding decision early. “Education is clearly a bipartisan priority in this building,” Upmeyer says. The Iowa House and Senate convened shortly after 10 a.m. this morning (Monday).

Governor Branstad will deliver his “Condition of the State” message tomorrow (Tuesday) at 10 a.m. and Branstad says there won’t be any big surprises in the speech or the budget plan he’ll present to lawmakers tomorrow (Tuesday).

(Radio Iowa)

The Powerball jackpot for Wednesday night’s drawing will be an estimated $1.4 billion – the largest lottery jackpot in the world. The cash payout (in lieu of the Annuity), would be $868-million.

While the Powerball is the largest such jackpot in the world, it’s worth noting that Spain’s massively popular Christmas lottery, known as “El Gordo,” is ranked as the world’s richest, though it doles out a single jackpot among millions of prizes, instead of one large jackpot like the Powerball. El Gordo last month showered 2.2 billion euros ($2.4 billion) across the country.

As for the U.S., here’s a look at the 10 previous highest jackpots and where the winners were from:

1. $656.0 million, Mega Millions, March 30, 2012 (three tickets from Kansas, Illinois and Maryland)

2. $636 million, Mega Millions Dec 17, 2013, (two tickets, from California and Georgia)

3. $590.5 million, Powerball, May 18, 2013 (one ticket from Florida)

4. $587.5 million, Powerball, Nov. 28, 2012 (two tickets from Arizona and Missouri)

5. $564.1 million, Powerball, Feb 11, 2015 – (three tickets, from North Carolina, Puerto Rico and Texas)

6. $448.4 million, Powerball, Aug 7, 2013, (three tickets, one from Minnesota and two from New Jersey)

7. $425.3 million, Powerball, Feb 19, 2014 – (one ticket from California)

8. $414 million, Mega Millions, March 18, 2014, (two tickets from Florida and Maryland)

9. $399.4 million, Powerball, Sept 18, 2013, (one ticket from South Carolina)

10. $390.0 million, Mega Millions, March 6, 2007 (two tickets from Georgia and New Jersey)

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) says flu activity in Iowa is increasing, prompting IDPH to increase the level of geographic spread of influenza from local to regional spread. All three flu viruses covered by this year’s vaccines – influenza A (H3), influenza A (H1N1), influenza B (Victoria) – are currently circulating in Iowa. The two influenza A viruses are covered by the traditional trivalent (three strain) flu vaccine and this influenza B virus is also included in the quadrivalent (four strain) flu vaccine.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and CDC remind Iowans the influenza vaccine is still the best way to protect against the flu. IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk says “It’s still not too late to receive the vaccine to ensure protection before the peak of flu season hits.” Flu season typically peaks in late January or February. Quinlisk says “Even if you have had the flu already, it’s possible to become ill with one of the other strains circulating. Vaccination will protect against getting influenza a second or even third time this year.”

The flu is a respiratory illness caused by viruses. The flu comes on suddenly and symptoms may include fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and body aches. Illness typically lasts two to seven days. Influenza may cause severe illness or even death. So far this season, there have been four influenza-related deaths in Iowa: two middle-aged (41 to 60 years of age) adults in central Iowa, one middle-aged adult in eastern Iowa, and an elderly adult (81+ years of age) in central Iowa.

For more information about where and what kind of influenza is in Iowa, go to https://idph.iowa.gov/influenza/reports. Contact your health care provider or local health department to find out where the vaccine is available in your community or use the Flu Vaccine Finder at www.flu.gov/.