(Atlantic, IA) – The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, Friday (1/23), visited Akin Building Center, to celebrate new ownership and learn more about the vision for the Atlantic location moving forward. Chamber officials say new owners Ryan and Michele Draper, alongside long-time owner Adam Bock, shared updates on the positive changes being implemented across the business. Many of the improvements are driven directly by feedback from customers and employees, with a strong focus on enhancing the overall customer experience while continuing to support the team members who make the business successful.

Ryan Draper brings a strong background in the building industry, having worked as a contractor before joining Akin Building Center seven years ago. Michele Draper has spent the past 24 years in the insurance industry, bringing valuable experience in customer service and business operations. The Drapers are based in Creston, Iowa, and understand the importance of investing in the communities where they live and work. Together, they now own four Akin Building Center locations in Creston, Corning, Atlantic, and Clarinda. During the visit, Ryan highlighted recent enhancements at the Atlantic location, including updated displays showcasing new siding options, decking materials, and other building technologies. He also shared improvements to the Rent-A-Center, which offers a wide selection of tools such as jackhammers, saws, and carpet cleaners to support both homeowners and contractors.

Pictured Left to Right: Jim Kickland, John Bricker, Teggy Lyons, Emma Decheneau, Jadyn Cox, Robert Whaley, Ethan Nachtman, Dr. Keith Leonard, Kade Nachtman, Adam Bock, Kenny Matthews, Rae Ome Conn, Michele Draper, Ethan Holman, Jeremy Butler, Ryan Draper, Jennifer Lower, Rob Clausen, Dolly Bergmann, Katlyn Sondag, Ann Johnk, Olivia Klenda, Kelly Williams, Heidi Peterson, Alan Bell. (Photo submitted)

Akin Building Center has been a trusted part of southwest Iowa since 1927, known for its quality products, knowledgeable staff, and commitment to customer service. The new ownership team emphasized their dedication to continuing that legacy by supporting employees, listening to customers, and remaining actively involved in the communities they serve.

Akin Building Center in Atlantic is located at 110 E. 3rd Street. For more information, call (712) 243-4385 or visit https://akinbuildingcenters.com/

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa State Fair is getting into the celebration of America’s 250th birthday with some special categories in its annual competitions. State Fair spokesperson Mindy Williamson says it’s similar to what they did for the country’s 200th birthday. “Even though the big celebration sort of culminates July 4th of 2026th, we celebrated in 1976 and so we’re happy to be celebrating again in 2026,” she says. Williamson says they are letting people know about the competitions now so they can prepare. “So if you have ever baked a cake up, a pie, entered one of our quilt contests, fabric and threads, needlework, those sorts of things we are adding to that list this year some special classes for creative arts, fabric and threads, photography, food, floriculture,” she says.

Williamson says they will have special 250 ribbons and some extra prizes. “Some winning entries will be eligible for an additional 25 dollar premium. So it’s a chance for you to look at what you’re entering or maybe enter a new contest this year,” she says. Williamson says the celebration gives you a lot of options for the things you enter. “America 250 could be all sorts of different things in your mind, whether that’s red, white and blue or something maybe patriotic, or a flag or a scene,” Williamson says. “And then, you know, if you’re more into baking, what’s more patriotic than pie?”

Williamson says there is a possibility that Iowans who entered the special contest 50 years ago could be entering again this time around. “We probably have some food division and even those fabric and threads and creative arts folks who entered back in 1976 and then will be entering in 2026. Some of those classes are exactly the same,” she says. Williamson says the State Fair will be announcing some other special things they are doing for the America 250 celebration as it gets closer.

The 2026 Iowa State Fair will run from August 13th through August 23rd.

(Greenfield, IA) – Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports a man from Fontanelle was arrested on numerous charges over the past few days. According to the report, 22-year-old Johnathon Scott Clarke, of Fontanelle, was arrested Thursday afternoon for Domestic Assault with Injury or Mental Illness/1st offense, and Interference with Official Acts, after law enforcement responded two-hours earlier to a call from  a female at a residence in Fontanelle, who was hiding upstairs from a man who had just left the home.

When officers arrived, they found the woman with obvious signs of bruising and redness. She informed officers that she and  Clarke, with whom she has an on-and-off relationship, had been in an altercation. After officers located and spoke with Clarke to get his side of the story, they determined he was the alleged aggressor. Clarke informed them he “Was not going to jail,” and threatened to kill himself. The sheriff’s report say Clarke reached for a handgun he had in a holster on his hip, but law enforcement was able to keep him from drawing the weapon. The report alleges he resisted arrest but was eventually placed into handcuffs and escorted out of the residence, while kicking and flailing around off the walls and doors. He was transported to the Adair County Jail.

Sheriff Vandewater said there were other charges pending against Clarke, and that they were waiting on lab results for, but as he was already in jail, the following additional charges were made: Domestic Assault (Choking) by Impeding the Flow of Air/blood causing injury; three counts of Domestic Abuse Assault/2nd offense; Child Endangerment and False Imprisonment were filed, in connection with previous incidents in late 2025.  Clarke’s total bond was set at $25,000.

(Radio Iowa) – A former Eagle Grove police officer has pleaded guilty to sending obscene material to a minor using Snapchat. According to a criminal complaint, 28-year-old Colt Richardson sent explicit images to a minor in December of 2024. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation assisted Eagle Grove and Wright County authorities in the case.

Recent court filings show Richardson pleaded guilty to two counts of telephone dissemination of obscene material to a minor and first-degree harassment. The sentencing hearing for Richardson is set for February 27th in Wright County District Court in Clarion.

(Jasper County, IA) – A freak accident on Interstate 80 Sunday evening in Jasper County, claimed the life of a man from Illinois. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a car driven by 22-year-old Drew M. Peterson, of Worden, IL, was traveling west on I-80 about two-miles east of Colfax, when a set of tires and rims came loose from a trailer being pulled by an eastbound semi tractor-trailer. The tires/wheels crossed the median and struck the car, resulting in fatal injuries to Peterson.

The accident, which occurred at around 6:10-p.m., Sunday, remains under investigation.

See the following press release issued 1/26/26 for more information…

(Creston, IA) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report the arrest at around 2:25-a.m., Saturday, of 48-year-old Corey Lee Mason, of Creston. Mason was charged with OWI/1st offense and Possession of a Controlled Substance- Marijuana/1st Offense. He was was later released from the Union County Jail after posting a $2,000 cash or surety bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa – A Des Moines man was sentenced on January 23, 2026, to six years in federal prison for threatening to assault and murder a United States Probation Officer, while on supervised release.

According to public court records, Rodger Dawayne Gardner, Jr., 41, was convicted in 2020 for failing to register as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. In late 2022, Gardner was released from federal prison and began a seven-year term of supervised release. In December 2024, probation officers discovered Gardner was purchasing and distributing synthetic marijuana in Des Moines. The officers directed Gardner to report to the U.S. Probation Office. Gardner failed to report as directed, fled to Missouri, and made multiple threats to assault and murder the U.S. Probation Officer.

After completing his six-year prison term for the threats, Gardner will be required to serve an additional two‑year term of imprisonment for violating his supervised release conditions in his prior federal case.  When his prison terms are complete, he will serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by United States Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Kerndt, along with retired Assistant United States Attorney Laura M. Roan.

DES MOINES, Iowa – An eastern Iowa man was sentenced on January 16th (2026), to three years in federal prison for falsely using a social security number, aggravated identity theft, and firearms offenses. The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa, today (Monday), said according to public court records, 46-year-old Rusty Todd Johnston, of Clinton, was convicted of a felony drug offense in Brooks County, Texas in 2005. Johnston was sentenced to a suspended prison sentence with community supervision. Within months, authorities say, Johnston absconded from his Texas probation and Texas authorities issued an arrest warrant. By approximately 2008, Johnston stopped using his real name, date of birth, and social security number. Instead, Johnston assumed the identity of Adam Preston Duriga—a real person from the state of Nevada, who died in 2013.

In early 2020, Johnston moved to Clinton, Iowa. Johnston obtained an Iowa Commercial Driver’s License using Duriga’s identifiers. In 2021, Johnston purchased a handgun in Davenport from a federally licensed firearms dealer using Duriga’s identity and falsely certified he was not a felon. In December 2024, law enforcement officers searched Johnston’s residence and found the handgun that Johnston had illegally purchased. Over the approximate 15 years that Johnston falsely used Duriga’s identity, he fraudulently acquired state-issued driver’s licenses in Iowa, Nevada, Utah, Louisiana, and West Virginia. Johnston applied for and received replacement Social Security cards five times in Duriga’s identity. Johnston married at least twice using his false name and identity.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Johnston will be required to serve a two‑year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau, and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Kerndt prosecuted the case.