WILMINGTON, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio State Highway Patrol says an armed man who tried to breach the FBI’s Cincinnati office was shot and killed by police after he fled the scene and engaged in an hourslong standoff. A law enforcement official said federal investigators are examining whether the man, identified as 42-year-old Ricky Shiffer, may have had ties to far-right extremist groups, including the Proud Boys. The official said Shiffer is believed to have been in Washington in the days leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and may have been present at the Capitol on the day of the attack. The official could not discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
State party chair says Mahaska County GOP can’t censure Miller-Meeks
By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)
Iowa GOP chairman Jeff Kaufmann says Mahaska County Republicans do not have the power to formally censure Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks for her vote supporting same-sex marriage.
“County committees do not have the ability to censure. There is nothing in our bylaws that talks about censure. Even the Republican Party of Iowa cannot censure,” Kaufmann told reporters last night. “It’s a word to show disapproval.”
Mahaska County Republicans voted a week ago to censure Miller-Meeks for voting yes on a bill to ensure all states recognize same-sex and interracial marriages. Kaufmann issued a general call for party unity at an Iowa GOP fundraiser last night.
“There is no perfect candidate. If you think there is one, run then!” Kaufmann said, to applause. “This is no time to parse words. This is no time to think about: ‘I have to have agreement 99% of the time.’”
With the election in just 88 days, Kaufmann indicates his basic message to Iowa Republicans right now is to support Republican candidates.
“You might say: ‘Well, I don’t agree with them all the time,’ I don’t care! And neither should you,” Kaufmann said. “…Folks, we’re a team. This is a full-contact sport.”
Mahaska County Republicans say supporting same-sex marriage directly opposes the Iowa Republican Party platform, which calls traditional one-man and one-woman marriages the foundation of an enduring and healthy civilization.
Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion also voted for the Respect for Marriage Act. Hinson said it “maintains settled law” on same-sex and interracial marriages. An Iowa Supreme Court ruling legalized same-sex marriage in Iowa 13 years ago.
City of Oskaloosa Preparing for Upcoming Deer Hunting Season
OSKALOOSA – The city of Oskaloosa is preparing for the upcoming 2022/2023 Urban Deer Hunting season, being held within the Oskaloosa City limits. The 2022/2023 hunting season will run from September 17, 2022, through January 10, 2023. During this season, qualified hunters will be allowed to harvest deer within the city limits using bows and arrows.
Bow hunters interested in participating in this hunting season must pass an archery proficiency test consisting of 5 shots made from 20 yards. Hunters must score at least 80% accuracy within an 8-inch circle target to qualify for this hunt. Hunters are allowed two attempts to pass this test.
There has been one date set up for qualifications for this upcoming season. This testing will be held at the Gateway Church of the Nazarene in the southeastern portion of the parking lot. The Gateway Church of the Nazarene is located at 140 Gateway Drive in Oskaloosa. The date and time for testing is set for Saturday, August 27, from 8am-10am. Any hunter interested in participating in this hunting season must attend, and pass, this proficiency test. Hunters need to bring a current form of identification and their current/valid Iowa hunting license to this testing. 23 hunters qualified to participate in last year’s deer hunt.
**CROSSBOW QUALIFIERS** – Crossbow hunters will need to schedule a time with a member of the Oskaloosa Police Department to qualify using their crossbow target. If the crossbow hunter would like to qualify at the set times at the Gateway Church of the Nazarene, the crossbow hunter shall bring their crossbow and target to utilize for qualifications.
The Oskaloosa Urban Deer Management Program has an established set of rules, which each hunter must follow to participate in this program. A copy of these rules can be found on the city website. It will also be available to anyone attending the proficiency testing at the Gateway Church of the Nazarene on the provided date.
A special note for the dates for proficiency testing: all hunters wishing to participate in the 2022/2023 Oskaloosa Urban Deer Hunting season MUST appear and shoot on the provided date and time. Absolutely no alternate dates or times will be arranged for proficiency testing. Failure to test on the provided date and time will disqualify anyone from participating in the 2022/2023 Oskaloosa Urban Deer season, except for crossbow qualifiers.
During last year’s deer hunting season, hunters harvested 17 deer within the Oskaloosa city limits. This was a 15% decrease from the 2020/2021 season when 20 deer were harvested.
Anyone with questions regarding this program is encouraged to contact Officer Alexander Sirovy of the Oskaloosa Police Department by calling (641)-672-2557 or by email at ASirovy@oskaloosaiowa.org.
Oskaloosa Man Arrested on Drug and Weapons Charges
OSKALOOSA — The Oskaloosa Police Department reports that last Saturday, officers were on patrol and witnessed a suspicious person and vehicle outside of an open storage unit located at Champion Storage and Signs on South 7th street. Upon investigation and with the help of the Oskaloosa Police K9, the officers arrested Derek Graham, 39, of Oskaloosa, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A search warrant was requested and issued for the open storage unit, leading to additional charges of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver marijuana, failure to affix drug tax stamp, and two counts of possession of controlled substance 3rd/subsequent offense.
The Oskaloosa Police Department was assisted by the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office and the Mahaska County 911 Center.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Gas prices dip just below $4 for the first time in 5 months
AP — U.S. gas prices have dipped under $4 a gallon for the first time in more than five months. AAA says the national average is $3.99 for a gallon of regular. That’s down 15 cents in just the last week, and 68 cents in the last month. Gasoline peaked at around $5.02 a gallon on June 14. Motorists in California and Hawaii are still paying above $5, and other states in the West are paying close to that. The cheapest gas is in Texas and several other states in the South and Midwest. The decline reflects falling prices for crude oil, which have dipped close to $90 a barrel from over $120 a barrel in June.
Ernst says U.S. must be more aggressive in order to expel Russians from Ukraine
By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)
Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says it’s time for the U.S. to provide more long range weapons to Ukraine.
“To make sure the Ukrainians are a safe distance when they are shelling the Russians,” Ernst said, “because right now it’s turning into trench warfare and we know that does not progress very quickly.”
In June, the U.S. shipped artillery rockets to Ukraine. Ernst supports sending more advanced guided missiles that can go longer distances.
“We want to expel or see the expulsion of Russians out of Ukraine and we want to minimize the destruction of Ukrainian communities,” Ernst said. “That’s why I think the Biden Administration needs to step up with more weapons and munitions.”
President Biden released a billion dollars worth of military hardware to Ukraine this week. Ernst said without longer-range missiles, the war will drag on for years and much of Ukraine will be destroyed.
“The Russians are just basically carpet-bombing areas with artillery, which means there’s a lot of loss of innocent life and the Russians — they honest to goodness don’t care. We do care,” Ernst said.
Ukraine officials have been pushing for a shipment of U.S. missiles that can hit targets up to 190 miles away. President Biden has said the U.S. does not intend to provide Ukraine with weapons that could reach into Russian territory. Ernst said that’s “risk averse” and it’s time to take “a more aggressive stance” against Russia.
“We just need to ensure that the Ukrainians have their their hands on those types of munitions and are just bombing the heck out of the Russians that are in Ukraine,” she said.
Russian forces occupy about 20% of Ukraine territory today, according to Ernst, and she said they’ll continue inching forward without a change in tactics. Ernst, a Republican who was in the Iowa National Guard, does not support sending U.S. troops into Ukraine, but has voted to provide the money so the U.S. remains the main supplier of weapons for Ukraine’s military.
Marion County: Applications Now Being Accepted for Leadership Red Rock
The Marion County Development Commission is now accepting applications for the 2022-23 Leadership Red Rock class. This program includes five sessions. Session topics include: leadership, tourism, business, government, social services, education, workforce and more. Classes are held once a month from October to February in the evening from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at various locations around Marion County.
“Leadership Red Rock is a great way to expand your network of contacts, learn about key local issues and discover new leadership skills,” explains Carla Eysink, MCDC Director. “Class member get to meet current leaders and experience some unique locations within the county.”
Sessions this year will be held on: October 25, November 15, December 6, January 19 and February 16. The application deadline is September 20. Click here to apply and learn more.
Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter to Host Feline Fine and Dog Days Carnival This Month
The Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter in Oskaloosa is set to host their Feline Fine Dog Days Carnival later this month. We chatted with the director of the shelter, Shanna Woodcock Smith, who gave us a quick overview of what to expect.
All proceeds from this carnival will go toward medical expenses for the adoptable animals at the shelter, and the carnival will also have some of its adoptable dogs available. The carnival is scheduled for Saturday, August 27, from 11am-3pm at the Southern Iowa Fairgrounds. More information can be found on the flyer below or on the Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter Facebook page.
William Penn University Athletic Director’s List Announced for 2021-22
OSKALOOSA — William Penn Athletics Director Nik Rule announced yesterday the recipients of the 2021-2022 Athletic Director’s List.
Individuals who earned this honor achieved a 3.5 Grade Point Average for the 2021-2022 school year, while also being honored as either all-conference or All-America in their respective sport. A total of 23 student-athletes were honored, highlighted by five from the shotgun sports team.
2021-2022 WPU Athletic Director’s List
Tanner Bedier–Baseball
Ryan Dudley–Men’s Bowling
Aleksander Kostric–Men’s Bowling
Rok Kostric–Men’s Bowling
Gabi Evans–Women’s Bowling
Colton Horak–Football
Bailee Frayne–Women’s Golf
Carlee Frayne–Women’s Golf
Courtney Jackson–Women’s Golf
Caeden Miller–Men’s Lacrosse
Breck Putzier–Men’s Lacrosse
Hunter Block–Shotgun Sports
Jarrett DeKoning–Shotgun Sports
Kade Dunkin–Shotgun Sports
KayLynn Sieber–Shotgun Sports
Dominick Ver Meer–Shotgun Sports
Luke Andrews–Men’s Soccer
Chelsey Huff–Softball
Abby Wilson–Softball
Alicia Jaquez–Women’s Volleyball
Corrin Lepper–Women’s Volleyball
Justin Moeller–Men’s Track and Field
Steven Skewes–Men’s Wrestling
Iowa State’s Hutchinson Named to Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List
Iowa State senior wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson was named to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List yesterday. The award is given to the top offensive player in Division I football who exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell. The award is limited to players who were born in the state of Texas, attended a Texas high school or attended a Texas junior college or university.
Hutchinson is a native of Jacksonville, Florida, and graduate of Blinn Junior College in Brenham, Texas. He led the Big 12 with an Iowa State single-season record 83 receptions last season. Hutchinson earned First Team All-Big 12 honors for the second-straight seasons in 2021. He leads all active Big 12 receivers in career receptions (147) and receiving yards (1,758).