SAC CITY, Iowa (AP) — A judge says a 17-year-old facing vehicular homicide charges in the deaths of two teenagers will be prosecuted as an adult. District Associate Judge Adria Kester says the 17-year-old does not have reasonable prospects of rehabilitation if he remains in juvenile court.

The Sioux City Journal reports the 17-year-old is charged with two counts of vehicular homicide in Sac County Juvenile Court. Court records do not yet indicate any filings in district court. Sac County Attorney Ben Smith will have several weeks to file additional information. The 17-year-old was driving a pickup that collided in August with a car driven by 16-year-old Bailey Jacobsen. She and her passenger, 16-year-old Lindsey Quirk, were killed.

Authorities say the 17-year-old’s blood alcohol level was above the legal limit for minors driving.

At least a couple of events were held in Iowa over the weekend to raise awareness about a troubling trend among military members. U.S Army veteran John Lame and Iowa National Guardsman Chad Madison organized a 25-mile long “Road March” between Newton and Altoona that took place on Saturday. Lame says the effort is based on a program in Minnesota called “The Next Objective” held each October 23rd.

“The 23 represents the 23 veterans each day last year who committed suicide,” Lame says. There were several 23-mile walks held across the country to raise awareness about the matter. Lame is hoping to make the walk from Newton to Altoona an annual event. He says they increased the walk from 23 to 25 miles to make it a bit closer to a marathon, which is just over 26 miles.

“The 25 also represents a 25 mile road march, which I had to do when I was in the service,” Lame said. While making the march on Saturday, Lame and the other participants collected donations for programs addressing suicide in the military. A similar event called the 23-mile Ruck Up for Life, involving more than 200 participants, was also held on Saturday between Council Bluffs and Omaha.

(Radio Iowa)

The attorney for an Atlantic woman accused of faking her daughter’s cancer has filed a motion for a change of venue in her trial. Online court documents show Jay Mez, attorney for 30-year old Leatha K. Slauson, filed the motion with the court, on Friday. He asserts her Nov. 12th trial should be moved due to extensive media coverage, gossip, rumors and speculation by residents in Cass County that would make selecting a fair and impartial jury impossible.

Leatha Kaye Slauson (Cass Co. Sheriff’s Office photo)

In presenting his motion, he entered into exhibit stories that aired from various media outlets, press releases that were distributed, and trial information alleging that Slauson obtained donations and other services by deception, from the community.

Earlier this month, Mez said Slauson was competent to stand trial, but unable to tell right from wrong. Online court records show Mez indicated on Oct. 1st his defense of 30-year old Leatha K. Slauson would be one of “Diminished Responsibility.”

Authorities say Slauson lied about her daughter having cancer, inserted a feeding tube into the 5-year-old girl and gave her drugs and cannabis oils. Slauson has pleaded not guilty to 20 counts, including assault, child endangerment and theft by deception. Her trial is set for next month.

A Fremont County man was arrested last week in Cass County on a sex abuse charge. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says 21-year old Michael Monroe Welch, of Sidney, was arrested Thursday on a Sheriff’s Office warrant for Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree. Welch was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later the following day on $10,000 bond.

And on Sunday, deputies in Cass County arrested 27-year old Jerry Thomas Chapman, of Atlantic, on a charge of Public Intoxication. Chapman was taken to the Cass County Jail where he pled guilty and was released later that day.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports a traffic stop early Saturday morning resulted in one person being taken into custody on drug charges. 20-year old Andy Brandon Clark, of Carroll, was arrested at around 2:30-a.m. on a Possession of Marijuana charge, after the vehicle he was in was stopped on Highway 71, in Audubon. Clark was subsequently released on a Recognizance Bond, and is scheduled to appear before a magistrate on Thursday.

And, 24-year old Scott Nathaniel Belew, of Audubon, was arrested Thursday evening on an outstanding warrant for Probation Violation. Belew later posted bond and was released.