(Radio Iowa) – Recovery crews have ended their work looking in the rubble of the partially collapsed building in Davenport for survivors, and now the focus shifts to accountability for what happened. A Philadelphia-based structural collapse attorney Jeffery Goodman is representing former resident Dayna Feuerbach in the first lawsuit.

“By filing a civil lawsuit, we’re able to help get answers to what happened and why it happened. Able to determine who is accountable and hold them accountable. And hopefully by doing so to help inspire change,” Goodman says. Building owner Andrew Wold, the City of Davenport as well as prior owners have all been named in the lawsuit.

Goodman led the litigation team that resulted in the one-point-two billion dollar settlement to the families of the 98 people who died and the survivors of the Surfside, Florida Condo collapse in 2022. The city of Davenport says operations transitioned today (Tuesday) to the dismantling of the partially collapsed building. Crews have cleared the debris pile to the foundation floor and will continue removing debris from the site.

(Radio Iowa) – A new law requires the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to come up with a formula to raise the Medicaid reimbursement rate for Iowa nursing homes that accept registered sex offenders.

The higher reimbursement would only be available to nursing homes that establish a separate unit for sex offenders. “This is a growing need in our state,” Representative Joel Fry, a Republican from Osceola, said during House debate of the plan. “I’ve been working on this for a number of years, so we will hopefully come back with a rate that we could house these offenders at.”

The Department of Health and Human Services is to present their proposed Medicaid reimbursement rate for sex offenders in nursing homes by January 1.

Six years ago lawmakers discussed whether the state should establish a facility to care for geriatric patients who are convicted sex offenders or are sexually aggressive. Hundreds of the nearly 6,600 people listed on the state’s sex offender registry need skilled nursing care. And some of those who’ve been committed to the state unit for sexually violent offenders are in declining health or have been diagnosed with dementia and need to be transferred to a nursing home.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department reports Ralph Springs, Jr., was arrested Monday on a Mills County warrant. The warrant charges Springs with Failure to Appear in court ($2,000 bond), Possession of Marijuana/3rd offense, Poss. of a Controlled Substance, and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia. His total cash/surety bond was set at $9,300.  And, on Tuesday (June 6), 43-year-old Marc Farrell, of Pacific Junction, was arrested in Glenwood. He was wanted on a Mills County warrant for Harassment in the 3rd Degree. Farrell was being held without bond pending an appearance before a Magistrate Judge.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A traffic stop Tuesday morning (June 6) in Red Oak, resulted in the arrest of a man from Pottawattamie County. According to Red Oak Police, 48-year-old Michael Adrian Kell,of Council Bluffs, was arrested at around 10-a.m., for Driving While Barred. Kell was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is sending staff from two Florida agencies to the site of a partial building collapse in Davenport. On May 28th, one of the support braces on the apartment building in Davenport buckled and bricks began to fall from the six-story structure. This past weekend, the bodies of three residents were recovered from the rubble.

Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Twitter that he’s sending staff from his state’s emergency management division and the Florida D-O-T to assist in the ongoing recovery in Davenport. The agencies were involved in the long recovery after the collapse of a condo building in Surfside, Florida in 2021.

(Radio Iowa) – A Cedar Rapids teen who admitted to killing his parents in 2021 was sentenced to life in prison Monday, with a chance for parole after 50 years. Ethan Orton pleaded guilty in March to stabbing his parents, Misty Scott-Slade and Casey Orton, to death in their home. Orton was five months away from his 18th birthday at the time of his crime — which left him eligible for parole instead of the normal life sentence without parole. Both the defense and prosecution called an expert witness to testify to the impact of Orton’s history and his mental capacity at the time of the killings. Doctor Tracy Thomas, a forensic psychologist, painted a picture of Orton as a vulnerable person in an emotionally abusive home. She said during testimony carried on K-C-R-G T-V that an email from his mother was the impetus that led to Orton killing his parents.

“The email essentially said ‘When you turn 18, you’re out of the house. We’re done with you. Plan on being gone,” Thomas said, “This offense was the result of, essentially, a complete breakdown.” Prosecutors pointed out Orton has not been diagnosed with any major mental illness. Prosecution witness, Doctor Daniel Tranel in testimony carried on K-C-R-G T-V said rather than a breakdown, there was a plan. “The entire conclusion was that he was normal, and did not meet the criteria for diminished responsibility,” Tranel said. Tranel said Orton’s home life wasn’t “optimal” but added there are those who have it worse. Assistant Linn County Attorney Michael Harris added “He reports that he was not treated well by his parents, but I would ask the court, what teenager truly thinks that they are?,” Harris said.

The defense asked for life with the possibility for parole after ten years, but the judge said Orton’s age, maturity, and home life weren’t strong mitigating factors, and sentenced him to serve 50 years before he is eligible for parole. Both sides’ expert witnesses agreed Orton is a good candidate for rehabilitation and treatment while in prison.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A petition to the Cass County Board of Supervisors for the suspension of taxes for 207 W. 7th Street in Atlantic, failed to garner any support from the Board, this (Tuesday) morning. Board member Steve Greene had suggested tabling the matter until more information is available, but Supervisor Wendy Richter said there was no reason for the Board to act, because the petitioner failed to meet the March 1st filing deadline, according to Iowa Code. The request died due to lack of action by the Supervisors.

The Board heard a report from Cass County Zoning Administrator Mike Kennon, with regard to Zoning Ordinances and starting projects without acquiring the the proper permits in advance.

Kennon asked the Board about the fees for building permits, and if they should be raised.

He said that’s something the Board might want to look at in the future.

Board Chair Steve Baier said people looking to build a home in the County should make sure BEFORE they start negotiating a price on the property, it meets the zoning requirements. Kennon said also, there are also zoning changes that are being proposed in the next couple of weeks that will cost the County about $100 altogether, for publishing of permits and other relevant information.

Cass/Guthrie County Environmental Health Director Jotham Arber presented the Board a revised 28-E agreement and monthly billing arrangement, rather than quarterly.

The 28-E increased the County’s base-rate share for services from $7,000 to $15,000. The rate had not changed since 1991. The Board opted to have the agreement reviewed by the County Attorney for action before the July 1st deadline.

And, Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken updated the Supervisors on Secondary Roads Department maintenance and activities. Wolken said they are almost finished hauling contract rock in the Atlantic District. There’s about 20-miles remaining. He spoke also about the status of some bridge projects.

He mentioned also, they’re still waiting on some equipment, including two motor graders.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday morning, met in a regular weekly session, and received reports from County Engineer Karen Albert, and Assessor Sharon Dalton. Dalton spoke with regard to a homestead credit (House File 718 signed into law on May 4th) for Senior Citizens who own their own residence.

(Eligible claimants who own the home they live in and are 65 years of age or older on or before January 1 of the assessment year are now eligible for an additional homestead tax exemption.)

The $3,250 credit will go into effect for the assessment year that began January 1, 2023 and appearing in the Sept., 2024 tax roles. For assessment years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, the exemption is for $6,500 of taxable value. An exemption is a reduction in the taxable value of the property rather than a direct reduction in the amount of property tax you pay. The credits are funded by the Counties, according to Dalton.

The Iowa Department of Revenue amended the Homestead Tax Credit and Exemption (54-028) to allow claimants to apply for the new exemption. Applications are due July 1st to your local assessor. If the exemption is granted, the exemption will be allowed for future years without future filing as long as the claimant continues to qualify.

Engineer Karen Albert briefed the Montgomery County Board on Secondary Roads Department activity.

In other business, the Board approved moving their July 4th meeting to July 5th at 8:30-a.m. , due to the holiday. They also approved Recorders and Sheriff’s fees for the Month of May ($18,656.88 & $12,409.18, respectively).

And, the Montgomery County Supervisors thanked Kathy Burson, Deputy Auditor, for her 27-years of service to the County. Burson is retiring from the position.

The Board’s next regular meeting is 8:30-a.m., June 13th.