A man from Pottawattamie Couty was sentenced today (Thursday) to 10 years in prison on a methamphetamine charge. 50-year old John Theodore Beaman, Sr., of Council Bluffs, was sentenced in United States District Court in Council Bluffs on a charge of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Senior United States District Court Judge Robert W. Pratt sentenced Beaman to 120 months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release. Beaman was also ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment for the Crime Victim Fund.

Beaman remained in the custody by the United States Marshal’s Service pending designation of the Federal Bureau of Prisons facility at which he will serve his sentence. Beaman was sentenced based upon his plea of guilty, which was entered on February 8th, 2013. Beaman was sentenced for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in and around Council Bluffs, Iowa, from late 2009 to July of 2011. During the course of the conspiracy, approximately eleven pounds of methamphetamine were distributed.

As a part of the conspiracy, Beaman frequently distributed methamphetamine from his residence, which was only about 84 feet from the property of an elementary school. Previously sentenced in association with this investigation were: David Lynn Fisher, who was sentenced to 117 months imprisonment, plus 5 years of supervised release; Steven Lacey Etherington, who was sentenced to 150 months in prison, plus 5 years of supervised release; Nicholas Joseph Franks, who was sentenced to 133 months imprisonment, plus 5 years of supervised release for the drug trafficking conspiracy, and 120 months imprisonment, plus 3 years of supervised release for a firearms conviction, with the sentences to run concurrently; and Lisa Marie Barrett, who was sentenced to 60 months in prison, plus 5 years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the SouthWest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

The City of Council Bluffs, in partnership with the Iowa West Foundation, will kick-off the summer season starting Memorial Day weekend and celebrate the opening of River’s Edge Park with three weeks of events showcasing all of the possibilities the park can provide. Loessfest is slated to become an annual celebration of Council Bluffs’ landscape and the community. All events for Loessfest’s inaugural year will take place at the new park in an effort to introduce this new park and to celebrate its opening.

This new park will feature the latest addition to the Iowa West Public Art Permanent Collection. Making its public debut during Loessfest on May 25 is a unique and interactive light display on the Great Lawn, entitled Rays. Rays is a $500,000 installation by artist Dan Corson, funded by the Iowa West Foundation. This eight-minute interactive lighting environment uses the five-acre Great Lawn as a canvas. The permanent display will run on the hour and half-hour and will be a “must see” in the metro area. The presenting sponsor for the initial unveiling of the light display is the Peter Kiewit Foundation.

In addition to the Great Lawn Interactive Light Display, Rays, Loessfest features an amazing line-up of events, all of which are free, thanks to generous sponsors. Also, SilverStone Group is hosting a special event for these donors and supporters. The free events include:

•  “America’s Band,” The Beach Boys, kicks off the celebration with a free concert on the Great Lawn on May 25. Thanks to presenting sponsor, American National Bank. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets – concessions will be available. Opening for The Beach Boys is the heartland’s own Mulberry Lane at 7pm.
• On May 26, the Omaha Symphony will play a patriotic selection appropriate for Memorial Day: Fireworks for Freedom: A Patriotic Salute. The Symphony will be joined by the SAC Band. A fantastic fireworks display will follow the performance that will be seen for miles on either side of the Missouri River.
• The acclaimed Playing with Fire Concert series will bring world-class blues, jazz and funk to the park on May 27. Loessfest will also feature a Food Truck Festival on the 27th, offering food trucks from across the region to showcase their food offerings. Ethnic foods and other unique cuisine will be featured, giving visitors many opportunities for delicious foods

For more information, including the full schedule of events taking place this Summer,  visit Loessfest.com.

MAPLETON, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have been searching for a man or men who tried to abduct girls in western Iowa and eastern Nebraska.  The Monona County Sheriff’s Office says a girl was approached about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the city park in Mapleton. Sheriff Jeff Pratt said Wednesday that the girl didn’t get into the man’s dirty, light blue pickup and was not hurt.

On Monday an 11-year-old girl was approached by a man with a similarly described truck at a beach at the Lakeland community south of Blair in Washington County, Neb. She ran home and wasn’t harmed.  Nebraska and Iowa authorities say they’re not sure whether the incidents are connected, but they’re sharing information.

A Prescott man was arrested Wednesday night in Adams County, for violating a protective order and harassment. The Adams County Sheriff’s Department reports Gary E. Lillie was taken into custody at around 10:05-p.m. on an Adams County warrant. He posted $750 bond and was released, pending a court date.