(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Concerns Hotline has seen a nearly 25 percent increase in calls over the past 12 months. Anyone in Iowa may call the hotline, but the round-the-clock service is primarily meant to answer questions about farm and agribusiness finances. Tammy Jacobs oversees the hotline for Iowa State University Extension.

“We see a lot of issues between husband and wife, if it’s a partnership within the family, there’s issues with the partnership in the family” Jacobs says. “so we hear a lot about the relationship issues but after we’re talking to the people, it really stems from those financial concerns.” Trained people answer the calls and make referrals to services that might help. An attorney is available to provide free legal education. The conversations are kept confidential. Jacobs says it appears commodity prices are creating stress, especially among family farming operations.

“We really hear a lot about the succession,” she says, “and how…they’re weary and fearful about losing that farm that’s been around in the family for so long which can really be a huge stress on an individual to try to make sure that they’re doing everything they can do in order to make sure farming enterprise and continue that legacy.” Last year’s launch of the nationwide 9-8-8 suicide hotline hasn’t really impacted the number of calls to the Iowa Concerns Hotline according to Jacobs.

“We tout ourselves as being more stress counseling,” she says. The Iowa Concerns Hotline was launched in 1985, during the Farm Crisis. It was originally called the Rural Concerns Hotline, but the name was changed to Iowa Concerns Hotline after the floods of 1993 to indicate it’s not just for farmers. In the past 12 months, the Iowa Concerns Hotline fielded nearly 65-hundred calls.

FORT MADISON, Iowa – On Friday, June 2, 2023, the Iowa Board of Corrections voted unanimously in support of the appointment of Michelle Waddle as the next warden of the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women (ICIW) in Mitchellville, IA. The appointment was recommended to the Board by a department hiring committee.

Waddle began her career with the Iowa Department of Corrections at the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility in 1998. She has served in numerous roles during her tenure including treatment services director at the Iowa State Penitentiary, associate warden of treatment at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center, and most recently as deputy warden of the Anamosa State Penitentiary.

Commenting on the Board’s approval, IDOC Director Beth Skinner said, “Michelle is such an incredible leader within our correctional system. Her years of experience and dedication to this department’s mission will serve ICIW well for years to come. I have nothing but confidence in her abilities and I look forward to her time leading our outstanding team members at ICIW.”

(Sidney, Iowa) – The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports deputies on Sunday, arrested 39-year-old Tressa Dawn Haughton and 28-year-old Joseph William Michael Haughton, both of Hamburg, in connection with a narcotics distribution investigation in Hamburg.

Tressa Haughton was charged with Distribution of less than 5 grams of methamphetamine, a Class C Felony, and three counts of Conspiracy to distribute more than 5 grams of methamphetamine, a Class B Felony.

Joseph Haughton was charged with three counts of Conspiracy to distribute more than 5 grams of methamphetamine, a Class B Felony; Possession of Marijuana 3rd or subsequent offense, an Aggravated Misdemeanor; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a Simple Misdemeanor.

Tressa Haughton

Joseph Haughton

Both were being held on $100,000 bond in the Fremont County Jail. On May 12th, Joseph Haughton was released from prison on separate charges out of Page County. (Photos provided by the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office)

(Radio Iowa) – [UPDATED] Storm Lake police say they charged a 17-year-old girl Friday with solicitation to commit murder after she attempted to hire a hit man on the parody website “rent a hitman.com.” The websites webmaster called police to say that someone had visited the site on two occasions and had attempted to hire someone to murder a seven year old child in Storm Lake. An undercover police officer posed as a hitman and made contact with the suspect and confirmed she wanted the young child killed.

Police says the evidence obtained throughout the investigation led them to believe the solicitation was a credible threat towards the victim. The victim and the victim’s family were not harmed and were unaware of the potential threat.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Officials with the Glenwood Police Department report two Glenwood residents were arrested on separate charges, Saturday. 42-year-old Deann Kuhl was arrested for driving under suspension and possession of drug paraphernalia. Her total bond was set at $600. She posted bond and was released.

And, 42-year-old Zachary Basye was arrested Saturday for OWI/1st offense. He posted a $1,000 bond and was released.