ST. LOUIS (AP) – Six people are arrested and more than 210,000 packets of synthetic drugs seized in six Midwestern states as part of a nationwide crackdown. The Drug Enforcement Administration on Thursday announced results of Operation Log Jam, targeting synthetic drugs like so-called “bath salts” and fake marijuana, items commonly sold at head shops and some convenience stores and often targeted at teenagers. The DEA says nearly 100 people nationwide were arrested and more than 5 million packets seized.
 
James Shroba of the DEA office in St. Louis says synthetic drugs are a growing problem around the nation, including the six states his office covers – South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and southern Illinois.  He says the crackdown sends a message to manufacturers and sellers that law enforcement is coming after them.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) – A 49-year-old Iowa woman has been given nine years of probation in Nebraska because she violated terms of an earlier probation sentence by living with dogs. Denise Withee, of Mapleton, was sentenced on Thursday. Her new sentence also includes a provision that bars her from owning or living with any animals. Withee had been on probation for dumping 23 dead or dying dogs in a Nebraska cornfield in 2008. She has admitted that she violated probation by living with 13 dogs at the Iowa home she shares with her mother. Iowa authorities discovered the dogs in January.  Withee’s attorney, Vicki Kenney, says Withee fits the description of an animal hoarder and described her as “an addict of animals.”

Audubon County Fair officials bestowed the Queen honors Thursday night, on Katelyn Asmus. Runner-up for the title was Taylor Lewis. Seven young ladies were vying for the title to represent the county over the course of the year, and at the Iowa State Fair. The other candidates included: Amanda Steffes, Beth Irlmeier, Clara Lauritsen, Chansea Nelson and Dani Esbeck.

Some activities scheduled for today at the fair include: the 4-H/FFA Sheep & Goat show, at 8-a.m.; Judging of the Open Class static entries, at 9-am; 4-H/FFA Horse Show at 10-am; County Fair Olympics from 1-3pm; Fashion Designer’s Showcase at 4:30-pm; Decorator’s Showcase at 5:30pm; and the Figure 8 Races, beginning at 7:30-pm.