(Red Oak, Iowa) – A chain-reaction accident in Red Oak early Tuesday afternoon involving four vehicles, resulted in six people, including three juveniles, being transported to the Montgomery County Hospital, in Red Oak for treatment of minor injuries. According to the Red Oak Police Department, a 2005 GMC Yukon SUV driven by a 16-year-old Red Oak female, was traveling south on 8th Street a little after 12-p.m., Tuesday. The vehicle was stopped, waiting to cross Highway 34. When the teen driver pulled away from the stop sign, she entered the path of a 2012 GMC Sierra pickup that westbound on Highway 34 pulling a trailer, and was driven by 51-year-old Barry J. Martinson, of Lincoln, NE.

The Sierra struck the SUV in the front fender, causing the pickup to cross the center line of the road before striking a 1997 Ford F-250 pickup that was stopped eastbound, waiting to turn north. The Ford was driven by 31-year-old Nathan John Hossle, of Emerson. His pickup then struck a 2022 Ford panel van that was eastbound and driven by 45-year-old Dustin Meader, of Fremont, NE.

The Sierra and Ford pickup’s ended-up in the south ditch. The SUV ended-up in the north ditch. The van stopped on the road. The driver of the SUV and two juvenile passengers were transported by private vehicle to the Montgomery County Hospital. Martinson and his passenger, Pamela Wheeler, along with Nathan Hossle, were transported to the hospital by Red Oak Rescue. Dustin Meader was not injured in the crash.

The driver of the SUV was cited for Failure to Yield upon entering a through highway. Red Oak Police were assisted at the scene by Red Oak Rescue, the Red Oak Fire Dept., the Montgomery County EMA, Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies, the City of Red Oak Street Dept., and Montgomery County Communications.

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] — A central Iowa man faces a felony charge of possession of child pornography after he walked into a police station to confess to the crime. KCCI reports 18-year-old Jack R. Conner, of Altoona, is charged with one count of purchase/possess depiction of a minor in a sex act, first offense, a Class D felony.

According to court records, on Monday evening, Conner walked into the Altoona Police Department and told them he wanted to confess to criminal activity. Conner was interviewed by a detective and admitted that he had been purchasing “child sexual abuse material” on a smartphone app for several years.

The court records say Conner consented to a search of his phone during the interview, where a photo of genitals belonging to a 15-year-old girl was found. Conner allegedly told the investigator that he knew the girl in the photo was 15 and he knew her through the app. He said he spent approximately $600-$700 on child pornography since he started seeking it.

In an unrelated incident, Police in Indianola said they arrested two suspects after an investigation into a report of attempted sexual abuse of a minor. A search warrant was executed at a residence in the 1600 block of West 3rd Avenue early Tuesday morning. As a result, 41-year-old Jason Witzke, of Indianola, was arrested and taken to the Warren County Jail. Police say 39-year-old Valerie Cross, of Creston, was also charged after being taken into custody in Greenfield Tuesday morning. She was also booked into the Warren County Jail.

Authorities allege Witzke and Cross attempted to entice a minor for sexual contact in Indianola. Witzke faces several charges, including conspiracy to commit forcible felony and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse. Cross is charged with enticing a minor, child endangerment and conspiracy to commit forcible felony, along with other charges.

(Burlington, Iowa) – A strong storm that swept through parts of southeast Iowa late Tuesday caused significant tree damage and power outages. The National Weather Service office in the Quad Cities issued a Special Weather Statement at around 10-p.m., warning about storms that extended from near West Branch into parts of far western Illinois. The storms were sad to pack winds of up to 50-mph, but social media reports seemed to indicate they were much stronger.

Burlington (IA) Police took to social media to ask residents to be patient tonight with first responders, Alliant Energy and Street Department crews, as there were “multiple trees down, lines down, roads flooded and alarms going off due to the storm.”

Some residents reported the storm appeared without warning, and toppled trees, a flag pole, and power lines down across vehicles parked on the street. The NWS said at around 10:30-p.m., Tuesday, that “Clusters of thunderstorms will continue into the late night, especially along and south of Interstate 80.” They said also, “some of the stronger storms were capable of producing gusty winds, small hail, frequent lightning, and heavy rainfall. Ponding of water and urban flooding may be possible into the early morning hours.”

As of early this (Wednesday) morning, there was no official word on any damage from the Weather Service.

(Radio Iowa) – State Auditor Rob Sand says his office will conduct an audit of the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. Sand says the audit comes at the request of State Representative Sue Cahill, a Democrat from Marshalltown. Cahill tells Sand the audit is needed after the unexpected layoffs in July of eleven full-time staff.

She says these cuts were made without input from the Legislature and occurred despite the home receiving an additional one million dollars in state funding during the budget process.

Cahill says in her letter to Sand that the cuts are in direct conflict of their mission to “provide a continuum of care to Iowa’s veterans and their spouses in an environment focusing on individualized services to enhance their quality of life.”

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Utilities Commission held a hearing today (Tuesday) to review potential changes to the state’s renewable energy rules. Environmental groups claim the rules, written in 2017, are outdated and have been used by utilities to mislead Iowans about their renewable energy usage. They want them rescinded and new rules put in place.

Environmental Law and Policy Center attorney Josh Mandelbaum says they believe the rules are actively causing harm to the public by facilitating, legitimizing and failing to hold an account deceptive utility practices All sides will submit their concerns about the rules to the commission next month for further review and discussion.

(Red Oak, Iowa) — A man and a woman were arrested this (Tuesday) afternoon in Red Oak, on numerous charges. According to the Red Oak Police Department, 34-year-old Dylan Thomas Griffeth, and 26-year-old Abigail Jean Kates, both of Red Oak, were taken into custody at around 12:15-p.m., at a residence on E. Market Street.

Griffeth was arrested on five Iowa warrants that include two counts of probation violation — each carries a $10,000 cash-only bond; Domestic Abuse Assault/3rd offense ($5,000 cash-only bond); Harassment in the 3rd degree; and a warrant for violation of a no contact order (with bonds at $300 each). Griffeth was also charged with interference with official acts ($300 bond).

Abigail Kates was arrested for Violation of a no-contact order, Interference with official acts, and being an Accessory after the fact. Her bond was set at $300.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the Fourth Judicial District parole officer also assisted in the arrest of both subjects.

CRESTON – Lake water levels at Three Mile Lake in Union County will be lowered an additional three feet as a part of an ongoing lake restoration project.

Managers will maintain the lake at approximately eleven feet below normal pool to expose additional areas of the lake bed and shoreline for construction. Water released through the lake’s outlet structure to lower the lake level will be released slowly to avoid downstream impacts.

Construction activities began in the fall of 2023 and will be completed in the spring of 2025, when managers will allow the lake to refill. An effort will be made to maintain recreation throughout the project and access to the lake for boating via the main boat ramp. Boaters should use caution throughout the lake as tree stumps, cedar tree brush piles, and underwater reefs may be at or near the water’s surface with the lower water levels.

The restoration project will improve and protect water quality in Three Mile Lake and provide new recreational opportunities for this popular destination. Planned activities include stabilizing the shoreline, improving the jetties, installing fish habitat and modifying the existing in-lake silt basin.

DES MOINES, Iowa – On August 22, 2024, the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Office to Combat Human Trafficking partnered with law enforcement and service providers from across the United States to conduct a multi-state human trafficking operation.

This operation, named “Coast to Coast,” was a grassroots effort involving 12 states with the common goals of identifying trafficking victims, offering these victims much-needed services, arresting traffickers, and making our communities safer. The following Iowa agencies assisted in the operation:

Department of Public Safety (including the Iowa State Patrol and the Division of Intelligence & Fusion Center, Division of Criminal Investigation, and Division of Narcotics Enforcement); Ames Police Department; Ankeny Police Department; Bettendorf Police Department; Burlington Police Department; Cedar Rapids Police Department; Clinton Police Department; Davenport Police Department; Des Moines Police Department; MINE Task Force; Ottumwa Police Department; Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Scott County Sheriff’s Office; Wapello County Sheriff’s Office; West Des Moines Police Department; and prosecutors with the Polk County Attorney’s Office, Scott County Attorney’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office.

Iowa joined law enforcement agencies and service providers from New Jersey, Ohio, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, California, Minnesota, and Washington to carry out the operation. Private organizations also assisted, including the Human Trafficking Training Center, Safe House Project, and Nurses Against Trafficking.

Dorothy’s House, Chains Interrupted, and Polk County Crisis and Advocacy Services provided victim services during the Iowa operation. Seventeen adults were contacted and offered food, lodging, medical services, drug rehabilitation, counseling/therapy, and childcare. Seven adults were contacted, detained, or identified during the operation.

Further details cannot be released at this time as the investigations are ongoing.

Human trafficking continues to be an issue across America and agencies across the country are taking it seriously to minimize its devastating impacts. For more information on Operation “Coast to Coast” from a national perspective, please contact Dan Nash at dan@humantraffickingtrainingcenter.com.

If you suspect human trafficking in your area, please call 911 or your local law enforcement agency.

(BOONE, IA) – Fareway Stores, Inc. is partnering with The Iowa Wave Shirt to conduct the fourth annual Round Up at the register from August 26 – September 7 at all Iowa store locations, the two weeks ahead of the Iowa vs. Iowa State football game.

Customers will have the opportunity to round up to the next dollar or provide an additional donation on their grocery bill to help fund The Iowa Wave Shirt’s mission. Dollars raised through the round up will benefit the Iowa Wave Shirt, a non-profit created to support the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Additionally, Fareway employees can purchase a co-branded Iowa Wave Shirt in their favorite team colors to wear during the event, on game-days, or other events throughout the year.

“The Iowa Wave Shirt team is thrilled to partner with Fareway as part of their Lead with Love commitment to our local communities. Celebrating the third year of collaboration is an exciting way to bring the spirit of The Iowa Wave into each store while also embracing some friendly state rivalry competition,” said The Iowa Wave Shirt co-founder Meighan Phillips. “We are so moved by the support of Fareway customers across our Iowa communities and look forward to celebrating with the campaign-leading store!”

“We are so proud to partner with the Iowa Wave Shirt to help make a difference in the lives of children treated at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital,” said Rob Stevenson, Director of Corporate Outreach and Employee Engagement for Fareway Stores. “Thanks to our generous customers and employees for helping lead the way in providing enhanced care for kids and their families.”

About The Iowa Wave Shirt

The Iowa Wave Shirt brings together Hawkeye fans, friends of the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital (UISFCH) and generous hearts across our country in support of children at UISFCH. Support of the Iowa Wave Shirt demonstrates that together, we can make a difference in the lives of the children that are treated at UISFCH.  In the first six seasons of The Iowa Wave, our community of givers donated more than $2 million to UISFCH.  Today, each person that supports the Iowa Wave Shirt supports enhanced care, new and innovative research through the Iowa Wave Shirt Pediatric Research Fund, the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Center and care within the Child Life Program. 

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who want to vote by mail can now start requesting absentee ballots for this fall’s election, as today (Tuesday) is the first day county auditors can accept applications for those absentee ballots. Becky Bissell, president of the Iowa State Association of County Auditors, says it’s a good idea for Iowans to request ballots sooner rather than later to allow for processing at the auditor’s office and for mail times.

“It’s really important to get them in ahead of time so that you have more days at home to fill out your ballot,” Bissell says, “and then that also gives you more days that you can get it mailed back to us.” Bissell says if you want to vote absentee, get your application in as early as possible.

“The window is only 20 days before the election, and so that is for you to get it voted and mailed back,” she says, “and we know that in most rural areas, the postal service is a little bit slower, and so it could be five to seven days before any of my residents get their mail back to me or get the mail to them.”

Bissell, who’s from Adams County, says Iowans who want to vote by mail should make sure they’re registered to vote. Voters can then print an absentee ballot request form at voterready.iowa.gov, or call their county auditor to have an application mailed to them.

Completed ballot request forms must be mailed or delivered to the voter’s county auditor. County auditors can start sending ballots to voters on October 16th.