DES MOINES — Tuesday Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the appointment of Kraig Paulsen, currently director of the Iowa Department of Revenue, to serve as interim director of the Department of Management. Paulsen replaces Joel Anderson who was serving as interim director after Michael Bousselot resigned last month to run for and successfully attain a seat in Iowa House District 37. Paulsen’s appointment is effective October 1, 2021.  

“Kraig has been a valued and trusted member of my cabinet serving as the Director of the Department of Revenue,” said Gov. Reynolds. “With Kraig’s wealth of knowledge and expertise in the financial sector, he will provide great leadership and sound fiscal management over the state’s budget and ensure our state continues to prosper and move forward.”

“I’m honored that Governor Reynolds entrusts me to provide Iowa taxpayers with excellence and accountability with the state’s finances,” said Kraig Paulsen. “Fiscal responsibility is key to a healthy and balanced budget and I will ensure transparency through the process while making decisions that are in the best interest of Iowans.” 

Paulsen was appointed to serve as director of the Iowa Department of Revenue in February of 2019, a role he will continue. He has previously served as director of both the Supply Chain Initiatives and Business Analytics Initiatives at Iowa State University’s Ivy College of Business, commissioner at the Iowa Department of Transportation, and in the Iowa legislature as Speaker of the House.

The Harlan Police Department reports three separate arrests in the past couple of weeks.

On September 15th Officers arrested 33-year-old Jeremy Steven Mannion of Logan for Driving While Suspended and No Proof of Insurance following a traffic stop.

On September 22nd Harlan Police arrested 24-year-old Victor Alejandro Quezada Hernandez of Denison following a traffic stop. He was charge with Driving While Suspended, Improper Use of Registration, and No Proof of Insurance. He was booked into the Shelby County Jail.

On September 28th Harlan Police arrested 21-year-old Blaine Michael Barber of Harlan for Public Intoxication. He was booked into the Shelby County Jail.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest of 33-year-old Lucas James Bogart of Red Oak at 7:28 p.m. on Tuesday during a traffic stop in the 100 block of E Walnut Street in Red Oak. Bogart was charged with Driving While Revoked, a serious misdemeanor. He was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $1,000 bond.

The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office released details on an accident that occurred on Wednesday, September 22nd at 11:40 a.m. The single vehicle accident took place on Soldier Trail as a 2012 Ford Edge driven by 15-year-old Allie Lou Olesen of Bagley was traveling westbound. Olesen was traveling too fast on the gravel road and lost control on a curve, entered the westbound ditch and struck a utility pole.

The vehicle came to rest after hitting the pole. A passenger in the vehicle 15-year-old Taylor Lynn Kunze of Panora complained of pain and possible injury.

The utility pole owned by Guthrie County REC and wiring on the pole sustained a total of $2,400 damage.

One driver suffered possible injuries during a two-vehicle accident on Monday morning in Guthrie County. Guthrie County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to the accident at Wood Road and Highway 141 at 7:45 a.m.

After investigation it was determined a 2013 Ford Escape driven by 65-year-old Kimberly Ann Smith of Jamaica, IA was stopped at the stop sign on Wood Road with Highway 141. Smith failed to yield to a 2008 Peterbilt Semi driven by 39-year-old Brandon Ryan Hingeley of Scranton and was struck in the front quarter of the vehicle. Both vehicles came to rest on Highway 141. Smith complained of pain and possible injury and was taken to the Guthrie County Hospital to be checked out.

The Escape was towed from the scene and the Semi was able to drive away.

CRESTON, Iowa – Sept. 28, 2021 – A pavement patching project on Iowa 25 between U.S. 34 and Union County Road H-24 near Creston will require intermittent lane closures in both directions beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 28 until Thursday, Oct. 14, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Creston construction office.

A pilot car and flaggers will direct motorists through the work zone while work is taking place.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

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Two people suffered unknown injuries during a two-vehicle accident in Shambaugh on Monday afternoon. Page County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to the accident scene at 3:46 p.m. on Monday at the intersection of Highway 71 and 4th Street in Shambaugh.

After investigation it was determined that a 2007 Ford Focus driven by 26-year-old Dakota Allen Woodruff of Clarinda was traveling on 4th Street and attempted to pull onto Highway 71. A 2018 Honda Pilot driven by 68-year-old Gary Lee Barlow of Clarinda was traveling southbound on Highway 71 north of the intersection with 4th Street. Woodruff began to pull out onto the highway but stopped when he realized the Honda was coming. Barlow attempted to slow and swerve from the Ford but was unable to avoid a collision due to the short distance and speed involved. The Honda collided with the Ford in the rear half of the driver’s side of the vehicle, spinning the Ford around. The Focus came to rest in the intersection and Barlow’s Honda continued southwesterly into the ditch on the south side of the intersection before coming to rest.

Woodruff and a juvenile passenger in Barlow’s vehicle were transported to Clarinda Regional Health Center by Clarinda Ambulance Service with unknown injuries.

Woodruff was cited for Failure to Obey Stop Sign. The Page County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Clarinda Fire Department, Clarinda Ambulance Service, and Page County Emergency Management.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of 46-year-old Nathaniel Gene Teeters of Bedford on Monday for Driving While License Barred. He was arrested on Highway 71 and 4th Street in Shambaugh when he drove upon an accident scene that was being investigated by the Page County Sheriff’s Office. He was booked into the Page County Jail and held on $2,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) A federal judge has extended his order allowing Iowa schools to require that students and staff wear masks. The new order preventing enforcement of the state law banning mask mandates in schools lasts until October 11th. The judge’s original restraining order was issued September 13th and, since then, at least two dozen Iowa districts have adopted some sort of requirement that face coverings be worn at school. A disability rights organization and a group of parents filed the lawsuit, saying their children are at higher risk of getting Covid in schools where masks are not being worn.

The Associated Press is reporting court documents in support of the lawsuit indicate that in the first month of this school year, the number of Covid cases in 11 Iowa school districts was higher than the number of positive cases in all of the last school year.

In support of the state’s bid to dismiss the lawsuit, the parent of a Muscatine student with a hearing disability has testified his son has difficulty hearing his teacher who’s wearing a mask.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of an Emerson man on Tuesday morning. At about 6:00 a.m. Deputies arrested 21-year-old Adam Dennis Letts of Emerson after he was stopped for operating a vehicle with expired license plates. He was also charged with Driving While License Barred and on a Warrant from Bremer County for Driving While License Barred. He was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $750 bond.