Officials with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Friday evening, released the names of the victims in a triple-homicide at the Maquoketa Caves State Park. All three victims were from Cedar Falls. They were identified as

• 42-year-old Tyler Schmidt
• 42-year-old Sarah Schmidt
• and six-year old Lulu Schmidt

The Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner will conduct autopsies of all three victims. Once completed, the findings will be released. Additionally, the State Medical Examiner will perform an autopsy on the suspect, 23-year-old Anthony Orlando Sherwin, of LaVista, Nebraska. Authorities say he shot the victims before turning the gun on himself. It’s not clear what connection the victims had to the shooter. 

The incident happened just before 6:30 a.m. Friday, as the family was staying in a tent at the state park campground. Investigators do not believe there is an on-going risk to the public. This is an on-going investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has issued reports on several arrests between July 7th and the 19th. At around 12:30-a.m. on July 7th, Deputies tried to initiate a traffic stop on an un-plated GMC pickup, in the area of 220th and Vine Avenue, in Montgomery County. The vehicle fled from Deputies, with the pursuit traveling south into Villisca, before heading east into Adams County. The truck eventually turned south into Taylor County, where it entered a farm field and became stuck.

The driver, 36-year-old Brandon Ray Larson, of Atlantic, was arrested on charges that include Possession with the Intent to Deliver (more than 5 grams of meth) – A Class B Felony, Driving While Barred, and Felony Eluding. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $25,000 bond.

On Tuesday (July 19), Deputies conducted a traffic stop at around 8:45-p.m., on Boxelder Avenue, south of Highway 34. Upon investigation, 58-year-old Scott Wuster, of Omaha, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana/1st offense (A Serious misdemeanor), and Poss. of an Offensive Weapon (A Class-D Felony). Wuster was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $5,000 bond. The Mills County K9 Unit and Montgomery County Communications Center assisted in handling the incident.

On July 11th at around 11:30-p.m., Deputies in Montgomery County conducted a traffic stop at 180th Street and Highway 49. They arrested 37-year-old Cory Ross Smith, of Elliott, for Driving While Barred. His bond was set at $2,000. On July 8th, 50-year-old Kevin Lee Ward, of Urbandale, and 45-year-old Justine Elaine Gregory, of Hamburg, was arrested in Montgomery County, for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. They were transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on full bond. Fremont County Sheriff’s Deputies assisted in handling the incident.

(Randolph, Iowa) – One person was injured during a single-vehicle accident that took place at around 9:55-a.m. Friday (today), in Fremont County. Sheriff’s officials say a car driven by 58-year-old Teresa Elliott, of Randolph, was traveling south on 370th Avenue, east of Randolph, when the vehicle drove into the west ditch.

Elliott over-corrected and left the roadway to the left before rolling over and coming to rest on its wheels, in a cornfield. Elliott was transported by medical helicopter to a hospital in Omaha, for treatment of unknown injuries. The Sheriff’s Department said the woman was wearing her seat belt, and that alcohol was not a factor in the accident.

Shenandoah Fire and Rescue assisted Deputies at the crash site.

(UPDATE/Radio Iowa) – Three people were found shot to death in the campground at Maquoketa Caves State Park early this (Friday) morning and authorities say suspect has been found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities have identified the suspected gunman as 23-year-old Anthony Sherwin, of Nebraska.

Police arrived at Maquoketa Caves State Park shortly before 7 a.m. after reports of a shooting and found the bodies of three campers. The campground was evacuated and the park was closed. The suspect’s body was found between 11 and 11:30 a.m. west of the park.

An agent with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation says there is no threat to the public, but the park will remain closed.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs today (Friday) announced that 13 Iowa communities will receive the state’s support through two creative placemaking programs that put the arts, culture and history at the center of creative community development. The department designated new Iowa Great Places in Jefferson, Oskaloosa, Washington and Woodbine, and re-designated Appanoose County/Vermillion Township, Bondurant, Council Bluffs, Malvern, Maquoketa and the Turkey River Recreation Corridor. The department also designated new Iowa Cultural & Entertainment Districts in Iowa City, McGregor and Winterset.

“The Iowa Great Places and Iowa Cultural and Entertainment Districts form the backbone of our state’s overall community building and tourism strategy,” Gov. Kim Reynolds said. “Each place tells an authentic story, and we’re proud to support their proud community spirit and hard work.” Iowa Dept. of Cultural Affairs Director Chris Kramer says “These communities are committed to transforming their towns and businesses by growing their creative workforce. These programs help Iowans develop and focus a vision for the sustainable development of their cultural places while generating new economic opportunities. We look forward to partnering with them to make their visions a reality.”

The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs designates Iowa Great Places to support new and existing infrastructure that cultivates arts and culture, architecture, business, community diversity, historic assets, housing options and the natural environment in their neighborhoods, communities and regions. Today’s (Friday’s) announcement brings the total number of Iowa Great Places to 42 communities, which have collectively received more than $22 million in state support – while leveraging millions more in local investments – since the program started in 2005. Funding for the program comes from the Iowa Legislature through an annual appropriation from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund.

The department designates Iowa Cultural & Entertainment Districts to recognize well-identified, walkable, mixed-use destinations with a high concentration of flagship cultural facilities. Today’s announcement brings the total number of districts to 16. Both designation programs are key components of Iowa’s creative placemaking strategy, which drives cultural community development and economic opportunities across the state.

Arts and culture production accounts for more than $4.5 billion in economic activity, 43,000 jobs, and 2.3 percent of Iowa’s economy and is one of three key sectors that drive regional economies. In addition, more than two-thirds of young people choose a place to live before a job. Amenities and quality of life are key factors in their decisions. In rural areas, research shows that communities with more arts and design businesses, music venues and performing arts facilities attract more out-of-county visitors, have higher business innovation scores and experience faster population growth.

Both the Iowa Great Places and Iowa Cultural & Entertainment District programs are administered by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. The list of new Iowa Great Places and CED designations announced today follows:

In Western Iowa, newly designated Iowa Great Places include:

Woodbine and Willow Lake
Woodbine’s track record includes an iconic artistic grain elevator, historic street lights, the Downtown Sculpture Competition and the CREW Center, a $13 million regional wellness center that opened in 2021. Woodbine was recognized in 2014 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Main Street America for its outstanding downtown revitalization. Woodbine Main Street and Harrison County Conservation will lead the new Iowa Great Place project plans.

Woodbine downtown (Michael Morain photos)

Newly designated Iowa Cultural & Entertainment Districts include:

Winterset
The Winterset Cultural & Entertainment District is a walkable and accessible 11-block area that comprises multiple cultural, arts and tourism attractions along with green space, murals and public sculptures. It is anchored by the Winterset Public Library, Winterset Art Center, John Wayne Birthplace and Museum, George Stout Marker, Madhaus Gallery and the Madison County Chamber of Commerce and is home to 78 contributing buildings, such as the Iowa Theater, Madison County Courthouse, Iowa Quilt Museum and more.

Madison. Winterset. Iowa Theater. RAGBRAI, 7-21-19.