(Updated) – Governor Kim Reynolds says the needs and challenges of today’s workforce have changed — and the U-S Department of Labor is enforcing outdated child labor rules on Iowa businesses. Reynolds has released what she describes as an open letter to Iowans, criticizing federal fines being proposed against Iowa businesses that have employed minors beyond 7 p.m. on school nights. Reynolds signed a state law in 2023 that said 14 and 15 year olds could work until 9 p.m. during the school year and until 11 p.m. in the summertime.

Reynolds says while the extra two hours of nighttime work looks like a sensible option to most Iowans, she says the federal government is treating it like a sinister plot. The governor says for decades Iowa and more than 20 other states have let young teens work more hours than is allowed under federal standards and Iowa businesses are being singled out by heavy-handed federal bureaucrats.

A spokesperson for the U-S Department of Labor says it is dangerous and irresponsible for Iowa’s governor and state legislature to undermine federal child labor protections amidst a rise in child labor exploitation in this country. Democrats in the legislature who voted against the law say they warned Republicans and business groups pressing for the changes the state law violated federal standards.

OTTUMWA, IOWA — U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) today announced that he secured a $1 million investment for a new driving pad at the Indian Hills Community College Truck Driver Education Center in Ottumwa.

“It’s time we start telling the truth: a four-year degree isn’t the only pathway to success. Hands-on learning opportunities open doors for Iowans to good-paying jobs,” said Rep. Nunn. “Indian Hills Community College and other community colleges in Iowa offer critical programs that help Iowans achieve success. This is a key investment to support Iowa’s workforce and economy.”

Rep. Nunn secured $1 million through the Community Project Funding process, which allows members to designate funding for critical initiatives. The funding was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 that was signed into law on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

“We are excited for the announcement and thankful to Congressman Zach Nunn for his diligent work to help secure federal funding that will support improvements to the Commercial Truck Driving Skills Training Facility at the Indian Hills North Campus,” said Dr. Matt Thompson, President of Indian Hills Community College. “Our goal is to continue to increase the number of trained commercial truck drivers to meet regional and statewide workforce needs. Commercial drivers earn great wages and are in significant demand. This project will assist Indian Hills in recruiting and training more drivers to meet the needs of business and industry across our 10 County Region.”

The $1 million investment will assist Indian Hills Community College in constructing a new Commercial Driving Skills Pad at the North Campus in Ottumwa.

Rep. Nunn announced the new funding investment during a press conference with Indian Hills Community College President Matt Thompson at the North Campus Workforce Training Center.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Adair Police Chief was sentenced yesterday (Monday) to 60 months in federal prison for conspiring to make false statements to the ATF, making false statements to the ATF, and illegal possession of a machine gun.

According to public court documents and evidence presented at trial and sentencing, since July 2018, Bradley Eugene Wendt, 47, has been the Chief of Police for Adair, Iowa. He is also the owner of BW Outfitters, a federal firearms licensee in Denison, Iowa. Evidence at trial showed that, between July 2018 and August 2022, Wendt used his position as Chief of Police to obtain machine guns for his own personal use and profit, including to buy machine guns for his own store.

Generally, machine guns made after May 1986 are illegal to transfer and possess. But law enforcement agencies can buy machine guns for their official use and an authorized dealer can get machine guns to demonstrate to a police department for the department’s future possible purchase. If a police department wants to purchase or receive a demonstration of a machine gun, it can submit a letter to ATF, referred to as a “law letter,” expressing its need for and interest in the machine gun.

Between July 2018 and August 2022, Wendt wrote nearly 40 law letters, requesting the purchase or demonstration of 90 machine guns for the Adair Police Department. In the law letters to purchase machine guns for his two-man department, Wendt said he was buying the machine guns for the official use of his department and was not getting the machine guns for resale. In the law letters requesting demonstrations of machine guns, Wendt said the Adair Police Department wanted a demonstration for the department’s future possible purchase of the requested machine guns.

A jury found that Wendt made false statements in several of the law letters, convicting him of one count of conspiracy to make false statements to the ATF and eight counts of making a false statement to the ATF. Evidence at trial showed that Wendt purchased machine guns for the Adair Police Department, but later resold those machine guns at a personal profit of nearly $80,000. The evidence also showed Wendt used demonstration law letters to purchase machine guns for his own gun store, BW Outfitters, including a .50 caliber machine gun called a “Ma Deuce,” which he immediately mounted to his personally owned armored Humvee.

Wendt was also convicted of one count of illegal possession of a machine gun, based on his personal possession of a belt-fed, M60 machine gun registered to the Adair Police Department. Wendt, along with his gun store BW Outfitters, hosted a machine gun shoot in April 2022, where he charged the public to shoot machine guns, including several registered to the Adair Police Department. The jury found Wendt was not acting within the scope of his official duties when he possessed the M60 machine gun.

Wendt was ordered to pay a $50,000 fine. After completing his term of imprisonment, Wendt will be required to serve a three-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said “We expect law enforcement officers to uphold their oath to protect and serve our communities. Instead, Brad Wendt broke the law and betrayed the community by unlawfully obtaining and selling firearms for his own personal profit. The FBI remains steadfast in aggressively investigating and bringing to justice those who misuse their authority for personal gain.”

“Wendt was held accountable for committing a betrayal of the public’s trust by engaging in this machine gun trafficking scheme for personal gain,” stated Gordon N. Mallory, Acting Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Kansas City Division. “This sentence sends a loud message to anyone in public service: if they betray their oath of office and their responsibility to their community, they will be held accountable.”

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made the announcement. “At its core this case was about false statements, driven by the personal ambition of man who saw his badge as a means to an end, rather than a calling.,” stated U.S. Attorney Richard Westphal, “Thank you to our dedicated law enforcement partners at FBI and ATF, and a hard-working prosecution team for pursuing a challenging case and holding Brad Wendt accountable.” This case was investigated by ATF and FBI, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mikaela Shotwell, Shai Gonzales, and Ryan Leemkuil.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports six recent arrests. Early Saturday morning, 38-year-old Julio Alberto Reyes-Ramirez, of Omaha, was arrested for OWI/1st offense.

Four people were arrested Friday in Mills County:

• 61-year-old Ralph Arthur Brewer, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Driving Under Suspension. (Bond $300)
• 31-year-old Jimmy Joe Gappa, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on two counts of Burglary in the 3rd Degree (Bond $2,000)
• 36-year-old Jack Ray Winchel,of Bellevue, NE, was arrested Friday in Mills County, for Accessory After the Fact (Bond $300).
• 63-year-old Jeannette Lousie Zaiger, of Tabor, was arrested for Criminal Mischief in the 3rd and 4th Degrees (Bond$2,000).

And, on June 26th, Mills County Deputies arrested 45-year-old Joshua Robert Saunders, of Pacific Junction, for Driving Under Suspension (Bond $300).

(Sidney, Iowa) – The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office today (Monday) released a report on arrests that took place from June 4th through July 1st. The list of names and alleged offenses are shown below:

On 06/04/2024, deputies arrested Santasia Unique Smith, age 30 of Omaha, Nebraska for three counts of Child Endangerment. She was released after posting a $2,000 bond.

On 06/05/2024, deputies arrested Aunkia Jean Hayes, age 19 of Hamburg, Iowa for Possession of Alcohol under Legal Age. She was cited and released.

On 06/05/2024, deputies arrested Brooklyn Ann Harris, age 19 of New Market, Iowa for Possession of Alcohol under Legal Age. She was cited and released.

On 06/07/2024, deputies arrested Julio Cesar Galan Vargas, age 49 of Omaha, Nebraska for OWI 1st Offense and Providing False ID. He is being held without bond pending court proceedings

On 06/10/2024, deputies arrested Benjamin Michael Johnson, age 40 of Shenandoah, Iowa for Probation Violation. He was sentenced to the Regional Correctional Facility.

On 06/13/2024, deputies arrested Mariah Marie McKeone, age 32 of Council Bluffs for Driving Under Suspension. She plead guilty and was released.

On 06/17/2024, deputies arrested Billy Ray Foster, age 49 of Clarinda, Iowa for Probation Violation. He was booked and released.

On 06/19/2024, deputies arrested Kateria Marie Shearer, age 24 of Raymond, Nebraska for Disorderly Conduct. She was released on $300 bond.

On 06/19/2024, deputies arrested Abraham Menses-Sanchez, age 32 of Omaha, Nebraska as a Fugitive from Justice. He is being held awaiting extradition to Nebraska.

On 06/21/2024, deputies arrested David Dale Morelock, age 38 of Farragut, Iowa for OWI 1st Offense and Driving While Revoked. He was released on a $1,000 bond.

On 06/21/2024, deputies arrested Brandon Michael Goff, age 30 of Shelby, Iowa for Possession of a Controlled Substance and OWI 1st Offense. He was released on a $2,000 bond.

On 06/21/2024, deputies arrested Raebecca Emmily Warner, age 29 of Omaha, Nebraska for Possession of a Controlled Substance. She was released on a $1,000 bond

On 06/21/2024, deputies attempted to stop two sport motorcycles for speeding near Sidney, Iowa. Both motorcycles fled law enforcement reaching speeds over 135 miles per hour in a 55 Mph zone. Deputies were able to identify both suspects and on 06/23/2024, both suspects turned themselves into law enforcement. Deputies arrested John Jacob Myers, age 22 of Hamburg, Iowa and Logan Young Birkby, age 22 of Thurman, Iowa for felony Eluding. Both were released on a $5,000 bond.

On 06/26/2024, deputies arrested Cristian Omar Rodriguez De Paz, age 26 of Sidney for three counts of Child Endangerment. He was released on a $2,000 bond.

On 06/27/2024, deputies arrested Amy Jo Liles, age 37 of Shenandoah, Iowa for Leaving the scene of an Injury Accident. She was released on a $1,000 bond.

On 06/27/2024, deputies arrested Sherry Danette Young, age 46 of Polo, Missouri for Probation Violation. She is being held without bond pending District Court.

On 06/28/2024, deputies arrested Tyler James Nichols, age 37 of Council Bluffs, IA for Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released on a $1,000 bond.

On 06/28/2024, deputies arrested Kaitlyn Jean Banks, age 29 of Council Bluffs, IA for Possession of Marijuana – 1st Offense and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was released on $1,300 bond.

On 06/29/2024, deputies arrested Heather Autumn Shaw, age 36 of Farragut, IA for Driving Under Suspension. She was released on $566.25 bond.

On 06/29/2024, deputies arrested Paul Michael Laughlin, age 59 of Imogene, IA for Domestic Abuse Assault – 1st Offense. He was released on $300 bond.

On 06/30/2024, deputies arrested Theresa Renee Charles, age 38 of Council Bluffs, IA for Driving License Denied/Revoked – OWI. She is being held on $1,000 bond.

On 07/01/2024, deputies arrested Corbin Michael Reed, age 22 of Shenandoah, IA for Public Intoxication and Possession of Controlled Substance. He is being held on $1,300 bond.

Banks

Birkby

Charles

Foster

Goff

Harris

Hayes

Johnson

Reed

Nicholas

Myers

Morelock

Laughlin

Liles

McKeone

Menses-Sanchez

Young

Warner

Vargas

Smith

Shearer

Shaw

Rodriguez De-Paz

(Radio Iowa) – Stoplights in Spencer are back in action, but power is still out in many neighborhoods following flash flooding that hit the city ten days ago. Spencer Mayor Steve Bomgaars says initial estimates indicate 40 percent of homes in Spencer have flood damage. “Some of our friends on the southside of the town who are without electricity still,” he says, “and we even have some pockets on the north side of town that don’t have electricity.” FEMA representatives went door-to-door in southeast Spencer on Saturday. Bomgaars says the latest tally shows nearly 15-hundred Spencer residents have applied in person or online for some form of federal assistance.

Iowa Department of Transportation dump trucks started hauling debris out of Spencer this weekend. Kevin Robinson, the deputy city manager in Spencer, says the first D-O-T crews who rolled into Spencer on Saturday collected 152 loads of debris — including 350 appliances from the north central area of Spencer. “Their run time is going to be from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.,” Robinson says. “They work straight through. They don’t take breaks. They eat their meals in transit.”

Some Clay County residents who live outside of Spencer have brought their flood damaged debris into Spencer for disposal, but Clay County officials say residents in rural areas can also arrange for crews to pick-up flood debris at their homes.

(Clarinda, Iowa) – Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports his Officers recently made two arrests, in connection with an investigation concerning the distribution of methamphetamine in Clarinda. On Friday afternoon, June 28th, officers arrested 54-year-old Lowell Richard Wilcox, of Clarinda, and 44-year-old Cindy Jo Gray, of New Market. Wilcox and Gray are both charged with felony distribution of methamphetamine, felony possession of methamphetamine and failure to affix drug tax stamps.

The pair are currently in custody at the Page County Jail on $25,000 bond, pending formal charging decisions by the Page County Attorney’s Office.

“All defendants are presumed innocent under [the] system of criminal justice, until found guilty in a court of law.”

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Guthrie County say no injuries were reported following two accidents that took place last week. Wednesday morning, a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 18-year-old Mason Joseph Sawyer, of Coon Rapids, was traveling north on Andrews Terrace. When Sawyer attempted to turn into a driveway, the SUV went out control and rolled over before coming to rest against a tree. Authorities say he was driving too fast for conditions, but there were no citations issued. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $4,500.

And, on June 23rd, a 2010 Chevy Traverse driven by 49-year-old Kerry Ann Stonehocker, of Linden, backed into a gas pump at Sparky’s Gas Station, in Guthrie Center. The woman told authorities she was backing-up and thought she saw someone in her peripheral vision. She accelerated in reverse into the gas pump, to avoid a potential collision. No citations were issued. Damage to the car amounted to $4,000. Damage to the gas pump was estimated at $50,000.

Authorities said also, Panora Police covered the accident that took place Friday. Three juveniles were injured – two were ejected. Additional details were not immediately available.

(Radio Iowa) – The Independence Day holiday is going to be a long one with the 4th falling on Thursday, and that could mean a lot more celebrating across the state. State Patrol Trooper Paul Gardner says they don’t want the celebration to spill over to the highways. “July 4th, there’s gonna be a lot of celebrations and we want to make sure that everyone is partying responsibly,” he says, “and if those parties do involve alcoholic beverages that need to just make sure that they’re going to be having designated drivers to get everyone home safe.” He says a special holiday enforcement effort will start on Wednesday.

“And that’s really going to focus on O-W-I enforcement so we’ll have extra troopers on the roads we’ll be working with our local law enforcement agencies as well,” Gardner says. Gardner says alcohol and driving can be fatal for you and others.  “Last year in 2023, statewide we had 377 traffic fatalities and we were at a five year high and we’ve seen a reduction in that so far this year, but last year’s total also included 38 percent of those that were killed in traffic crashes were involving drunk drivers,” Gardner says.

The special holiday traffic enforcement will run through Sunday July 7th.