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Missing Webster City man found

News

October 23rd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Webster City Police said today (Wednesday), that a man who has been missing for four days had been found.  Police say 38-year-old Jay Dee Wynkoop was located. Wynkoop was reported missing on Sunday afternoon. His car was found parked outside a Webster City convenience store.

Webster City Police Chief Shiloh Mork said out of the respect for the family, no further information will be released.

Three Men Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

News

October 23rd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum today (Wednesday), announced that October 16th, 35-year old Marcus John Josephson, was sentenced in Council Bluffs United States District Court, for his role in a Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Josephson was sentenced to slightly less than 8.5-years (102 months) in prison, to be followed by a term of supervised release of three years.

On August 20, 2019, Josephson’s co-defendants, 47-year old Dustyn Russell Bond and 31-year old Clayton Dean Stucker, were also sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Bond was sentenced to 176 months of imprisonment (14.6-years), to be followed by a term of supervised release of eight years; and Stucker was sentenced to 77 months (6.4-years) in prison, to be followed by a term of supervised release of five years.

All three defendants had earlier pleaded guilty to this charge. On January 10, 2018, Bond and Stucker were stopped by law enforcement in Mills County and found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Bond and Stucker were associated with Marcus Josephson, who assisted them in the distribution of controlled substances in Montgomery County.

The case was investigated by the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Mills County Sheriff’s Department and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa. #

(Update) Search for missing Clarinda man continues

News

October 23rd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The Page County Sheriff’s Office, Wednesday afternoon, said efforts to find a missing rural Clarinda man who suffers from Dementia, are continuing. 69-year old Dale Allen Hodtwalker went missing Tuesday morning. He was last seen sometime between 4-and 5-a.m., Tuesday.

Emergency personnel and Law Enforcement from several counties are conducting a trained systematic search of a greater circumference from where Hodtwalker was last scene. Once again the search is being conducted by motorized vehicle, persons on foot, drone, helicopter, and water rescue.

The trained systematic search by Emergency personnel / Law Enforcement was expected to continue until dark again today (Wednesday) unless Hodtwalker is found. Hodtwalker is about six-feet tall, and weighs around 140 pounds. He has grey hair, a grey beard, and blue eyes, and was last seen in the residence, wearing a grey or blue t-shirt, grey and black Pajama pants and white socks. Family members said that Hodtwalker is unstable on his feet and walks with a severe limp. He also can’t speak and can hardly hear.

Anyone with information about Mr. Hodtwalker’s location is asked to call the Page County Sheriff’s Office 712-545193, Pagecomm dispatch 712-542-1419, or their local Law Enforcement agency.

Iowa woman wrongly charged of arson to receive $100K settlement

News

October 23rd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

SEATTLE (AP) — A Washington state fire authority has agreed to pay an Iowa woman $100,000 after she was wrongly investigated and charged with first-degree felony arson. The Seattle Times reports that the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority has settled the civil-rights lawsuit with 66-year-old Linda Poplawski of Des Moines. Authorities say the arson charges resulted from a 2016 fire in a Kent strip mall that leveled a Dollar Tree store and damaged two other businesses.

The lawsuit claims 30-year-old city fire investigator Capt. Eric Pedersen willfully withheld evidence linking the fire to a known gang member after a witness called to report the convicted arsonist. Her attorney says she spent months in custody. Poplawski has no criminal history.

Iowa trooper fired in harassment case sues over termination

News

October 23rd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa trooper who was fired after a lengthy sexual harassment and workplace safety investigation has filed a lawsuit alleging he was wrongly terminated and illegally blocked from seeking disability.

Former Iowa State Patrol officer Wade Karp, who worked at the Capitol complex for a decade, alleges that superiors told him he could not apply for disability before they fired him last year. Karp’s lawsuit, filed Tuesday, says that he became aware of his potential disability after receiving the results of a medical evaluation that he’d been ordered to undergo during a 10-month paid leave .

Karp was removed from duty and put under investigation in 2017 after a Capitol employee reported receiving unsettling Facebook messages in which Karp sought a romantic relationship. She and others were concerned, in part, because Karp had previously discharged a rifle in the workplace. A termination letter accused Karp of “intimidating, threatening and unwelcome” interactions.

But Karp’s lawsuit alleges his termination was without “just cause” and inconsistent with the state’s progressive discipline policy. His attorney has said the Facebook messages weren’t intended to harass.

DEA to accept electronic vaping devices and cartridges as part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

News

October 23rd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

On Saturday, October 26, in continuation of this effort, DEA and its national, tribal and community partners will hold the 18th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day across the country. The service is free and anonymous.

For the first time, DEA will now accept vaping devices and cartridges at any of its drop off locations during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. It is important to note that DEA cannot accept devices containing lithium ion batteries. If batteries cannot be removed prior to drop-off, DEA encourages individuals to consult with stores that recycle lithium ion batteries.

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced another opportunity for consumers to dispose of unneeded and expired prescription drugs during the next DEA National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 26, 2019, from 10 am to 2 pm. On this day, thousands of collection sites will be available across the country to accept unneeded and expired prescription drugs, including controlled substances, for safe and legal disposal. Since 2010, DEA has held 17 National Take-Back Days, and has collected and disposed of a total of 5,908.2 tons (11.8 million pounds) of these medications.

In addition to take-back day programs, there are many permanent disposal kiosks located throughout the country that can be used to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs at any time during the year. NABP’s Drug Disposal Locator Tool, available on NABP’s new consumer website, www.safe.pharmacy, is continuously updated with new locations. By entering a zip code or city and state, consumers can find the nearest disposal sites on a map. More than 8,000 disposal sites nationwide can be found within the system.

Reynolds says she believes Trump will uphold ethanol promise

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 23rd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds says she is taking President Donald Trump at his word that he will uphold an agreement made with farm state lawmakers and agriculture groups to maintain the ethanol requirements in current law. Since Trump became president, the Environmental Protection Agency has given 85 oil refineries exemptions from blending ethanol into the gasoline they sell. That has removed 4 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol from the market, leading to ethanol plant closures and angering farmers.

On Oct. 4 Trump committed to ensuring in coming years that any exempted ethanol would be replenished by the remaining refineries. However, an EPA rule released last week did not include the agreed upon language to guarantee the required 15 billion gallons of ethanol each year is blended into the nation’s fuel supply. On Wednesday, Reynolds said Trump is trying to satisfy the oil and agriculture industries. Reynolds says she’ll push the EPA to fulfill Trump’s promises.

Gov. Reynolds orders flags at half-staff in honor of Iowa’s first female Lt. Gov. Jo Ann Zimmerman

News

October 23rd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise on Thursday, October 24th to sunset on Friday, October 25th in honor and remembrance of Jo Ann Zimmerman, Iowa’s first female lieutenant governor elected in 1986. “Jo Ann blazed a trail for others to follow,” said Gov. Reynolds. “As a nurse, school board member, legislator and Lt. Governor, she led with a caring heart and with a true passion for public service. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and loved ones.”

Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flags at half-staff for the same length of time.

Flood buyout appraisals and criteria – Mills County residents

News

October 23rd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The Mills County Attorney’s Office reports NRH Appraisal Associates, LLC, the contractor conducting the appraisals for the buyout eligible properties in the unincorporated area of Mills County, will be contacting individuals on the buyout list in the next forty-eight (48) hours for assistance in completing the appraisal process. NRH will be contacting property owners via email, if an email address was provided, or by telephone. NRH will conduct a survey with property owners along with a request for any other additional information the property owners may feel would be beneficial to the appraiser.

The criteria, as determined by the Mills County Board of Supervisors, for the one-on-one discussions scheduled to occur between October 29, 2019 and October 31, 2019 are as follows: Ownership/Property Rights ▪ Does the interested party own the property (deed, mortgage, land contract, etc.)? ▪ Is the property the party’s primary residence/homestead? ▪ Are the property taxes paid and is the property free of encumbrances (other than mortgage)?

Condition of Property ▪ Is the property located in the unincorporated area of Mills County? ▪ Was the property inspected and red-tagged/condemned/substantially damaged? ▪ Was damage as a direct result of 2019 Flood? ▪ Does the property have/is the property eligible for flood insurance?

Mitigation/Repetitive Loss ▪ Was the property effected by the 2011 Flood? ▪ Does the property frequently have groundwater/seepwater flooding?

Recovery/Rehabilitation Options ▪ What programs have been/are being considered (Buyout, demolition, NRCS, etc.)? ▪ Have you or are you considering resettling in Mills County? ▪ What options other than buyouts are available (sale to neighboring landowner, partial sale, renovation, cash rent, etc.)? ▪ Is a buyout the best option for interested party? The County?

Woman gets 5 years in prison for credit card scheme

News

October 23rd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A woman accused of running a credit card scheme while managing two eye clinics in Sioux City has been imprisoned. The Sioux City Journal reports that 36-year-old Amy Inniss-Reyes was sentenced Tuesday to five years in prison. She’d pleaded guilty to theft. She was ordered to pay nearly $3,400 in restitution to Exact Eye Care.

A criminal complaint says Inniss-Reyes was managing two Exact Eye Care branches between April 19 and May 30 when she used three of her credit cards to obtain fraudulent refunds. The complaint says she also told investigators that she made copies of 20 patients’ personal records, intending to use them to obtain loans. The copies were recovered from her home.