(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two poeple were arrested this week on separate warrants. On Monday, 32-year-old Devon Elizabeth Gbekin, (no known address) was arrested on an Out of County/State Warrant. Gbekin was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.

And, on Tuesday, 52-year-old Glen Eugen Gallagher, of  Omaha, was arrested on a warrant for Violation of Probation. He was taken into custody at the Douglas County, NE, Jail and held in the Mills County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

CASS COUNTY, Iowa — A California man was sentenced in Iowa on Tuesday after authorities found a hit list of high-ranking U.S. officials, including the president. According to multiple reports, Kuachua Brillion Xiong was sentenced to two years in prison and three years of supervised release. In December, 2021, Xiong was pulled over by a sheriff’s deputy on Interstate 80 in Cass County, for weaving in and out of traffic.

He told deputies that he was on his way to Washington, D.C., to kill President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Investigators said his “hit list” was based on downloaded videos of individuals on TikTok — that he had over 100 videos featuring Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Mark Zuckerberg. He also told investigators that nothing but this traffic stop would stop him.

Kuachua Brillion Xiong

Firearms, ammunition and body armor were found in the vehicle. Investigators said Xiong had the White House’s address on his GPS and cash set aside in the vehicle — earmarked for his own funeral expenses. He also had a grappling hook authorities say he intended to use to break into the White House.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Auditor of State Rob Sand today (Thursday) released a report on a special investigation of the Dexter Public Library for the period July 1, 2015 through March 1, 2022. The special investigation was requested by City officials as a result of concerns regarding certain financial transactions processed by the former Library Director, Mary McColloch.

Sand said the special investigation identified:

• $13,589.50 of undeposited collections
• $4,179.59 of improper disbursements, and $3,361.54 of unsupported disbursements.

The report showed the undeposited collections identified includes:

• $5,801.80 of checks issued to the Library which were improperly deposited into the Dexter Community Foundation’s bank account
• $75.00 of checks issued to the Library which were not properly deposited into the City’s bank account;
• $5,212.70 of Library collections for donations and fundraisers which were not properly deposited into the City’s bank account; and
• $2,500.00 of Bayer Ag grant proceeds issued to the Library which were deposited into the Dexter Community Foundation’s bank account.

Sand reported also, the $4,179.59 of improper disbursements identified includes $3,950.01 of improper payroll issued to Ms. McColloch, $188.58 of improper payroll issued to the former Children’s Librarian, and $41.00 of reimbursements issued to Ms. McColloch. The $2,404.57 of unsupported disbursements identified includes $2,302.61 of reimbursements issued to Ms. McColloch and $101.96 of disbursements from the City’s bank account to vendors for the Library. Sand reported it was not possible to determine the propriety of these disbursements because adequate documentation was not maintained to determine if they were for Library operations or personal in nature.

Auditor Sand said it was not possible to determine if additional amounts were improperly disbursed or if additional collections were not properly deposited because adequate documentation was not available. He recommended Library officials implement procedures to ensure the library’s internal controls are strengthened, including segregation of duties, enforcing policies in tracking and collecting revenue generated from library operations, ensuring donations and fundraiser revenue are tracked and deposited, and ensuring library disbursements are properly supported, approved, and paid in a timely manner.

Copies of the report have been filed with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Dallas County Attorney’s Office, and the Iowa Attorney General’s Office. A copy of the report is available for review on the Auditor of State’s website at Special Interest Reports.

(Radio Iowa) – Eighteen middle school students and a team of chaperones from southwest Iowa are on a ten-day road trip to the East Coast, with most of the time spent in Washington, D-C. Essex Community Schools Superintendent Mike Wells is serving as the main tour guide and says they have a very full schedule ahead.

Wells says he hopes the cross-country trek gives students a sense of history, especially in Washington, while the journey also offers an important lesson in independence.

The students raised thousands of dollars to cover expenses. Essex community development director Tess Nelson coordinated the fundraising efforts, which were many.

The Essex contingent is due back in Iowa on June 29th.

(Creston, Iowa) – Three people were arrested on separate charges, Wednesday, in Creston:

According to Creston Police, 61-year-old Douglas Damian Baker, of Creston, was arrested for Public Intoxication. Baker was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on $300 bond.

29-year-old Blake Alan Mcdole, of Creston, turned himself into the Union County Law Enforcement Center on a Warrant. Mcdole was charged with Operating while under the influence 1st offense. He posted $1,000 bond and was released.

And, 40-year-old Curtis Lee Lamasters, of Creston, was arrested Wednesday and charged with 4 counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor – Cause to Act. Lamasters was being held in the Union County Jail on $1,200 bond.

Fremont County, Iowa – In an unprecedented move, the Fremont County Democratic Party announced, in a news release, that they reconvened on June 14 to nominate Chris Clark, an incumbent Republican member of the Fremont County Board of Supervisors. Clark is expected to accept the nomination and fill the party’s ballot vacancy for the Board of Supervisors in the November general election and is not expected to change his own party affiliation.

The release stated that Clark’s dedication to serving all Fremont County residents shows the coalition of support across party lines he has built during his time as Fremont County Supervisor. This nomination ensures that all Fremont County voters have the opportunity to be heard at the ballot box in November.

The Fremont County Democratic Party release says that they support all local leaders committed to making Fremont County a great place to live, work, and raise a family, regardless of party affiliation, and that Clark embodies these values and possesses the experience, vision, and professionalism necessary to lead Fremont County forward.

The release also says that the local democratic party remains focused on identifying and supporting all candidates who prioritize the needs of Fremont County over partisan politics and personal grievance.

Fremont County’s future is the priority. The Fremont County Democratic Party urges all voters to look beyond party labels and consider the values and dedication that Chris Clark brings to the Board of Supervisors when voting this November.

Officials with the 30+ year-old Pregnancy Center of Southwest Iowa, located just north of the Montgomery County Courthouse in Red Oak, say the facility has reached the point of needing replacement of the building’s cedar siding.  They have an immediate need for $21,500 to complete this project, of which $5,000 has already been raised.  The cedar boards are warping, nails are popping out and there are some small areas of water damage.   Board President Rod Goodemote said in a news release that the goal is to not only protect the building, but to maintain the current historic style.

The board is asking area residents to consider writing a check today (put siding fund in the memo) to support this project.  Goodemote also asks that this be shared with your church, employer, Bible study group, women’s group, etc. to help take care of the beautiful building the Lord has provided.

Goodemote adds that they need the funds as soon as possible so work can begin.

Donations can be sent to:  PCSI, 101 E. Reed Street, Red Oak, IA. 51566 or donate via paypal at www.pcsi.care.