MAQUOKETA, Iowa (AP) — A Dubuque man charged in the stabbing death of a Bellevue man has pleaded not guilty. The Telegraph Herald reports that 23-year-old Drew Mangler entered a written plea last week in Jackson County District Court. Mangler is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 59-year-old James Remakel.

Police found Remakel’s body after being called to a house in Bellevue on Dec. 25, 2016. An autopsy showed Remakel had been stabbed 33 times in his upper body, neck and head. He was believed to be dead for several days before police found him.
Court documents say Mangler was developed as a suspect following witness accounts to police. Investigators say they found a shoe with Remakel’s blood on it during a search of Mangler’s house.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A year after firework sales returned to Iowa, many cities have implemented new restrictions as the fledgling industry tries to put itself on a more permanent footing. The Iowa Legislature last year cleared the way for consumer fireworks in Iowa for the first time since 1938 in last-minute legislation that left cities and businesses scrambling. Some cities received numerous complaints, while fireworks companies filed lawsuits alleging too many barriers were erected.

Firework sales already have started for the summer season at permanent retail outlets, and sales can begin Wednesday at tents and other temporary structures. Iowa law also allows winter firework sales in December and early January. Summer firework sales run through July 8, the last day discharging fireworks is legal. Absent more restrictive local rules, fireworks can be shot off between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily or until 11 p.m. on July 4 and the weekends of June 30 and July 7.

Sioux City and Council Bluffs, have restricted the use of fireworks to a much narrower timeframe. Although cities can ban the use of fireworks, they can’t stop firework sales. They can, however, limit where items are sold to certain areas. Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh said the city is experienced with an annual “tidal wave” of fireworks, which have long been legal in neighboring Nebraska. He said allowing a short window to use them has worked, and the city saw no injuries last year. “We realize that it’s almost impossible to regulate the use during the Fourth of July,” Walsh said. “Council Bluffs residents were buying fireworks and shooting them off anyhow.

The state fire marshal’s office said no agency tracks the number of injuries or fire calls linked to legalizing fireworks, leaving the exact impact of fireworks ambiguous. Some cities, like Des Moines, reported a surge in calls. Others, like Council Bluffs, had few adverse consequences. Beyond safety concerns, the noise from fireworks can be a nuisance for the elderly, veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, pet owners and those with an early bedtime.

State Fire Marshal Dan Wood said 552 licenses had been issued as of last Friday. He expects a final tally between 700 and 800, which would be up from last summer’s 664 fireworks stands. Inspections are conducted once the stands are up and running.
“It didn’t seem like we had too many large issues last year,” Wood said. “For the most part, it was just small stuff that they were able to fix on the fly.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa maker of wind turbine blades has been fined nearly $155,000 for multiple workplace safety violations. The Des Moines Register reports that Iowa’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration levied the fines against TPI Composites for violations at its Newton plant. The violations included fire hazards, airborne contaminants, faulty record keeping, fall hazards and a lack of employee training.

The citations support complaints from dozens of former workers who say TPI didn’t properly protect them from dangerous chemicals that caused them severe skin injuries. Those complaints were first reported by the Des Moines Register. Some workers say they were fired after reporting the injuries.

The company said Friday it was evaluating OSHA’s findings and that safety is a core value of the company. Six former employees are suing the company.

The National Weather Service reports isolated severe storms are possible today (Sunday), mainly over central Iowa. Severe storms are possible again on Monday, especially by late afternoon and into the evening. Large hail and damaging winds will be the main threats though isolated tornadoes may occur. In addition locally heavy rainfall is possible.

Police in Council Bluffs are searching for a vehicle and driver involved in a pedestrian hit-and-run crash that happened today (Sunday), at around 2:35-a.m.  Authorities say the incident occurred on the Intertstate 480 westbound on ramp from N. 41st Street, in Council Blufs. The male pedestrian was identified as 27 year old Joshua Nelsen of Omaha, NE. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The hit-and-run vehicle may be a tan sport utility vehicle unknown make, model, or year.

The Council Bluffs Police Department is asking anyone with information on the incident to please call the Council Bluffs Traffic Unit at (712) 328-4948 or Crime Stoppers at (712) 328-7867(STOP).

Red Oak Police, Saturday evening, were called to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center, to speak with two juveniles and their parents, about an incident that took place 6-p.m. Friday. Upon further investigation, the two (unnamed) juveniles were cited into Juvenile Court, for Theft in the 5th Degree. The youth were then released to their parents.

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst held her 4^th annual Roast and Ride, Saturday. The event kicked off at Big Barn Harley Davidson in Des Moines with a ride honoring veterans and patriots, with nearly 450 motorcycle riders participating. The proceeds from ticket sales for the ride will be donated to the Travis Mills Foundation, an organization that provides an all-inclusive, and all-expenses paid retreat for veterans and their families.

Joni Ernst with Travis Mills (Photo provided)

The Republican Senator from Red Oak said of Travis Mills, “Your story of service and sacrifice is an inspiration to us all and your commitment to supporting fellow veterans from across the country – including right here in Iowa – is the true meaning of brotherly love.”

The nearly 450 motorcycle riders then traveled about 50 miles to the Central Iowa Expo in Boone for a family-friendly hog roast, where nearly 1000 attendees heard from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, special guest Chairman Trey Gowdy of South Carolina, and Senator Joni Ernst.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 4:55 a.m. CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A man accused of killing a 38-year-old mother in a random home invasion in Cedar Rapids has pleaded not guilty to charges in the case. Television station KCRG reports that an attorney for 38-year-old Timothy Evans filed a written not-guilty plea to first-degree murder and other counts. Evans is accused of breaking into the detached garage of a Cedar Rapids home on April 29 and violently assaulting Gina Frederiksen. Police say he then set fire to the garage.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Police in eastern Iowa are investigating the death of a man in an overnight shooting. The Quad-City Times reports that Davenport police were called shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday for a report of shots fired on Fourth Street. Arriving officers found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. The 46-year-old man was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

EVANSDALE, Iowa (AP) — Prosecutors say a northeastern Iowa pharmacist has been given probation after pleading to a misdemeanor in a Medicaid billing fraud case. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that 62-year-old Ric Foreman, who operated Evansdale Pharmacy, entered a plea to engaging in prohibited acts by selling expired medicine. In a May 29 hearing, Foreman was granted a deferred judgment, which will remove the charge from his record if he completes a year of informal probation.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Residents are raising money to update a Des Moines mural with the names of more than 150 people shot to death in the city in the last two decades. The Des Moines Register reports that residents have raised more than $1,000 of the $4,000 needed to update the mural on the Creative Visions building. Organizers hope updating the mural will honor those who’ve died and be a reminder for those thinking about using guns.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A convenience store chain has removed some vegetable trays from its shelves after several reported illnesses in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Health department officials in the two states issued a warning after investigating an increase of infections from Cyclospora, a parasite commonly found in developing countries.

Officials say 11 people in Wisconsin and three in Minnesota reported buying vegetable trays at Kwik Trip prior to getting sick.

Kwik Trip voluntarily removed the product from stores. Officials say the Del Monte vegetable trays included broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and dill dip. Health officials say it can take up to a week to develop symptoms, which can include diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, cramping, bloating, increased gas, fatigue and low-grade fever.

Kwik Trip owns more than 600 convenience stores in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.

Ringgold County Sheriff Mike Sobotka reports a man and a woman were arrested last Wednesday on drug charges. A vehicle driven by 46-year old Steven Paul Schoessler, of Bevington (IA) was pulled over in Mt. Ayr at around 2:30-a.m.. The K9 “Heky” was deployed and alerted to the driver’s side door area.

A small bag of marijuana was seized from the ground where Schoessler stood as he exited the vehicle. He was charged with Possession of a controlled substance/3rd  or subsequent offense (methamphetamine), Driving under suspension, Failure to have Insurance, and Interference with Official Acts.

His passenger, 47-year old Collette Mary Marnin, of Atlantic, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine. Both were being held without bond in the Ringgold County Jail until seen by a magistrate. The investigation continues pending lab results from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations regarding other items seized from the vehicle. Additional charges are pending while waiting for these results