(Radio Iowa) – Even though temperatures are in the 50s and 60s today (Thursday), there will be a time down the road, perhaps soon, when snow arrives in Iowa — and lots of it. Meteorologist Chad Hahn, at the National Weather Service in Johnston, says they’re launching new guidelines which stipulate how winter storm watches and warnings are issued, based on the amount of snow that’s predicted to fall.

For Iowa and all points north, Hahn says it’ll be six inches or more of snow, but as you go south, that criteria decreases to account for climatological differences. Hahn says the changes won’t be all that noticeable for the winter storm forecasts that are being issued in Iowa.

The old system used time restraints, so much snow over so many hours, and he says now, it’ll simply zero in on a winter event.

DES MOINES, Iowa – A federal grand jury in Des Moines returned an Indictment today charging an Ames man with fifteen counts of sex trafficking by fraud and coercion, one count of sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a child, and one count of possession of child pornography.

According to the Indictment, Carl Dale Markley used and attempted to use fraud and coercion to cause 14 victims to engage in commercial sex acts. The sex-trafficking charges allege that Markley began trafficking one victim as early as 2004, and between 2004 to April 2023, Markley trafficked or attempted to traffic each of the fourteen victims. In addition, the Indictment states that from August 2020 to October 2020, Markley sexually exploited (or attempted to sexually exploit) one 15‑year-old minor by using the minor to create child pornography, and that Markley knowingly possessed child pornography.

Markley made his initial court appearance today before a United States Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.

Markley is charged with seventeen offenses in total. Each of the sex trafficking charges carries a 15-year mandatory minimum prison term, and a maximum term of imprisonment of life. Sexual exploitation of a child carries a 15‑year mandatory term of imprisonment and a maximum term of 30 years in prison. The charge for possession of child pornography carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Richard Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Ames Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation are investigating the case.

Human trafficking is a crime involving the exploitation of youth under the age of 18 for commercial sex; the exploitation of adults for commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion; and the exploitation of any individual for compelled labor. Human trafficking does not require the transportation of individuals across state lines, or that someone is physically restrained. Signs that a person is being trafficked can include working excessively long hours, unexplained gifts, physical injury, substance abuse issues, running away from home, isolation from others, or having a person in their life controlling them or monitoring them closely. Victims particularly susceptible to being trafficked include those with criminal histories, a history of physical or sexual abuse, uncertain legal status, and dependency on controlled substances.

Anyone who suspects human trafficking is occurring, be it a minor engaging in paid sex acts, or anyone being coerced into prostitution or labor, is urged to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. If anyone has information about this case, they are urged to call the Ames Police Department, FBI, or Iowa’s Division of Criminal Investigation, or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Coordinator Doug Reed, Thursday (today) said in a new release that “An open burning ban will be in effect immediately for all areas and jurisdictions in Pottawattamie County. The ban prohibits all open and controlled burning in Pottawattamie County, including all incorporated city limits within the county.”

With the lack of sufficient ground moisture and precipitation, fire departments have responded to several grass/field fires requiring the need for multiple fire departments to respond to fight these fires. The current dry conditions and dead vegetative fuels create the perfect conditions for fires to spread rapidly.

During these dry conditions, citizens are reminded to not throw cigarettes out from moving vehicles and discontinue burning yard waste, piled tree debris, and grass/agricultural ground during the ban. The ban will remain in effect until the county receives sufficient precipitation to alleviate the increased fire threat.

Violation of a burn ban can subject a person to criminal penalties as well as civil liabilities for any damages, losses, or injuries resulting from the fire.

Visit https://pcema-ia.org for more information on burn bans and the law. All residents are also encouraged to sign up for Alert Iowa at the website to receive alerts for fire danger, evacuation notices, severe weather threats, and community emergency notifications.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Police Department reports numerous arrests over the past three-weeks.

• On October 26th, 48-year-old Angela Glade, of Atlantic, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance (methamphetamine). Glade was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked in and held.
• On October 28th, 26-year-old Christopher Martin, of Atlantic, was arrested for Public Intoxication. He was taken into custody and transported to Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held.
• On 29th of October, Atlantic Police arrested 41-year-old Leslie Wiston Altamirano, for Operating While the Under the Influence. She was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked in and held.
• The next day (October 30), 34-year-old Edward Davenport, of Atlantic, was arrested for Simple Assault and Harassment 3rd Degree. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held.
• On November 3rd, Atlantic Police arrested 33-year-old Tyler Mills, of Atlantic, for Disorderly Conduct. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held. And, 41-year-old Matthew Ives, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault and Child Endangerment. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held.
• November 4th, Atlantic Police arrested 40-year-old Michelle Mahan, of Atlantic, for Simple Assault. She was cited into court and released. And, 42-year-old Ruben Sepio, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held.

Atlantic Police report the arrest on November 3rd, of 33-year-old Tyler Mills, of Atlantic. Mills was arrested for Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations, Interference with Official Acts, and Violation of a No Contact Order. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held. On the 5th of November, 20-year-old Beau Dickerson, of Atlantic, was arrested for Public Intoxication. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held.

27-year-old Megan Magers, of Atlantic, was arrested November 7th, for Theft in the 5th Degree (Shoplifting).  She was cited into court and released. 40-year-old Zachary Frank, of Atlantic, was arrested November 9th, for Criminal Mischief 1st, Burglary 3rd Degree and Theft 2nd Degree. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held. On the 11th, 25-year-old Joseph Atoliph, of Atlantic, was arrested for Criminal Mischief 4th Degree & Public Intoxication and two Cass County Warrants for Public Intoxication and Criminal Mischief. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held.

And, on November 14th, 27-year-old G Love Kovac, of Atlantic, was arrested  for Public Intoxication. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked in and held.

AMES, Iowa – Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA), the leading grassroots organization supporting Iowa’s beef cattle industry, is pleased to announce Bryan Whaley as their new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective December 4, 2023. Whaley brings many years of experience leading successful teams, serving customers, and a deep-rooted passion for the cattle industry that will be invaluable to the future of the association.

Whaley most recently worked as the Director of Field Operations – North for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Before that, he was a regional extension education director for more than seven years. He has also worked with youth development in several roles with 4-H Youth Development through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Upon completing his first college degree, he was a classroom educator. Whaley holds a master’s degree from Iowa State University in agriculture education and a Bachelor of Arts from Simpson College.

The cattle industry is a part of Whaley’s daily life. He and his family own and operate Whaley Cattle in Eagle Grove, Iowa, raising Maine Anjou and Maine Angus seedstock. He has also been involved in many organizations that support the beef cattle industry, including regular membership with ICA, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and American Maine Anjou Association. Whaley is serving as the current president and board member of the Iowa Maine Anjou Association.

Bryan Whaley

“The search committee is very excited for Bryan to join the ICA staff as the new CEO,” said ICA Board President Bob Noble. “Those on the search committee were impressed with his experience leading teams, working with county committees, and his positive attitude toward the work ahead of ICA. The association has just celebrated 50 years, and Bryan’s energy and optimism will bring a renewed perspective to the association and be the perfect way to move us into our next 50 years.”

The hiring of Whaley comes at no better time as ICA heads into one of the busiest times of the year for the association. This will offer many opportunities for him to get out within the state to meet the Iowa beef cattle producers ICA serves.

“I am honored to have been selected to serve the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association,” said Whaley. “I am excited for the opportunity to serve the members of the association, but also the entire cattle industry in Iowa, and support the efforts nationally to advocate for the policies set forth by our members.”

The ICA Board of Directors and staff look forward to welcoming Bryan Whaley to the team and continuing our mission of serving Iowa’s beef cattle industry now and in the future.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Union County Sheriff’s Office today (Thursday), released information with regard to a non-injury, rollover accident that occurred November 1st. Authorities say a sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to a reported vehicle in the ditch just west of Dogwood Road, on 170th Street in Union County. When Deputy Noah Fargo arrived, he located a 2006 Chevy Malibu in the ditch, totaled (estimated $8,000 damage). The sheriff’s report said the vehicle appeared to be empty, with open beer cans and an open case of beer in the back seat.

An investigation determined the car hit the south side of a bridge and slid against it, causing the car to roll into the ditch and come to rest in a field just south of the road. A piece of the car was stuck on the bridge. Damage to the Union County-owned bridge railing was estimated at $2,500. The driver was subsequently identified as 58-year-old Christopher Lynn Franklin, of Creston. Franklin told authorities he struck a deer on his way home the night of November 1st. He claimed he wasn’t drinking at the time.

The report however, said evidence at the scene made it look different than Franklin described, because there was no evidence a deer had impacted the vehicle, and there was no deer carcass in the area. Franklin admitted to driven without a valid driver’s license. He was issued a citation for failure to show proof of security and liability. The citation amounted to nearly $797.00.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The latest Iowa Drought Monitor was released this (Thursday) morning, showing both the Severe and Extreme Drought areas have expanded slightly. Unfortunately, there isn’t much help expected anytime soon. There are some light rain chances early next week, but the 8-to 14-day outlook is leaning toward below normal precipitation. (Click on the graphics to enlarge)

(Radio Iowa) – A 38-year-old former state employee and therapist who worked at the State Training School for Boys in Eldora has been arrested and charged with sexual misconduct.  Sarah Jean Perry was charged with sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist, sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist within one year of service and for sexual misconduct with an offender.

The Eldora Police Department was made aware of sexual misconduct allegations against Perry at the end of last month. The investigation began after a resident was found with a vape pen at the school. The resident told staff it came from a therapist at the school who was also providing the contraband to as many as seven residents she was engaging in sexual acts with.

Perry was placed on administrative leave after the student made the accusation and she was later fired. The Boys State Training School is a residential facility for teenage boys. It provides a variety of services, including psychiatric counseling.