Iowa’s attorney general for the past year has been working with the attorney general of Illinois to investigate Purdue Pharma — the company that has marketed OxyContin. OxyContin is one of the pain medications at the center of the country’s opioid epidemic. Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller says attorneys general from all 50 states are involved, in one way or another, in pursuing legal action against responsible parties in the pharmaceutical industry. “There’s been a series of meetings recently with the industry in Chicago,” Miller says.

Federal prosecutors announced a criminal investigation of the Purdue Pharma company this week. Ten states have already filed lawsuits against drug makers. On Thursday, Miller — who is a Democrat — joined Iowa’s Republican governor at a forum to examine the extent of the opioid epidemic in Iowa and what state policies could be changed to address it. “I’m a lawyer. I love math and statistics and complicated situations and solutions, but here it’s just so simple,” Miller says, “for me, anyway.”

Miller says opioids should be the pain remedy of “last resort.” He blasts pharmaceutical companies for downplaying the “addictive nature” of opioids. “We should only use opioids in very limited circumstances where nothing else works,” Miller says. “We should use them with a lot of caution and respect and concern about addiction.”

The latest federal statistics indicate 190 Americans die each DAY from an opioid overdose. “A friend of mine recently…broke some ribs, which is a painful injury…and she took herself off opioids after 20 days,” Miller says. “Her doctor wanted to give her a prescription for 30 days. I think there is growing evidence that in the 14-21 days of use of opioids, in a regular prescription, is a real danger point for many people in addiction. But 30 days! What planet has that doctor been living in?”

Dozens of lawsuits have been filed against drug makers and marketers, accusing companies of downplaying the risks of addiction to and overdoses from pain medications. In 2007, Purdue Pharma and three of its executives pleaded guilty to misbranding OxyContin and paid 630-million in penalties. Earlier this week, a spokesman for the company said Purdue Pharma is “commuted to being part of the solution to our nation’s opioid crisis.”

(Radio Iowa)

(Updated 10/27) The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday that a District Court has revoked the pre-trial release (PTR) of a man charged with three counts of Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree, and that man is on the run. The order for 35-year old Ben Reece, of New Market, was revoked for violation of terms of his release. On April 4th, 2017, Reece was released on a $25,000 cash bond. His last known address was a trailer park just outside of Shenandoah behind the old Highway 59 motel. He was last seen there at around 12:30-p.m., Thursday. Authorities believe Reece got a tip that a warrant had been issued for his arrest, and cut off his tracking ankle bracelet just before Noon Thursday.

Reece may be operating a gray 2010 Mercury Mariner (Iowa License Plate ENL 844) or a white 2006 GMC Sierra (Iowa License Plate ENL 843) and was last seen in Shenandoah near the 59er Campground at approximately 12:30-p.m., Thursday. Reece is described as a white male, 6-feet tall, weighing about 225-pounds. He has thin blonde hair. If you see him, call 911 immediately or the Shenandoah Police Department at 712-246-3512. Citizens are advised NOT to attempt to apprehend any individuals on their own.

Ben Reece (Photo1)

Ben Reece (Photo2)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 5:40 p.m. CDT

KEOKUK, Iowa (AP) — A prosecutor says two cousins kidnapped, suffocated and executed a gender-fluid Iowa teenager whom they pursed for sex after a chance encounter at a grocery store. Prosecutor Christopher Perras detailed the 2016 death of 16-year-old Kedarie Johnson in opening statements Thursday at the trial of Jorge Sanders-Galvez. Perras said Sanders-Galvez and his cousin left behind a “trail of evidence” that would connect them to the crime. Sanders-Galvez’s attorney declined to make an opening statement.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller says he will seek a 10th term next year. The Des Moines Register reports 73-year-old Miller, a Democrat, made the announcement Thursday. Miller was initially elected to the statewide office in 1978. Except for a four-year stretch in the early 1990s after he made an unsuccessful run for governor, Miller has been the state’s top prosecutor since, making him the longest serving state attorney general in the country.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The head of Iowa’s veterans department has announced she’s retiring, just months after she took on the job. Jodi Tymeson announced Thursday in a press release that her last day as executive director of the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs will be Nov. 17. Tymeson was named executive director in April and started May 1. The press release offers no additional information about her short tenure and includes a link for others to apply for the job.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has outlined priorities for combating opioid abuse in the state, but she stopped short of offering specifics on future legislation or additional state spending. Reynolds said Thursday she will prioritize existing initiatives in Iowa that aim to prevent and treat opioid abuse. Reynolds’ staff later released a list of priorities, which included increasing participation in a prescription monitoring program and expanding education on decreasing opioid prescribing.

CRESTON – Iowans interested in the results of DNR studies to improve water quality in Green Valley and Thayer lakes in Union County can attend a meeting Nov. 8. Citizens are encouraged to bring their questions and ideas to improve the lakes to the meeting for discussion.

Green Valley Lake is on the state’s list of impaired waters for high levels of algae, low levels of dissolved oxygen, and low water clarity. Thayer Lake is on the impaired waters list for high levels of algae and low water clarity. The studies, or DNR water quality improvement plans, show how these problems are caused by too much phosphorus in the lakes. The problems impact recreation on the lakes and aquatic life.

The plans explore the amounts and sources of phosphorus entering the lakes and offer potential solutions to reduce those levels and work toward fixing the problems. The documents are designed as a guide for local resource agencies, partners, stakeholders and residents to improve the lakes. Staff from the DNR’s Watershed Improvement Program will be on hand to deliver a presentation and answer questions.

The Nov. 8 meeting will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Southwestern Community College, 1201 W. Townline St. in Creston in Room 124 of the Performing Arts Center. Those not able to attend the public meeting can receive more information at www.iowadnr.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water-Quality/Watershed-Improvement/Water-Improvement-Plans and can submit comments on the plans by Nov. 27 via:

Officials with the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources said Thursday, that the wastewater operator for the city of Malvern had reported they discovered a break in a sewer main where it crosses Little Creek about one-fourth mile southwest of town.

The city estimates the discharge rate at 100,000 gallons per day. The untreated wastewater is discharging into the creek, not far from where it flows into Silver Creek.

The city was expecting a contractor to begin repairs soon. The DNR recommends keeping children and pets away from the area until 24 to 48 hours after repairs are complete. The city is collecting water samples in Little and Silver creeks for laboratory analysis.

A call about a stolen vehicle in Page County late this (Thursday) morning, resulted in the arrest of a rural Braddyville man. Deputies responded to 3343 290th Street (about 3 miles NE of Braddyville) at around 11:35-a.m.

During the investigation, a stolen 2002 Ford F-550 Super Duty 4×4 dump truck was recovered.  The truck had been reported stolen from Mills County on October 23rd, 2017.

John David Stone

47-year old John David Stone was subsequently arrested for Felony Theft in the 1st Degree.  Stone was transported to the Page County Jail for processing, and was unable to post a $10,000 bond. He remained in the jail pending future court proceedings.  The stolen vehicle was returned to the owners.

Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker reports drugs were seized and three people were arrested as the result of a search warrant executed at around 10:10-a.m. Thursday (Today) at 203 East Welch Street in Crescent. Evidence recovered from the home included:

• A white crystal substance that field-tested positive as methamphetamine
• A green Leafy Substance that field-tested positive as marijuana
• A stolen handgun
• An undetermined amount of U.S. currency
• And two vehicles.

April Starkey

Bryan J. Brown

Jim W. Metzger

Taken into custody at the residence, was:

• 46-year old Jim W. Metzger, of Crescent, who faces charges that include Possession with intent to deliver/methamphetamine; Gathering where controlled substances unlawfully used. He was also wanted on a warrant out of Colfax County, Nebraska: for Fail to appear/Traffic Offense related.
• 27-year old Bryan J. Brown, and 36-year old April L. Starkey, both of Council Bluffs, were arrested for Felon in possession of a firearm; Possession with intent to deliver/methamphetamine; Prohibited Acts; A Tax Stamp Violation and Theft 4th Degree. Starkey was also wanted on a warrant out of Council Bluffs for Assault.

All three were transported to Pottawattamie County Corrections and held without bond.  All three will appear before a judge on Friday, October 27, 2017. The arrests and charges were the result of a multi-agency investigation involving the Iowa Department of Transportation – Bureau of Investigation, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Division of Intelligence and the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – Oct. 26, 2017 – The Iowa Department of Transportation will hold a public information meeting Thursday, Nov. 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. to discuss the proposed improvements and right of way needs of the Interstate 29/480/West Broadway interchange area in Council Bluffs from just north of the Union Pacific Railroad’s crossing to just south of the 25th Street interchange. The area also includes the I-29 and I-480 interchange.

All interested persons are invited to attend this meeting at the Council Bluffs Interstate Program Office in the Mall of the Bluffs, 1751 Madison Ave., in Council Bluffs. The meeting will be conducted utilizing an open forum format. Iowa DOT staff will be available to informally discuss the proposed improvements anytime between 5 and 7 p.m. No formal presentation will be made.

The meeting space is accessible for persons with disabilities. However, if you require special accommodations at the meeting, please notify the Iowa DOT contact listed below by Oct. 30.

For general information regarding the proposed improvements or public information meeting, contact Scott Suhr, transportation planner, Iowa DOT District 4 Office, 2210 E. Seventh St., Atlantic, Iowa 50022, phone 712-243-3355 or 800-289-4368, email scott.schur@iowadot.us.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has outlined priorities for combating opioid abuse in the state, but she stopped short of offering specifics on future legislation or whether there will be additional state money available.

Reynolds told reporters Thursday she will prioritize existing initiatives in Iowa that aim to prevent and treat opioid abuse, including increasing participation in a prescription monitoring program and expanding education on decreasing opioid prescribing.

A Reynolds spokeswoman says the governor is still formulating her 2018 legislative package. Reynolds’ comments come on the same day that President Donald Trump declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency. Trump’s declaration includes no new money, and a state health official says it’s not immediately clear how it will impact Iowa.

ALTA VISTA, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have charged a northeast Iowa couple with murder in the death of their 4-month-old son, whose maggot-infested body was found in a baby swing in the family’s home.

Twenty-year-old Cheyanne Harris and 28-year-old Zachary Koehn were arrested Wednesday on charges of child endangerment and first-degree murder in the death of their son, Sterling Koehn. Their preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 2.

Authorities say in court records that deputies and medics called to the couple’s Alta Vista apartment on Aug. 30 found Sterling dead in the swing. A medical examiner found maggots in his clothing and skin that indicated he hadn’t had a diaper change, bath or been removed from the seat in over a week.