(Radio Iowa) — An Estherville woman remains in custody on multiple charges after an incident that occurred on September 9th, in Estherville. Emmet County Sheriff Mike Martens says the sheriff’s office was executing a writ of removal at an Estherville residence when the defendant in the matter produced a high powered rifle from a vehicle and threatened to kill herself. After about 30 minutes of negotiations at the scene, 44-year-old Jenny Queener of Estherville was taken into custody.

Upon further investigation at the scene, Queener was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine, digital scale, baggies and numerous pieces of drug paraphernalia. As a result, Queener was charged with possession of meth with intent to deliver, a class C felony carrying weapons and possession of drug paraphernalia.

After an appearance before the magistrate, Queener remains in the Emmet County Jail on a $10,000 cash or surety bond.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting 3:15-p.m. Friday, in their Board Room at the Courthouse. The purpose of the meeting is to consider applications for position of Cass County Engineer.

Applicants will be interviewed at 3:30-p.m., followed by discussion about the candidates, and an offering of the position to one of the candidates. The position was advertised in trade publications and elsewhere, on Sept. 4th, following the resignation last month of Charles Bechtold, who was hired by the County in April, 2016, and began as County Engineer in July, 2016.

The position requires an Iowa licensed professional engineer. Salary will be in the range of $90,000 to $110,000 depending on qualifications and experience. A full benefits package is included.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines’ main library downtown has been evacuated and closed after a man walked into its atrium and set himself on fire. Police say witnesses reported the 36-year-old man doused himself with a flammable liquid just before 2 p.m. Tuesday and lit himself on fire. Library staff used a fire extinguisher to douse the flames, and the man was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment of serious burns.

The man’s name has not been released. No other injuries were reported. Police closed Locust Street in front of the library as officers investigate.

AMES, Iowa – Sept. 17, 2019 – Due to rising water levels from western Iowa rivers, the Iowa Department of Transportation is anticipating that Interstate 29 will close due to water over the roadway near the Honey Creek area (milepost 66 north of Council Bluffs) sometime later in the day Wednesday, Sept. 18. We don’t expect the flooding to significantly impact travelers on I-29 Wednesday morning, but we are closely monitoring the situation and may have to close I-29 before the afternoon commute.

With the changing river levels, this dynamic situation could change significantly in a short period of time. Travelers should pay close attention to www.511ia.org for updates and plan their afternoon and evening trips.

If I-29 does close traffic heading north will be detoured using eastbound I-80 to the northern segment of westbound I-680 and back to I-29 at Loveland. Southbound traffic will head eastbound on the northern section of I-680 and take I-80 westbound to reconnect with I-29 in Council Bluffs.

Relying on phone or in-vehicle navigation systems may not be reliable since closure changes happen rapidly and navigation systems can route traffic through areas not designed for larger vehicles or heavy traffic.

(Radio Iowa) — Today (Tuesday) is Senator Chuck Grassley’s birthday. “Since the day I was born, I have celebrated Constitution Day,” Grassley said this morning. “That’s because the 39 delegates signing the United States Constitution on September the 17th Is exactly 146 years before I was born.” Grassley is now 86 years old. He’s has served in elected office since 1959, first as a state legislator, then as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Grassley has been a member of the U.S. Senate since 1981.

He recently told reporters to ask him in two-and-a-half years if he’ll run for a ninth term in 2022. Do you think I just sit around and think about reelection?” Grassley asked. Grassley says he’s healthy and sticking with the running habit he started at age 65. Grassley runs a three-mile route four days a week. Grassley has been celebrating his birthday in his Washington, D.C. office with ice cream — a favorite food group for Grassley — as well as lots of donuts.

Fellow Iowa Senator Joni Ernst delivered a platter of donuts this (Tuesday) morning to Grassley, with birthday candles burning on top. Since Grassley is currently the longest-serving Republican senator, he holds the office of president pro tempore of the U.S. Senate.

Des Moines, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Insurance Division report a Sioux City woman, 28-year old Ashley Oakley, pled guilty Monday in Woodbury County District Court, to one Felony count of Insurance Fraud – Fraudulent Submissions to an Insurer (a Class D Felony). Her plea followed an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau. Oakley received a Deferred Judgment, was given credit for previous time served, and will be placed on probation for two years. Oakley was assessed a $750.00 fine, and ordered to pay $4,422.21 in restitution. Oakley’s conviction stemmed from an investigation which began in April of 2018.

Ashley Oakley

The investigation uncovered that after being involved in a motor vehicle accident in Sioux City, Oakley’s vehicle was determined to be a total loss by her insurance company. During the insurance claim process, Oakley intentionally provided false information to her insurance company indicating that her vehicle loan was paid in full, when in fact a promissory note with a balance of over $8,000 remained. As a result of Oakley’s fraudulent scheme, she received insurance benefits in the amount of $4,422.21 to which she was not entitled and intentionally defaulted on the remaining promissory note balance.

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-242-5304.