(Radio Iowa) – State policies in Iowa should do more to promote reading, according to a new report comparing reading laws around the country. The National Council for Teacher Quality found Iowa’s standards in that area are weaker than most other states. Council executive director Heather Peske (PES-kee) says it’s appropriate that Iowa lawmakers are now proposing changes. She says one thing Iowa should do is list phonics and other core components of the science of reading as part of education standards. Peske also says the state should publish a list of the best reading curriculum.

“It kind of serves almost as though it’s like a consumer protection device,” Peske says. “Many districts don’t have the capacity to review curriculum materials themselves. Some of them might not even have much of an expertise in this.” Peske says another place where Iowa could improve is in the licensing standards for elementary teachers. She says teaching candidates should have to pass a stronger exam to test their knowledge of how to put research on reading into practice.

“The stakes are very high for children,” she says, “and we need to make sure that teachers have the knowledge and skills before they get into classrooms to be able to effectively teach them to read.” Governor Kim Reynolds has said she would like to make a test called Foundations of Reading a requirement for Iowa teacher preparation programs. Peske says it’s one of the tests strongly aligned with the science of reading. A bill in the Iowa Senate would list the components of the science of reading in education standards for kindergarten through third grade.

(Radio Iowa) – Trial got underway this (Monday) morning for a Cerro Gordo County woman who’s charged with child endangerment resulting in death and a separate charge of child endangerment. A criminal complaint states that 30-year-old Allyssa Joyce, of Plymouth, knowingly created substantial risk to a pair of three-month-old children by deprivation of proper nutrition. That resulted in the death of one of the children, while authorities say the other child was near death. The complaint states this occurred in Mason City on or about February 28th of 2021. Child endangerment resulting in death is a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison, while child endangerment is a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports five arrests took place from Jan. 21st through the 27th. Saturday afternoon (Jan. 27), 22-year-old Jaime Emilser Cruz-Perez, of Des Moines, was arrested on several charges following an investigation into an accident at around 1:12-a.m. on Interstate 80, at mile-marker 79. Adair County Dispatch paged Adair Fire & Rescue, Adair County EMS and Adair County Sheriff’s Deputies to the scene, where a semi tractor driver reported a vehicle had rear-ended them. The vehicle then entered a ravine on the north side of the road.

Authorities say an Adair Police Officer made contact with Cruz-Perez, who was the only occupant of the car, a Chrysler 200. An open container of beer was on the vehicle’s floor board. Cruz-Perez gave authorities a false name that turned out to be that of his brother, but he later admitted his true identity. Cruz-Perez refused medical treatment, and upon further investigation, he was placed under arrest for: OWI/1st offense; providing false identification information; Failure to Maintain control; No valid driver’s license; No proof of insurance (accident-related), and Open Container- Driver (Over 21 years of age). He was released later in the day, Saturday, on a $1,300 bond.

Friday evening, an Iowa State Patrol Trooper arrested 59-year-old Todd Edwin Ross, of Minburn, following a traffic stop on a speeding pickup truck on Highway 25 in Adair County. Ross was charged with OWI/2nd offense. The report said when the Trooper went to speak with Ross, the driver’s door opened, a can of beer fell onto the ground. Inside the vehicle, on the floor board, was a beer still foaming from being spilled. Ross refused to submit to a preliminary breath test at the scene, and at the jail as well. He was released the following evening on a $2,000 bond.

Thursday morning, an Adair County Sheriff’s Deputy arrested 60-year-old John Eric Robitaille, of Orient, on a warrant out of Rhode Island for violation of that State’s Sex Offender Registry (SOR). Robitaille was convicted of three sex-based offenses in Rhode Island from March, 1987 and Oct., 1992. He was therefore subject to a non-expiring lifetime SOR requirement. In July 2023, he was issued an Iowa driver’s license and listed his address as being in Orient. On Dec. 1, 2023, a nationwide extradition warrant for Robitaille was issued by the State of Rhode Island for non-compliance with their SOR. On Jan. 25, 2024, a Deputy U-S Marshal attempted to locate Robitaille at his residence in Orient. He exited the house and was placed under arrest.

Robitaille admitted that he lived in the home since July, 2023. Authorities say between Sept. 2022 and Jan. 2023, at least four videos were posted to his Facebook account. The videos officials said, clearly were taken from his residence. Since the man was allegedly non-compliant with the Iowa Code regarding Sex Offenders, he was arrested for SOR Violation and on the out-of-state warrant. His bond was set at $2,000 for the Iowa Violation, while there was no bond for the Rhode Island warrant.

On Jan. 22nd, 35-year-old Taylor Marie Boucher, of Redfield, was arrested on an Adair County warrant for Theft in the 5th Degree. She was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $300 cash-only bond.

And, on Jan. 21st, Adair Police arrested 27-year-old Austin John Worthington, of Adel, for Theft in the 5th Degree, stemming from an investigation into an incident at the Dollar General Store in Adair, whereby a cell phone was allegedly stolen from a Frito-Lay employee who was making deliveries to the store. Video surveillance showed Worthington taking the man’s work phone from on top of a box and putting it in his sweatshirt pocket. The Adair Officer and a Guthrie County Deputy went to Worthington’s house in Casey and asked him to return the phone, adding that he was seen on camera taking the device. Worthington told the Officer and Deputy the phone was in his car. After it was retrieved from the vehicle, Worthington was asked why he took it. He said he “Wasn’t thinking.” He was released from the Adair County Jail on a $300 cash bond, a few hours later.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – In an update to our weekend report, the Cass County (IA) Sheriff’s Office says Deputies assisted the Iowa State Patrol in handling a multiple-vehicle accident on Interstate 80 near mile-marker 48.5 (About a mile east of the Walnut exit). Deputies with the Cass and Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Offices and other area first responder agencies were dispatched to the scene. It was initially reported that a tractor trailer and a truck had collided, with unknown injuries.  This collision caused several other vehicles to slide into the ditch and some striking one another.  More than 10 vehicles, to include a bus from IWCC, were believed to have been involved and mostly only minor injuries were noted.

Later that same day, Cass County Deputies and additional, local first responders, were dispatched at around 5:22-p.m., to the intersection of Highway 71 and Fayette Road for a single vehicle rollover accident.  Responders found that a 2016 Chrysler 200 Limited, operated by Frederick Patton, of Clarinda, lost control and entered a ditch.  During this process the vehicle went airborne and struck several trees, finally coming to a rest on it’s top.  One person was transported to Cass Health for what is believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.  The vehicle sustained disabling damages.  This accident remains under investigation.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Monday) released a report on arrests spanning Jan. 18th through the 29th. Most recently:

On January 29th, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 19-year-old Dakota Allmer, of Lewis, on a warrant for Theft 2nd Degree.  Allmer was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held; and, 22-year-old Haley Helinski, of Harlan, was arrested on a warrant for Theft 2nd Degree.  Helinski was taken to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held.

(As previously reported) On January 22nd, 2024, 37-year-old Jason Wingrove, of Anita, was arrested in Cass County, on a warrant for Forgery.  Wingrove was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked, held and later released on his own recognizance; that same day, 30-year-old Kalee Nolte, of Exira, on a warrant for Forgery and Ongoing Criminal Conduct.  Nolte was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release on her own recognizance.

On January 19th, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 63-year-old Rhonda Hafner, of Griswold, on the charges of Forgery, Dependent Adult Abuse and Theft 2nd Degree.  Hafner was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release on her own recognizance.

And, on January 18th, 36-year-old Jennifer Holz, of Elliott, was arrested on a warrant for Theft 2nd Degree.  Holz turned herself in to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release on her own recognizance.

(Carroll, Iowa) – The Carroll Police Department reports an eastern Iowa man was arrested on an outstanding warrant, following an investigation into a fight Friday evening that resulted in three people being taken to the hospital in Carroll. Those persons were treated and released.

The fight broke out at a Carroll convenience store in the 600 block of W. Highway 30, around 7:30-p.m., Friday. Authorities say a brawl between numerous individuals broke out in the parking lot. The subjects ranged in age from 16-to 47.

One of the individuals brandished a knife during the incident. 47-year-old Gene Wegg of Mechanicsville, was arrested on an outstanding Linn County warrant. He was also charged with assault while displaying a dangerous weapon. Wegg remains in custody at the Carroll County jail. Additional charges are pending against multiple suspects following the completion of the investigation.

The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and Carroll County Emergency Medical Services also assisted at the scene.

DES MOINES – State Treasurer Roby Smith reports the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt had its biggest year ever in 2023. “We completed over 43,000 claims worth more than $30 million to rightful owners last year alone! But even with these record-breaking numbers, our work isn’t done,” said Smith. “Thousands of names were recently added, and we’ll be highlighting some in top 10 lists posted on social media as we celebrate National Unclaimed Property Day on February 1.”

Celebrated annually, Unclaimed Property Day is a national initiative to raise awareness for and reunite people with their unclaimed property. For the celebration, Smith’s office will be announcing names of individuals, businesses and non-profits around Iowa who had unclaimed property reported to Great Iowa Treasure Hunt in 2023.

“Join us on Facebook, Instagram and X on February 1 as we share some names recently reported to the State,” Smith continued. “Even if you’ve checked for your name in the past, check our website again. While our numbers for 2023 are exciting to share, we want to return even more in 2024!” Past and present Iowans can search anytime for their unclaimed property by visiting GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov.

Every year, millions of dollars in abandoned property are turned over to the State Treasurer’s Office. Administered by the State Treasurer, Great Iowa Treasure Hunt is the State’s only legitimate source for unclaimed property, and the State never charges a fee to reunite owners with their lost funds.

Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions, businesses and organizations that have lost contact with the owner for a specific period of time. In addition to abandoned safe deposit box contents, other common forms of unclaimed property include dormant checking and saving accounts, uncashed checks, lost stocks, life insurance policies and utility deposits.

Celebrate National Unclaimed Property Day by sharing information about Great Iowa Treasure Hunt with friends and family. Be sure to follow the Treasurer on Facebook, Instagram and X for the celebration on February 1.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Guthrie County say suspected minor/non-incapacitating injuries were reported following a single-vehicle, rollover accident that took place Saturday morning. Authorities said a 2006 Ford F-150 pickup driven by 59-year-old Erich Palait, of Scranton, was traveling south on Justice Road at around 8:30-a.m., Saturday, when the vehicle went out of control just south of 160th Street. The pickup went off the road onto the west shoulder and out-of-control, before coming back onto the roadway. The pickup then entered the east ditch and rolled over, striking a Guthrie Center REC-owned power pole, snapping the pole in-two.

The pickup was a total loss (estimated damage $9,500). The power pole was valued at $5,000. Guthrie County Deputies cited Palait for Failure to Maintain Control.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests. Friday night, 56-year-old Mark Eugene Greene, of Shenandoah, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $1,300. And, Saturday afternoon, Deputies in Mills County arrested 28-year-old Bradley Clark Perry, of Red Oak, for Driving while license is denied or revoked. His bond was set at $1,000.

Sheriff’s officials said also, a man from Hastings reported Friday, an incident of Attempted Burglary in the 3rd Degree. The incident took place at his property on Hutchings Avenue.