STORM LAKE, Iowa (AP) – A two-year investigation conducted by western Iowa police has yielded the arrests of 17 people on drug-related charges. The Storm Lake Police Department said Monday that the expansive drug sweep is aimed at stemming the sale of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana. Police began making arrests Thursday, seizing drugs and money throughout the weekend.

The Sioux City Journal reports that those arrested face conspiracy to manufacture and delivery charges involving methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana. Eleven were arrested on felony charges and six on serious misdemeanor charges. Police say the arrests are ongoing as they continue to locate more people linked to their investigation.

This is the last Monday of winter but it’ll feel more like summer across much of Iowa with high temperatures approaching record territory. Meteorologist Brad Fillbach, at the National Weather Service, says most of the state will have highs in the 70s and 80s.  “We are going to be warm today, much warmer than normal,” Fillbach says. “Our record for Des Moines today is 84 and we’re looking for highs in the lower 80s, so close, but probably not a record day.”

He says the warming trend will be boosting temperatures 20 to 30 degrees warmer than average for this date in many Iowa cities. “Normal highs for this time of the year, for the Des Moines area, are upper 40s and for the lows, you’re looking at the upper 20s, so well above normal but not quite the record levels.” A cool front is expected to drift over Iowa late tonight, bumping tomorrow’s (Tuesday) highs back down closer to normal. “We’re going to see a big change in temperatures tomorrow,” Fillbach says. “Where today, we’re lower 80s for highs and tomorrow we’re looking for lower 50s.”

Meteorologist Mindy Beerends, also at the National Weather Service, says a Red Flag Warning is posted for much of central, west-central and south-central Iowa today due to conditions raising the risk of wildfires.  Beerends says, “We’re expecting gusty winds, low relative humidity and dry vegetation which is the combination factors for that Red Flag Warning and extreme fire conditions.”

Even with the big drop in high temperatures for tomorrow, Beerends says much of Iowa will still be slightly above-normal for highs for the rest of the week. Spring arrives on Friday.

(Radio Iowa)

Authorities in Union County say a Lorimor man reported Sunday, someone had entered his storage unit in Lorimor, and taken several items. Among them, various power and specialty tools, a cutting torch and a tool box. The items were valued at $3,700. It’s believed the theft took place over the past couple of days.

A woman from rural Clarinda was arrested outside the Page County Sheriff’s Office early Saturday morning, after she showed-up allegedly under the influence of alcohol. Sheriff Lyle Palmer says 21-year old Skye Lynn James was arrested at around 2:10-a.m.,for Public Intoxication.

Skye Lynn James

The Sheriff says deputies had been investigating an incident involving an assault, that occurred late Friday night, in which James was a suspect. Deputies spoke with James on the phone when she called the Sheriff’s Office, in between meeting with her at a residence, and her arrival at the Sheriff’s Office. James was advised during the phone conversation that if she came to the Sheriff’s Office and was intoxicated, she would be arrested for Public intoxication, as the matter could be handled when she had not been consuming alcohol. She did not heed the warning from the phone call, and was taken into custody.

Police in Glenwood arrested a man this (Monday) morning, on drug charges. 26-year old Jon Pitts, of Glenwood, faces charges that include Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $1,300.

And on Saturday, the Glenwood P-D arrested 23-year old Kelly Hall, of Omaha, on an OWI/1st offense, charge. Hall’s bond was set at $1,000.

Dry and windy conditions have prompted Emergency Management officials in Montgomery and Taylor Counties to issue a Burn Ban. The ban on opening burn in Montgomery County is in effect from Noon today (Monday), until further notice. The ban in Taylor County was ordered Friday and becomes effective today, as well.

A Red Flag warning is in effect for all of southwest and western Iowa this afternoon and this evening, for critical fire conditions (low humidity and high winds) that could create explosive fire growth.

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County arrested 20-year old Gage Stewart Boles, of Glenwood, Friday evening on Locust Street, in Glenwood. Boles was wanted on a warrant for Gathering where marijuana is used. His bond was set at $1,000.

With Ric Hanson.

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One person died during a rollover accident early this (Monday) morning, in Dallas County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix was traveling north on Highway 141 near mile marker 140, at around 5:35-a.m., when the driver fell asleep at the wheel. The car left the road and entered a ditch before rolling twice, ejecting the driver. The victim, whose name was not released pending notification of family, was not wearing a seat belt.

Three people were arrested recently, in Creston. According to the Police report, 40-year old Darwin Michael Ripperger, of Afton, was arrested at around 5:30-p.m. Sunday at the Union County Law Enforcement Center (LEC). Ripperger was charged with Simple Assault and later released on $300 bond.

At around Noon, Saturday, Creston Police arrested 25-year old Quentin Allen Smith, of Des Moines, on a Taylor County warrant for Failure to Appear in court. Smith, who was taken into custody at 701 N. Cherry St., in Creston, was subsequently charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released from the Union County Jail on $1,000 bond, plus $300 bond for the Taylor County warrant.

Early Saturday morning, the Creston P-D arrested 20-year old Steven Dennis Richardson, of Creston, for allegedly committing a burglary in the 1st Degree, while persons were present, and, for Possession/Display and/or Use of a Dangerous Weapon. His bond was set at $25,000.

Last Friday evening, Creston Police cited 64-year old Dennis Lee Miller, of Creston, for Simple Assault. Miller was released on $300 bond.

And, officials in Creston says a woman who resides at an apartment on N. Pine Street reported Friday morning, someone had used her credit card without permission. The card was used to make multiple purchases amounting to $464. The incident remains under investigation.