COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Another person has been sentenced in connection with the distribution of a powerful synthetic opioid that led to the death of a Council Bluffs man. Federal prosecutors say 24-year-old Amalia Pandis, of Carter Lake, was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl that caused death. Pandis was also ordered to serve five years’ supervised release once she’s out of prison.

Prosecutors say Pandis was part of a drug trafficking ring responsible for obtained fentanyl from a source in China and selling it western Iowa and eastern Nebraska.
The investigation into the group began in June 2015, when police were called to a Carter Lake home and found the body of 20-year-old Diego Lemus. Police learned a second man had been hospitalized for a fentanyl overdose.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A Waterloo man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for traveling to Mexico to sexually abuse a girl, whom he used to produce child pornography.

Federal prosecutors in Iowa say 36-year-old Juan Rangel was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty in December to one count of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place and one count of distribution of child pornography. Rangel must also register as a sex offender.

Court records show Rangel admitted that between 2014 and 2016, he traveled from the U.S. to Mexico and engaged in sex acts with a girl when she was 14 and 15. He also produced child porn involving the girl and posted the images online in 2015 and 2016.

A Pottawattamie County man faces 40 counts of Animal Neglect stemming from an investigation into deceased and malnourished dogs. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department report 40 criminal complaints were against 35-year old Dustin Young, of Hancock.

Dustin Young

The charges included:  36 counts of Animal Neglect – simple misdemeanor, and 4 counts of Animal Neglect – serious misdemeanor. Young appeared in District Court today (Thursday) with his attorney. He posted bond and was released.

Background:

At around 9:30-a.m. Sunday, May 6, 2018, Pottawattamie County deputies were dispatched to 44625 Lombardy Road in reference to an animal neglect complaint.  Upon arrival deputies found three deceased and several malnourished dogs. Deputies contacted Pottawattamie County Animal Control and the Midlands Humane Society to assist with the investigation.

During the initial investigation, it was determined that Young was operating Young Gunz Kennel at this residence, adog breeding and training business. As a result of the initial investigation, approximately 40 dogs were removed from the site.  At the time, approximately 10 dogs were still missing, while about 20 dogs were returned to their owners.  Others were in the process of making arrangements to pick up their dogs.

The Sheriff’s Office worked closely with Pottawattamie County Animal Control and the Midlands Humane Society to ensure that the dogs received the necessary treatment.

SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa (AP) — Several northwest Iowa roads have been inundated and basements swamped by heavy rain. Station KUOO reports more than 5 inches (13 centimeters) were reported early Thursday north of Estherville. Iowa Highway 60 flooded over in the Ashton area, forcing traffic to detour.

The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for several rivers and creeks in the area, including the Big and Little Sioux rivers, the Floyd River, the Rock River, and the Ocheyedan River near Spencer. The weather service says more rain will fall across the region during Thursday but not as much as on Wednesday and Wednesday night.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court is clearing the way for Iowa to collect sales taxes on digital goods and services. The court ruled Thursday that states can force companies operating online to collect taxes, reversing decades-old decisions that had stymied efforts to collect sales taxes on many online transactions. Earlier this year, Iowa legislators approved expanding sales tax to digital goods like e-books, subscription services like Netflix, ride-sharing apps like Uber and physical goods purchased online. The new sales taxes will go into effect in January.

The nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency estimates the expansion will bring in $42 million to the state in the fiscal year beginning July 1. That climbs to about $103 million in the next fiscal year. It was unclear before the court’s ruling whether the new taxes would be collected. The expected revenues would help reduce the estimated cost of property tax cuts in the same legislation.

Members of the Exira-EHK School Board met Wednesday evening during a regular session. Superintendent Trevor Miller said District construction projects are going well, and crews are scampering around trying to wrap things up by the first week of August. Miller said progress on the various projects, like the Exira school’s playground, are dependent on cooperation from Mother Nature.

Miller said also the Exira-EHK Board approved a new, acceptable use policy for Technology for 2018-19. He said the policy change will make school-issued laptop computers a cooperative “buy-in” for $20, instead of a fee. It’s also optional. The policy makes it more affordable for the student and their family to have it repaired if something happens to the 1:1 laptop device, like a shattered screen.

Without the buy-in, the parents would have to come-up with $300 to replace the Chromebook laptop. He said also, the Board approved the bread, milk and diesal fuel bids from the same sources as last school year. And, they have agreed to purchase and International 65-passenger bus for $82,500, which will replace a bus that no longer passes inspection. The new bus brings their fleet up-to-date.