JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — A Johnston mother who was sentenced to two years’ probation for leaving her children home alone to travel to Europe is appealing.
The Des Moines Register reports that 31-year-old Erin Lee Macke filed an appeal on May 14. She could have faced eight years in prison after pleading to four counts of child endangerment.

Police were called to Macke’s home in September and found her kids — two 12-year-olds, a 7-year-old and a 6-year-old — had been left alone the day before. Police say Macke failed to make proper child care arrangements before leaving Sept. 20 for a 10-day vacation in Germany.

Last month, the father of Macke’s two youngest children was awarded custody of them. A court case over custody of Macke’s other children is pending.

NEW HAMPTON, Iowa (AP) — A district court judge is considering a motion to move the trial for the father of a baby whose lifeless body was found in an infant swing. The Courier reports that Zackary Koehn’s trial on first-degree murder and child endangerment charges had been set for June, but Koehn’s attorney on Tuesday asked for a delay. Koehn has also asked for a change of venue.

On Tuesday, Judge Richard Stochl said he has had no luck in finding another courthouse where the trial could be held. He says he will continue to work with court administration to find another trial venue.

Authorities say the body of 4-month-old Sterling Koehn was infested with maggots when found Aug. 30 by police and medics in his parents’ Alta Vista apartment. The baby’s mother, Cheyanne Harris, has also pleaded not guilty to charges.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday (today), said no injuries were reported following an accident at around 6-a.m. Sunday, on Marne Road. A 2005 Honda Element driven by 18-year old Izzy Belle Edmondson, of Walnut, was westbound on Marne Road when Edmondson fell asleep at the wheel. Her vehicle struck a mailbox and came to rest in the north ditch of the road. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $1,500. Edmondson was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

And, at around 11:20-a.m. Monday, a single-vehicle accident happened on Highway 6, near Lewis. Authorities say a 1987 Plymouth Colt driven by 60-year old Jerry Grandquist, of Atlantic, was westbound on the highway when the right front wheel came off the vehicle, causing Grandquist to lose control. The car entered the south ditch and came to rest in a farm field. No injuries were reported. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $1,500.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office said also, just before 3-a.m. today (Wednesday), deputies arrested 48-year old Kevin Boyd Canter, of Atlantic, on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Canter was taken to the Cass County Jail and later released on his own recognizance.

The Harlan Police Department reports one arrest, and several citations were issued.  On May 16th, 31-year old Linda Frances-Anna Hemminger, of Harlan, was cited driving under suspension, operating a vehicle without registration, and failure to prove security against liability. The citations were issued following a traffic stop at 6th and Baldwin, in Harlan.

On May 12th, 21-year old Cassie Kaylynn Swensen, of Harlan, was arrested on several outstanding Shelby County warrants. On May 22nd, 56-year old Melanie Marie Mogensen, of Harlan, was cited for driving while suspended, failure to prove security against liability, and failure to use child restraints. She was issued the citations following a traffic stop in the 1100 block of Chatburn Avenue.

And, on May 22nd, 48-year old Michael Allen Schuemann, of Harlan, was cited for Driving Under Suspension, following a traffic stop at 12th and Chatburn. Harlan Police said also, no injuries were reported following a single-vehicle accident May 16th on Exchange Street. Adam Nelson, of Irwin, was traveling southbound when he took the second corner too sharply. His 2012 Timpte trailer struck a utility pole on the west side of the road.

Red Oak Police today (Wednesday), arrested a man with two valid protective orders against him, following an incident involving a female. Officers were called to a location on E. Valley Street at around 11:30-a.m., for a report of a man and woman verbally fighting. Upon arrival, officers say 58-year old Thomas Oscar Anderson, of Red Oak, and the woman protected by the order, in the garage area. Anderson was arrested for Violating a No Contact Order, and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where his bond was set at $300.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Democratic candidate for Iowa Secretary of State has been running a political action committee that’s supporting his campaign despite a law that appears to ban the practice. Jim Mowrer has continued to serve as treasurer of The Majority Rules, which he created after the 2016 presidential election to seek the abolishment of the electoral college. The PAC has donated to and endorsed Mowrer’s campaign. It’s also made payments for consulting services to a company Mowrer manages.

Iowa law states that candidates for state office cannot “establish, direct, or maintain a political committee.” The Republican Party of Iowa filed a complaint Tuesday alleging that Mowrer is breaking the law, seeking an investigation and “all appropriate sanctions and penalties” for any violations found. A lawyer for Mowrer’s campaign says he doesn’t believe the state law applies because The Majority Rules is a federal PAC.

A motorcyclist who authorities say was going too fast for conditions, lost control of his machine and suffered undisclosed injuries when he was ejected. The Page County Sheriff’s Office was notified at around 8-a.m. Monday about the crash on M Avenue, near 220th Street, or about a mile southeast of Yorktown. Authorities say 25-year old Daniel Nathan August, of Clarinda, was southbound on M Avenue and attempting to navigate a curve in the road to the left (east), when he braked and skidded on the damp/wet pavement. The motorcycle slid on its side, ejecting August,  who was not wearing a helmet.

He was transported to Clarinda Regional Health Center by Clarinda Ambulance. Damage to the motorcycle is estimated at $ 5,000. The Page County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Clarinda Fire Department and the Clarinda Ambulance service. No citations were issued.