A photography exhibit featuring Iowa children who have a parent in prison opens this weekend in a fitting locale. The display “Confliction” will premiere on the walls of cells in the former Polk County Jail in downtown Des Moines. Joy DeSomber, co-founder of the group Empowering Children of Incarcerated Parents, says the black-and-white photos are riveting as they appear beside quotes from each youngster.

“These quotes from these children are amazing,” DeSomber says. “You see the quote from the child, you see the image of the child, you see that they’re behind bars. You see that we as a community are stigmatizing them. We are putting them behind bars for their parents’ crimes.” A study finds seven out of every ten children with a parent in prison will end up in prison themselves. DeSomber, who has a degree in criminology, co-authored the book “What Did I Do?,” the inspiration for the photo exhibition.

“We hold workshops with these children and invite them to tell their stories,” DeSomber says. “What did they feel when their parent was first arrested? How did they feel when they visited their parents behind bars? Do they tell their friends? Do they not tell their friends? In the back of the book is an opportunity for us to provide resources for these families in their communities that they can reach out to for help.” She says her West Des Moines-based organization is working to become a clearinghouse for children to gain access to positive solutions.

“These children feel so stigmatized and isolated and neglected,” DeSomber says. “They often don’t tell their friends about their home situation, with their parent being behind bars, because of the stigmatization. It’s an opportunity for them to learn other children have been through similar circumstances and they made it through. It helps them feel more confident they can get through their situation.” The exhibition in Des Moines only runs this weekend as photographer Ben Easter takes it to Paris, France, next week. Learn more about the exhibit at: http://conflictionexhibit.com/ — and the book at: http://whatdididobook.com/

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) say details will be released later this morning during a press conference, with regard to a stand-off situation that went on throughout the night, in Rockwell City. Officials would not elaborate on the incident, except to say the subject was taken into custody early this morning.

Additional information will be released following the 11-a.m. press conference at the Rockwell City Fire Department, where Iowa DCI Special Agent in Charge Michael Motsinger will be speak about the events leading up to the arrest.

w/ Ric Hanson

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The Atlantic Police Department reports a local man was arrested late Thursday night on several charges, following a domestic disturbance at the Sundance Apartments. 19-year old Kameron Burg, of Atlantic, faces charges that include: Assault on a Peace Officer; Disorderly conduct; Escape or absence from custody; 2 counts of Interference with official acts;  2 counts of Criminal Mischief in the 3rd degree; and, Domestic Abuse/Serious Assault. Officials say the incident occurred just before midnight. The officer involved in the incident was not injured.

Burg was booked into the Cass County Jail.

w/ Ric Hanson

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The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports they’ve taken a pledge to keep tobacco out of the hands of Montgomery County youth.  Iowa Pledge (“I-Pledge” for short) is a partnership with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverage Division (ABD) to educate local retailers, and to enforce Iowa’s tobacco laws. Officials say the program has helped increase statewide tobacco compliance to a rate of 93-percent since it began in the year 2000. By partnering with the ABD, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says it will do its part to continue the upward trend.

Clerks who successfully complete an online training program and pass an exam, will be I-pledge certified, and the retail establishment will receive an affirmative defense against a civil penalty, of the certified clerk makes an illegal sale. To take the training, or search I-Pledge certification records, go to http://ipocp.iowaabd.com:8080/portal.

Officials say the I-Pledge retailer program is a great way for clerks to prepare themselves to refuse illegal tobacco sales. As part of the I-Pledge program, deputies will be conducting compliance checks on local establishments. Criminal penalties resulting from the sale of tobacco to a minor during the unannounced checks using underage customers, include fines from $100 for the first offense, to as much as $500 for the third and subsequent offenses.

Sheriff Joe Sampson says handing out citations is not the intent of the I-Pledge program. He says the hope is to educate clerks and maintain a compliant retail environment in communities within Montgomery County. More importantly, according to Sampson, is the “Pledge to help keep tobacco out of the hands of Iowa youth.”

Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County say a Villisca man was arrested Thursday afternoon. 23-year old Charles Albert Mace, Jr, was arrested at around 12:40-p.m. on charges of providing false information to a peace officer, and driving while suspended. Mace was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and later released on $300 cash bond.

Audubon Police report three people were arrested over the past week. On Sept. 2nd, officers arrested 38-year old James Raymond Nottingham Jr., of Wadsworth, Illinois, for violation of a no contact order. Nottingham was transported to the Audubon County Jail and held to be seen by a magistrate.

On September 4th, 33-year old Shanda Jolene Tews, of Audubon, was arrested for violation of a no contact order. Tews turned herself in at the Audubon County Jail and was released.

And on Sept. 5th, officers with the Audubon Police Dept. arrested 22 year old Christopher Allan Campeau, of Audubon, for Public Intoxication. Campeau was transported to the Audubon County Jail and held to be seen by a magistrate.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Officials say three teenagers accused of bringing airsoft pistols to a Dubuque middle school face disciplinary action. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports that a 14-year old and two 13-year-olds have been suspended and charged as juveniles in violation of a city ordinance that prohibits carrying concealed weapons without a permit. The ordinance includes air guns. Washington Middle School was briefly placed on precautionary lockdown Thursday morning after an airsoft pistol was found in a student’s backpack. Two more were later found.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Officials say a fire the killed a southeast Iowa man in his mobile home was accidental. Burlington Fire Marshal Mark Crooks told The Hawk Eye newspaper Wednesday that the fire that killed 75-year-old Jerry Hensen started in his kitchen. Crooks says Hensen apparently tried to extinguish the fire early Tuesday, but he was overcome by smoke.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A Davenport man has been accused of selling heroin to a man who later died from an overdose. The Quad-City Times reports 50-year-old Cornel Miller was arrested yesterday in connection with the Wednesday death of 53-year-old Daniel Charles Hansen, also of Davenport.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa has a stable of talented running backs and an impressive line. The Hawkeyes also have issues in the receiving corps and a sophomore quarterback, Jake Rudock, who will be making his road debut tomorrow at Iowa State. Saturday’s matchup in Ames kicks off at 5 p.m.

The Atlantic Police Department says it’s receiving a number of calls reporting even more scams. The latest one involves a caller claiming to work with Microsoft, and says that they are a technician. They claim they can fix your computer problem over the phone. They will ask for your debit card/bank account information. Authorities are asking you not to give out any personal information.

The scam usually involves people in foreign call centers…usually from India.. saying that they are representatives from Microsoft technical support. The tell the victim that their computer is running slowly because of viruses or because they need an additional piece of software, which the victim has to pay for. The typical charge is around $300. The scam has been around since 2008.

If you have any questions feel free to contact the Atlantic Police Department at 712-243-3512. Or, go to the official Microsoft link on how to deal with such scams, at http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/avoid-phone-scams.aspx