(Updated) — Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Assistant Director Mitch Mortvedt, in Omaha, confirmed with KJAN News Wednesday, that agents with the DCI had been in Atlantic, Monday, but he could not comment on their investigation of former Cass County 911 Director Rob Koppert, or any other ongoing investigations, at this time. A neighbor of Koppert, told KJAN News they saw DCI agents and Sheriff’s Deputies at Koppert’s home a little after 8-a.m., Monday. The neighbor, who did not wish to be identified, said another neighbor witnessed the same activity.The deputies were from Shelby County.

Cass County Sheriff Darby McLaren would not comment publicly on any possible investigation, with the exception of saying that no Cass County law enforcement agencies are involved. McLaren and Cass County Attorney Dave Wiederstein would only go on record as saying Koppert resigned at his request, and was NOT asked to do so.

That news falls on the heels of action taken Tuesday evening by the Cass County Public Safety Commission, who accepted Koppert’s resignation. Cass County Attorney David Wiederstein said he and Cass County Sheriff Darby McLaren had met with Koppert Monday morning at his request. At that time, he submitted his letter of resignation to them. Wiederstein said there was some brief discussion, but nothing further.

Koppert acted as the 911 Director for Cass County since the mid-1990’s. He has been experiencing health issues lately. The Board appointed Cass County Emergency Management Director Mike Kennon as Interim 911 Director. The process will now begin to revise the position’s job description and then seeking applicants.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Des Moines woman charged with murder is seeking a judge’s approval to use a “stand your ground” defense despite the law taking effect nearly two months after she allegedly shot and killed her stepfather. The Des Moines Register reports defense attorney Montgomery Brown argues the law should apply because 29-year-old Sera Alexander’s case will go to trial after the law took effect July 1.

The law says a person doesn’t have to retreat before using deadly force if they think their life is being threatened. Assistant Polk County Attorney Kevin Hathaway says prosecutors believe they have enough evidence to prove a first-degree murder case against Alexander even if the law applies. District Court Judge Robert Blink has asked attorneys to write additional briefs before making a final decision.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Sioux City School Board has approved an agreement to buy unused space for classrooms in the downtown Sioux City Public Museum. The second-floor space would be converted into 19 classrooms so the district could hold Life Academy and Career Academy courses there. Those courses now are spread out at all three high schools, Wester Iowa Tech Community College and the Ho-Chunk Centre downtown. The district plans still face reviews from city officials.

Before becoming a museum, the building held a Delta Air Lines call center that closed in 2012. The building was built as a J.C. Penney retail store more than three decades ago.

A Colorado couple, sunburned after days of cycling across Iowa, got married Tuesday afternoon during the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. Whit and Sarah Oyler, of Denver, tied the knot on the City Beach stage in Clear Lake. The couple had been on RAGBRAI together when Clear Lake was a pass-through community in 2014. “We got engaged last October and the more we thought about wedding planning, we realized we didn’t want a big, expensive, crazy wedding,” Sarah says. “That doesn’t fit us. What fits us is something simple like RAGBRAI. He came up with the idea and it probably took me five minutes to process and then I said, ‘Okay, let’s do it!'”

Sarah says she contacted RAGBRAI executive director T-J Juskiewicz about the wedding idea, who in turn contacted Clear Lake officials who helped set up the ceremony. Whit says they made everything incredibly simple for the couple.  “They couldn’t have made it any easier, the flowers, they were amazing,” he says. “They didn’t even talk to us about it, they just had them ready. They asked what her favorite color was, periwinkle, they just had them ready. Oh, my God!”    

The newlyweds say they appreciated their fellow bike riders and the folks in Clear Lake for helping them celebrate their wedding day. “I honestly couldn’t be any happier with how easy this process was, how helpful everyone’s been, how nice everyone’s been in this town,” Whit says. “We’ve only been here for an hour, maybe two hours, and everyone’s been incredibly nice.” “All the riders today, it’s been a wonderful experience,” Sarah adds. “Congratulations from everybody, it’s really been great.”

The couple met six years ago while they were going to school at Oklahoma State University.

(Radio Iowa)