DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] — Taxpayers in Polk County are helping pay out a hospital CEO’s $800,000 settlement. KCCI-TV reports documents obtained Thursday, show Dr. Anthony Coleman will still receive a year of pay, plus what he would have earned as a yearly bonus. Coleman had worked for Broadlawns since December 2021. His annual salary was $550,000. The agreement says Coleman cannot sue over discrimination, retaliation, or wrongful termination.

Coleman’s LinkedIn account says he has been hired as CEO at a hospital in Washington, D.C. Broadlawns said the board was not aware he had accepted this position before they reached the settlement. Broadlawns is funded with Polk County taxpayer dollars. Officials with the hospital say Coleman’s resignation accepted on Nov. 2nd was voluntary. Coleman has not commented on the settlement.

News website Axios says he’ll pay the $800,000 to charity, but Coleman wouldn’t confirm that. Now that Coleman is gone, Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jason Kruse has been named the interim CEO. The Broadlawns Board of Trustees will search nationally for a permanent replacement.

(Ankeny, Iowa) — An Iowa-based convenience store chain known for its pizza is expanding into the Lone Star State. Officials with Casey’s General Stores say the company is acquiring 22 Lone Star Stores in Texas, and incorporating them into its brand. Darren Rebelez, Casey’s president and chief executive officer, said in the news release that all Lone Star employees have been offered jobs.

Casey’s General Stores Inc. opened its first general store in Boone, Iowa in 1968. Casey’s operates more than 2,500 stores in 16 states, primarily in the Midwest, according to its website. It’s the company’s first time expanding into Texas, which becomes its 17th state overall. The transaction is expected to be wrapped up by the end of the month. The retailer finished the first quarter of its fiscal 2024 on July 31st. It plans to add more than 350 stores through construction and acquisitions by fiscal year 2026. Announcing fiscal Q1 results, Casey’s said it was updating its forecast to add at least 150 stores in fiscal year 2024 because of pending transactions.

Casey’s is the third-largest convenience store chain in the country and the fifth-largest pizza chain.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report three recent arrests. Two people were taken into custody early this (Friday) morning:

47-year-old Jeanie Dion Tavoada, of Creston, was arrested a little before 3-a.m. at the Creston Union County LEC (Law Enforcement Center). Tavoada was charged with OWI/1st Offense. Tavoada was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on a $1,000 cash or surety bond. And, at around 12:15-a.m., 34-year-old Nevin Alan Meisenheimer, of Creston, was arrested at his residence. Meisenheimer was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault-Parent with Same Minor Child. He was taken to the Union County Jail and held without bond until seen by the Magistrate.

Thursday afternoon, 67-year-old Jeffrey Lynn Bandow, of Creston, was arrested at the Walmart store, in Creston. Bandow was charged with Driving while Revoked-Operation without Interlock Device, Driving while Revoked and OWI/1st Offense. He was taken to the Union County Jail and held on a $2,300 cash or surety bond.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa State Patrol reports two separate accidents Thursday in eastern Iowa resulted in injuries to three people. A little before 8-a.m., Thursday, a pickup truck driven by 15-year-old James J. Denning, of Houghton, was traveling east on Lee County Road 103 out of West Point, when a pedestrian, 65-year-old Jayme Boeding, of West Point, crossed the road near 2431 County Road 103, to get to his mailbox.

When Boeding failed to see the approaching pickup truck approaching from the west, he was struck by the vehicle in the eastbound lane of travel. Boeding was transported by helicopter to the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. A report on his condition was not released.

And, at around 4:15-p.m., Thursday, the drivers of two vehicles involved in a collision in Louisa County were transported to the hospital, after one of the drivers – 74-year-old Sharon Jennings, of Mount Union (IA), failed to obey a stop sign at the intersection of Highway 78 east and M Avenue, southeast of Morning Sun. Jennings’ 2011 Honda 4-door collided with a 2014 Ford pickup driven by 14-year-old Zane Veach, of Wapello. Both vehicles came to rest in the southeast ditch.

Both drivers were wearing their seat belts. Jennings was transported by helicopter to UIHC. Veach was transported by private vehicle to a local hospital. The crash remains under investigation. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office, Wapello Rescue & 1st Responders, Morning Sun Fire, Wapello Ambulance and Med Force.

(Radio Iowa) – A court-appointed trustee says a Chicago law firm submitted a shocking, 922-thousand dollar bill for its work as Mercy hospital in Iowa City worked its way through bankruptcy court. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports the trustee has recommended that a judge review the bill to see if it’s reasonable and necessary.

Late last month, the court announced the University of Iowa’s 28 MILLION dollar bid to buy Mercy hospital had been accepted as the best offer. That reversed a previous announcement that the hospital had been acquired by a Texas finance company that was the hospital’s largest creditor.

(Eldora, Iowa [WHO-TV])  — A licensed therapist hired to work with at-risk residents at the Iowa State Training School for Boys in Eldora has been fired as authorities investigate her for allegedly having sex with multiple clients and providing contraband, according to a state official. The Eldora Police Department is investigating the allegations. No criminal charges have been filed.

WHO-TV reports an investigation by the Iowa Appeals and Inspections was launched after a resident was found with a vape pen at the school one week ago. The resident informed staff it came from a therapist at the school who was also providing the contraband to as many as seven residents she was engaging in sexual acts with, the state official said.

Most, if not all the residents involved are minors. The accused therapist was placed on administrative leave and was fired shortly after.

The primary purpose of the State Training School at Eldora is to provide a continuum of supervision and rehabilitation programs, which meet the needs of males adjudicated delinquent, in a manner consistent with public safety, according to the schools website. These services and programs individualize treatment and control the offender for his own benefit and the protection of society.