DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Senate has unanimously passed a bill that would add restrictions to how authorities can seize money and other items from people suspected of illegal activity. The chamber voted 49-0 Tuesday for the bill, which now heads to the House. It must clear procedural votes this week to survive a looming legislative deadline.

Civil asset forfeiture is a legal process that allows law enforcement to take money or property from a person suspected of illegal activity. In Iowa, authorities can keep the items regardless of a conviction. The bill would require seized cash or property to be returned if it’s valued at less than $5,000 and there’s no conviction.

The bill comes amid efforts around the country to reform a system critics say can undermine a citizen’s judicial rights.

Drug dealers who repackage illegal drugs to resemble or taste like candy so they’ll appeal to kids would face stiffer penalties under a bill being introduced this week by Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley. He says it’s becoming a common practice with outlawed substances ranging from from marijuana to meth.

Grassley says, “Law enforcement reports that drug dealers frequently combine drugs with chocolate or fruit-flavors or package the drug to look like candy or soda for the sole purpose of attracting young people to that drug.” There are reports of candy bracelets containing ecstasy, gummy bears laced with Xanax and candy laced with T-H-C. The bill has bipartisan support, Grassley says, and it would target dealers who target children.

“Cynical criminals take advantage of drug trends in the general population thereby making dangerous illicit drugs specifically to market to kids,” Grassley says. “The criminals are very innovative and the law should keep up with them.” While some of the products in question may be legal in some states, Grassley says drug dealers are making their own copycat versions that could prove very dangerous — or lethal — if ingested by young people.

“They make marijuana into cookies or something like that but meth is a specific one that’s a problem,” Grassley says, “and you know how deadly meth is.” Under the bill, Grassley says those who market candy-flavored drugs to kids will face much steeper consequences, seeing prison sentences increased ten to 20 years.

(Radio Iowa)

A Certified Public Accounting firm has released an audit report on Cass County. The Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn and Company P.C CPA’s report says the County had local tax revenue of just over $29.4-million for the Fiscal Year ending June 30th, 2016. That amount included over $2.6-million in tax credits from the State. The County forwarded over $29.5-million of the local tax revenue to the townships, school districts, cities and other taxing bodies in the County.

The County retained more than $7.8-million of the local tax revenue to finance County operations, a 2.4% increase from the prior year. Other revenues included $5.4-million from the State, including indirect federal funding of nearly $1.4-million , charges for service of slightly more than $363,300, and nearly $205,000 for the use of money and property.

Expenditures for County operations totaled slightly more than $13.1-million, and 11.9% decrease from the prior year. Expenses included nearly $4.6-million for roads and transportation, nearly $650,000 for mental health, $2.44-million for public safety and legal services, $1.15-million for capital projects, and nearly $1.3-million for administrative services.

A copy of the Audit Report is available for review in the office of the Auditor of State, and the Cass County Auditor’s Office.

Governor Terry E. Branstad today (Tuesday) announced three appointments to Iowa’s STEM Advisory Council.Among those whose appointments went into effect on Monday and are not subject to Iowa Senate Confirmation, was Barbara Crittenden, of Creston. The other appointees include: Kelsey Tyrrell, of Des Moines, and Scott Montgomery, of Coralville.

An Adair County man suffered possible, unknown injuries, following an accident in the Creston Hospital’s parking lot. The crash happened at around 11:30-p.m., Friday. Creston Police say 65-year old Alen J. Weese, of Orient, was backing a 2006 Chevy Silverado pickup truck out of a parking stall near the Greater Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Room entrance, when he accidentally stepped on the gas too hard.

The pickup backed around the parking lot and hit a 2000 Ford Expedition. The pickup continued in the same direction and proceeded to hit a 2014 Jeep Cherokee as well as a 1998 Oldsmobile Regency. The pickup didn’t stop until it hit the GRMC building.

Weese was transported by ambulance to the hospital. Damage from the accident totaled $23,500, which included $2,000 damage done to a glass window on the hospital’s Emergency Room Door. No citations were issued.

Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports 28-year old Nathan Andrew Wilcoxsen, of Coin, was arrested Sunday afternoon. Wilcoxsen was taken into custody at his home on a Page County Warrant for Failure to appear on two counts of Theft in the 5th Degree.  He posted bond and was released pending further court proceedings.

Nathan Wilcoxsen (Photo submitted by Page County S/O)