(Radio Iowa) – A special legislative session will get underway this (Tuesday) morning at the state Capitol and Republican lawmakers plan to pass a bill to ban abortions after fetal activity can be detected, usually around the sixth week of a pregnancy. The bill has exceptions for medical emergencies and fetal abnormalities as well as cases of rape or incest. Bob Vander Plaats is president and C-E-O of The Family Leader, a Christian conservative group that has registered in support of the so-called heartbeat law. He says the legislature will be sending a message to the Iowa Supreme Court, which recently deadlocked over the governor’s request to let the 2018 Fetal Heartbeat Act she signed go into effect.

“You have a Supreme Court…that didn’t uphold the law. They even said they thought the legislature was being ‘hypothetical’ when they passed the law,” Vander Plaats says. “…Make sure the Supreme Court understands this was not a hypothetical exercise, repass it and let it run through the system again.” Governor Reynolds said her faith leads her to protect life when she signed the signed the Fetal Heartbeat Act in 2018.

“I believe that all innocent life is precious and sacred and as governor I have pledged to do everything in my power to protect it,” Reynolds said on May 4, 2018. “…For me, it’s immoral to stop an innocent, beating heart.” The Interfaith Alliance of Iowa says the bill imposes the views of some Christians on others. The Right Reverend Betsey Monnet, Bishop of the Episocopal Diocese of Iowa, says her denomination has supported abortion rights since 1967. “Women in Iowa who become pregnant should be able to make their own health care decisions in consultant with their doctors and, if they choose, with their own faith leaders or clergy,” Monnett says.

Some Iowa doctors say the bill is a functional ban on abortion. Dr. Emily Boevers is an O-B-G-Y-N at the hospital in Waverly. “I’m very concerned about the dramatic responsibility that it’s going to place on health care providers to decide how urgently somebody might die from their pregnancy,” she says. Boevers says. Dr. Francesca Turner, an O-B G-Y-N in Des Moines, says the bill could delay care. “Putting the government in the middle of the physician-patient relationship is going to impact our care,” she says, “impact our ability to make medical decisions.”

A public hearing on the bill is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. and end at 11. Republican legislative leaders plan to set time limits on debate, so the bill is likely to pass before midnight.

(Sidney, Iowa) – Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports that on Sunday, July 9th, Deputies with the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Dodge Charger traveling at 112-miles per hour, in the vicinity of the 20,000 block of US Highway 275. The driver of the vehicle – identified as 18-year-old Lane Harris, of Sidney – failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated as the vehicle entered the City of Sidney.

During the pursuit, Harris lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a fence at the Sidney Elementary school located at the intersection of Illinois St. and Fletcher St. in Sidney. Harris was taken into custody for Class-D Felony Eluding (Speed 25 mph over the legal limit; Possession of a Controlled substance-2nd or Subsequent Offense; possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Possession of a Fictitious License; and OWI-1ST Offense. He was also cited for numerous traffic violations.

Lane Harris

Lane Harris was released from custody Monday (today), after posting a $500 cash bond set by the Fremont County Magistrate.

(Radio Iowa) – Former Iowa Congressman Steve King says he’s in talks with three law firms about filing a lawsuit to try to block construction of carbon pipelines. King filed paperwork this (Monday) morning with the Iowa Utilities Board to be on record as an opponent of the projects. “We already know what the (Iowa) Utilities Board is going to do. They have their marching orders. They’re going to carry them out. We need to fight them every step of the way,” King says. “While we’re doing that, we need to build the case to get to the United States Supreme Court.”

King says he’s aware law firms are already representing landowners and county officials opposed to the pipelines in state court, but King says the focus should be overturning a 2005 U-S Supreme Court decision. That ruling said private property can be claimed for a private economic development project through the government’s eminent domain process.

“It’s a 78% issue by The Des Moines Register (Iowa Poll) and another poll across every demographics of politics and age and gender opposed to using eminent domain to condemn private property for private gain,” King says. “Why? Because leadership is all on the other side of this.” One of the carbon pipeline developers is Bruce Rastetter who contributed to Republican Randy Feenstra’s successful 2020 bid to unseat King after King was rebuked by G-O-P leaders for published remarks about white supremacy.

Rastetter’s Summit Carbon Capture Pipeline, along with two other developers, may qualify for up to 100 billion in federal tax credits over the next decade. “The federal government writes a check to Bruce Rastetter or Larry Fink, the CEO of Black Rock (a partner in the proposed Navigator pipeline), or the head of the Wolfe Pipeline project over in eastern Iowa and Illinois,” King says. “It’s outrageous and there’s no possible way the taxpayers will ever see a return on their investment.”

On Saturday, King met in Fort Dodge with over 150 people from Iowa, Nebraska and the Dakotas who are opposed to the carbon pipelines and he says some of them indicated they would be willing to join a class action lawsuit against the carbon pipeline developers. In 2005, King successfully sued in state court to require Iowa officials print election materials in the English language only. That ruling was recently overturned, but may be appealed by the secretary of state. In 2012, King threatened a lawsuit over an Obama Administration policy for undocumented immigrants, but never filed one.

(Radio Iowa) – Former President Donald Trump says he’s not inviting Governor Kim Reynolds to his campaign events after a newspaper report suggested there’s tension between Trump and Reynolds. Trump posted a statement on his Truth Social platform after a New York Times story indicated his campaign is frustrated with Governor Reynolds for appearing alongside Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in Florida and in Iowa.

Trump says on Truth Social that he opened up the governor’s position for Reynolds when he appointed former Governor Terry Branstad to be U-S Ambassador to China and he endorsed her when she fell behind in her 2018 race for governor. Trump says he’s not inviting her to his events now that she plans to remain neutral in the presidential race.

Reynolds has said she’ll appear with any G-O-P presidential candidate who invites her and she spoke at Trump’s first campaign event in Iowa this year.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Cass Health in Atlantic report Lace Sindt, DNP, ARNP, FNP-C, will be providing medical dermatology care to patients beginning this month.  Sindt says she loves dermatology. “I love being able to look at someone’s skin, recognize their diagnosis, and fix it so they can live a healthier, more confident life. Whether it’s psoriasis, acne, skin cancer checks, or something else, I like being able to offer solutions. I’m extremely passionate about what I do because I am determined to help my patients feel confident in their own skin,” she said.

Sindt is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Iowa in 2019, after previously working as an LPN and RN for 10 years.Lace said “I’ve worked alongside dermatologists and facial surgeons, and I’m excited to provide this care for the community that I call home.”

With more than a decade of dermatology and facial aesthetics experience, Sindt can offer a variety of dermatology care including skin checks, skin cancer screenings, acne, rashes, psoriasis, rosacea, toenail fungus, moles, warts, and other skin conditions.

To make an appointment, please call 712-243-2850.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says an annual Atlantic tradition will have you finding even more people buzzing around the entire town, shopping, and dining, on Friday, July 21st and Saturday, July 22nd.

Participating Atlantic businesses will offer great summer deals that are worth checking out during this year’s Discount Dayz event. Previously known as Crazy Daze, Discount Daze offers a wide variety of products for everyone from local businesses and continues to strengthen our community.

Chamber Programs Director Kelsey Beschorner says “In the past, Crazy Daze has primarily been focused on retail-based businesses. We wanted to be more inclusive to businesses of all forms, so we decided to change the name. Businesses will still offer the same great deals, consumers will have the opportunity to experience savings beyond typical retail.”

Similar to previous years, one lucky shopper will get the chance to win $250 in AtlantiCash. Shoppers are encouraged to post their shopping or dining selfies on Facebook during the Friday and Saturday of Discount Dayz, using the hashtags #MyAtlanticIA and #LoveLocal on the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce’s page. Be ready to tune in to Facebook Live, as the winner will be announced Monday morning on July 24th through the Chamber’s Facebook Page.

Beschorner says “This is a great way to thank and reward people for shopping local. It gives them that extra nudge to spend the day in Atlantic.”  For more information on Discount Dayz deals, participating locations, and other Chamber events, visit www.atlanticiowa.com or contact the Chamber office at 712.243.3017.

Discount Dayz is sponsored by First Whitney Bank & Trust.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports a total of seven people were arrested over the past week, with three individuals having been released with a citation. On Saturday, 33-year-old Jason Edward Sparks, of Greenfield, was arrested by deputies, for Driving While License Denied or Revoked. He was released with a citation. Saturday evening, Adair Police arrested 20-year-old Travon Deandre Timms, of Adair, for Harassment in the 1st Degree. Timms was released that same night on a $2,000 cash or surety bond (C/S).

At around 1-a.m., Saturday, Adair Police arrested 20-year-old Nathan King Marion, of Adair, for Assault with Bodily Injury r Mental Illness. He was released later that day on a $1,000 C/S bond. Friday night, Deputies in Adair County arrested 26-year-old Alexis Bermea, of Sullivan City, TX, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was cited and released. On July 5th, Adair County Deputies arrested 45-year-old Jeremy Lee Rice, of Stuart, on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. Rice was released July 7th on a $2,000 (C/S) bond.

On July 3rd, Deputies arrested 26-year-old Hollie Mae Perrin, of Fontanelle, for OWI/2nd Offense. Perrin was cited and later released. And,  44-year-old Tiffany Rene Holland, of Portland, OR, was arrested by Police in Stuart, for Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense – marijuana, and Poss. of Paraphernalia. She was released July 5th on a $2,300 (C/S) bond.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports two men from Texas are being held in the Adair County Jail on $100,000 each, following their arrest early Friday morning in the 200 block of S. 1st Street, in Greenfield. 31-year-old James Dionte Hood, of College Station, TX, was being held on a $32,000 cash-only bond under a felony Nebraska warrant for Burglary, along with Adair County charges that include Burglary in the 3rd Degree, Possession of Burglary Tools, and Ongoing Criminal Conduct. Those charges carry an additional $100,000 cash-only bond. 31-year-old Daron Bernard Livingston, of Houston, TX, was arrested for Burglary in the 3rd Degree, Possession of Burglary Tools, Ongoing Criminal Conduct and Interference with Official Acts. His cash-only bond was set at $100,000.

The Sheriff says law enforcement officers were conducting physical surveillance of a Texas plated vehicle in the Greenfield area on July 7th. Officers later identified the driver of the car as James Hood. During the surveillance, officers saw an (at the time) unknown male passenger in the area of Nucara Pharmacy. Hood then parked the car in the Union State Bank parking lot, in Greenfield, and stayed inside the vehicle. The other subject – subsequently identified as Daron Livingston – was seen on the west side of the pharmacy for an extended period of time, during which he allegedly cut a hole into the west wall of the pharmacy and made entry.

As one group of officers approached the pharmacy, another group of officers approached Hood, while he was still inside the vehicle. They knew Hood had an outstanding warrant out of Nebraska for the burglary of a pharmacy in that State which occurred on June 3, 2023. The same technique (cutting a hole in the wall) was used in that robbery, as well. A large amount of narcotics and money were stolen in the Nebraska burglary.

Hood was taken into custody on the warrant. Authorities noted he was wearing an ankle monitor bracelet for being on probation through the Texas Department of Corrections on a drug-related conviction. As the group of officers approached the pharmacy in Greenfield, Livingston eluded officers on foot through the emergency exit in the back door on the south side of the building. The key holder was contacted and met officers at the front of the building. Once inside, officers found a bag containing several burglary tools that assisted with gaining access to the building. It appeared the Livingston left the pharmacy before any drugs were taken.

Authorities say Hood aided and abetted in the burglary with Livingston. They said also, that on July 6th, Special Agent in Charge, Mike Mittan, with the DNE (Dept. of Narcotics Enforcement) and other agents were made aware that Hood was in the Red Oak area, allegedly casing out the Medicap Pharmacy. The same vehicle he was driving was seen in the area for about an hour, but when a Red Oak Police vehicle approached, Hood’s vehicle took off. After Hood’s vehicle was observed in Villisca, near the Stoner’s honeyman drug store. The vehicle then drove south toward Missouri. Officers discontinued surveillance when the vehicle left Iowa.

Special Agent Mittan said Hood is allegedly doing the burglaries on a continuing basis, for financial gain.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA — A Red Oak man was sentenced last week for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance. 45-year-old Donald Eugene Reed was sentenced Thursday to 212 months (17.7-years) in prison following his plea of guilty to both counts. Reed must serve a 10-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement (DNE) completed several controlled buys from Reed in September 2022, purchasing methamphetamine and marijuana. The United States Postal Inspectors intercepted a package addressed to Reed’s home in Red Oak, containing four pounds of methamphetamine. DNE also learned that approximately 15 other similar packages had been previously delivered to Reed.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement investigated the case.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – A Nebraska man was sentenced Thursday, July 6, 2023, to 180 months (15-years) in federal prison for charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, carrying a firearm during and relation to a drug trafficking crime, prohibited person in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on August 6, 2021, a Council Bluffs Police officer found 37-year-old Kyle G. Ashmore in a car in a motel parking lot, at around 3:30-am. The officer saw a baggie of marijuana in plain view. During the search of the vehicle, the officer found a loaded .40 caliber Smith and Wesson handgun, a box of ammunition, LSD, fentanyl, cocaine, buprenorphine, psilocyn, and drug paraphernalia.

Following a two-day trial in November 2022, a jury found Ashmore guilty of the drug charges. Following a two-day trial in February 2023, a jury found Ashmore guilty of the gun charges. Ashmore must serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Council Bluffs Police Department, the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, and the Department of Narcotics Enforcement investigated the case.