(Radio Iowa) – A human trafficking victim who pleaded guilty to killing a man she said raped her when she was 15 has again been placed on probation at a residential facility. Last November, Pieper Lewis cut off her ankle monitor and left a transitional women’s center in Des Moines without permission. Polk County Judge David Porter told Lewis she’s now been convicted of two felony offenses.

“Miss Lewis, I indicated to you last year — you’ve asked for a second chance, you don’t get a third. I stand by that,” he said. “There are consequences for your actions.” Lewis could have been sentenced to up to 20 years in prison. Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham says she agrees with the judge’s decision to keep Lewis out of prison.

“My gut instinct and based on my conversation with Miss Pieper Lewis is that she has learned from what has happened,” Graham said, “and that she is more willing than she has been to listen to those around her.” The judge did revoke the deferred judgment he issued a year ago. It means two felony convictions will remain on Lewis’ record after she completes five years of probation.

The case drew national attention after Lewis was ordered to pay restitution to the family of the man she says raped her. The Iowa Department of Corrections recommended that Lewis be sentenced to prison after her escape.

(Radio Iowa) – The four Republicans who represent Iowa in the U.S. House have voted in favor of a bill that raises the federal government’s borrowing limit and outlines future cuts in some federal spending. All four members of Iowa’s U.S. House delegation issued written statements after casting their votes. First District Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Le Claire said she was proud to vote yes on a bill that includes spending reforms and policies that are the first step in putting the country on the path toward fiscal responsibility.

Second district Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion said in her statement that House Republicans are pumping the brakes on President Biden’s spending binges and taking a step toward fiscal sanity. Third district Congressman Zach Nunn of Bondurant said by avoiding default, the bill provides certainty to Iowans who receive Social Security and Veterans benefits — and prevents a catastrophic interest rate increase.

Fourth district Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull said in his statement that the bill avoids financial ruin for farmers, families and Main Street businesses, while setting up long-term federal spending controls.

The bill is likely to be voted upon in the U.S. Senate today (Thursday).

DES MOINES – Today, Gov. Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority announced a $5 million investment in food banks and food pantry networks to help more Iowans in need get access to fresh, nutritious food.

“Access to fresh foods is a challenge for those facing food insecurity and soaring inflation has made it even harder,” said Gov. Reynolds. “Iowa is making long-term investments to reduce food insecurity in our communities – supporting food banks and their networks to better serve those in need. This one-time infrastructure investment will help improve capacity and distribution at Iowa’s food banks, and ensure more Iowans have access to the food they need.”

The new Iowa Food Insecurity Infrastructure Fund will help eligible nonprofits that have experienced economic hardship build, expand, or remodel facilities to enable them to increase the amount of food, especially fresh food, distributed to local food pantries throughout Iowa. Eligible nonprofits include food banks that are bulk food aggregators or distributors that replenish food pantries across Iowa, as well as nonprofit food pantry networks that serve as primary distribution points.

IEDA will begin accepting applications on June 1 and will continue to review applications as they arrive through July 1 or until funding runs out. Funded projects must be completed by June 30, 2026. For more information, visit https://www.iowaeda.com/infrastructure/food-infrastructure/.

(Corning, Iowa) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests. Last Saturday, 43-year-old Dustin Ray Kilgore was arrested after Deputies in Adams County were called to a residence in the 400 block of 6th Avenue in Prescott, for a possible assault. An investigation resulted in Kilgore being charged with Burglary in the 1st Degree – a Class B Felony, Domestic Abuse Assault/3rd offense, and Assault while participating in a felony, both of which are Class-D Felony charges.  Kilgore was also charged with five counts of Child Endangerment, each count is an aggravated misdemeanor. He was being held in the Adams County Jail without bond and has been ordered to have no contact with four of his alleged victims. Kilgore’s preliminary hearing was set for June 6th.

On May 7th, Adams County Deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 1300 block of 260th Street in Nodaway, for a possible assault. Following an investigation, 38-year–old Jeffery Allen Knapp was placed under arrest for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense. He was transported to the Adams County Jail and held without bond. He has since entered a plea of not guilty. A pre-trial conference in his case takes place August 8th, with a jury trial is set for September 6th.

And, at around 1:45-a.m. on May 7th, a traffic stop was conducted at the intersection of Highways 34 and 148 in Adams County. The 16-year-old driver  of the vehicle was given a juvenile referral for Minor In Possession (MIP) of Alcohol. The juvenile was released to their parents.

(Radio Iowa) – With the unofficial first weekend of summer behind us, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is reminding Iowans about the multitude of state and county parks that offer camping options. D-N-R wildlife biologist Matt Dollison says the more prominent and popular campsites often fill up quickly, so he recommends checking out the local spots, too. “You might consider looking at some less-used county facilities,” Dollison suggested. “For instance, the Fremont County Conservation Board has eight campsites for plug-in here at the golf course in Fremont County. That might be a nice emergency spot to go. There’s plenty of spots out there like that across southwest Iowa. Just look for those ‘off the beaten path,’ less-traveled places to find a hookup.”

Dollison says tent camping sites are typically more readily available and are on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, he adds there are a couple of tent-camping-specific tips to keep in mind.  “If you’re tent camping for the first time ever, try to plan for some shade in the morning,” he said. “If it’s shady at night when you’re setting it up, that might not be shady in the morning. If you set that tent up in the sun, it’s going to be unbearably hot in there generally by about 8 a.m.” Dollison also recommends having supplies readily available, including bug and sun protection.

“There’s plenty of ticks out there at this time of year, and mosquitoes aren’t going to be too bad in most of our area with how dry it’s been, but bug spray is definitely something to consider having, and sunblock if you’re going to be out in the sun,” said Dollison.” Learn more about Iowa’s state parks at iowadnr.gov.

(Radio Iowa) – Opponents of carbon pipelines are asking federal officials to issue a moratorium on new construction. The U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is holding a two-day public hearing in Des Moines. Kim Junker, a Grundy County farmer, says if state regulators give the go-ahead for construction of the three carbon pipelines proposed in Iowa, the federal agency should adopt new safety standards for the operation of pipelines — and the response to ruptures. “Carbon dioxide is heavier than air. It travels like a cloud to low lying areas, depriving oxygen from everything in its path,” she says. “It’s odorless and colorless. If carbon pipelines are approved in the Midwest, tens of thousands of lives are at risk.”

Three people from Mississippi are in Iowa, testifying before federal officials about a carbon pipeline rupture three years ago near a small town Satartia. Debrae Burns and his family saw the explosion, their car shut off and all three passed out.  “I woke up in the hospital. My symptoms now are headaches, memory loss, having trouble concentrating,” Burns says. Gerald Briggs is the first responder who rescued Burns and had to take him to an ambulance five miles from the site because gas-powered vehicles don’t work in a cloud of carbon dioxide. “I don’t have a pipeline running through my property, but I’d be standing on the street with you if I did,” Briggs said. Briggs spoke at a news conference organized by opponents of the three pipeline routes proposed in Iowa. Jack Willingham is the emergency management director for the county where the carbon pipeline ruptured. Willingham says crews first responded to an initial report of a green cloud in the area.

“We start getting calls from people who can’t breathe, people that need to know what to do in their house — they can’t breathe, they can’t see,” Willingham says. “We have cars that are shutting down.” The director of regulatory affairs for the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline says the company will use state-of-the-art technology to detect and prevent any potential issues — and will meet or exceed federal safety standards.

(Pottawattamie County, IA) –  This (Wednesday) morning, petition signatures to trigger a special election were submitted to the County Auditor by the Western Iowa Labor Federation (WILF AFL-CIO) and the Concerned Citizens of Pottawattamie County (CCPC) coalition. The petition will begin the process for an August 1st, 2023 vote where Pottawattamie County residents, for the first time, will be given the opportunity to decide how they want to elect their County Board of Supervisors.

In a statement issued following the petition submission, Jennifer Pellant, President of the Western Iowa Labor Federation, AFL-CIO said “In the last few months, we’ve talked to more than 4,000 Pottawattamie County residents about switching to Plan Three, and the overwhelming response to those conversations was ‘that makes sense. Today, we have given the voters of Pottawattamie County the chance to choose for themselves. We have given them a chance to choose a plan where they will get better representation from someone who understands, firsthand, the challenges in their part of the county. That Plan is Plan Three.”

Geri Frederiksen with Concerned Citizens of Pottawattamie County believes that a county [the size of Pott.County], the second largest in Iowa, makes it more difficult to compete as the population density growth of the county has been primarily the Council Bluffs metro – the furthest western edge. “A rural school teacher from Oakland who might want to run for office cannot currently compete with the political machine of Council Bluffs. Districting is an opportunity to let the citizens of rural communities believe it IS possible to run for office and win in a county as big as Pottawattamie County!,” Fredericksen said.

Doug Irwin, Business Consultant and Co-Chair of CCPC said of the petition, “The change that we are asking for is uncomfortable for certain people, primarily the current Board, and voters are asking for more input on how that Board is selected.” Officials say 2,919 total signatures (10% of the previous 2022 general election turnout) were required to activate the election, and the coalition ultimately turned in 3,993 signatures. Most of those signatures were collected through an aggressive canvassing campaign at the courthouse and community events across the entire county in the last three months.

“Plan Three makes the most sense to represent all voters of Pottawattamie County.  We all live here, and we all deserve representation, even rural residents like myself,” says Shawna Anderson, business owner, member of CCPC, and rural Pottawattamie County resident.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Community School District have announced the hiring of a new ACSD Middle School Principal. Current ACSD Elementary PE Teacher, Casey Pelzer applied for the position and met with representatives in the form of: a parent group, ACSD Administration, the ACSD School Board, the incoming superintendent, students, and AMS staff late last week. Pelzer was then offered the position and has accepted the role of ACSD Middle School Principal, effective July 1, 2023.

Pelzer assumes the role of ACSD Middle School Principal after current Principal Scot Aden announced his resignation earlier this spring. Casey Pelzer’s new appointment to ACSD Middle School Principal is expected to be formally approved at the June 14th School Board Meeting.

Casey Pelzer (right), and wife Haley (Twitter photo)

(Radio Iowa) – Some Iowa parents may now begin applying for 76-hundred dollars in state funding to cover private school tuition for their children today (Wednesday). The plan for state-funded Educational Savings Accounts was the number one legislative priority for Governor Kim Reynolds. She released a video message this (Wednesday) morning. “Today marks an important milestone for Iowa’s education system as universal school choice becomes a reality for Iowa families,” she said.

Not all parents are eligible this year, however, as only parents with an annual household income at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty line may apply. In year three, every parent of a private school student becomes eligible.  “I believe education is the great equalizer which is why it was so important to remove the boundaries that have existed between public and private schools for too long,” Reynolds says.

A New York company is managing the online portal where Iowans apply for the state funding and the company makes the tuition payments to private schools. If there’s money remaining, it may be used for other approved expenses, like tutoring or school books. “Today, we’re changing the face of education in Iowa and influencing what it looks like nationwide,” Reynolds said. “I believe that school choice will improve our overall education experience in Iowa. I believe it will create a system of schools, both public and private, that are driven by student centered missions.”

The application period for low-income parents who enroll their kids in private schools opened at 8 a.m. today (Wednesday) and closes June 30th. Some private schools have raised tuition by double digits. Bishop Heelan Catholic High School in Sioux City raised tuition by 24 percent.

(Fort Dodge, Iowa) – Police in Fort Dodge report that at around 5:09-a.m. today (Wednesday, May 31st), the Webster County Telecommunications Center received a call from a Fort Dodge resident reporting that someone was breaking into his garage at 1219 6th Ave S., and that he had shot the male. Officers with the Fort Dodge Police Department and medics with the Fort Dodge Fire Department responded.

When officers and medics arrived, they located an unresponsive male that was ultimately pronounced deceased. The Webster County Medical Examiner was called to the scene and members of the criminal investigation division were called in to assist in the investigation. Officers and investigators canvassed the neighborhood, conducted interviews, and gathered evidence.

At this time investigators are working to determine exactly what took place this morning, to include exploring all avenues as to how this incident unfolded. The deceased males name will not be released at this time until authorities are certain all next of kin have been properly notified.

Investigators with the Criminal Investigations Division are continuing to follow up on the incident. Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to contact the Fort Dodge Police.

The Fort Dodge Police Department was assisted by the Webster County Sheriff’s Office, the Webster County Attorney’s Office, the Fort Dodge Fire Department, and the Webster County Medical Examiner’s Office.