(Radio Iowa) Iowa Lottery C-E-O, Matt Strawn, predicted it would be hard to match the last two fiscal years — which were the most profitable in the organization’s history. But he says the first two months of this fiscal year that started in July have far exceeded expectations.

Gross sales totaled nearly 78 million dollars in the two months and are around 32 percent ahead of budget projections.

Large jackpots in games are unpredictable, and Strawn says they are still remaining cautious about how the full year will go.

Strawn says they have been focusing on ways to improve revenue and that has included the lotto game category and more drawings.

He says along with the additional draw for Lotto America, the jackpot has exceeded 20 million dollars for the first time in a number of years. Lottery Chief Revenue Officer John Ross says they also have increased the number of stores selling Lottery products by adding 57 Walmart stores. Ross says the economy still remains a concern for the fiscal year ahead.

The two made their comments at today’s (Tuesday) Iowa Lottery Board meeting.

(Radio Iowa) A judge has struck down a state law that enhanced the penalty for trespassing at an ag-related business if the person took pictures or recorded video that was shared. Animal welfare groups had sued the state over the law aimed at those who’ve used undercover video of livestock confinements and dog breeding facilities to allege the animals were being mistreated. Two previous state laws with the same goals have been blocked by federal courts. Critics say the laws could be used to shield unsafe working conditions or animal neglect. Supporters of the law say farmers are being smeared and hurt financially by unfounded accusations. The Iowa Capital Dispatch was first to report that a federal judge ruled that private property rights are an important governmental interest, but taking photos and recording videos is protected speech under the First Amendment.

Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports a number of recent arrests.

On September 18th 34-year-old Blake Tobin of Sidney was arrested for Probation Violation. He was later released on $5,000 surety bond.

On September 20th Deputies arrested 43-year-old Dewight Binau of Sidney on a charge of Public Intoxication and Violation of a No Contact Order. He was later released on his own recognizance.

On September 21st 37-year-old Zachary Anderson of Sidney was arrested for Probation Violation. Anderson was later released on $10,000 surety bond.

On September 22nd 23-year-old Jeremy Rhoades of Hamburg was arrested on 15 counts of Violation of a No Contact Order. He was held in the Fremont County Jail on $1,000 bond.

On September 26th 24-year-old Chase Carlson of Syracuse, NE was arrested on a charge of Theft 4th Degree. He was later released on $500 surety bond.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of a Thurman man following an investigation into a report of neglected animals on September 17th.

Deputies were called to a home in rural Thurman for a report of neglected animals. They discovered 8 puppies and one deceased puppy that were kept in neglectful conditions. The puppies were taken to a local vet clinic for treatment. The next day two more of the puppies had died and a third had to be euthanized due to illness.

The owner, 24-year-old Morgan Moe of Thurman, was arrested for 4 counts of Animal Neglect Resulting in Death and 5 counts of Animal Neglect, No serious injury. Moe was booked in to the Fremont County Jail and later released on his own recognizance after an initial appearance before a Magistrate.

A juvenile was arrested following a fire in a bathroom at Sidney High School on September 21st. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports they responded to the school at approximately 1:00 p.m. that day and located a fire inside a restroom. The building was evacuated and all students were accounted for.

The fire was contained by staff and Sidney Fire and Rescue worked to clear smoke from the building and classes were able  to resume a short while later. It was determined the fire was intentionally set.

On September 25th Deputies arrested a juvenile in connection with the fire. The juvenile was charged with 1st Degree Arson, a Class B Felony. Damage to the school was estimated at $8,500.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports no injuries occurred during a two-vehicle accident on September 21st.

At 2:28 p.m. Deputies were dispatched to Highway 71, south of Boston Road for a two-vehicle accident. After investigation it was determined that a 2010 Acura RDX with a trailer, being operated by Septhan White of Lanham, MD, was traveling south on Highway 71 and attempted to make a u-turn on the roadway. A 2022 Chevy Traverse operated by Cody Irlmeier of Exira was behind the Acura as it began it’s U-turn and tried to steer left to avoid collision. The Traverse did end up striking the front driver portion of the Acura with it’s front passenger side.

No injuries were reported at the time of the accident but the Traverse and Acura sustained approximately $3,500 damage each.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office has released details on a September 17th accident that claimed the life of a Lewis man. At approximately 3:53 a.m. on the morning of the 17th Emergency Responders were called to the area east of 590th and Yankton Road near Griswold for a single vehicle accident.

Deputies determined that a 2014 Chevy Impala was traveling east on Yankton Road, east of 590th and for unknown reasons lost control and entered the south ditch. The Impala continued in the grass ditch and eventually came to a rest in the embankment of a small creek. The operator of the vehicle, Levi Glover of Lewis, was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the vehicle was transported to an area hospital for injuries sustained during the accident.

The vehicle sustained severe damage and was a total loss.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office has released details on arrests dating back to September 13th.

On September 27th, 2022, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 34-year-old Joanna Seagler of Massena on a warrant for Harassment 3rd Degree. Seagler was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held.

On September 24th, 2022, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 39-year-old Ronan Fredrick of Atlantic for Public Intoxication. Fredrick was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance.

On September 22nd, 2022, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 33-year-old Jennifer Dellaca of Atlantic on two warrants for Failure to Appear. Dellaca was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release.

On September 21st, 2022, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 21-year-old Sierra Parker of Atlantic for OWI 1st Offense. Parker was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release on her own recognizance.

On September 19th, 2022, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 31-year-old Derrick Behlers of Atlantic on two warrants; Failure to Appear and Theft 5th Degree. Behlers was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release to another detention facility.

On September 19th, 2022, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 35-year-old Reciever Berdon of Atlantic on a warrant for Failure to Appear. Berdon had turned himself in to the Cass County Jail and was booked and held pending his later release on bond.

On September 13th, 2022, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 33-year-old Matthew Loyd Stevens of Lewis on two warrants; Violation of a No Contact Order and Arson 1st Degree. Stevens was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held.

The Atlantic Police Department has released details on arrests dating back to September 17th.

On September 17th Officers arrested 35-year-old Kisaou Stephen of Neosha, MO for Public Intoxication. Stephen was taken to the Cass County Jail and booked in and held.

On September 18th 65-year-old Jeri Eilts of Atlantic was cited and released for Theft 5th Degree.

On September 19th 35-year-old Jenny Clark of Atlantic was arrested for Violation of Probation. She was booked in and held at the Cass County Jail.

Also on September 19th 24-year-old Jeff Edgar of Atlantic was arrested for Public Intoxication. He was booked in and held at the Cass County Jail.

On September 21st 22-year-old Curclund Vanaernam of Atlantic was arrested for Simulated Public Intoxication 1st Offense. He was booked in and held at the Cass County Jail.

Also on September 21st 35-year-old Kisaou Stephen of Atlantic was arrested for Failure to Appear. He was booked in and held at the Cass County Jail.

On September 22nd 19-year-old Caleb Fulk of Atlantic was arrested for Burglary 3rd and Possession of Stolen Property. He was booked in and held at the Cass County Jail.

On September 24th 26-year-old Glove Kovac of Atlantic was arrested for Public Intoxication. He was taken into custody, booked in and held at the Cass County Jail.

On September 25th 28-year old Nicholas Renner of Atlantic was arrested for OWI 2nd Offense and 2nd Degree Theft. He was taken into custody, booked in and held at the Cass County Jail.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Dustin Michael Adkins, age 39 of Council Bluffs, was sentenced on September 20, 2022 to 132 months in prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

On September 17, 2021, law enforcement stopped Adkins for a traffic violation in Council Bluffs. Adkins initially eluded officers and a bag containing methamphetamine was thrown from the vehicle. Adkins was arrested and the methamphetamine was recovered. Adkins possessed a total of 90.43 grams of methamphetamine.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Council Bluffs Police Department, Pottawattamie County Sheriff Department, and Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.