COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum has announced that 19-year old Tate Pilger, of Council Bluffs was sentenced July 15th in Council Bluffs U-S District Court, to serve seven-years in prison for possession of child pornography. Pilger was also ordered to pay $1,500 in restitution and $100 special assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund. He will serve ten years of supervised release at the conclusion of his prison term.

The charges against Pilger were the result of an investigation initiated by Facebook who submitted information to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that a user of their service uploaded suspected images of child pornography via Facebook Messenger. The cyber tip was forwarded to the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and local law enforcement who executed two search warrants at Council Bluffs homes linked to Pilger. Law enforcement located a computer, cell phones, and flash drives which were taken as evidence and analyzed. The forensic analysis revealed Pilger possessed numerous images and videos of child pornography.

The investigation was conducted by the Council Bluffs Police Department and prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Officials with Connections Area Agency on Aging have announced that a limited number of Farmers Market vouchers are available for older Iowans in the Connections AAA service area. Remaining vouchers are available on a first call first serve basis.

Seniors meeting income requirements can obtain vouchers to be used at participating area Farmers Markets to buy $30.00 worth of fresh, locally grown produce. This year since Connections’ senior centers and offices are currently closed to the public, they will be asking individuals to call in and request an application. Requested applications will be mailed out in an addressed postage paid return envelope. Once completed application is received by Connections AAA, vouchers will be mailed out to applicant. Please note applications not completed will not receive vouchers until all information is provided. Please call Connections’ office at 1-800-432-9209 to obtain your application.

Program Criteria:

•  Must be at least 60 years of age or older
• Annual income must be less than $23,606 Single; $31,894 Married
• Only one original application allowed per individual. No photocopies or duplicate applications allowed. Married couples can jointly apply on one application.

Outline of Process:

•  Applications available by phone 1-800-432-9209.
• Applications will be mailed with a postage paid return envelope.
• Applications must be complete before vouchers will be mailed out.
• Applications are on a first come first serve basis.

Walk-ins will not be accepted at Connections-run senior centers or office locations.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests. Sunday afternoon, 20-year old Humberto Felipe Mancinas, of Sidney, was arrested for Driving While Revoked. His bond was set at $1,000. Saturday afternoon, 37-year old Dustin Lee Harriman, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on a warrant for two counts of Failure to Appear. Bond was set at $10,000. And, Friday evening, 62-year old Jim Dean Davis, of Neola, was arrested for Driving While Barred. His bond was set at $2,000.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — School districts that plan to reopen classrooms in the fall are wrestling with whether to require teachers and students to wear face mask. The issue has divided urban and rural schools and yielded widely varying guidance. The divide has also taken on political dimensions. In Iowa, Democratic-leaning cities like Des Moines and Iowa City have required masks to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Smaller, more conservative communities have left the decision to parents. Many states are calling for teachers to wear masks. Some will require masks for students. Many other states are leaving the decision to local officials.

Sheriff’s Deputies in Page County have arrested 35-year old Michael Lee Dunlap, of Clarinda. Dunlap was taken into custody this (Monday) morning, on a Page County Warrant for Probation Violation. He was arrested in the 2100 block of Highway 2, about seven miles west of Clarinda. Dunlap was transported to the Page County Jail where he is being held on $300 bond pending further court proceedings.

The Iowa Department of Revenue is issuing a reminder: Iowa’s Annual Sales Tax Holiday is Friday, August 7 and Saturday, August 8. The annual break from sales tax is the perfect time to save on clothes, shoes, or advanced shopping for the holiday season. In general, select clothing and footwear are tax exempt – meaning no state sales tax will be collected, but there are restrictions.

Not interested in leaving the couch? Internet sales are included if they are ordered and paid for during the exemption period. Check out the Sales Tax Holiday web page for full details.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has released a report on recent arrests and incidents.  Last Saturday, 50-year-old Eric Brian Stites, of Shelby, was arrested following a call about a disturbance and an injured party at a residence along Western Street, in Shelby.  After further investigation, Stites was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault with injury. He was later released from the Shelby County Jail after posting a cash bond.

Also arrested Saturday, was 33-year-old Clifford Schofield, of Panama. He was charged with simple assault after authorities investigated a reported argument. Schofield was treated for an injury and transferred to Shelby County Jail without incident and released later after posting a cash bond. And, 39-year old Michaela Leigh Mikels, of Harlan was arrested Saturday as the result of a traffic stop along Highway 59 in Shelby County.  Mikels was charged with Operating while intoxicated 2nd offense, Child endangerment, Reckless driving, Failure to maintain control, and Turning from improper lane. She was later released from custody after posting the required bond.

On July 16th, Shelby County Deputies arrested 61-year-old Danny Leroy Bain, of Shelby, following a traffic stop in Shelby.   Upon further investigation, Bain was charged with Operating while Intoxicated 1st offense, and failure to wear seat belt. He was transported to the Shelby County Jail, and released the following morning on his own recognizance.

And, on July 11th, 23-year-old Scott Allen Ruffcorn of Persia was arrested following a traffic stop along Highway 44 and Redbud Ave.   Ruffcorn was charged with speeding and Operating while Intoxicated 1st offense and transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was held under bond until following morning and then released on his own recognizance. On July 10th, 23-year-old Joshua Lewis Hytrek turned himself into the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, as result of ongoing investigation. Hytrek was charged with operating vehicle without consent. He was released from the Shelby County Jail a short time later under bond, and given a future court date.

ATLANTIC, Iowa  — The Atlantic Hy-Vee will give away more than 3,800 free apples to customers with a contactless, drive-thru event, this Thursday, July 23. The giveaway will start at 10 a.m. and continue until noon, or while supplies last. In partnership with its fruit supplier Stemilt, Hy-Vee is donating fresh produce to Hy-Vee customers as the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to impact individuals and families across Iowa. Hy-Vee is giving away 10 apples to the first 380 customers. In total, approximately 1,150 pounds of fresh produce will be donated.

As more families continue to become financially impacted by the pandemic, Hy-Vee and Stemilt believe it’s important to provide access to high-quality produce during this time of need. Fresh apples will be distributed to customers for free on a first-come, first-served basis. Walk-ups will not be allowed.

The giveaway will take place along the south side of the store. Produce will be safely loaded into customer vehicles using a contactless method to minimize physical contact and enforce social distancing. All event helpers will be wearing masks and gloves for additional safety measures.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The Creston Police Department reports 36-year old Amanda Jones, of Creston, was arrested Saturday, on a Theft charge. Jones was arrested at the Creston Wal-Mart, on a 3rd Degree Theft charge. She was later released from the Union County Jail on a $2,000 bond.