(Radio Iowa) – State officials estimate 2000 homes were damaged or destroyed during recent flooding in northwest Iowa. After previous flooding in Cherokee, FEMA bought out 40 properties. Another 70 homes in Cherokee were destroyed in this year’s flooding and Cherokee Mayor Craig Schmidt said he doesn’t know where people will go.

“They’re not staying if they can’t find another place to live if their home is devastated,” he said. “The reality of it is, and it’s not comforting, but all the other towns around us are saying the same thing: ‘No workers and no housing.’ So, what do you do?”

Governor Kim Reynolds and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell surveyed flood damage in Cherokee, Spencer and Rock Valley last week. Reynolds said the state needs to figure out how to combine state and local resources and get new homes built as quickly as possible. The governor told reporters she and her staff are trying to come up with some type of transitional housing plan as well as incentives for developers that build homes and apartments.

ATLANTIC, IOWA – July 3, 2024 – Interstate 29 and I-680 north of Council Bluffs are expected to partially reopen at approximately 3 p.m. today, following severe flooding in the area.

You should expect intermittent lane closures on I-680 between the Mormon Bridge and Exit 61, Old Mormon Bridge, and on I-29 between I-680 and Exit 71, I-880 near Loveland. All lanes will be open on I-29 south of I-680.

If you are traveling west out of Crescent on Old Mormon Bridge Road, please note that the northbound I-29 on-ramp will remain closed.

Floodwaters remain in the area. The Iowa DOT reminds travelers to never enter a water-covered roadway. Do not move or travel around barricades or fencing as they are placed there for your safety. Turn around and don’t drown.

A man from northwest Iowa who defrauded pork producers while working as the regional manager of an Iowa livestock dealer, “Lynch Livestock,” was sentenced on June 24, 2024, to six months in federal prison. The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa reports 52-year-old Robert Harry Bickerstaff, from Rock Rapids, received the prison term after a December 1, 2023, guilty plea to one count of wire fraud. Bickerstaff was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshal on a date yet to be set.

At plea and sentencing hearings, and in his plea agreement, Bickerstaff admitted that he had worked as a regional manager for Lynch Livestock between 2018 and 2021  As a regional manager, Bickerstaff oversaw livestock buying stations in Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota.  From time to time, Bickerstaff also personally counted, classified, and weighed swine at these stations.

Bickerstaff admitted he participated in a scheme to defraud livestock producers personally and by directing others to (1) falsely and fraudulently lower the weights and reduce the numbers and classifications of swine that producers and sellers had delivered to the dealer at its buying stations; (2) manipulate the weights of swine either manually or using a crowbar, paddle, or other similar object, and thus defeat the electronic scales on which livestock producers’ swine was weighed at his buying stations; and (3) create fraudulent “sort sheets” and scale tickets containing false numbers, classifications, and weights of producers’ swine for transmission to Lynch Livestock’s headquarters in Waucoma, Iowa.  Finally, concerned about a potential investigation into his conduct in early 2021, Bickerstaff instructed others to destroy anything with his name on it.

Bickerstaff held a degree in Agribusiness and was experienced in the pork industry.  Bickerstaff was a pork producer himself.  In February 2022, Bickerstaff won a “Hog Wild” award from a statewide pork producers’ association for his role in promoting pork in Lyon County. Bickerstaff is the fifth manager of Lynch Livestock sentenced in this livestock fraud scheme.

Billie Joe Wickham, of Waucoma, Iowa, pled guilty on July 15, 2022, to one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the United States.  On January 13, 2023, Wickham was sentenced to six months of imprisonment and fined $3,000.  Wickham must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Charlie Lynch, of Fort Atkinson, Iowa, pled guilty on July 25, 2022, to one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the United States.  On January 13, 2023, Lynch was sentenced to five years of probation and fined $3,000.

Leland “Pete” Blue, of Fredericksburg, Iowa, pled guilty on July 28, 2022, to one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the United States.  On January 13, 2023, Blue was sentenced to five years of probation and fined $1,000.

Tyler Thoms, of Fayette, Iowa, pled guilty on August 9, 2022, to one count of Causing a Livestock Dealer to Keep Inaccurate Accounts and Records.  On January 13, 2023, Thoms was sentenced to one year of probation.

Bickerstaff’s employer, Lynch Family Companies, Inc., of Waucoma, Iowa, also known as “Lynch Livestock,” pled guilty on July 29, 2022, to one count of Failing to Comply with an Order of the Secretary of Agriculture.  On February 10, 2023, Lynch Livestock was sentenced to five years of probation, fined $196,000, and ordered to pay over $3 million in restitution to livestock producers and farmers.

Officials with the U-S Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa have announced a man from Crawford County, 37-year-old Ian Ward, of Denison, pled guilty July 2nd (2024), to one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm, one count of possession of a short-barreled rifle, and one count of possession of silencers.

At the plea hearing, evidence showed that on August 21, 2023, a traffic stop in Pocahontas County found Ward, high on fentanyl (he admitted as much to the deputy who stopped him), with six traditional firearms, including an illegal, short-barreled rifle, plus several full silencer/suppressor type devices. Law enforcement also located and seized from Ward’s vehicle methamphetamine, THC wax, and drug user paraphernalia. Ward admitted to being a user of fentanyl, meth, and marijuana and to a previous conviction for a felony drug offense in Minnesota. Being a felon as well as illegal user of drugs prohibited Ward from possessing any firearm.

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a pre-sentence report is prepared. Ward remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. On the prohibited possession of firearm conviction, Ward faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and not more than three years of supervised release following any imprisonment. On the two convictions of possession of illegal firearm/silencers, Ward faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $10,000 fine, and not more than three years of supervised release following imprisonment.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office today (Wednesday), released a report on arrests that took place between June 4th and June 30th. Most recently:

On the 28th, 62-year-old Susan Yvonne King, of Harlan, was arrested and transported to the Shelby County Jail after a traffic stop on Willow St. King was charged with OWI-1st offense, Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability, and Driving on Wrong Side of Two-Way Highway.  And, on the 27th, 37-year-old Lachelle Jean Petersen, of Atlantic, was arrested and transported to the Shelby County Jail on an active Shelby County warrant.

Other arrests included:

6/04/2024: Dallas Paul Steinkuehler, Age 28, Woodbine IA. Steinkuehler was arrested following a traffic stop on M16. Steinkuehler was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while Barred.

6/07/2024: Daniel Raymond Harris, Age 58, Harlan IA. Harris was arrested after a call for service on Hwy 44 and transported to the Shelby County Jail. Harris was charged with No Valid Driver’s License, Failure to maintain control, and OWI first offense.

6/08/2024: Kendra Kathleen Kyle, Age 30, Avoca IA. Kyle was arrested after a traffic stop on Chatburn Ave. Kyle was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Gavin Patrick Burroughs, Age 19, Harlan IA. Burroughs was arrested after a traffic stop on Farnam St.  Burroughs was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI-1st offense.

6/09/2024: Brandon Hillgartner, Age 44, Harlan IA. Hillgartner was arrested after a traffic stop on Chatburn Ave. Hillgartner was arrested and transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI- 1st Offense, and Speeding; Adam Richard Mardesen, Age 50, Elk Horn IA. Mardesen was arrested after a traffic stop on Yucca Rd. Mardesen was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Failure to Use Safety Belt, Operating Non-Registered Vehicle, Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability, and Possession of a controlled substance.

6/10/2024: Reid Jeffrey Hemminger, Age 39, Harlan IA. Hemminger was arrested and transported to the Shelby County Jail on an Active Shelby County Warrant.

6/16/2024: Anthony Schwery, Age 28, Defiance, IA. Schwery was arrested after a traffic stop. Schwery was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Failure to Maintain Control, and OWI – First offense; Emma Jo Rossell, Age 20, Harlan, IA. Rossell was arrested after a call for service and transported to the Shelby County Jail. Rossell was charged with Disorderly Conduct-Fighting/Violence.

6/18/2024: Rex Dean McDermott, Age 57, Elk Horn, IA. Mcdermott was arrested after a call for service and transported to the Shelby County Jail. Mcdermott was charged with Driving while Barred, driving while License Denied or Revoked, and Operating without Interlock.

6/20/2024: Orin Wesley Wright III, Age 31, Kirkman, IA. Wright was arrested after a call for service and transported to the Shelby County Jail. Wright was charged with OWI-1st offense.

6/21/2024: Steven Glenn Herrington, Age 60, Council Bluffs, IA. Herrington was arrested and transported to the Shelby County Jail on an active Shelby County Warrant.

6/23/2024: Gage Michael Johnston, Age 27, Henderson, IA. Johnston was arrested after a call for service and transported to the Shelby County Jail. Johnston was charged with Theft 1st degree, Speeding (21 or over), No valid Driver’s license, and Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicle; Camryn Rose Casebeer, Age 19, Harlan IA. Casebeer was arrested after a traffic stop on 12th street and transported to the Shelby County Jail. Casebeer was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Improper registration plate lamp, Person under 21 using Tobacco/Vape products.

Note: All arrests reported on the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page are arrests made by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office with charges originating from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. If an arrest originated by another Agency (Iowa State Patrol, Division of Criminal Investigations, Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Department of Natural Resources, Ect.) but the individual was brought to the Shelby County Jail that arrest would not be reported on our page. Additionally, a person arrested on an arrest warrant from another County and brought to the Shelby County Jail to be held until picked up by a different County/Agency would not be reported on this page.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, during their meeting this (Wednesday) morning, approved renewal of the County’s ICAP (Iowa Communities Assurance Pool) Insurance. Auditor Mandy Berg said the increase wasn’t as big as she expected, as there was only one claim. Last year the rate went up $250. This year it was $256. That’s likely to change next year, she said.

Supervisor John Twombley commented some insurance companies are no longer renewing policies when they expire. That leaves policy holders holding the bag for finding coverage on their own. In other business, the Adair County Board of Supervisors set the hours the courthouse in Greenfield will be open during RAGBRAI®. Mandy Berg said the riders will be in Greenfield on July 23^rd.

Following brief discussion, the Board agreed to close the courthouse to the public during the event, and allow County Department Heads to make a decision on staff hours or vacation time as needed, similar to what was done during the pandemic.

And, the Board approved the appointment of John Twombly to both the Board of Adjustment and the Planning and Zoning Commission in the same motion (both are 5 year terms). The Board tabled action on a County Tax Abatement, to allow members to think it through and gather more information.

(Anita, Iowa) – The CAM School District’s Board of Education held a Workshop Tuesday evening in Anita, with regard to District Facilities. Superintendent Paul Croghan told KJAN News the Board received, and then discussed, a recommendation from the Facility Committee.

The Board weighed the options of maintaining two buildings and two different campuses, and the costs versus one campus and one building over-time.

Following the Committee’s presentation, Croghan said the CAM School Board asked questions and gave the Committee time to speak freely about anything they thought the Board might consider. During the Board’s next, regular meeting on July 15th, the Board and Committee representatives will mull over the financial projection numbers. A workshop will precede the regular meeting on the 15th.

Paul Croghan said the Committee’s recommendation to move forward with a one-building district, was based on a number of factors.

He says the process of finding answers to questions about the District’s needs was not taken lightly.

He said he appreciates everyone who has worked to compile the necessary information, and 560 District patrons who responded to an online survey that was unique to the CAM District, and those who want to be informed and involved in the decision making process.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – After a couple of days of wet weather, work at the Atlantic SplashPad site resumed this (Wednesday) morning. Workers with the Henley Group, LLC, began the process of installing a water supply pipe for the nearly 4,000 square-foot project. When it’s completed – sometime around the Labor Day weekend – the Splash Pad will feature numerous amenities, including a giant dump bucket, a small water table for toddlers, an over-spray zone, and a simple ground spray for kids

The project was initially expected to have cost over $600,000, but the low bid came in at just over $550,000. An official groundbreaking ceremony was held May 20th. The concept of having a SplashPad was batted around on-and-off, for nearly a decade. Community meetings held in 2022 eventually resulted in the formation of a fundraising committee and fundraising efforts beginning in earnest, last year (2023). The Fundraising Committee exceeded their goal, thanks to generous donations from the public, private individuals, businesses and grants.

Stamp Construction in Atlantic donated in-kind dirt work for the project in June, to get the pad prepped for additional work.

Henley Group, LCC workers install the splashpad water supply pipe July 2nd, 2024 (Photo courtesy Atlantic Parks & Rec Coordinator Jeff Christensen)

STORM LAKE, Iowa (KCAU) — The former secretary and treasurer of the Storm Lake Volunteer Firefighters Association has been sentenced for stealing from the association.
KCAU-TV reports 39-year-old Jesus Rojo, of Storm Lake, was sentenced to two-years of probation on July 1st, for stealing more than $10,000 from the association. Rojo plead guilty May 6th to second-degree theft, a class D felony.

In addition to probation, Rojo was ordered to pay back the funds he stole from the association. Rojo was the secretary and treasurer of the Storm Lake Volunteer Firefighters Association between January 3 and July 6 and was arrested in September.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A reminder, the Atlantic City Council, during their meeting on June 5^th, set the dates for fireworks use inside the City Limits, as now through Saturday, July 6^th. You may use your fireworks from Noon until 11-p.m. each day. According to the City Ordinance:

• You are only allowed to discharge a fireworks device on property you own or on property where consent has been given. Exceptions are for the use of Snakes, sparklers, or caps, which can be discharged on public property so long as all trash, wrappers, and wires are properly disposed of.
• Sky lantern/open flame devices are not permitted to be released within the city limits, except if tethered by a retrievable rope so long as the person discharging has control over the sky lantern.
• And, No fireworks shall be discharged at any time, within 300 ft. of any Public school building, assisted living facility, or hospital.

Keep in mind also, some fireworks are extremely upsetting to animals and Veterans with PTSD. Please be considerate of your neighbors and celebrate responsibly. Any person who violates the provisions of the fireworks discharging ordinance, or who without reckless intent causes injury, property damage or a fire, may be fined up to $250 in addition to established court costs. Persons who violate the ordinance after having been found guilty of a previous municipal infraction involving fireworks, are subject to a $600 fine, plus associated court costs.