GLIDDEN, Iowa (AP) — A former western Iowa assistant junior high football and track coach has been arrested and charged with sexual exploitation by a school employee.
The Des Moines Register reports that 28-year-old Evan Michael Genter, of Glidden, was arrested Sunday. He is accused of kissing and groping a 13-year-old girl over her clothes. Officials say the girl is a student in the Glidden-Ralston School District, where Genter had been a coach.

A criminal complaint says Genter’s conduct showed “a pattern or practice or scheme” to sexually exploit the girl. Genter has been released from jail on a $5,000 bond. A phone listing for him was disconnected Tuesday. Genter’s next court appearance is set for April 5.

District athletic director Kirk Thelin said Tuesday that Genter resigned March 12 in lieu of being fired for improper social media contact with students.

The State Historical Society has launched an “information hub” it calls the “Local History Network.” The network is designed to help connect dozens of local organizations with information about grants as well as free expert advice for projects to preserve community history.

“And the network also offers online tool kits to guide participants through specific challenges, from how to care for textiles to how to write a good grant application.” That’s Susan Kloewer, the administrator of the State Historical Society. Tova Brandt from the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, is chairwoman of the State Historical Society board of director. She says this project has been several years in the making.

“One of the best things about the new Local History Network is about how it can boost some of the historical activities that are already taking place in communities across Iowa,” she says. “Research, preservation, interpretation — so much of the day-to-day work of county and local history museum is done by volunteers who have a passion for telling their local stories and ensuring that photographs, documents, oral histories and artifacts are preserved for future generations.”

(Radio Iowa)

More at: https://www.iowaculture.gov/history/get-involved/local-history-network

Sheriff’s officials in Page County, Monday, took a report of a Burglary in the 2000 block of E Ave, near Shenandoah. Authorities say an unknown person or persons entered the residence in the morning hours while the residents were away. Upon arriving home the residents discovered numerous items were stolen, including: necklaces, watches, American Tourist suitcase, a small black Sentry Safe and various awards & medals. The Sheriff’s Office reminds residents to report anything suspicious, including unknown persons approaching your residence & vehicles not familiar to your neighborhood.Page County Crimestopper’s have offered a monetary reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individuals involved in this Burglary. To report information call the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 712-542-5193.

Sheriff Lyle Palmer said also, that 57-year old Edward Paul Swanson, of Braddyville, was arrested Monday following a traffic stop, in Coin.  Swanson was taken into custody for Driving While License Under Suspension, Possession of Controlled Substance & Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability. Following processing at the Page County Jail, Swanson posted bond of $1,300 and was released. Reports will be forwarded to the Page County Attorney for the filing of formal charges.

In an update to our earlier reports on-line and on-air, the Sac County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday), released more information about a fatal accident that took place Monday afternoon. Authorities say 44-year old Deon Levi Wingert, of Carroll, died when he was ejected from the Jeep he was driving, as the vehicle rolled over at around 2:30-p.m., Monday. The accident happened on Sac County Road N-28, south of Lytton. Wingert was driving a 2007 Jeep southbound on the road, when the vehicle drifted off the right shoulder and struck a field drive before going airborne. When the vehicle landed, it rolled several times. Wingert, who was wearing his seatbelt, was ejected from his vehicle. Authorities say bystanders tried to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead by paramedics.

The Iowa State Patrol is investigating the accident, with assistance from the Sac County Sheriff’s Office. The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Lytton Fire, Sac County Paramedics, and Sac County Medical Examiner all responded to the scene, according to the Sheriff’s statement.

ELKADER, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have charged a driver who they say caused the deaths of two 16-year-olds when his car collided with a pickup truck in northeast Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol said in a news release Tuesday that 20-year-old Kory Doeppke, of Elkader, was arrested Monday and charged with two counts of vehicular homicide while driving under the influence. Court records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment for him.

Clayton County Sheriff Michael Tschirgi has said Doeppke was headed west when he failed to halt at a stop sign near Edgewood on Feb. 16 and collided with the northbound pickup. The two fatally injured boys were in the back seat of Doeppke’s car. The patrol identified them as Brady Edwards and Izaiah Drinkwater.

The pickup driver wasn’t injured.

The Exira-Elk Horn/Kimballton School Board, Monday evening, approved salaries for certified teachers, support staff and administrators. Superintendent Trevor Miller said last year they agreed to a two-year agreement with the Certified Teachers, where the package was increased 2.9-percent. This year it’s 2.0-percent. He said insurance rates were much better than expected, so the district was able to have everybody settle between a 2.0 and 2.2-percent total package, including an increase in salary, while at the same time being able to cover insurance.

He said also they received four sealed bids for the General Obligation bonds passed by taxpayers last fall. The Board approved the winning (low) bid from Northfield out of Minneapolis. With that bid, Miller said they’re hoping the tax rate on the bonds will be lower than the predicted $1.27. The Board also awarded the final construction package (Package E, the Exira bleachers). Work on the larger projects – HVAC, windows and so on, will begin as soon as school lets out for the summer. The concession stand project can begin when the weather warms up.

The Board Monday night approved the transfer of Caitlin Giles from 4^th Grade to 2^nd Grade, and they hired Ross Blake as the Junior High Track Coach, because the number of students participating in track was up. And, the Exira-EHK Board set 6-p.m. April 9^th, as the date and time for a Public Hearing on the proposed 2018-19 Budget.

Sheriff’s deputies in Pottawattamie County arrested a man following a physical disturbance Monday evening, in Council Bluffs. The persons who reported the incident were residents in the area. They told authorities two men were fighting in a ditch on the north side of the road, and that a female was also in the area. The woman, Tammy Sorenson, told authorities that her husband, Rick Nelson, was attempting to restrain his son, Brandon, who was heavily intoxicated. 30-year old Brandon Ray Nelson, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at around 5:35-p.m., for Disorderly Conduct by abusive epithets and Public Intoxication.

The Griswold School Board met Monday evening, and among other action items, approved an agreement with the Teachers Association. Superintendent Dave Henrichs said they settled at a 2.51-percent total package increase, which amounted to movement on the salary schedule, and the nine-percent increase to insurance. Last year he said, the staff took no increase, and the increase this year was minimal. He said the staff has been wonderful understanding the district’s financial situation. He said also, that they issued individual contracts Monday night to all of their teaching staff.

Superintendent Henrichs said also, they discussed the District’s Second Grade class for 2018-19. Currently, he said they have 23 first graders in two sections. At Lewis there is 16 students, and seven are attend at Elliott. “From a financial standpoint,” he says “it’s questionable whether that makes a lot of sense to have those split and fund two teachers. On the political /inconvenient side for parents, if were to change the one section for next school year, it could make it very interesting for some parents, because they could actually have a student in Lewis and a student at Elliott, which would make it difficult for them. If we were one year down the road where all are at Griswold, it would be an easier decision, so we’re looking at the pro’s and con’s of one section versus two for second grade next year, and last night (Monday night), the Board the matter to gather more information.” They hope to be able to take action during their Board meeting in April.

The Board approved the 2018-19 Budget and School Calendar. As for the Budget, Henrichs said they told their stake holders that the maximum levy would be no more than $14.02. The budget for next year calls for a levy of $14.015, so they’re under what they told stakeholders it would be. And, as for the school calendar, Henrichs said they will continue to operate under the Hour format, versus the Day format. The Hour format requires 1,080 hours. The District’s calendar consists of 1, 138 hours, so they built in nine extra days then needed, according to the law. There will be two sets of parent teacher conferences. Spring Break will be held in two segments: a small break at the end of March (2019), and then Good Friday, April 19^th and professional development the following Monday, April 22^nd, so kids get a four-day weekend around Easter.

The first day of school is August 23^rd. The last day is May 23^rd. The first snow day will be made up May23rd, and if there are two snow days after that, staff will make those up additional days by preparing for the move from the three facilities to one. But if there are more than four snow days, the kids will make up the remainder, past Memorial Day, the absolute end to the calendar.

Henrichs said also, their Multi-purpose room (Gym/cafeteria) will be made into a storm shelter. It is FEMA-rated for winds to around 200-miles per hour, but not an official FEMA location with emergency power and water. Because it is more “hardened,” the soil needs to be reinforced to support the weight of the structure. As a result, they will need to install GEO-piers. Those cost an additional $65,000, which will be made up for from the contingency funds set aside for the project.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Members of the Des Moines City Council have rejected a financial aid package sought by one of the councilmen. The Des Moines Register reports that Councilman Joe Gatto left the chambers Monday before a discussion and the decision. He’d sought more than $61,000 to upgrade the facade, put on a new roof and make other repairs and improvements at his restaurant, Baratta’s.

The money would have come from the federal Community Development Block Grant program administered by the city.

Harlan Police Chief Frank Clark reports his officers engaged in a high speed pursuit late Monday night. The incident began at around 10:50-p.m., as a Harlan Police Officer was behind a yellow motorcycle in the area of 6th and Laurel Street. When the rider (later identified as 24-year old Brandon Christopher Allen, of Harlan) noticed the patrol vehicle, the cycle accelerated northbound on 6th at a high rate of speed. Speeds reached 80 mph as it continued north, through the downtown area and into north Harlan. Officials say the motorcycle ran through three stop signs.

The pursuit then went west on Dye Street from 6th, then south on 12th Street from Dye Street, running another stop sign. As the motorcycle sped south through the 12th Street residential area, speeds reached in excess of 100 mph, and the cycle ran through more stop signs. Continuing south out of the city limits, speeds exceeded 115 mph on Linden Road. As Allen approached the intersection with US Highway 59, he lost control of the cycle and laid it on it’s side. Allen took off on foot westward, but was apprehended by law enforcement following a brief foot pursuit. Allen was was transported to the Shelby County Jail.

He was taken into custody on two outstanding Shelby County Warrants, and faces multiple charges associated with the pursuit and arrest.  Felony charges include Possession of Meth; Possession of contraband in a jail facility; and Eluding. Other charges include: Prohibited Acts; Interference with official acts; Driving while revoked, Possession of drug paraphernalia, and Reckless driving; Three counts of speeding, nine counts of failure to obey a stop sign, and one count of failure to obey traffic control device.

Allen was being held in the Shelby County Jail on a bond of $28,300. Harlan Police Department were assisted in the pursuit and arrest by Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies and The Iowa State Patrol.