DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa agency that advocates for the elderly and people with disabilities has halted nearly all nursing home visits because of budget cuts.

The Des Moines Register reports that the Iowa Long-Term Care Ombudsman’s office has eliminated in-state travel after losing a quarter of its nearly $2 million budget this fiscal year. In-state travel can cost up to $85,000 annually.

Data from the office says staff visited more than 5,000 care facilities in the 2015-16 fiscal year.

Lori Smetanka is the executive director of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care in Washington, D.C. She says it will be difficult to thoroughly investigate complaints without facility visits.

Interim Long-Term Care Ombudsman Cindy Pederson says staff is using telephones and other technology to connect with residents.

A Creston man was arrested Wednesday at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. At 7:52pm Deputies arrested 38-year-old Dustin James Seley of Creston for 3^rd degree burglary and at 9:43 PM on a Department of Corrections warrant for violation of parole.  Seley is being held in the Union County Jail on no bond.

The Creston Police Department reports two arrests in the past two days. On Tuesday at 12:20pm Officers arrested 34-year-old Joseph Dean Gaiser of Creston on two Union County warrants for the charges of Unauthorized Possession of Offensive Weapons and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was arrested at 300 North Pine Street and was later released on $5,300 bond.

On Wednesday at 2:53pm Officers arrested 19-year-old Gregory Welcher of Thayer on two Adams County warrants for the charges of Failure to Appear on the original charges of Driving While License Under Suspension and Distributing Drug near a School. He was arrested at 210 North Walnut Street in Creston and later released on $2,700 bond.

The Atlantic Police Department reports the arrest Wednesday of 21-year-old Blake Zweck of Madison, WI for OWI 1st Offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Assault with Injury on a Police Officer.

No further details are known at this time.

The Atlantic Police Department and Cass County Sheriff’s Office report the arrest of four people after the execution of two search warrants on Wednesday. The first search warrant was executed at 1017 East 6th Street in Atlantic in search of stolen property. During the search warrant officers located evidence of the use and distribution of controlled substances.

A second search warrant was then obtained and executed. As a result of the investigation four individuals were arrested. 24-year-old Curtis McCoy of Atlantic was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Theft 4th Degree (Possession of Stolen Property), Possession of Marijuana (2nd Offense), Gathering Where Controlled Substances Are Used (Methamphetamine), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  28-year-old Joshua Dyer of Atlantic for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Gathering Where Controlled Substances Are Used (Methamphetamine), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 24-year-old Jacob Sweeney of Atlantic was arrested for Gathering Where Controlled Substances Are Used (Methamphetamine), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 49-year-old Jodi Sweeney of Atlantic was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine (2nd Offense), Gathering Where Controlled Substances Are Used (Methamphetamine), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  In addition to those arrests one juvenile was cited for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and released to their parents.

Methamphetamine, marijuana, stolen property, and a loaded handgun were seized from the residence during the search.

The Atlantic Police Department reports the arrest of an Atlantic man on Tuesday after a verbal altercation that led to the discharge of a firearm in the 800 block of Poplar Street.

Atlantic Police executed a search warrant at 1117 East 4th Street for the weapon that was used but the weapon was later located at another residence.

As a result of the investigation Officers arrested 28-year-old Matthew Stevens of Atlantic on the charges of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Assault while Displaying a Dangerous Weapon, Theft 4th Degree, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Atlantic Police were assisted by the Cass, Montgomery, and Shelby County Sheriff’s Offices.

w/ Chris Parks

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (5.9MB)

Subscribe: RSS

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest Wednesday night of 19-year-old James Michael McCauley of Red Oak on a valid Montgomery County warrant for Violation of Probation.  He was arrested at 10:22pm in the 100 block of West Reed Street in Red Oak. McCauley was taken to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on $1,000 cash bond.

Governor Kim Reynolds has visited several Iowa schools this week to mark the start of the academic year for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. During a stop in Forest City on Wednesday morning, Reynolds stressed that nearly half the state budget is spent on education.

“It’s the biggest piece of the pie in our budget,” Reynolds says. “I recognize the fact that we can always use more, but we are putting a significant amount of funding behind and into our greatest asset and that’s our children.” Reynolds met with students and staff in Forest City’s Science Technology Engineering and Math programs.

Reynolds also visited schools in Emmetsburg, Manly and Garner as well as the Iowa Lakes Community College campus in Estherville.

(Radio Iowa)

Sheriff’s officials in Fremont County said Wednesday, that a woman from Nebraska was arrested Tuesday after a social media post identified her as a suspect in a fraud investigation. 28-year old Chantell Rose Cashett, of Nebraska City, was taken into custody after she appeared at the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office for an interview.

Her arrest stemmed from an investigation into a wallet reported stolen in May from the Casey’s General Store, in Sidney. Cashett was identified after her picture was posted on the Fremont County Deputies Facebook Page. Cashett allegedly used and tried to use credit and debit cards from the stolen wallet.

Her cash bond was set at $2,300.

Chantell Cashett