(Harlan, Iowa) – A former middle school teacher with the Harlan Community School District faces charges of sexual exploitation of a minor. According to KETV in Omaha, 31-year-old  Eric Croghan was released on bond in Shelby County, according to court documents.

In March, Croghan was placed on leave amid an investigation alleging he communicated with an undercover agent online, requesting nude photos of a child. According to court documents, Croghan allegedly distributed an image depicting child pornography to an undercover FBI agent and admitted that, while using Kik, received images depicting child pornography more than 100 times and sent images depicting child pornography less than 100 times.

Croghan also allegedly told the agent that he slept with three female students between 14 and 16 years old, according to court documents. FBI agents tracked the IP address, phone information, social media and property information for the username to Croghan. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s cybercrime unit was alerted and, in February, served a warrant on Croghan for all digital and electronic devices.

According to court documents, Croghan was interviewed on the same day as the search warrant and he admitted to using Kik, as well as sending and receiving images depicting child pornography. In March, the district put him on leave, calling the allegations troubling, and accepted his resignation

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says China is the greatest threat to the peace and prosperity of the world and the U.S. cannot shrink from the challenge. “That goes for trade, that goes for energy and most certainly it goes for the global world order,” Ernst says. The commander of U.S. Naval Intelligence recently warned that China is building up every part of its military — from space and cyber to its navy. Ernst, a Republican, is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. She suggests China’s president Xi Jinping is a lot like Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

“China is trying to engage in those same type of activities as Russia as they look towards the South China Sea and Taiwan,” Ernst says. Ernst says cloud computing firms in China are trying to infiltrate and undercut U.S. companies like Google, Facebook and Microsoft. Ernst is calling on the Biden Administration to impose sanctions on China and encourage the same response from allied countries that are facing the same economic and national security threats from China’s technology.

“I believe in America first, but never America alone,” Ernst says. “There is so much potential that we can tap into out there from our partners and our allies.” Ernst made her comments at a recent foreign policy forum in New York City.

Atlantic, Iowa – On April 29, the Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA) team made up of administrators, office staff, and 51 drivers came together for a day for professional development, training, and recognition. The biannual Drivers’ Meeting, held in spring and fall, was held at Atlantic Golf and Country Club and the SWITA facility in Atlantic. Drivers refreshed their skills, engaged with office staff and their fellow drivers, and celebrated each other. The theme for the training was “Back to Basics” with a strong emphasis on safety. SWITA prides itself on being a safe, affordable transportation for all and this year’s meeting made sure to focus on that. Drivers attended breakout sessions on topics such as wheelchair securement, vehicle inspections, incident reports, etc.

Another highlight of the spring drivers’ meeting is awards. Recognition awards were presented to Driver of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Kelly Davis Servant Leadership Award, staff years of service recognition awards, and Outstanding Driver Awards. All drivers have the opportunity to nominate their fellow drivers for the awards, which allows drivers to give their input on who they feel has shown commitment to service to riders and are dedicated SWITA team players.

Dean Driskell received Driver of the Year award based on his ability to go above and beyond for his fellow drivers, his passengers, and dispatchers. He is a friend to everyone. He knows his passengers well and they enjoy having him as a driver. He is knowledgeable and great at sharing his knowledge with others, especially those who are new. He takes pride in his job, and you can see that in the way he cares for his bus and his passengers.

Wray Ludington received Rookie of the Year award based on how quickly and efficiently he has taken on the SWITA driver role. He is eager to learn and often is cross training on other routes. He has been a “GO TO” driver when it comes to getting shifts covered, day or night. He has a very good understanding of many routes and is proficient in driving them safely. He is pleasant to work with and he goes above and beyond for his passengers and dispatch.

Kristen Templeton, Transit Coordinator, received the Kelly Davis Servant Leadership Award recognizing her commitment to the SWITA team and her ability to serve that team with distinction. The Kelly Davis Award honors the memory of former Transit Coordinator Kelly Davis, who passed away in 2022. This award is presented yearly to an employee who demonstrates a desire to serve their community and team in the way that Kelly did; with a sense of purpose and selflessness. Kristen currently oversees six transit staff and 75 drivers. She is responsible for the majority of the scheduling for the agency and has to match the right drivers with the right routes. Kristen has a positive attitude and works hard every day to get the people in southwest Iowa where they need to go.

This years Outstanding Driver Awards went to Jon Parsons (Cass), Lynn Baumbach (Montgomery), Mike Ames (Page), Don Lantz (Harrison), and Terry Musich (Shelby).

Years of Service Recognition was presented to the following drivers: Mike Clark (5 years), Dennis Nelson (5 years), Dennis Giedd (5 years), Jerry Josephson (5 years), Larry Anderson (15 years), Jacqueline Williams (15 years), and Barbara Smithson (15 years). Also recognized were the following retired drivers: Roger Matson, Bernie Budwell, Dave Aylsworth, Richard Retz, and Carol Rehm.

SWITA is Southwest Iowa’s public transportation system. SWITA has around 75 drivers and is available to all residents in Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby counties. SWITA is Iowa’s largest rural public transit agency and has continued to grow since the Covid Pandemic, while all other Iowa transit agencies have seen declining ridership. In fiscal year 2022, SWITA had 480,229 rides which is an increase from FY21 at 377,547 rides and FY20 at 305,932 rides. SWITA is projected to have a total of approximately 515,000 rides by the end of FY23. SWITA would not be able to operate as efficiently and as safely as it does now without the hard work and dedication of all of the SWITA transit staff and drivers.

DES MOINES –  Gov. Kim Reynolds, Tuesday, issued a disaster proclamation for Story County in response to severe weather that occurred on May 7. The governor’s proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Management Program for Story County.   

The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

The Disaster Case Management Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions.

Sidney, Iowa – On May 9, 2023, law enforcement officials charged Mark Dupre (26) of Sidney, Iowa, with 1st degree murder (Class A Felony) for the April 17, 2023, stabbing death of Corey Miller (26) in Sidney, Iowa. Dupre has also been charged Attempted Murder (Class B Felony), Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury (Class C Felony) and going Armed with Intent (Class D Felony). This is a joint investigation, between the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, Fremont County Attorney’s Office, the Iowa Attorney General’s Office and the Division of Criminal Investigation.

Dupre was currently in custody at the Fremont County Correctional Facility on unrelated drug charges.

Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Previous press release:

Release: April 19, 2023, Sidney, Iowa.

On April 17, 2023, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a stabbing at 508 Main St. in Sidney, Iowa. Upon arrival, deputies and first responders located two make subjects outside the residence who had been stabbed, one individual later succumbed to his injuries, while the other was life flighted to University of Omaha Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha with life threatening injuries.

On the afternoon of April 18, 2023, a forensic autopsy was conducted by the Iowa Office of the State Medial Examiner on the deceased male. The death has been ruled as a homicide and the manner of death was identified as stab wounds. The deceased male has been identified as 26-year-old Corey Miller of Sidney, Iowa. The second stabbing victim has been identified as 28-year-old D’Andre Kyle of Sidney, Iowa. Kyle is currently in stable condition at UNMC.

On April 17th, a search warrant was conducted at 508 Main St in Sidney where upon illegal and illicit items were seized. On April 18, 2023, Mark Dupre (age 26) and Katelan Jacobs (age 23) of 508 Main St. Sidney, Iowa, were arrested at a separate location by the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office on charges stemming from the search warrant. Both Dupre and Jacobs were charged with possession of a controlled substances with intent to deliver over 5 grams of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Dupre was also charges with possession of marijuana (2nd offense) and Jacobs was charged with possession of marijuana (1st offense). Dupre’s bond was set at $100,000.00 cash and Jacobs was set at $300,000.00 cash.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – More than three-years after an infant died at a Massena Day Care, and two-trials later, a jury in the case of Alison Dorsey, today, rendered a verdict in the case. According to reports, 39-year-old Alison Dorsey was found guilty of Murder in the 2nd Degree, and Child Endangerment Resulting in the Death. Her sentencing was set for June 29, at 1:30 p.m.

The trial was being held in Pottawattamie County District Court. The jury began deliberations Monday, after six-full days of testimony from character witnesses and experts, and reached their verdict at around 2:30-p.m. today (Tuesday).

Dorsey was on trial in the death of 11-week-old Luka Hodges. He died October 7, 2019, while in her daycare in Massena.

The case that originally went to trial in Cass County District Court in the Fall of 2021, resulted in a mistrial, due to a hung jury. The second trial was moved to Pottawattamie County due to the amount of publicity the first trial garnered. In both trials, the State proposed the boy died from some sort of abusive head trauma, such as Shaken Baby Syndrome. The defense tried to show the injuries occurred before October 7, 2019.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Division of Criminal Investigation released a statement Tuesday afternoon, with regards to a sports wagering investigation:

“The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s (DCI) Special Enforcement Operations Bureau serves as the primary criminal investigative and enforcement agency for gambling laws in the state of Iowa.  The DCI is involved in an ongoing investigation concerning sports wagering involving individuals at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University. At this time, no criminal charges have been filed and no further information will be released. The DCI will work cooperatively with the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission concerning any potential regulatory violations.”

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Nearly 80 Iowa Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 209th Medical Company (Area Support) will be honored in a formal welcome home ceremony at the ImOn Ice Arena in Cedar Rapids at 4 p.m. on 12 May.

The 209th MCAS deployed to Poland in July of 2022 in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve and NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence mission which enables the U.S. to provide deterrence to adversaries while supporting our NATO partners.

During their deployment, Soldiers provided medical services for over 5,000 military and civilian patients which included physical therapy, physical exams, x-rays, labs and other routine treatments. The medical support the 209th MCAS provided spanned across five countries, including Poland, Germany, Lithuania and Estonia. Additionally, several Soldiers competed in a multination Norwegian foot march, strengthening our bilateral relationships.

Capt. Alexandria Lee, an Army nurse with the 209th Medical Company Area Support, takes the vitals of a patient during a medical exercise with the Estonian and British Armies in March 2023.

Iowa Army National Guard Soldiers with the 209th Medical Company Area Support participate in a medical exercise with the Estonian and British Armies in March 2023.

One of the most significant medical training events for the company included a joint training exercise in Estonia. The exercise, named Global Health Engagement Sparrow Strike, gave the 209th MCAS an opportunity to collaborate with British and Estonian military members. They worked together to administer initial treatment for patients and then provided long-term care in a field environment

ANKENY, Iowa – May 9, 2023 – The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Investigation & Identity Protection and the Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird are warning the public to be aware of a fraudulent vehicle sales scam.

A criminal entity, using the website https://pettymotors.com/, has been attempting to impersonate Petty Motors, Inc., a licensed and legitimate car dealership in Knoxville, Iowa.

If you have had dealings with a company you believe to be either Petty Motors or Petty Motors, Inc. please contact 641-891-8980 to verify the legitimacy of your interactions.

You should also contact the Iowa DOT’s Bureau of Investigation & Identity Protection at invbureau@iowadot.us or the Iowa Attorney General’s Office Consumer Protection Division at 515-281-5926 to confirm legitimacy or to report any interactions you believe are fraudulent.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department report a man from Nebraska was arrested May 5th, on drug charges. 29-year-old Sean Sutton, of Omaha, NE, was arrested for poss. of a controlled substance, unlawful poss. of prescription drugs and poss. of drug paraphernalia. His total bond was set at $2,300 cash or surety. Sutton had also an outstanding warrant out of Pottawattamie County for failure to appear, with a $5000 cash or surety bond (posted bond)

Last Saturday, Glenwood Police arrested 39-year-old Kevin Wendt, of Gretna, NE, for OWI 2nd offense and Interference with official acts. His total bond was set at $2,300 cash or surety

And, on Monday, 24-year-old Jordan Salmons, of Glenwood, was arrested on a Mills County Warrant, with bond set at $300 cash only (posted bond).