(Radio Iowa) – A northeast Iowa livestock company and four managers have been sentenced in federal court in a scheme to defraud livestock producers throughout Iowa and the Midwest. Fifty-one-year-old Joe Wickham of Waucoma, 65-year-old Charlie Lynch of Waucoma, 60-year-old Leland “Pete” Blue of Fredericksburg pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud. While 31-year-old Tyler Thoms of Fayette pled guilty to one count of causing a livestock dealer to keep inaccurate accounts and records.

The charges came from their work with Lynch Livestock, where they were accused of downgrading cattle and manipulating scales to defraud customers during nearly two decades. Wickham and Lynch were fined three-thousand dollars and Blue one thousand. Wickham was sentenced to six months in prison, and the others were each given probation. The company was fined 196-thousand dollars and ordered to pay more than three million dollars in restitution.

(Radio Iowa) – Webster City Police charged 14-year-old with a threat of terrorism and turned the teen over to juvenile authorities after an alleged threat Tuesday. Officers were notified of an incident involving possible threats of violence made toward the Webster City School District.

Webster City Police Chief Shiloh Mork said that a juvenile student had made comments and attempted to recruit at least one other juvenile to engage in an act of violence at one of the school district buildings today (Wednesday) which was a staff in-service day.

Numerous interviews were conducted resulting in a search warrant being executed at the juvenile’s Webster City residence. The juvenile was referred to juvenile court on the terrorism charge.

(Radio Iowa) – Former Vice President Mike Pence is hosting an event in Cedar Rapids this (Wednesday) afternoon focused on parental rights. Pence says a radical gender ideology has seeped into classrooms. Pence is voicing support for a group of Iowa parents who’ve filed a lawsuit in federal court. They’re challenging a Linn-Mar school district policy that lets students ask for a gender support plan at school without notifying parents.

Pence addressed the lawsuit during a speech in Minneapolis this (Wednesday) morning. He says in America, parents should guide the choices of their children at home and at school. A coalition of groups are holding a counter rally in Cedar Rapids this (Wednesday) afternoon in support of transgender students. Iowa Democratic Party chair Rita Hart says Pence is pushing a harmful agenda that bullies the most vulnerable in our communities.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says no injuries were reported following a collision at around 4-p.m. Saturday, in Atlantic. The accident happened at 10th and Plum Streets, when a 2007 Ford Explorer driven by Bryan Guy, of Atlantic, was traveling south and through the intersection.

The SUV entered the intersection in front of a westbound 2008 Ford Escape SUV, driven by Tyler Clark, of Atlantic. The Ford Escape’s front middle portion struck the Ford Explorer’s front driver side, causing significant damage to each vehicle.

The Ford Explorer sustained an approximated $6,000 worth of damage while the Ford Escape sustained an approximated $7,000 of damage.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests took place last week:

On February 8th, 2023, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Markku Luikkonen, 39, of Atlantic, for Domestic Abuse Assault.  Luikkonen was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on bond.

And, there were three arrests on Feb. 10th in Cass County:

• 20-year-old Christian Poldberg, of Exira, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Probation Violation. Poldberg was booked into the Cass County Jail and held.
• 34-year-old Matthew Stevens, of Lewis, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Failure to Appear. Stevens was booked and held in the Cass County Jail
• And, 40-year-old Jennifer Claussen, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI 2nd Offense.  She was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release on her own recognizance.

DES MOINES – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) have announced that Iowa will be investing an additional $2 million in the Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment Program to enhance productivity, efficiency and competitiveness in Iowa’s largest industry. The program helps small- to mid-size Iowa manufacturers invest in the adoption and integration of smart technologies with grant funding made available through the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

Reynolds said Wednesday (Today), “The Manufacturing 4.0 grant program is doing exactly what we intended – helping businesses grow and compete amid a rapidly changing landscape. Manufacturers are using these grants to increase productivity, train workers, improve safety, and cut costs. We now have the opportunity to help more manufacturers invest in technology to support their workforce, promote competition, and ensure future growth.”

Iowa’s Manufacturing 4.0 initiative launched a strategic plan in January 2021 to ensure the state’s manufacturers continue to remain globally competitive through the fourth industrial revolution – Industry 4.0 – and its emphasis on automation and smart technology. As a result, the Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment Grant program was created. In the first cycle, IEDA granted over $7 million through 202 awards with project investments totaling over $31 million.

The program offers two grant opportunities to prioritize both the equipment and connectivity with the advanced technology for manufacturers with 3-150 employees.

• The manufacturing innovation equipment grant awards up to $50,000 for the purchase of machinery and specialized equipment to improve operations.
• The manufacturing industrial internet of things (IIoT) infrastructure investment grant awards up to $25,000 for the purchase of specialized hardware of software in Industry 4.0 technology groups.

Companies can apply for a combined amount of $75,000 between the two grants over the lifetime of the business and a 1:1 match is required. Prior to applying, manufacturers must complete an Industry 4.0 assessment provided by Iowa State University’s Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) to determine need and readiness.

Applications will open on March 1, 2023, and will be accepted on a rolling basis until funds are allocated. More information on the program can be found here.

(Radio Iowa) – A few legislators are working to merge proposals from Iowa’s governor and attorney general to boost sentences for fentanyl related crimes AND make an overdose reversal medication more widely available. Dale Woolery, director of the Governor’s Office on Drug Control Policy, says officials estimate about nine out of 10 opioid overdoses in Iowa in 201 were due to fentanyl. “We think it’s important to strengthen deterrence where we can on the drug trafficking and also make lifesaving tools more available to Iowans,” Woolery says.

Molly Severn, an aide to the governor, says Iowa’s crime lab processed 96-thousand pills containing fentanyl last year. “Counterfeit pills are relatively easy to make, market and distribute,” Severn says. “They can be purchased person to person, online and even social media, making them too easily available to anyone with a smart phone, including young Iowans.”

Attorney General Brenna Bird has proposed a bill that would boost sentences for selling or providing ANY illegal drug that causes a death. The legislation Governor Reynolds is proposing is targeted to fentanyl. A House subcommittee advanced a bill that contains the governor’s plans this (Wednesday) morning after a public hearing. Talia Sopp, a University of Iowa medical student, told lawmakers she previously worked at an addiction treatment center for teenagers and has helped distribute Naloxone. “It’s an absolute tragedy that even one person dies of an opioid overdose when we have this medication to reverse it,” she said. “Naxlone is much like a fire extinguisher. Everyone should have it. Hopefully you never need to use it, but you never want to be in a situation where you need it and you don’t have it.”

Sopp says drug kingpins know drugs are laced with fenanyl, but low level distributors and users don’t know the illegal drugs they’re handling are contaminated with fentanyl.  “I have yet to meet someone who says their drug of choice is fentanyl,” Sopp said. “…Therefore I think it’s unfair to penalize someone for sharing fentanyl with a friend when they don’t know that fentanyl was in the drugs.”

Sopp is urging legislators to table the idea of enhanced penalties for fentanyl related crimes.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a Council Bluffs man was arrested twice this week. 35-year-old Phillip Lee Hensley was arrested Tuesday night (2/14) at the Pottawattamie County Jail, on a Mills County warrant for Theft in the 2nd Degree, Criminal Mischief, and Felon in Control of a firearm. Hensley was also charged Wednesday (2/15) in Mills County with Theft in the 1st Degree. His total bond on all charges amounts to $10,000.

And, 58-year-old Andrew Klusaw, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on Allis Road at around 2:15-a.m., Wednesday (Today), for Interference with Official Acts. His bond at the Mills County Jail was set at $300.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, Wednesday morning, approved Township Clerk wages, acknowledged Homestead and Military Disallowances, with letters being sent those affected persons, and a payment from ARPA funds for the Fire Alarms from Johnson Controls. The Board tabled action on an appointment to the Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority, because there are no candidates who have expressed interest at this time. The Board also tabled action for at least a couple of months, on a RenoDry Dehydration System for the Courthouse. The County was quoted on a rate for the service of $15,370 back in September.

The Adair County Supervisors heard a request from Lucas Queck, Secretary for the County Veteran’s Affairs Commission.

The Board approved his five-percent request on the line item from the new county budget. The Board discussed a Pipeline Ordinance, but took no action because there is still too much that’s unknown, whereas attorneys and the legislature is concerned. Board Member Jodie Hoadley shared her thoughts.

She said “It’s just something we need to look at and educate ourselves on.” Supervisor Matt Wedemeyer said ultimately it’s up to the public and land owners to determine what the County’s role will be.

And, the Adair County Supervisors received a report from County Engineer Nick Kauffman. Board Chair Jerry Walker was authorized by the Board to sign the front (Title) page for Culvert and Culvert Extension Projects on N-25 Grand River and W15 Eureka, respectively.

Payment for the Grand River project will be derived from the LOST funds. The Eurkea Culvert Extension would costs the County about $12,600, assuming it receives Hungry Canyon’s funding toward the remaining total of $58,000. Kauffman will submit the request to Hungry Canyons for approval.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund has added signage to the new Trojan Bowl with the help of JJ Design. According to fund spokesperson (Trevor’s mom) Melanie Petty, they “Notice this past fall that the press box looked a little to plain so with permission from the Atlantic Schools we worked with JJ Design and came up with a design that shows you are in Trojan Country when you come to a football game!”

Melanie said “Trev played football all through junior/senior high so it was a good fit for the fund.  Although spring hasn’t even gotten here we’re already looking forward to watching games this fall.” The monies raised through the annual TFred Memorial Golf Tournament are given back to the community that Trevor loved.

Photo’s courtesy Melanie Petty

This year’s T-Fred Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, June 17th at the Atlantic Golf and Country Club.  Teams have already started to register.  A silent auction will be held in the clubhouse all day and food will be available through the club.  Petty said “We look forward to a great day of golf, friendship and family all while raising money to support great things!”