(Washington, D.C.) – The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today announced the resolution of a racial harassment complaint filed against Ottumwa Community School District in Iowa.   

OCR determined that during the course of school years 2020-21 and 2021-22 district students subjected a Black middle school student to racial harassment so pervasive that it constituted a racially hostile environment and that the district failed to take necessary steps to protect the student, in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its implementing regulations. 

The harassment included repeated use of racial slurs including calling the student the N-word and a “slave” to white students as well as calling the student “blackie” and “cotton-picker,” targeting the student with monkey noises in class and students raising their fists to mock Black Power during class, a white student using the term KKK and then referring to it as the “Kool Kids Klub,”  and telling racially derogatory jokes about, for example, killing a Black man and not being able to see Black people at midnight.  

In one instance, a white classmate knelt on a Gatorade bottle in the student’s presence and said, “It can’t breathe,” to mimic George Floyd’s death. The harassment the student experienced and the district’s failure to provide the student with a safe school environment caused him to suffer significant and enduring emotional harm.    

OCR also found that even though the district had notice of possible ongoing harassment, the district disregarded its obligations to investigate whether its response to the reported harassment was effective in eliminating the hostile environment, whether it addressed the cumulative effect of the incidents on the harassed student, and addressed the impact the verified wide-spread conduct may have had on other students. 

In so doing, the district did not take effective school-wide measures to address and remedy the racially hostile environment, which continued to exist at the school.  

The resolution agreement commits the district to take steps to ensure nondiscrimination based on race, color, or national origin (including based on shared ancestry and ethnic characteristics) in all of its education programs and activities.  

“Federal civil rights law has for decades promised that no student should experience the racially hostile environment that the young person in this investigation endured,” said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon. “I thank Ottumwa Community School District for committing today to take the steps necessary to ensure that in future it will respond appropriately to reports of racial harassment so every student in the district’s schools will experience the nondiscriminatory learning environment that federal law guarantees.”  

The district’s commitments in the voluntary resolution agreement include:  

• Reimbursing the student’s parent for documented expenses incurred related to past and future therapeutic services resulting from the racially hostile environment. 
• Publishing an anti-harassment statement stating that the district does not tolerate acts of harassment, including acts of harassment based on a student’s race, color, or national origin.  
• Reviewing and revising its policies and procedures to address Title VI’s prohibition of harassment based on race, color, or national origin. 
• Providing training to district staff regarding the district’s obligation to respond to complaints of harassment based on race, color, or national origin. 
• Providing age-appropriate information programs for students to address harassment based on race, color, or national origin. And, 
• Conducting a climate survey to assess the prevalence of harassment in the student’s former school and provide suggestions for effective ways to address harassment. 

The letter to Ottumwa Community School District is available here and the resolution agreement is available here.

(Malvern, Iowa) – One person died Monday (Today), as the result of a single-vehicle accident southeast of Malvern, in Mills County. According to the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, Deputies were dispatched at around 12:01-p.m. to the crash near the intersection of Mulloney Ave and 330^th st.

Upon arrival, Deputies found a silver Toyota Rav4 had left the roadway and struck a tree in the north ditch. An investigation of the scene concluded the vehicle had partially gone off the roadway while traversing the curve. The driver tried to correct the vehicle back onto the roadway, in doing so, lost control of the vehicle, causing the collision with a tree.

The driver and sole occupant, Brooke Samms, of Malvern, died at the scene. The Mills County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by Malvern Fire and Rescue, Hastings Fire, Silver City Fire and Rescue, Oak Township fire and Rescue and Glenwood Rescue.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman, Ashley Hinson, a Republican from Marion, is co-sponsoring legislation to reauthorize and modernize the bipartisan Childcare and Development Block Grant, or CDBG program. It sends federal dollars to states to help them with childcare access. Hinson says the legislation will expand family eligibility. “It raises the state median income threshold…it will bump that up to 150 percent. It still requires families below 85 percent of that are served first,” she says, “So I think that’s where we will see the expanded eligibility.”

She says increasing the affordability of care for more working parents is important. Hinson says the update would give states more options. That is what I am focused on. And this is where I think this bill will be very helpful there because it does grant states flexibility,” according to Hinson. “So it gives them the options to help support child care educators, professional development opportunities, and again, recruitment and retention efforts.” She says there’s another component that could help providers.

“It also makes sure that input and operational costs are included in calculating reimbursement rates. Because when I visited, I think eight different childcare facilities and had roundtables with providers and with parents who are looking at options. They need increased certainty. And they need to make sure that they can long-term be solvent,” Hinson says. Hinson says the lack of childcare disproportionately impacts Iowa’s rural areas.

(Radio Iowa) – Many thousands of Iowans are doing their holiday shopping online and they’ll need to be on the lookout for scams as they surf for sales. Bao Vang, spokeswoman for the Better Business Bureau, says so-called “holiday” apps are springing up and you’ll need to steer clear. Vang says, “Be wary of any free apps as they might contain advertisements, lead you down nefarious links that might take your money or steal your personal information.”

If you get an offer for a free gift card this holiday season, Vang says be sure to read all of the fine print. “That sounds enticing, we all want free items, low-cost,” Vang says. “Scammers have been known to take advantage of this weakness by sending folks phishing emails, requesting personal information in order to receive gift cards.” Vang says to do your research before clicking “yes” on a free gift card offer.

You can also go to BBB’s ScamTracker online to find out more about potential scam offers.

(West Des Moines, Iowa) – Officials with the West Des Moines Police Department report a Union County man faces Attempted Murder and other charges, following a stabbing incident. Authorities say at around 5:30 this (Monday) morning, officers responded to a report of a person who had been stabbed in a vehicle outside of the Hy-Vee store located at 1725 Jordan Creek Parkway.

When Officers arrived on scene, the alleged suspect had left the scene prior to their arrival.  A short time later police located a 37-year-old male victim at a local hospital, suffering from a stab wound to the leg.  With the full cooperation of Hy-Vee, West Des Moines Detectives along with the Crime Scene Identification Unit immediately began an investigation and processing the crime scene.

At approximately 10:00am, West Des Moines Police Detectives arrested 30-year-old Dakota Nordstrom, of Creston, Iowa on the following charges:

• Attempted Murder
• Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury
• Going Armed with Intent
• Burglary 1^st Degree

Nordstrom has been transported to the Dallas County Jail where he remains held on the charges.

(Sidney, Iowa) – Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope, today (Monday), said there were 19 arrests that took place from November 14th through December 4th. Beginning with the most recent arrests:

• 33-year old Derrick Miller, of Nebraska City, NE., was arrested Sunday, for OWI/1st offense. He was later released on bond.
• There were four arrests on December 2nd:
  • 41-year-old Danielle Denny, of Omaha, was arrested for Theft in the 5th, and Failure to Appear. She was booked and then released.
  • 34-year-old Steven Wentland, Jr., of Riverton, was arrested for Domestic Abuse/3rd offense, Contempt of Court, and Simple Assault. He was later released on bond.
  • 35-year-old Lyndsey Cottrell, of Des Moines, was arrested Dec. 2nd in Fremont County, for Violation of Probation. She was being held on $20,000 bond.
  • 31-year-old Larry Joseph West, of Randolph, was arrested for Violation of a Court Order.
• On December 1st, 37-year-old Megan Rasmussen, of Randolph, was arrested in Fremont County, for OWI/1st offense and Driving Under Suspension. She was released on bond.
• On November 29th, 55-year-old Mark Gosch, of Nebraska City, NE., was arrested in Fremont County for Possession of a Controlled Substance (PCS), and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia. He was later released on bond.
• On the 27th, 36-year-old Mallory Lawrence, of Tabor, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. She was released on bond.
• The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office says 33-year-old Zachery Decker, of Dickinson, ND., was arrested Nov. 26th, for PCS, and Poss. of Paraphernalia.
• Three arrests were reported on Nov. 23rd in Fremont County: 37-year-old Robert Dingess, of Portland, OR, was arrested for PCS and Poss. of Paraphernalia; & 40-year-old Louisa Homan, of Hamburg, was arrested for False Reporting to 911, and, 25-year-old Tia Campbell, of Omaha, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. She was released on bond.
• On the 18th, Robert Fender, 55, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for PCS/3rd offense, and Poss. of paraphernalia. Bond was set at $5,000.
• On Nov. 17th, Deputies arrested 47-year-old Billy Foster, of Clarinda, for Poss. with the Intent to distribute (more than 5 grams)/Meth, and Theft in the 1st Degree. He was being held in the Fremont County Jail on $60,000 bond.
• On Nov. 16th, Amber Fichter-Harris, 28, of Shenandoah, was arrested for Unlawful Poss. of prescription drugs, PCS, and Poss. of Paraphernalia.
• Five people were arrested on separate charges Nov. 15th, in Fremont County:
  • Edward Bailey, 63, of Hamburg, was arrested for being a  Fugitive From Justice. He was released to another agency.
  • Brian Barrett, 41, of Hamburg, was arrested for Leaving the scene of an injury accident. He was released on bond.
  • Michael Doe, of Columbus, OH, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. He was later released on bond.
  • and Sara Cramer, 45, of Hamburg, was arrested for PCS. She was released on bond.
• And finally, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office says 37-year-old Eric Ambler, of Coralville, was arrested Nov. 14th, for Failure to Appear. He was released on time served.

DES MOINES, IOWA – Governor Kim Reynolds, today (Monday), announced the newly created Iowa Entry-Level Driver Training Program to provide more opportunities for interested truck drivers to obtain their commercial driver’s license (CDL) in Iowa.  The Governor says “Truck drivers play such a critical role in meeting our supply chain demands– ‘If you got it, a truck driver brought it’. Like the rest of the nation, Iowa, too, has a high demand for truck drivers; and in order to meet that demand, we need innovative solutions that reduce barriers for anyone interested in obtaining a CDL license. This new program will break down barriers that currently exist for obtaining a CDL and provide support to organizations who sponsor these critical training opportunities right here in Iowa.”

The new Iowa Entry-Level Driver Training Program will provide $6 million to support employers, nonprofits, or related organizations who sponsor or partner on key training programs designed to prepare potential drivers for CDL skills or knowledge tests. The grant program hopes to remove costly barriers and, ultimately, create more drivers with CDL licenses across the state.

According to Beth Townsend, Iowa Workforce Development Director, “The Entry-Level Driver Training Program provides more opportunities to obtain a CDL, but it also makes it easier for employers to recruit and train their own drivers. This effort…” she says…”will also make our state more competitive in these high-demand fields by helping employers offer the right training when and where their workers need it.”

Earlier this year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration implemented Entry-Level Driver Training, requiring all new drivers to undertake additional training requirements on top of existing CDL standards. Current CDL training can be costly and/or limited, making the pathway to obtain or upgrade a license more difficult despite a much higher demand for drivers. All training providers and drivers are required to meet all Federal driving standards under the ELDT program.

Grant funding for the Iowa Entry-Level Driver Training Program will reimburse eligible organizations in Iowa that offer these critical training programs either in-house or through partnerships with certified training providers. If the program is provided in-house, reimbursement can be used on instructor wages, curriculum materials, and maintenance needs. If the program is offered via outside training providers, reimbursement must go towards Entry-Level Driver Training program tuition.

Additional requirements:

Eligible applicants: Iowa-based employers, employer consortiums, and non-profits who employ Iowa CDL drivers and provide Entry-Level Driver Training either in-house or through partnership with third-party certified training providers.

Funds are administered as reimbursement only following documented training certification and a CDL exam within 30 days of a participant’s first day of training (first day of either behind-the-wheel or theory).  Applications will be accepted at IowaGrants.gov beginning on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 and are due on Friday, February 3, 2023, at 11:59 AM.  (Note: IowaGrants.gov will undergo scheduled website maintenance and will be unavailable December 2-12)

Visit this link for more information on the grant, its requirements, and the application process. A webinar will take place on December 13 at 3:00 PM to provide more information on the grant and a Q&A session. Interested employers are encouraged to participate (Registration link).

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – A man from Nebraska was sentenced on a drug and weapon charges Friday, in Pottawattamie County/Council Bluffs U-S District Court. Authorities says 38-year-old James Michael Milbourn, of Omaha, will serve 12-years in prison following his plea of guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

On February 26, 2022, law enforcement encountered Milbourn in his car which was parked in the front yard of a residence in Council Bluffs. Located in plain view on the front passenger seat of the car was a bag that contained methamphetamine, a digital scale, and a loaded firearm. Milbourn intended to distribute the methamphetamine and possessed the firearm for personal protection of his controlled substances. Milbourn has multiple felony convictions which preclude him from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

The Council Bluffs Police Department and Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force investigated the case, which was prosecuted by the U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

(Radio Iowa) – The state expert who tracks the deer population in the state says the herd has been healthy this year. The D-N-R’s Tyler Harms says Hemorrhagic Disease has been a problem in the past — but not this year. “The hemorrhagic disease has been pretty low this year so not a main concern of ours — obviously chronic wasting diseases is still a big concern — and we’re continuing our intensive surveillance efforts across the state,” he says. Harms says they’ve held several public information meetings on C-W-D.

“In Jefferson, Iowa, Glenwood Iowa and Decorah, Iowa, all very well attended and very obvious that folks are concerned and passionate and willing to help with the management of this disease,” Harms says. “We did also just have a virtual public meeting, had at about 225 folks attend that meeting as well. So, really grateful to our hunters and our citizens for taking an interest in learning more about what we all can do to slow the spread of that disease.” Harms says they keep track of the disease by asking hunters to donate samples during the season.

“Especially in areas where we’ve detected Chronic Wasting Disease in the wild, to consider providing a tissue sample for testing for chronic wasting disease, it’s a very valuable contribution to helping us monitor,” he says. The first shotgun deer season is underway now and wraps up on December 7th.

(Des Moines, Iowa) -State Auditor Rob Sand today (Monday) issued an advisory alerting Iowans to a potential phone scam in which the caller identifies themselves as a representative of the Iowa Auditor of State Office (AOS). A concerned citizen notified the AOS Office on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, that they had received a phone call from a person inquiring about their mortgage. The caller also stated that they knew the concerned citizen’s name, address, and height.

“The Auditor of State Office will never call you to inquire about your mortgage or personal finances,” said State Auditor Rob Sand. “We have alerted the Iowa Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division.” The Federal Trade Commission offers the following advice to identify and avoid phone scams:

• Scammers might pretend to be from a well-known organization or agency like the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration, or Medicare. These agencies will never call you to request financial information.
• Scammers often claim you’ve won a prize. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Scammers may pressure you to act immediately or pay in a specific way.
• Never give your personal or financial information to a random caller.
• Talk to someone you trust before acting on a caller’s request for money or information.

To learn more about protecting yourself from scams or to report a scam, contact the Iowa Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division at 515-281-5926 or consumer.consumer@ag.iowa.gov.

Questions for the AOS Office should be directed to 515-281-5834 or info@aos.iowa.gov.