A woman from Shenandoah woman has been sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for selling meth. The Daily NonPareil reports 29-year old Katherine Elizabeth Lynn was sentenced earlier this week in Fremont County District Court, for the distribution of methamphetamine. Lynn pleaded guilty to a Fremont County felony charge and a Page County felony charge, both involving the distribution of methamphetamine in Shenandoah. She will not be eligible for parole until she has served at least one-third of her sentence under Iowa’s mandatory minimum sentencing law.

According to court records, on Aug. 18th, 2015, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, with the assistance of the Shenandoah Police Department, conducted a narcotics investigation where Lynn exchanged methamphetamine for prescription drugs in Shenandoah. Lynn was subsequently arrested in Page County in connection with the investigation and found to be in possession of methamphetamine.

On Nov. 26th, 2015, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit conducted another narcotics investigation where Lynn conspired to exchange methamphetamine for cash. Lynn was arrested in early January 2016 on a Fremont County arrest warrant and has remained in custody at the Fremont County Law Enforcement Center. Lynn will begin her sentence at the Iowa Correctional Facility for Women in Mitchellville.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Senator Charles Grassley is defending his party’s refusal to consider a U.S. Supreme Court nominee. Grassley was defensive when peppered on a conference call with reporters Wednesday with questions about plans to block President Barack Obama’s nominee. Grassley says he and fellow Republicans believe voters deciding on a president this November should get a say in who replaces Justice Antonin Scalia who died unexpectedly on February 13th in Texas.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A legislative committee has launched an investigation into child abuse allegations at a former Iowa boarding school that had no state oversight. The House Government Oversight Committee says it will ask officials with the now-closed Midwest Academy in Keokuk to speak to lawmakers in the future. Representative Bobby Kaufmann, a Wilton Republican and committee chairman, said at a meeting Wednesday he intends to investigate how the school was able to operate without any state oversight.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — Northern Iowa has hired David Harris as its new athletic director. Harris, who is currently a senior associate athletic director at Iowa State, will take over at the end of March.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Polk County jury awarded three women $422,784 after a Des Moines police officer drove his squad car through an intersection and struck their car. The Register reports the lawsuit, filed on behalf of Kaileigh Joiner, E’Shayla Kelson and Marshee Jones, went to trial February 15th, nearly three years after the April 2013 crash.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office says two men were arrested on drug and other charges Wednesday, following a narcotics investigation near the area of Waubonsie Ave and 200th Avenue, in Bartlett. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit conducted the investigation, during which 20-year old Jacob Thorne, of Sidney, Iowa and 35-year old Lionel Cawthon, of Omaha, Nebraska were arrested. Both face felony charges of Using a Minor in a Drug Trade, Delivery of Marijuana (17 pounds) and Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp. A juvenile, 17-year old Jamie Garst, of Rock Port, Missouri was released to her parents with pending charges.

During the investigation deputies seized approximately 17 pounds of processed marijuana with a street value of $20,000. Thorne and Cawthon are being held at the Fremont County Law Enforcement Center on $20,000 bond.

Fremont County Deputies were assisted by deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Cass County, Iowa Sheriff’s Office, and Officers with the Tabor Police Department.

Jacob Thorne

Lionel Cawthon

The Atlantic School Board held a work session Wednesday evening, during which a large number of people showed up to hear primarily, about how the District intends to address issues in communication, in light of an article in the Atlantic News Telegraph by Board Member, Dr. Keith Swanson, with regard to several issues he thought the school district had not adequately addressed. That letter was followed-up by a response from Atlantic School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein, who characterized Dr. Swanson’s assertions in the article, as “inaccurate.” Amstein also said Swanson’s concerns should have been addressed in an open board meeting.

(at left) Atlantic School Board President Josh McLaren; Superintendent Dr. Mike Amstein (Center), and Board member Dr. Keith Swanson (right). – Ric Hanson/photo

At Wednesday night’s meeting, School Board President Josh McLaren said they would not talk about the specifics of the article. Instead, he said they should “Get back to the nuts and bolts of trying to build a team here.” As for how information is conveyed between Board members to clear-up any issues or confusion, School District Attorney Brett Nitzschke provided the Board with legal guidelines, and pointed out their own 200 Series Policies have the structure in-place for proper communications.

McLaren pointed out the Board had approved the 200 Series Policies in December, and they are available on-line on the District’s website for all to see. Dr. Swanson then spoke with regard to his article in the paper. Swanson said he wrote his letter to the paper, “Out of frustration.” He said also, “I do not feel that I have been accepted on this Board. We have had essentially no time to discuss anything. They have been filled with…fluff, things that meant essentially nothing, and spent our time without being productive.” He also said his questions with regard to some aspects of school finances weren’t answered to his satisfaction by Business Manager Mary Beth Fast.

The rest of the Communications portion of the meeting, was spent trying to hash out how items of concern by individual Board members – such as Dr. Swanson – can be addressed, and the answer was by placing them on the agenda, with the Board President having the final say over which items should be on any particular agenda. Brett Nitzschke said any communications outside a regular board session, such as e-mails with agenda matters, should be very “transparent,” to avoid the appearance of impropriety.

Board Member Kristy Pellett said she was disappointed in Dr. Swanson’s article in the paper, because it did not represent her viewpoint, and should not be taken as though his opinion was also the consensus of the Board. Board member Ali Bruckner said a lot of the issues Dr. Swanson brought up should be addressed at a future, open meeting, and there hasn’t been closure on some of his concerns. Pellet said past discussions on some issues haven’t met with her satisfaction, and that needs to be changed, as well.

But with regard to Dr. Swanson’s concerns over transportation issues, she said there had been a “rich discussion” over that, at a recent Board meeting. Board member Ali Bruckner summed up what she would like to have happen at future board meetings. She said it’s important all board members have the same, accurate information when a question is asked and the answer provided, especially when the Board member relays information to the public.

The Board will continue to work on its communications issues and team building, with help as necessary, from the IASB (Iowa Association of School Boards).

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says the teenage driver of a 1992 Pontiac Grand Prix was cited today (Wednesday) following a property damage accident that took place at around 7:35-a.m. The car, driven by 17-year old Austin Pellegrini, of Villisca, was traveling north on 5th Avenue in Villisca, when the teen failed to stop at the intersection with 4th Street. The vehicle was struck in the passenger side by a 2011 Chevy Malibu, driven by 70-year old Deloris Williams, of Villisca, who was traveling west on 4th Street.

Damage from the collision amounted to $6,500. No injuries were reported. Pellegrini was cited for Failing to Obey a Stop Sign.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two, recent arrests. Early today (Wednesday), 28-year old Christopher James Wyland, of Shenandoah, was arrested on 287th Street for Driving Under Suspension. His bond was set at $300. And, Tuesday night, 27-year old Andrew Dean West, of Malvern, was arrested on a warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault (for which there is No Bond), and Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs, the bond for which was set at $1,000.

A Special Election was held Tuesday in the City of Oakland, to fill a vacancy on the Oakland City Council. Three candidates were running for the one, open seat. The winner, with 149 votes, was Gayle Strickland.

Joseph Wede was a distant second, with 52 votes, while Doug Reed had 27 votes. Strickland will be sworn-in to take the place of Jason Smith, who resigned from the Oakland City Council on December 15th.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Wednesday) approved an increase in the number of assistants for the Cass County Attorney’s Office. Before approving the request, the Board heard from County Attorney Dave Wiederstein, who said he’s been filling-in as the County Attorney’s in Audubon County since Feb. 12th, due to a medical emergency in their office. His duties there are temporary, according to Wiederstein.

He also wanted to thank the Pottawattamie County’s Attorney’s Office for providing an assistant to train Eva Jensen – Delinquent Fine Coordinator – in the area of Delinquent Fines. Wiederstein also sat in on the training program. And, with regard to the adding of an assistant, Wiederstein explained his reasons for needing more help. He said the individual hired will prepare documents for court cases.

The Board’s approval means the number of assistants in the Cass County Attorney’s Office will be three, effective March 1st. The Board also approved the awarding of contracts for stock ($30,998. 86) and project pipe ($51,954.20) to Metal Culverts from Maryville, Missouri, in the amount of $82,953 altogether. There were two companies bidding for the pipe, with the difference amounting to about $100.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office says a Madison County woman was arrested Tuesday night at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. 40-year old Jaquelie Juatriene Clabaugh, of Winterset, was arrested on a Union County warrant for probation violation. Clabaugh was being held for Union County in the Ringgold County Jail on $2,000 bond.

(9-a.m. News)

More area news from Ric Hanson.

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