A man who led police on a chase through three northwest Iowa counties last year is going to prison. A Clay County Sheriff’s deputy started pursuing a pickup on the night of September 14 after receiving a report it had stolen plates. The man driving the truck, 33-year-old Blaine Stockwell, of Laurens, refused to stop and the pursuit continued into Buena Vista and Palo Alto Counties.

Stop sticks were deployed, Stockwell then ran from the truck before officers used a Tazer to take him into custody. The pickup, later determined to be stolen from Algona, caught on fire and was destroyed. Stockwell pled guilty to second degree theft and eluding. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison and ordered to pay nearly $1,500 in restitution and fines.

(Radio Iowa)

A bill that would reinstate the death penalty in Iowa has cleared initial review in the Iowa House, but it’s future is in doubt after the legislator assigned to guide the bill through debate says he’s a “no” if it comes up for a vote in committee. Representative Steven Holt, a Republican from Denison, says “conceptually and morally,” he believes the death penalty is appropriate for certain horrific crimes. “Yet practically, I arrived at a different conclusion than I expected,” Holt said. “I have always believed that life in prison costs taxpayers so much money, yet I found out in researching this legislation it costs more to have someone on death row.” Holt says he’s also struck by how many individuals have been wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death row. “As a result of DNA evidence, we’re seeing that more and more today,” Holt said. “And it really strikes me deep, the thought of executing someone who is innocent.”

Holt says administering the death penalty fairly was something he struggled with the most. “Statistics show, without a doubt, that those of lesser means are more likely to receive the death penalty than are those with greater assets and ability to hire the best attorneys, so my conclusion after researching this bill was not exactly what I expected,” Holt says. “I support the death penalty in theory and believe it is absolutely morally o.k. based upon my faith, but I have great issues with its practical and fair application.”

Holt’s announcement came at the conclusion of a statehouse hearing on a bill that would allow capital punishment. The first to testify was John Wolfe of Clinton, the father of State Representative Mary Wolfe. Two of his daughters who lived in Pittsburg were murdered four years ago and the man found guilty of the crime was sentenced to life in prison.”The good thing about that is it ended it. It did not go on,” Wolfe says. “…It probably takes 25 years for someone who is executed to go through everything involved in the process. This is over as far as we’re concerned.”

Many who testified were pastors. Dave Martin of the Faith Assembly of God Church in Marshalltown expressed support for the death penalty in rare circumstance. “We have mixed feelings in this in our denomination. We believe, though, that the scripture shows us capital punishment under premeditated murder would happen in the Old Testament, carried over into the New Testament as well,” Martin says. “…We need to pray for extreme wisdom as you go about doing your business…that God would help us find the right answer.”

Reverend David Sickelka, senior pastor at the United Church of Christ in Urbandale, spoke against the bill on behalf of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa. “If the death penalty does not deter crime, is not applied equitably, saps our justice system of resources and cannot be reversed when there are errors, then it is not just. It is simply vengeance,” Sickelka says. “I implore you to stop this legislation.”

The Interfaith Alliance submitted a letter signed by 176 Iowa clergy who oppose the death.

(Radio Iowa)

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department says no injuries were reported following an accident today (Thursday), in Stanton. Authorities say 18-year old Jonah Lee Kirsch, of Villisca, was driving a 1999 Chevy Silverado pickup northbound on O Avenue at around 7:20-a.m., when he failed to stop at the intersection with Highway 34. The pickup hit a driver’s side of 2014 Freightliner Sprinter van driven by 48-year old Jason Lee Bodwell, of Villisca, and owned by Apria Healthcare.

Damage from the collision amounted to $15,500 ($3,500 to the pickup, $12,000 to the van). Kirsch was arrested and charged with Failure to Stop at a stop sign, Driving While License Suspended, and having No Insurance. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $1,080 bond.

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Red Oak Fire Chief.

MANLY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have decided not to pursue criminal charges in the death of a 7-month-old after an accident at an in-home day care in northern Iowa. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that a Department of Human Services summary says little Haven Rozevink slipped down while sleeping in her car seat Dec. 28, causing straps to tighten around her neck and chin after the seat tipped forward.

The department concluded that the day care owner, Carrie Lohmann, of Manly, was responsible for placing the child at risk but should not be prosecuted.

The Atlantic Police Department has taken a pledge to keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hand of Atlantic youth. Known as I-PLEDGE, the program is a partnership with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD) to educate local retailers and to enforce Iowa’s tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product laws. Since the program’s inception in 2000, the statewide tobacco compliance rate has grown to 91%. By participating in the program, the Atlantic Police Department has committed to do its part to increase the compliance rate even more this year.

I-PLEDGE places emphasis on retailer training. Clerks who successfully complete an online training course and then pass an exam will become I-PLEDGE certified. This allows a retail establishment to use an affirmative defense against a civil penalty if the certified clerk makes an illegal sale. “I-PLEDGE’s retailer training is a great way for clerks to prepare themselves to refuse illegal tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product sales,” Chief Dave Erickson said. “The training also assists retailers to ensure they maintain a compliant and responsible establishment.”

Officers will also be conducting compliance checks on local establishments as part of the I-PLEDGE program. Underage customers, under the supervision of law enforcement officials, will enter the establishments and attempt to buy tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product. Clerks who make the illegal sale will be cited on the spot. Criminal penalties for selling tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products to a minor include a $100 fine for a first offense, a $250 fine for a second offense and a $500 fine for a third and subsequent offenses. However, handing out citations is not the intent of the I-PLEDGE program.

“By partnering with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, we hope to educate clerks and maintain a compliant retail environment in our community,” Chief Erickson said. “Moreover, we pledge to help keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hand of Iowa’s youth.”

To take the I-PLEDGE training or search certification records got to abd.iowa.gov.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) is recruiting individuals interested in issues related to newborn screening for inherited conditions. The project coordinated through the IDPH Center for Congenital and Inherited Disorders will bring together a diverse and representative group of Iowans for a weekend to help determine future policy for the state’s newborn screening program.

Recently, three new disorders MPS-1 (Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I), X-ALD (X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy) and Pompe Disease, were recommended as additions to the screening. Officials say “Our staff wants to hear Iowans’ opinions about how the program decides what disorders it screens for. There are many ethical, economic and social issues involved with some of the new disorders.” Selected participants will receive $250, free travel, meals and hotel stay during the April 7 and 8, 2018, public discussion event. Transportation, childcare assistance and interpretation will be available as needed. There will be presentations and discussions about health, ethics and genetics, with experts and others with experience in newborn screening and genetics presenting information.

The project is for the Iowa Department of Public Health and is funded by a grant from the Association of Public Health Laboratories and the Colorado College of Public Health NewSTEPs program.  The Center for Congenital and Inherited Disorders collaborates with the University of Iowa State Hygienic Laboratory, and the Stead Family Children’s Hospital and Department of Pediatrics to administer the Iowa Newborn Screening Program.

For more information and to apply for the event, visit http://bit.ly/2ru10n5.

Adair County Auditor Mindy Schaefer reports the Board of Supervisors in Adair County, will hold a Special Session that begins at 9-a.m., Friday. During their meeting, the Board will hold a Budget Work Session, set the date for a Public Hearing on the FY 2019 Budget, and discuss future public meetings for the Elevator Board. On Wednesday, Schaefer sent the board a levy increase of 36-cents per $1,000 of valuation. A portion of the increase is for a new deputy, and the Counties’ takeover of Emergency Management funds, which are coming from the County now, instead of the cities in Adair County.

Schaefer has said the Board understands the levy is increasing, but they are committed to making the increase as small as possible, and yet still fund the expenditures.