CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — One of the men charged in the stabbing death of a man who was found buried at a Cedar Rapids home pleaded guilty to lesser charges. Thirty-four-year-old Drew Wagner pleaded guilty Monday to voluntary manslaughter and four other charges in the December 2018 death of Chris Bagley. Wagner originally was charged with first-degree murder.

Bagley’s body was found buried at a home in southeast Cedar Rapids on March 1, 2019. A second suspect, Drew Blahnik, is awaiting trial on first-degree murder charges. Another man is charged with obstruction and abusing a corpse and a fourth man is serving a jail sentence on a connected drug case.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office is reporting numerous recent arrests. Authorities say today (Monday), 71-year old Stephen Craig Tasto, of Clarinda, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for Violation of Probation, the bond for which was set at $5,000. And, 34-year old Trel Curtis Peterson, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County Jail, on a Mills County warrant for Violation of Probation. His bond was set at $10,000.

At around 3:50-a.m. Sunday,  41-year old Jerry Joseph Richardson, of Malvern, was arrested for Driving While Barred (Bond: $2,000). Last Friday, 30-year old Kassandra Lee Shoemake, of Thurman, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, and Failure to Maintain Control (Bond: $1,000). On Thursday, 32-year old James Thomas Hume, of Sidney, was arrested on Highway 34 in Mills County. He was charged with OWI/1st offense, with bond set at $1,000.

There were two arrests last Wednesday, in Mills County: 33-year old Joseph Allen Scislowicz, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on a warrant for Violation of Probation (Bond: $1,000), and 34-year old  Eugene Edgar Stillmock, of Omaha, was arrested on a warrant for Failure To Appear (Bond: $15,000). Both were taken into custody at the Douglas County, NE., Jail.

There were also two arrests made last Tuesday (June 16th): 32-year old Joshua Robert Dasovich, of Omaha, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, on a warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault, for which there was No Bond. And, 19-year old Skyla Marie Wingfield, of Malvern, was arrested on a warrant for OWI/1st offense (Bond: $1,000).

NEVADA, Iowa (AP) — A man who was reportedly knocking on doors and carrying a sword died in Nevada, Iowa, after being shocked with a stun gun. Nevada police said officers were called at 2:44 a.m. Monday to check reports of a man carrying a sword and knocking on doors. Officers found a man sitting in a grassy area near a mobile home park with a sword.

Nevada officers ordered the man to drop the sword but police said he stated, “It stays in my hand.” Officers then used a Taser to shock the man, and they then retrieved the sword and handcuffed him. Medics were called, and as they treated the man he stopped breathing. He was taken to a hospital, where he died. Police didn’t immediately identify the man.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office is requesting motorists refrain from driving on Waubonsie Avenue, between Bluff Road and Bartlett. Authorities say numerous drivers have gone through the construction site, and it has become dangerous for construction workers. Drivers’ actions are also hindering progress on and completion of, the road.

The only access to Bartlett is via Interstate 29. Citations will be issued to all non-construction vehicles entering the construction site.

The Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund has donated $500 to the Atlantic Kiwanis Club. The funds will be used for the Kiwanis’ bike helmet project.  Fund spokesperson (Trevor’s mom) Melanie Petty says, “Even with the craziness of schools closing in mid March due to COVID the Kiwanis members were able to safely supply each 3rd grader with a helmet to keep them safe while out riding their bikes. This project is special to the fund as Trevor was a recipient when he was in grade school.  We are happy to help keep this long standing tradition of giving the gift of safety going!”

Kiwanis member Deb Schuler with Smith Land Service receives a check for $500 from Grant Petty w/the Frederickson Fund.

The Trevor Frederickson fund which was started in 2009 when Trevor suddenly passed away, has been able to give back over $250,000.00 to the community and things he loved. All funds are raised during the annual TFred Memorial Golf Tournament.  This years tournament will be held on Saturday, August 8th at Nishna Hills.

Petty says “We are looking forward to another great day of golf and friendship.”  If you are interested in golfing, becoming a hole sponsor and donating an item to our silent auction please contact Melanie Petty at 712-249-3696.

Mills County Public Health officials today (Monday), reported two new, positive cases of COVID-19. The total number of positive cases in Mills County now stands at 31, with 23 of those affected persons, having recovered from the virus. A total of 1,761 residents of the county have been tested for COVID-19.

The latest cases are adults. One is age 41-to 60. The other is 19-to 40-years of age. One case was the result of community spread. The other through close contact. Mills County Public Health reminds residents “It is now more important than ever to practice social distancing, frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and to cover coughs and sneezes with either a tissue, your elbow and/or upper arm. Also, please stay home if you are ill.

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