MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — President Donald Trump has tweeted reassurances to Iowa and New Hampshire that the two states will be first in the presidential primary schedule “as long as I am President.” He called it a “Great tradition!”

The Iowa Democratic Party has spent the week trying to verify results from Monday’s caucuses, adding fuel to complaints that the earliest voting states should be more representative of the U.S. demographically. Trump’s tweet today (Friday) will appeal to many voters in the two states leading up to the general election because they want to preserve their states’ special role in the presidential race.

“I agree — thank you, Mr. President!,” tweeted New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican. The head of New Hampshire’s Democratic Party, Ray Buckley, wouldn’t say Friday if he has confidence in Tom Perez’s leadership at the Democratic National Committee.
Perez has called for a recanvass of the Iowa caucuses and sought to shift blame onto the Iowa Democratic Party.

New Hampshire’s primary is next Tuesday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Democratic Party has extended until Monday a deadline originally set for midday Friday for presidential candidates to request a review of the results of this week’s Iowa presidential caucuses. That’s in light of the reporting debacle that forced a days-long delay in final numbers from the contest and left inconsistencies in the final count. After a breakdown in tallying the results caucus night, it took until Thursday for the state party, which operates the series of roughly 1,700 local meetings statewide, to issue final numbers.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A house fire in Sioux City has left two people dead and one critically injured. Firefighters were called to the fire Thursday morning in the rental home and found residents of the main floor outside. The Sioux City Journal reports that while extinguishing the fire and searching the basement, firefighters found three people and rushed them to a hospital, where two died. Those killed were identified Friday as 57-year-old Andrew Godberson and 24-year-old Jessica Fischer, both of Sioux City. The injured man is 26-year-old Juan Galarza, of Sioux City. Fire Marshal Mark Aesoph said fire investigators didn’t find any working smoke alarms in the house.

A U-S District Court judge in Davenport, Tuesday, sentenced 57-year old Jeffrey Scott Walter, of Burlington, to 104 months (slightly more than  8 1/2 years) in prison, for receiving and
distributing child pornography. Walter was ordered to serve five years of supervised release following his imprisonment, pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund, and comply with the sex offender registry requirements upon release.

On September 24, 2019, Walter pleaded guilty. The investigation began between September 2016 and February 2018, when a Homeland Security Investigations agent identified an IP address
advertising child pornography files. On March 5, 2018, a search warrant was executed at Walters’ residence, which was tied to the IP address. A forensic examination of the electronic devices seized  revealed multiple images and videos containing child pornography. Walter admitted that he did  receive, distribute, and possess child pornography.

The matter was investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). This case was prosecuted
by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – A man from eastern Iowa was sentenced Wednesday to 12-years in prison for possession of child pornography. 55-year old Ricki Charles Hess, of North Liberty, was also ordered to serve five-years of supervised release, following the term of his imprisonment.  He was also ordered to pay $9,000 in restitution and $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. Hess must also comply with the terms of the Iowa Sex Offender Registry requirements, upon his release from custody.

The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa reports that on August 19, 2019, Hess pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. The investigation began in August 2017 when the North Liberty Police Department received a cyber-tip from the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force relating to Hess. Agents searched Hess’s residence and seized several electronic devices. A forensic analysis was conducted on Hess’s HP computer, a hard drive, and a cellular phone and it revealed numerous images of child pornography. In excess of 160 video files and more than 30 images of child pornography were found in Hess’ possession.

The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and National Center  for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), with assistance from the North Liberty Police
Department and ICAC. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern  District of Iowa.
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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – Staffers at a Cedar Rapids winter homeless shelter are working with police to reduce problems that have led to complaints from neighbors. The Fillmore Center opened in mid-November to offer a warm place to sleep. The Gazette reports that police since then have received 82 calls for service. Those calls include 41 for disturbances and 31 for medical needs, as well as others for theft, a warrant and other issues. Police said there have been 10 arrests, including seven for public intoxication. That led to neighborhood complaints and an effort by staff to take a firmer stance with rule breakers.

DES MOINES, IA (Feb. 7, 2020) — Officials with the Iowa “Healthiest State Initiative” have announced the winners of the 2020 Healthiest State Annual Awards. The winners were recognized for their efforts to improve the physical, social and emotional well-being of their students, employees and fellow Iowans. Among the winners in six categories, was the City of Manning, which was announced the winner of the 2020 Healthy Hometown -Powered by Wellmark – Community Award. The award was presented Thursday, Feb. 6th.

Pictured in front (from left), Lauren Subler, Dawn Meyer, Cory Arp and Harvey Dales. In back (from left), Healthiest State Initiative Executive Director Jami Haberl, Cindy Durhkopf, Julie Hodne, Jean Veoge and keynote speaker Lyndsey Fennelly. (Photo courtesy Healthiest State Initiative)

Jami Haberl, Healthiest State Initiative executive director, said “It is our honor to recognize our winners with these well-deserved awards. The work they have all done to create environments that support healthy choices in their respective sectors is innovative and impactful. Congratulations!”

Each winner was awarded a monetary prize to continue their work focused on improving the health and wellbeing of their employees, students or citizens. The Healthiest State Annual Awards were sponsored by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Hy-Vee, Inc., Nemours and HealthPartners UnityPoint Health. In addition to the awards reception, Healthiest State Initiative Board President Jeff Russell gave an update on the organization and highlighted key accomplishments from 2019:

• 900+ walks across all 99 counties were registered to participate in the Healthiest State Annual Walk
• Make It OK campaign launched in Iowa to reduce mental illness stigma across the state
• Double Up Food Bucks program doubled number of participating sites, including 14 Fareway locations, and saw 900% growth in sales over previous year
• 454 Healthy Choices Count! Registered Sites in the education, early care, after-school, workplace and health care sectors

Russell said “2019 was a year of incredible growth for the Healthiest State Initiative’s programs and events: We’ve helped expand access to healthy choices and inspired Iowans to live healthier lifestyles. As we approach the organization’s 10th anniversary, we look forward to engaging Iowans to become the healthiest state in the nation.”

To learn more about the Healthiest State Initiative, visit IowaHealthiestState.com.