DES MOINES – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, today (Sunday) issued a disaster proclamation for Lee and Sioux counties in response to severe weather that occurred beginning Aug. 4th. The governor’s proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Advocacy Program.

The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website at  https://homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/assistance. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.

 The Disaster Case Advocacy Program addresses serious disaster-related needs. Disaster case advocates work with clients to coordinate services and resources to address disaster-related unmet needs, build a recovery plan, and access available resources. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation.  To sign up for the Disaster Case Advocacy Program, contact your local Community Action Agency: https://iowacommunityaction.org/find-an-agency/.

(Montgomery County, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County report a woman from Red Oak faces an OWI charge, following an accident in the 1900 block of 200th Street, in Red Oak, Friday evening. 37-year-old Sara Sue Batten was transported to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital for treatment of injuries she suffered during the accident. As a result of an investigation, deputies found Batten’s blood alcohol content was more than four-times the legal limit. She was charged with OWI/1st offense and issued a written warning for Failure to Maintain Control. She was cited into court.

Red Oak Police report two arrests took place Friday: 33-year-old Dylan Thomas Griffeth, of Red Oak, was arrested for Domestic Assault/1^st Offense, and on a Red Oak Police Department warrant for Domestic Abuse Causing Bodily Injury. Griffeth was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

Red Oak Police also arrested 30-year-old Isaias Guerra, of Red Oak, Friday. He was taken into custody on a Montgomery County warrant for Violation of Probation. Guerra was transported to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on a $5,000 bond.

In addition, a 16-year-old male faces charges associated with a collision Friday afternoon, at the intersection of S. 2nd Street and E. Park Avenue, in Red Oak. Authorities say the teen – whose name was not released – was charged with Failure to Obey Stop Sign and Yield Right of Way, Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability, Violation of Instruction Permit, and Operation Without Owners Consent. The police report said the teen was traveling northbound on S 2^nd Street at a high rate of speed and failed to obey a stop sign before the vehicle he was driving struck a westbound 2012 Dodge Avenger. No injuries were reported.

OMAHA, Neb. — Prosecutors in Nebraska said an Omaha man has been stealing and selling catalytic converters for months. KETV in Omaha reports detectives believe Phillip Love has been caught on camera stealing and selling catalytic converters. Police said in one case, Love is seen on camera cutting one from under a car in just over a minute. Love was recently arrested in Carter Lake, Iowa on one case. Love has to pay $5,000 to get out of jail. If he’s convicted, he faces up to two years in jail.

Prosecutors revealed that a metal recycling shop in Carter Lake, Iowa helped link love to several thefts. That includes one stolen from a car parked at the University of Nebraska Omaha on June 5 or 6. Lakeside Auto Recyclers told police Love scrapped one between those days. Authorities said Lakeside has been cooperative with police in identifying the more than 50 sales love participated in. Still, they’re working to link those sales to thefts.

Officers add it’s not Love’s first time getting busted for this exact crime. In February, he was arrested for felony theft and possessing burglary tools. In 2022, the same crime, and he was sentenced to just over 220 days in jail. Police said they’ll continue to try to link Love to thefts around the area and say thieves often cross jurisdictions, so there’s much work to be done. In the meantime, they suggest people park in well-lit areas, and take the precautionary steps to try to reduce the chances of becoming a victim in the first place.

(Creston, Iowa) – A high speed crash at around 9:45-p.m. Saturday, in Creston, claimed the life of a person from Creston, and resulted in injuries to a man from Ames. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2001 Ford Mustang was traveling south on Highway 25 in Creston, when the driver lost control near the intersection of Sumner and Howard Streets.

The car left the roadway to the left and struck a parked vehicle before vaulting and striking the front of two houses on the east side of  the road. The vehicle flipped over and came to rest on its top at 313 Sumner Avenue.

The driver suffered life-threatening injuries at died at the at hospital in Creston. A male passenger in the vehicle was flown by Mercy helicopter to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. Both occupants were wearing their seat belts. Their names were not immediately released.

The crash remains under investigation. The State Patrol was assisted at the scene by Creston Police and the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

(Fremont County, Iowa) – An accident Friday evening in southwest Iowa resulted in a person from Colorado being injured. The Iowa State Patrol, Saturday, reported a 2020 Honda 250R dirt bike driven by 31-year-old Casey Winstead, of Fort Collins, CO, was traveling southbound on 380th Street in Fremont County at around 5:52-p.m., when Winstead failed to stop for a posted stop sign at 120th Street.

As the motorcycle crossed 120th, it was struck by a 2015 GMC Yukon driven by 31-year-old Vanessa Frank, of Randolph (IA). Winstead suffered serious injuries and was transported by Life Flight helicopter to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Vanessa Frank was not injured.

The crash remains under investigation.