(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Human Rights is adding a group to its juvenile justice division, a committee made up entirely of young people. The Youth Justice Council will be comprised of youth who have had experience in the juvenile justice system. Kayla Powell, the D-H-R’s youth development coordinator, says young people are known for taking action on issues.

Powell says, “I’m excited that we’ll be able to resource that energy and resource that expertise and really mobilize their ideas to get a better juvenile justice system in Iowa.” Since it’s a new approach to the state’s juvenile justice system, Powell says she’s working on making sure other committees are ready to partner with youth. Jill Padgett, a juvenile justice specialist at the department, says they don’t yet have all the details, but they are working on creating a sort of guidebook for the group.

“I think by creating this intentional space for a youth-driven, youth-directed subcommittee, it’s affirming that belief that your voice is heard, and it matters,” Padgett says. “And it’s really up to us and up to the decision makers to amplify their voices.” Padgett says part of the foundation for the new group is researching how other states have been successful. The official launch date is set for fall of this year.

(reporting by Kassidy Arena, Iowa Public Radio)

(Radio Iowa) – The Governor’s office is confirming that the Commandant at the Iowa Veteran’s Home in Marshalltown has been fired. A spokesperson for Governor Kim Reynolds’s office confirmed that Timon Oujiri was removed from his post last Wednesday, May 5th. Division Administrator Penny Cutler-Bermudez is serving as acting commandant.

Oujiri was appointed to IVH in May 2017. There has been no word on what led to Oujiri’s removal and no comment yet from IVH.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports six arrests from over the past week:

• Last Saturday, 30-year-old Horacio Morengo-Magana, of Marshalltown, was arrested by the Iowa State Patrol on the Cass/Adair County line, following a traffic stop for an expired registration sticker. A records check indicated Morengo-Magana was Driving While Barred. He was arrested for the offense and released the same day on a $2,000 cash or surety bond, with 10% acceptable.
• On May 7th, 36-year-old Adam Timothy Foster, of Dexter, was arrested on outstanding Guthrie County warrants, and taken to meet directly with Guthrie County Deputies.
• On May 6th, 22-year-old Morgan Sebastian Lukenbill, of Brigewater, was arrested on outstanding Dallas County warrants, and taken to meet directly with Dallas County Deputies.
• As we mentioned last week, 38-year-old Jeremy Paul Samstad, of St. James, MN, was arrested following the pursuit of a semi tractor trailer that began on I-80 in Adair County, and ended near Shelby.  He was taken into custody for Eluding, and the following outstanding warrants: for Parole and Probation Violation, out of Missouri; and three counts of Theft by check/dishonored check out of Minnesota.
• 24-year old Way Mu Htoo, of Omaha, NE., was arrested May 4th in Adair County by the Iowa State Patrol. He was wanted on Adair County warrants for Failure to Appear on charges of OWI/1st offense, and Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense. He was released the same day on a $2,000 cash only bond.
• And, 59-year old Myron Lee Flathers, of Anita, was arrested May 2nd on Cass County Felony warrants. He was taken to meet directly with Cass County Deputies.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office said also, 38-year-old Warren Logan Davis, of Earlham, was cited May 3rd, for Driving While Barred. Davis was released at the scene of his traffic stop.

Sheriff’s deputies in Page County, Sunday, responded to a domestic argument at 106 Main, in Northboro. During an investigation, 39-year-old Kerri Lynn Glanzer, Omaha, NE was arrested for Interference with Official Acts. Glanzer was transported to the Page County Jail where she was being held on $300 bond, pending further court appearances.

Kerri Lynn Glanzer

(Radio Iowa) – The Republican who’s leading the Iowa Senate’s tax writing committee suggests House Republicans are tone deaf to demands for property tax relief. Senator Dan Dawson, a Republican from Council Bluffs, says it’s time to end property tax support of the system and embrace the governor’s tax plan which includes that change. “We all know that there’s a skyrocket real estate market occurring as we speak, Dawson says. “These assessments are coming home to roost at some point in time.”

Dawson hosted a subcommittee hearing on the overall plan this (Monday) morning. “This bill is the pathway forward,” Dawson says. “There is no other train in this capitol right now that’s going to leave the station and address all of these priorities.” Dawson says since Senate Republicans and Republican Governor Reynolds are on the same page, Republicans in the HOUSE are on a “lonely island” with their alternative plan that does not get rid of the property tax levy for mental health services.

Atlantic Rotarian Ruth Sears recently presented a $500 check to Alexsis Fleener, with SHIFT ATL.  The non-profit SHIFT ATL is organizing the first Rotary Farm to Table dinner date night fundraiser, set for July, 2021. As the Rotary plans and hosts the event SHIFT ATL will be working within the vision of the organization to SHIFT the direction of Atlantic’s social and economic development opportunities, by leveraging partnerships – farmers, local vendors, locally sourced and grown food – and strengthening social bonds.

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The latter being accomplished by gathering couples and individuals who wish to enjoy an evening out with friends and loved ones, as we celebrate the vast and vibrant ag community we have, all while supporting the development and growth of Atlantic through SHIFT ATL within the community.

Two people were arrested on separate charges Friday night, in Pottawattamie County. The Sheriff’s Office says 30-year-old Noel Kerrie Dominguez was arrested at around 10:20-p.m., following a disturbance at a motel in Underwood. Authorities were told a man and a woman were verbally arguing, and that the female allegedly struck the male. An investigation resulted in Dominguez taken into custody for Domestic Abuse/2nd offense. She was transported to the Pott. County Jail and later released.

And, at around 10-p.m., Friday, a report about a vehicle all over the road, coming into oncoming traffic and stopping in the middle of the road, resulted in the arrest near Treynor, of 26-year-old Jenaro Aguilar-Ramos. He was arrested on Highway 92 at 320th Street, for OWI/1st offense. Aguilar-Ramos was transported to the Pott. County Jail, and later released.