Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports his office received a complaint Friday, from the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS), in reference to an alleged incident of child abuse at a residence in Page County. During the investigation five minor children were taken into protective custody and turned over to the DHS for temporary placement. 36-year old Aaron Duwayne Childs, and 32-year old Elizabeth Renee Peek, both of Yorktown, were arrested. 

Both faces charges that include Felony Child Endangerment (A class D felony), and Assault causing bodily injury (a serious misdemeanor). Childs was also arrested on a Page County Warrant for Driving while license suspended / revoked – failing to appear for court. The incident in question allegedly took place at Thursday, at a residence in Yorktown. Both Peek and Childs have posted bond and were released pending further court proceedings.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports two people from Osceola were arrested Friday night, on Union County warrant for Violation of a Protective Order. 42-year old Ronald Dean Spurgin and 32-year old Ashley Sheehan were arrested at the Clarke/Union county line. In addition being taken into custody on the warrant, Sheehan was charged with disorderly conduct.  Spurgin was released from the Union County Jail on a promise to appear in court. Sheehan was released from the Adams County Jail, also on her promise to appear.

Authorities report also, 22-year old Kendal Leanne Hartman, of Afton, was arrested Sunday afternoon, for domestic assault. Hartman was being held for Union County in the Adams County Jail, while awaiting an appearance before a Judge.

A call about a disturbance between a man and a woman in Avoca, Saturday evening, resulted in the arrest of 48-year old Mark Allen McNary, of Avoca. Authorities in Pottawattamie County say McNary was being held in the Pott. County Jail on $12,300 bond, on charges that include: Going Armed with Intent; Harassment in the 1st Degree – Threaten Forcible Felony; Interference with Official Act, and Public Intoxication.

At around 12:22-a.m. Saturday, 59-year old Robert B. Levermann was arrested following an investigation into a reported impaired driver on Interstate 80, south of Underwood. Levermann was taken into custody for OWI/1st offense. Friday afternoon, 41-year old Keith Clifford Nelson,of Papillion, NE., was arrested in Pott. County, following a reported erratic driver in the area of Magnolia Road and I-80. A deputy caught up with the suspect vehicle, a 2012 Chevy Traverse, and following an investigation, arrested Nelson for OWI/2nd offense.

Also arrested Friday afternoon, was 25-year old Joeli Mariene West. The woman was arrested in the lobby of the Pott. County Jail, on warrants charging her with Domestic Abuse Assault with a dangerous weapon/1st offense, and Theft in the 5th Degree (for property/loss valued at under $300).

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office said today (Monday), that a stand-off with an armed man last Wednesday, ended peacefully after about two and a half hours. The sheriff’s office received a 9-1-1 call at around 2-a.m. on Feb. 5th, about shots fired in the 100 block of West Iowa Street, in Lenox. By the time deputies arrived, the suspect, John Fraley, of Lenox, had barricaded himself in his residence and would not come out of the residence against orders given by Deputies.

John Fraley

Adams and Ringgold County Deputies arrived on scene and secured the surrounding area. Iowa State Patrol Negotiators were requested, and arrived on scene soon thereafter. After Deputies and Negotiators were able to get Fraley to surrender, a search warrant was executed at his residence. During the search, Iowa Dept. of Public Safety Narcotics Officers were called, and assisted in the execution of the warrant.

Warren Varley, a Democrat Adair County farmer and attorney, announced today (Monday), that he is running for the Iowa Senate in District 10,  which covers all of Adair and Guthrie Counties; most of Dallas County; four townships in northeast Cass County; and Union Township in Polk County (including Polk City). The seat is currently held by Republican Jake Chapman, from Adel.

Warren Varley

In a statement announcing his bid for the District Senate seat, Varley said he’s running “Because we need new leadership at the Capitol.” He said also, “Instead of focusing on political games and partisan bickering, we need a new State Senator who will work to revitalize all parts of Dallas, Guthrie, Adair and Cass counties. I am committed to helping create good jobs, expanding access to affordable health care, and improving education and opportunities in our small towns and rural areas.”

Varley has more than 25 years of experience as a main-street business owner in Stuart. His bio says he’s a leader in rural economic development across the district, and was elected president of Midwest Partnership and Stuart Enterprise for Economic Development. He has also been active in numerous community organizations, including Project Restore Foundation, Stuart Library Foundation, Adair County Farm Bureau, and Adair County Memorial Hospital Board.

He says if elected, he’ll work to: Ensure that farmers and other rural Iowans are part of the discussions about improving water quality and natural resources; Expand access to broadband, high-speed internet service; Increasing the state’s investment in public K-12 schools so that more school districts are not forced to close and consolidate; and Expand access to affordable health care and mental health care.