Iowa Department of Natural Resource officials are stepping up efforts to catch intoxicated boaters on the state’s waterways.

Susan Stocker is the boating law administrator and education coordinator for the Iowa DNR.

“In 2012, we had 95 boating while intoxicated arrests in Iowa and that’s an increase over previous years,” Stocker says. The 95 arrests last year compared to 55 in 2011 and 40 arrests in 2010. This weekend, DNR law enforcement officers are taking part in a national campaign called “Operation Dry Water.”

Stocker says the officers will increase patrols, conduct check points, and administer breath tests. She believes too many boat operators don’t recognize how dangerous drinking and boating can be. “The effects of the wind, the water, the sun, and the glare also enhance the effects of alcohol. So, someone who is having one alcoholic beverage on a boat will feel the effects of two or three times the alcoholic beverage,” Stocker says. “That’s what we believe the public isn’t aware of.”

Operators may not think they are under the influence, but their judgment, reaction time, balance and vision indicate that they are, Stocker added. “Having a sober driver is the best course of action,” Stocker said.

During the Operation Dry Water campaign last year, officers in Iowa contacted nearly 550 vessels, resulting in 136 citations or warnings. The 2012 effort was conducted on the Mississippi River Pool 15, the Coralville Reservoir, Saylorville Reservoir, North Twin Lake, Storm Lake and the Missouri River.

Of the 95 BWI arrests in Iowa last year, 32 were made on the Mississippi River. There were 16 BWI arrests on Saylorville Lake, 15 on the Iowa Great Lakes, 14 on the Coralville Reservoir, and six arrests on Clear Lake.

(Radio Iowa)

On June 25th, 48-year old Michael James Allison of Marshalltown pled guilty to mail fraud, in connection with a scheme to defraud his employer through the mailing of fraudulent expense reports for reimbursement. The plea agreement was announced by United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt.

According to the written plea agreement, Michael Allison, while in his position as Chief Financial Officer and Director of Finance of a regional subsidiary of Airgas, Incorporated headquartered in Chicago, mailed falsified expense reports to the region’s accounting office. Allison categorized personal expenses as business expenses and fabricated expenses on the reports. From 2003-2012, Allison obtained at least $300,000 as a result of his scheme.

Allison will be sentenced on October 9, 2013 before Judge John A. Jarvey. Mail fruad is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, following a referral from Airgas, Inc., and prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

On Tuesday June 25th around 11pm, Council Bluffs Police Officers were attempting to deploy stop sticks at the intersection of N. Broadway and Coit Road to aid in pursuit of a vehicle traveling south on Highway 183. The Sheriff’s Department had terminated their pursuit and Council Bluffs Police were picking up the stop sticks when they observed a vehicle traveling toward them at a high rate of speed. The vehicle swerved around the stop sticks and toward two Council Bluffs Officers forcing them to dive out of the way. Officer Troy McIntosh was struck in the right hip by the passenger side front bumper. The force of the impact threw Officer McIntosh into a utility pole. He was treated at a local hospital for bruises and abrasions and was released a short time later. No other Officers were injured.

After striking Officer McIntosh, the suspect vehicle fled westbound onto Coit Road. Officers located the suspect vehicle, abandoned in the 1800 Block of Grand Avenue. The vehicle had been reported stolen from a gas station in Omaha, earlier in the evening.

The suspect is a white male, 20-30 years of age, average height with a slender build, short light brown hair, a thin beard, wearing a white tank top, jeans and gray shoes. It appears that the suspect may have a tattoo on his back and possibly one on his chest.

The Council Bluffs Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying this man. The vehicle that was stolen was a black 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe. That vehicle is being processed for evidence by the Council Bluffs Police Department. Please call 328-STOP or 328-4728 with any information.

Suspect in car theft and officer assault

The Atlantic Police Department reports the arrest of 27-year old Nicholaus Petty of Atlantic for Theft/5th degree (shoplifting). Petty was transported to the Cass County Jail and booked in.