(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report the arrest at around 2:15-a.m. today (Thursday), of a 67-year-old Gary Craig Brammer. The Creston man was taken into custody at his residence, on a charge of Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree. He was cited at the scene and released on a Promise to Appear in Court.

(Radio Iowa) – The search of the body of a newborn child in Fort Dodge is bringing the spotlight back to Iowa’s Safe Haven law. Representative Ann Meyer of Fort Dodge says the law allows parents to drop off a baby shortly after it is born. “It releases them from any legal ramifications,” Meyer says, “If mom is having a hard time, if she’s overwhelmed, if she’s contemplating child abuse she can bring her baby to the safe haven and the baby will be cared for and she will not be charged with abandonment.” Representative Meyer says the time when a child can be taken to a safe haven drop point was just extended from 30 to 90 days this legislative session.

“There was a constituent concern on the west side of the state. We brought it forward, we discussed it, we want to do anything we can to protect babies and it truly was born out of a constituent concern that 30 days might not be long enough,” Meyer says. The law was created after a teenager in the town of Chelsea gave birth to a baby in 1999 and abandoned it in a snowbank. Fort Dodge police began searching for the body of a baby after getting information a female had given birth to a child at her home, the newborn died and the baby’s body was moved to another location. Meyer says the law gives a mother options if she can’t take care of the child.

“She doesn’t have anyone to reach out to — she might not have those connections or resources to reach out. This is something that will protect the child — again free from penalty of the law,” she says. The law allows a baby to be dropped off at a health facility – such as a hospital or health care facility — or be left with a first responder who responds to the 9-1-1 call. More than 50 babies have been turned over to the state since the Safe Haven law was instituted. Those babies are turned over to parents who adopt them.

(Radio Iowa) – Polk County’s auditor says he’ll issue a decision soon after hearing testimony over a challenge to the address Senate Republican Leader Jack Whitver listed on his voter registration — a decision that could nullify Whitver’s election victory last month. Grimes resident Ann Gale filed the challenge.  “I believe that Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians and independent voters deserve a senator who cares enough about the district to live in it,” Gale says.

Whitver ran in a newly-drawn district that includes a condo he owns in Grimes and he listed that address on his voter registration in August. Whitver also cancelled the homestead exemption on his home in Ankeny, which is not in the new senate district. Shayla McCormally, an attorney for Gale, says Whitver still lists his Ankeny address for his businesses and utility bills for the Grimes condo show little water was used there this fall.

“He did change the address on both his driver’s license and his voter registration solely for his election needs, but he didn’t have the intent to live or reside at the address provided,” McCormally said. Charlie Smithson, an attorney representing Whitver, says state law permits candidates to establish residency in a legislative district for an indefinite amount of time. “Or indeterminable length of time — a very permissive standard, frankly,” Smithson said. Smithson says smart phone tracking shows the condo was Whitver’s primary nighttime residence in the weeks leading up to the election.

“His spouse and three children still live in Ankeny. That’s an issue for Jack Whitver and his spouse,” Smithson said. “That is not an issue for the government to step in and say: ‘Why did you move and your wife and kids stay somewhere else?'” Polk County Auditor Jamie Fitzgerald says there have been very few challenges to someone’s voter registration in Iowa. “It’s kind of uncharted territory for me because in the 15 years I’ve been here, we’ve never had one,” Fitzgerald said, “so it’s going to take a little time to make sure we do everything right.”

Fitzgerald’s decision could be appealed to district court.

OTTUMWA – The Iowa Department of Corrections, Wednesday, said Owen Ray Spicer, who was convicted of Robbery 2nd Degree and other charges in Wapello County, failed to report back to the Ottumwa Residential Facility as required yesterday (Tuesday).

Spicer is a 23-year-old white male, height 5’11”, and weighs 194 pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on October 10, 2022. Persons with information on Spicer’s whereabouts should contact local police.

Owen Ray Spicer

For more information on the state’s work release program, please see Iowa Code 904.901-904.910