(Clarinda, Iowa) – The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports two separate arrests took place Wednesday. Sheriff Lyle Palmer says 43-year-old Dustin Riley Dumler, of Shenandoah, was taken into custody at the Page County Iowa Jail, on a valid Page County warrant for Theft in the 5th degree. Dumler later posted the $300 bond and was released.

Dustin Dumler

And, 28-year-old Joseph William Michael Haughton, of Hamburg, was arrested Wednesday at the Fremont County Jail. He was wanted on a valid Page County Iowa warrant for violation of probation, stemming from an original charge of Domestic abuse assault/2nd offense. Haughton was transported back to the Page County Jail where he was being held on a $5,000 cash or surety bond.

Joseph Haughton

Note: “A charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”

ANKENY, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation, today (Thursday), released information on the cause of death for three Cedar Falls residents who were staying at the Maquoketa Caves State Park campground on July 22nd. On that date, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Division of Criminal Investigation were notified of a triple homicide at the campground. Officers located three deceased victims, as well as the body of a man investigators believe was responsible for their deaths. The Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner has determined the cause and manner of death of all four people.

Officials say 42-year-old Tyler Schmidt died from a gunshot wound and multiple sharp force injuries. His wife, 42-year-old Sarah Schmidt, died from multiple sharp force injuries. Their daughter, 6-year-old Lula Schmidt, died from a gunshot wound and strangulation. All three family members’ deaths have been ruled homicides. The family’s 9-year-old son Arlo Schmidt escaped from the tent and survived the attack. He is staying with relatives.

A suspect in the murders, 23-year-old Anthony Sherwin, of LaVista, Nebraska, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His death has been ruled a suicide. The investigation into the events surrounding the homicides is ongoing. However, the known facts and circumstances, and all evidence collected to this point, substantiate Sherwin was the perpetrator of the homicides and acted alone.

No further information will be released at this time.

(Vail, Iowa) – The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office reports 64-year old Kevin James Ricke, of rural Westside, was fatally injured during a tractor rollover accident, Sunday evening. Ricke was trapped beneath a John Deere 4020 tractor he was using to mow a ditch. The accident happened at around 7:20-p.m., Sunday. Crawford County Sheriff’s Deputies, Crawford County Ambulance and Vail Fire Department were dispatched to the scene near 370th Street and L Avenue, following a report a tractor had rolled over in a ditch. The accident happened as he was turning east onto L Avenue from 370th,

Vail Fire Department personnel freed Ricke from the tractor.  When Ricke turned east onto L Avenue from 370th Street, the bank gave way and the tractor rolled into the ditch. Ricke was pronounced dead at the scene.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Harlan City Council met Tuesday evening in regular session. It was reported that the Council would receive a memorandum of understanding for using the Harlan Airport facilities for students studying aviation. Harlan City Administrator Gene Gettys visited with the Harlan Airport Commission and advised the Council the directive will show up in their next meeting packet. The School District’s facilities committee will also attend the next City Council meeting to update the Council on the school facilities project.

The Harlan Community School District Patrons are voting on a 22.9 million dollar bond issue to fund an intermediate addition to the primary school building and renovate portions of the middle and high school buildings. The blue sign at 7th and Cyclone Streets in Harlan will also be replaced. The new sign will read “Historic Downtown.” The Harlan City Council will meet again on Tuesday, August 16th.

(reporting by our sister station KNOD)

The Board of Supervisors in Shelby County met Tuesday morning, in a regular session. Auditor Mark Maxwell said in the meeting minutes, that Todd Valline presented updates and events sponsored and participated in by his organization, the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Industries. During the session, Shelby County Engineer, Brandon Burmeister asked the board for approval of Amendments to Utility permits for Kirkman RNG, LLC. A motion to that effect was passed unanimously.

Current activities and projects by the Secondary roads Department were shared with the Supervisors. Burmeister then asked the Board to consider approving a Resolution for an SS4A (Safe Streets and Roads for All) grant application, that, along with other counties that have passed a similar Resolution, will allow Shelby County to be eligible for part of $1-billion in funding, from the new Federal Transportation Bill, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The Iowa County Engineers Association (ICEA) encourages all 99 counties in the State with an Eligible Action Plan in place, to participate in this grant application. There is no cost to the counties to apply

By agreeing to participate in the program, the Shelby County Board of Supervisors (as well as their counterparts in other, area counties) commits to achieving significant declines in roadway fatalities and serious injuries in Shelby County, while recognizing the Action Plan, and will assist the County Engineer’s department in achieving the goal of a dramatic decrease in roadway fatalities and serious injuries and zero roadway fatalities and serious injuries by the years 2030 and 2050, respectively.The Resolution passed unanimously.

Chairperson Kenkel then presented a letter of engagement from Ahlers and Cooney for advisement and direction in the crafting, enacting and responding to ordinances being considered by the Shelby County Board of Supervisors. A motion was made by Haake to approve the signing and approving the terms of the engagement letter, Parkhurst seconded the motion. The letter of engagement was approved to be signed by a unanimous vote in favor of entering into the engagement terms specified in the letter.

The meeting was then recessed to hold hearings for public comment, with regard to a proposed carbon dioxide (CO²) pipeline. During two of the hearings, rural citizens and the Mayor of a nearby town spoke of concerns of the safety in and around the pipeline once installed. Alex Londo, Shelby County Emergency Management Coordinator spoke and informed the public in attendance of all the preparation and training that has to be given for a newly created public safety possibility. Two letters were received at the auditor’s office, one from the Shelby County Public Health Board and one in opposition from Summit Carbon Solutions. A petition was also received Tuesday in opposition to the pipeline and questioning the safety and permanent farm ground damage that may occur.

The scheduled and publicized hearing dates for the second and third hearing dates for ordinances 2022-2 and 2022-3 are being reconsidered. The third hearing was held to receive any public comment about the proposed budget amendment for Shelby County Fiscal year 2023. Having received or heard any comments, the Board passed the budget amendment, which does NOT increase taxes.

(Radio Iowa) – Des Moines police are asking the public for help in finding a person of interest in a weekend murder case. Police were called to Broadlawns Medical Center Sunday night after 22-year-old Charles Lovelady was brought in with a gunshot wound and died. On Monday, police arrested 21-year-old Darion Hermes on murder and robbery charges, and Wednesday, charged 19-year-old Violet Terry with the same offenses. Investigators say it began as a drug-related robbery orchestrated over social media.

Police say 26-year-old Cedrick Thomas, Junior, has information critical to the case. He’s black, 5-foot-10, 140 pounds with a neck tattoo. He may be in or headed for Cedar Rapids. Submit tips through Crimestoppers of Central Iowa at 515-223-1400, or online at www.crimestoppersofcentraliowa.com. You may remain anonymous.