DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Members of a legislative panel say they need more information before taking action on a bill that would prohibit people from using food stamps to buy soda or other carbonated beverages. The bill introduced by Sen. Amy Sinclair, a Republican from Wayne, would prohibit people from using food stamps to buy carbonated beverages.

Such efforts have been launched elsewhere to prevent food stamp recipients from buying soda or other junk food, but legislators say the Iowa proposal was intended to stop the purchase of containers that could be returned for a recycling deposit.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa called the legislation an overreach by the government to control purchases by low-income Iowa families. The three-member panel opted Wednesday to review more information before taking action on the proposal.

A former employee with Iowa’s Fire Service Training Bureau (FSTB) is facing charges after investigators say he improperly issued more than 22-hundred (2,200) fire safety certifications.

John McPhee

John McPhee, who worked as the FSTB Certification and Accreditation Coordinator, had been placed on paid administrative leave in April. Kyle Gorsh, State Fire Marshal Special Agent in charge, says he’s not sure why McPhee allegedly issued to false certifications over a four year period. “I don’t think we have an answer to that,” Gorsh said. “We’re not quite sure what the motive was behind that.”

Randal Novak, former chief for the state Fire Training Services Bureau, was also placed on paid administrative leave in April. He retired about a month later after 15 years in the position. Novak is NOT facing charges. “There has only been sufficient evidence to file charges on John McPhee. We have no other evidence to file charges on anyone else,” Gorsh said.

The improper certifications were issued to 1,706 firefighters and emergency personnel across Iowa between February 2012 and February 2016.  “We are in the process of notifying all the affected firefighters across the state, as well as their fire departments,” Gorsh said. “We will be providing free refresher courses and training opportunities over the next several months to provide opportunities for them to retest and to earn their certification.”

The fire safety certifications are not required by state or federal law, but many fire departments require them. “A certification is just something that shows that you have received training and you have passed a test to meet a certain standard,” Gorsh said. “That certification is often recognized between states through accreditation. So, if you are a certified ‘firefighter one’ in the state of Iowa, that might be recognized in a different state if they are accredited through the same accreditation entities that we are.”

McPhee is charged with felonious misconduct in office and tampering with records. He turned himself in to the Story County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday. Gorsh said the state’s Fire Service Training Bureau is now using a third party testing service.

(Radio Iowa)

The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa reports a Harrison County man was sentenced Wednesday to prison for sex trafficking minors. 47-year old John F. Thomsen, of Missouri Valley, was sentenced to nearly 19 1/2 years in prison for coercion and enticement of a minor for sex, and for transporting a minor with intent to engage in sexual activity. Thomsen will also be required to serve 15 years of supervised release after his prison term.

Thomsen pleaded guilty to the two counts on September 1st, 2016. The guilty pleas and sentencing were the result of an investigation into the transportation of minor females from Arkansas to Missouri Valley, so the minors could engage in sexual acts. The investigation showed Thomsen had met a 14-year-old female while working at a group home in Arkansas. After leaving his group home employment, Thomsen used social media to keep in contact with the minor female and convince her to live with him, and his wife, Trudy Thomsen, in Missouri Valley.

The Thomsens traveled to Arkansas and drove the minor to Missouri Valley, Iowa, where the Thomsens engaged in various sexual acts with the girl. After the minor was returned to the group home, John Thomsen again contacted her via social media and arranged to have her, and a second minor female, transported back to Missouri Valley, for sexual activities.

Co-defendant Trudy Thomsen is pending sentencing in the Southern District of Iowa. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force, Arkansas State Police, Missouri Valley Police Department, Council Bluffs Police Department, Omaha Police Department, La Vista Police Department, and the Harrison County Attorney’s Office. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

(Update 6-a.m. 1/26 to include Marne Fire/Rescue response) Multiple accidents were reported in Interstate 80 east and westbound in Cass County at around 7:45-p.m., Wednesday night. The crashes happened between the Marne and Elk Horn Exits (51.5-mile marker). Two trucks, one a semi the other possibly a straight truck were in opposite ditches, and one other semi, had rolled over west of the 51-mile marker. I-80 westbound was blocked between Exit 46 and 51. There was also a van that had gone off into the ditch, and possibly other vehicles. Traffic was diverted to Atlantic and Marne until the wrecks could be cleared. For a time, Olive Street just a couple of miles south of I-80 was blocked by semis that were having difficulty navigating the hill between Boston and Chicago Road. The trucks made it into Atlantic by around 9:45-p.m. No serious injuries were reported.

The Iowa DOT’s 511ia.org website indicated the road was partially covered with snow, and blowing snow was occurring at the time of the crash. Atlantic Fire and Rescue, Marne Fire and Rescue, Medivac Ambulance, Walnut Rescue, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol and Cass County Emergency Management all responded to the scene of the accidents.

A rollover accident was also reported to have occurred in Montgomery County Wednesday night. No further details are currently available concerning the incidents.

Pictures from the Marne Fire and Rescue Facebook page.

The Harlan Police Department today (Wednesday), issued a report on arrests made and citations issued over the past couple of weeks. On Tuesday, 34-year old Beau Croghan, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop.  Croghan was cited for driving under suspension, given a court date, and released. Sunday, 21-year old Shantel Ayers, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop.  Ayers was taken to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.  She was also cited for failure to use headlamps.

On Jan. 16th, 50-year old Carolyn Wurr, of Denison, was arrested following a traffic stop in Harlan.  Wurr was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Wurr was also cited for open container, driver, and careless driving. On Jan. 15th, 34-year old Justin Henriksen, of Harlan, was taken into custody when officers were called to a disturbance in the 1000 block of Willow Street.  Henriksen was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

January 13th, 64-year old Pal Machar, of  Omaha, was cited during a traffic stop, for failure to have a valid driver’s license and speeding. And on Jan. 11th, 27-year old Jacob Bernal, of Harlan, was arrested when officers were called to a subject who refused to leave a residence in the 900 block of Laurel Street.  Bernal was taken to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with interference with official acts, trespass, and disorderly conduct.