SIOUX CITY, Iowa [KETV]— A private school in Sioux City, Iowa is now arming staff members. KETV reports the superintendent of Siouxland Christian School says the idea started 18 months ago. Lindsay Laurich says after looking at research and holding several conversations, she decided to arm staff on campus. Laurich won’t say how many have access to the weapons, but says they were carefully vetted and trained.

Laurich says guns are something they hope never to have to use, but they will be available for staff to use, if a threat materializes.

It’s important to note that as a private school, Siouxland Christian has more leeway to implement a policy like this. Public schools need elected leaders support to move forward.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston, Wednesday night, arrested a man from Lenox. 36-year-old Alex Jordan Kolthoff was arrested at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center on a charge of Child Endangerment. Kolthoff was taken to Union County Jail and later released after posting a $2,000 cash or approved surety bond.

(Bode, Iowa) – Police in Fort Dodge have arrested a person of interest in connection to a fatal shooting that occurred on December 29th (2023).  Investigators say they received a tip Wednesday (Jan. 24, 2024), that 37-year-old David S. Dayton, of Ft. Dodge, was in the Humboldt County town of Bode. Earlier in the day, Wednesday, police increased the reward for information leading to Dayton. Police say David Dayton is a person of interest in the homicide of 45-year-old Ryan Andrews, in Fort Dodge.

At around 1:15-p.m., Wednesday, members of the Ft. Dodge Police Department with the assistance of the Iowa State Patrol Tactical Team, as well as numerous other law enforcement agencies, executed a search warrant at a residence in Bode. Law enforcement made numerous attempts to make contact with Dayton, but were initially unsuccessful. Authorities say multiple tactics were used to manage the incident and safeguard Dayton, members of the community, and law enforcement. After a period of time, Dayton exited the residence and was taken into custody on a Violation of Parole warrant out of Pocahontas County.

David S. Dayton

In addition to the previously mentioned ISP Tactical Team, Ft. Dodge Police were assisted by the State Patrol, Iowa DCI, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Webster County Attorney’s Office, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, and Humboldt County Emergency Services.

(Radio Iowa) – A University of Iowa study finds workers may see more success by making suggestions to their bosses using a question instead of a declarative statement. Daniel Newton, a U-I professor of management and entrepreneurship, says instead of saying, “We should have fewer meetings to boost productivity,” you should ask, “Have we thought about having fewer meetings to boost productivity?” Newton says a direct assertion may come across as pushy, but by framing suggestions in the form of a question, employees create a dialogue that allows managers and employees to work together to make the company better.

While many of us are taught that we have to speak up to get anything done, the study determined a less direct approach may work better, following the old saying about catching more flies with honey than with vinegar.

(Radio Iowa) – The University of Iowa is one step closer to acquisition of the Mercy Hospital in Iowa City after the approval of bylaws that allow Mercy’s medical staff to continue practicing after the merger. U-I Vice President of Medical Affairs, Denise Jamieson says the acquisition will be completed on January 31st. She says they have been working to bring Mercy staff on board and welcome them to the U-I Hospitals and Clinics family.

She says U-I personnel will be at Mercy Iowa City starting on January 30th to help in the transition. The Board of Regents approved the staff bylaws in a meeting Wednesday. The U-I’s bid of 28 million dollars for Mercy Iowa City was approved by the bankruptcy court in October.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A report of a possibly intoxicated driver in Red Oak, Wednesday, resulted in an arrest. Red Oak Police dispatched to the 2400 block of N. 8th Street, located 34-year-old Mark Robert Griger, of Red Oak. Upon further investigation, Griger was arrested for OWI/1st offense. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.