The three Republicans from Iowa who serve in the U.S. House have voted for bills designed to deny federal money to so-called “sanctuary cities” and ensure immigrants who are in the country illegally are detained if they’re charged with a serious crime. Congressman Steve King, a Republican from Kiron, was among the lead sponsors of the “No Sanctuary for Criminals Act” because of the tragic death of Sarah Root. She’s the 21-year-old from Council Bluffs who police say was killed on an Omaha street by a drag-racing drunk driver who fled the country.

“Her father, Scott Root, testified before the committee and he said this: ‘They bailed the killer of my daughter out of jail for less money than it took to bury her and he was out of the country before we could have the funeral,'” King said during House debate this afternoon. “Those words were some of the most chilling and mournful words that I have heard in this congress.”

Sarah Root’s mother, Michelle, sat in the gallery of the U.S. House as King and Congressman David Young of Van Meter spoke in favor of the bill. “My vote today is about policy, but it is in honor of Sarah Root.”  Congressman Young noted President Trump supports the two bills.  “Yesterday, I was at the White House with President Trump and the parents and relatives of those daughters and sons who were killed they those who are here illegally,” Young said. “Their stories are very heavy and they should weigh on all of us.”

Young called Sarah Root’s death “senseless.” “In late January of 2016, Sarah’s parents — Michelle and Scott Root — started their day with joy. You see, on that day their beautiful daughter, Sarah, graduated. She had the whole world ahead of her, but for Michelle and Scott the day ended with loss and tragedy,” Young said. “…Sarah was killed by a drunk driver here illegally…and then through incompetence and uncertainty about the law and policy or both, but for sure a lack of common sense, Sarah’s killer was released and today Sarah’s killer is free.”

Young praised the Root family for their political activism. “They fight to make sure no other parent or loved one has to go through the tragic ordeal they had to go through,” Young said. “…They continue to advocate and so must we.” Republican Congressman Rod Blum of Dubuque also voted for the bills, but debate time was limited and he did not speak on the House floor. Iowa’s other Congressman, Dave Loebsack of Iowa City, was among the Democrats who voted “no” on both bills.

(Radio Iowa)

Authorities in Montgomery County report 15 people were arrested following numerous investigations into the delivery of meth and other substances, in Montgomery County. According to a press release from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement was still looking for another individual associated with investigation. The investigations began in January. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the Red Oak Police Department executed five search warrants within the city limits of Red Oak.

A warrant executed at 310 W. Washington resulted in the arrest of 37-year-old Daniel B. Clemmons Jr., of Red Oak, for three counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine, one count of Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine over five grams. He was held on $100,000 bond. 47-year old Rebecca L. Clemmons, 22-year old Brandon M. Borgmeyer, 20-year old Dani J. Traver, and 24-year old Caleb R. Renn, all of Red Oak, were charged with Gathering where Drugs are used. They were each held on $5,000 bond.

A warrant was executed at 704 E. Nuckols Street. No arrests were made at that location. 23-year-old Alexander Wiechmann, of this address, is wanted by the Sheriff’s Office on multiple felony drug charges.

Another warrant was executed at 1011 Miller Avenue. 31-year-old Jessica A. Veik, of Red Oak, was charged with Delivery of Marijuana. She was held on $5,000 bond. 32-year-old Matthew J. Veik, of Red Oak, was charged with three counts of Delivery of Marijuana and one count of Delivery of Methamphetamine. He was held on $50,000 bond with possible additional drug charges pending.

A warrant was executed at 308 N. 8th Street, resulting in the arrest of 43-year-old Jeffery Dean Etter, of Red Oak, for three counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine and one count of Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver over five grams. He was held on $100,000 bond with possible further pending charges regarding stolen property. 58-year old Mary Helen Adams, of Red Oak, was charged with Gathering where Drugs are used. She was held on $5,000 bond. 22-year old Abigail Jusdean Cook, of Red Oak, was charged with two counts of Gathering where Drugs are used. She was held on $5,000 bond.

The final warrant was executed at 205 W. Reed Street. 40-year-old Joseph Ryan Bredberg, of Red Oak, was charged with one count of Delivery of Methamphetamine, three counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine over five grams, one count of Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver over five grams, and Possession of Psilocybin Mushrooms with Intent to Deliver. He was held on $100,000 bond.

Four other individuals were located in Red Oak and arrested on various charges. 40-year old Tommy J. Lovell, of Red Oak, was charged with one count of Deliver of Methamphetamine. He was held on $50,000 bond. 33-year old Matthew D. Sloan, of Red Oak, was charged with one count of Delivery of Methamphetamine over five grams. He was held on $100,000 bond. 24-year old Stephanie R. Eggleston, of Red Oak, was arrested on a warrant charging Contempt of Court. She was held on $5,000 bond. 36-year old Daniel Edward Miller, of Elliott, was arrested on one count of Serious Assault. He was held on $1,000 bond.

The operation was conducted by 23 Law Enforcement Officers from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Red Oak Police Department, Iowa DNR, Iowa State Patrol, and Iowa DOT Enforcement.

Red Oak Police say two people were arrested on separate charges a little more than 30 minutes, Thursday night. At around 9:15-p.m., officers took 37-year old Christopher Allen Fry, of Red Oak, into custody for Domestic Abuse Assault/2nd offense. Fry was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held without bond until seen by a magistrate. Red Oak Police were assisted by Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies in making the arrest.

And, at around 9:50-p.m., 38-year old Becky Jo Hegarty, of Red Oak, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct. She was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 cash bond. Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies assisted Red Oak Police in making the arrest.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 4:38 a.m. CDT

ADEL, Iowa (AP) — Decades after a devastating fire caused by a dropped sparkler led Iowa to ban fireworks, the explosives are now legal in the state. But fireworks retailers and people eager to set off the explosives are finding that many local officials remain keenly aware of that fire so many years ago.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A man who helped write the computer code behind several U.S. lotteries, including some of its biggest, has pleaded guilty to masterminding a scheme through which he rigged the winning numbers for jackpots in several states and collected millions of dollars. Eddie Tipton, who rose to be the Multi-State Lottery Association’s computer information security director before his 2015 arrest, described his lead role in the scheme for the first time Thursday during a hearing in Des Moines, Iowa.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A U.S. wrestler who spent years in prison for a sexual assault he denies testified Thursday that he was pressured by his coach and lawyers to waive his right to a jury trial. Jordan Holm is seeking a new trial based on claims that he received ineffective assistance from his lawyers. Holm, 35, was convicted of sexually assaulting a University of Iowa student after an off-campus party in 2002.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A federal judge has denied an Alabama-based company’s attempt to block Des Moines from restricting where fireworks can be sold within city limits. The Des Moines Register reports that the court on Thursday denied the company’s petition for an emergency injunction. American Promotional Events is suing to block Des Moines from limiting the sale of fireworks to industrial zones.