The Sac County Sheriff’s Office reports an Odebolt man wanted by authorities on three counts of Child Endangerment and drug-related charges, has been apprehended in Council Bluffs. 43-year old Stephen (Steve) Ray Campbell was wanted in connection with a March 7th search warrant served at Campbell’s house at 600 West 6th Street, in Odebolt.

Ten of the 13 members of a state senate committee have approved the sweeping gun bill that cleared the Iowa House last week. Republican Senator Dan Dawson of Council Bluffs expects the bill to easily clear the 50-member Senate as well.

“Firearms rights are important rights to Iowans. I mean, one of the reasons why we have a Republican-controlled legislature is because of people valuing those firearms rights,” Dawson says. “That’s why we have this bill before us here today.” Dawson is planning to propose some “technical” tweaks in the bill, but he says the main components will remain intact. That includes “stand your ground” provisions for gun owners, removing the duty to retreat in a public place when faced with danger to life or property. Dawson says Iowa is a state with a pro-gun culture.

“You can talk to a Democrat or Republican out there. It is a deeply embedded personal belief and right here in rural areas and urban areas here in Iowa and we will be passing firearms related this session,” Dawson says. Senator Nate Boulton, a Democrat from Des Moines, was one of two committee members who voted against the bill. He has several concerns, including the part of the bill that would allow permit holders to carry a gun inside the state capitol.

“We’ve got to vet this very carefully before we do anything,” Boulton says. The bill also includes language that backers say will give citizens grounds to sue cities or counties that establish “guns-free” zones.

(Radio Iowa)

Iowans are offering their ideas today (Thursday) on how to improve the quality of life for older residents through innovation. The Disrupt Aging Innovation Challenge is focused on the need to change perceptions on aging. Ann Black, spokeswoman for A-A-R-P Iowa, says 20 Iowans submitted ideas for the contest and the top six finalists were chosen to present their proposals this afternoon.

“The ideas ranged from coming up with better ways to communicate with older Iowans, there were some website ideas suggested,” Black says. “There’s a project to decrease depression and increase social interaction.” Another idea revolved around the use of solar energy to help rural Iowans in the event of a power outage, while another involves a monitor to ensure a stove is not left burning unattended. The competition zeroes in on a product or service that can positively impact the lives of Iowans 50 and older.

“As we age and are faced with challenges to accomplish things that may have been easier at a younger stage of our lives,” Black says, “there are some very unique ways to innovate and keep people healthy and connected and engaged longer.” The top prize is $1,000 cash and a class scholarship at Des Moines Area Community College, with cash prizes for second and third place, too. Perhaps an even bigger prize, Black says the winners will also have an opportunity to see their ideas become reality.

“Absolutely, that’s a big expectation that their ideas will live on beyond this challenge,” Black says. “There were even some ideas that didn’t make the top six that we’ve heard some people are interested in pursuing.” The contest finalists are presenting 10-minute pitches to judges this afternoon at Edgewater senior living center in West Des Moines.

(Radio Iowa)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement have arrested 26 people in Minnesota, marking the largest ICE operation in the state since the Trump administration vowed to increase immigration enforcement. The arrests are part of a broader operation that also resulted in 32 arrests in Nebraska, 23 in Iowa, four in North Dakota and one in South Dakota.

ICE says the operation was routine and targeted those with criminal convictions. It also targeted immigrants who illegally re-entered the U.S. after prior deportations and immigrants with orders for removal — both low priorities under the Obama administration.

Brad Capoch works at Incarnation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, which caters to the Latino community. He tells the Star Tribune that aside from the shift in priorities, the operation appeared similar to those under Obama’s administration.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Newly unsealed court documents in the case of a 16-year-old girl who was starved to death say medics discovered her in an adult diaper lying on a bare floor. A police affidavit says it appeared Natalie Finn had been on the floor of her mother’s home “in her own waste for some time.”

The girl’s parents, 46-year-old Joseph Finn and 42-year-old Nicole Finn, are facing charges of kidnapping, neglect or abandonment and child endangerment in her death and the suspected abuse of two of Natalie’s siblings. Nicole Finn is also charged with first-degree murder.

A medical examiner found that the girl died from denial of critical care. Prosecutors say she was starved and tortured by her parents.

CLIVE, Iowa (AP) — Lottery officials in Iowa say a Powerball ticket worth $2 million was sold this week at a North Liberty tobacco shop — the second big-winning ticket sold in the eastern Iowa city in the last six months.

Officials say the winning ticket matched the first five numbers drawn in the Powerball game Wednesday night, which carries a $1 million prize. The ticket holder had also added an option to the ticket purchase that doubled the prize.

Had the ticket also matched the sixth, or Powerball number, the prize would have been a $123.4 million jackpot. In October, a Coralville man won a $1 million Powerball prize with a ticket he purchased at a North Liberty convenience store.

Bailey Smith

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the hiring of a new Executive Director. The Board of Directors offered the position to current Programs Director, Bailey Smith and she has accepted the position, which begins immediately.

In a press release, Chamber Board President Rob Clausen said “We are very happy to have Bailey on board as the new Executive Director.” Clausen said also, “We are confident that under her direction the Chamber will continue to thrive and serve its members.”

Smith started working at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce two years ago beginning as the Marketing and Public Relations Associate and moving up to the Programs Director a year ago. Smith says she “Spent the last two years learning from an exceptional Director who taught [her] a lot about the organization, our membership and the community.”

Bailey said she’s “Eager to dive in and continue to implement the programs and events we have in store for our membership,” and that she’s “loved working closely with our members and the community and I’m looking forward to continuing that to keep moving the organization in a positive, forward-thinking way.”