(Radio Iowa) – Federal prosecutors say a Cedar Rapids man who was the leader of a major drug ring has pleaded guilty to distributing heroin, fentanyl and other synthetic substances. Court records indicate federal authorities got a wiretap on 32-year-old Brian Jarell Dennis’s phone to track drug dealing activity. He’s pleaded guilty and faces at least a decade or a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Seven other people have previously pleaded guilty to being involved in the drug ring and are awaiting sentencing. One man involved already has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison and three other people are awaiting their trials.

Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope Reports:

On June 23rd, around 12-p.m., deputies were called to Riverton for a dispute. They arrested 64-year-old Edward Umbreit, of Riverton, for Disorderly Conduct and Simple Assault. Umbreit was being held at the Fremont County Jail on $1,500 cash bond.

Umbreit

At around 4:15-a.m. Monday, June 27th, Fremont County Deputies were called to a single-vehicle roll over accident involving a semi, in the 1700 block of Highway 275, north of Sidney. Deputies made contact with the semi driver, 40-year-old Joseph Dale Linkenhoker.  He had been traveling south on highway, and failed to negotiate the curve. The semi left the roadway to the left, and entered the ditch, where it rolled onto its side. Linkenhoker was uninjured. The semi was a total loss. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the accident. Linkenhoker was arrested for OWI 1st Offense, and was being held on $1000 bond. Sidney Fire and Rescue assisted the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office on the call.

Linkenhoker

At around 10-a.m. Monday, deputies were called to the Tall Corn Motel near Shenandoah for a report of a burglary in progress. Law Enforcement made contact with 31-year-old Hope Kalkas, of Shenandoah. She was observed by witnesses removing items from a hotel room that did not belong to her. Kalkas was arrested for Theft 5th Degree and Burglary 3rd Degree. Kalkas was being held at the Fremont County Jail on $5,300 bond. (No photo available)

And, a little after 2-p.m., Monday, Fremont County Deputies were called to an address in Sidney for a report of a fight in progress. Witness advised a male was on top of a female assaulting her outside of a residence. Upon arrival, witnesses advised the pair had entered a residence. Deputies could hear a disturbance inside the residence and made entry. Deputies arrested 35-year-old Robert Reafling, of Sidney, for Domestic Abuse 2nd Offense. Reafling was being held at the Fremont County Jail pending initial appearance with a Magistrate.

Reafling

Disclaimer: A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

(Radio Iowa) – Ottumwa’s city council has voted to keep the city’s pit bull ban in place. With a 4-1 vote, the council approved the first reading of the revised animals ordinance to the city’s code. The revised ordinance keeps pit bulls in the dangerous animals category, making it illegal for an owner to keep a pit bull within city limits. The ordinance must be read two more times publicly before it is adopted into law which is expected to happen in July.

A protest to dispute the revised ordinance was held yesterday (Sunday). Community for Animal Responsibility and Education (We C.A.R.E.) argues that breed-specific language laws do not stop dog bites, are difficult to enforce and punish responsible owners.

DES MOINES– Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) have announced $16.5 million in grant funding for the following four projects through Destination Iowa. The $100 million program, announced in April, invests in transformational attractions that will bolster the quality of life in Iowa communities and attract visitors and new residents.

The Governor says “Communities in all corners of the state are creating unique destinations, from the Field of Dreams in Dyersville to a thriving arts and culture scene in Sioux City. Destination Iowa will help more communities fuel tourism and economic growth while enhancing the quality of life for Iowans.”

• The Siouxland Regional Trail System was awarded $7,000,000 to develop five trail projects and connect the communities of Sioux City, Le Mars, Hinton, Merrill, Sergeant Bluff. The project will provide over 100 miles of continuous trail projects in the area and includes the Cone Mountain Bike Park, the 18.5-mile PlyWood Trail and 4.3-mile Loess Hills Scenic Trail.
• Universal Television, LLC, was awarded $6,000,000 for the development of a Field of Dreams television series. Filming will be based in several Iowa counties including Polk, Mahaska, Boone and Clinton, with primary sets located in Polk City. Plans include set construction of a ball field and refurbishment of a farmhouse in Polk City. Filming is scheduled to begin in 2022.
• Polk County Conservation was awarded $2,500,000 for the Easter Lake North Shore Project, which will transform Des Moines’ Easter Lake into an accessible recreational hub for rowing, swimming, fishing, and other water sports. Plans include adaptive fishing boats, accessible canoe/kayak launches, an inclusive playground for children of all abilities, and an environmental education learning center.
• Dallas County Conservation was awarded $1,000,000 to complete the remaining four miles of trail to connect the Raccoon River Valley Trail and High Trestle Trail in central Iowa. This project will create a 120-mile continuous loop of trail and connect two existing popular trails.

IEDA began accepting applications on May 9 and will continue to review applications as they arrive through December 31 or until funding runs out.  Applications are scored based on eligibility, completeness, and the project’s ability to meet the program goal of creating transformational tourism attractions. Cities, counties, nonprofits and other organizations can apply for Destination Iowa grants through four separate funds: Economically Significant Development, Outdoor Recreation, Tourism Attraction, and Creative Placemaking.

Funded projects must be completed by June 30, 2026. For more information on the Destination Iowa program, visit iowaeda.com/destination-iowa/. Funding for this program is being made available through the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

(Radio Iowa) – A retiring Republican member of the Iowa House who’s a former member of the Iowa G-O-P’s governing board has endorsed a Democrat seeking reelection to the Iowa Senate. It may not be unprecedented, but it’s rare. Republican State Representative Jarad Klein of Keota is endorsing Democratic Senator Kevin Kinney of Oxford. Kinney faces Republican State Senator Dawn Discoll of Williamsburg in the General Election.

Klein, who lives in the senate district, is a former member of the Iowa Republican Party’s state central committee. Klein says he and Kinney, the Democrat, have worked together on many issues and Klein says Kinney is committed to doing what’s best for his constituents.

Iowa G-O-P chairman issued a statement criticizing Kinney and praising Driscoll, but never mentioning the fellow Republican who endorsed a Democrat. Kaufmann says votes in lock step with the liberal progressives in the Democratic Party, while Driscoll has fought to lower taxes, protect freedoms, and has defended parents’ rights every time she’s had the chance.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has a slate of three nominees for an opening on the Iowa Supreme Court, as she prepares to make her fifth appointment to the state’s highest court. Governor Tom Vilsack appointed Brent Appel to the Iowa Supreme Court in 2006. Justice Appel is retiring July 13th when he reaches the court’s mandatory retirement age of 72.

The Judicial Nominating Commission is recommending two judges and a trial lawyer to replace Appel. David May of Polk City has been a member of the Iowa Court of Appeals since 2019. Alan Heavens of Garnavillo is the former Clayton County Attorney. Reynolds appointed him to the district court three years ago. The other nominee is William Miller, a partner in a Des Moines law firm and the head of its trial department.

The governor has 30 days to review the nominees and make her choice — or Reynolds can reject this group and ask the nominating commission to submit a new slate. She did that last year for an opening at the district court level after questions were raised about how a district court judge steered the nominating commission.

(Radio Iowa) – Grundy County District Court Judge Joel Dalrymple today (Monday) sentenced the man found guilty of killing State Trooper Jim Smith. Michael Lang was found guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and assaulting a peace officer in the standoff in April 2021. “The law requires in count one that you be sentenced to life in prison,” he says.

The judge also sentenced him to 25 years for attempted murder and a five-year sentence for assault — with all sentences to run consecutively. The sentencing came after victim impact statements from members of Smith’s family. Judge Dalrymple says his sentencing is based on what he heard from those statements, and also what he saw during the trial.

Lang sentencing (Via KCRG-TV)

“The terms evil malicious senseless have been uttered throughout, and it’s the court’s position and the court concurs with the other observations,” Dalrymple says. He says Lang’s actions at his home during the standoff showed his malicious intent. “The fact that you not only shot in once with new shot him twice. You basically shot a lifeless man in the leg. You’re cold, evil comments that you made to the other officers that remained in your home,” Dalrymple says.

Lang has 30 days to appeal the sentence.