(Radio Iowa) – Charges are now filed in the kidnapping and killing of a Davenport girl who vanished last summer, whose remains were found in a Clinton County pond in March. Scott County Attorney Mike Walton made the announcement at a news conference this (Wednesday) morning that the man who had been a person of interest all along in the case is the only person charged in the girl’s disappearance and fatal shooting. “This morning, Henry Earl Dinkins was charged in the death of 11-year-old Breasia Terrell,” Walton says. “These charges are the result of a nine-month investigation by the Davenport Police Department and numerous other agencies.”

Breasia Terrell

The 48-year-old Dinkins is accused of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping. Walton read the charges, referring to the slain girl by her initials, B-T. “On or about July 10th, 2020, Henry Dinkins did remove a child from 2744 East 53rd Street, Davenport, Iowa, without consent or authority or by deception to secretly confine and inflict serious injury, and as a result of the kidnapping, B.T. was murdered.” Walton also read the murder charge, but would offer no further details beyond the legal document. “On or about July 10th, 2020, Henry Dinkins did remove and confine a child and with premeditation, malice of forethought and intent to kill B.T., shot her with a firearm, causing her death.”

The girl’s remains were found March 22nd by a couple that was fishing at a pond in a rural area north of DeWitt. Breasia had spent the night before she disappeared with her half-brother and the boy’s father, Dinkins. He was already in jail on charges he violated his sex offender registration requirements. The Iowa Department of Corrections reported Dinkins pleaded guilty to third-degree sexual abuse of a minor in 1990. If convicted of Breasia’s murder, Dinkins will face a mandatory life prison term.

DES MOINES – Four of Iowa’s most talented high school seniors have earned an Iowa Scholarship for the Arts to support their college education this fall. Faith De Groot of Alta, Ruby Hummel of Yale, Mikayla Lane of Cresco and Mio Legaspi of Adel are the recipients of the prestigious award from the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. The Iowa Scholarship for the Arts program supports Iowa high school students with proven artistic ability in dance, creative writing, music, theater, traditional arts or visual arts who plan to pursue a major in the arts at an accredited Iowa college or university. Each scholarship winner will receive $2,500 for his or her college tuition and related expenses as a full-time undergraduate student in 2021-2022.

Ruby Hummel of Panorama High School will study music education at Drake University in Des Moines. Inspired by teachers and peers, she wants to continue to perform while studying to become a music educator, so she can help future generations connect with music.

More information about the Iowa Scholarship for the Arts is available at iowaculture.gov.

The pursuit of a semi tractor-trailer that began along Interstate 80 in western Iowa’s Adair County, ended some 40-to mile miles west, in rural Shelby County. Iowa State Patrol Trooper Ryan Devault said the chase began at around 7:10-a.m., near mile-marker 74.

The pursuit continued westbound on I-80 to Exit 51 (The Marne Exit), despite attempts to slow the vehicle by stop-sticks.

Both photos courtesy ISP Trooper Ryan Devault

Trooper Devault said the driver exited I-80 north into Shelby County at the Marne exit to 200^th Street, which is a gravel road. The chase continued on multiple gravel roads in southeastern Shelby County. Eventually, the driver ended-up on M-47, north of Walnut, near Prairie Rose State Park.

During the chase speeds along the Interstate reached 90 mph, and 50-to-70 mph on the two-lane and gravel roads. The driver, 38-year-old Jeremy Samstad, of St. James, Minnesota, was wanted on at least four warrants from as many states. Devault says it’s believed the man led authorities on the chase, because of his warrants.

He was taken into custody without further incident. He was transported to the Adair County Jail, in Greenfield. There were no injuries reported and no damage to law enforcement vehicles. The Patrol was assisted during the incident by the Cass, Pottawattamie and Shelby County Sheriff’s Offices, and Iowa Motor Vehicle Enforcement.

Two USDA Farmers to Families Drive-through Food Box distributions will be held at the Cass County Community Center in May. Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoege reports the distributions will take place this Saturday, May 8th, from 12:00- 3:00 PM. The second food box distribution will take place Tuesday, May 18th, from 2:30- 4:30 PM. There is NO CHARGE.

Anyone is welcome to stop by! No documentation is required, and people from surrounding towns and communities are welcome.

For additional information, please contact: Brigham Hoegh, Cass County Wellness Coordinator, at 712-249-5870.

Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoege reports, on Wednesday May 19th, the Anita Food Pantry will host a mobile food pantry through the Food Bank for the Heartland at the Anita Food Pantry from 5:30 – 7:00 PM, or as supplies last. Anyone in need is welcome to visit the mobile pantry, and no documentation is needed. People from surrounding towns and communities are welcome.

Food Bank for the Heartland Mobile Food Pantry (details):

• When: Wednesday, May 19 (5:30-7:00 PM, or until supplies run out)
• Where: Anita Food Pantry (208 Chestnut Street, Anita, IA 50020)
• What: A mobile pantry is a traveling food pantry that delivers food directly to families in need for a one day distribution. The mobile pantry is available free of charge. Visitors are asked stay in their vehicles with the trunk open.
• Who: Anyone in need is welcome. No documentation needed.

Questions can be directed to (402)331-1213.

(Greenfield) – The Adair County Board Supervisors, during their regular meeting this (Wednesday) morning, set May 26th at 9:15-a.m., as the date and time for a public hearing on an FY21 Budget Amendment. The Board made their decision following an explanation from County Auditor Mandy Berg on each line item.

(The adjustments include those for: The Sheriff’s Office; Juvenile Detention/Shelter Services.)

Other adjustments were found in the Recorder’s Office, County Engineer and Adair County Conservation Department.

The Board then heard from representatives with Access Systems, with regard to Information Technology (IT) concerns, and, County Engineer Nick Kauffman reported on maintenance and activities in the Adair County Engineer/Secondary Roads Department, including two bridge, and other projects.

And, Board Chair Steve Shelley and other Board members signed-off on Right-of-Way contracts for a section W10 Orient Township (North of Orient, on Pinewood) RCB (Reinforced Concrete Box) Culvert Projects.

A pursuit involving a semitruck ended Wednesday morning, near Walnut. KETV in Omaha reports the Interstate 80 chase ended around 8:30 a.m. near Prairie Rose State Park. Iowa State Patrol said speeds during the chase reached 90 mph before troopers deployed stop sticks, and all of the semitruck’s tires went flat. The vehicle was driven on its rims until it stopped. The suspect was the only person in the vehicle and no injuries were reported.

Troopers said the suspect is a man with a Minnesota driver’s license who had multiple warrants from four different states. Iowa State Patrol troopers took him into custody.

Officials with Connections Area Agency on Aging say, in tough times, communities find strength in people—and people find strength in their communities. In the past year, we’ve seen this time and again throughout Iowa as friends, neighbors, and businesses have found new ways to support each other. In Connections’ 20-county service area, older adults are a key source of this strength. Through their experiences, successes, and difficulties, they have built resilience that helps them to face new challenges. When communities tap into this, they become stronger too.

Each May, Connections Area Agency on Aging and the Administration for Community Living, leads the celebration of Older Americans Month (OAM). This year’s theme is Communities of Strength, recognizing the important role older adults play in fostering the connection and engagement that build strong, resilient communities. Kelly Butts, CEO at Connections Area Agency on Aging, says “This past year, our Older Iowans have had to pull from their reservoirs for strength. While isolated, many depended upon their communities of friends, family, and neighbors. They, like so many of us, have learned new ways to adapt by utilizing technology for medical appointments, to shop, and stay connected with loved ones – developing strong communities of their choosing within their towns and cities.”

Strength is built and shown not only by bold acts, but also small ones of day-to-day life—a conversation shared with a friend, working in the garden, trying a new recipe, or taking time for a cup of tea on a busy day. And when we share these activities with others—even virtually or by telling about the experience later—we help them build resilience too. This year, Connections Area Agency on Aging will celebrate OAM by encouraging community members to share their experiences. Together, we can find strength—and create a stronger future.

Here are some ways to share and connect:

• Watch the Connections Facebook and Instagram pages for Strengthening Wisdom from Seniors: daily posts will share their wisdom and wit to get us through life and even hard times. Add your own tidbits of wisdom from an older person by commenting.
• Join us in Sioux City for Connections’ May Shredtastic and in Council Bluffs’ Parking Lot Health Fair: This event helps seniors and their caregivers safely discard personal papers, helping to prevent identity theft. Safety precautions will be in place. For more details, call 1-800-432-9209.
• Join agency officials for Virtual Events: Watch their social media for announcements of topics, dates and time.
• Look for joy in the everyday: Celebrate small moments and ordinary pleasures by taking time to recognize them. Start a gratitude journal and share it with others via social media, or call a friend or family member to share a happy moment or to say thank you.
• Reach out to neighbors: Even if you can’t get together in person right now, you can still connect with your neighbors. Leave a small gift on their doorstep, offer to help with outdoor chores, or deliver a homecooked meal.
• Build new skills: Learning something new allows us to practice overcoming challenges. Take an art course online or try a socially distanced outdoor movement class to enjoy learning with others in your community. Have a skill to share? Find an opportunity to teach someone, even casually.
• Share your story: There’s a reason storytelling is a time-honored activity. Hearing how others experience the world helps us grow. Interviewing family, friends, and neighbors can open up new conversations and strengthen our connections.

When people of different ages, backgrounds, abilities, and talents share experiences—through action, story, or service—we help build strong communities. And that’s something to celebrate! Please join Connections Area Agency on Aging in strengthening our community.

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Connections Area Agency is one of six Area Agencies on Aging in Iowa, and part of a nationwide network. With a mission of enhancing the quality of life for elders in 20 counties through education, planning and coordination of services, Connections Area Agency on Aging is the premier agency for assisting elders, caregivers, and their families to access the information and services needed for independence and life transitions. Offices are located in Council Bluffs, Creston and Sioux City. For more information, contact Connections AAA at 800-432-9209 or at www.connectionsaaa.org