Sioux County Authorities Investigate Stolen Livestock Trailer
(Orange City) — Sioux County authorities are looking for suspects that had stolen a livestock trailer. Apparently, the theft occurred about three and a half miles northeast of Sioux Center. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that on Monday, January 8th, two people came into the victim’s residence to purchase a cattle trailer. One of the suspects identified himself
as “Dick Wolfs” of Logan, Iowa. The suspect gave the victim a check for $6,000 and took the trailer. It was later revealed that the check was counterfeit and the name “Dick Wolfs” is a false name. The suspects were driving a black or dark blue, four-door Dodge pickup with dual rear wheels and no license plates.
The stolen livestock trailer is a Hillsboro aluminum 24 foot cattle trailer with blue pin stripes on the side with a large scratch and dent on the right side.
Anyone who may have seen the pickup and trailer are asked to contact the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office.
Sioux Center Man Arrested For Marijuana After Dropping Bag In Courthouse
(Orange City) — An arrest was made of a Sioux Center man after apparently he had dropped a bag of marijuana inside the Sioux County courthouse. The arrest was made on Monday at 1:30 p.m. 49 year old Brian Brantsen was placed under
arrest and charged with possession of a controlled substance. The arrest stemmed from a report from someone who discovered a small bag of marijuana on a floor in the Sioux County Courthouse in Orange City. A review of security cameras in the courthouse revealed it was determined that the bag of marijuana
fell from a pocket from Brantsen’s clothing.
Sioux City Man Arrested After Shooting
(Sioux City) — A Sioux City man was arrested overnight after another man died from a gunshot wound. Sioux City Police responded to Mercy Medical Center last evening at around 6:00 p.m. for a gunshot victim. 26 year old Javier Cheron of
Sioux City was pronounced dead at the hospital a short time later.
Investigators were then led to the 1600 block of Jones Street as the likely location of the shooting. Officers spoke to the occupant of that residence and found evidence in the yard. A search warrant uncovered several handguns and illegal drugs. 60 year old Liborio Martinez-Rubio was arrested and charged with
possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The investigation into the details of the shooting is ongoing.
Democratic Governor Candidate Fred Hubbell To Visit Le Mars
(Le Mars) — Democratic candidate for governor, and Des Moines businessman Fred Hubbell has scheduled a campaign stop tonight for Le Mars. Hubbell will make an appearance at 7:30 p.m. at Lally’s Eastside Restaurant located at 125 Plymouth
Street Northeast. The public is welcome to attend and listen
to Hubbell lay out his vision for Iowa.
Chief Justice Cady Asks Legislature For More Money For Courts
(Des Moines) — The chief justice of the Iowa Supreme Court says Iowans are “losing access to justice” because of dwindling financial support of the courts. Due to budget cuts, Chief Justice Mark Cady (KAY-dee) says there’s been a 10 percent reduction in the court system’s workforce just in the past year.
Cady spoke with reporters shortly after delivering his eighth annual address at the statehouse. During his speech, Cady told legislators “the writing’s on the wall.”
There are 182 fewer people working in the Iowa court system today compared to a year ago. There are 11 judgeships that are unfilled and about a dozen current judges plan to retire. Cady says “essential” court operations are suffering, with courtroom delays more common, the backlog of cases growing and the problems are worst in rural counties.
Representative Gary Worthan (WORTH-un), a Republican from Storm Lake, is chairman of the budget panel that drafts the court’s budget. He is sympathetic to the court’s situation.
Worthan says not only the courts, but the state’s prisons and Public Safety Department have reached a “critical” point in terms of staffing. Worthan says it’s time for legislators to set priorities and end spending in other areas.
Governor Kim Reynolds yesterday recommended a nearly two MILLION dollar cut in the court’s CURRENT budget. That proposal is part of a plan to trim the state budget by nearly 35 million dollars to deal with lower-than-expected state tax collections.
Pate Says He Will Educate Iowans About New Voter ID Law
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate says he’ll travel the state this year to inform the public about a new law requiring voter identification at the polls.
Pate said Wednesday his plans include “educational summits” and meeting with groups that will get the word out.
Beginning in 2019, voters must show an Iowa driver’s license, Iowa non- driver’s ID, U.S. passport, military identification, veterans ID or a new non- photo ID issued by the state. A soft rollout in 2018 means voters without acceptable ID must sign an oath acknowledging they will need it soon. In 2019,
those voters will be offered provisional ballots.
A special state House election on Jan. 16 is the first under the law’s soft rollout.
The Republican-controlled Legislature approved the law last spring, arguing it would maintain election integrity. There’s no evidence of widespread voter fraud in Iowa.
Bill Introduced To Stop Iowa Government Employees From Acting As Agents For Foreign Nations
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa lawmaker is sponsoring a bill that would bar state officials from engaging in outside work as agents of foreign governments.
Rep. Brian Meyer, a Des Moines Democrat, introduced House File 2018 Wednesday. Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds has called for changing state law in similar fashion.
The plan comes after executive branch appointees Kim and Connie Schmett have faced an ethics inquiry and criticism for working as agents of Saudi Arabia.
The couple’s firm received $101,500 as part of a Saudi-funded campaign opposing a law allowing victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks to sue the kingdom for allegedly sponsoring terrorism.
Meyer’s legislation would declare that certain elected and executive branch officials would be barred from outside activities in which they have to register as foreign agents.
