Charges Filed Against Bank Robbers
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department has released additional information regarding the Iowa State Bank robbery that happened in Le Mars on Wednesday afternoon. A joint investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation has resulted in two individuals being formally charged in that
incident. Phillip White, age 32, of Sioux City has been charged with robbery in the 2nd degree, a class C felony, and theft in the 1st degree, which is also a class C felony. Also charged was 35 year old Karen Merrick of Sioux City. She has been charged with robbery in the 2nd degree, and with theft in the 1st degree, both classified as class C felonies. Both suspects have also been charged with eluding. The police is reporting all the money stolen from the Iowa State Bank was recovered in the U-Haul van that
was involved in the eluding attempt. The investigation is continuing.
Patrick White – 32 of Sioux City Karen Merrick – 35, Sioux City
County Compensation Commission Decides On 4% Salary Increase For County Elected Officials
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Compensation Commission met yesterday afternoon to listen and decide what rate of salary increase should be presented to the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors regarding the salaries for elected county officials. The Compensation Commission heard reports from Sheriff Mike Van Otterloo, County Attorney Darin Raymond, Recorder
Jolynn Goodchild, Treasurer Shelly Sitzmann, and Auditor Stacey Feldman.
Also giving a report were county supervisors Don Kass and Mark Loutsch.
After listening to each elected official, the compensation commission decided to recommend a four-percent salary increase for each of the county elected officials. The compensation commission is also suggesting the
county supervisors to award themselves a 2.1 percent increase in pay. The county compensation board will appear at the December 18th Supervisor meeting to formally submit the salary recommendations. The board of supervisors can accept the suggestions as offered by the compensation commission, or they can adjust the salary increase percentages either up or down, based on the county’s budget.
Members of the Plymouth County Compensation Commission listen to County Attorney Darin Raymond as he delivers his report on salary requests.
Josh’s Ride Receives Donation From Chamber’s Shopping Promotion
(Le Mars) — Josh’s Ride program received a check Thursday morning from the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce for $525 donated proceeds to that group from the Shop * Save * Give promotion. Josh’s Ride is a local organization that awards specially built bicycles to handicapped children. Presenting the
check was, Promotions Committee member and Hotopps Jewelry & Gifts owner, Robin Grosenheider, and receiving the check for Josh’s Ride was Deb Parmelee.
photo contributed.
Animal Rendering Plant Being Sued Over Odors
ESTHERVILLE, Iowa (AP) – Eight northwest Iowa families are fighting a company they blame for not doing enough to address the smell of dead, rotting hogs from a nearby rendering plant.
The Des Moines Register reports that an attorney for the Estherville families filed a motion this week pushing for Emmet County leaders to take stronger action against Central Bi-Products, a Minnesota-based company.
The families say the county isn’t doing enough to ensure the problem gets fixed after three years of “extremely noxious, highly objectionable odors.”
The families’ attorney filed a motion to intervene in an Emmet
County petition that seeks $4,750 from Farmers Union Industries, the parent of Central Bi-Products, for violating its conditional-use permit.
The plant’s owner has said it’s making improvements that should
reduce the odor.
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State’s Budget Revenue Estimates Are Slightly Higher, But Slowing
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – State budget experts say revenue projections for the current fiscal year are running slightly ahead of their October predictions but the growth for the 2020 budget is expected to be considerably slower.
The three-member Revenue Estimating Conference says state income is up about 4.7 percent from the previous year but the group anticipates only a 1.7 percent increase in revenue for next year.
The estimate for next year is important because the governor must base her 2020 budget on the estimate released Thursday. That means little money for increased education spending or pay increases.
Iowa Department of Management Director David Roederer says the economy is strong but factors including interest rate hikes and ongoing trade disputes affecting farm commodities could cut into tax revenue. He advised caution in budgeting for next year.
Republican legislative budget leaders say the state will have enough money to reflect priorities “in a responsible way.”
Democrats say the budget is limping along because Republicans have given away too much revenue in tax breaks.
Republicans control the governor’s office and both legislative
chambers.
Bomb Threats Sent To Businesses, Schools, Across The State
(Des Moines) — Police in many Iowa cities on Thursday responded to bomb threats that were quickly determined be non-credible. Ames Police Commander Geoff (like Jeff) Huff says the robo-emails or calls were mainly received by large shopping centers and businesses – and provided many Iowans with at
least a brief scare.
Ames Police officers responded to early afternoon bomb threats at the city’s airport and a Target store.
Similar threatening calls or emails were reported across Iowa and the country. Huff hasn’t heard of anyone falling for it and expects this robo- threat will be coming to an end.
According to Huff, criminals behind these threats and similar scams have started demanding money be loaded onto Google Play or iTunes gift cards because they’re difficult to trace. There were no such threats made to Le Mars, although the local police were aware of the situation across the state.
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Cedar Falls Man Waiting For Trial, Escapes From Courthouse
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a Cedar Falls man awaiting trial on criminal charges fled a northeastern Iowa courthouse after his bail was raised to $500,000.
The Courier reports that 30-year-old Rajih Donley appeared in a
Black Hawk County courtroom Monday for a hearing regarding charges accusing him of shooting and injuring a Waterloo man in May 2017.
When asked how Donley was able to post a $25,000 bond and get a public defender, Donley said relatives had put up collateral for the bond.
The judge then announced he was raising Donley’s bail to $500,000 because Donley had been arrested on suspicion of illegally having a handgun on Oct. 6.
Authorities say Donley said he wanted to step into the hallway to
say goodbye to his kids, but disappeared down an employee stairwell and has not been found.
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Court Officials Say Court Nomination Commission Can Remain
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa court officials say current members of a state commission that recommends appointees for the Iowa Supreme Court to the governor can remain until July.
That means three members of the commission will not have to leave on Jan. 1 as a Republican attorney had claimed and can participate in choosing nominees for a current court vacancy.
Des Moines lawyer Bill Gustoff, who is also treasurer of the
Republican Party of Iowa, argued a 2008 state law requires three members of the State Judicial Nominating Commission to leave in January because their terms have expired.
An Iowa attorney general’s opinion released Thursday, however, says another section of Iowa law allows commissioners to remain until a successor is elected to begin a new term on July 1.
Gustoff’s challenge would have given Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds a chance to move the court in a more conservative direction at a time when it could decide on challenges to laws on abortion and collective bargaining rights.
The commission is accepting applications to replace Justice Daryl
Hecht, an appointee of Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack. Hecht left the court to battle skin cancer.
Des Moines To Decide On Raising Sales Tax
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Des Moines voters will have to decide again in March whether to raise the local sales tax by a penny.
The Des Moines Register reports that the City Council will vote Monday on a spending plan for the estimated $37 million the 1-cent tax could generate in its first year. The money would be split evenly between property tax reductions and a handful of quality-of-life initiatives.
The city will set a March 5 referendum date early next year.
Last March, a majority of the city’s voters approved a 1-cent increase, but the measure failed after a majority of suburban voters rejected it. But in May, the Iowa Legislature canceled a state rule that required cities with contiguous borders to vote together on local option sales tax issues.
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Mason City’s Missing Television Anchor To Be Featured On CBS Program
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The 1995 disappearance of Iowa news anchor Jodi Huisentruit will be featured on an episode of CBS’ “48 Hours” airing this weekend.
The Des Moines Register reports that the episode, titled “Find Jodi,” will air at 9 p.m. Central time Saturday.
Jim Axelrod is a senior national correspondent for CBS News who
reported the episode. He says the show will “certainly provide some new information” on the case.
Huisentruit was 27 when she went missing on her way to work June 27, 1995, at station KIMT in Mason City. Investigators have never found Huisentruit, who was declared legally dead in 2001. No one has been charged in her disappearance.
Axelrod says Mason City Police Chief Jeff Brinkley told him he
believes investigators are close to a break in the case.
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Zebra Shot
OELWEIN, Iowa (AP) – Iowa authorities are investigating another shooting death of a captive zebra, the fourth such incident reported by the animal’s owner.
The Des Moines Register reports that the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office received a report on Dec. 9 of the shooting at Hevans Safari, southeast of Oelwein.
Hevans Safari owner Mike Henninger says the zebra was the fourth to be shot and killed at his property, along with a horse, since April 2017.
Henninger was shot in the right leg in late October when he was behind his home.
Henninger says he started with seven zebras in 2017 and alleges he has received threatening texts, photos and videos from a neighbor, including images of the neighbor shooting a stuffed zebra and grilling meat. The neighbor has denied killing any zebras.
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