Plymouth County Sheriff Office Wins Award For Using “Stop Sticks”
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office has received an award for its use of “Stop Sticks” during last December when the Iowa State Bank was robbed. You may recall, the two suspects that robbed the bank had fled the scene driving an U-Haul truck. Law enforcement officials gave chase to the
U-Haul truck. The pursuit first headed westbound on county road C-38 and then the suspect vehicle turned south on county road K-18. Authorities attempted to stop the vehicle while initiating their lights and sirens, but the U-Haul failed to pull over. Speeds of the chase had reached 77 mph on the county roads. Plymouth County Sheriff’s Deputy Conner Delfs deployed stop sticks on the U-Haul near county road C-44 and K-18. Stop sticks are a
device that is used to deflate tires to bring dangerous pursuits to a halt.
All tires were deflated and the suspects were arrested. Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office turned the deployment to Stop Stick Ltd, the makers of the Stop Stick Deflation Device. On March 28th, Deputy Delfs was awarded the “Hit of the Month” winner for December. The use of the stop sticks is now in the running for the “Hit King” award for 2018.
17 Year Old Girl Falls On To Railroad Tracks
BOONE, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a 17-year-old girl was hospitalized after falling from a road bridge onto busy railroad tracks in central Iowa’s Boone County.
The Des Moines Register reports that the girl fell about 30 feet (9.1 meters) Monday on Union Pacific tracks west of Boone. First responders used GPS to reach the site after receiving a frantic 911 call from another teen.
The injured girl was flown to a Des Moines hospital. Her name hasn’t been released.
Detective Andy Godzicki of the Boone County Sheriff’s Office says it appears the girl fell through two guardrails onto the tracks.
Union Pacific stopped train traffic through the area while the girl was being treated and then flown away.
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Davenport Massage Parlors Shut Down
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say six Davenport massage businesses have been shut down because they haven’t complied with the city’s new ordinance on licensing.
Police say no arrests were made Tuesday as a city enforcement team visited the establishments. Officials say complaints have been received about illegal activity occurring inside the businesses. City officials and victims’ rights groups say massage parlors are a common front for human trafficking and illegal sex work.
The ordinance approved in March says massage therapists must be licensed by the state and reflexologists – people who massage feet, ears, hands – must be licensed by the city.
The enforcement team placed code violation notices on the doors of the six massage parlors.
Second Measles Case Reported In Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – State health officials say Iowa has confirmed its second case of measles since 2011.
Iowa Public Health Department said Thursday that the unvaccinated person is a household contact with the person in the first case, who also unvaccinated. The department says the first person contracted measles while on a trip to Israel, where outbreaks have been reported.
The department also says there’s no threat to the public because the second person has been isolated at home during the measles incubation period.
U.S. officials say 90 measles cases were reported across the United States last week, and 555 cases have been reported in 20 states this year.
Measles symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough and a rash. It’s highly contagious to the unvaccinated and can be fatal.
Sports Betting Bill Passes State Senate
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A bill that would legalize betting on sporting events and fantasy sports in Iowa has passed the Senate and is expected to be considered as soon as Monday in the House.
The bill authorizes the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, which regulates the state casinos, to establish rules for betting on professional, collegiate and international sporting events, including motor racing.
The bill excludes betting on some events, including minor leagues and in-state college team players.
The bill also legalizes fantasy sports contests and internet fantasy sports betting but delays betting based on college sporting event statistics until May 2020.
Sports betting would be limited to those 21 and older, and the bill sets a 6.75% tax on net receipts. Taxes and licensing fees could bring in
estimated annual revenue of $2.3 million to $4 million annually.
The Senate approved the bill Wednesday 31-18 with no debate. Twelve Republicans and six Democrats voted against it.
States began legalizing sports gambling last year after the U.S. Supreme Court ended Nevada’s monopoly.
Census Report Shows Increased Population For Des Moines Metro Area
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Census estimates show strong growth in the Des Moines metro area as well as the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City areas, but more than two-thirds of Iowa’s counties have lost population since 2010.
Polk County remained the most populous, growing by 56,572 residents since 2010 to 487,204 people as of July 1, 2018. That’s an increase of 13.1%.
Dallas County, which includes much of Des Moines’ western suburbs, grew by 36.4% to 90,180, making it among the nation’s fastest growing counties.
Linn County, which includes Cedar Rapids, grew by 6.9% to 225,909 to remain the second-largest county, and Scott County, home to Davenport, was third with 173,203.
Johnson County, which includes Iowa City, grew by 15.6% to 151,260.
Of Iowa’s 99 counties, 69 lost population.
Clinton County had the largest drop, losing 2,599 people. Emmett County lost 10.2% of its population for the state’s biggest rate decline.
