Magistrate Judge Refuses To Dismiss Charges Against Orange City Activist For Burning LGBTQ Books
ORANGE CITY, Iowa (AP) – A magistrate has refused to dismiss a criminal mischief charge against an Iowa religious activist accused of burning four LGBTQ children’s books that he checked out of a library.
Prosecutors say 63-year-old Paul Dorr posted a video on Facebook in October in which he denounced the Orange City library for having the books and threw them into a burning barrel.
He argued in his motion for dismissal that he was singled out for prosecution because of the message he was sending.
Sioux County District Court records show that Magistrate Lisa Mazurek said in her ruling issued Monday that Dorr didn’t prove his assertions and that the only message being sent to him is “that he cannot burn books that do not belong to him.”
His trial’s set for Aug. 6.
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Des Moines Man Accused Of Stealing From Disabled Relative
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Des Moines man is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from a disabled relative.
Polk County court records say 29-year-old Steven Baker is charged with theft and dependent adult abuse. The records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment for him. Baker’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 19.
The Des Moines Register reports that police say Baker moved into his bank account nearly $48,000 of his relative’s money, using $12,500 for payment on a car and spending more of the money on himself.
Authorities say the money had come from the Social Security
Administration, and Baker told authorities that he’d gotten Social Security permission to buy the car because it would be used to transport his relative.
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Department of Human Services Agrees To Pay Increase Costs With Medicaid
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Department of Human Services says it has agreed to pay an additional $386 million to two insurance companies that will provide Medicaid services for the 2020 fiscal year.
The 8.6% increase announced Wednesday will include $115 million in additional state funding, with the federal government paying for the remaining portion.
The $5 billion Medicaid program serves about 600,000 poor and disabled people.
DHS says the rates include changes made by the Iowa Legislature, which account for about 2 percent of the increase.
Last year the agency approved a $344 million increase over the previous year.
The state privatized the Medicaid program in 2016 with then-Gov. Terry Branstad promising cost savings and improved care. Democrats say neither goal has been accomplished amid turmoil that included two insurers dropping out and last month’s sudden resignation of DHS Director Jerry Foxhoven.
Man’s Dead Body Found In Creek Ruled As AccidentalÂ
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Johnson County authorities say an accident killed a 26-year-old man whose body was found in an Iowa City creek.
The medical examiner’s office says Jonathan Guerrero died of blunt force head injuries and likely drowning. His body was found in Ralston Creek the morning of July 1. Police say evidence supports the medical examiner’s preliminary results.
Authorities are still investigating the death of 45-year-old Eric
Riskedahl, whose body was found under a U.S. Highway 6 bridge in Iowa City later on July 1. Police say the investigations so far don’t find any connection between the two deaths and say crimes are not suspected in either of them.
