Home News Friday News, September 6th

Friday News, September 6th

Akron Woman Takes Alford Plea Regarding Husband’s Death

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) – An Akron woman accused of lying about killing her husband has entered a plea.
Plymouth County District Court records say 35-year-old Becky Hebert, of rural Akron, entered a written Alford plea Wednesday to a misdemeanor charge of interference with official acts. In an Alford plea, a person doesn’t admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence for a likely conviction. Her sentencing has not been scheduled.
She’d originally been charged with second-degree murder for the Oct. 6, 2017, shooting death of 40-year-old Jeremy Hebert. The charge was dismissed just weeks later. Deputies reported that she said numerous times that she’d shot her husband – statements that they later concluded were lies.
No other arrests for the slaying have been reported.

 

 

Former U-S Attorney General Makes Appearance At Le Mars

(Le Mars) — Former Interim Attorney General under the Trump Administration, Matt Whitaker was in Le Mars last evening. Whitaker, who is originally from Iowa, was the featured speaker during the Plymouth County Republican Fund Raiser. Whitaker says the divisive atmosphere at our nation’s capital is
growing and getting worse.

Because of the political split with many elected officials not willing to compromise from their positions, and the bitter, and sometimes personal attacks, will it be more difficult for people to take on leadership roles, such as a cabinet position, or a Supreme Court nominee?

Whitaker says he is proud of the several accomplishments made at the Justice Department while serving as the U-S Attorney General.

The former Attorney General spoke about his experience with the Trump Administration, and what he foresees as the plan needed to restore America’s freedoms.

 

 

Le Mars’ Wise I Brewery To Be Iowa’s 100th Brewery

(Le Mars) — The soon to open Wise I brewery of Le Mars has the distinction of being the 100th home brewery in Iowa. Co-owner, Ben Sitzmann appeared before the Le Mars City Council on Tuesday and shared the news.

Wise I Brewery is located on Second Street Northeast, around the corner from Bike Central.

 

 

Reynolds To Appoint A Texan To Head Up DHS

(Des Moines) — Governor Kim Reynolds is looking out of state for the new State Director of Human Services. Reynolds announced Thursday she will appoint Kelly Kennedy Garcia, currently deputy executive commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, as director of the Iowa
Department of Human Services (DHS). Garcia will be relocating from Austin, Texas and begins her new role on Nov. 1.

Reynolds says “Kelly Garcia is an experienced social service leader and team builder with a passion for helping people and leading change. For so many Iowans, DHS provides the critical services, protection and support they need
to live and thrive.” Reynolds says “Kelley Garcia brings a depth of experience in a large-scale, high-impact government agency and will serve Iowa’s families and communities
well in this vital role.”

In her current role, Garcia oversees the Health, Developmental and Independence Services (HDIS) department in Texas, which spans more than 40 client service programs and support functions with more than 700 employees and a $1.4 billion budget. She served in a number of other senior level
human services roles, including deputy chief for the Office of Programs and Services, which includes oversight of Medicaid, eligibility operations, behavioral and mental health.

 

 

Sioux City Man Looted Elderly Senior Citizen Bank Account

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a Sioux City man looted the checking account of a nursing home resident.
Woodbury County court records say 52-year-old Ronald Taylor is
charged with dependent adult abuse. His attorney didn’t immediately return a call Friday from The Associated Press. Taylor’s next court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 13.
Court records say Taylor held a power attorney for the man, who has dementia and can’t handle his finances. The records say Taylor spent nearly $23,000 of the man’s money since July 28, 2017, wiping out the man’s account.

 

 

Man Charged With Kidnapping and Abusing 4 Year Old Girl

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Police in western Iowa have charged a man with kidnapping and abusing a 4-year-old girl.
Council Bluffs police say officers were investigating a report of a
missing child when 28-year-old Michael Brandstrom brought the girl to officers, saying he had found her outside and brought her into his apartment to keep her safe.
But police say investigation by the officers uncovered that
Brandstrom had kept the girl in his apartment for more than an hour without called authorities. Police say a search of his cellphone revealed several nude photos of the girl.
Brandstrom has been charged with third-degree kidnapping and
lascivious acts with a child. He is being held in the Pottawattamie County Jail on $30,000 bond. The name of his attorney did not appear in online court documents Thursday.

 

 

USDA To Purchase Conservation Easements Affected By Flooding

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The U.S. Agriculture Department has announced the award of $36 million to buy conservation easements on Iowa agriculture land damaged by flooding this year.
The funds are available through the flood plain easement component of the Emergency Watershed Protection Program. Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service field offices are accepting applications through Oct. 18.
Under the program, eligible applicants voluntarily agree to sell a
permanent conservation easement to the federal government. Compensation is based on the value of the easement rights acquired based on rate caps and market analysis.
The easements may occur on public or private agricultural land
and/or residential properties damaged by flooding. Applications will be prioritized by a statewide ranking. The conservation service will work with landowners to restore easements to their natural flood plain condition.