First Degree Murder Charges Filed Against Thomas Knapp
(Le Mars) –– Charges of first degree murder have now been assessed to 82-year old Thomas Knapp of rural Merrill. You may recall law enforcement authorities were called to the Knapp residence at 20139 Echo Road on May 11th for a report of a shooting incident. That shooting incident resulted in the
death of 51-year old Kevin LeRoy Juzek. At that time, Knapp was charged with domestic abuse assault while displaying or use of a weapon. The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office and County Attorney’s Office have continued their investigation into the death. Recently, the final autopsy was received by the Iowa State Medical Examiner. That report confirmed the preliminary
findings of determining the manner of death to Juzek as homicide and the cause of death were gunshot wounds to the abdomen and upper torso of the victim. The investigation showed that on May 11th, Knapp willfully and deliberately, and with premeditation did kill Juzek. According to the investigation report, Knapp fired a 20-gauge shotgun through a bedroom door
striking Juzek. Juzek then made it to a living room area where Knapp fired a second shot to the chest of Juzek. Knapp was taken into custody on May 11th and remains incarcerated. Judge Daniel Vakulskas issued a warrant for Knapp. He is
still being held without bond at the Plymouth County Jail.
82-year old Thomas Knapp
Saturday May Be One Of Summer’s Hottest Days
(Des Moines) — After a brief break from muggy weather earlier this week, forecasters say today’s weather (Saturday) will be one of Iowa’s hottest days of the year with high temperatures in the 90s and triple-digit heat indices.
Meteorologist Roger Vachalek, at the National Weather Service,
says the heat will be stifling, and precautions should be taken to keep people — and pets — cool.
If you have to be outside, wear light-colored and light-weight clothing, wear a hat and take plenty of breaks for water. Otherwise, there’s a serious risk of heat stroke or heat exhaustion. The advisories extend through 8 P-M on
Saturday as he says the heat will be “oppressive.”
A front is expected to arrive Saturday night and into Sunday that should bring much of Iowa a better chance for rain — and for cooler temperatures.
Coincidentally, Mason City reported 44 degrees early Thursday morning, a reading that ties a record low set in 1912.
Animals Are Stressed During Heat Wave
(Le Mars) — Hot temperatures along with high humidity levels are two factors that make for stressful conditions for livestock and pets. Beth Doran is an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef specialist for northwest Iowa. She says we need to watch our animals for heat stress, especially market beef cattle.
Doran says she has seen several feedlot operators needing sprinkle or water down their beef herds during these high temperature and high humidity days.
The I-S-U Beef specialist says these weather conditions are also stressful for our pets. She says it’s important that we keep an abundant quantity of fresh water available for our livestock and pets.
She also suggests you have plenty of ventilation to help with the evaporation of the water which further helps keep your animals cool and comfortable.
Doran says if your pet travels with you in your vehicle, you need to make certain the windows are open. She says it doesn’t take long for the inside of a vehicle to warm up to temperatures that could be fatal for our pets.
The last suggestion Doran offers is to not work your animals during the peak hot times of the day.
The beef specialist says during these hot summer days it is also important for cattle producers to have a good fly control program whether it be ear tags, oil rags, or dusters.
Reynolds Issues Proclamation Calling For In-Person Fall Classes
(Des Moines, IA) — Governor Kim Reynolds issued a proclamation today that outlines some of the expectations for schools returning to class this fall while continuing to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. Reynolds says it directs all state agencies, school districts, and local governments to focus
on preparing to safely welcome back students and teachers to school in-person this fall. The governor says the proclamation permits remote learning when parents select it as the best option for their family. She says it also provides an option if an outbreak requires schools to make a change. The Iowa City School district has already announced it would do all online
classes in the fall and Reynolds says they will need to go through a waiver.
Mike Beranek of the Iowa State Education Association said the proclamation means schools are forced to expose students and school employees unnecessarily.
ICCI Protesting at Iowa Governor’s Mansion For Face Mask Mandate
(Des Moines, IA) — The group Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is hosted a rally outside the Terrace Hill last night calling on Governor Reynolds to issue a mask mandate. More than 200 Iowans were in a car caravan protested the governor’s decision not to require face coverings statewide to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Reynolds has encouraged people to wear masks but refuses to issue an order and opposes
city and county ordinances. Organizers say Reynolds announcement “forcing students, teachers, and staff into unsafe classrooms” is the last straw.
Former Waterloo Teacher Sentenced to 8 Months For Stealing $54K
(Cedar Rapids, IA) — A former teacher will serve an eight-month sentence for stealing more than 54-thousand dollars from the Waterloo Education Association. Federal prosecutors say 59-year-old Anthony Dehl of Waterloo will spend four months in a prison work camp and four months on home confinement. Dehl pleaded guilty to defrauding the Waterloo Education
Association from 2014 to 2019 while he was the treasurer. He withdrew most of the money at a local casino, and concealed his scheme by submitting false treasurer reports and other yearly reports to the organization. Dehl was ordered to make full restitution of more than 54-thousand dollars.
