Neunaber Located In Wisconsin After Warrant Was Issued Relating To Akron Killings
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County authorities are investigating the death of an elderly rural Akron couple, which is being referred to as a “violent suspicious death” which may rise to the level of a homicide. Sheriff Mike Van Otterloo says a material witness warrant had been issued for 44 year old Jonathon Neunaber, (New-neighbor) who lived at the house of the victims. Neunaber, is the chairman of the Plymouth County Democratic party. Authorities were on the lookout for Neunaber’s vehicle, a 2006 Buick. Late Thursday evening, La Crosse, Wisconsin police stopped Neunaber on a traffic violation. He is being detained until arrangements are made to transport him back to Plymouth County. Van Otterloo would not release the names of the victims.
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The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation remains on the scene compiling evidence of the deaths. The sheriff indicated the bodies remained at the scene until late Thursday. Van Otterloo refused to categorize how the couple were killed, only to say it was a violent death. Van Otterloo says the county attorney’s office issued a material witness warrant for Jonathon Neunaber.
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Van Otterloo says they will know more about the deaths after the completion of the autopsy, however, it is believed the deaths may have occured sometime within the last two weeks. Van Otterloo explains how authorities were first notified of the deaths late Wednesday evening.
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Plymouth County authorities did not say when Neunaber would be returned to Iowa.
Kingsley Fire Department Responds To Hay Bale Fire
(Kingsley) — The Kingsley Fire Department was called yesterday at about 6:30 p.m. to fight a fire on round hay bales. Fire officials responded to 44485 300th Street and were on the scene for an hour before getting the blaze under control. The Pierson Fire Department was also called to offer mutual aid.
Le Mars Fire Department Called To Early Morning Dumpster Fire
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire Department responded to a dumpster that had caught on fire. The alarm was heard early this morning at about 3:45 a.m. The fire was located at the Schuster Trucking Company at 2605 Lincoln Avenue southwest. It is believed the fire started as a result of discarded smoking material. Fire fighters were able to extinguish the flames within a few minutes.
Judge Allows Argosy Casino To Remain Open For A Few More Days
(Sioux City) — It looks as though the Argosy casino in Sioux City will remain open for at least a few more days. District Judge Eliza Ovrom extended her stay while she has an opportunity to review the submitted papers relating to the case. The riverboat casino lost its license and was originally scheduled to close on July 1st. Since that time, Judge Ovrom ordered a stay on the closure initially until July 10th. It is not clear as to when Ovrom will make her final decision.
Mercy Medical Centers Receive Grant
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Hospitals and clinics affiliated with Mercy Medical Centers in Des Moines, Mason City, and Sioux City have won a $10.1 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The money will help implement a new system that utilizes a centralized health care organization based at Mercy hospital in Des Moines. It’s designed to save money at the 25 critical access hospitals and 73 clinics in the Mercy Health Network. They are located in 37 counties in Iowa and Nebraska.
Mercy says more than 160,000 people could see benefits through better management of chronic conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
The project will use in-clinic health coaches which Mercy says improves results through education, prevention activities and encouraging better medication adherence.
Council Bluffs Woman Sentenced To Prison For Torturing Step-Son
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A western Iowa woman has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in connection to the torture of her mentally disabled stepson.
47-year-old Rebecca Beyer received the sentence Thursday at the Pottawattamie County Courthouse.
Authorities said Beyer abused the man, now 21, in February 2013. She was convicted in May of first-degree kidnapping and willful injury causing serious injury.
The man testified that Beyer burned him and locked him inside a garage. He said he was attached to a wall with a dog leash.
The man’s father faces charges in the case, and his trial is scheduled to start in August. The man’s stepbrother pleaded guilty earlier this year to an accessory charge as part of a plea deal.
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Rudd Woman Given Probation For Senior Neglect
MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – A northern Iowa woman has been given probation for leaving more than a dozen residents alone at an assisted living center.
54-year-old Debra Jean Ihrig, of Rudd, was recently given deferred judgment and probation on charges of neglect or abandonment of a dependent person, among other charges.
She pleaded guilty to some charges in May as part of a plea deal. She received various sentences, including jail time that was suspended.
Ihrig was arrested in April, after she was accused of leaving 15 residents alone at Country Meadow Place Assisted Living. She was the only person on duty during the early hours shift.
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Waterloo Man Charged For Murder
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – A Waterloo man has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder in the death of a woman found in the middle of a rural road.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office says 36-year-old Shaun Michael Hogan was taken into custody Thursday in connection with the death of 29-year-old Crystal Marie Gaffney, also of Waterloo. He is being held without bond at the county jail.
The state medical examiner’s office says Gaffney died from head trauma. She was found Wednesday morning near Walker.
The sheriff’s office says Gaffney is the mother of three girls who were the subject of a Wednesday night Amber Alert. They were found safe. Hogan and Gaffney are the parents of a young child, but additional information was not released.
Hogan will make an initial court appearance Friday.
