Authorities Release Names From Propane Explosion
(Kingsley) — Authorities have released the names of the two victims from last Friday’s propane gas explosion that completely destroyed one hog barn and burned three other buildings. Plymouth County Sheriff’s office have identified the victims as 47-year old Pedro Trelo Gallegos of Jefferson, South Dakota, and 46- year old Pedro Martinez Alvarado of Remsen. The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office says that approximately 1200 head of feeder pigs weighing between 30 and 50 pounds had died as a result of the surrounding hog barns that caught on fire
following the explosion.
Interstate 80 Could Have Toll Booths Across Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A new state report says charging tolls is an option to rebuild and widen Interstate 80 across Iowa.
Imposing tolls would require approval from the Iowa Legislature and federal authorities.
The Iowa Department of Transportation report says federal and state highway funds can’t meet all of the state’s highway needs. It says the study “has determined that tolling is a financially feasible implementation option.”
The report says there would be 11 tolling stations across the state and the toll would be 8 cents a mile for autos and 24 cents a mile for trucks.
The money would be used to widen and rebuild a nearly 250-mile (402 kilometer) stretch across rural Iowa from 2022 through 2026.
More Women Entering Politics
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A record number of Iowa women are seeking political office, a surge driven by female Democratic candidates who like women across the country appear to be motivated in part by the election of President Donald Trump.
Data shows 98 women are expected to have their names on the June 5 primary ballot. That’s a 44 percent increase from when 68 women ran in the 2016 primary.
The figures include female incumbents running for re-election. It
accounts for women seeking election to the state Legislature, Congress and statewide offices like governor. It was compiled by 50-50 in 2020, a nonpartisan Iowa organization that works to elect more women.
The jump in female candidates is propelled by Democrats. Of the 98 women on the ballot this year, 70 are Democrats. Republicans have 27 women on the ballot, and there is one libertarian.
Iowa Family Died From Asphyxiation
MEXICO CITY (AP) – Mexican authorities say autopsies indicate an Iowa couple and their two children died of asphyxiation at a rented condo on Mexico’s Caribbean coast.
The prosecutors’ office in the Caribbean coast state of Quintana Roo said Saturday that “the cause of death was asphyxiation from inhaling toxic gases.” It said the type of gas hadn’t yet been determined.
Photos released by the office showed investigators examining gas connections to a stove in the condo in Tulum.
Iowa officials have identified the family as 41-year-old Kevin Sharp, 38 -year-old Amy Sharp and their children – 12-year-old Sterling and 7-year-old Adrianna. They were from Creston, Iowa.
In 2010, the explosion of an improperly installed gas line at a hotel in the nearby town of Playa del Carmen killed five Canadian tourists and two Mexicans.
Reynolds Fires Iowa Finance Director For Sexual Harassment
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa’s governor has announced that she’s fired the director of the Iowa Finance Authority over a sexual harassment complaint.
Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Saturday in a news release that Dave Jamison has been fired, effective immediately.
The written release says Reynolds’ office was made aware Friday night of “credible allegations of sexual harassment against Director Jamison.” The release did not give any details of the allegations.
Reynolds has named IFA Chief Programs Officer Carolann Jensen as interim director.
Jamison was named the organization’s director in January 2011. Before his appointment, he served as Story County Treasurer from 1995 to 2010.
Jamison could not be reached for comment Saturday.
Former Teacher Accused Of Sexual Relations With Student
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A former teacher accused of groping and kissing one of his anatomy students in a Des Moines suburb is scheduled for sentencing next month.
Dustin Mead entered an Alford plea Monday to a misdemeanor charge of harassment. In an Alford plea, a suspect acknowledges there is enough evidence for a jury to reach a guilty verdict. In April last year Mead pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation by a school employee.
The 34-year-old Mead’s sentencing is set for April 9.
A Polk County court document says that during the 2015-2016 school year, Mead gave one girl grades she didn’t earn, made sexual comments and groped her.
He’s since resigned his position with the Johnston Community School District.
Nurse Aides Charged With Sexual Acts With Mentally Ill Patients
FAYETTE, Iowa (AP) – A sheriff says three more certified nursing assistants are charged with sexually exploiting patients at an Iowa facility for mentally disabled adults.
Two CNAs at the Prairie View Residential Care Facility in Fayette were charged with sexual exploitation March 5. Fayette County Sheriff Marty Fisher said Monday that three additional former CNAs have been charged for alleged relationships dating to 2015.
The women ages 24, 31 and 43 were arrested and have been released. One’s accused of having a patient perform oral sex on her 30 times; another is accused of engaging in “heavy kissing and touching” with a patient twice. The third’s
accused of having a week-long sexual relationship. Fisher says the patients involved were undergoing court-ordered treatment.
He says investigators are looking into “further incidents where more charges could be filed.” The home provides skill-building services for adults with chronic mental illness.
Stun Gun Is Used On Inmate To Subdue Him
DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) – Jail authorities used a stun gun on a Dubuque man charged with murder after he refused to obey commands.
Court documents say 22-year-old Helmon Betwell violated jail rules Sunday and received multiple verbal commands before Dubuque County Sheriff’s Department deputies used a stun gun to obtain compliance.
The Telegraph Herald reports Betwell has been charged with interference with official acts in relation to the incident. He also has been charged with murder, sexual assault and burglary connected to a fatal attack on a 66-year-old woman on
Sept. 1, 2015, as she was walking in Dubuque.
The trial was moved out of Dubuque County after extensive media coverage. Betwell’s trial had been set for May, but the prosecution and defense both said Friday they need more time to prepare.
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