New Gun Law Is Confusing
(Le Mars) — A new law that was initiated on Thursday is a bit confusing when it comes to concealed carry of a handgun. The Iowa legislature passed the law and it was signed by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds that allows for people who wish to carry a handgun, that they may not need to get a permit. Plymouth
County Sheriff Jeff TeBrink explains the details of the new law.
TeBrink still recommends people to visit the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office to obtain a gun permit, saying there are still some benefits to having a gun permit.
(photo contributed.)
The Plymouth County Sheriff says Iowa has reciprocity agreements with several surrounding states that border Iowa, allowing for a gun owner to also carry his firearm into another state.
TeBrink tells of those select group of people who are not able to own a firearm.
TeBrink says for those people wishing to have a concealed carry for a weapon still need to take some type of gun training.
If you have questions about the new constitution carry law, TeBrink suggests you visit with the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office or your local police department.
Iowa State Patrol Will Be Increasing Patrol Presence During Holiday Weekend
(Le Mars) — Triple A Motor Club is predicting millions of people will be traveling during this extended holiday weekend, and the Iowa State Patrol will be watching motorists as they travel to their preferred destination. Trooper Karen Yaneff says the Iowa State Patrol will increase its patrol presence.
Yaneff says during the last year law enforcement officials have stopped motorists traveling at excessive speeds, many times those motorists were traveling above 100 mph. She says often times, the driver is not paying close attention to their driving.
The Iowa State Patrol trooper says there is a good possibility there will be additional accidents because of the long holiday weekend.
Yaneff says along with intoxicated or impaired drivers, distracted driving is also a major cause for vehicle accidents.
Yaneff says for this 4th of July holiday weekend, she recommends drivers to buckle up and have all passengers also using their seatbelts, follow the posted speed limits, don’t drink and drive, put down the cell phone, allow for enough stopping space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you, and take your time getting to your destination. Yaneff has yet another bit of advice…
Black Hawk County Ordered To Let Inmate Meet With His Attorneys
(Waterloo, IA) — An Iowa District Court judge has ordered Black Hawk County jail officials to let an inmate meet privately with his attorneys. Michael Lang faces murder charges in the fatal shooting of Iowa State Patrol Sergeant Jim Smith. Staff members at the jail in Waterloo had refused to leave Lang
alone with his attorneys arguing that his alleged hatred of law enforcement means he poses a unique threat. The 41-year-old Lang has been held at the jail since April 21st on a three-million-dollar cash-only bond.
Injuries From Fireworks More Than Doubled Since They Were Legalized For Sale
(Des Moines, IA) — A study finds that injuries from handling fireworks have more than doubled since it became legal to buy them four years ago. The numbers show many more children are getting hurt and more patients are requiring amputation. The state averaged 69 emergency room visits between 2013 and 2017. After the law passed, that number jumped to 147 per year
between 2017 and 2020. The report says patients are younger and more seriously injured now. Those hurt tend to be the handlers of fireworks rather than those enjoying the show. Iowa became the 43rd state to allow retailers to sell fireworks in 2017. You can buy fireworks at 583 licensed sites in the state this year.
Iowa Woman Who Killed Her Husband’s Girlfriend Given Life Sentence
(Knoxville, IA) — An Iowa woman who killed her estranged husband’s girlfriend will spend the rest of her life in prison. Michelle Boat had been convicted by a Marion County jury in May. She was sentenced Thursday.
Investigators say Boat stabbed Tracy Mondabough because she was dating Boat’s husband. The defense attorney acknowledged during the trial that Boat killed the victim. He asked the jury to find her guilty of the lesser charged of voluntary manslaughter.
SE Iowa Man Accused Of Using Pickax To Smash His Way Into Ottumwa Home
(Ottumwa, IA) — A southeast Iowa man is accused of using a pickax to smash his way into an Ottumwa home. Twenty-eight-year-old David Kendrick Junior then allegedly used the ax to destroy property inside the home and threatened to kill a man who was present. He allegedly ordered that man to get in the
trunk of his own car. Witnesses say he broke out the window in another person’s car, got in the driver’s seat of the victim’s car, drove over some nearby yards, and took off when police arrived. He was found in the backyard of another home a few minutes later. Police took Kendrick into custody. He has been charged with criminal mischief, going armed with intent, and eluding.
New Law Allows Iowa Parents to Certify Driver’s Education
(Des Moines, IA) — A new lowa law that went into effect Thursday lets the parents of teenagers certify they’ve taught their child to drive, so the teen can take the tests to get a driver’s license. Homeschooling parents like Republican Representative Joel Fry of Osceola have had this authority for the past decade and this extends it to all Iowa parents. Fry said, “I can tell you the amount of time that I spent with that child in driver’s education far outweighs the amount of time I went through driver’s education in the school system.” Under previous law, teenagers in public and private schools had to pass a driver’s ed class in their school or a commercial driving school — or complete the D-O-T’s online course before taking the written and driving tests for a driver’s license. Any Iowa parent with a valid driver’s license can now certify they’ve covered that material and completed behind-the-wheel training with their child.
Mason City Man Charged in Bicyclist’s Death
(Mason City, IA) — A Mason City man is facing homicide by vehicle charges for hitting a bicyclist with his truck while driving drunk. Twenty-eight-year-old Cody Skiye was arrested on a warrant and booked in the Cerro Gordo County jail. Officers say Skiye struck James Powell with his truck and Powell later died of his injuries in the hospital. Investigators say Skiye had a
blood alcohol content nearly three times the legal limit at the time of the crash. He was initially arrested for second offense O-W-I, making a false report to law enforcement and operating too closely to a bicycle.
Plane Crash Under Investigating in Southern Iowa’s Decatur County
(Lamoni, IA) — Authorities in southern Iowa are investigating a plane crash near the Lamoni Airport. The Decatur County Sheriff’s Office and Lamoni police responded to the scene Thursday morning. Witnesses reported seeing smoke and flames. The National Transportation Safety Board says an investigator is scheduled to arrive this evening. The F-A-A’s preliminary
report indicates two people were onboard the small plane that went down near the airport runway. No other information has been released.
