Wheeler To See Re-election For New House District 3
(Orange City) — Last week, State House Representative, Skylar Wheeler of Orange City had announced his intentions of seeking re-election, and to represent the people of the newly formed State House District 3. The new district was created by the Legislative Services Agency following the latest census report. Every ten years, redistricting takes place because of the shift in population. Wheeler has been a state legislator for six years. The new House District 3 consists of the northern half of Plymouth County and the southern half of Sioux County, and it has Wheeler and Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars, another fellow Republican state representative, will have to face one another in a primary race. Wheeler says his challenge will be to introduce himself to the people of Plymouth County.
Prior to being elected as a state representative, Wheeler says his background consists of education and sales.
Wheeler refers to himself as a strong conservative, and believes the state should continue to cut taxes.
The Sioux County Republican says he also hears a lot of conversation from his constituency regarding the funding of mental health services. Wheeler says mental health keeps popping up in each legislative session.
The primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, June 7, 2022; while the general election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
Investigators ID Man Fatally Shot by Police in Iowa Falls
(Iowa Falls, IA) — The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is naming the armed suspect fatally shot by police in Iowa Falls on Wednesday. The man is identified as 35-year-old Jared Risius of Eldora. Officers responding to a call from a woman reporting her ex-boyfriend was stalking her with his vehicle say Risius hit her car. Video taken by neighbors shows officers taking up positions while trying to get the man into custody. Investigators say Risius displayed a shotgun and was shot by officers while trying to get away and died at the scene. The names of the officers on leave have not been released.
Fort Dodge Sex Offender Gets 5 Years in Prison For Failing to Register
(Sioux City, IA) — A Fort Dodge man will spend more than five years in federal prison for failing to register as a sex offender. Thirty-six-year-old Duane Levering was sentenced to 65 months Thursday after pleading guilty. The U-S Attorney’s Office says Levering was convicted of sexually abusing a minor in 2005 and is required to register and update his residence information. He was caught living in the attack of a Fort Dodge from the spring of 2020 until he was arrested last December. Levering has two prior convictions for failing to register as a sex offender along with convictions for assault, theft, failure to obey police and eluding.
American Red Cross Needs Blood Donations
(Des Moines, IA) — The year may be winding down, but the demand for blood from Iowa hospitals is rising while the number of donors is dwindling. Josh Murray with the Iowa-Nebraska Region of the American Red Cross says the agency is making an appeal for everyone who’s able to give a pint. He says people have been kind of slow coming back after the pandemic to give blood. Several blood drives are planned in Iowa during December, which Murray says is a welcome change since so many had to be called off during the pandemic. The holidays are usually a tough time to collect blood. Blood can be safely donated every 56 days and Murray says donors can feel good knowing that by donating through the Red Cross, they may be helping patients not only in their community but also others across the nation.
Suspect Arrested in Des Moines For Stealing Car With Child Inside
(Des Moines, IA) — Des Moines police report a suspect is under arrest for stealing a car with a small child inside. Officers say the suspect stole an S-U-V that was idling at the Git N’ Go gas station Thursday night. The vehicle had a four-year-old in the backseat. Police say the driver let the child out shortly after stealing the car. After officers spotted the stolen vehicle, the driver crashed into a light pole on south M-L-K Parkway. The suspect was arrested while running from the crash.
