Tataichy Sentencing Delayed
The lack of an interpreter caused a delay in the sentencing of Sexlyn Tataichy in Plymouth County District Court Monday afternoon.
Tataichy was to be sentenced on a charge of child endangerment in the death of her two year old son last year.
Tataichy was expected to accept a plea agreement requiring her to plead guilty to one of three counts of child endangerment resulting in death.
The other two counts, second-degree murder and child endangerment-multiple acts, will be dismissed once the judgment and sentence are filed.
A court spokesman says because Tataichy does not speak English and the court was not able to supply an interpreter, the proceeding will be rescheduled.
The Le Mars woman faces up to 50 years in prison for the count of child endangerment resulting in death.
Plymouth County Supervisors to Meet on Tuesday
At their regular meeting on Tuesday, the Plymouth County Supervisors are expected to approve a resolution to terminate agreement with Sioux Rivers Mental Health Region. The region and all other mental health regions will no longer function, as the state institutes a new mental health care system.
As of July 1, Iowa’s mental health and substance abuse system was organized into seven large districts and paid with dollars allocated by the state. Local property tax funding was removed from the equation, providing a tax break for property owners.
The Department of Health and Human Services will determine required services, implement performance metrics and oversee the system. Districts will oversee prevention, education, early intervention, treatment, recovery and crisis services.
The Iowa Primary Care Association will be the system’s administrative services organization and it will oversee management and operations in the seven districts. Iowa PCA has built a statewide network of providers who contract to provide a wide array of services. One of the main goals of the new system is making mental health treatment more consistent and accessible regardless of where clients live.
County supervisors will also review and approve Remsen Ambulance and Hinton Ambulance letters for requested Opioid Funds for equipment.
Biodiesel Producers Say Tax Credit Could Help Lagging Industry
Iowa’s biodiesel producers say a credit in the spending and tax bill signed by President Donald Trump last week should help the industry. Iowa Biodiesel Board Executive Director Grant Kimberly credits Iowa’s Congressional delegation for negotiating several provisions that will help smaller biodiesel producers, who have been struggling recently.
Some smaller biodiesel plants in the state have been idled due to market uncertainty.
Kimberly says they’ll still need more guidance on tax credits before production returns to full capacity.
New Series on the Disappearance of Mason City News Anchor
A new Jodi Huisentruit docuseries is coming to a popular streaming service this month. The docuseries is titled “Her Last Broadcast: The Abduction of Jodi Huisentruit”, and discusses recent updates in the case.
Huisentruit worked as a morning news anchor for KIMT-TV in Mason City when she disappeared. Since Huisentruit’s disappearance 30 years ago, new details have been uncovered.
The new docuseries is three parts, and includes over 20 new interviews, featuring appearances from Huisentruit’s family, friends, and former colleagues.
The docuseries will be available for streaming on Hulu beginning July 15.
