Former Holzhauer Motors owner pleads not guilty to criminal charges
The former owner of Holzhauer Motors has pled not guilty to charges of theft and illegal enterprise.
64-year-old Daniel Winchell was arrested back on December 8th, eventually being charged in Cherokee County with eight counts of first-degree theft, one court of illegal enterprise, and one count of ongoing criminal conduct. On February 9th, Winchell was also charged in Buena Vista County with three additional counts of first-degree theft and one count of ongoing criminal conduct, bringing the total number of charges to 14.
The alleged thefts took place at Holzhauer’s locations in Cherokee and Storm Lake. According to court documents, Winchell allegedly kept fees customers paid for vehicle titles and registrations, and did not turn them in to county treasurers. Customers would then have to also pay the treasurer to obtain them. He allegedly sold 63 vehicles out of trust, with money collected but not repaid to lenders exceeding $10,000.
In addition to the criminal charges, Winchell also currently faces multiple lawsuits. Court documents show that Winchell has waived his right to a speedy trial, currently set for June 2nd, and his arraignment in Buena Vista County will take place today.
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Nominations open for Le Mars CSD Teacher of the Year award
Nominations are open for the 2026 Decades of Excellence Crystal Bell Teacher of the Year Award, honoring an educator from the Le Mars Community School District.
The award is jointly sponsored and awarded by the Le Mars Community School District Foundation and Alumni Association, with the purpose of recognizing and honoring teachers who demonstrate excellence in education by meeting the needs of their students. Recipients receive both recognition and financial rewards for their exemplary work in the classroom.
Anyone wishing to nominate a teacher for the Decades of Excellence Crystal Bell Award may visit the school district’s website to obtain nomination materials, or stop by the Superintendent’s Office or any of the principal’s offices. Nominations must be received by Friday, March 13th; if you have questions, please call the Superintendent’s Office at 546-4155.
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FEMA offer to repair Iowa dam falls millions of dollars short
A northwest Iowa county is still struggling to get federal dollars to make repairs after flooding in 2018 and ’19. FEMA initially offered four-and-a-half million dollars to restore the Linn Grove Dam and a nearby park in Buena Vista County. The agency later offered seven-and-a-half million, then pulled all funding, though it was restored through arbitration. County conservation director Greg Johnson says the latest offer still isn’t enough money to repair the dam and popular fishing spot.
In 2022, it was estimated the project would cost more than 12-million dollars, while Johnson says it’s likely higher today. At one point, FEMA claimed the project wasn’t eligible for any funding, but Johnson says both sides went through arbitration with the Civilian Board of Public Appeals.
County officials have until April 1st to appeal FEMA’s most recent offer, and Johnson says that will likely happen.
(Story via Radio Iowa)
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