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Iowa early News Headlines: Wed., 6/19/2019

News

June 19th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Tougher standards for school bus drivers and a fire suppression system may have prevented the deaths in a 2017 school bus fire in western Iowa, federal safety investigators said. National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Robert Sumwalt said Tuesday the Riverside Community School District didn’t ensure the driver was medically fit before the crash.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A spokesman for Gov. Kim Reynolds says she asked Iowa Department of Human Services Director Jerry Foxhoven to resign Monday because “she wanted to go in a new direction” at the agency. It’s the only explanation Reynolds has offered for the sudden departure of Foxhoven, who was appointed by her two years ago.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Federal prosecutors for Iowa say five men have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a 2017 drug deal that ended in the death of another man. Prosecutors say 21-year-old Chase Zerba, 22-year-old Cameron Klouda and 24-year-old Tyler Clemens had each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute marijuana and a weapons count in the death of 20-year-old Dylan Plotz. Twenty-two-year-old Dillon Beener and 20-year-old Kordell Jones had each pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and a gun count.

ESTHERVILLE, Iowa (AP) — An Emmet County man has been accused of stealing nearly $30,000 from a north-central Iowa high school booster club he helped manage. The Sioux City Journal reports that Timothy Loock, of Estherville, has been charged with first-degree theft. He had been treasurer of the Estherville Lincoln Central School District booster club from 2015 until November, when he was removed from the position.