Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — One of the men charged in the stabbing death of a man who was found buried at a Cedar Rapids home pleaded guilty to lesser charges. Thirty-four-year-old Drew Wagner pleaded guilty Monday to voluntary manslaughter and four other charges in the December 2018 death of Chris Bagley. Wagner originally was charged with first-degree murder. Bagley’s body was found buried at a home in southeast Cedar Rapids on March 1, 2019. A second suspect, Drew Blahnik, is awaiting trial on first-degree murder charges. Another man is charged with obstruction and abusing a corpse and a fourth man is serving a jail sentence on a connected drug case.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The number of new positive coronavirus cases has increased significantly in recent days as the state surpasses 26,000 positive cases and deaths are approaching 700. Data from the Iowa Department of Public Safety shows total positive cases Sunday increased by 441 cases from Saturday’s total at the same time. Nearly 300 new positive cases were reported Saturday and 389 on Friday. Data posted by public health officials Monday indicated 26,048 Iowans now test positive, an increase of 183 cases in 24 hours. One additional person died, bringing the state total to 686 deaths. Also Monday, the University of Iowa Athletic Department reported its testing last week of student-athletes, coaches and staff found nine testing positive, bringing the athletic department’s total to 12 positive tests.

NEVADA, Iowa (AP) — A man who was reportedly knocking on doors and carrying a sword died in Nevada, Iowa, after being shocked with a stun gun. Nevada police said officers were called at 2:44 a.m. Monday to check reports of a man carrying a sword and knocking on doors. Officers found a man sitting in a grassy area near a mobile home park with a sword. Nevada officers ordered the man to drop the sword but police said he stated, “It stays in my hand.” Officers then used a Taser to shock the man, and they then retrieved the sword and handcuffed him. Medics were called, and as they treated the man he stopped breathing. He was taken to a hospital, where he died. Police didn’t immediately identify the man.

BEDFORD, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa man is facing a first-degree murder charge after a fatal stabbing in Bedford in southwest Iowa. The Iowa Department of Public Safety said the stabbing was reported around 11 p.m. Saturday. Sixty-two–year-old Penny Sue Godfirnon, of Bedford, died. Authorities said 32-year-old Christian Andrew May, of Bedord, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and willful injury. He is being held in the Taylor County Jail.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest Monday night of 30-year-old Jerid James Black of Carson on two counts of Violation of a Protection Order, a Simple Misdemeanor. Black was arrested at 9:09 p.m. on Monday night at Highway 34 and Eastern Avenue. He was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond.

Officials with Pottawattamie County Public Health (PCPH), Monday afternoon, said there were 10 new COVID-19 cases confirmed on Saturday, June 20th, 29 new cases on Sunday, June 21st, and 11 new cases on Monday, June 22nd. Of the newly reported cases, two are from Crescent, two are from Carter Lake, one from each Avoca, Carson, Neola, Treynor, Underwood, and the rest are from Council Bluffs. All were tested between June 16th and 19th. None were epi-linked.

According to the State’s coronavirus website, 7,737 Pott. County residents have been tested for COVID-19, with 620 (8%) testing positive. Including epi-linked cases, PCPH accounta for a total of 683 COVID-19 cases. As Monday (today), 413 individuals have recovered, 227 are self-isolating, and six persons are hospitalized. Based on contact tracing investigations, 184 cases are the result of community spread.

The age ranges of those who have tested positive are listed below:

• 338 are males
• 345 are females
• 52 are persons 17 & under
• 301 are age 18-40
• 215 are age 41-60
• 100 are from 61-to 80
• and 15 are 81 years of age, or older.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — One of the men charged in the stabbing death of a man who was found buried at a Cedar Rapids home pleaded guilty to lesser charges. Thirty-four-year-old Drew Wagner pleaded guilty Monday to voluntary manslaughter and four other charges in the December 2018 death of Chris Bagley. Wagner originally was charged with first-degree murder.

Bagley’s body was found buried at a home in southeast Cedar Rapids on March 1, 2019. A second suspect, Drew Blahnik, is awaiting trial on first-degree murder charges. Another man is charged with obstruction and abusing a corpse and a fourth man is serving a jail sentence on a connected drug case.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office is reporting numerous recent arrests. Authorities say today (Monday), 71-year old Stephen Craig Tasto, of Clarinda, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for Violation of Probation, the bond for which was set at $5,000. And, 34-year old Trel Curtis Peterson, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County Jail, on a Mills County warrant for Violation of Probation. His bond was set at $10,000.

At around 3:50-a.m. Sunday,  41-year old Jerry Joseph Richardson, of Malvern, was arrested for Driving While Barred (Bond: $2,000). Last Friday, 30-year old Kassandra Lee Shoemake, of Thurman, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, and Failure to Maintain Control (Bond: $1,000). On Thursday, 32-year old James Thomas Hume, of Sidney, was arrested on Highway 34 in Mills County. He was charged with OWI/1st offense, with bond set at $1,000.

There were two arrests last Wednesday, in Mills County: 33-year old Joseph Allen Scislowicz, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on a warrant for Violation of Probation (Bond: $1,000), and 34-year old  Eugene Edgar Stillmock, of Omaha, was arrested on a warrant for Failure To Appear (Bond: $15,000). Both were taken into custody at the Douglas County, NE., Jail.

There were also two arrests made last Tuesday (June 16th): 32-year old Joshua Robert Dasovich, of Omaha, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, on a warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault, for which there was No Bond. And, 19-year old Skyla Marie Wingfield, of Malvern, was arrested on a warrant for OWI/1st offense (Bond: $1,000).

NEVADA, Iowa (AP) — A man who was reportedly knocking on doors and carrying a sword died in Nevada, Iowa, after being shocked with a stun gun. Nevada police said officers were called at 2:44 a.m. Monday to check reports of a man carrying a sword and knocking on doors. Officers found a man sitting in a grassy area near a mobile home park with a sword.

Nevada officers ordered the man to drop the sword but police said he stated, “It stays in my hand.” Officers then used a Taser to shock the man, and they then retrieved the sword and handcuffed him. Medics were called, and as they treated the man he stopped breathing. He was taken to a hospital, where he died. Police didn’t immediately identify the man.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office is requesting motorists refrain from driving on Waubonsie Avenue, between Bluff Road and Bartlett. Authorities say numerous drivers have gone through the construction site, and it has become dangerous for construction workers. Drivers’ actions are also hindering progress on and completion of, the road.

The only access to Bartlett is via Interstate 29. Citations will be issued to all non-construction vehicles entering the construction site.

The Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund has donated $500 to the Atlantic Kiwanis Club. The funds will be used for the Kiwanis’ bike helmet project.  Fund spokesperson (Trevor’s mom) Melanie Petty says, “Even with the craziness of schools closing in mid March due to COVID the Kiwanis members were able to safely supply each 3rd grader with a helmet to keep them safe while out riding their bikes. This project is special to the fund as Trevor was a recipient when he was in grade school.  We are happy to help keep this long standing tradition of giving the gift of safety going!”

Kiwanis member Deb Schuler with Smith Land Service receives a check for $500 from Grant Petty w/the Frederickson Fund.

The Trevor Frederickson fund which was started in 2009 when Trevor suddenly passed away, has been able to give back over $250,000.00 to the community and things he loved. All funds are raised during the annual TFred Memorial Golf Tournament.  This years tournament will be held on Saturday, August 8th at Nishna Hills.

Petty says “We are looking forward to another great day of golf and friendship.”  If you are interested in golfing, becoming a hole sponsor and donating an item to our silent auction please contact Melanie Petty at 712-249-3696.

Mills County Public Health officials today (Monday), reported two new, positive cases of COVID-19. The total number of positive cases in Mills County now stands at 31, with 23 of those affected persons, having recovered from the virus. A total of 1,761 residents of the county have been tested for COVID-19.

The latest cases are adults. One is age 41-to 60. The other is 19-to 40-years of age. One case was the result of community spread. The other through close contact. Mills County Public Health reminds residents “It is now more important than ever to practice social distancing, frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and to cover coughs and sneezes with either a tissue, your elbow and/or upper arm. Also, please stay home if you are ill.

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