The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Local, state and federal authorities set out to search 20 locations in the Des Moines area at about 5 a.m. Wednesday. It was part of a drug investigation that reaches into several other states. A spokesman for Des Moines Police says their investigation of a “methamphetamine distribution network” in Des Moines began three months ago. It grew into a joint operation with the state’s Division of Narcotics Enforcement and federal A-T-F agents.

According to a statement from Des Moines Police, the drug ring has been distributing “large quantities” of meth. Federal authorities said of the six men who were arrested, one is from the State of Washington. Four are from Des Moines and the other person under arrest is from Elkhart. All six are charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. (Their names, age and city of residence are listed below):

• Shannon Lee Paxton, 46, of Des Moines
• Kerry Drew Haegele, 47, of Des Moines
• Fidel Rios, Jr., 34, of Pasco, Washington
• Kira Fallis, 26, of Elkhart
• John Archer, 52, of Des Moines
• Charles Astley, 63, of Des Moines

PRAIRIEBURG, Iowa (AP) – Thunderstorms running across Iowa have injured at least one person, mowed down crops and damaged homes and farm buildings. Tornadoes were reported Wednesday in several eastern Iowa counties. Linn County authorities say a woman was injured when her home collapsed near Prairieburg. Pieces from damaged farm structures littered the ground around Prairieburg after the storm passed.

Another tornado reported near the Linn County Fair on the southeast side of Central City sent fairgoers to shelters. Trees and tents were damaged but no fairgrounds buildings. Golf ball-size hail and heavy rain were reported in the Des Moines area.

Fremont County authorities say a tornado touched down in a rural area between Sidney and Shenandoah, flattening crops. A home near Farragut was damaged, but no injuries have been reported.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports two men were arrested on drug and other charges early this (Thursday) morning, following a traffic stop. A vehicle driven by 54-year old Bruce Warren Fitzwater, of Gravity, was pulled over at around 12:12-a.m. in the 2500 block of Union Avenue. An investigation resulted in Fitzwater being charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, as well as Driving while revoked. He was also cited for Fraudulent use of Registration and having no insurance. Fitzwater was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $1,000 bond.

At around the same time and place, 26-year old Jesse Allen Luft, of Villisca, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernlia. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports 22-year old Ryan Nelson, of Sidney, was arrested Tuesday for Theft 2nd, in connection to the possession of a stolen motor vehicle on June 19th.  Deputies made contact with Nelson, who was in possession of a motor vehicle that had been stolen out of Nebraska City, Nebraska earlier that day. A warrant was issued for Nelson and he was arrested June 27th without incident.  Nelson was being held at the Fremont County Jail on $5,000 cash bond.

And, on Wednesday, Fremont County Deputies arrested 64-year old Doc Holliday, (AKA Patrick Dunbar), of Helenville, WI, (and formally of Sidney), for Operating a vehicle Without the Owner’s Consent.  Deputies received a report that Holliday was seen operating a vehicle by a family member of the owner.  Deputies allege that Holliday took the vehicle from, and later returned the vehicle to the Tabor City Park, without the owner’s consent. Holliday was being held at the Fremont County Jail on $2,000 bond.

“Doc” Holliday

Ryan Nelson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

STUART, Iowa — The National Weather Service in Des Moines confirms a tornado touched down in Adair County, late Wednesday afternoon, near Stuart. The twister, rated an EF-0 with estimate peak winds of 75-mph, began at around 4:12-p.m. southwest of Stuart, and dissipated at around 4:20-p.m. southeast of Stuart. The tornado traveled an estimated 7-miles. It’s width was not immediately known. It was captured on numerous pictures and video by area residents and spotters.

SIDNEY, Iowa (AP) — At least one tornado has touched down in the southwestern corner of Iowa. Fremont County Emergency Management Director Mike Crecelius says the tornado hit a rural area east of Sidney on Wednesday afternoon. Crecelius says no injuries have been reported. Sidney Assistant Fire Chief Dustin Sheldon told Omaha television station KETV that some rural homes near Sidney and Shenandoah were damaged.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Police have arrested a man in the death of an Illinois man whose body was found burning near a Davenport street. The Quad-City Times reports that 42-year-old Tremayne La-Toine Thomas, of Davenport, was arrested Wednesday and charged with one count of first-degree murder in the May 30 death of 35-year-old Brandon Brooks. Police say Brooks was seen with Thomas the day before his death and that a search of Thomas’ home turned up blood evidence.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — ABC and a South Dakota meat producer have settled in a $1.9 billion lawsuit against the network over its reports on a beef product that critics dubbed “pink slime.” The terms of the settlement announced Wednesday are confidential. Dakota Dunes-based Beef Products Inc. sued the television network in 2012, saying ABC’s coverage misled consumers into believing the product is unsafe, is not beef and isn’t nutritious.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office is asking for your help in a theft investigation. Authorities say on Tuesday, a man residing at 300 South 1st Street in Northboro, reported the theft of several cell phones, head phones, a portable DVD player, tools, and change from his residence.  The theft occurred sometime between June 22, 2017 and June 27, 2017. The victim believes that the items were stolen on different dates. The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 712-246-5193.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Wednesday), reports 56-year old Jeffrey Charles Dory, of Anita, was arrested Tuesday on a charge of Driving While Barred. Dory was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on $2,000 bond.

And, this (Wednesday) morning at around 7:55 a.m., Cass County deputies responded to a report of a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Highway 71 and Highway 92. Officials say a 1997 Ford F250 pickup pulling a trailer driven by 73-year old Darrell Dee Krause, of Massena, was southbound on Highway 71 and attempting to make a left turn onto Highway 92, when it was struck in the left rear by a 2012 Kenworth semi driven by 57-year old Baldwindersingh Sidhu, of Canton, MI. No injuries were reported. The damage amounted to $3,000. Sidhu was cited for Following Too Closely.

Elected officials and city employees in Harlan say they are “disappointed and embarrassed” auditors found Harlan’s former city administrator was reimbursed for thousands of dollars worth of “improper and unsupported” expenses. Former Harlan City Administrator Terry Cox for the city for nearly 40 years. The special investigation by the state auditor’s office reviewed his last 12 years on the job.

Auditors discovered Cox was faking travel expenses and buying alcohol with city money. “City of Harlan Elected Officials and Employees” released a written statement saying they “are not proud of these actions,” and understand the community is concerned about the report. The statement goes on to say changes in city policies were made even before the auditors’ investigation was complete. There are new rules for expense reports. “Absolutely no alcohol” is to be claimed as an expense either.

The employees and officials in Harlan also hint their former city administrator may face charges at some point. The group said it “will let the legal system take its course.”

(Radio Iowa)

FORT DODGE, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Park Bureau is investigating a death at an Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) park in north central Iowa.

The crash was reported around 4:30 pm, on Tuesday, June 27, 2017, when a 911 call was made of an unresponsive male at the Gypsum City OHV Park near the intersection of trails 220 and 222. When rescue crews responded they found an unconscious male pinned under an ATV located in a small ravine. Authorities believe the male lost control of the ATV, left the trail and ended up in the small ravine.

The male has been identified as 55-year old Joseph Edward Rouse, of Boone. An autopsy will take place at the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny to determine the exact cause of death.  Rouse was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.