The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa reports a man from Tennessee was sentenced Monday in Council Bluffs, to 10-years in prison on a meth-related charge. 42-year old Juan Beteme Amezquita, of Murfreesboro, TN, was sentenced to prison for possession with intent to distribute over 67 pounds of methamphetamine.

The charge resulted from an investigation stemming from a traffic stop that occurred in Council Bluffs. Methamphetamine was found in a trailer pulled by Beteme, and concealed in a newly purchased freezer and wrapped in plastic. Beteme admitted to picking up the methamphetamine in Los Angeles, California, and intended on delivering the methamphetamine to Minnesota.

In addition to the 120 month prison sentence, Beteme will be required to serve three years of supervised release following his imprisonment. The Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pottawattamie County Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports a traffic stop early this (Thursday) morning in Randolph resulted in a man arrested on drug charges. The Fremont County K9 was deployed and indicated at the presence of narcotics. A search was conducted that led to the arrest of 56-year old Michael Landon, of Sidney. Landon faces charges that include Felony Possession of Methamphetamine and Unlawful Possession of Prescription Medication. He was brought to the Fremont County Law Enforcement Center and held on $6,000 bond.

Michael Landon (Fremont County S/O photo)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:50 a.m. CDT

GUTHRIE CENTER, Iowa (AP) — Investigators say arson was the cause of a house fire in central Iowa that killed two girls and severely injured their uncle. Law enforcement officials said Wednesday that the girls, who were cousins, have been identified as 16-year-old Shakiah Cockerham and 12-year-old Melanie “Paige” Exline, both of Guthrie Center. Their uncle, 54 year old William Long III, suffered severe burns to his upper body in the Monday afternoon fire and was flown to an Omaha, Nebraska, hospital.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s governor says he’ll issue a disaster proclamation for two northern counties. Gov. Terry Branstad said the proclamation will be signed Thursday for Kossuth and Webster counties in response severe weather Tuesday. The action allows state resources to be used to aid in recovery efforts.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Strong storms are sending heavy rain, strong winds and hail across Iowa as most of the state remains under a tornado watch and some parts have seen tornado warnings. The storms Wednesday came a day after powerful thunderstorms blew through much of the state, damaging homes and other buildings and knocking down trees, limbs and power poles, leaving thousands of people without power.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A Missouri Valley woman has been sentenced to nearly 16 years in federal prison in a sex abuse case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for southern Iowa says Trudy Thomsen was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty last year to transporting a minor with intent to engage in sexual activity. Prosecutors say Thomsen and her co-defendant, John Thomsen, used social media to convince a 14-year-old girl and another teen to come live with them in Missouri Valley, where one of the girls was sexually abused.

The Atlantic City Council, which usually takes the recommended lower bid on projects from contractors, moved away from that practice during their meeting Wednesday evening, and approved a bid that was slightly higher than the low bid (By around $35). Snyder and Associates Engineer Dave Sturm explained the infrastructure improvement projects, and recommended McCarthy Trenching, LLC. out of Avoca for the job, after speaking with Street Superintendent Derald Anderson.

Two bids were received, with McCarthy Trenching coming in at $27,100 and Stamp Construction, of Atlantic, at $27,135. Councilperson Ashley Hayes asked if the City has dealt with McCarthy before, to which Sturm replied, “Yes, numerous times.” Hayes thought that because the difference in bids was so small, the job should be handled by a local company. Snyder and Associates usually always recommends the lower bid, and Sturm they are a very reputable contractor.

He said Stamp hasn’t done a lot of underground work for the City in the past, but he has no issues working with that company. Councilman Chris Jimerson said owner Rob Stamp is definitely an individual who gives back to the community, and Councilman Halder agreed. Councilperson Kathy Somers suggested experience tells her they should go with the low bid, but the Council voted 4-3 against McCarthy and upon a motion and second vote approved Stamp Construction by a vote of 6-1, with Somers voting against.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council voted 6-to 1 against amending a City Ordinance to allow for certain types of Poultry to be raised within the City limits. Councilperson Hayes was the only vote in favor of amendment. And, the Council unanimously voted against allowing resident Jillian Scarf to apply for an exemption to the Code that would permit her to have two hens and one cockerel on her property. Before their vote to amend, the some members of the Council expressed their views on the matter, including Dana Halder. Halder said “It opens up something else for us to monitor, and that the City has enough things to do.”

The Council also voted to allow the sale of fireworks, and set the hours of use from Noon until Midnight on July 2nd, 3rd and 4th (the rules for New Year’s Eve and early New Year’s Day were unchanged from previous discussion). That was based on a recommendation from Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees. Fireworks are not to be used within 300 feet of a school or assisted living/care facilities, as a public safety aspect.
Sales of fireworks from tent vendors are not allowed until June 8th.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A 32-year-old Missouri Valley woman has been sentenced to nearly 16 years in federal prison in a sex abuse case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa, says Trudy Thomsen was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty last year to transporting a minor with intent to engage in sexual activity.

Prosecutors say Thomsen met a 14-year-old girl while working at a group home in Arkansas. After leaving the group home job, Thomsen and her co-defendant, John Thomsen, used social media to convince the teen and another girl to come live with them in Missouri Valley. Prosecutors say the Thomsens engaged in various sexual acts with one of the girls.

John Thomsen was sentenced in January to nearly 20 years in federal prison.

State Radio in Lewis is reporting at least two semi’s have been blown over on Interstate 80 due to thunderstorm winds. One was partially blocking the right lane at the 77 mile marker (Near Adair) westbound, another was at the 93 mile marker (Near Stuart). No injuries have been reported at this time (4-p.m.).

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — The Southwest Iowa Educational Foundation has awarded the first Kerrie Orozco Memorial Scholarship, named for Omaha Police Officer Kerrie Orozco, who was killed in the line of duty two years ago.

The Daily Nonpareil reports the first $500 scholarship was awarded earlier this month to Emma Seilstad of Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs. The gift comes from money raised in the aftermath of Orozco’s death to start the scholarship through the Pottawattamie County Community Foundation.

Orozco grew up in Walnut, Iowa, and lived in Council Bluffs at the time of her death. She was fatally wounded on May 20, 2015, when Marcus Wheeler opened fire on officers in Omaha who were trying to arrest him. Wheeler was killed when another officer returned fire.

The Atlantic Rotary Club, today (Wednesday) announced the winner of the 2017 Outstanding Teacher Award. This was the fourth year for the event, that took place in the commons area of the Atlantic High School, as part of the all teacher meeting. This year’s winner was Lisa Munsey, Middle School/8th Grade Math Teacher.

The forms and essays submitted for her nomination, came from peers, colleagues, students and parents of students. The Rotary’s Jennifer Plumb read from one of the nomination forms submitted by a colleagues, who wrote of Munsey in part, her “Passion for reaching all students shows each and every day. [Her] high expectations and growth mindset reminds students that the best of learning happens from trying their best, and making mistakes is part of the process.” And that her “Students over the year have shown tremendous growth on their Iowa Assessment tests. This is due to [Munsey] never giving a child an ‘escape route,’ where math is concerned. [She] will go to great lengths in order to make sure that each and every student stays caught up with their school work.”

Munsey thanked the Rotary for the “tremendous honor.” She found out she may have been nominated while on a track bus full of 50 Middle School girls heading to Denison. She said she is very appreciative of those who took the time to honor her for what she loves doing. As the “Teacher of the Year” award winner, Lisa Munsey receives a $3,000 cash prize, to further enhance her educational resources, further her education or any other purpose she deems appropriate. Last year’s winner was Jodie Hogue, Kindergarten/Multi-age class instructor. She donated much of her cash award back to the community for programs that help kids, such as the YMCA, the Atlantic Police Fund for kids camping and other activities. She also purchased items for her classroom.

Also honored at during the awards ceremony, were retirees and other staff, including: Peggy Jacobs/Washington Elementary School retiree; Linda Joyce/Atlantic Middle School Retiree; Kathy Blazek/AHS retiree; and Maintenance retirees Duane Baxter along with Paul Dreager.

Law enforcement officials with the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the State Fire Marshal’s Office, along with the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner, have identified the cousins that died in the May 15th fire in Guthrie Center. Authorities say 16 year old Shakiah Cockerham and 12 year old Melanie “Paige” Exline, both of Guthrie Center, died during the blaze.

Shakiah and Paige’s uncle, 54 year old William Long, III suffered severe burns to his upper body and was flown to Omaha, NE, where he remains hospitalized for those injuries. Their grandmother, 74 year old Shirley Exline, suffered minor injuries.

The Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office has concluded that the house fire was a result of Arson and therefore a criminal investigation into the Arson and deaths is taking place with the cooperation of the agencies listed above.

It is asked that anyone with information related to this investigation contact the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office at (641) 747-2214.

A man wanted for Violating a No Contact Order and leading an Adair County Sheriff’s  Deputy on a high-speed pursuit Monday night, has been caught. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office says 25-year old Marcus Anthony Terrell, of Albia, was being held in the Dallas County Jail and was set to be returned to Guthrie County today (Wednesday) to make an appearance before the magistrate.

Terrell faces charges that include Violation of a No Contact Order, Operating a Vehicle Without Owner’s Consent, Domestic Abuse Assault 3rd Offense, Eluding, Driving While Barred, Injuring a Police K9 and Assault on a Peace Officer with a Deadly Weapon.

Numerous law enforcement agencies, fire departments and EMS personnel assisted the Guthrie County S-O in handling the incident, that began when a deputy encountered Terrell at around 10-p.m. Monday, at a residence in Casey.