COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Authorities in Iowa report 46-year-old Chad Michael Schaefer, of Omaha, was sentenced December 8, 2021 in Council Bluffs U-S District Court, to 57 months in prison for Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm. His term of imprisonment will be followed by three years of supervised release. According to court documents, Schaefer pleaded guilty to the charge on September 2, 2021.

On October 9, 2020, a police officer reported his vehicle was burglarized and a Smith and Wesson rifle was stolen. A neighbor also reported his vehicle was burglarized and a wallet was taken. A credit card from the stolen wallet was used in the early morning hours shortly after the burglary in Omaha. Detectives obtained surveillance footage from the stores where the stolen credit card was used and were able to identify Schaefer as the suspect.

Schaefer also had messages on his cellular phone linking him to the stolen rifle. At the time of the offense, Schaefer was a
convicted felon and drug user.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office and Council Bluffs Police Department investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – A Council Bluffs man, 43-year-old Mitchell Wayne Bochnicek, was sentenced December 8th in Council Bluffs U-S District Court, to serve 120 months in prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. His term of imprisonment will be followed by five years of supervised release. According to court documents, Bochnicek pleaded guilty to the offense on September 2, 2021.

On January 21, 2021, Bochnicek was stopped by law enforcement regarding his vehicle bearing an incorrect registration plate. After attempting to identify Bochnicek, the officer performed a pat down and located a scale in his pocket. The officer then located methamphetamine, baggies, a scale, a loaded firearm, and $1,392 inside the vehicle. Bochnicek admitted the methamphetamine and the paraphernalia belonged to him.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Council Bluffs Police Department and the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa said today (Friday), 24-year-old Diamond Marie Logan, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced on February 8th to 120 months in prison for Transportation of a Minor. Logan’s term of imprisonment will be followed by five years of supervised release. According to court documents, Logan pleaded guilty to the charge on September 7, 2021. Her sentence was handed down in Council Bluffs U-S District Court.

On November 18, 2020, two teenage girls ran away from a residential group home located in Omaha. They first went to a home in Omaha but were later picked up by Logan who then drove the girls to her house in Council Bluffs. On December 2, 2020, the FBI located one of the teenagers in Omaha who then assisted in locating the second teenager. The two girls disclosed that Logan posted them on an online website for purposes of prostitution.

The FBI searched through the online website and found that between October and December 2020, Logan posted numerous ads for prostituting the girls. Logan arranged prostitution at her home in Council Bluffs and also drove one of the girls from Council Bluffs to Omaha for the purpose of engaging in prostitution.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Council Bluffs Police Department, Omaha Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.

Des Moines, Iowa — The Iowa Judicial Branch today (Friday), announced it is ending the requirement masks be worn during court cases, beginning on Monday. The rule was put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19 during the surges from the delta and omicron variants.

Judges will still be able to require face coverings as they see necessary. The Iowa Supreme Court said in a News release,  “The current general mask requirement, a temporary measure reinstituted principally to address the rise of infectious COVID-19 variants, may again be discontinued, with judges retaining discretion to address COVID-related safety measures in proceedings as necessary on a case-by-case basis.”

WINTERSET, Iowa – Feb. 11, 2022 – The intersection of U.S.169 and 8th Avenue in Winterset, in Madison County, will be converted from a two-way stop to an all-way stop intersection beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 23, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 4 Office.

The Iowa DOT will use digital message signs along the roadway beginning on Friday, Feb. 11, to provide motorists advanced notice of the pending change to the intersection. Other additions to the intersection will include stop ahead signs, all-way stop plaques, and temporary red flags. Additional pavement markings will be added in the spring, weather permitting.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through the 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter (find links at https://iowadot.gov/511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.

(Radio Iowa) – Mosquito surveillance efforts led by Iowa State University entomologists have found evidence for the first time of a new mosquito in three counties. Entomologist Ryan Smith says it was believed the Aedes albopictus (A-dees Al-bow-pick-tuss) mosquito would make it through Iowa’s cold temperatures. “It’s been found in some of the neighboring states, Missouri and Illinois, but it’s been thought as you went a little further north it wouldn’t survive the winters. Our data suggest not only is it surviving — but it seems to be actually spreading,” Smith says.

Aedes albopictus

It has been found in Lee and Des Moines counties in southeastern Iowa along the Mississippi River, and in Polk County in central Iowa. “This is a species that can be a bit more aggressive in biting humans. So it can become a bit of a nuisance. And it has the ability to transmit diseases we haven’t really had here in Iowa with the ability to transmit dengue (deng-ee), Zika (zee-kuh) and chikungunya (Chick-en-goon-yuh),” according to Smith.

He says the mosquito’s ability to carry those diseases changes things. “Every year people from Iowa go off to tropical places and bring back some of these mosquito-borne diseases,” he says. “And with having these mosquitoes here there is a very rare chance — but possible — they can become infected as they feed on one of these people and can cause further transmission.” Smith says it is not something to cause great worry — but it is something to be aware of. “I think it just kind of raises — especially if you are in some of these counties — the potential that these could be a nuisance and potentially bite you on summer days. And I think it also kind of stresses trying to remove any kind of debris or items on your yards or property that can collect standing water,” Smith says.

The most common mosquitoes in Iowa are impacted by dry times — but Smith says this new mosquito can manage dry conditions much better. “This one is going to rely on those little places that can collect some water. The eggs are able to withstand long periods of drought. Sometimes just a little bit of rain can trigger them to pop out in pretty large numbers,” he says. Smith says this mosquito is very recognizable compared to the ones you usually see in the backyard. “It is very dark in color, almost black, and has kind of white bands on its legs and abdomen. And most distinctly it has a single white kind of racing stripe right down its back,” Smith explains.

Smith says if you do see this type of mosquito he would like you to let him know.

(Pottawattamie County, Iowa) – Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department, Friday (today), would like to make you aware of crimes that have happened locally. Authorities say victims are leasing homes “sight unseen,” and paying remote landlords with gift cards or Venmo. They later find the home is owned by someone else. Police officials say, “When renting, make sure to inspect the property in person and meet with the leasing agent or property owner.” They say you should also check ownership on Pottco.org.

The P-D warns “Funds lost in these scams are rarely recovered.”

(Clarinda, Iowa) – Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer, Friday (today), reports his deputies on Thursday, arrested 40-year-old Crystal Cornett Messer, of Clarinda. The woman was taken into custody for Possession of Drug paraphernalia. Her arrest stems from another incident where the Sheriff’s Office was serving a court order at 1500 N 16^th Street, in Clarinda. Messer was transported to the Page County Jail where she is being held on $300 bond.

“A charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”

(Radio Iowa) – For many Iowans, Super Bowl Sunday means camping out in front of the big screen, watching football, snacking on pizza and sipping a few adult beverages. That’s all fine, as long as you don’t plan to drive after too much imbibing. Trooper Paul Gardner of Fort Dodge says the Iowa State Patrol is partnering with local law enforcement agencies across the state in a two-day effort. “On Sunday afternoon and into the evening, we’re going to be looking out for drunk drivers,” Gardner says. “Then on Monday, we’re going to be back at it, focusing on the morning commute, watching for people who are speeding and also looking for distracted drivers out there as well.”

Gardner offers some advice to fans, motorists and Super Bowl party hosts. “We know a lot of these parties contain alcoholic beverages and we are strongly encouraging those who are watching the game and drinking, have a designated driver on hand. Don’t get behind the wheel,” Gardner says. “If you know of somebody who’s going to get behind the wheel and they’re intoxicated, don’t let them do so. Get them a cab or get them a ride home.” No matter who wins the big game, Gardner says he’ll consider it a win if there are no traffic fatalities statewide all weekend.

(Radio Iowa) – One-hundred-21 (121) workers are being laid off at the Siemens Gamesa plant in Fort Madison that makes wind turbine blades. The C-E-O of the company’s operations in North America says the wind energy industry has been waiting to find out what climate-related legislation will emerge from congress and that temporarily slowed the renewable energy market. A second factor involved a competitor’s patent complaint. Siemens Gamesa declined new orders as it awaited a decision from federal regulators, who recently ruled in Siemens’ favor.

Some of the 121 workers who’s been laid off from the Fort Madison plant may find other jobs within the company. The rest will be offered a severance package. Two-hundred-54 (254) employees will remain on the job in Fort Madison.