DES MOINES, Iowa – The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa reports that on November 13, 2025, a federal grand jury in Des Moines returned a three-count indictment with offenses relating to false statements on two loan applications and during bankruptcy proceedings. As alleged in the Indictment, 57-year-old Henry J. Schappert applied for and obtained over $415,000 of Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans in 2020 and 2021 ostensibly on behalf of his company, Allied Exteriors. The Indictment alleges that Schappert made several false statements on applications or amended applications for the loans which included inflated number of employees, revenue, cost of goods sold, and employee wages.

The Indictment further alleges that Schappert, in 2021, after receiving the EIDL and PPP loan proceeds, formed Pots and Shots, LLC, a bar and plant store in West Des Moines, Iowa. Schappert subsequently transferred over $129,000 from Allied Exteriors’ accounts to this new venture. The Indictment also alleges that Schappert filed for bankruptcy in the Southern District of Iowa in 2024, in which he made several false declarations on his bankruptcy petition and schedules.

United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case with assistance from the Office of the United States Trustee. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Lubben is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

(Creston, IA) – The Creston Police Department reports a woman from Adair County was arrested Wednesday evening at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center. Authorities say 40-year-old Valerie Ann Cross, of Greenfield, was arrested on a charge of Probation Violation. Cross was taken to Adams County Jail, where she was being held without bond pending her initial court appearance.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa State University has received approval to move ahead with leases in the new commercial development known as CyTown north of Jack Trice Stadium. Board of Regents attorney Amy Claeys (Clayz) says it includes leases for six components. “This includes the food and beverage anchor, two office and retail buildings, two side CyTown suite buildings, the amphitheater, and the common amenity area. The hotel is still undergoing the design phase and will be brought to the board at a future meeting,” Claeys says. She says each of the buildings are financed with a combination of university land, financial contributions and debt financing secured by the developer Goldenrod.

“The CyTown development is projected to generate 184-million dollars in net revenue to the university over the next 30 years,” she says. Regent Robert Cramer is on the committee that reviewed the proposals. “We’re pleased with the results of what they’re projecting. And again the projections, we feel that they’re conservative projections, we feel good about it,” Cramer says. Regent Nancy Dunkel is also on the review committee. “We have had a chance to thoroughly vet these numbers. I feel they’re as good as a budget projection as you can get,” Dunkel says. “I did have a lot of questions in the beginning of this and that’s probably how how I got on this committee to begin with. But I’d have to say it’s a very open process and I feel really good about what’s going to happen in Iowa State with this CyTown project.”

Cramer says Goldenrod really has a lot of risk as they are going to go out and find tenants to fill the spaces.

(Radio Iowa) – Temperatures are expected in the teens below zero this (Thursday) morning with even-colder wind chills, so Iowa’s a pretty inhospitable place right now — for people and for our pets. K-C Routos, development director of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, says some dog and cat owners will take their furry friends with them on errands to the grocery store and elsewhere, and they’ll leave the animals in running vehicles. Routos says that’s a dangerous, potentially deadly move, for your pet. “If you leave your car running and something happens where it happens to turn off, or they step on the window and it rolls down, or any variety of things could happen, just on accident,” Routos says, “so it’s always best just to leave your pet at home when it’s extreme temperatures like this.”

While exercise is important for all of us, she says it’s likely best -not- to take your pets on their typical strolls around the neighborhood — or anywhere else — until it warms up.  “We’d recommend probably not taking dogs out for walks during these extreme temperatures,” Routos says. “Their paws can be a little bit more sensitive to it and frostbite can probably happen pretty quickly in these extreme temperatures, just like they can for humans.” Some animals are built for colder weather and enjoy playing in the cold. Routos says the owner should increase the amount of food that animal is given, especially extra protein, to keep them and their fur healthy and in good shape. It’s vital that outside animals have the proper protection from the bitter temperatures.

“If your pet absolutely has to be kept outside, make sure that they have housing where they can be free of any of the elements, including the wind, and making sure that any water that they have is unfrozen,” Routos says. “Even huskies, in this temperature, it can be a little bit cold because they’re not necessarily used to it like they are maybe in some other areas.” Puppies, small dogs and older dogs have a lower tolerance for cold temperatures, she says, so only let them outside to relieve themselves, or train them to use paper pads indoors. Also, when your pet comes back inside, towel dry their paws, legs and stomach, as chemicals used to melt ice can be dangerous for your dog to ingest while licking his paws. Snow and encrusted ice may also cause your dog’s paw pads to bleed.

Find more tips at: ARL-Iowa.org

(Atlantic, IA) – A Shelby County man facing multiple charges for alleged sex- and drug-related offenses, is being held in the Cass County Jail. According to online court records, 45-year-old Michael Christopher Butler, of Harlan, is scheduled to be arraigned in Shelby County District Court on December 22nd. His pre-trial conference was set for January 12th, 2026, with trial was set for February 3rd, 2026.

Butler was arrested November 20th on charges that include:

• 2 counts of Sex Abuse in the 3rd Degree – Child Victim/person 4-years of age or older/2nd offense.
• Lascivious Acts by touching his genitals to any part of a child’s body
• 3-counts of Drug distribution violation to a person under the age of 18
• Keeping a premises or vehicle for controlled substance violation, and
• Possession of a Controlled Substance – Marijuana/1st offense.

Access to records regarding the specific details of the criminal complaints have been restricted by the Court.

Michael Christopher Butler (Shelby County Sheriff’s Office booking photo)

According to the online court records, the charges of Sex Abuse in the 3rd are with regard to offenses Butler allegedly committed in May, 2024. The Lascivious Acts charge was for an incident that allegedly took place in July of 2019. The drug distribution offenses allegedly occurred in May and October of 2024, while the latter drug charges are related to events that allegedly occurred November 20, 2025, in Shelby County.

ELY, Iowa (KCRG) – Christmas tree shoppers may see higher prices for artificial trees due to tariffs, while prices for real trees remain largely steady as local growers absorb extra costs. According to the American Christmas Tree Association, 83 percent of artificial trees are made outside the U.S. and face tariffs, leading to price increases of 10 percent or more this year. Artificial trees remain the most popular choice among households, the association reports.

At Cedar’s Edge Evergreen Market in Ely, owner Mark Banowitz said his farm has seen slight increases in shipping costs for pre-cut trees, but he chose not to pass those costs on to customers. The American Christmas Tree Association found that 42 percent of tree growers surveyed have higher costs but aren’t charging more, following Banowitz’s approach. Banowitz said the farm focuses on creating experiences for families rather than maximizing profits.

While pre-cut tree prices remained stable, Banowitz noted some increases in prices for gift shop items at the farm.

(Radio Iowa) – Four Iowans are being honored for their heroic efforts to save others from burning homes and icy waters. The Governor’s Lifesaving Awards were established in 1977 and this year’s ceremony was hosted by Governor Kim Reynolds. “Each of you demonstrated a level of bravery that most of only hope we’re capable of,” Reynolds said. “…Courage is what transforms ordinary people into heroes and that’s what makes today so special because the people we’re honoring would never think of themselves that way. They will tell you they just did what anyone would have done, but we know that not everyone runs toward danger.”

Kyle Peterson of Spirit Lake received the Lifesaving with Valor Award for his actions early this year, on January 5th. He saw an accident on East Okoboji Lake, left his seat in a restaurant along the shore and ran half a mile across ice on the lake to rescue a couple who’d been tossed from their U-T-V into open water. Iowa Public Safety Commissioner Stephen Bayens says Peterson could hear the woman’s screams as he ran.

“Once at the water’s edge, Kyle found the couple grasping for purchase along the ice shelf,” Bayens said. “…With nowhere else to turn, Kyle shrugged out of his jacket and threw it to the woman, using it as a rope. Kyle then began the arduous task for pulling the woman to safety as he struggled to find traction on the glassy ice. Once he was able to pull the women onto stable ice, Kyle then turned his attention to the husband and did the same.” Kyle Peterson then led the couple back across that half mile of frozen lake to safety and a couple of minutes later first responders arrived.

A man from Clinton was honored for saving a friend during an ice fishing trip last February. Michael Edwards‘ friend was cutting a new fishing hole in a Jackson County lake when the ice buckled and the man slid in the water. The state’s public safety commissioner says Michael sprawled on the ice and grabbed the end of the ice auger his friend had been using.  “Soon, the life-threatening game of tug and war ensued,” Bayens said. “Each time one or the other pulled on the auger, Michael slid closer to the edge. When that would happen, Michael’s friend would quit pulling so as not to endanger Michael, but in that same vein Michael refused to let the icy waters claim his friend.” A second man arrived with a fishing sled and helped pull the man out of the water.

John Wonio is another Lifesaving with Valor Award recipient. John noticed his neighbor’s home was on fire on December 7th of last year, called 9-1-1 and helped a Des Moines policeman break down the home’s front door. Bayens says one of the occupants heard John’s voice and followed it out of the house, but John and the policeman saw a woman sitting in a chair. “The two yelled at the top of their lungs, pleading for the woman to flee the home, but to their dismay they received no answer…John rushed through the front door and thrust himself into the burning home,” Bayens said. “Once inside, he found the unconscious woman…and dragged her to safety.” The woman was hospitalized for over two weeks for treatment of a collapsed lung, carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation and she was discharged just before last Christmas.

Meagan Murray, a letter carrier from New Hampton, received the Governor’s Lifesaving Award. Bayens says she rescued an 85-year-old woman from a burning home in New Hampton on September 30th of last year. “Realizing someone was trapped inside, Meagan forced open an exterior door, helped the woman escape to safety and remained with her until help arrived,” Bayens said. “On that day, an elderly mom was in need of a guardian angel and Meagan fit the bill.”

Bayens says the four Iowans honored are remarkable people who provided aid when it was needed most: bravery.

(Creston, IA) – A collision late Tuesday evening in Creston resulted in a woman being cited for alcohol and a moving violation following a crash at Harsh and Cherry Streets. The accident happened at around  7:45-p.m. According to the Creston Police accident report, 55-year-old Brian Bolinger, of Creston, told Officers he was traveling north on Cherry Street when a 2007 Jeep Liberty Sport – driven by 29-year-old Megan Elizabeth Banda, of Creston – ran the stop sign at Harsh Street and struck his 2015 Chevy Trax broadside.

Following the collision, the Jeep left the road, struck the stop sign and a legally parked 2023 Nissan Rogue, moving it sideways, before the Jeep re-entered the road. Bolinger told Police a passenger exited the Jeep with a plastic bag and walked south from the accident.

A second Creston Police Officer was talking with Banda, who began yelling. She was seated in the driver’s seat, and according to the report, had a strong odor of alcohol beverage coming from her person. There were also open containers of alcohol in the vehicle. Banda was transported to the Union County Law Enforcement Center and investigated for OWI. She was cited for Open Container – Driver, and Failure To Obey a Stop Sign.

Damage to the vehicles as a result of the crash, amounted to a police estimated total of $10,500. The damaged City of Creston Stop Sign was valued at $200. No injuries were reported.

DES MOINES, Iowa –  Officials with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said Wednesday, that through the Safe Haven Law, a baby boy, born October 6 is now in the care and custody of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and will be placed with a foster family until permanent placement is determined. This brings the overall total to 79 infants since the law went into effect more than two decades ago.

Iowa’s Safe Haven Act is an option for parents in crisis who determine they cannot care for an infant up to 90 days old. Designated safe havens are locations like hospitals and police and fire stations. Iowa HHS then works to place infants in an approved foster home while awaiting permanent adoption.

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent or adopting a child, visit https://iowafosterandadoption.org/ to learn more about becoming an approved foster or adoptive family. For more information on Iowa’s Safe Haven, visit https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/CPS/safe-haven.