(Radio Iowa) – Des Moines police have released the name of the local woman who was shot and killed near downtown last (Monday) night. Police were called about 9:30 PM to an area along the Des Moines River near the Robert Ray Asian Garden and the Iowa Women of Achievement pedestrian bridge. Officers found the body of 21-year-old Elizabeth Arzola with a gunshot wound. She died at the scene.

A handgun was also found close-by. Investigators say it was likely a “targeted incident” and there is no danger to the public. No arrests have been made in Des Moines’ ninth homicide this year.

(Sioux City, Iowa) – A collision northeast of Sioux City, Tuesday morning, resulting in one person dead and two others injured. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 1998 Honda Civic driven by 22-year-old Uzael Abraham, of Sioux City, was traveling south on Highway 75 near C-70, at around 5:45-a.m., when the vehicle was struck from behind. The other vehicle was a 2015 Nissan Sentra, driven by 30-year-old David Diaz, of Sioux City.

Following the collision, the Honda spun around and came to rest in the median. A passenger in the car, 45-year-old Ermiohne Joswa, of Sioux City, died at the scene. Uzeal Abraham suffered critical injuries and was transported by Hinton Fire/EMS to Mercy Hospital, in Sioux City.

David Diaz sustained minor injuries in the crash and was also transported to Mercy in Sioux City. The accident remains under investigation.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – A man and a woman from Council Bluffs were arrested this (Tuesday) morning on the Iowa Western Community College campus in Council Bluffs, following the pursuit of a stolen SUV. 32-year-old Jeremy Belt and 27-year-old Jamia D. Sutton face theft, eluding, and a litany of other, pending charges.

According to Council Bluffs Police, at around 10-a.m. officers were checking the area around the Bomgaars store (2803 E Kanesville Blvd) for a stolen Grey Hyundai Santa Fe. They saw the SUV traveling at a high rate of speed on E Kanesville.

When a Council Bluffs Police Officer attempted to perform a traffic stop on the vehicle, he broke-off the traffic stop when the vehicle fled and began driving erratically. The vehicle went off road and onto a dirt road towards the Iowa Western Community College Campus. Officers converged on the area to check the IWCC Campus to see if they could locate the vehicle, which was found abandoned in the area of the Towers Dorm, on the IWCC Campus.

Jamia D. Sutton

Jeremy J. Belt

A perimeter search of the area was conducted. The officer who had attempted to stop the vehicle was able to provide a description of the two suspects. They were located running through the campus grounds into the woods and creek bottom. Both were taken into custody after a foot pursuits.

Authorities say during the course of the incident IWCC was kept in continual communication as to the event once it was determined the suspects were heading towards the campus. IWCC put into effect their Campus Threat Protocol. Once the two suspects were apprehended IWCC was immediately notified they could come out of their lock down.

Due to the quick action of the campus, Police believe this kept the suspects from being able to get into any of their facilities. There were NO guns found, No shots fired and the suspects were found UNARMED. There were no reported injuries.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – A woman from Page County was arrested this (Tuesday) morning at the Mills County Courthouse. Sheriff’s officials say 41-year-old Haley Ann Haynes, of Shambaugh, was taken into custody on a warrant for Failure to Appear on an original, Possession of a Controlled Substance, charge. She was being held on a $15,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – The website for Iowa Courts Online reports charges were filed this (Tuesday) morning against a Fort Dodge police officer. Thirty-one-year-old Bryce Presswood is facing charges of operating while intoxicated first offense, an open container violation and leaving the scene of an accident. This is in reference to the accident at Highway 20 and Vasse Avenue south of Duncombe early Sunday evening. There were no injuries in the accident.

Presswood has been placed on paid administrative leave until further notice from the Fort Dodge Police Department because of the accident investigation. Presswood has been a member of the Fort Dodge Police Department since 2016. He served as a school liaison officer for Fort Dodge Senior High. The Webster County Sheriff’s Department and the Iowa State Patrol continue with their investigation of the accident.

(Radio Iowa) – The U-S Court of Appeals has upheld the eight-year prison sentence given to a woman in 2021 after she admitted to damaging the Dakota Access Pipeline. Jessica Reznicek pleaded guilty to conspiracy to damage an energy facility after admitting to vandalism in Buena Vista, Mahaska and Wapello County that included taking a blowtorch to the pipeline. Reznicek argued she was motivated by saving the environment, and the district court erred by classifying her actions as terrorism.

Jessica Reznicek and Ruby Montoya in 2017. (RI photo)

The Appeals Court ruling says the district court would have imposed the same sentence without the terrorism enhancement. It says the district court sentencing considered Reznicek’s “laudable, though ultimately misguided, motivations,” as well as her encouragement of others to imitate her crimes, that her vandalism caused “a grave risk to others,” and that her crimes continued over a long stretch of time.

Ruby Montoya admitted to the vandalism along with Reznicek and reached a plea deal with prosecutors. She has been fighting to withdraw her plea and take the case to trial.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce today (Tuesday), announced the Chamber has joined a statewide coalition to end human trafficking in Iowa. The Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking (IBAT) initiative is spearheaded by the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office. The goal is to have Iowa’s business community raise awareness and help prevent human trafficking. Membership in IBAT is open to any business or nonprofit organization that operates in the State of Iowa and shares a commitment to taking steps to promote awareness of human trafficking and the Iowa Safe at Home program. Safe at Home is an address confidentiality program for survivors of human trafficking and other violent crimes.

Businesses that join IBAT are asked to complete two tasks each year: “Learn Something,” and “Do Something.” Businesses will commit to “Learn Something” by educating employees, customers, and industry partners on the signs and impact of human trafficking in Iowa. Businesses can “Do Something” by empowering more people to take action to prevent human trafficking in Iowa.

Pictured Left to Right: Iowa Secretary of State Staff; Bailey Smith, Atlantic Chamber Executive Director; Kent Hanson, Atlantic Chamber Board President; Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate; Kelsey Beschorner, Atlantic Chamber Program Director and Melissa Ihnen, Atlantic Chamber Board of Director. (Photo courtesy of the Chamber)

Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, says “Human Trafficking is an epidemic that is affecting the entire country, but particularly Iowa. I think a lot of people assume, ‘We’re in a small town, this won’t affect us,’ but it is and will continue to until more education is made available. We’re pleased to partner with the Secretary of State’s office to bring more awareness and help educate businesses and residents in our community ways we can all work together to bring an end to this tragedy.”

IBAT was launched by Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate in January 2022. To learn more about IBAT and ways to get involved, contact Bailey Smith at bailey@atlanticiowa.com or call 712-243-3017.

CRESTON, Iowa – June 7, 2022 – Officials with the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Creston Construction Office report “Bridge deck repair work on the U.S. 59 bridge over Interstate 80 in Pottawattamie County will require reducing the roadway to one lane in each direction at the bridges starting Monday, June 13 at 7 a.m., weather permitting.”

During this project, an 11-foot-6-inch lane width restriction will be in place. The lane closures are expected to be in place until Sept. 1st.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue reports a dozen arrests took place from May 28th through June 5th. On Sunday (June 5th), 40-year-old Cathy Vasser, of Moncks, NC, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, and, 42-year-old Taimichy Ichin, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. Four people from Atlantic were arrested last Saturday.

• 28-year-old Benser Mark was arrested for Disorderly Conduct.
• 25-year-old K One Moses was arrested for Simple Assault.
• 24-year-old TK Narios was arrested for Public Intoxication,
• and 38-year-old Daniel Duranceau was arrested for Simple Assault. He was cited into court and released at the scene.

On Friday, Atlantic Police arrested 30-year-old Cody Plies, of Walnut, for Simple Assault. He was also cited and released from the scene. There were three arrests in Atlantic on June 1st:

43-year-old Tina Binkley and 57-year-old Joline Reyes, both of Grand Island, NE, were arrested in Atlantic for Theft in the 5th Degree (Shoplifting), and, 27-year-old Joyus Kosy, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense.

Atlantic Police arrested 35-year-old Jeffrey Knight of Atlantic, on May 29th, for three counts of Harassment in the 2nd Degree. And, on the 28th of May, 23-year-old Logan Russell, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense.

(Radio Iowa) – The central Iowa community of Stanhope is raising money to move a 140-year-old train depot from a Hamilton County farm back to town. Rick Young is chairman of the Hamilton County Supervisors and says the historic building will soon be returned to its original home. “The depot has been cared for for 40 years by the Carlson family, and we’re so thankful that they did that, otherwise it would have ended up like a lot of train depots that towns had, they’re long gone,” Young says. “Really, they’ve kind of ended their time with it and it’s a good time to move it back.”

Stanhope Depot. (KQWC photo via Radio Iowa)

Young says there are many costs involved with moving the depot, then putting it on a foundation and buying a piece of property — perhaps 122-thousand dollars total. Efforts are being made to make it easy for anyone, anywhere to donate to the effort. “Any gifts of money will be made tax exempt, so they can get a tax credit for their gift,” Young says, “and they’ll also be able to pay online through a link on the Stanhope Depot Facebook page.”

For as old as the structure is, Young says it’s in great shape.  “The depot itself is very well, it’s sturdy, secure,” Young says. “The Carlsons put a new roof on it a few years ago so it’s in very decent condition, very worthy to be saved.” So far, $7,500 in pledges have been made for the project. If everything goes according to plan, the depot will be moved next summer.