(Radio Iowa) – A special investigation by the State Auditor finds problems with the handling of funds by the former city clerk of Steamboat Rock.

The investigation found more than $30,000 of undeposited, uncollected, or unbilled utility fees, $5,000 in improper disbursements, and nearly $8,000 in unsupported disbursements. The auditor found a majority of the improper disbursements by former clerk Renee Oltrogge. were personal charges on the city credit card.

It says a number of documents Oltrogge submitted as support for purchases she made with the city’s credit card were altered. The audit report also says records were not sufficiently maintained and it is not possible to determine if there were other improperly disbursed funds.

The investigation report has been turned over to Hardin County Sheriff and County Attorney along with the D-C-I and state Attorney General.

(Creston, Iowa) – No injuries were reported following a minor accident this (Wednesday) morning, in Creston. According to Creston Police, a pickup driven by 78-year-old Douglas W. Minnick, of Creston, was traveling east on Lucas Street at around 8-a.m.  Due to sun glare, Minnick failed to notice a legally parked 2014 Jeep Cherokee.

His pickup hit the SUV on the left rear side, causing $2,000 damage to the Jeep, and $1,500 damage to the pickup. No citations were issued.

Atlantic, IA – Cass Health’s next session of Healthy U will feature Kasey Meneely, DPT discussing LSVT BIG (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, a program aimed at an increase of movement amplitudes in persons with Parkinson’s Disease). The session will be held Thursday, February 15th at noon in Conference Room 2.

LSVT BIG is an intense one-on-one training program for people with Parkinson’s disease or other neurological conditions, with an emphasis on the quality and largeness of movement. LSVT BIG helps improve a patient’s physical abilities, and therapy sessions focus on a specific routine of daily BIG exercises, walking with BIG movements, and incorporating these techniques into patient identified, difficult daily tasks to promote more confidence with balance and movement. As an LSVT BIG certified clinician, Meneely works with many patients who live with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions that impact how confident they feel with movement during everyday tasks.

Kasey Meneely, DPT

Meneely graduated from Creighton University in 2016 with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She offers a full spectrum of care within physical therapy, but has special interest in neurological disorders, pelvic floor and pre/post-natal health, and acute inpatients. Kasey is licensed and board certified by the Iowa Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy and is a member of the Iowa Physical Therapy Association and the America Physical Therapy Association.

Space is limited! A free boxed lunch is provided for all attendees, so reservations are required. Call 712-243-7479 to reserve your seat. For more information about Healthy U, visit casshealth.org/healthyu.

(Radio Iowa) – If a bill in the Iowa House becomes law, a group of legislators could force lawmakers to vote on whether the proposed carbon capture pipelines can get state government permission to seize property for the project. Twenty-one members of the Iowa House or 11 members of the Iowa Senate would have to sign a petition seeking an up or down vote on the use of eminent domain for the project. Victoria Sinclair, a lobbyist for a group called Land of the Free Action, says the Iowa Utilities Board review of the Summit Carbon Solutions project has been grossly unfair. “A mechanism for the legislature to tap the brakes in situations like this is appropriate and necessary,” Sinclair said.

Landowners like Kathy Carter of Rockford in Floyd County say it’s been an exhausting to fight against having her farm property seized through eminent domain. “The use of eminent domain for a private company to be allowed to take my land is one word: wrong,” she said. “This has got to stop and this bill will help do exactly that.” Pete McRoberts, a lobbyist for the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa says the A-C-L-U is not taking a position on the pipeline, but support the bill strongly.  “We take a strong position against the abuse of power as evidenced by the Iowa Utilities Board and the Office of the Consumer Advocate through this long and corrupt process that has caused so much pain to these landowners,” McRoberts said. “…We believe in legislative oversight of the constitutional provisions of eminent domain in a way that is proper and fair.”

Republican Representative Charley Thomson of Charles City says existing Iowa Utilities Board rules for pipeline developers have been manipulated to deprive Iowans of their due process rights. “This bill, if it becomes law, will restore some of the checks and balances by returning to the elected officials of Iowa — the membership of the General Assembly– a final decision about the propriety of the pipeline and public use,” Thomson said. “…I think it’s important that elected people, not appointed people, make this decision.”

Republican Representative Steven Holt of Denison says it’s frustrating that landowners who don’t want the pipeline on their property aren’t protected under current law. “My party is supposed to stand up for the Constitution, is supposed to stand up for the Bill of Rights,” Holt said, “and it’s extremely disappointing to me that the legislation we passed last year did not move forward in the Senate.”

The Iowa House passed a bill last year setting up some new guidelines for carbon capture pipelines, but Senate Republicans did not bring it up for a vote. No one representing Summit Carbon Solutions spoke at this (Wednesday) morning’s House subcommittee hearing on the bill.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Glenwood was arrested Tuesday night. 28-year-old Jericho Cash Clements was arrested on a warrant for Violation of Probation. His bond was set at $10,000.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety, today (Wednesday) issued a statement with regard to a Sports Wagering Investigation. The statement says “Iowa Code section 80.25A directs the Commissioner of public safety to establish a subdivision with the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) “to be the primary criminal investigative and enforcement agency for the purpose of” enforcing Iowa’s gambling laws. Historically, these agents have worked in Iowa’s 19 casinos. With the legalization of sports betting in 2019 and its rapid growth since betting became legal on digital devices, DCI now has six agents dedicated to sports gambling. In 2023 alone, $2.4 billion in sports bets were placed in Iowa.

The evolution of gaming has given rise to emerging technologies that help regulate the industry and enforce the law. Iowa Administrative Rule 491-13.5 requires “the sportsbooks to implement location detection procedures to reasonably detect and dynamically monitor the location of a player attempting to place any wager” and to notify accountholders about information being gathered and shared.

Additionally, Iowa Code section 99F.7A requires sports wagering licensees to “employ reasonable steps to prohibit coaches, athletic trainers, officials, players, or other individuals who participate in an authorized sporting event that is the subject of sports wagering, from sports wagering.”

Analytical software programs developed by the licensees that provide mapping and anonymized data points were made available to the DCI to help identify anomalies suggesting suspicious or criminal activity that could undermine sports gambling in Iowa and ensure regulatory compliance.

Prior to using the tools provided, the Department of Public Safety conferred with legal counsel to ensure lawful access to and use of the technology. Two county attorney offices also reviewed all relevant investigative information before making the ultimate decision to file charges.

The Department traditionally does not comment on active investigations or litigation in an effort to ensure these matters are appropriately addressed by our justice system rather than the media. We believe the evidence was obtained in a constitutionally permissible manner. Ultimately it is up to the courts to decide. We want to reassure Iowans that the Department always strives to scrupulously uphold the laws and constitutions of the United States and the State of Iowa.”

(Creston, Iowa) – A collision late Tuesday morning in Union County resulted in a person transported to the hospital in Creston. The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports a 2003 Ford Ranger pickup driven by 75-year-old Charles Rayburn Davenport, of Arispe, was traveling west on Highway 34 at around 11:25-a.m. A 2020 International box truck driven by 22-year-old Gage William McCoy, of Ames, was stopped at the stop sign on Osage Street near the southeast City limits of Creston, and was attempting to turn left to head east on Highway 34. Because some semi’s were turning north from the westbound turn lane, McCoy failed to see the oncoming pickup truck.

When he pulled out into the intersection into the path of the pickup, the box truck was struck by the pickup. Charles Davenport was injured during the collision, and transported to the Greater Regional Medical Center, in Creston.

Authorities say Davenport had the right-of-way, and McCoy should have waited until he could determine if the road was clear, before proceeding into the intersection. No citations were issued. Damage from the accident amounted to $6,500.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports a man was arrested Tuesday night on an OWI charge. 39-year-old Miguel Angel Zapata-Gonzalez, of Creston, was arrested at around 11:52-p.m., near a Creston auto dealership. Zapata-Gonzalez was charged with Operating While Under the Influence, and Driving While Suspended. He was taken to Union County Jail and later posted at $1,300 cash or approved surety bond.

(Corydon, Iowa) – Sheriff’s official in southern Iowa, Tuesday, said a teenager faces a felony, Threat of Terrorism charge, following an alleged threat against the Wayne Community School District (CSD), in Corydon. The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office received a report Tuesday morning from the Wayne CSD with regard to information they received from another school district, concerning the threat of violence at each of the school districts.

The Wayne Community School District implemented a Level I External Lockdown following their policies and safety protocols, and immediately notified law enforcement. Deputies with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Secondary School in Corydon, and obtained information received by the school concerning the threats. Law enforcement acted immediately in identifying the individual and located him at a residence in rural Wayne County.

As a result of the investigation a 14 year old male juvenile was taken into custody without incident, by deputies with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, under the authority of an existing court order, and due to the incident reported that morning. The juvenile was not, at any time known to law enforcement, on school grounds. The teen remains in custody, and was transported to another agency pending the current criminal charges and the existing order.

The teen was charged with Threat of Terrorism, a Class “D” Felony. Authorities say while the case remains under investigation, there is no current danger to students, staff or community at this time. The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in their investigation, by the Osage Police Department,Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Juvenile Court Services and the Wayne Community School District.