DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police have identified the victim in the city’s latest homicide case. Police say 37-year-old Zachary Brooks of Des Moines was found dead in an apartment Monday evening after someone reported a suicide there.

The officers who arrived found Brooks’ body, but said his death didn’t appear to be a suicide. Police later declared Brooks’ death as the city’s 12th homicide of the year, but did not detail how Brooks died or announce any arrests..

The body of a western Iowa man missing since May 7^th was found late Monday night in the Missouri River. Sheriff’s officials in Nebraska told KETV in Omaha, the body of 28-year old Steven Delayne Sears, of Council Bluffs, was found caught in an area with fallen trees, about a mile and a-half south of the Rock Bluff Elevator.

Sears was the apparent victim of a boating accident that took place on the Missouri River, near Honey Creek. An autopsy was scheduled. Any charges in the case will be handled by Pottawattamie County.

Officials with the Harlan Police Department have released a report on arrests, citations and incidents that date back to May 21st. Last Friday, 29-year old Amber Dawn Hadfield, of Portsmouth, was arrested following a traffic stop. Hadfield was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with operating while intoxicated and turning from improper lane. Last Thursday, 26-year old Kevin Jose Tacuri, of Denison, was arrested following a traffic stop. Tacuri was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance, prohibited acts penalties, possession of drug paraphernalia, improper rear lamp, and windshield requirements.

On May 25th, 70-year old Russell Dwane Field, of Harlan, was cited for open container, following a traffic stop. On the 23rd, 18-year old Randi Lynn Hess, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop. Hess was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with possession of a controlled substance, failure to affix drug tax stamp, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

And, on May 21st, 21-year old Austin Lee Thomas Dusenberry, of Harlan, was cited for driving while suspended following a traffic stop.  59-year old John Allen Veydt, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop. Veydt was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with driving while barred and improper brake light.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in Davenport say seven heavily armed men are linked to shootings that wounded a man outside a jewelry store and a police officer during unrest that rocked the city this week. Documents from the Scott County Attorney’s Office allege the local men were responsible for some of the violence that began late Sunday and prompted the county to impose a curfew. Police are still investigating the deaths of a 22-year-old woman who was shot while leaving a protest and of a man who was found near where the suspects exchanged gunfire with police.

Officials with the Cass County Health System (CCHS), in Atlantic, report funds granted to CCHS from the Southwest Iowa COVID-19 Response Fund are still available. Public Health Director Beth Olsen says “We have a number of volunteers and organizations partnering together to make sure all people who are isolating at home in Cass County will have access to food and food delivery. Our main goal is to keep everyone home and fed, no matter the income level.”

Individuals should contact Cass County Public Health Monday through Friday at 712-243-7443 with questions or for grocery and delivery needs. According to Olsen, “Some people may be able to pay in full for their groceries, but they need help with ordering and delivery. Or, some people may be able to only pay for a portion of their grocery needs. We’re happy to help in any way that we can. We want to thank all of the community members who have been already helping out, and we’re thankful for this grant that will continue to support Cass County residents.”

The Southwest Iowa COVID-19 Response Fund is a partnership between the Iowa West Foundation, Pottawattamie County Community Foundation, and Council Bluffs Schools Foundation.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, today (Tuesday), announced the formation of six Regional PPE (personal protective equipment) stockpiles, in conjunction with the Iowa Emergency Management Association and county emergency managers statewide. The stockpiles are designed to ensure regional and local preparedness for any future events.

The Governor also spoke about the recent protests over the May 25^th death of George Floyd while in Minneapolis Police custody. She said Monday night, “Hundreds of people gathered in several communities across the State in Peaceful protest, to speak their mind and have their voices heard.”

Reynolds said she’s committed to move the process of peaceful discussion and action forward, but that she won’t hesitate to call on the National Guard to restore order if it becomes necessary to restore law and order. She explained that decision would rely on the advice of state and county law enforcement experts.

If the Guard were to be deployed, she says  it would only be to support what is already taking place.

As of mid-day today (Tuesday), the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), said 22 people have died in the State from COVID-19, and there were more than 264 new/positive cases of the virus. That brings the statewide total to 19,956 positive cases and 560 deaths. Officials said also, 163,969 Iowans have been tested for COVID-19, while 11,556 have recovered. New positive cases in Iowa have remained flat as testing has reached a high level. IDPH reported 5,039 Iowans tested Monday. Iowans who have tested negative for the virus, number 143, 578.

Iowa’s hospitalization numbers have trended downward or remained flat since an apparent peak around May 6th. IDPH reported 327 currently hospitalized with the virus, while 114 are listed in intensive care. There were 12 admitted in the last 24 hours and 76 patients on ventilators. There are 3,530 inpatient beds available in the state, with 523 ICU beds available. There are 749 ventilators available. IDPH reported 41 outbreaks in Iowa’s long-term care facilities. There have been 1,586 positive cases, with 756 recovered and 265 deaths.

The Region 4 Regional Medical Coordinator Center – covering hospitals in western/southwest Iowa – (RMCC) reports 11 Iowans are hospitalized, 7 are in an ICU, none were admitted over the past 24-hours, and 3 are on ventilators. Those numbers are all down from Monday’s stats.

Here are the latest county-by-county numbers for Cass & surrounding Counties (with the number recovered in parenthesis):

• Cass: 12 (11)
• Adair: 9 (5)
• Adams: 7 (4)
• Audubon: 12 (8)
• Guthrie: 53 (30)
• Montgomery: 8 (6)
• Pottawattamie: 272 (169)
• Shelby: 37 (31)

See other counties’ stats at  https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/pages/case-counts for a breakdown of cases & the number recovered.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ Tuesday press conference on COVID-19. We will have live audio on KJAN as well with the presser now set to begin at approximately 11:05 a.m.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a Cass County man was arrested at around 1:30 this (Tuesday) morning, in Oakland. 21-year old  Spenser Motiese Denison, of Atlantic, was taken into custody following an investigation into the assault of a 24-year old woman. Denison was charged with Child Endangerment with substantial risk (because a two-year old girl was in the residence where the incident took place), and Domestic Abuse Assault with injury/strangulation. His bond on the Child Endangerment charge was set at $2,000.

Monday night, 26-year old Brandan Lee Serrano, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender, and OWI/1st offense. He was taken into custody following a report of a suicidal subject possibly at the Garner Cemetery, in Council Bluffs. Bond was set at $3,000.  And, at around 12:40-p.m. Monday, 40-year old Andrew Paul Christensen, of Council Bluffs, was arrested following an incident in Council Bluffs Christensen was charged with Domestic Assault/1st offense, causing bodily injury. The alleged victim was a 38-year old female.

The Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) today (Tuesday), announced the launch of a local beef directory to connect beef producers with local buyers. The IBC says “The pandemic has ushered in a renewed interest in food security and ignited an increased interest from consumers to purchase beef directly from farmers. The Iowa Local Beef Directory will provide resources in helping shoppers navigate the buying process and connecting potential buyers to sellers.”

Janine Moore, IBIC Chairman says “We have recently noticed an uptick in the frequency of producer inquiries searching for resources related to directly marketing beef. Furthermore, with supermarkets and grocery stores experiencing intermittent disruptions in availability of beef, we felt we had to do something to address the marketplace needs. We understand this isn’t a solution that addresses all the challenges we face today but it’s a positive step forward in building a connection with beef farmers and shoppers.”

Iowa beef producers interested in submitting their information for listing can do so by visiting the Iowa Local Beef Directory submission page, on the Raising Beef tab, on the IBIC website, www.iabeef.org. The form allows producers to self-list to the directory which will be housed on the IBIC website. Listings will include farm name, contact name, city, additional certifications and website links so consumers can contact farmers directly. Questions received by IBIC regarding specific businesses will be directed back to the company.