The Mills County Sheriff’s Office, Thursday, reported the arrest of 35-year-old Daniel John Vornbrock, from Glenwood. He was arrested for Driving while barred, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set at $4,300.

Sheriff’s officials said also, a single-vehicle accident that took place at around 8:45-a.m. Tuesday, resulted in one person being transported to the hospital. Authorities say 63-year-old Mark Blair, of Stanton, was driving a 2007 Mack truck eastbound on Highway 34 eight mile-marker for Glenwood, and approaching the intersection of the off-ramp and 221st Street. When he attempted to turn right (South) onto 221st, the vehicle went out of control and rolled onto its side on 221st, dumping a load of dirt the truck was carrying across the northbound lanes.

Glenwood Fire Department personnel extricated Blair from the truck by mechanical means. He was then flown by helicopter to the hospital. An initial investigation determined there were skid marks about 52-feet long past the stop sign, traversing the corner. Authorities say that indicates the truck did not stop at the stop sign, and was traveling at a speed which, combined with the turn, resulted in the vehicle overturning.

(Radio Iowa) – December in Iowa began with a very unseasonably warm start. State climatologist Justin Glisan says November wrapped up slightly warmer than normal, too, as well as drier.  “The average temperature was about 39 degrees and that’s a little over two degrees above average,” Glisan says. “On the precipitation front, we were drier than average across the state. We did have pockets of slightly-above-average precipitation but overall slightly under an inch below-average precipitation.”  While winter doesn’t officially start until December 21st, snowfall isn’t out of the ordinary for this time of year, though there weren’t many flakes flying during November.

“We were below-average on snowfall across the state, anywhere from two to three inches, and there were some stations that didn’t get any snowfall in November,” Glisan says, “which is not extreme but also remarkable.” The forecast models for the month of December are showing a trend toward more spring-like temperatures versus fall or winter. “We have seen a persistent signal in which we’re seeing above-average behavior for warmer temperatures,” Glisan says. “We’ve definitely seen that over the last week with temperatures in the 50s and 60s, anywhere from 15 to 25 degrees above average, depending on your location.”

State Climatologist Justin Glisan. (file photo)

The La Nina weather pattern is expected to start influencing our region’s climate soon, but Iowa is in the center of two converging fronts — so it’s a toss-up as to what we might get for snow or rain. “If we look at the precipitation outlook for December, it’s showing us that classic La Nina signature in which we have above-average chances of wetter conditions in the Ohio Valley, Great Lakes and up to the Pacific Northwest, drier probabilities south of us and Iowa happens to be right in the middle.”

The National Weather Service won’t be making its forecast for the likelihood of a White Christmas until around the 15th of December, or some ten days out from the 25th.

(Radio Iowa) – The top Democrat in the Iowa House expects Republicans will propose new abortion restrictions during the 2022 Iowa Legislature session, even before the U.S. Supreme Court decides a case that could reverse the 1973 ruling that legalized abortion. “If anything, I think Republicans would be emboldened by the potential for this Supreme Court going their way and can’t help themselves and would want to do something to continue to attack women,” says House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights.

In a recorded message released Monday, Governor Kim Reynolds said she hopes two federal rulings that have blocked abortion restrictions in states like Iowa will be overruled by the new conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court. Konfrst says Reynolds does not represent the majority view on abortion, as a recent Des Moines Register Iowa Poll found 57% of Iowans believe abortion should be legal in most or all cases. “And yet the governor has decided to once again to amplify minority opinions, amplify those that are not in line with what Iowans believe and pretend that it represents the entire state,” Konfrst says.

Jennifer Konforst. (file photo)

The U.S. Supreme Court is considering a Mississippi law that forbids abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy. Reynolds has approved attempts to ban abortions in Iowa after the sixth week of pregnancy or to require waiting periods for abortions. This fall, Reynolds asked the Iowa Supreme Court to reverse a 2018 opinion that said women have a fundamental right to an abortion under Iowa’s constitution. “The governor continues to lean into extremist views, extremist beliefs and to pretend that they represent the entire state,” Konfrst says, “and Iowans are fed up.”

Konfrst expects abortion will be a big issue in legislative races in 2022. “We’re going to point it out,” Konfrst says. “We’re going to make sure that Iowans know that when Republicans are voting in the legislature, they’re voting on extreme legislation that doesn’t match what Iowans want and we’re going to hold them accountable.” Konfrst made her comments during the weekly news conference organized by the Iowa Democratic Party.

The Iowa Republican Party’s leading 2022 candidates — Reynolds, Senator Chuck Grassley and the three Iowa Republicans serving in the U.S. House — all oppose abortion, as do nearly all of the Republicans serving in the Iowa legislature.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Revenue has caught fraudulent claims for $200 million in state income tax refunds.

A source in the agency said two claims for a total of $200 million came from what appears to be the same source in late November. The suspect claims for those state income tax refunds were detected and no money was paid out.

A written statement from the Iowa Department of Revenue’s spokesman said the agency has “strong and effective fraud detection procedures in place” and the department is “encouraging Iowa taxpayers and tax professionals” to be vigilant about protecting their personal information by creating strong passwords and spotting phishing attempts in email and text messages. The agency’s spokesman also said Iowans shouldn’t sharing things like Social Security and bank account numbers over the phone.

The $200 million worth of false state income tax refund claims were included in the overall November estimate the Department of Revenue provided to the Legislative Services Agency, but the money was never paid. The department has not released details about where the false claims originated.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office today (Thursday), released a report on arrests that took place during the month of November. From the latest to the earliest….

November 22, 2021:  Kayla Jean Levell, age 33, Irwin, IA was arrested following a traffic stop on Chatburn Ave. Levell was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with Driving while License Denied, Suspended, Cancelled or Revoked.

November 21, 2021: Mark Thomas Holland, age 33, Audubon, IA was arrested following a pursuit on Timber Rd. Holland was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with Eluding, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Speeding, Careless Driving, Failure to Provide Proof of Insurance, and Operating a Non-Registered Vehicle.

November 20, 2021: Phillip Bradley Pool, age 45, Harlan, IA was arrested following a traffic stop on Chatburn Ave. Pool was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with Driving while License Denied, Suspended, Cancelled, or Revoked.

November 17, 2021: Gunnar Michael Blum, age 27, Kimballton, IA was arrested following a traffic stop on Hwy 44 and Hwy 59. Blum was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with Driving while License Denied or Revoked, Operate without Interlock, Speeding and Failure to Provide Proof of Insurance.

November 15, 2021: Kathryn LeaEtta Larson, age 60, Westphalia, IA was arrested following a Search Warrant. Larson was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with Possession of Controlled Substance 1st offense, Prohibited Acts Penalties, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

November 13, 2021: Lucas Leroy Peters, age 22, Schleswig, IA was arrested following a traffic stop on Hwy 59. Peters was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Open Container, and Permit under 18 to Consume/Possess on Property.

November 12, 2021: Nicole Sunny Brook Rains, age 33, Council Bluffs, IA was arrested following a traffic stop on Hwy 59. Rains was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Speeding, and Violations of Conditions of Restricted License.; Andres Cruz Alvarez, age 24, Omaha, Ne was arrested following a traffic stop on Rd M37. Cruz Alvarez was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with Prohibited Acts Penalties, Possession of Controlled Substance 1st offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

November 11, 2021: Kera Dlynn Bomer, age 39, Harlan, IA was arrested following a traffic stop on Hwy 44. Bomer was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with OWI 1st, Fail to Maintain Control, Open Container, and Dark Window or Windshield.; Kayley Jo Cooper, age 27, Harlan, IA was arrested following a traffic stop on Hwy 191. Cooper was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with Driving while Barred, Failure to Provide Proof of Insurance, and Speeding.

November 4, 2021: Colin Joseph Clark, age 36, Harlan, IA was arrested after an investigation of a suspicious vehicle in the 600 block of RD M47. Clark was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st offense, and Unlawful Possession of a Prescription.

November 1, 2021: Christopher Joseph Conto, age 46, Ute, IA was arrested following a traffic stop in Kirkman, IA . Conto was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st offense, Prohibited Acts Penalties, Failure to Provide Proof of Insurance, Stopping, Standing, or Parking where Prohibited.

December 2, 2021 (DES MOINES) – At today’s (Thursday’s) meeting, the Enhance Iowa Board awarded $5,168,458 in Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grants to projects in Adair, Creston, Davenport, Decorah, Epworth, Fort Madison, Grimes, Grinnell, Hartley, Keokuk, Marshalltown, Nevada, Sioux Center, Spirit Lake, Waukee and Woodbine.

The details for the some of projects receiving CAT grants follows:

Project Name: Adair Community Center, Adair
Total Project Cost: $749,025
Amount Awarded: $115,000
Project Description: This project includes the construction of a 4,800 square-foot, ADA-compliant, wood-framed building with meeting and kitchen space, bathrooms and a patio. The meeting space is designed to accommodate events up to 170 people.

Project Name: McKinley Park Aquatic Center, Phase 1, Creston
Total Project Cost: $1,613,325
Amount Awarded: $200,000
Project Description: This project includes the installation of an all-inclusive play area, including spray features, a play structure and dump buckets. This project also will convert the toddler pool into a zero-depth entry pool and add a toddler slide. A climbing wall in the deep pool area will be installed along with shade structures. In addition, the project will include updated and new electrical systems, lighting, heaters, filter building and mechanical systems.

Project Name: Willow Lake Nature Center, Woodbine
Total Project Cost: $4,224,283
Amount Awarded: $400,000
Project Description: This project includes the construction of a two-story Nature Center and office space for the Harrison County Conservation Board. This new center will provide a space for guests to discover, learn and explore more about the unique Loess Hills ecosystem and important water quality issues around them through dynamic displays, new trails, up-to-date technology and flexible classroom space.

The Enhance Iowa Program provides financial incentives to communities for the construction of recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life in Iowa. To date, 99 CAT grants have been awarded by the board, totaling $31,508,183. The next Enhance Iowa Board meeting is tentatively scheduled for January 6 (if board review or action is needed.) More info. on today’s announcement is available HERE.

(Radio Iowa) – An investigation by the State Auditor’s Office has found the former city clerk in Promise City used the small town’s money to pay almost 10-thousand dollars worth of her own utility bills and to make 17-thousand dollars worth of improper purchases at Walmart. Promise City is in south central Iowa and, according to the 2020 Census, it has 88 residents. The special investigation covered years that Debra Eccleston was the city clerk.

The report identifies more than 59-thousand dollars in improper and unsupported spending. Auditors concluded Eccleston’s approved salary during the period was about 13-thousand dollars, but cancelled checks indicate she was paid about twice that. According to the investigation by the state auditor’s office. Eccelston used city money to buy books and food at Walmart. Promise City doesn’t have a library, but the report notes Eccelston ran a coffee shop and book store in Centerville. Auditors reviewed Alliant Energy records and determined Eccelston used Promise City money to pay utility bills for her Centerville business and her own residence.

Promise City officials asked for the investigation after Eccelston resigned and the newly-hired city clerk raised concerns after reviewing cancelled checks and accounting records.

(Radio Iowa) – A trial date has been set for the two Fairfield teens accused in last month’s murder of Fairfield High School Spanish teacher Nohema Graber. A pre -trial date of March 21st has been set with actual trial scheduled for April 19th for Willard Miller and Jeremy Goodale. Last week, Miller and Goodale attorneys appeared in court to argue for a reduction of their $1 million bonds to $100,000. With the state asking if the bond can remain at $1 million or be raised to $2 million.

Prosecutors say the families are not capable of monitoring the teens as the crime was committed while the 16-year-olds were living at home. Judge Joel Yates has not yet made his decision on the bond review hearing but has stated we should get his decision sometime within the week.

(Jamaica, Iowa) – The first day of December, Wednesday, included some excitement in Guthrie County. The Sheriff’s Office reports Deputy Kent Gries was on patrol on Highway 141 south of Jamaica, at around 3-p.m., when he saw a 1995 Kawasaki ZX750-L motorcycle traveling east on the highway at 70-mph in a 55-mph zone. When the Deputy turned his vehicle around and began to initiate a traffic stop, the motorcycle was already nearly out of sight, continuing to travel eastbound toward Dallas County.

With the Deputy in pursuit, lights and siren activated, the operator of the cycle refused to yield. The machine entered Dawson (In Dallas County) and proceeded eastbound on the Racoon River Bicycle Trail, at a high rate of speed. With the Deputy still in pursuit, the cycle continued traveling at a high rate of speed for about two-miles. It then turned south on F Avenue for about one-half mile, and then west onto Highway 141. The chase eventually re-entered Dawson and then northbound out of town on D Avenue, with speeds at times at 120-mph. The cycle crossed into Greene County on V Avenue. It finally stopped at V Avenue and 305th Street, southwest of Rippey.

Altogether, the chase went on for about 15-miles and around 10-minutes. The operator of the cycle, 43-year-old Curtis Alan Moorhead, of Jamaica, was taken into custody for Eluding. Authorities learned through a speedometer app on his phone, that the highest speed recorded was 147-mph. Moorhead admitted to traveling that fast.

In addition to the Eluding – speed 25 mph (or more) over the limit, Moorhead had three licenses suspensions in effect, plus a suspension for non-payment of child support. He had his initial appearance with the Magistrate this (Thursday) morning, where his cash or surety bond was set at $2,000.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Attorney General’s office recently announced the end of a project using federal money to clear a major backlog of untested sexual assault kits. The director of the A-G’s Crime Victims Assistance Division, Sandi Tibbetts Murphy, says the work will continue to process all sexual assault kits. “Kits before April of 2015 were eligible for testing, not any that were developed afterward. So, we want to go and find out where those kits are,” she says. Murphy says they now have more resources to look at the kits that are out there. “The legislature did help us this year in allowing us to create a full sexual assault response unit,” she says.

Murphy says they have a sexual assault crimes investigator who has been working on the project and also training law enforcement and medical personnel. “We will soon have a sexual assault forensics response coordinator to join in that — to focus on the forensic side of things — the kits, the sexual assault nurse examiners, the medical facilities, and continuing the best practice of a multidisciplinary response,” according to Murphy.

Murphy says they have made great progress in addressing this issue — but still have a bigger goal. “We always say that until every victim has an advocate, until every medical facility has access to a trained sexual-assault nurse examiner when a victim presents. And if we can continue to improve the law enforcement investigation and prosecution with respect to understanding the trauma-informed work with victims — those are always our big goals,” Murphy says.

Murphy says anyone who has been sexually assault can call 24/7 to the Iowa Crime Victims Helpline at 1-800-770-1650 or text “IOWAHELP” to 20121.