(Radio Iowa) – A Gowrie man has been found guilty of first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse charge in Calhoun County. Twenty-one-year-old Nathaniel Kyren Bevers McGivney was found guilty of both charges by a judge for the murder of 17-year-old Michele “Luna” Jackson of Farnhamville on September 22nd, 2024.

Court records state Bevers-McGivney used a knife to cut the throat of the teen then hid her body to conceal his crime.

He remains in custody awaiting his sentencing hearing that has been scheduled for August 15th.

(Radio Iowa) – A lawyer from southwest Iowa who focuses on eldercare and estate planning says she’s finding many Iowans are ill-prepared for worst-case scenarios. Deborah Peterson, of Council Bluffs, led an online workshop this week on behalf of the Iowa chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “People are not doing a really good job of having their affairs in order all the time, and one of the things we really push on is doing powers of attorney,” Peterson says, “because when any type of dementia sets in, the affected loved one is not able to make good decisions.”

More than seven-million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including some 62-thousand in Iowa. Another 100-thousand Iowans serve as caregivers for family members and friends. Peterson says some people don’t like to confront their mortality by creating things like a will or medical power of attorney, which is understandable, however:

“It’s very important that early on, while you’re competent in life, you can pick someone that you trust, and that’s a big word, a trustworthy person to handle your affairs, financial and health wise,” Peterson says, “and a lot of people don’t have that in place.” Having a living will isn’t just for the elderly. What’s considered early-onset Alzheimer’s can strike a person in their 30s, and Peterson says many people are simply unprepared — at all ages.

“Unfortunately, in that situation, then you’re going to be stuck with having to go to a court proceeding and having to prove the person with dementia being unable to manage their affairs,” Peterson says, “and it can be a long, drawn out, expensive process.” Some people will wait until they have children or buy a house before they’ll draw up a will, but Peterson notes the legal age in Iowa is 18, and that’s not too early to get organized.

“We see that what happens is when a parent or a loved one passes away, then the kids will say, ‘Oh my gosh, I need to get this done because look at this mess Mom and Dad left us,'” Peterson says. “Most of the messes that are created, most of us lawyers can clean them up, but it’s not cheap and it’s not easy.” The Alzheimer’s Association is hosting hour-long virtual workshops for veterans every Tuesday this month, though many of the topics are relevant to anyone facing Alzheimer’s disease and all are welcome to attend — for free — via Zoom.

To learn more or register, visit alz.org/crf.

DUBUQUE COUNTY, Iowa – On July 1, 2025, the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) requested assistance from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) with an officer-involved shooting along Highway 151 near Cascade in Dubuque County, Iowa.

At approximately 4:30 a.m. on July 1, members of the DCSO, Dubuque Police Department, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Monticello Police Department, and Jones County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle on Highway 151 north of the Highway 136 interchange. The traffic stop was related to a multi-jurisdictional investigation.

During the traffic stop, the suspect in this investigation, an adult male and sole occupant of the vehicle, displayed a handgun. Shots were fired, which resulted in a DCSO sergeant, and the suspect, being struck by gunfire. The DCSO sergeant was transported to MercyOne Emergency Care in Dubuque, then to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He was later released after being treated for a gunshot wound. The suspect, identified as James Sherrill, 36, was pronounced deceased. Sherrill was from the Linn County, Iowa area.

The officers involved have been identified as follows:

Sergeant Adam Williams, 46, an 18-year veteran of the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office;

Officer Chad Leitzen, 49, a 23-year veteran of the Dubuque Police Department;

and Officer Cole Millard, 42, a 2-year veteran of the Monticello Police Department.

This is an ongoing investigation. No additional information will be released at this time.

Upon the conclusion of the investigation, the DCI’s investigative findings will be reviewed by the Dubuque County Attorney’s Office and the Iowa Attorney General’s Office.

(Radio Iowa) – U-S Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says there will be no amnesty for workers on farms and in food production plants who’re facing deportation because they entered the U-S illegally.  “The promise to America to ensure that we have a 100% American workforce stands, but we must be strategic in how we are implementing the mass deportations so as not to compromise our food supply,” Rollins says. “Ultimately the answer on this is automation, also some reform on the governing structure.” Rollins says it’s up to congress to come up with a permanent fix to the immigration system — and she says now is not the time to compromise on the president’s promise of mass deportations.

“Then also when you think about there are 34 million able-bodied adults in our Medicaid program,” Rollins said. “There are plenty of workers in America.” The ag secretary’s comments follow President Trump hints during a speech in Iowa last Thursday that his administration was working on legislation so that farmers would be able to vouch for their migrant workers.) “Brooke Rollins brought it up and she said: ‘We have a little problem. The farmers are losing a lot of people,'” Trump said. “We figured it out and we have some great stuff being written and let the farmers be responsible.” Trump suggested farmers would be able to vouch for undocumented employees who’ve worked for them years.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins (official USDA photo)

“And I think that’s going to make a lot of people happy,” Trump said. “Now, serious radical right people who I also happen to like a lot, they may not be quite as happy, but they’ll understand — won’t they?” During a news conference in Washington, D.C. yesterday (Tuesday), Rollins said the president has been unequivocal that there will be no amnesty and mass deportations will continue in a strategic and intentional way.

[UPDATE] -Cass County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Kathy Somers hereby notifies residents of the City of Lewis that the city clerk has received a valid petition requesting a special election to fill the vacancy of the at-large council seat. The vacancy was created following Christopher Jahnke’s election as mayor on April 29, 2025. The term for this seat will expire December 31, 2025. The seat will also be on the ballot during the regular City/School Election on November 4, 2025.

The special election will be held August 19, 2025 at the Lewis Community Center.

Prospective candidates must file an Affidavit of Candidacy and Nomination Petition with a minimum of 10 signatures from eligible Lewis voters with the Cass County Auditor’s office no later than 5:00 PM on Friday, July 25, 2025. Nomination papers are available in the auditor’s office in the Cass County Courthouse.

Any candidate who wishes to withdraw from the election after filing may do so by submitting a written notice of withdrawal to the auditor’s office by Monday, July 28, 2025. For more information contact the auditor’s office at 712-243-4570 or go to the Cass County elections website at casscountyia.gov/county-government/elections/special-elections/.

(Radio Iowa) – The number of rail cars carrying retail goods through Iowa slowed in June. The Iowa D-O-T’s Stewart Anderson keeps track of those numbers. “The number of intermodal car loads has dropped two-point-nine percent compared to June of 2024, and that’s the first drop in 22 months. It’s been increases 22 months in a row,” he says. Anderson says the drop is likely linked to international trade issues. “We saw pretty rapid increases as we sense people are trying to get ahead of potential tariffs. So now we’re seeing our first decrease, probably reflection of some of that global trade uncertainty that’s existing right now,” Anderson says.

Iowa DOT photo

Anderson says the rail shipments of other items that don’t come in those intermodal containers increased by two-point-one percent. “Grain shipments, in particular on rail, are up eleven-point-three percent over June of 2024. So they’ve been on a pretty good streak here of increases year to date. That’s five-point-seven percent increase over 2024,” he says.

Anderson says the U-S-D-A has indicated corn shipments have increased, while soybean shipments have dropped.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report two people suffered suspected minor/non-incapacitating injuries during a collision Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of Pine Street and U-S Highway 34. Authorities say a 2022 Buick SUV driven by 79-year-old Linda Rae Huffman, of Creston, was stopped at the intersection facing north. A service truck was parked on the outside lane for eastbound traffic, with its crew doing work on power lines. The position of the truck obstructed Huffman’s view, police said.

Huffman pulled away from the intersection, not seeing an oncoming, eastbound 2018 KIA van, driven by 48-year-old Jennifer Lynn Reha, of Creston. Huffman’s vehicle was struck on the left front side by the van. The accident happened at around 1:10-p.m.

Both women were transported by private vehicles to the hospital in Creston. Damage to their vehicles amounted to $10,000 altogether. No citations were issued.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, during their regular weekly meeting this (Wednesday) morning, approved a Comprehensive Plan agreement between the County and SICOG (The Southern Iowa Council of Governments). Supervisor Jodie Hoadley…

Supervisor Jerry Walker abstained due to a conflict of interest. The Board passed a Resolution pertaining to $5-million in General Obligation Urban Renewal Bonds, Series 2025. Auditor Mandy Berg…

In other County business, the Supervisors approved a request from Treasurer Brenda Wallace, for one of her office deputies’ longevity salary increase. They received an Environmental Health update from Adair-Guthrie County Environmental Health Deputy Director, Kent Irwin.

The Supervisors received also, a report from Crossroads Behavioral Health Services, with regard to School Year 2024-25 prevention efforts. And, the Board authorized Chair Nathan Baier to sign a Right-of-Way contract for the W-9 Lincoln Township Culvert Projects, as well as the front page plans for the N-27 Lincoln Township Bridge project.

Their final order of business, was a weekly report from County Engineer Nick Kauffman, which included updates on current and upcoming road projects.

Kauffman said also work will begin next Monday on the Dexter exit at County Road P-48.

The Board at the start of their meeting, approved taxable mileage for Supervisor Jodie Hoadley. They denied a General Relief Application, and acknowledged receipt of Manure Management Plan updates.

AMES, Iowa – July 9, 2025 – The Iowa Transportation Commission will hold a public input meeting in Corning at the Corning Opera House, 800 Davis Avenue, on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, to hear about transportation matters from representatives of local government, interest groups, and individuals. Items that may be discussed at the meeting include the Iowa Transportation Improvement Program; transportation policies; and highway, aviation, rail, river, bicycle, pedestrian, and public transit issues. A brief business meeting will begin at 8 a.m. immediately followed by the public input meeting. A detailed agenda will be posted on https://iowadot.gov/news/public-meetings prior to the meeting.

On Monday, Aug. 11, the commissioners will meet informally and tour transportation projects in southwest Iowa. No action will be taken on transportation-related matters during the tour.

For more information concerning the meeting or to obtain a scheduled time on the agenda, contact the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Program Management Bureau, 800 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa 50010, telephone 515-239-1409 or email Matthew.Chambers@iowadot.us. Please include the general topic you wish to discuss. The statements, presentations, or suggestions should be 15 minutes or less.