IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The former office manager of the Iowa City Area Development Group is facing federal charges for a 13-year theft scheme in which she misspent more than a half-million dollars. Court documents filed Wednesday show that Sheri Jelinek is charged with seven counts of wire fraud. A plea agreement signed earlier this month calls for Jelinek to plead guilty to those charges, which each carry up to 20 years in prison.

It comes about five months after a state audit documented her embezzlement from the nonprofit, which promotes workforce and economic development and is funded by local businesses.
A charging document alleges that Jelinek used the group’s money from 2004 to 2017 for more than 10,000 unauthorized purchases on its credit card that totaled $502,000. The charges were personal in nature and included a wide array of online shopping, groceries, insurance and more.

In the plea agreement, Jelinek admits only that her theft was more than $150,000 and the full amount will be determined by the court.

Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer today (Wednesday), issued a report on recent arrests and citations. Starmer said on Tuesday, 62-year old Donna Sue Smith, of Audubon, was arrested for Domestic Abuse 1st Offense.  Smith was transported to the Audubon County Jail to appear before a magistrate. On Monday, 35-year old Brandon Michael Barringer, of Audubon, was arrested for Intimidation With a Dangerous Weapon and on three counts of Child Endangerment.  Barringer was transported to the Audubon County Jail where he remains on $20,000 bond.

On Nov. 9th, Audubon Police arrested 25 year old Kaz Ryan Cozad, of Audubon, for Domestic Abuse 3rd Offense.  Cozad was transported to the Audubon County Jail to appear before a magistrate. Nov. 5th, Police in Audubon cited 23-year old Zeth Lee Petersen, of Audubon, for Allowing Dog at Large.  Petersen was issued the citation and released on promise to appear in court.

And, on Nov. 5th, 28-year old Cornelius Unger Peters, of Audubon, was also cited for Allowing Dog at Large.  Peters was subsequently released on promise to appear.

Holidays are associated with good food, family, and festivities, but they can also bring winter blues, loneliness, cabin fever, and other challenges to those working to maintain healthy diets, limit alcohol consumption or manage difficult family dynamics.

Healthy Cass County logo

Healthy Cass County encourages all residents of Cass County to make time for personal wellness over the holidays, and in that spirit the group will have a Holiday Wellness Stop at Harvest Market. Harvest Market will be held this coming Monday, November 25, at the Cass County Community Center on the fairgrounds in Atlantic from 3:00-7:00 PM.

The Healthy Cass County Holiday Wellness Stop will provide resources promoting ways to eat well, move more, and feel better over the holidays. Participating organizations include:

• The Nishna Valley Family YMCA, which will have free class coupons and member special coupons, and will be doing a drawing for a free 3-month Y membership.
• Senior Life Solutions, a program of Cass County Health System, will be providing information on Seasonal Affective Disorder, a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons, and sharing ways to combat winter blues.
• Shift ATL will be promoting their Thanksgiving morning Turkey Trot. The Turkey Trot will be held at 8:00 am on Thursday, November 28. Athletes of all ages and abilities are invited to enjoy 5k or 1-mile routes. Costumes, strollers, dogs (if friendly, vaccinated, and on leashes), and cheering squads are welcome! For more information and to register, visit: getmeregistered.com/AtlanticTurkeyTrot.
• Cass County Conservation will bring snowshoes and fliers on outdoor winter events and activities.
• Zion Recovery Services will be providing information and resources for those struggling with substance abuse or close to someone who is struggling.
• Cass County Public Health will be handing out walking maps for all communities in Cass County, and promoting 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count, a statewide health initiative promoting the importance of eating 5 fruits/vegetables, 2 hours or less of screen time, 1 hour or more of physical activity, and 0 sugary drinks each day.
• Cass County Extension will be sharing information on healthy holiday recipes, and resources to encourage good physical and mental health during the holiday season. You can sign up to win a Spend Smart. Eat Smart. gift basket featuring a 2020 calendar and recipe book full of healthy low cost family meal ideas!

Healthy Cass County reminds all residents and visitors to Cass County, to take the Produce in the Park Survey. Those who complete the survey by November 24th will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 gift card to Harvest Market (contest entry not required to participate in survey). The survey is part of a Healthy Cass County initiative to ensure Produce in the Park is meeting the needs of the community. Whether or not you have visited Produce in the Park your feedback is valued. The survey can be found at the Atlantic Public Library and the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce or online through www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com or directly at https://forms.gle/9bVkA5Ej12bQvQnX6. Your responses will guide decisions for Produce in the Park in 2020.

Healthy Cass County is a community-focused network of organizations and individuals working to promote the health and well-being of Cass County residents. For more information or to join visit https://www.atlanticiowa.com/relocate/health-wellness-2/healthy-cass-county/ or contact Brigham Hoegh, Cass County Wellness Program Coordinator at 712-249-5870, of by email at bhoegh@iastate.edu.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports one person complained of minor/possible injuries following a collision Tuesday morning north of Afton. Authorities say 44-year old Bobby Jo Haley, of Creston, was driving a 2016 RAM pickup eastbound on Highway 34 at around 8:15-a.m., and due to the glare on the road and the sun, did not see a 2010 Toyota Prius that was sitting in the intersection, waiting to turn left onto Creamery Road. Once Haley realized the car was in front of him, he tried to stop, but his pickup struck the rear of the car. Haley complained of pain, and was transported by ambulance to the hospital, in Creston. The driver of the Prius, 29-year old Kayliann Marie Crittenden, of Creston, was not injured.

The Prius was totaled in the collision, while the pickup sustained disabling damage. The damages amounted to about $13,000 altogether. No citations were issued.

(Radio Iowa) — At a packed school board meeting last (Tuesday) night, many Denison residents spoke in support of high school teacher Crystal Holt, who’s been placed on leave after using a racial slur in a class discussion. Current students told how much Holt has helped them, while former student Monica Lara said Holt went to the authorities for her after she was sexually abused by a teacher. Lara said she felt “attacked and alone.” “However, Mrs. Holt was one of the few people who believed in me and uplifted me throughout the long legal process,” Lara says. “Because of her help, there is a man who will no longer be able to abuse another child in a school setting and a girl who got to reclaim her life back.”

The school board heard comments about Holt from more than 20 people as it investigates the situation. Another supporter, Rhonda McGregor says she’s known Holt for 12 years. “She is nothing but an encourager. She’s inspiring. She brings a lesson to life. She engages kids,” McGregor says. “She has taught me so much about just being able to interact.”

Some students at Denison High staged a walk-out on Tuesday, demanding an outside investigation of diversity at the school — and that Holt be fired.

(Reporting by Katie Peikes, Iowa Public Radio)

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate today (Wednesday), announced several new measures his office is taking to ensure the integrity of Iowa’s felon database. Felons are currently barred from voting in Iowa unless their rights have been restored by the Governor. Iowa’s felon database contains more than 90,000 files. The new steps to ensure the system’s accuracy include a manual review of all 90,000 files. Secretary Pate has repurposed existing staff for this project and will be bringing on additional staff soon. The goal is for the review to be completed prior to the November 3, 2020 general election.

Pate said “My team has put in countless hours to update the felon database, and many more hours of work are needed. I want to ensure every single file is accurate. That is going to take a lot of time, energy and resources, but we will get it done.” Secretary Pate is also working with the Iowa Judicial Branch to ensure information provided by the courts to the Secretary of State’s Office regarding felony convictions is accurate. This includes a six-step verification process. Three of those steps are new, and the others have been enhanced.

Another step Pate has taken, is the introduction of a new administrative rule that clarifies the roles of the Iowa Judicial Branch, the Secretary of State’s Office and county auditors regarding the felon database. The rule was submitted to the State of Iowa’s Legislative Services Agency for review on Tuesday. Pate said “We are improving our processes to make sure eligible voters are not deterred from casting ballots. My staff is going to dig through every record, no matter how old, double and triple check the information with the courts, and make sure everything is correct. This is a team effort and we’ve asked the courts and all 99 county auditors to take the additional steps.”

Secretary Pate’s Office will utilize funds provided through the Help America Vote Act to pay for additional staff and review of the felon data. “The bottom line,” he said, “is we repeatedly ask election officials to use the provisional ballot option if there is any doubt about a voter’s status. We don’t want any eligible voter to be disenfranchised.”

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — A man has been imprisoned for the crash death of his passenger after his motorcycle ran into the back of a car in Mason City. Court records say 41-year-old Brandon Kellar, of Mason City, was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution to the family of Shawn True. Police say Kellar was driving the motorcycle late on the night of Sept. 28, 2018, when his motorcycle hit the car. He and the 36-year-old True were thrown off the bike. True died from her injuries.

Kellar had pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide by reckless driving. In exchange, prosecutors dropped a charge of vehicular homicide while under the influence.

Officials with Atlantic Municipal Utilities (AMU) and the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, have announced the Annual Holiday Christmas Lighting Contest “Deck the Homes,” is underway. The contest encourages the community to nominate their favorite merry and bright home. To nominate your favorite merry and bright home, call Atlantic Municipal Utilities at 712-243-1395. Winners will receive an Atlantic Municipal Utilities Voucher. Nominations are due by Monday, December 9th.

You can find a complete list of activities at www.christmasinatlantic.com.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports a woman from eastern Iowa was arrested Tuesday on an Atlantic Police Department warrant. 59-year old Sondra Dee Damewood, of Newton, was taken into custody on the warrant for Violation of a No Contact Order. Damewood was booked into the Cass County Jail, and later released on her own recognizance.