Des Moines, Iowa – The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa reports a Johnston man was arrested Friday night on criminal charges related to his alleged involvement in the manufacture and possession of an explosive device that was located June 9th in the 1400 block of SE Waywin Drive, in Ankeny. According to court documents, 46-year old Chad Allen Williams, of Johnston, unlawfully manufactured and possessed an unregistered explosive device in violation of federal law.

Allen is charged by criminal complaint with possession of an unregistered explosive device in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 5861(d), and manufacture of an explosive device in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 5861(f). If convicted, Allen faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Ankeny Police Department, State of Iowa Fire Marshall’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating the case.

(Des Moines, IA) – A reminder from the Iowa Department of Public Health: Three Test Iowa sites are the first to close this week as the State prepares to end operations of its drive-thru and clinic COVID-19 testing locations by July 16, 2021.

The state-operated drive-thru sites will close when testing concludes at 4 p.m. on the following days:

• TODAY June 23: 3236 Nebraska Ave., Council Bluffs (Pottawattamie County)
• June 24: Windstar Lines, 5755 Willow Creek Dr. SW, Cedar Rapids (Linn County)
• June 25: 4121 Alexandra Drive, Waterloo (Black Hawk County)

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and State Hygienic Lab (SHL) are finalizing plans to provide at-home COVID-19 test kits free of charge to Iowa residents following the closure of the Test Iowa sites. More details will be provided in the coming weeks. Additionally, COVID-19 testing will continue at health care providers, pharmacies, and other retail testing sites statewide.

For more information about Test Iowa locations, hours or scheduling a test, visit coronavirus.iowa.gov or testiowa.com.

A vacancy on the Audubon School Board created by the resignation of Board Member Joni Madsen, will be filled by appointment in July. Madsen has accepted a teaching position within the school district. The person appointed to fill her seat on the Board will be in-place until at least an upcoming school election that takes place later this year. The Board also accepted the resignation of John Roberts as Board Secretary. He’s served in the position for over 30-years. School Business Office Manager Natalie Lange was appointed to replace Roberts.

In other business, the Audubon School Board, Monday, approved Summer Launch contracts, along with a teaching contract for Middle School/High School Art. In addition, the Board approved student fees for FY22. Superintendent Eric Trager has said there were no actual increases in student fees, but substitute pay was increased by $10 per day. They reduced the cost of their adult activities passes (The 10-punch cards) by $10 because the Western Iowa Conference is going to a different fee structure for admissions: $5 per person, regardless of age.