(Radio Iowa) — Le Mars Police have identified the two HyVee employees and the man who shot them in an attempted robbery early Sunday morning at the HyVee convenience store. Assistant Police Chief Justin Daale spoke Tuesday, at a news conference. “The suspect has been identified as 26-year-old Oscar Gutierrez. He displayed a nine millimeter handgun and demanded money from the two clerks,” Daale says. “After he demanded the money he had shot one of the clerks, which was Faith Laskie age 18. She was shot in the abdomen area. Gutierrez then shot clerk Ashley Storesund — age 29 — also in the abdomen area. He attained no money before or after the shooting.”

Daale says they had a license plate number of the car and were able to get a cellphone signal for Gutierrez. The car was found by South Sioux City police not long after the shootings. “They had located our suspect Oscar Gutierrez inside his vehicle with a lethal self-inflicted gunshot wound,” Daale says. “He was located after a broadcast was put out shortly after the incident here in Le Mars on locating the suspect as well as the suspect vehicle.”

The two women are listed in stable condition. Daale says a nurse and another HyVee employee who was an E-M-T gave them immediate aid after the shooting and that was key. “I think with the immediate response that they took…I think that eased the tension I guess in the store. They did exactly what they were supposed to do. I think it helped the victims probably more than anything. They did a fantastic job of taking immediate action,” according to Daale.

Daale says Gutierrez was known by the department for mostly minor run-ins. Police say the results of a toxicology report on the Gutierrez’s body won’t be known for a while. Counseling services are still being made available to the Le Mars HyVee employees. HyVee spokesperson, Tina Potthoff, says Sunday’s shooting and attempted robbery was the first shooting incident involving HyVee employees through out their more than 250 stores located in eight different states. Hy Vee has since re-opened their gas station.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — On Monday, the U.S. tied its current record of 11 consecutive days with at least eight tornadoes confirmed on each of those days. Patrick Marsh of the federal Storm Prediction Center says the previous 11-day stretch of at least eight tornadoes per day ended on June 7, 1980. The National Weather Service had already received at least 27 more reports of tornadoes Tuesday, suggesting that the record for consecutive days would be broken once the official totals are in.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says Iowa could be headed toward a law eliminating the use of cell phones while driving. A hands-free bill didn’t advance this year but could come back again next year, and Reynolds says she supports the idea if lawmakers send it to her. She signed a proclamation Tuesday declaring this “end distracted driving week” in Iowa..

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Flooding along the lower Missouri River will likely worsen in the days ahead because the amount of water being released into the river is increasing because of the recent rain. But officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers say the river will remain below the levels it hit in March when flooding caused significant damage in Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas.

AMES, Iowa – May 28, 2019 – The Iowa DOT is keeping a close watch on several roadways in western Iowa due to concerns of flooding. Areas of specific concern include:

• Interstate 29 near Honey Creek
• Interstate 680
• Interstate 29 between U.S. 34 and the Missouri border
• U.S. 34

Roadways may be closed on short notice. Before traveling, motorists are encouraged to check 511ia.org, the Iowa 511 mobile apps or call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide) for up-to-date closure information on state-owned roadways across Iowa. Closures due to flooding can be viewed by turning on the incident layer on the online map and mobile app.

For the latest in flooding information and recovery resources, as well as an image gallery showing the flood damage and recovery efforts go to https://floods2019.iowa.gov/.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports numerous arrests over the past couple of weeks:  On Monday, 39-year old Brian James Johnson, of Des Moines, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, 2cts Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs, Forgery, DUS, Driving while license Denied, Susp, Cancelled or revoked, Failure to Proof of Financial Liability and Window shield and window requirements – Bond: $9,300.00

Arrested Sunday, May 26th was: 33-year old Justin M Manley, of Edgewood, MN,  for Possession of Controlled Substance, Operating Non-Registered Vehicle and No Valid Driver’s License – Bond: $1,000.00; 20-year old Lacyrus Green, of Southhaven, MS – for being a Fugitive from Justice – No Bond – Loc. of Arrest: Mills County Sheriff’s Office; 33-year old Linze Elaine Camarillo, of Council Bluffs, for OWI 1st, DUS, Failure to Provide Proof of Liability and Failure to Maintain Control – Bond: $1,300.00; 33-year old William Cockrell Moore, of Bryan, TX for False Imprisonment and OWI 1st – Bond: $2,000.00.

Last Saturday, 23-year old Dillion Steven White-Vojchehoske, of Essex, was arrested in Mills County on 2 counts of Furnishing a Controlled Substance to Inmate and Possessing Contraband – Bond: $10,000.00 – Loc. of Arrest: Mills County Sheriff’s Office. Last Friday, 35-year old Marcus Anthony Holton, of Gulfport, MS, was arrested for being a Fugitive from Justice – No Bond.

Arrested May 23rd, was: 23-year old Dillion Steven White-Vojchehoske, of Shenandoah, for Driving While Barred, Other Violation or Chapter 321A, Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability and Failure to Maintain Control – Bond: $3,000.00; 45-year old Jerry Lee Dawson, of Malvern, was arrested on a Warrant out of Pottawattamie County for Violation of Probation – No Bond.; and 38-year old April Marie Watson, of Malvern, was arrested on a Warrant out of Montgomery County for Violation of Probation and Violation of Probation – Bond: $15,000.

On May 22nd, Mills County Deputies arrested: 28-year old Danielle Rene Bammer, of New Market, for Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Bond: $2,300.00; 38-year old Daniel Charles Thomas, of Glenwood, for Domestic Abuse Assault, Interference with Official Acts and DUS – Bond: $900.00; and 39-year old Joseph Dean Wallace, of Bedford, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and DUS – Bond: $600.

May 21st, 38-year old Ric Fredrick West-Lytle, of Crescent, was arrested for Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Speeding, Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability and Failure to Maintain or use Safety Belts – Bond: $4,200.00; and, 34-year old Denny Gene Reeves, of Silver City, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Bond: $300.

On May 17th, 19-year old Saxtinh Richard Donaldson, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at the Pottawattamie County Jail, on a Mills County Warrant for Probation Violation – Bond: $5,000. And on May 16th, 39-year old Erin Boone Fisher, of Glenwood, was arrested at the Pott. County Jail on a Mills County Warrant for Probation Violation. Bond: $7,500.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Flooding along the lower Missouri River will likely worsen in the days ahead because the amount of water being released into the river is increasing because of the recent rain.

But officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers say the river will remain below the levels it hit in March when flooding caused significant damage in Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas.

The amount of water being released from Gavins Point Dam on the Nebraska-South Dakota border on Tuesday and another increase is planned for Wednesday. The Corps’ John Remus said more increases are likely later this week if the forecast for heavy rains delivers.

The National Weather Service says nearly 3 inches of rain already fell on the Omaha area over the past two days, and the forecast calls for more than an inch of rain Tuesday night and Wednesday in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa.

Mills County Emergency Management and the Mills County Board of Supervisors issued an Emergency Evacuation Preparation Recommendation for the area of Mills County South of Gaston Avenue to the Mills/Fremont County line and West of Interstate 29 to the Missouri River. Residents in the area mentioned are recommended to begin preparation for evacuation as soon as possible.

Mandatory evacuations may be ordered in the near future. Road closures have been placed on 180th St. North of Lambert, Kane Ave. N. of Lambert and Karns Road west of Inst. 29. Ongoing levee breaches combined with increased rainfall and projected rising water levels has caused this recommendation.

The USACE has announced increasing output from Gavin’s Point Dam, increasing from 60,000 cfs to 65,000 cfs today and an additional 5000 increase to 70,000 cfs tomorrow. The National Weather Service has projected that the Missouri River will rise at least three feet over the next 48-72 hours with an anticipated crest of 32.6 ft. by Thursday, 5/30/19.

If you need assistance with the evacuation process, please contact the Mills County Communications Center at 712-527-4871.

The Red Oak Police department reports the arrest of a male juvenile on Tuesday. At approximately 2:20pm Officers arrested a 12-year-old male juvenile on the charge of Sexual Abuse 2nd Degree. He was taken to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center, processed, and then transported to the Southwest Iowa Juvenile Detention Facility in Council Bluffs.

The Atlantic Police Department on Tuesday released details on numerous arrests the past two weeks.

On May 15th Atlantic Police arrested 38-year-old David Thomas of Atlantic on Cass County Warrant for Failure to Appear. He was booked in to the Cass County Jail.

On May 18th Officers arrested 31-year-old Serphyl Phylon of Atlantic for Simple Assault. He was booked in to the Cass County Jail.

On May 20th Atlantic Police arrested 30-year-old April Medina of Atlantic for Violation of Compulsory Mediation Agreement 1st Offense. She was taken to the Cass County Jail and booked in.

On May 21st Officers arrested 45-year-old Dan Christensen of Atlantic for Possession of Controlled Substance – 2nd Offense, Interference with Official Acts, and Public Intoxication. He was taken to the Cass County Jail and booked in.

On May 24th Atlantic Police report the arrest of 32-year-old Justin Knutsen of Atlantic for Harassment- 1st Degree. He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail and booked in.

Finally on May 26th 60-year-old Dennis Coleman of Prague, NE was arrested for Stalking-3rd or Subsequent Offense, Harassment-1st Degree, and then also charged with Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations and Interference with Official Acts. He was taken to the Cass County Jail and booked in.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Strong thunderstorms that raked eastern Nebraska and western Iowa dumped heavy rain and, in southwest Omaha, piles of hail that left some motorists temporarily stranded. Western Nebraska was first to endure the storms Monday night, with hail larger than 2 inches in diameter reported west of Ogallala. The Omaha World-Herald reported dozens of cars pulled off Interstate 80 with broken windshields. North Platte also received reports of baseball-sized hail.

Hail was reported to have been at least 12-inches deep in parts of Omaha and Council Bluffs. Snowplows were used to clear the streets of hail in those cites, and in Adair this (Tuesday) morning, as well. In Council Bluffs, a number of streets flooded as more than 2 inches of rain fell there overnight. Flash flood warnings were issued there and for areas around Lincoln and Omaha.

Hail in Adair (Photos courtesy David W. Passehl)

Sheriff Kevin Aistrope says awards were presented today (Tuesday), to a couple of Fremont County’s local farmers. Chris Clark and Dustin Sheldon were presented with certificates from Sheriff Kevin Aistrope and K9 Deputy Zac Buttercase. Clark and Sheldon assisted Buttercase during a pursuit and apprehension of a suspect that fled during a traffic stop. Clark and Sheldon’s quick response to aiding the Sheriff’s Office, helped with preventing any injuries or damage to the public.

Chris Clark

Dustin Sheldon

As the certificate reads, “With deep appreciation, respect, and gratitude from the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office and K9 Unit, we commend you for bravely rendering aid and assistance. Your quick aciton and selfless dedication to the safety of the community does not go unnoticed.”

“Fremont County is lucky to have great citizens like these gentlemen. I am very pleased to serve this county,” Aistrope said.  “It’s good to know that we have people out here that we can count on when we are by ourselves. I am truly grateful to serve this community.” Buttercase stated.