IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Federal prosecutors are seeking the equivalent of a life sentence for a former elite Iowa youth basketball coach who sexually abused and exploited 400 boys over a decade. In a sentencing memorandum filed Thursday, prosecutors asked a judge to sentence former Iowa Barnstormers coach Greg Stephen to 180 years in prison. They said that sentence would reflect the harm he caused his “victims and the community” and “his level of dangerousness.” Sentencing is scheduled for May 2.

Stephen pleaded guilty last year to sexually exploiting minors and possessing and transporting child pornography. He acknowledged secretly recording players while they were naked, posed as a girl on social media to trick boys into sending him sexually explicit images, and recorded himself fondling boys while they slept. Stephen’s defense is asking for a 20-year sentence.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum today (Friday) announced that on April 18, 2019, 59-year old Robert Joe Kinney, Sr., was sentenced in Council Bluffs United States District Court, for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. Kinney was sentenced to 140 months in prison to be followed by a term of supervised release of eight years.

Authorities say on three separate occasions between March 22, 2018 and June 6, 2018, Kinney sold methamphetamine to undercover law enforcement. This matter was investigated by Council Bluffs Police Department and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DES MOINES – In anticipation of the 100th anniversary of Iowa state parks in 2020, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources; the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs; and Iowa State University are bringing 20 artists to 20 state parks this summer. From April through August 2019, faculty and graduate student artists from three of Iowa State University’s colleges — Design, Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Liberal Arts and Sciences — will each be matched with a state park, creating artwork that reflects their time as artists-in-residence. Todd Coffelt, chief of the State Parks Bureau at the DNR, says “The 20 Artists, 20 Parks program highlights two important contributors to quality of life in Iowa — arts and the outdoors. By focusing on the unique natural and cultural aspects of our state parks, we are able to tell their story in a new and inspirational way.”

In southwest Iowa, works by Amy Harris will be featured at the Lake of Three Fires State Park, in Bedford, and works by Olivia Valentine will be found at Viking Lake State Park, in Stanton.

Paintings, sculpture, textiles and other art forms inspired by the park will be organized into an exhibit that will travel to at least three art venues in 2020. Additionally, each artist will return to his or her park to share a program about the artist-in-residence experience. Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Director Chris Kramer, who oversees both the Iowa Arts Council and the State Historical Society of Iowa, said “We can’t wait to see what these 20 Iowa artists create through this unique collaboration to mark the state parks’ centennial. The 20 Artists, 20 Parks program is such a creative and authentic way to celebrate our state’s art, history and natural beauty.”

Parks selected for the arts project represent diverse ecological, geological and cultural experiences that make Iowa unique. The 20 parks that are included in the new project are featured on the Iowa Culture mobile app, a free and interactive tool to discover arts, history and cultural destinations across Iowa. More information about how to visit the parks is on the app, which the public can download for free from Google Play and the App Store. Visitors can also find state park information on the DNR website.

A man from Pottawattamie County was sentenced Thursday in U-S District Court in Council Bluffs, to more than 27-years in prison for receipt of child pornography.  The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa reports a U-S District Court Judge also ordered 37-year old Justin Stephen Martinez to serve a term of supervised release for 20-years, following his 333 month long incarceration. ,

Authorities say an investigation into Martinez’ activities began in December 2017, when an undercover law enforcement agent received notification that an IP address, identified as being used by Martinez, was sharing multiple files containing child pornography on a peer-to-peer program file sharing program for approximately one year. The investigation showed Martinez had received and distributed over a thousand images of child pornography. In addition, it was determined Martinez had sexually explicit images of his twelve year old niece and had sexual contact with her.

Martinez was previously convicted of Third Degree Sexual Abuse of a Child in 2005 in Pottawattamie County District Court. His case was investigated by the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say one person was hospitalized after an apartment fire in Muscatine. The Muscatine Fire Department says firefighters dispatched late Thursday night could see flames through a second-story window on the rear of the building when they arrived. There was fire damage throughout one apartment and some water and smoke damage to other apartments. The apartment occupant was taken in stable condition to a Muscatine hospital for treatment of what was described as a minor injury. The person’s name hasn’t been released.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A series of infrastructure failures in a crumbling state dormitory caused a toxic gas leak at an Iowa police academy that sickened dozens of recruits and could have killed some of them, a workplace safety investigation concluded. At least three recruits were poisoned by potentially lethal levels of carbon monoxide after an air handling unit and a heating boiler simultaneously malfunctioned on Nov. 15 inside a three-story residence hall at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in Johnston, according to records obtained by The Associated Press through an open records request. One officer suffered exposure levels that were more than eight times the amount deemed unsafe.

As dozens of recruits slept, ventilation system failures caused carbon monoxide fumes released by the boiler to build up and spread through large holes in an exhaust pipe. The 48-year-old building did not have carbon monoxide detectors and, even before the incident, had been scheduled to be demolished this June. The Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the academy in February for exposing 77 recruits to unsafe levels of carbon monoxide and for not having an effective ventilation system, records show. The agency determined the violations were serious, noting they could have resulted in disability and death, and proposed a $9,700 penalty.

The agencies reached a settlement last month in which the academy fixed the ventilation system and paid a $5,500 fine but did not admit to wrongdoing. Iowa OSHA Administrator Luther Peddy said its safety rules do not require buildings to have carbon monoxide alarms and that the settlement eliminated the hazard. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas found in fumes produced by heating sources. It kills at least 430 people in the U.S. each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Iowa is facing requests to reimburse medical costs related to hospital visits of four poisoned officers from West Des Moines and Iowa City. Additional claims are expected that could run into the tens of thousands of dollars. In all, 86 cadets were taken by bus to six different Des Moines area hospitals for evaluation, OSHA records show. Most were showing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, including headaches, dizziness and nausea.

The problems started two days before the emergency, when a coiler on an air handler unit on the roof of the building froze and broke. The unit was responsible for pulling outside air into the building and its failure contributed to a lack of fresh air inside, the investigation found. Meanwhile, two 9-inch (23-centimeter) holes in an exhaust pipe next to the boiler on the first-floor caused fumes to escape and spread. The boiler, which was shut off after the emergency, produced unsafe levels of gas when it was turned on in a test the next day. The building was closed and classes resumed elsewhere. Academy director Judy Bradshaw recently told the council that oversees her agency that the new building will have carbon monoxide detectors.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s unemployment rate remained at 2.4 percent in March, a rate that hasn’t changed for five months. Iowa Workforce Development reported Friday that the jobless rate held steady, where it has been since October 2018. The rate is the third-lowest in the country, tied with New Hampshire and behind Vermont and North Dakota.

The number of residents with jobs rose by about 5,400 from the February figure, but the number of unemployed people also rose slightly. Iowa’s rate compares to a national unemployment rate of 3.8 percent in March.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – U-S Small Business Administrator Linda McMahon reminds certain non-profit organizations in Adair, Cass, Crawford, Dallas, Fremont, Guthrie, Harrison, Monona, Pottawattamie, Shelby, Union and Woodbury counties, that low-interest federal disaster loans are now available for damages sustained during severe storms and flooding that began March 12, 2019. Private nonprofits that provide essential services of a governmental nature are eligible for assistance.

Director Tanya N. Garfield of SBA’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West, says “Private nonprofit organizations should contact Public Assistance Bureau Chief Katie Waters of the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department by calling (515) 725-3231 to obtain information about applicant briefings. At the briefings, private nonprofit representatives will need to provide information about their organization,” said . The Federal Emergency Management Agency will use that information to determine if the private nonprofit provides an “essential governmental service” and is a “critical facility” as defined by law. If so, FEMA may provide the private nonprofit with a Public Assistance grant for their eligible costs. If not, FEMA may refer the private nonprofit to SBA for disaster loan assistance.

SBA may lend private nonprofits up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future. For certain private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA also offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the private nonprofit suffered any property damage.

The interest rate is 2.75 percent with terms up to 30 years. The deadline to apply for property damage is June 4, 2019. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Jan. 6, 2020. Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

DES MOINES, Iowa – Scams seem to follow disasters. Don’t let your guard down and suffer another disaster such as identity theft or paying fees for services that are never provided. Remember, FEMA never charges for services nor does it endorse any commercial business, product or service. All federal employees have an official badge/ID. Ask to see it. The following are some common post-disaster fraud practices to avoid.

Fraudulent building contractors. When hiring a contractor, the Iowa Attorney General suggests:

1. Check out the contractor before you sign a contract or pay any money. Ask if the contractor is registered with the Iowa Workforce Development’s Division of Labor Services. You can check a contractor’s registration online through the Division of Labor Services website, or call 515-242-5871.;
2. Be sure to check local references and hire local contractors when possible. (If you do not know the contractor, consider taking photographs of license plates, vehicles, driver’s licenses, etc.)
3. Also, check Iowa Courts Online for past court cases, and see if there are complaints on file with the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.;
4. Get it in writing. Seek several written estimates for the job you want done.
5. Before any work begins, agree on a written contract detailing work to be done, type and quality of materials to be used, responsibility for permits, costs, and any other promises.;
6. Request a copy of the contractor’s liability insurance certificate.
7. Put start and completion dates in writing and consequences if the contractor fails to follow them (For example: The contract could be nullified if the contractor does not start on time or finish on time.);
8. Avoid paying large sums in advance to a contractor. If you have to make a partial advance payment for materials, make your check out to the supplier and the contractor.Avoid paying large sums in advance to a contractor. If you have to make a partial advance payment for materials, make your check out to the supplier and the contractor.
9. Insist on a “mechanic’s lien waiver” in case the contractor fails to pay others for materials or labor.
10. Do not make a rushed decision or agree to a contract that you do not want just because the contractor tells you that he is busy. In most cases, Iowa’s Door-to-Door Sales law gives you three business days to cancel a contract signed at your home if you change your mind or have another reason to cancel the contract.

Fake offers of state or federal aid:

1. Beware of visits, calls or emails from people claiming to be from FEMA or the State of Iowa asking for your Social Security number, bank account or other sensitive information. Giving out this type of information can help an unscrupulous person make a false claim for assistance or commit identify theft;
2. Don’t fall for scam artists who promise a disaster grant and ask for large cash deposits or advance payments in full.;
3. Federal and state workers do not solicit or accept money. FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) staff never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications. FEMA inspectors never require banking or other financial information. The job of FEMA housing inspectors is to verify damage. Inspectors do not hire or endorse specific contractors to fix homes or recommend repairs. They do not determine eligibility for assistance. FEMA inspectors will not condemn a property. Condemnation determinations are made by your local jurisdiction.

Recovery officials encourage Iowa residents to watch for and report any suspicious activity. If you suspect fraud, contact the Consumer Protection Division of the State Attorney General’s Office at: Email consumer@ag.iowa.gov; Call 515-281-5926; Toll-free number outside of the Des Moines area: 888-777-4590. For more information visit Attorney General consumer tips and information.

(Radio Iowa) — Dozen of miles of roads in southwest Iowa are closed because they’re still underwater or they’re badly damaged by recent flooding. The Iowa Department of Transportation is trying to make it easier for motorists to navigate in that corner of the state. D-O-T spokeswoman Andrea Henry says the website 5-1-1-i-a-dot-org and the 5-1-1 app are being constantly updated. “We have added the enhancement where we’ve actually painted the roadways that are closed in red,” Henry says, “so they’re easy to see at a glance what is closed and exactly the length of roadway that is closed.”

Henry says you might need to zoom into an area to see the red lines indicating a closed road. “You need to make sure when you’re on the 511 map that you click on ‘Incidents’ on the left hand side,” Henry says, “and that will show you those roadways that are closed due to incidents such as flooding, or if we do have a crash that would close a roadway temporarily.” More than a dozen temporary cameras have also been secured in place in southwest Iowa — offering views that are visible using the 5-1-1 app and website — to help travelers keep tabs on the impacted roads. “We have them along Iowa 2, I-29 and US 34 as well, so that you can really see if there’s still water on the roadways in those areas,” Henry says. “You can see the debris removal activities as well as the construction activities that are going on along those roadways.”

Officials in Fremont County fear it could be as long as two years before all county roads are back in use. Henry says the D-O-T aims to have most of the major state-owned roads open by sometime well into fall.