(Radio Iowa) — The three Democrats challenging Iowa’s three Republican congressmen are calling on Rod Blum, David Young and Steve King to pressure their G-O-P leadership for action on the Farm Bill. Cindy Axne is the Democrat running against Congressman Young.

“I hope they get back to work and go back out to Washington and demand that we settle this Farm Bill because it really impacts the lives of Iowans, our farmers, our rural communities and, as everyone well knows, our overall economy,” Axne says. The 2014 Farm Bill expired Sunday and there’s no replacement yet. Republican leaders do not intend to reconvene the U.S. House until after the November election. Axne says Iowa farmers are paying the price for Washington dysfunction.

“We’re already seeing banks not loaning as much. We’re seeing implement dealers not getting as many new orders for next year because of the uncertainty with the trade wars,” Axne says, “so the increased uncertainty by not having a Farm Bill go through in a timely fashion just adds to that.” Abby Finkenauer, the Democrat running against Republican Congressman Rod Blum and Democrat J.S. Scholten, Republican Congressman Steve King’s opponent, signed onto a letter with Axne on this topic.

The impasse revolves around new work requirements for food stamp recipients. President Trump and House Republicans support the move, but Republican Senator Chuck Grassley says there aren’t enough votes in the senate to stop a filibuster on the Farm Bill if that’s included.  “I think it’s going to be impossible for us to go along with the House and get 60 votes in the United States Senate,” Grassley says. “Now, it happens that I favor what the House is doing, but we’ve got to have a Farm Bill and if this is holding it up, I’ve got to say that even what I think is a good idea has to go by the wayside.”

As for the timing of the Farm Bill’s passage, Grassley says for the time being, farmers should be o.k. “Immediately, I don’t see a problem,” Grassley says, “but if you get into November, December, I think there’s problems.”  A campaign spokesman for third district Congressman David Young says Young “is disappointed a new bipartisan Farm Bill has not been enacted” and he says Young is monitoring the ongoing negotiations to ensure his priorities are including, like a bipartisan measure to address gaps in the mental health system for farmers and agricultural workers.

Fourth district Congressman Steve King told a crowd in Carroll this week that he would have liked to have had the Farm Bill done last month, but King predicted it will pass congress some time in early December.

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

AMES, Iowa (AP) — A prosecutor is alleging that defense attorneys for an Iowa man charged with killing an amateur golfer from Spain have a potential conflict of interest. Assistant Story County Tim Meals is asking a judge to hold a hearing on the alleged conflict and to bar the media from attending. The development comes in the first-degree murder case against Collin Richards. He’s charged in the Sept. 17 stabbing of Celia Barquin Arozamena

FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) — Iowa prison officials say an inmate serving a life term has died at a Fort Madison hospital. Officials say Robert James Carter was pronounced dead at Sunday afternoon at the Fort Madison Community Hospital, where he had been taken due to suffering a medical emergency. Carter was 73. An autopsy has been ordered.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Department of Transportation is looking to hire hundreds of snow plow drivers for the coming winter. Television station KCCI reports that the department is looking to recruit 600 qualified drivers to work at more than 100 garages across the state.

PERRY, Iowa (AP) — Investigators are trying to determine who spray painted the words “report illegals” on a sidewalk near where one Iowa town was holding its annual Latino festival. The Des Moines Register reports that the message was found near the high school in Perry, Iowa, on Sunday along with a stenciled phone number for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Department of Transportation is looking to hire hundreds of snow plow drivers for the coming winter. Television station KCCI reports that the department is looking to recruit 600 qualified drivers to work at more than 100 garages across the state. Applicants can apply online at www.iowadot.gov/careers.

Eligible applicants must have a valid Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License or Commercial Learner’s permit upon their hiring and must pass pre-employment drug and alcohol testing and participate in a random drug and alcohol testing program after hire.

The job pays $17.45 an hour.

DES MOINES, Iowa – U-S Attorney Marc Krickbaum announced Tuesday, that seven defendants charged with sex trafficking and related offenses pleaded guilty during the month of September. The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced in January and February 2019 before United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey.

According to court documents, Darren O. Coleman, age 29, pleaded guilty to sex trafficking Victim 4 (“V4”) by force, fraud, or coercion. Sarina Ann Williams, age 26, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of V4. Coleman admitted he recruited V4 in late June of 2017, and sent V4 to Williams, who was in South Dakota at the time. Williams, at Coleman’s direction, advertised V4 on online escort websites for the purposes of prostitution; harbored V4 in hotel rooms that served out of state customers; and arranged for V4 to engage in commercial sex acts. Coleman admitted he knew V4 was engaging in commercial sex acts as a result of force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion. Coleman monitored V4’s contact and interactions with family and friends. He also verbally threatened V4 and others, to intimidate V4.

Coleman admitted he fraudulently promised V4 substantial money and things of value of which V4 never received. Coleman also pleaded guilty to coercing and enticing Victim 1 (“V1”) to cross a state line for purposes of prostitution. Stephen Kalu Cobb, age 27, pleaded guilty to sex trafficking V1 by force, fraud, or coercion. Sarina Williams pleaded guilty to transporting V1 across a state line for purposes of prostitution. According to Cobb’s plea agreement, Coleman threatened V1 with physical violence in March 2017 after V1 found and disposed of a firearm Coleman had purchased. V1 then engaged in commercial sex acts due to threats of violence from Coleman.

Cobb also physically assaulted V1, threatened her with violence, and verbally demeaned and insulted V1 to cause V1 to engage in commercial sex acts. Cobb transported V1 to different locations in Des Moines to engage in commercial sex acts, and received money from those sex acts. Cobb admitted to splitting the money he obtained from the trafficking of V1 with Coleman and Mark Phillip Carter II, as they arranged for the commercial sex acts and communicated the places and locations for the commercial sex acts to Cobb. Mark Phillip Carter II, age 26, admitted to advertising V1 on online escort websites, in addition to other individuals.

Carter entered a plea of guilty to sex trafficking a minor. According to the plea document, between May and July 2017, Carter recruited and enticed a minor victim to engage in commercial sex acts. He advertised the minor—who was 16 years old at the time—on online escort websites, and transported the minor to motels and other locations in the Southern District of Iowa, knowing the minor victim would engage in commercial sex acts at those locations. Carter received money from those sex acts.

Furthermore, Cater admitted to possessing a firearm in July 2017, and the minor victim knew he had a firearm. Carter also admitted to advertising two additional individuals, Victim 2 and Victim 3 (“V3”), on online escort websites for the purpose of prostitution. Carter additionally was charged with conspiring with three other individuals to commit the crime of sex trafficking V3; according to his plea agreement, that charge and others will be dismissed at the time of sentencing.

Julyen Xavier Singleton, age 21, admitted to using a facility of interstate commerce—in this case, Facebook—to promote prostitution. Singleton admitted that, in late June 2017, he contacted V3 on Facebook and solicited V3 to come to Des Moines to engage in prostitution. He then provided V3 to another individual for the purpose of advertising V3 on online escort websites, arranging for V3 to engage in commercial sex acts, and transporting V3 to commercial sex acts. Singleton thereafter received proceeds from those sex acts.

Ronzell Montez Williams, age 26, and Breeanna Lynae Brown, age 26, entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking V3 by force, fraud, or coercion. According to their plea agreements, Carter left V3 with Ronzell Williams in late June 2017. Brown then obtained V3 and took her to her home. Both Brown and Williams transported V3 to engage in commercial sex acts. Williams admitted Brown told V3 she could perform commercial sex acts as a way to get enough money to leave Des Moines in order to fraudulently induce V3 to continue to perform commercial sex acts for Brown’s financial benefit.

Coleman and Cobb are subject to a fifteen-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment for sex trafficking up to life imprisonment. Carter is subject to a ten-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment for sex trafficking a minor, up to life imprisonment. Sarina Williams, Ronzell Williams, and Brown, for their pleas to conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking, are subject to a maximum term of imprisonment of life. Singleton is subject to up to five years in prison for using a facility of interstate commerce to promote prostitution.

The case was investigated by the Des Moines Police Department, Vice and Narcotics Control Section. Analytical support was provided by the Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center, Department of Public Safety, as well as the Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center. The Polk County Attorney’s Office assisted with the prosecution. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Detectives with the Council Bluffs Police Department arrested a Council Bluffs man Tuesday afternoon, for allegedly communicating through social media and text messages, with a person he thought was a 13-year old girl. 30-year old Andrew Newport was arrested at around 1:30-p.m.  The “girl” was actually an undercover detective. During his communications, Newport offered to pay for sex and sent a photo of his genitalia.

Andrew Newport

The detective, posing as the young girl, agreed to meet Newport Tuesday afternoon, with the understanding that they would have sex.  Once Newport arrived at the meeting location, he was apprehended and taken in for questioning. Newport was booked into the Pottawattamie County Jail on Felony charges that include: Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (a Class “C” Felony), Enticing a Minor (a Class “D” Felony), and Solicitation (a Class “C” Felony). He was also charged with Dissemination of Obscene Material (a Serious Misdemeanor).

(Radio Iowa) — Temperatures have cooled in recent weeks, but a spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Public Health says that isn’t enough yet to slow down all mosquito activity. There’s been an increase in cases of the West Nile Virus virus in Iowa this year and Deputy State Epidemiologist Anne Garvey says you shouldn’t let up on protecting yourself.

“I know as we get into the fall weather we kind of forget about the sunscreen and the mosquito repellent. It’s important to continue to use that as we’re outside,” Garvey says. This year’s summer flooding and increase in mosquitoes may be a contributing factor in the increase in West Nile Cases. But Doctor Garvey says, most people that become infected don’t even know it. While others could contract another more severe disease — such as hepatitis. With meningitis you can get a fever, severe headache and a stiff neck.

“There can be a lot of different causes of meningitis. If you are ever having those types of symptoms you need to call your health care provider right away and seek care,” Garvey says. “Because in some situations it might be a bacterial cause and you might need specific treatment. And so it is important that you are seeking health care right away if you are having those types of severe symptoms.” Doctor Garvey says if you are in an area that has been getting a lot of rain, you should continue to take steps to try and hamper areas where mosquitoes can breed.

“Dumping out standing water — like in bird baths or buckets — or anything that’s collecting water where mosquitoes might be able to breed,” according to Garvey. “And also making sure you are taking care of those screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home.” The mosquito danger in Iowa does not end until after the first hard frost. West Nile was first identified in Iowa during 2002 and cases of the virus this year have hit the second highest number of infections recorded in the state. The highest total reported was in 2003 when Iowa had 147 cases.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors met Friday morning in Atlantic. Auditor Dale Sunderman reports a public hearing was held during the meeting on an application by Dollar General Retail Store, for a change in zoning classification near Griswold, that would allow for construction of the store.

Zoning Administrator Rich Hansen reported that the Zoning Commission met on Sept. 13th, and recommended approval. No objections were filed.  After brief discussion, the public hearing was closed. Later during the meeting, the Supervisors agreed with  the recommendation of the Cass County Zoning Commission, and approved a change in zoning from General Agricultural District to Business District for a parcel just outside the Griswold City limits.

In other business, Cass County Treasurer Tracey Marshall requested the approval of the appointment of a deputy treasurer to fill the vacancy left by resignation of a deputy. The person the Board approved for appointment, Ashley Kress, was a full time treasurer’s assistant at the time of the request. As Deputy Treasurer, Kress’ salary will amount to $49,500 per year.

Two applications for the part-time position of Cass County Mental Health Advocate were received.  After review of the applications and a lengthy discussion, the Board approved the employment of Debbie Schuler as part-time Cass County mental health advocate effective October 1st, 2018 at $29,500 annually.

[Atlantic, Iowa]  U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced on September 25th, that the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) will award $366.2 million in grants to improve the safety and reliability of America’s bus systems and enhance mobility for transit riders. A total of 107 projects in 50 states and territories will receive funding from FTA’s Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program.

As part of this grant award, Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO), which operates Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA), based in Atlantic, will receive $1-million, 16-thousand 983-dollars ($1,016,983) toward 11 new light duty buses and 4 vans.  SWIPCO will provide a local match of $179,469 to complete the purchases.  SWIPCO serves an 8 county region that includes Harrison, Shelby, Pottawattamie, Cass, Mills, Montgomery, Fremont, and Page Counties.

SWIPCO Executive Director John McCurdy said, “Iowa is a national leader in rural public transportation, and SWITA is one of the largest rural transit providers in the state.  However, that means we have a lot of vehicles that put on a lot of miles.  This grant will help replace vehicles that have anywhere from 200,000 to 250,000 or more miles on them.  Under this grant SWITA will be receiving more funds than some states did, but keep in mind our area is about the same size as Connecticut.  We are fortunate that the Iowa DOT Office of Public Transit has a very fair system for ranking the equipment needs of systems, and we had a number of vehicles at the top of the list for replacement.”

The funding supports projects to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment, as well as projects to purchase, rehabilitate, and construct bus-related facilities. In Fiscal Year 2018, FTA has awarded more than $15 billion in funding through both formula and competitive grant programs to support public transportation.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Police say human remains found in Iowa are that of an Arkansas woman missing for nearly 10 years. Bentonville police Sgt. Greg Page said Tuesday that police in Mason City, Iowa, have confirmed the remains are those of Cerilla Ann Doyle, who disappeared in late October 2008. A suspected cause of death and how she wound up in Iowa have not been released.

Police say it appears she had purchased a bus ticket to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and left Arkansas voluntarily at the time. Doyle had recently retired from the Pea Ridge Police Department and was 51 when she disappeared.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — A prosecutor is alleging that attorneys for an Iowa man charged with killing an amateur golfer have a potential conflict of interest. Prosecutor Timothy Meals is asking a judge to hold a hearing on the alleged conflict and to bar the media from attending. The development comes in the first-degree murder case against Collin Richards. He’s charged in the Sept. 17 stabbing of Celia Barquin Arozamena. Police allege Richards attacked the star collegiate golfer from Spain on a course near Iowa State University.

Richards is represented by Paul Rounds and Michelle Wolf of the public defender’s office. Meals argues the attorneys have a potential conflict because their office has represented a prosecution witness in the case previously. Rounds says he’ll object to closing the hearing and being disqualified from the case.