(Radio Iowa) — The Sioux City Council has approved an initial agreement to provide one daily round-trip flight from Sioux Gateway Airport to Denver, Colorado. The agreement with SkyWest Airlines would provide air service through United Express beginning October 1st. Councilwoman Julie Schoenherr voiced her approval for the deal after a unanimous council vote. “I think it’s something that’s going to be enjoyed and very beneficial to Sioux City people and surrounding area,” she says, “not just those who live in Woodbury County.”

Schoenherr says the flight may benefit the area in terms of those flying into Sioux City as well as those flying out to Denver. “Family and friends coming in, business partners and perhaps potential businesses who may want to have an office or a home base here,” she said. It has not been determined what time of day or how many passengers would be on the westbound flight. The Sioux City airport’s direct will meet with Sky West officials this weekend to discuss details.

(Radio Iowa) – Des Moines city workers and the public are now required to wear masks inside city buildings to reduce the chance of spreading coronavirus. In a resolution passed Monday, the Des Moines City Council also encouraged businesses and nonprofits to follow suit in their workplaces. Council member Josh Mandelbaum says with cases of COVID-19 surging in the area, residents need to take extra precautions.  Mandelbaum says, “The only way that we can help solve this is if we all get to a point where we are wearing masks, and wearing face coverings, and doing the simple things that we can to protect each other.”

Governor Kim Reynolds says her state emergency order preempts local officials from mandating face coverings for all residents. Paden Sheumaker of Des Moines encouraged council members to challenge the governor’s position. “We can lead the rest of the state,” Sheumaker says. “We can make mask mandates and go against the governor, honestly, to be a leader in this and make sure everyone in your city is safe.”

The council is asking city attorneys to look for ways to accomplish that.

(By Grant Gerlock, Iowa Public Radio)

(Updated 10-a.m. w/correction from USATTY): COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A man from Audubon was sentenced last week in Council Bluffs U-S District Court, to serve two-years in prison for being a drug user in possession of a firearm. 36-year old Brandon Michael Barringer was also ordered to serve two years of supervised release, following completion of his prison sentence.  Barringer pleaded guilty to the offense on March 6, 2020.

The sentencing was the result of an incident in Audubon on November 15, 2019. Barringer removed a .40 caliber rifle from his car and threatened an individual with the rifle after a domestic
disturbance. Barringer then left Audubon and was located by law enforcement in Carroll County, where the rifle was recovered along with ammunition. Barringer is a long time user of
methamphetamine.

The case was investigated by the Audubon Police Department, Audubon County Sheriff’s Office, Carroll Police Department, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa Division of
Narcotics Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa reports 41-year old Robert Matthew Justice, of Glenwood, was sentenced last week to 156 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, and his co-defendant, 44-year old Stacey Madonna Morrison, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced to 61 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

The sentencing was the result of an investigation by Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force into methamphetamine trafficking
in Western Iowa and the Omaha Metro Area. The investigation revealed that methamphetamine was being brought into Western Iowa by Justice, who then provided it to Morrison and others for distribution in Pottawattamie, Mills, and Fremont Counties. In March of 2020, Justice and Morrison entered guilty pleas to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.

The case was investigated by the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the
Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum announced last week, two individuals were sentenced to prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. 43-year old Erik M. Barber, of Council Bluffs, and 36-year old Lacey Jo Smalley, of Clarinda, were sentenced to prison for 18 years and 16 years, respectively. Previously, the Court sentenced the leader of the conspiracy, Jason Paul Rodriguez, to 30 years in prison on March 12, 2020.

Authorities say Rodriguez organized and led the large-scale drug trafficking operation from 2016 until his arrest in April 2019. Rodriguez and his co-conspirators distributed more than 220 pounds of methamphetamine in Omaha and Western Iowa. Barber was a major distributor of methamphetamine for Rodriguez.    Smalley was also one of Rodriguez’s primary distributors.

The sentencings were the result of a lengthy investigation by Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement originating in Page County regarding distribution of methamphetamine delivered
from Council Bluffs, Iowa. The investigation revealed that Rodriguez, Barber, Smalley, and others were distributing large amounts of methamphetamine in numerous locations throughout Southwest Iowa and Omaha.

This matter was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, Council Bluffs Police Department, Clarinda Police
Department, Page County Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

A man from Adams County was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, Monday morning. Creston Police report 51-year old Darryn Dugan, of Nodaway, was arrested on a Union County warrant for Harassment in the 3rd Degree. He was subsequently released from the jail on a $300 bond.