A man is in custody, and charges a pending against his significant other, following a domestic disturbance that took place at around 10:45-a.m. Friday, at their residence about 4-miles northeast of Essex. The Page County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were dispatched to 1138 C Avenue in response to the disturbance.

Bloomquist

Their investigation determined 28-year old Richard Allen Bloomquist, and 25-year old Tayler Rae McDaniel, had been involved in a physical assault on each other.  Bloomquist was arrested and transported to the Page County Jail on charges of Domestic Abuse Assault and three counts of Child Endangerment. He remained the Page County Jail without bond, Friday evening.

McDaniel was transported to the Shenandoah Medical Center Emergency Room by Essex Fire & Rescue.  The extent of her injuries was not immediately known. Charges are pending on McDaniel at this time.

Hundreds of law officers gathered in the rotunda of the Iowa State Capitol today (Friday) for the annual ceremony honoring fallen officers. Rain forced the ceremony that’s normally held outside at the from Peace Officer Memorial site, up the hill to the capitol building. Iowa Department of Public Safety commissioner, Roxann Ryan, opened the ceremony to honor six fallen officers.

“This is always a time for heartfelt remembrance and a time to thank all of the peace officers who are here today. And every officer who serves across the state and across the country, and every retired peace officer who is here, so that we may show our respect for all of our law enforcement officers.”

Colonel Jeff Ritzman of the Iowa State Patrol read a description about how each officer died in the line of duty — with the most recent death being Pottwattamie County Deputy Mark Burbridge. “On May 1st, 2017, Deputy Mark Burbridge was shot after he and fellow deputy Pat Morgan transported two prisoners to the Pottawattamie County jail from the courthouse,” Ritzman says. Burbridge died following the shooting.

The others honored are: Special Officer Timothy O’Brien of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, who died October 2, 1893 after was shot by a man he found riding a freight train. Special Officer Charles E. Crill of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, died March 17, 1917 after being shot while trying to apprehend a man breaking into a boxcar. Deputy William A. Maxwell of the Plymouth Co. Sheriff’s Office, died November 16, 1919 after being shot by a pistol smuggled into the jail as he and his father Hugh who was the Sheriff, tried to feed the prisoners.

Deputy Robert McKinley of the Pottawattamie Co. Sheriff’s Office, died March 13, 1947 as he responded to an accident and his patrol car went into a creekbed. Officer William E. Hickman of the Indianola Police Department died December 6, 1957. He lifted a drain tile while investigating an accident and that led an injury and a blood clot in his lung. The family members or representatives of the officers were each presented a flag to honor the officer. Governor Kim Reynolds spoke about the fallen officers.

“Their courage, valor and tenacity will be eternally captured on the monument, so that we, all of us may never forget their selfless sacrifice on behalf of others,” Reynolds says. The governor also spoke to the law officers in the crowd. “We deeply appreciate your dedication, passion and bravery within this noble profession,” Reynolds says. “It is important to show our gratitude to all of those who serve protect us. In addition, we should recognize their families and loved ones as well. Because we know behind every uniform and badge is an officer who has others depending on him or her returning home after each shift.”

The Iowa State Patrol Honor Guard stood outside on the state capitol steps for the 21 gun salute. The Peace Officer Memorial was moved in 2012 and now sits down the hill from the Iowa State Capitol near the Department of Public Safety building.

(Radio Iowa)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A federal appeals court on Friday upheld the convictions of three top staffers on Ron Paul’s 2012 presidential campaign who were found guilty of arranging for money to be funneled through a vendor to an influential Iowa state senator who dropped his support for another Republican candidate in favor of Paul.

Campaign chairman Jesse Benton, campaign manager John Tate and deputy campaign manager Dimitri Kesari were convicted in 2016 of causing false records to be filed, causing false campaign expenditure reports, engaging in a false statements scheme and conspiring to commit the offenses. Kesari was sentenced to three months in prison while the other two got probation. They have completed their sentences but are seeking to clear the felony convictions from their records.

The three argued that they broke no laws when they paid a video production company, which passed on $73,000 to then-Iowa state Sen. Kent Sorenson, who withdrew his support from Michele Bachmann and backed Paul six days before the 2012 Iowa caucuses. Sorenson also was convicted in the scheme and sentenced to 15 months in prison. He was released in April.

Benton, Tate and Kesari contend that campaigns pay vendors who pass money on to subcontractors all the time and there’s nothing illegal about it. Prosecutors said it was illegal to cause the campaign to file inaccurate documents to try to hide that Sorensen was paid for a campaign endorsement.

A three-member panel of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis on Friday upheld the rulings and conclusions of Judge John Jarvey, finding no reversible errors and that there is ample evidence to uphold their convictions. The men argued that Jarvey erred in denying their motions to dismiss the charges and for a new trial. They also challenged the judge’s rulings on jury instructions and certain evidence.

Among the things they challenged was whether prosecutors could apply a federal financial fraud false reporting statute to campaign expenditure reports and whether that violation falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Election Commission.

The appeals court concluded that “the production of false financial records by a political campaign falls within that framework.” The judges also concluded that the FEC does have jurisdiction over campaign expenditures and the authority to establish penalties for false reporting. Kesari is considering whether to appeal Friday’s ruling.

The 46-year old Sorenson was convicted of willfully causing false expenditure reports to the FEC and falsifying records in contemplation of or relation to a federal investigation intending to obstruct justice.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office is reporting two arrests occurred on Wednesday: 56-year old Roderick Jerome Bequette, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Driving while Barred; 28-year old Alishia Leann Adams, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for two-counts of Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs, and on a warrant out of Pottawattamie County for Failure to Appear in court.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports 23-year old Skylar William Shane, of Clarinda, was arrested a little after 10-a.m. today (Friday) at the Page County Courthouse. He was taken into custody on a warrant for Theft in the 5^th Degree. Shane was transported to the Page County Jail where he posted a $300 bond, and was released pending further court proceedings.

And, at around 1:35-p.m., Friday, deputies with the Page and Fremont County Sheriff’s Offices conducted a traffic stop on Highway 59, in the 2900 block in Fremont County.  During the traffic stop a passenger in the vehicle, 21-year old Zackary Quinton Tylor Bond, of Tabor,  was arrested on a Page County District Court warrant for Probation violation.  The warrant stems from his sentencing on an original charge of Theft in the 4^th Degree.  Bond was transported to the Page County Jail where he was unable to post $1,000 bail.  He was being held in the Page County Jail awaiting further court proceedings.

Cass County Democratic Party Chair Sherry Toelle reports Cindy Axne, one of three candidates for the Democratic nomination for the Third Congressional seat currently held by David Young, will be at the Atlantic Pizza Ranch on Wednesday, May 16th, at 5:30 PM.  Her campaign says Axne “Wants to fight to rebuild Iowa’s infrastructure, grow the state’s rural economies, protect Iowa farmers and maintain the rural quality of life. She plans to stand up for Iowa’s family farms and that starts by ensuring the Farm Bill works for all farmers including new farmers and small to mid-size farms. For the rural communities to be competitive, Iowa and the nation must reinvest in a solid infrastructure. That means repairing roads and nearly 5,000 structurally deficient bridges, water and sewer systems, and finally making sure that everyone has access to cellular and broadband technology.”

Cindy Axne, Dem. candidate for Gov. in IA

She says “Not only will that fix the infrastructure, but it will create thousands of jobs in the process. Iowa can be the leader in sustainable agriculture and renewable energy.” While Axne was employed by the State of Iowa, she oversaw the Governor’s Agenda on Clean Energy and the Environment, helping bring the wind industry to scale in Iowa. In Congress, her campaign says Axne will, among other things, “Fight to increase research and development in the areas of soil health, carbon sequestration and water quality to clean up the water, improve soil for better yields and create jobs in the process. In order to protect the rural quality of life, [she] will fight to protect Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates, so Iowa’s rural hospitals can continue to operate and serve those who are at risk.” And, “She will fight for funding for Iowa public schools, so they can retain quality educators, keep up with technology, and bring in more trades programs for Iowa children.”

Toelle says “The Iowa primary is June 5th but early voting and absentee balloting began on May 7th. “The time to decide on the best candidate to serve your needs and the needs of your fellow Iowans is now. The public is invited to attend and hear Ms. Axne discuss her policy plans.”

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have released the name of a man fatally injured in a fall at a Dubuque construction site. The Jones County medical examiner’s office said Thursday that he’s been identified as 57-year-old Timothy Leibold, who lived in Dubuque. Fire officials say Leibold fell Monday from an upper floor of a hotel being built. The Jones County medical examiner, Dr. Michael Weston, says Leibold died at an Anamosa hospital while in transport to an Iowa City hospital. The Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating.

KEOKUK, Iowa (AP) — The former director of a southeast Iowa boarding school has been sentenced to nine years in prison for child abuse despite the defense’s argument that he didn’t get a fair trial. The Hawk Eye reports that 40-year-old Benjamin Trane was sentenced Thursday. Trane was convicted in December of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of a child by a counselor and child endangerment at the now-defunct Midwest Academy. The school closed in 2016 following a federal raid to investigate abuse allegations.

Defense attorney Alfredo Parrish filed an appeal the same day to the state Supreme Court. He’s seeking to overturn the decision and have a new trial. Parrish alleged the prosecution wasn’t adequately prepared for trial and was slow to give the defense evidence needed to properly defend Trane.

East Pottawattamie sixth grade youth and home schooled youth, were invited to participate in the fourth annual Farm Safety Day, on May 8.  The event was sponsored by East Pottawattamie Farm Bureau, East Pottawattamie Soil and Water Conservation, and East Pottawattamie 4-H, with donations, and presentations from area businesses. The event featured twelve Farm Safety learning stations including Animal Safety by Perdue Farms, Emergency Weather Safety by Pottawattamie County EMT Crew, Grain Safety Tug of War by Riverside FFA, Emergency Rescue Safety by Carson Fire Rescue Team, ATV Safety by AHSTW FFA, Hearing Safety by UNMC Education Team, Basic First Aid by Visiting Nurses Association, Power Take Off Safety by Avoca Titan Machinery and Colin Applegate, Electrical Safety by Nishnabotna Valley REC, Fire Extinguisher Safety by Horizon Equipment, Sun and Skin Safety by CHI Cancer Education, and Chemical Safety by Heartland Coop.  The learning stations were hands-on, interactive, and full of information to make a lasting impression.

2018 Farm Safety Day

The event focused on sixth grade youth, because at this age many become more responsible on the family farm.  Presenters also feel it is important to teach safety to those not living on the farm, as they visit family and friends and need to learn to recognize the dangers present.  Many general topics were covered that kids can use every day. Lunch was provided to the youth and volunteers through many local donations.  Participants took home a farm hat donated by area businesses that they got to wear for the event in addition to a draw string bag donated by UNMC Education Team.  Special appreciation goes out to AHSTW FFA and Riverside FFA for providing leadership to our youth groups throughout the day.

“The impact of this great event shows the desire for a community to support its kids,” said Jamie Meek, East Pottawattamie Soil & Water Conservation Educator.  “The willingness for individuals and businesses to give their time, dollar, and knowledge to our youth is what makes an event like this, not only successful, but outstanding.”

(From the East Pott. County Extension Office)