(Creston, Iowa/KCCI) — A Lorimor man who cut-off his ankle bracelet monitor in November while on a pre-trial release, and who was on the run from law enforcement, was arrested over the weekend in Union County. 33-year-old Dalton Barber was wanted on a warrant for sexual abuse. A Union County Sheriff’s Deputy saw Barber on Saturday. Chief Deputy Chris Nouse told KCCI the deputy engaged in a pursuit of Barber. The Iowa State Patrol and Clarke County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the chase, which ended soon after Barber wrecked his vehicle in Clarke County, and took off on foot.

The sheriff’s office used a heat-seeking drone to search for Barber. Nouse said the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office also deployed a drone. A female who was with Barber was located, but Barber wasn’t found until later that afternoon. He was placed under arrest and is being held without bail in the Union County Jail.

(Radio Iowa) -What’s billed as a whimsical holiday spectacular will make one stop in Iowa this year, boasting an international cast of talented performers. Rebecca Shubart is the artistic director for Cirque Dreams Holidaze, which will be offering four shows over two days this weekend at the Des Moines Civic Center.

“We’ve got amazing acrobatic acts, aerialists. We have someone who hangs from the ceiling from their hair, it’s incredible,” Shubart says. “One of the great things about it is that there’s something for everyone. Some people are really going to be drawn into the music, there’s a lot of holiday music, some people are going to be drawn into the costumes.” The Broadway-style production promises to dazzle audiences with an infusion of contemporary circus arts — and the artists hail from around the globe.

“They come to us from Europe, from Canada, from all over the U.S. We even have some artists from Ethiopia and Mongolia,” Shubart says. “They are well-trained, well-disciplined and they know how to put on a great show time after time after time.” She says the show focuses on the imagination and offers fun for children to senior citizens and all ages in between.

“Our softer, quieter moments with ‘Carol of the Bells’ that are ethereal and lovely, and then there are some crazy, fun moments that are a little more kid-centric,” Shubart says. “We have an audience participation that is always a favorite, but if it’s not your kind of thing to participate, you don’t have to, you can just sit back, relax and enjoy.”

There are shows Friday and Saturday nights, along with two Saturday matinees.

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(Radio Iowa) – Sergeant Alex Dinkla, the spokesman for the Iowa State Patrol, says there’s been a huge increase in traffic fatalities in Iowa this year. “As of today (Monday), we are at 363 fatalities. That’s 33 higher than it was last year at this same exact time,” Dinkla says. “We continue to see fatalities go on the rise. It’s alarming to all of us.” Dinkla says an initial review appears to show an increase in fatal accidents involving vehicles that are drifting out of their lane. “What is that telling us? That driver is doing something to go into that lane that’s distracting them, making them not see something,” Dinkla says.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 27 states have laws that make it illegal for motorists to handle a cell phone while driving. “We have pushed for a hands free law and we are going to continue to push for that because here at the State Patrol we do believe there will be a reduction in crashes and fatalities if Iowa can get that hands free law passed and make oure state a safer place to drive,” Dinkla says. State troopers say it’s difficult to enforce the Iowa law that bans texting while driving because it is still legal for someone to have a cell phone in their hand while driving. Last year the Iowa Senate overwhelmingly voted to require hands-free or voice activated technology for making calls while driving in Iowa, but the bill stalled in the House.

Nearly 330 million people in the United States have a cell phone and a report from the National Conference of State Legislatures suggests at any given moment 800-thousand vehicles are being driven by someone using a hand-held phone.

In an update to our previous reports, Council Bluffs Police say a homicide suspect, 27-year-old Mensah OLLOWAY was booked into the Pottawattamie County Jail on charges unrelated to the Homicide that occurred on 12-17-2023. OLLOWAY’S current charges are Serious Assault, Aggravated Assault and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The Homicide case is still being actively investigated and detectives are continuing to interview witnesses and gather evidence. Further updates will be provided as they become available.

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(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – A man from Nebraska is being sought in connection with the shooting and death Sunday night, of a western Iowa man. Council Bluffs Police report 27-year-old Mensah Olloway, of Omaha, is suspected in the shooting of 62-year-old Gary Fredrick, of Council Bluffs.

Officers were dispatched to 127 Harrison Street in Council Bluffs at around 6:38-p.m., Sunday, following a report of a possible shooting that had just occurred. When Officers arrived, they found Gary Fredrick laying on the floor, suffering from what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds. Fredrick was treated at the scene and then transported to the UNMC in Omaha, where he died from his injuries a short time later.

Initial information indicates Fredrick arrived at the residence, and after a short time a disturbance broke out. During the disturbance, witnesses saw Olloway produce a hand gun before he allegedly fired several rounds at Fredrick. Olloway then ran from the scene and as of the latest report, had not been located.

Information is still being gathered on this incident. If you have any information on possible whereabouts of Olloway please contact the Council Bluffs Police Department at 712-328-4765 or Crime Stoppers at 712-328-7867.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office today (Monday), issued a report on arrests that occurred over the past two weeks.

On December 1st: Chelsea Jean Birtwell, age 30, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop in Harlan. Birtwell was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substances, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Controlled Substance 2nd Offense, Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability, and Fraudulent use of Registration; and, Albert Alexander Johnson, age 38, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop in Harlan. Johnson was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

On Dec. 2nd: Ian Austin, Hill, age 19, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop in Harlan. Hill was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substances, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Controlled Substance Marijuana 1st, and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability.

On the 4th of December: Albert Alexander Johnson, age 38, of Harlan, was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant for Willful Injury. Johnson was transported to the Shelby County Jail.

The following day,  Joshua James Hendon, age 30, of Panama, was arrested following an investigation. Hendon was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Simple Assault. And, on the 6th, Cristian Daniel Ruiz Chanchavac, age 33, of Harlan, was arrested following an investigation. Ruiz was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Domestic Abuse Assault.

On Dec. 8th: Dustin Allen Hansen, age 35, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop on Hwy 59 & Hwy 37. Hansen was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while Revoked.

On the 12th: Kerry Wayne Lincoln, age 52, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on active Shelby County Warrants. Lincoln was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with 3 counts of Failure to Appear.

On the 14th, Shelby County Deputies arrested: Megan Ericka Hunt, age 28, of Council Bluffs, following an investigation. Hunt was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Child Endangerment, and OWI 1st; June Louise Christensen, age 63, of Harlan, was arrested following an investigation. Christensen was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substance, Possession of Controlled Substance Marijuana 1st, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Child Endangerment; Camryn Rose Casebeer, age 18, of Harlan, was arrested following an investigation. Casebeer was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substance, Possession of Controlled Substance Marijuana 1st, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Child Endangerment; also arrested Dec. 14th, was Ethan Michael Jeffery Christensen, age 18, of Harlan, was arrested following an investigation. Christensen was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substance, Possession of Controlled Substance Marijuana 1st, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Child Endangerment.

Note: Criminal charges are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.