IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa parole officer has been fired after an investigation concluded that she abused her power by conspiring with a detective to conduct an illegal search of a drug suspect’s home. A termination decision from the Department of Correctional Services says that officer Kari White committed “egregious” unethical and unprofessional conduct. The firing stems from White’s unusual role in a criminal investigation of Daniel Vinnece, who was on parole for drug crimes and lived in Boone.

White was not Vinnece’s parole officer. But a Boone narcotics investigator who was investigating Vinnece sought her help getting into his home without a warrant last year. Unlike police, parole officers can conduct warrantless searches to check on parolees. The search uncovered some marijuana and led to charges against Vinnece. But a judge dismissed the case after ruling the search violated his rights. White has appealed her firing, contending she acted appropriately.

The Iowa Department of Transportation  is restoring limited mobility at the Interstate 29 and Iowa 2 interchange in southwest Iowa today (Wednesday). Officials say all interstate ramps are now open. Iowa 2 east of the interchange is fully open, but Iowa 2 west of 210th Avenue remains closed due to flood damage. Fuel and other services are now accessible at this interchange.

Some limited mobility is expected to be restored to Iowa 2 west of 210th Avenue by late August. We are working on an extensive long-range plan to modify Iowa 2 to help mitigate future flooding impacts. A contract has been awarded to re-align the levee and build an overflow bridge. That work is anticipated to be complete next Spring.

Other flood-related closures continue on Iowa 275 and Iowa 333. Travelers should check 511ia.org, the Iowa 511 mobile apps or call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide) for up-to-date closure information on state-owned roadways across Iowa. Closures due to flooding can be viewed by turning on the incident layer on the online map and mobile app.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa firefighter who was seriously injured in a fiery explosion that killed one of his colleagues early this year has returned to work. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that 23-year-old Adam Cain returned to full duty just six months after the fire that injured him and killed 33-year-old fire Lt. Eric Hosette.

The fire at the ADM grain facility left Cain with two broken bones in his back, a dislocated elbow, bruised brain, two broken bones in his right arm and most of his ribs broken.
Cain says he just kept working steadily to get better.

Fire Chief Frederick Roling says he is grateful to have Cain back at work, and it’s fortunate that he was found during the fire because he was in bad shape.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds is transforming the Iowa Supreme Court from one that leaned left to a solidly conservative body, prompting concerns that it could erode past rulings on social issues. Reynolds already has made two appointments to the seven-member court, which now has a 5-2 Republican majority, and will get a third before here term ends in 2022 because of a mandatory retirement age of 72 for judges. If she runs and wins a second term, she will complete the conservative transformation.

It marks a stark contrast from the recent past, when an Iowa Supreme Court ruling in 2009 made it the third state in the nation to pave the way for same-sex marriage. As recently as 2018, the court established a fundamental right to abortion under the Iowa constitution.

The City Council in Walnut, Tuesday evening, adopted a Lease Agreement the Community Center, with regard to Family, Incorporated. Walnut Mayor Gene Larsen told KJAN News the Community Center is “doing very well,” and that Family, Inc. will be the first long-term tenant to occupy the building. They’re a family assistance organization that was formerly based in Avoca. They will serve the entire area. Larsen says the City expects to eventually have numerous long-term leases from various entities to occupy space in the building.

The Community Center, which in its former life served as the town’s school, “Is doing very well” to promote itself, according to Larsen. He said they are developing a kitchen, with two main halls and two small spaces being rented more often now, and they expect to develop a Fitness Center in the building as well. He says they expect it to be the hub of the town and a great service to the community. The Walnut City Council also discussed issues with staffing the Welcome Center.

Larsen said their biggest concern right now is trying to find someone to run the Welcome Center, as the previous person has resigned. The Welcome Center, which has public restrooms downtown, is very important to the community. Larsen says “It’s hard to find volunteers who are willing to work for nothing. And, this is a big responsibility.” He says it’s not the City Council’s responsibility to find someone, but it does affect the City, so they’re working hard to try and fill the position.

The Mayor said also, the Council discussed RAGBRAI. He said the citizens are excited to have the throngs of riders make their way into town. There’ll be 10 vendors, entertainment and so on. “It ought to be a good time,” he says. Mayor Larsen also announced the window for submitting paperwork for persons wanting to run for his seat or City Council. He says there are two Council seats up for vote in November. Larsen hasn’t decided yet if he will run for re-election.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say that about a dozen people have been charged in a large street brawl in Dubuque. The Telegraph Herald reports that several of the charges were filed in the past few days. Police say fighting broke out on June 21 after someone punched a 17-year-old in the face. The teen, who was involved in another large fight in May, began throwing punches, and others joined the fight. Police say that at one point people began stomping on the 17-year-old while he was on the ground.

Multiple video recordings of the incident were used in the investigation. Six people are charged with participating in a riot, and and another five with unlawful assembly. Several of the suspects are juveniles.

(Radio Iowa) — The state of Iowa collected over half a BILLION dollars more in taxes during the last 12 months than during the previous fiscal year. Fiscal Year 2019 for the State of Iowa ended Sunday. Preliminary figures indicate tax revenue growth was ahead of expectations by nearly 100 million. In total, the State of Iowa took in more than nine-point-three BILLION dollars in taxes and fees during the past 12 months.

Officials say it’s hard to estimate how much of the tax windfall is due to higher wages in Iowa and how much is due to a change in a state income tax deduction. Iowans get a deduction on their state income taxes for federal taxes paid. That deduction has declined because of the tax cuts enacted at the federal level. The phased-in STATE income tax cuts Republican lawmakers approved in 2018 started to take effect in January of this year — halfway through the state’s fiscal year.

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — Biofuel plants in Iowa are adding milkweed and other native plants to their properties so monarch butterflies can fuel up during the annual migration. WHO-TV reports that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the monarch butterfly could warrant protection if something isn’t done to boost its population. That’s why the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association started its project called the “Monarch Fueling Station” in December of 2018.

The Renewable Energy Group (REG) plant situated on the northeast side of Newton is one of the latest ethanol and biodiesel plants to join the cause. Plant manager Phil Abels says, “It’s a little bit of work to begin with and it’s a small amount of maintenance.” But he adds that “the value that will be received goes way beyond any effort.”

The Creston Police Department says there were two arrests Tuesday afternoon. 37-year old Jesse Miller, of Des Moines, was arrested at 130th St/Green Valley Rd. for OWI/2nd offense. Miller was being held in the Union County Jail on a $2,000 bond. And, 18-year old Jade Conley, of Creston, was arrested on the charge of Theft in the 5th degree. Conley was cited and released from custody at the scene, on a Promise to Appear in court.