Officers with the Clarinda Police Department, Friday evening, arrested 35-year old Lacey Jo Smalley, of Clarinda, pursuant to a federal arrest warrant for conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. At the time of her arrest, Smalley was in possession of a controlled substance believed to be methamphetamine. She was then charged with felony possession of methamphetamine.

Smalley was arrested without incident at 16th & Main, and was being held without bond in the Page County Jail on the federal arrest warrant, and the additional drug possession charges,  pending additional federal and state court proceedings.

Reports concerning the incident have been submitted to the office of Page County Attorney Carl M. Sonksen for review regarding the filing of formal charges.

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports a motorcycle accident resulting in a fatality happened early this (Saturday) morning. Officers responded at around 3:50-a.m. to 12th & Stuart Streets, to investigate a motorcycle accident. Their investigation revealed 26-year old Daniel Nathan August, of Clarinda, was operating a 2005 Harley-Davidson motorcycle westbound when he proceeded into the intersection of 12th & Stuart. When he failed to turn at the T intersection, his cycle went air borne after striking a retaining wall adjacent to the intersection. August was ejected from the motorcycle. He landed several hundred feet from the wall at a practice football field facility.

The Page County Medical Examiner pronounced the man dead at the scene. Speed is believed to be a factor in the cause of the accident. Brothers said August was not wearing a helmet. The accident remains under investigation. The Clarinda Police Department was assisted at the scene by the Page County Sheriff’s Office, Clarinda Fire Department and Clarinda Regional Health Center Emergency Medical Services.

(Radio Iowa) — Illinois has voted to become the 11th state to legalize the recreational use of marijuana beginning in January. Law enforcement says that could create problems in Iowa, especially with students coming across state lines. Iowa State Patrol Trooper Bob Conrad tells K-C-R-G T-V it will be “business as usual” for them — even if people acquire marijuana legally in Illinois, whether the intention is for personal or distributional purposes “If it happens that we have students or something coming to this location and they’re bringing extra marijuana that they’re going to sell, if they get caught, they will face the penalties of Iowa law,” according to Trooper Conrad.  He says state law here has not changed. “There is not a grey area where because you live 50 miles away where it’s legal and you come here, that we’re going to accept that,” Conrad says.

Starting January 1st, 2020, the law in Illinois will allow residents 21 and older to have up to 30 grams or marijuana and non-residents can have up to 15 grams. U-I enrollment figures show more than 52-hundred undergraduates from Illinois attend Iowa.  “We do have a lot of Illinois students come to the University of Iowa. If they come here distributing it — they will be charged with distributing an illegal substance,” he says.  Conrad says it’s important for students to understand that the Iowa law on distributing drugs apply to everyone within the state’s borders. “I would caution anybody to be very careful, because that carried enhanced penalties that will be charged, simple as that,” Conrad says.

The penalties for possession of marijuana can carry up to two years in jail and a fine. Distribution is classified as a felony and could carry up to fifty years in jail. Trooper Conrad also expressed the concern for people driving impaired, especially if they decide to drive under the influence of marijuana.  “When you’re behind the wheel high, you’re not driving okay,” Trooper Conrad says. “It’s not acceptable. Our judgment is impaired, the way we do things, the way we think about things, the way we pull out in front of a car is completely different. If people are going to come into Iowa impaired, we as the Department of Public Safety are going to everything to keep those people safe.”

The University of Iowa released a statement on the issue:
“The possession and sale of marijuana is still illegal at the federal level and in Iowa. The U-I’s residence halls are substance-free environments and the possession of illegal drugs is prohibited. We encourage students to follow the rules, make healthy choices, and seek out the help of alcohol and drug education services on campus if they are struggling.”

The Adair County Board of Supervisors called an Emergency Session for 2-p.m. Friday to address and accept the resignation of County Attorney Clint Hight. In his letter of resignation, Hight said his decision was due to a medical diagnosis.

According to Adair County Auditor Mandy Berg, the Supervisors intend to fill the seat by appointment. They have agreed to publish a notice in the paper next week of their intention to appoint a replacement. The Board will then have between four and twenty-days to make that appointment. Afterward, the Public has the right to contest the appointment, providing it is done within 14-days of the appointment.