(Radio Iowa) — A north central Iowa truck stop that started as Interstate 35 was being built through Iowa will end its operations this month. The owner of the “Boondocks” Bob Welch and his wife Min told their 28 employees of the decision to close. “Opened the fifth of June of ’73 when the interstate ended here for several years,” Welch says. “I’m in my 46th year.” The truck stop in Hamilton County hosts a restaurant, a motel,and a convenience store. Welch and his wife are both in their 80’s and he says it takes a lot of hours to keep it going.

“Time that I think I’d better slow down somewhere,” Welch says., “I worked seven days a week for 44 years until I hurt myself in a bad fall near my wind generator two years ago. Tore the tendon out of my left leg and cracked three vertebrae. And I finally decided to take Sundays off.” The Boondocks served as a place for locals and those traveling the interstate to stop refresh and get something to eat. And for years it’s location has been a haven for motorists and truck drivers stranded in times when winter storms closed the highway.

“One time we had over 600 people in here for two days and two nights,” Welch says. Welch says there are lots of stories from those adventures through the years. He says his family helped him know what to do. “It was a heartbreaking decision to make — however we have been at it a long, long time — and our children are not interested in coming into the business. All three of them have encouraged us to do this, so we finally made the decision to close it,” Welch explains.

Welch thanks the hundreds of local people and hundreds of others who were just passing through who supported the Boondocks through the years. “It’s been a wonderful group of people and the local people — we’ve had a very, very good relationship with many of them.” Welch says. The Boondocks will shut down on October 20th and Welch says they will hold an auction to sell off the property.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A federal judge has dealt a blow to the defense for an Iowa youth basketball coach charged with secretly recording his teenage players undressing. Judge C.J. Williams ruled Thursday that the seizure of a USB device from former Iowa Barnstormers coach Greg Stephen didn’t violate his privacy rights.

The ruling means prosecutors can use videos found on the device against Stephen, who is charged with transporting and possessing child pornography and sexually exploiting minors. Stephen allegedly recorded players disrobing during trips to tournaments.

Stephen’s former brother-in-law, Vaughn Ellison, discovered the device in a bathroom when he was remodeling Stephen’s Monticello home. He later gave it to police.
Stephen’s attorneys argued Ellison was acting a government agent when he took the device, and that police violated Stephen’s rights by holding it for two days before obtaining a warrant.

Williams rejected those arguments. Both sides are discussing a possible plea agreement.

FOREST CITY, Iowa (AP) — A group that studies paranormal activity wants to examine the former Winnebago County jail, but officials worry that allowing the visit could create liability problems.

The Mason City Globe Gazette reports two men from a group based in Forest City asked the Winnebago County Board if they could spend the night in the former jail.
Dustin Harms with the Ministers of the Haunted group says there’s great potential for paranormal energy in the building because it was a jail and before that a hospital.

Winnebago County supervisors said they were concerned about liability issues, so they’re reluctant to allow the group to explore the building. The paranormal group plans to look into getting its own insurance coverage before renewing their request for access.

CARTER LAKE – A Carter Lake steel fabrication company “could not be more excited” about the success of its apprenticeship program through Iowa Western Community College. Owen Industries graduated its first two journeyman welders at a ceremony Wednesday. Thomas Stalbosky and Brad Dittman will now help mentor future apprentices. The company has three active apprentices and plans to hire several additional people for its third class. Dittman says the program will “make sure you’re prepared.” Stalbosky says the program allows you to learn on the job while earning a paycheck. Owen Industries offers the first competency-based welding apprenticeship program in the state. Dan Kinney, president of Iowa Western Community College, says the college is excited for the future of the program.

Brad Dittman, left, and Thomas Stalbosky show off certificates of completion from the U.S. Department of Labor after becoming journeyman welders through an apprenticeship program at Owen Industries in Carter Lake, Iowa, on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018.

From left, Owen Industries Plant Manager Nick Bristol, journeyman welders Brad Dittman and Thomas Stalbosky, and Owen Industries President Tyler Owen stand for a photo at a luncheon at Owen Industries in Carter Lake, Iowa, on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018.

There’s a growing need for welders and other skilled laborers in Iowa and across the country. Ron DeBord, vice president of human resources at Owen Industries, says there will be a shortage of 400,000 welders nationally by 2024. He said Owen Industries partnered with Iowa Western to recruit passionate individuals who desire to become welders.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports 52-year old Chet Tracy Hiatt, of Lorimor, was charged with theft 5^th degree on Sept. 28th. Hiatt was issued a citation to appear in court.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and Democratic challenger Fred Hubbell will meet in the Des Moines area for their first debate. The candidates for governor will debate at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Ankeny campus of Des Moines Area Community College. The debate is being organized by KCCI-TV and The Des Moines Register. It will be aired live on KCCI.

The campaigns also have agreed to debates Oct. 17 in Sioux City and Oct. 21 in Davenport.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a woman wanted on a warrant out of Council Bluffs, turned herself-in to the Sheriff’s Office, Wednesday morning. After the warrant for 42-year old Lindsay Michelle Willie, of Council Bluffs, was confirmed, the woman was turned over to Corrections Staff. And, Tuesday night, a traffic stop on a van resulted in the arrest of 23-year old Julia Jacquelyn Churchill, of Council Bluffs. Churchill was taken into custody for Driving While Revoked.