CHEROKEE, Iowa (AP) — A new program in northwestern Iowa provides financial support for residents enrolled in West Iowa Tech Community College programs. The Sioux City Journal reports that the Cherokee County Promise program covers the cost of tuition and fees after financial aid has been applied. Students enrolled in the program commit to working and living in Cherokee County for three years after they graduate. Dr. Matt Johnson is the CEO of the Cherokee Regional Medical Center. He unveiled the incentive program at the college on Wednesday.

Iowa Workforce Development says the county is projected to lose 14 percent of its workforce in the next decade. The agency says those expected losses are mostly attributed to an aging population and young professionals leaving the area.

Officials with the Harlan Police Department reports two recent arrests. This past Monday, 18-year old Kyle David Confere, of Harlan, was arrested following an investigation into a complaint of harassment. Confere was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with harassment in the 2^nd degree. On Sunday, 28-year old Brittni Dawn Finken, of Harlan, was arrested in the 1000 block of 7^th Street after a call for service regarding damaged property. Finken was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with criminal mischief 3^rd degree.

And, 58-year old Cynthia Lea Carpenter, of Harlan, was cited Monday for two counts of harassment following an investigation.

Authorities report an arrest was made Thursday in connection with the death of a child from southeast Iowa. The Iowa Department of Public Safety says the child’s mother, 22-year old Kelsie Thomas, of Ottumwa admitted during an investigation interview, she killed her 5-year old daughter. Thomas was then placed under arrest by law enforcement and is being held in the Wapello County Jail. She was charged with Murder in the First Degree, a Class “A” Felony.  No Bond has been until Thomas has an initial arraignment on the charge.

Kelsie Thomas

Officials say the afternoon of July 19th, the Ottumwa Police Department received a 911 call reporting an unresponsive five year-old female at a residence in Ottumwa.  Police and Fire responded to the residence.  The child was transported to Ottumwa Regional Health Center where she was pronounced deceased. The Ottumwa Police Department requested assistance of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation with the death investigation. The Office of the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s office conducted the autopsy of the child, but the results are still pending.

An investigation into the incident continues.

MADRID, Iowa (AP) — City officials have indefinitely tabled a central Iowa mayor’s proposal to fire its police chief. Madrid Police Chief Rick Tasler faces termination after numerous allegations of misconduct. He has been named in multiple federal lawsuits alleging excessive force. The Madrid City Council unanimously voted at a special meeting Thursday to postpone its decision until an investigation of the professional wrongdoing allegations is completed.

Mayor Kurt Kruse had called the meeting to terminate Tasler. Tasler alleges Kruse’s recommendation is political. Glen Downey is the attorney who filed the lawsuits against Tasler. He said at the meeting that Tasler has “zero respect for the Constitution and zero respect for those citizens he believes are not worthy of his protection.” The council’s decision comes days before a special election for the next mayor.

(Radio Iowa) — The Iowa State Patrol says one person was killed when two trucks collided on Interstate 35 on Thursday, just north of the Iowa-Missouri border. State troopers say the first truck was pulling a trailer carrying a directional arrow sign indicating drivers should merge into the left lane. A semi that was also traveling northbound on I-35 hit the truck from behind, spinning it 180 degrees, while sending the semi into the ditch, where it rolled. The semi’s driver was killed. He’s identified as 62-year-old Charles Griebel of Savage, Minnesota. The other driver wasn’t hurt.

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — A woman has been accused of stealing from the account of a central Iowa nursing home resident. Jasper County Court records say 36-year-old Christan Maddison is charged with dependent adult abuse-exploitation. A phone listed for Maddison has been disconnected. A criminal complaint says Maddison, of Pella, was granted a power of attorney to handle the nursing home resident’s finances. Nearly $195,000 in annuities, investments and Social Security payments were deposited into an account managed by Maddison over 14 months.

Newton police say nearly $81,000 did go to the elderly woman’s care, leaving nearly $114,000 missing. Police say the woman’s bank noticed a change in disbursements from the account, such as $15,500 for plastic surgery and payments for tattoos.

Officials with the U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa said today (Friday), 53-year old David James Lister, formerly of Redfield, was sentenced Thursday (July 26th), by a United States District Court Judge to 210 months (17 1/2 years) in prison, for charges related to the possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and the unlawful possession of firearms.

In August of 2016, law enforcement made two undercover purchases of methamphetamine from David Lister at his apartment in Redfield. A search warrant was executed at the residence on August 23, 2016, where approximately 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine was discovered in Lister’s safe. Also seized from the safe was over $2,000 in currency, which Lister has admitted came from the sale of methamphetamine. Lister consented to search of a nearby storage facility, which resulted in the seizure of numerous firearms. Lister acknowledged being a multi-pound methamphetamine dealer, indicating that he typically would purchase 2 pounds of meth for $20,000 from his supplier every two weeks, and then distribute the drugs to 12 to 15 customers in the Redfield area. Lister also stated that the firearms in the storage unit were received in trade for methamphetamine.

The matter was investigated by the Des Moines Police Department, and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

(9-a.m. News)

Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) today (Friday), issued an update on the investigation into a missing eastern Iowa teen. Twenty-year-old Mollie Tibbetts, of Brooklyn, Iowa was reported missing by her family July 19th.  She was last seen July 18th at approximately 7:30 PM while running the city streets of Brooklyn. Her last known article of clothing is believed to be dark colored running shorts, a pink sports top and running shoes, color unknown. Authorities say at this time, no person has been identified as a suspect nor has anyone been arrested or criminally charged for her disappearance.

On Thursday, authorities said investigators had searched a pig farm near Guernsey, about 15 minutes from Tibbitts’ home, but there was no sign of her. Additionally, a number of other searches have been conducted to include ground, air and K-9 searches. The FBI said it was using digital forensic searches of her social media accounts, cellphone and fitness tracker in an effort to find her.

The joint investigation by the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Iowa State Patrol, the Brooklyn Volunteer Fire Department and a host of local law enforcement agencies continue to look into her disappearance.  With the aide of the public, investigative leads continue to be investigated and a multitude of individuals have been interviewed.

If you have any information related to Mollie’s disappearance, please email Poweshiek Sheriff’s office at tips@poweshieckcosheriff.com or by calling 641-623-5679.