Police in Red Oak, Wednesday afternoon, arrested 34-year old Melissa Sue Bullington, of Red Oak. Bullington was taken into custody at 200 E. Grimes Street (a tree trimming business), for Theft in the 5th Degree (Less than $200). Her bond was set at $300.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — A man found in a southeast Iowa cornfield near a burning vehicle has been charged with vehicular homicide for the death of a woman whose body also was found nearby. Des Moines County court records say 57-year-old Bradley Wischmeier also is charged with operating under the influence. His attorney didn’t immediately return a call Thursday from The Associated Press.

Deputies sent to the scene north of Burlington last week found Wischmeier lying around 20 yards (18 meters) from the blazing vehicle. The records say Wischmeier told deputies that he’d been driving crazily around the field until the vehicle overheated and caught fire. An autopsy has been performed on the woman’s body, but authorities have been unable to confirm her identity.

Wischmeier’s next court date is May 14.

The Iowa Court of Appeals has reversed the invasion of privacy convictions of a priest in Pottawattamie County. Father Paul Monahan, who was the school chaplain for St. Albert Catholic School, was convicted of five counts of invasion of privacy after teenage boys testified he purposely moved back to look at them while they used a public urinal next to him during a track meet in Treynor in April of 2016. Monahan said in his defense that he had several health issues that caused him to need to go to the bathroom frequently. He also testified the health conditions caused him balance issues that led to his movement.

The Iowa Court of Appeals overturned the convictions –saying the prosecution failed to show the boys had a reasonable expectation of privacy in the public urinals. It also says there is limited evidence to show Monahan knowingly viewed the genitals of the five boys and no evidence beyond that to show he was acting for the purpose of arousing or gratifying his sexual desires. Bishop Richard Pates of the Des Moines Catholic Diocese issued a statement saying they are relieved at the court’s decision and anticipate that Monahan will be fully reinstated to the ministry once the appeal process has been completed.

(View the complete ruling here: https://cdn.radioiowa.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Monahan-decision-PDF.pdf)

(Radio Iowa)

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 35-year old Johnathan Emmanuel Selby, of Red Oak, was arrested today (Thursday), at around 12:50-a.m., for OWI/1st offense. His arrest occurred following a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 34 and Boxelder Avenue. Selby was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $1,000 bond. And, at around 6:20-p.m. Wednesday, Montgomery County Deputies, assisted by the Montgomery County K9 Unit, arrested a 17-year old male at the intersection of Highway 34 and 200th Street. The juvenile, whose name was not released, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, transported to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center, processed, and released to the custody of a parent.

Sheriff’s deputies in Fremont County, Wednesday, arrested a man on sex abuse charges. Authorities say 27-year old Johnny Lee Blake, of Sidney, was arrested on two felony counts of Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree.  Other charges are pending.

Johnny Lee Blake

Blake was being held without bond at the Fremont County Jail, pending initial appearance with a Magistrate. No further information was released.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa legislators have approved a bill banning most abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, propelling the state overnight to the front of a push among conservative statehouses jockeying to enact the nation’s most restrictive abortion regulations. The bill now awaits the signature of anti-abortion GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds. Backers of the legislation hope an influx of conservative judicial appointments under President Donald Trump could put the question on track to challenge Roe vs. Wade.

CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — Students across the U.S. participated in a school walkout Wednesday to support gun ownership. The walkout was organized by New Mexico student Will Riley. Riley said in the days before the walkout that about 300 schools planned to participate. The movement was called “Stand for the Second,” aiming to raise awareness of Second Amendment rights. Walkouts were also reported in schools in Iowa, Michigan, Montana, New York and North Carolina.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republican leaders in control of the Iowa Legislature say they’re still writing a final version of an expansive tax cut bill they plan to vote on within days. Senate Republicans told reporters Wednesday they’re not sure when a formal bill will be released. Those remarks came shortly before a Senate tax-writing committee had a procedural vote to advance a tax bill without updated details. Senate Republicans say they plan floor votes Saturday.

BLOOMFIELD, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say they have completed an investigation into the case of a woman found dead in a burned-out car last January and determined her death was a suicide. The Davis County sheriff’s office and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation announced Wednesday that an autopsy showed 63-year-old Sharon Moritz died of probable smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. They ruled her death a suicide. Moritz lived in Northwood but had family in the Davis County area of southeast Iowa.

Members of the Atlantic Police Department’s Reserves Unit were honored Wednesday evening, during the Atlantic City Council meeting. Police Chief Dave Erickson gave a brief history of the Reserve Unit, which has been in operation since 1972.

Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson (Left), and members of the Police Reserves.

Erickson said “For many year the Atlantic Police Reserves have maintained a very active membership with the Iowa State Law Officers Association (ISRLOA), a statewide organization comprised of hundreds of Iowa Reserve Police Officers and Reserve Deputy Sheriffs. The Organization recently presented the Atlantic Unit with the Donald H. Mackaman Outstanding Unit Award for the second year in a row. It was also the seventh time the City’s Reserve Unit has won the award. The award, named for its founder, is given to units that go above and beyond the call of duty.

The Reserve Officers currently include Bob McHugh, Jeff Hackwell, Jake Karns, Cole Lowary, Ryan Barnholdt, Jarrad Cavin and Pastel Force.

Erickson said “The Atlantic Police Reserve has proven time and time again to be an asset to the Atlantic Police Department and most importantly, a safety asset to the citizens of Atlantic, Cass County and the State of Iowa.” The Chief said in 2017, the seven-to nine-member unit donated more than 1,648 hours of general service to the community and department. That breaks down to 1,107 hours of patrol, 244 1/2 hours of school security, 106 hours of documented training, nearly 136 hours of documented public service and 55 hours of firearms training, not including monthly meetings or Iowa Law Enforcement Academy certification training.

Those hours are predominantly volunteer, and are not individually compensated. That includes various community service projects, such as camp outs, Halloween programs, canned food drives and movie matinees. Christmas programs, the Family Night Out and other such endeavors throughout the years have also been handled by the Reserves.

Chief Erickson congratulated the Reserves for their time and dedication, and encouraged anyone wanting to join those officers, or who has questions about the Atlantic Police Department, the Police Reserves or the ISRLOA, to contact him, Sgt. Spencer Walton, or Officer Caleb Smith at the Atlantic P-D.