A traffic stop at around 6:23-p.m. Saturday, resulted in the arrest of a woman from Shelby County and a man from Pottawattamie County, on drug charges. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department reports 32-year old Sarah Chitty, of Harlan, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana/2nd offense, and for several traffic citations. Chitty was seen by the magistrate and was released on her own recognizance. And, 37-year old Ian Leib, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Saturday for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to deliver (under 5 grams), and possession of drug paraphernalia. Leib was seen by the magistrate and is currently being held in the Audubon County Jail on a $10,000 bond.  Both arrests stem from a traffic stop in Kimballton in which K-9 “Axel” alerted to the presence of an odor of a narcotic. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department also assisted in the traffic stop.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — A prosecutor in Mexico says a gas leak in a water heater is suspected in the death of a southwest Iowa couple and their two children last week. The head prosecutor of the Caribbean coast state of Quintana Roo told local media today (Monday) that the water heater “was leaking gas, maybe from use or lack of maintenance.” Miguel Angel Pech told the Radio Formula station that “a high level” of gas was found in the rented condo where the couple was staying.

Autopsies indicate the family died from inhaling toxic gas in the resort of Tulum, but the source hadn’t been determined. Iowa officials identified the family as 41-year old Kevin Sharp, his 38-year old wife Amy, and their children, 12-year old Sterling, and seven-year old Adrianna, all of whom were from Creston. According to reports, their bodies are expected to be returned to the U-S on Wednesday.

If it was a gas leak the took the family’s lives, it wouldn’t be the first time faulty gas connections killed tourists in the area. In 2010, the explosion of an improperly installed gas line at a hotel in the nearby town of Playa del Carmen killed five Canadian tourists and two Mexicans. In that case, prosecutors said the heating-gas line, apparently meant to fuel a pool heating unit, was not properly installed or maintained. They claimed a leak from the line may have been set off by a spark from an electric switch or plug. A judge later dismissed criminal charges against five contractors and employees at the hotel.

DES MOINES – The State Objection Panel, comprised of Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, State Auditor Mary Mosiman and Attorney General Tom Miller, will convene Tuesday, March 27th, to review challenges to several candidates’ nomination petitions. The meeting is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. in the Ronald Reagan Conference Room, G19, on the lower level of the Iowa State Capitol.

Challenges to the following candidates have been filed:

Dale Bolsinger, Republican candidate for Iowa House, District 56

Ginny Caligiuri, Republican candidate for U.S. House, District 2

Ron Corbett, Republican candidate for Governor

Theresa Greenfield, Democratic candidate for U.S. House, District 3

Steve King, Republican candidate for U.S. House, District 4

Kim Reynolds, Republican candidate for Governor

David Young, Republican candidate for U.S. House, District 3

Shawn Zierke, Republican candidate for Iowa House, District 76* (candidate has withdrawn)

A Candidate’s Guide to the Primary Election, that includes detailed instructions and best practices for acquiring petition signatures, is available on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website (https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/candidates/2018primcandguide.pdf ). Signature requirements for federal, statewide, and legislative offices are available at this link: https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/electioninfo/primary/index.html

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A former teacher accused of groping and kissing one of his anatomy students in a Des Moines suburb is scheduled for sentencing next month. Station KCCI reports that Dustin Mead entered an Alford plea Monday to a misdemeanor charge of harassment. In an Alford plea, a suspect acknowledges there is enough evidence for a jury to reach a guilty verdict. In April last year Mead pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation by a school employee.

The 34-year-old Mead’s sentencing is set for April 9. A Polk County court document says that during the 2015-2016 school year, Mead gave one girl grades she didn’t earn, made sexual comments and groped her. He’s since resigned his position with the Johnston Community School District.

In the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s report issued this (Monday) morning, authorities report a charge of OWI/2nd offense is pending against a Malvern man, 45-year old Dustyn Russell Bond, who was involved in an accident at around 11:55-p.m., Feb. 10th. Officials say Bond was driving a 2004 Dodge Dakota pickup when the vehicle crashed and entered a steep embankment at Wabash Avenue and Applewood. Bond was injured in the crash and found walking away from the vehicle. Deputies said he displayed signs of impairment. He was transported to Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs for treatment of possible internal injuries. Law enforcement evoked implied consent and had a blood sample drawn. The sample was sent to the Iowa DCI lab to be tested for drugs.

On March 23rd, a warrant was served on an inmate at the Pott. County Jail. 37-year old Antonia Anaya, of Omaha, was presented with a warrant out of Nebraska, for being a Fugitive from Justice. She was then returned to the custody of jail staff. At around 11:34-a.m. that same day, a Pott. County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a 2018 Nissan SUV on eastbound I-80 in Council Bluffs, for excessive speed and not displaying license plate information. While speaking with the driver, Daisy Elvira Ozaeta, and her passenger, 30-year old Fernando Alberto Riveroll, Jr. of Gardena, CA., the deputy detected the odor of marijuana. A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted, during which 14.7-pounds of marijuana was discovered in several hidden compartments. Riveroll admitted the pot was his. He was taken into custody for Possession with the Intent to Deliver marijuana.

Also on March 23rd, a deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a 2002 Chevy Impala, driven by 70-year old James Bernard Zimmerman, of Carson. He refused to yield, but was eventually taken into custody for Eluding, Driving While Barred, and Reckless Driving. At around 2-p.m. Saturday (March 24th), 35-year old Melissa Jean Miller-Davidson, of Emerson, was arrested in Pottawattamie County, after a complaint was received about a speeding 2011 Ford truck on Highway 92. A Deputy located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. During an investigation, 1.5-grams of methamphetamine and 5.9-grams of marijuana was discovered, along with a glass pipe and black plastic container.  Miller-Davidson was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

On Sunday, a call to authorities about a vehicle on fire at Arrowhead Park was received. While enroute, Deputies learned the 2017 Chevy Malibu had swerved to miss a deer and left the road before catching fire. Dispatch advised the driver was uninjured and possibly intoxicated. 27-year old Austin Korey Long, of Council Bluffs, admitted to a deputy that he was impaired, driving too fast, and wrecked. He was subsequently arrested for OWI/1st offense, and cited for careless driving as well as failure to maintain control.

34-year old Ryan Michael Bothwell, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on misdemeanor warrants for Domestic Abuse Assault and Violation of Probation, after a Pott. County Deputy went to investigate an apparent vehicle burglary. Upon arrival, the deputy pulled in front of a black Chevy Silverado that was attempting to leave the parking lot. When questioned, Bothwell said the pickup belonged to his father, and that he was using a slim jim to try and leave his wife something nice in her car. And, at around 2-a.m. today (Monday), 35-year old Marrickio Dyshon Harris, of Lincoln, NE., was driving a 2004 Mercedes S 43 near North 16th and O Avenue in Council Bluffs, when he was stopped for running the stop sign. Authorities say Harris was in possession of 53.3 grams of marijuana at the time of the incident. He was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. Implied consent was also invoked and Harris was asked to submit to chemical testing for alcohol and drugs. Harris refused to submit to chemical testing. Harris was then arrested for OWI 1st offense. He was also cited for running a stop sign and operating without a driver’s license.

The Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 3 Office reports road construction work for the expansion of U.S. 20 in Ida and Sac counties, will require closing the roadway to traffic between Ida County Road M-25 (near Galva) and U.S. 71 (near Early) from 6 a.m. Monday, April 2, until Friday, Sept. 28, weather permitting. Motorists will be directed around the work zone on a signed detour using Ida County Road M-25, Ida/Sac County Road D-15, and U.S. 71.

C.J. Moyna and Sons Inc. was awarded the $45,778.318 road construction project. The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.