Author: Theresa Rose

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Unseasonably cool conditions persisted across Iowa during the reporting period, though temperatures were not as cold as last week. Temperatures were generally four to eight degrees below normal with the statewide average temperature of 54.4 degrees, 6.1 degrees below normal. In a welcome change, wetter than normal conditions returned across much of Iowa with near to below normal conditions reported in pockets of western Iowa. Southeastern Iowa reported the wettest conditions with positive departures of up to three inches.

Cloud cover remained as spotty showers formed on the backside of a low pressure system moving east through northern Illinois on Sunday (10th) afternoon. Gusty northwest winds slowed down as daytime highs remained colder than average, in the mid 40s north to mid 50s south. Cloudy conditions persisted into Monday (11th) with overnight lows remaining in the upper 30s and low 40s. Skies began to clear towards late afternoon and evening as a weak cold front dropped south across Iowa. With a light north wind, morning temperatures on Tuesday (12th) were unseasonably cold with lows across eastern Iowa in the mid to upper 20s. Cloud cover in western Iowa held temperatures in the low 40s with the statewide average at 35 degrees, 12 degrees below normal. Conditions through the day began to warm as partly sunny skies were observed across much of the state. Highs reached into the upper 50s and low 60s, though still six to 16 degrees below normal. A small disturbance moved through Iowa during the afternoon and evening hours on Wednesday (13th) bringing showers and thunderstorms. Rain totals from this system were highest across northern and eastern Iowa. Daytime highs remained in the mid to upper 50s.

A warm front lifted across southern Iowa overnight into Thursday (14th) in advance of a strong low pressure center, forcing additional showers and thunderstorms in southern Iowa. Additional storms, some strong to severe, formed during the evening hours across central Iowa with multiple reports of hail and straight-line winds; a 3.00-inch-sized hail stone was reported in New Virginia (Warren County). Moderate to heavy rain fell across southeastern Iowa as thunderstorms slowly moved over the same areas. Two-day rainfall totals at 7:00 am on Friday (15th) showed nearly 40 stations reporting over two inches; half of the state’s rain gauges observed at least 0.63 inch with a statewide average rainfall of 0.84 inch. Ottumwa Industrial Airport (Wapello County) reported 4.43 inches, breaking its rainfall record for the date as well as tying its existing May daily record set in 1993. High pressure dominated during the rest of the day with overnight lows into Saturday (16th) remaining in the 50s under generally clear skies. A broad system of showers and thunderstorms entered western Iowa and propagated through the state during the early evening and overnight hours. Measurable totals were reported statewide with a concentrated rain band along the low’s attendant cold front bringing at least 0.50 inch to much of Iowa’s western two-thirds. The heaviest amounts fell across northern Iowa, where the low slowly spun before exiting the state into Sunday (17th) morning; Mason City (Cerro Gordo County) reported 2.25 inches while Ringsted (Emmet County) observed 2.43 inches. The statewide average rain total was 0.86 inch.

Weekly rain totals ranged from 0.16 inch in Sioux City (Woodbury County) to 5.14 inches at Ottumwa Industrial Airport (Wapello County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 1.71 inches while the normal is 1.05 inches. Donnellson (Lee County) and Lamoni (Decatur) reported the week’s high temperature of 81 degrees on the 14th, on average nine degrees above normal. Stanley (Buchanan County) reported the week’s low temperature of 24 degrees on the 12th, 22 degrees below normal.

May 18, 2020
In the early morning hours of May 17, 2020, officers from the Fairfield Police Department and deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office arrested Darrian Nicholson, age 22, Lydia Goff, age 21, and William Hiller, age 21, and charged each of them with Conspiracy to commit Robbery. It is alleged that the conspiracy involved Ms. Goff utilizing online social media and/or dating platforms to solicit “dates” with men. Instead of a date, the target would be robbed by Ms. Goff, Mr. Nicholson, and Mr. Hiller. On the morning of May 17, Nicholson, Goff and Hiller were arrested following a traffic stop in Fairfield conducted by Fairfield police officers and Jefferson County deputies. A resident is suspected to have believed he was hiring a prostitute for $200, but the trio instead intended to enter the residence and commit a robbery. All three were armed with knives upon arrest. The vehicle was stopped outside of the home of the target, and it is likely that the swift action of law enforcement prevented a violent act from occurring that morning.
After the arrest of the trio, a search warrant was executed on the residence of Ms. Goff. Evidence of an additional robbery was recovered at that time, and additional felony charges are pending against the group. Michael Hiller, brother of William Hiller, was located in the residence and was criminally charged with an independent burglary not related to the robbery conspiracy involving the whole group.
The full scope of criminal acts conducted by this group is still under investigation, and additional charges may arise from these actions against this group and/or others associated with them. Anyone who believes they may have been targeted by these individuals or who may have fallen victim to this conspiracy are urged to contact the Fairfield Police Department to provide information to facilitate this ongoing investigation. As the facts surrounding these assaults are understandably sensitive, any victims of these crimes are reminded that this reporting may be done confidentially.
Conspiracy to commit Robbery is a Class C felony under Iowa law, and carries a maximum sentence of 10 years incarceration if convicted. Each is presently in the custody of the Jefferson County Jail being held on $10,000 bond. It should be noted that a criminal charge is simply an accusation based on probable cause, and criminal Defendants are innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.
/s/Chauncey T. Moulding
Jefferson County Attorney
(641) 472-9201 TELEPHONE
chaunceym@jeffersoncoia.us
OFFICES OF
JEFFERSON COUNTY ATTORNEY
51 WEST HEMPSTEAD
FAIRFIELD, IOWA 52556-3217
PHONE (641) 472-9201
FAX (641) 472-9202
email address: jeffcoatty@lisco.com
JEFFERSON COUNTY ATTORNEY
CHAUNCEY T MOULDING
Direct email address: chaunceym@jeffersoncoia.us
ASSISTANT JEFFERSON COUNTY ATTORNEY
PATRICK J. McAVAN
Direct email address: patm@jeffersoncoia.us

On May 17^th, 2020, at approximately 10:14 p.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office took a report of overturned vehicle in the 1400-grid of 240^th Street in Mount Pleasant.  An investigation determined the vehicle to be a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado, black in color, owned by Ronald Anderson. The driver of the vehicle and the cause of the rollover are unknown at this time. The rollover resulted in disabling damage to the vehicle, no injuries were reported.   The incident remains under investigation.

On May 12th, 2020, at approximately 7:45PM, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a suspicious vehicle and individuals near the 140^th Street/US Highway 218 intersection. While units were responding, additional information was reported to these individuals entering property/structures and taking items.

After units arrived on scene, these individuals, a male and female, were located and detained. Upon further investigation items were determined to have been removed and taken from two nearby properties. The female involved in this incident was identified as Amy Anderson, 44, of Brighton.   Resulting from this incident and investigation Amy Anderson was charged with Burglary 3^rd, a Class D Felony. In addition to charges of Theft 5^th and two counts of Trespassing, all Simple Misdemeanors. The male was later released from the scene and no charges filed.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Iowa State Patrol and members of the public during the handling of this incident

NOTICE OF ELECTION

TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF HENRY COUNTY

A Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 for the purpose of nominating candidates of the political parties for offices to be filled at the General Election to be held November 3, 2020.  Qualified electors may vote by presenting themselves on June 2, 2020 between the hours of 7:00 AM and 9:00 PM at the polling place for the Precinct of their residence as listed below:

NORTHWEST PRECINCT (Wayland City Hall) includes – Jefferson Township; Wayne Township residents living west of James Ave; Cities of Wayland, Coppock and Olds.

NORTHEAST PRECINCT (Winfield City Hall) includes – Scott Township and Canaan Township; Wayne Township residents living east of James Ave; Cities of Winfield and Mt Union.

CENTRAL PRECINCT (Wrestling Room at Cottrell Gym) includes– Trenton Township, Tippecanoe Township and Marion Township, Center Township, Cities of Rome and Westwood.

PRECINCT 4 (Veterans Hall) includes– Mt Pleasant Ward I

PRECINCT 5 (Veterans Hall) includes – Mt Pleasant Ward II

PRECINCT 6 (Veterans Hall) includes –Mt Pleasant Ward III

PRECINCT 7 (Veterans Hall) includes – Mt Pleasant Ward IV

SOUTHWEST Precinct (Salem City Hall) includes – Salem Township, Jackson Township, Cities of Salem and Hillsboro.

SOUTHEAST Precinct (New London Community Center) includes – New London Township, Baltimore Township, City of New London.

Any voter who is physically unable to enter a polling place has the right to vote in the voter’s vehicle.  For further information, please contact the County Auditor’s Office at 319-385-0756 or e-mail rdetrick@henrycountyiowa.us.  A sample ballot below is part of this Notice.

A public test of the voting equipment will be held at the Henry County Auditor’s Office on May 28, 2020 at 8:30 AM.

KILJ will replay our candidates forum featuring the two Republican candidates in the Senate District 42 primary race Wednesday, May 20 at 6 pm on 105.5 FM and streaming at kiljradio.com. The Republican Supervisors primary forum will be replayed Thursday, May 21 at 6 pm also on 105.5 and streaming on our website.