Author: Yorke Prough

Several area law enforcement agencies partook in a campaign to combat human trafficking across the United States. Dubbed “Coast to Coast” with a grassroots effort involving 12 states with the common goals of identifying trafficking victims, offering these victims much-needed services, arresting traffickers, and making communities safer.

The Burlington Police Department, Ottumwa PD, and Wapello County Sheriff’s Office all took part in this operation on August 22^nd. Seventeen adults were contacted and offered food, lodging, medical services, drug rehabilitation, counseling/therapy, and childcare. Seven adults were contacted, detained, or identified during this operation.

Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer, and we celebrate with barbecues and road trips. But be aware as you hit the highways that the Labor Day holiday weekend is one of the deadliest times of the year in terms of drunk-driving fatalities.

It is imperative that we all do our part to end drunk and drugged driving.  Remember that it is never okay to drink/drug and drive.  Even if you plan to have only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or use a ride serve to get home safely.  If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact your local law enforcement.  Do you have a friend who is about to drink and drive?  Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.  These are small tasks that can make a BIG difference to save lives.

Expect increased law enforcement presence on the roads this Labor Day weekend, as they do their part in keeping our roads safe by removing impaired drivers. Remember, drive sober or get pulled over.

Despite the Old Threshers Reunion, the Henry County Board of Supervisors met on Thursday morning.

The county engineer, Jake Hotchkiss, provided an update on the state of our county’s roads. Franklin Avenue (W-55) is closed from 275^th St north to 260^th St. Iowa Bridge and Culvert is closing Nebraska Avenue today and will be moving equipment in today and start removal soon. This is south of 220^th St. The project is slated for completion before winter sets in, dependent on weather.

The board then discussed reissuing a check from 2022 for the Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility. The original check was sent two years ago but was not cashed at that time. On July 6^th, 2023, the board resolved to void this check. Recently, they were asked to reissue the check, but according to Iowa code, they are not legally obligated to do so.

The Henry County Sheriff, Rich McNamee, spoke about the good relationship the county has with the correctional facility. Currently, the facility provides meals to the inmates, and looking elsewhere for this service would likely cost substantially more. For reference, the previous meal provider was close to 50% more for their food service. The board ended up motioning to reissue the check in the amount of $17,822.50.

Kelli Sloan, Treasurer, asked the board to consider hiring a new employee for the treasurer’s office. She believes that the office of 6 needs one more person to run effectively. Currently, there is a two week wait for a driver’s license appointment. Marc Lindeen, a supervisor, mentioned personnel cuts as a result of HF718, and chairman Moeller worried about hiring a new employee that may have to be let go in 3 years. The decision to approve an additional hire for the treasurer’s office will be put on next week’s meeting agenda.

Sarah Berndt, coordinator of Disability Services and a member of the Mt. Pleasant evening Rotary, asked the board about a diaper drive in September. The club is participating in a diaper drive with Family Connection and would like to place a box at the courthouse. This was allowed by the board.

During the public comments section, a citizen voiced his concern with Christopher Ales and his redevelopment project with old Iowa Wesleyan buildings. Ales is suing the board of review due to assessed valuation, which is costing the county money. According to the assessor, the total bill is probably around $20,000. The citizen believes the board should not deal anymore with Ales until he gives up the lawsuit. Other citizens asked about a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, which is yet to be given a date. One citizen asked for the notice of the rules at that meeting, and if public comment will be allowed.

Supervisor White attended the ISAC meeting in Des Moines on August 21^st and 22^nd. There, he recertified as a certified county supervisor and participated in discussions with other county supervisors over “hot topics” including HF718, EMS levies, and alternative energy.

The Keokuk High School was presented with a $15,000 grant for the new Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter, which boasts 82 student members.

The FFA chapter is a part of the brand-new Agriculture program that started this fall, which is a pathway for students as part of Career and Technical Education (CTE) at KHS.

Brady Martin, the former Mt. Pleasant High School FFA advisor and new at Keokuk, commented.

“The FFA program is a huge opportunity for students of different backgrounds to participate in many different ways,” Brady Martin, Agriculture Program director and FFA advisor at KHS, said. This grant, “helps eliminate barriers right off the bat because most of chapter funding comes from fundraisers in the fall and spring.”

Gov. Kim Reynolds has issued a disaster proclamation for Des Moines County in response to severe storms that occurred on August 27 and continuing. The governor’s proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and Disaster Case Advocacy Program.

The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants up to $7,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website https://homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/assistance. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to apply.

The Disaster Case Advocacy Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions. Disaster case advocates work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referrals to obtain a service or resource. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation. For information on the Disaster Case Advocacy Program, contact your local community action agency or visit iowacommunityaction.org.

For more information on disaster-related programs and resources available to Iowans, visit DisasterRecovery.iowa.gov. You can also find additional resources for preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery on the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Department website, Homelandsecurity.iowa.gov. Both websites offer vital information for those affected by disasters, including guidance and assistance resources.

On August 26, 2024, at approximately 11:33p.m. Des Moines County Deputies stopped a vehicle for a registration violation at Harrison Ave. and Whittier St. During the traffic stop a Des Moines County K-9 unit conducted an open-air sniff around the vehicle. The K-9 alerted the odor of narcotics and a subsequent search of the vehicle was conducted.

Deputies located a nicotine vaping device in a backpack that had been between the legs of a back seat passenger. The back seat passenger advised he was 18 years of age but refused to identify himself to law enforcement. He was then placed under arrest for interference with official acts. He was placed into handcuffs and a search of his person was conducted. Deputies located a handgun in his waistband. He was then transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center where he was charged with interference with official acts while armed with a firearm, a D felony.

The subject was eventually identified as O’Marree Darnell Wyldon, age 18, of North Liberty, IA. Deputies discovered Wyldon also had an arrest warrant out of Iowa City, IA for failure to appear for case management conference reference assault causing bodily injury or mental illness and assault on persons in certain occupations.