An intoxicated driver led deputies on a pursuit in Des Moines County on Monday evening. Just before 7:20pm, Des Moines County deputies responded to the 14000 block of 145^th St. for a report of an intoxicated driver in a red pickup truck. Upon arrival, they found the suspect had left the scene. After locating and attempting to stop the truck on 145^th St, the driver took off and drove through a field. The driver, David Maupin, 45, of Burlington, eventually stopped the vehicle, and when deputies made contact, they found an uncased rifle lying on the back seat of the truck within arm’s reach.

Maupin refused to comply with the authorities when asked to step out of the vehicle, and he even locked the doors. The driver was eventually removed from the truck and was tazed by deputies. Maupin was asked to perform standardized field sobriety tests and his 350-legend rifle was seized.

Maupin was placed under arrest for fail to yield to emergency vehicle, interference with official acts while armed with a firearm (D felony), person ineligible to carry dangerous weapons, and operating while intoxicated. He was transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center.

Maupin used his right of a phone call at the jail, and in a crazy twist, he called 911. He was advised to not do so again, or else he would be charged with false reporting for dialing 911 without legitimate purpose. Maupin then called 911 again and was charged for false reports. Maupin was asked to give a breath sample, and he consented, giving a sample over the legal limit.

This list is provided by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office.

Gov. Kim Reynolds today issued a disaster proclamation to ease restrictions on the transportation of materials and repair crews passing through Iowa enroute to Hurricane Helene response.  The proclamation temporarily suspends certain regulatory provisions of Iowa Code that pertain to hours of service, weight limits, and registration requirements for electrical repair crews and drivers as part of the disaster response.

The proclamation is effective immediately and expires on October 31, 2024.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday morning for a work session. The only item discussed was the Alternate Energy Overlay District. Supervisor White voiced his frustration with the discussion over this topic not being tabled last week when he was out of town. He also asked multiple questions regarding the history of the alternate energy overlay district, such as the date that wind energy was first discussed in the county.

After watching a video of the Planning and Zoning Commission’s public hearing from September 17^th, he believes that the board was “steered” by the director, Joe Buffington. This further prompted his question on why the board of supervisor’s meetings are not recorded for public use. White continued in his reservations of wind turbines, stating that we do not know the long-term effects of wind farm of this capacity. He believes the board owes it to the public not to rush this through.

One of White’s proposed changes focuses on setback measurements. “I believe that any setback measurements should be from the closest portion of a wind energy structure or equipment, regardless of what it is, to the property line of adjacent property owners.” White continues, “this would take into account the turbine blade offset from its foundation for example. This measurement would be a minimum of 3,960 ft. (3/4 mile)” During the meeting, he elaborated on this. If someone has a pond on the edge of their property, they may like to relax there. Since it is not technically a structure, the current ordinance means a turbine could be towering above. A full list of Supervisor White’s ordinance suggestions can be read here.

For the remainder of the meeting, board chair Greg Moeller read sections of the ordinance, often stopping to discuss further. The supervisors discussed multiple portions, such as the setback length, how far the turbines need to be buried after decommissioning, and signal interference to name a few.

More discussion will be had in the coming weeks. The supervisors will set a date for another work session at this Thursday’s regular meeting. Marc Lindeen, longtime supervisor, believes that they accomplished a lot at the meeting on Tuesday, and that they continue to move forward on this issue.