The Lee County Sheriff’s Office reports of a motor vehicle accident on Tuesday. 22-year-old Nicholas Ziegelmeyer of Burlington was traveling south bound in the 1800 block of Highway 61 in a sedan just after noon. Ziegelmeyer is uncertain of how the event unfolded but stated that he was merging to the right when there was a collision. The driver stated that he has a medical condition and probably should not have been driving.

The damage to his vehicle consisted of a shredded tire and the fender peeling to the rear of the vehicle. There were dark marks on the side of the hood and what was left of the upper area of the passenger side front fender. He mentioned that he was unsure of what the second vehicle was, however, he knows it was bigger than his car. There were no parts from the unknown vehicle at the scene and due to the lack of, and there not being another vehicle on scene, it is probable that the unknown vehicle was a semi hauling a trailer.

Wind energy was once again a main talking point for the Henry County Supervisors meeting on Tuesday morning. With multiple citizens in attendance, some in support and some opposed, the conversation was lively.

An RWE representative spoke about the funding towards school districts that a wind farm would contribute to. According to this representative, WACO would see 9.9 million dollars, Winfield-Mt.Union would receive 6.6 million, and Mt. Pleasant would gain 3.5 million dollars, over the lifetime of the contract. This is based on the current levy rate and the total project value of 450 million dollars. For Mount Pleasant, that would be just over $94,000 a year.

When asked what will happen to that additional revenue for school districts if a turbine has to shut down for an extended period of time, an RWE representative responded. School revenue from a wind farm is based on the assessed value of the property, not based on production. The tax revenue remains the same regardless of when the turbines are spinning.

With Joe Buffington, the Planning and Zoning Director, in attendance, the Supervisors discussed Section 6-2-11-2 through 11-6 Alternative Energy Overlay District ordinance. Supervisor White said that he believes the changes to the ordinance are being rushed. He would like to see the county slow down as he believes the ordinance is important for Henry County. It was noted at the meeting that it was the county that requested the ordinance change, not RWE.

Many additional questions were brought up, and it seems the supervisors will need to discuss those with the Henry County Engineer.

The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of a submerged vehicle in the Des Moines River after an individual called on the 26^th of February. The caller mentioned that they were fishing near Rock Bluff Park when they saw the vehicle in the middle of the river.

The next day, the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office, Ottumwa Fire Department, and Deran’s Towing and Recovery formulated a plan to retrieve the vehicle from the water. After several attempts the vehicle was eventually removed and the body of a deceased male was located inside. The identity of the body is not being released at this time and has been transported to Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner.

The death is under investigation by the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office.

The Lee County Narcotics Task Force reports the arrest of a Keokuk woman on felony and misdemeanor drug charges.

Mieki Denise Cooper, age 49, of Keokuk is charged with: Conspiracy to deliver less than 5 grams of methamphetamine; a class C felony, Possession with intent to deliver less than 5 grams of methamphetamine; a class C felony, Possession with the intent to deliver marijuana; a class D felony, Maintaining a drug house; an aggravated misdemeanor, and Possession of drug paraphernalia; a simple misdemeanor.

The charges came after a search warrant that was executed at a residence in Keokuk, where the defendant, Mieki Cooper, was found to be in possession of illegal narcotics.

The Lee County Narcotics Task Force were assisted by the Keokuk Police Department, the Fort Madison Police Department, and the Lee County Attorney’s Office.

The defendant in this case is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The Lee County Narcotics Task Force is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Justice and the funds administered by the Iowa Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy.