On February 11^th, 2024, at approximately 11:25 AM, Henry County Dispatch received multiple reports of a single vehicle crash in the 3300-grid of New London Road. An investigation into the collision determined a 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, driven by, Kaity Bench, 36, of New London, was traveling southbound on New London Road, when the vehicle left the roadway. The vehicle travelled approximately 600 feet along the ditch and collided with fencing, before coming to rest. The driver of the vehicle left the scene and was later located at their residence.

No injuries were reported. The damage to the vehicle was estimated to be $15,000. Kaity was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

Governor Kim Reynolds signed an extension of the proclamation relating to the weight limits and transportation of grain, fertilizer, and manure.   

The proclamation is effective immediately and continues through February 23, 2024. The proclamation allows vehicles transporting corn, soybeans, hay, straw, silage, stover, fertilizer (dry, liquid, and gas), and manure (dry and liquid) to be overweight (not exceeding 90,000 pounds gross weight) without a permit for the duration of this proclamation.  

This proclamation applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa (excluding the interstate system) and those which do not exceed a maximum of 90,000 pounds gross weight, do not exceed the maximum axle weight limit determined under the non-primary highway maximum gross weight table in Iowa Code § 321.463 (6) (a) and (b), by more than 12.5 percent, do not exceed the legal maximum axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds, and comply with posted limits on roads and bridges.  

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident in Geode State Park on Sunday morning. At approximately 11:34am on February 11^th, the Sheriff’s Office received a report and promptly responded. It was determined that a vehicle was traveling north bound on Racine Avenue near Beach Road when the driver, Donald Fields of Brighton, lost control of the vehicle.

The vehicle then went across the center line towards incoming traffic, into the ditch, and struck a tree before coming to rest. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.

Donald was examined by the Henry County EMS personnel and transported to the hospital where he was later released. He was charged with driving while license revoked and failure to maintain control of vehicle.

The Keokuk Police Department has taken a pledge to keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of Keokuk youth.

Known as I-PLEDGE, the program is a partnership with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD) to educate local retailers and to enforce Iowa’s tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product laws. Since the program’s inception in 2000, the statewide tobacco compliance rate has grown to 91%.

I-PLEDGE places emphasis on retailer training. Clerks who successfully complete an online training course and then pass an exam will become I-PLEDGE certified. This allows a retail establishment to use an affirmative defense against a civil penalty if the certified clerk makes an illegal sale.

I-PLEDGE’s retailer training is a great way for clerks to prepare themselves to refuse illegal tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product sales. The training also assists retailers to ensure they maintain a compliant and responsible establishment.

The Keokuk Police Department will also be conducting compliance checks on local establishments as part of the I-PLEDGE program. Underage customers, under the supervision of law enforcement officials, will enter establishments and attempt to buy tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products. Clerks who make the illegal sale will be cited on the spot.

Criminal penalties for selling tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products to a minor include a $135 fine for a first offense, a $325 fine for a second offense and a $645 fine for third and subsequent offenses. However, handing out citations is not the intent of the I-PLEDGE program.

By partnering with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, The Keokuk Police Department hopes to educate clerks and maintain a compliant retail environment in our community. Moreover, the Keokuk Police Department pledges to help keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of Iowa’s youth.

On February 9th, 2024 at 8:30AM multiple law enforcement agencies conducted a residential search warrant at 426 N Main St. in Wapello, IA. This was in reference to a 3-month investigation into the distribution and sexual exploitation of minors and collection of child pornography, after a cyber tip was sent to our office. During this investigation our office worked with the Burlington Police Investigations Unit and State of Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

As a result of this investigation and search warrant, Garyth Peck, age 22, of 426 N Main St. in Wapello was arrested and charged with (27) counts of class C felony sexual exploitation of a minor and is currently being held at the Louisa County Jail. Peck’s bond was set in the amount of $50,000 (CASH ONLY).

Assisting alongside the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office on the residential search warrant was the Burlington Police Department and the State of Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations Electronic Detection K9 unit. Investigation is on-going at this time and further charges are expected in this case.