The Iowa State Patrol initiated a traffic stop on a white 2022 Lexus on December 20^th. The vehicle fled the traffic stop and a pursuit would take place across Highway 2 and County Road X23 in Lee County. The subject abandoned the vehicle around Hillcrest Road and 227^th Street just off Highway 2, and then fled into the wooded area. At that time, the subject was known to be a black male wearing a light gray top with dreadlocks.

Members from the Iowa State Patrol, Lee County Sheriff’s Department, Fort Madison Police Department, Lee County Conservation, and the Keokuk Police Department, were among the agencies that established a perimeter shortly before 11 am and deployed personnel on foot as well as K-9’s and aerial drones.

Authorities were alerted by residents within the search perimeter that they had observed a subject matching the suspect description moving through a field and a creek area. As law enforcement approached around 2:30pm, the subject made an unsuccessful attempt to flee. He was taken into custody.

He then indicated that he was a minor and provided a name and identifying information that could not be confirmed. John Doe was the name given to him at the time of the arrest, as he was charged with felony eluding.

Through facial recognition software, the Lee County Sheriff’s Department was able to identify the subject as 20-year-old Kaylin Lashun Dorsey of Texas. Kaylin Dorsey has multiple warrants out of Texas and is listed as a missing person in New York. The matter continues to be under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol, with additional charges to follow.

On December 19^th, 2023, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a hit and run collision in the 300 block of East Oak Street in Salem, IA.  An investigation into the incident determined a 2010 Toyota Scion XD had been legally parked along the curb.  Sometime between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., the night before, the vehicle was struck and received damage to the driver’s side rear.  During the investigation, a suspect vehicle was located.  The offending vehicle, a 2008 Hyundai Veracruz, was also located in the 300 block of East Oak Street.  Owners of the vehicles were notified, and a collision report was issued to the involved parties.

On December 20^th, 2023, at approximately 12:31 pm, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a two-vehicle collision in the 200 block of Main Street in Salem. An investigation into the collision determined a 2016 Chrysler Town & Country, driven by Mercedes Ellard, 31, of Fairfield, was travelling northbound on Main Street and at the same time a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by Michael Woll, 20, of Salem, was travelling east on W Van Buren Street. The Woll vehicle failed to yield at a stop sign and drove out in front of the Ellard vehicle causing a collision. The occupants of both vehicles were uninjured.

The damage to the Woll vehicle was estimating to be $8,000 rendering it disabled and the damage to the Ellard vehicle was estimated to be $6,000.

On December 19^th, 2023, at approximately 12:20 pm, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received multiple reports of a single vehicle collision in the 3000 grid of Franklin Avenue. An investigation into the collision determined a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by Dawn Tomson, 54 of Salem, was traveling southbound on Franklin Avenue when the vehicle left the roadway. The vehicle crossed over northbound lane entering the east side ditch. The vehicle collided with the embankment of 300^th street and rolled onto its side. The occupant had to be removed by non-mechanical means and was transported to an area hospital.

The damage to the vehicle was estimated to be $10,000, rendering it to be a total loss. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Iowa State Patrol Commercial Motor Vehicle Unit, Salem Fire and Rescue, and the Henry County Health Center Ambulance.

A woman was arrested in Washington yesterday evening on a warrant around 9:30pm. 42 year old Carrie Paramo was arrested after a deputy received a report of a violation of a no contact order. Upon arrival, the deputy found Paramo and arrested her on a warrant for violation of a court order. She was also charged at that time with Contempt – Violation of a No Contact Order. Paramo was transported to the Washington County Jail, where her warrant was cleared from the system and she was transported to the hospital.

The 2023 Wise Men Holiday Food Drive at the Keokuk High School was a great success and the organizers reached their goal. Because of this success students earned the prize of be allowed to decorate the smooth and shiny heads of Mr. Nathan Harrison, KHS principal, Mr. Matt McGhghy, KHS teacher, and Mr. Tim Carter, KHS guidance counselor.

There were 850 cans donated in two weeks that will be sent to the Salvation Army and two cash donations of $500 each donated by Keokuk XII and First Christian Church Disciple Women’s Fellowship.

The annual food drive ran through Dec. 15 and was sponsored by Konnections, YLT, StuCo and Interact at KHS.

The results of a recent school calendar survey that included a four-day week option was shared at the meeting of the Keokuk Community School District Board of Education on Dec. 18 by Dr. Kathy Dinger, Superintendent of Keokuk Community School District.

“We were pleasantly surprised at the level of engagement we saw,” Dr. Dinger reported during Monday’s meeting.

The survey included a choice between a four-day week, both with and without a spring break, and a traditional five-day week, both with and without a spring break. The questions were based on feedback gathered from staff and parents in the district, and was distributed by email on Wednesday, Dec. 13, to over 300 staff members and nearly 1,200 parents with a closing date of Sunday, Dec. 17. More than 600 staff and parents responded to the survey.

Whether a parent or an employee, the favorite calendar option was the four-day week, with a spring break. Collectively, 229 of the 607 who responded chose this option. Overwhelmingly, the least favorite calendar option was the 5-day week, with no spring break, option with 226 respondents selecting this as their last choice.

As explained in the calendar survey, the four-day option is being considered as a way to recruit and retain staff, improve open enrollment numbers, and support student and employee mental health, all while maintaining a focus on strong instructional hours.

The conversation about the 2024-2025 calendar will continue at the Board’s meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024.