The President of the United States has ordered all flags throughout the country to be flown at half-mast from now until sunset on October 30^th, 2023. This is meant to be a mark of respect for the victims of the acts of violence perpetrated in Lewiston, Maine, on October 25^th.

Flags will be flown at half-staff at the White House, all public buildings and grounds, military posts, naval stations, and all naval vessels.

President Biden also directs that the flag be flown at half-staff at all US foreign facilities.

An arrest has been made in an Ottumwa murder that occurred earlier this month.

On October 16^th, 2023, Ottumwa Police Department Officers were dispatched to 301 S Ward Street at approximately 10:46pm on a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, they found an injured male outside the home, who was identified as Samuel Gallegos-Ramirez, 34, of Ottumwa. He was transported to the Ottumwa Regional Health Center and pronounced deceased.

No charges had been filed at that time, but the police were able to reassure the public that there was no ongoing threat to the community. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Ottumwa Police Department began an investigation at that time to find the suspect.

Gary Lewis Scott, 60, of Ottumwa, was arrested on October 26^th, at approximately 11:12am and charged with multiple crimes. Murder in the 1^st Degree, a Class “A” felony, Willful Injury, Class “C”, Assault While Participating in a Felony, a Class “C” Felony, and Going Armed with Intent, a Class “D” Felony.

Preliminary information at the scene of the incident was not enough to immediately identify all of the circumstances that led to the death of the victim. Eventually, after a thorough investigation, it was found that an altercation had broken out between the victim and the suspect, which resulted in the filing of criminal charges.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The Henry County Supervisors met on Thursday, October 26^th. Sarah Berndt with the CDS provided a monthly update.

They have received 2 general assistance requests this month, one for rental assistance and one for direct cremation, which is a service that is offered to Henry County residents. 19 different contacts have reached out, yet 16 were deemed ineligible immediately. Many of these requests are to cover past due utilities, which is not a service they are able to provide.

Also brought up in the meeting was the Elevate Mobile Crisis Response Service which is offered 24/7 365 days a year. This team offers on-site and in person assistance to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. This is a free service and funded by the Mental Health Agency of Southeast Iowa Region. They service 8 counties in Southeast Iowa, and you can reach them at 988.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, October 28th, and the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Office of Drug Control Policy encourages Iowans to clean out their medicine cabinets and safely dispose of unused and unneeded medications.

Local law enforcement agencies and pharmacies are teaming up to collect leftover prescription and over-the-counter drugs, as part of this special one-day event held each spring and fall. The spring collection netted over 3,800 pounds of old medicine from Iowans. To date, Iowans have safely disposed of over 98 tons of unused medications at these events.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while educating the public about the potential for the dangerous misuse of opioid pain relievers and other drugs. “All of us can help reduce the risk of drug diversion and misuse, overdose, and even environmental contamination by properly disposing of unneeded medication,” said Susie Sher, Bureau Chief of the Office of Drug Control Policy.

Saturday’s National Prescription Drug Take Back events will operate from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at designated sites across Iowa. As part of the national Prescription Drug Take Back program, the DEA also allows the collection of vaping devices and e-cigarettes from individuals, if batteries are first removed from the devices. For more information or to find a site near you, visit https://www.dea.gov/takebackday.

Iowans can take excess medications to one of Iowa’s Prescription Drug Take Back locations, including nearly 400 permanent pharmacy and law enforcement center sites available on a year-round basis. For Iowa Take Back details, including education information and collection sites, visit: https://odcp.iowa.gov/programs/prescription-drug-take-backs.

Iowans needing help for drug using behaviors or mental health can go to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Service’s YourLifeIowa.org.

A multiple vehicle accident shut down an intersection in Louisa County on Wednesday evening.

Around 9pm on October 25^th, a collision occurred between many vehicles at the intersection of Highway 61 and Highway 78 in Wapello. The intersection was closed while crews worked on necessary care at the scene. Preliminary reports suggest there were 4-6 vehicles involved in this accident.

Two subjects were trapped at the time of the call to the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office.

No further information is being released at this time.