Lake Park, Iowa — A Harris teen was injured in a rollover accident near Lake Park on Monday.

The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office reports that about 5:30 PM, 16-year-old Javier Tapia of Harris was driving a 1999 Chevrolet Prism westbound on 130th Street, or A18, west of Lake Park near the intersection with 110th Avenue. An animal ran in front of his vehicle and Tapia lost control of the vehicle. Tapia’s vehicle entered the south ditch and rolled.

Tapia was transported to Lakes Regional Hospital by Lakes Regional Hospital Ambulance.

Damage to Tapia’s Chevy was estimated at $3500.

In addition to Sheriff and Ambulance personnel, Lake Park Rescue, Lake Park Fire Department, and Jennings Tow & Repair of Spirit Lake assisted at the scene.

Everly, Iowa — A Sibley woman has been arrested, charged with several offenses in Clay County.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office reports that in the wee hours of Sunday (9/23), one of their deputies initiated a traffic stop in the 1500 mile of Highway 18, about three miles northeast of Everly. Upon investigation it was determined that 23-year-old Alyssa LePaige, the driver of the vehicle had a suspended driver’s license.

LePaige was placed under arrest and transported to the Clay County Jail. LePaige was also cited for No Insurance, Operating a Non-Registered Vehicle, and Excessive Speed.

Sibley, Iowa — A Kansas man was taken to the hospital after he crashed his semi on Sunday night.

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office reports that about 11:50 PM, 34-year-old Daniel Ray Burns of Salina, Kansas, was driving a 2007 International semi and trailer, northbound on Highway 60, when he swerved to miss some deer on the Highway.

The semi entered the median, running over the emergency turnaround embankment south of Olive Avenue. The semi and trailer went airborne for approximately 30 feet and then continued across the median before coming to rest in the southbound lane of Highway 60, blocking traffic and leaking diesel fuel from the semi tank.

Burns was taken to the Osceola Community Hospital in Sibley by the Sibley Ambulance.

The semi and trailer, owned by Doug Bradley Trucking Inc. of Salina, Kansas, sustained about $50,000 damage.

Burns was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

Sibley Fire and Rescue, Sibley Ambulance, the Iowa Department of Transportation, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources assisted the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office at the scene.

Ashton, Iowa — An Ashton man faces up to 5 years in prison after he again failed to register as a sex offender.

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office reports that on September 21, 2012, 30-year-old Nicholas Paul Cain of Ashton pled guilty to Failure to Comply with Iowa Sex Offender Registry Requirements 2nd or Subsequent Offense, a Class “D” Felony.

He is committed to the custody of the Director of the Iowa Department of Corrections for no more than five years.

On May 4, 2012, Cain was reported to have moved from his registered address in Ashton, and he did not notify the Osceola County Sheriff or any other law enforcement agency of his whereabouts; which he was required to do as a registered sex offender.

Sibley, Iowa —

September 16, 2012, at 7:40pm, William Patrick Albert Doll, age 19 of Sibley, Iowa, was driving a 1994 Ford pickup, west of Hwy 59 on 160th Street, and crossed the center of the roadway. Doll overcorrected and entered the north ditch where the vehicle rolled onto the passenger side. Doll’s vehicle sustained approximately $4,000 damage and was given a citation for Failure to Maintain Control. No injuries were reported.

September 11, 2012, at 10:22am, Mary Catherine Sanchez, age 25 of Bigelow, Minnesota, was driving a 1999 Buick Park Avenue, southbound on 1st Avenue, approaching 11th Street in Sibley, Iowa. Melissa Jo Potter, age 33 of Sibley, Iowa, was driving a 2000 Chevrolet Blazer southbound on 1st Avenue and attempted to make a left hand turn from the shoulder of the roadway onto 11th Street. Potter did not see Sanchez’s vehicle approaching and collided on the roadway. Sanchez’s vehicle sustained approximately $700 damage. Potter’s vehicle sustained approximately $1,100 damage and was given a citation for Failure to Yield upon Entering Thru Highway, and Failure to Prove Security against Liability. No injuries were reported.

September 10, 2012, at 10:20am, Santa Esquivel-Colin, age 44 of Doon, Iowa, was backing a 2003 Honda Odyssey from a parking space at the Dollar General parking lot. Esquivel-Colin backed into a legally parked 2005 Ford Taurus owned by Lewis Anderson of Little Rock, Iowa, which sustained approximately $100 damage. Esquivel-Colin’s vehicle sustained no damage and was given a citation for Failure to Have a Valid Driver’s License. No injuries were reported.

September 10, 2012, Cliff Garnett, age 28 of Sibley, Iowa, pled guilty to Domestic Abuse Assault, a Simple Misdemeanor. The Defendant is sentenced to imprisonment in the Osceola County Jail for a term of thirty (30) days, with all time suspended except for two (2) days and placed on informal probation to the Osceola County Sheriff for a period of two (2) years. The Defendant shall successfully complete a Domestic Abuse Intervention Program and comply with the treatments recommendations. On September 1, 2012, Cliff Garnett assaulted a female victim by striking her in the back of the head following a disagreement.

September 10, 2012, Charles Wickstrom, age 45 of Sibley, Iowa, pled guilty to Theft 5th Degree, a Simple Misdemeanor. The Defendant is to pay a total fine of $128.00, the cost of this action, restitution of any court appointed attorney fees, and victim restitution, if any. The Defendant is sentenced to imprisonment in the Osceola County Jail for a term of thirty (30) days, with all time suspended and placed on informal probation to the Magistrate Court for a period of two (2) years. On March 25, 2012, Charles Wickstrom broke into a City of Sibley electrical meter on his residence to reconnect the electrical service after the City of Sibley disconnected the service for non-payment.

September 6, 2012, Matthew David Molitor, age 26 of Sibley, Iowa pled guilty to Operating While Intoxicated 2nd Offense, an Aggravated Misdemeanor. The Defendant is to pay a total fine of $2,607.50, the cost of this action, and restitution of any court appointed attorney fees, if any. The Defendant is sentenced to imprisonment in the Osceola County Jail for a term of ninety (90) days, with all time suspended except for seven (7) days. The Defendant is placed on informal probation to the Osceola County Sheriff for a period of two (2) years. The Defendant is ordered to undergo a substance abuse evaluation and comply with the treatments recommendations. On May 12, 2012, Matthew Molitor was stopped on 5th Street & 11th Avenue in Sibley for a driving violation. During the course of the stop, an Osceola County Deputy detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Molitor’s breath. Molitor’s eyes were bloodshot, watery and dilated. Molitor failed sobriety tests and tested over .08. Molitor was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated.

September 4, 2012, at 7:40am, Gage Karolczak, age 16 of Ashton, Iowa, was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer, southbound on Monroe Avenue, south of 250th Street and lost control on the loose gravel, entered the east ditch and came to rest on its side. Karolczak’s vehicle sustained approximately $7,000 damage. Karolczak sustained non-incapacitating injuries and was transported by a private party to Sanford Sheldon Medical Center where he was later transferred to a Sioux Falls hospital for observation.

Lucy Post, age 95, of Northfield, Minnesota, formerly of Sibley, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at Three Links Care Center in Northfield, Minnesota.

Funeral Services will be Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. at the Andringa Funeral Home in Sibley. The family is conducting the services.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 1:00 to 2:00 P.M. prior to the Funeral Service at the Andringa Funeral Home in Sibley.  Burial will be at the Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley.

Online Expressions of Sympathy can be sent to www.andringafuneralhome.com

The Andringa Funeral Home of Sibley in charge of arrangements for Lucy Post.

Sioux City, Iowa — A man living in Sibley who conspired to distribute methamphetamine faces ten years to life in federal prison.

Forty-eight-year-old Esmelin Belloso-Valle of Sibley was convicted in federal court in Sioux City on Thursday of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and distributing methamphetamine.

At the plea hearing, Belloso-Valle admitted his involvement in a conspiracy from 2011 through April 2012 that distributed more than 150 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine. On one occasion in February 2012, once in March 2012, and once in May 2012, Belloso-Valle along with others involved in the conspiracy distributed more than 200 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine during controlled drug transactions with law enforcement. One of these distributions occurred within 1000 feet of Dale Street Park in Sioux City, Iowa. During the execution of a search warrant law enforcement officers located over 208 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine that was for future distribution as part of the conspiracy.

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Belloso-Valle remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. On the conspiracy conviction, Belloso-Valle faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a possible maximum sentence of life in prison, a $10 million fine, $100 in special assessment, and at least five years of supervised release following any prison time. On the distribution conviction, Bellosa-Valle faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison up to a possible maximum sentence of 80 years in prison, another $10 million fine, another $100 special assessment, and at least eight years of supervised release following any prison time.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.

Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 12-4060.

Des Moines, Iowa – The electric utility company that serves Sheldon is telling its customers about a scam that is going on.  MidAmerican Energy Company  spokesperson Tina Potthoff tells us more.

For the full story visit http://www.kiwaradio.com/local-news/midamerican-energy-advises-of-phone-scam-targeting-hispanic-customers

If a customer receives a suspicious call or any other type of unusual contact, she says local law enforcement should be contacted immediately.

Press Release from MidAmerican Energy:

DES MOINES, Iowa – (Sept. 19, 2012) – MidAmerican Energy Company wants its customers to be aware of phone scams occurring in Iowa. This month, MidAmerican Energy has responded to several scams specifically targeting its Hispanic customers. The scam artist poses as a MidAmerican Energy customer service associate and states that the customer’s account is past due and payment is needed immediately to avoid disconnection. The scam artist then asks for the customer’s credit card information or that the customer purchase a prepaid debit card and call back with the information on the card.

A similar scam occurred in May. After MidAmerican Energy worked with local media outlets to make customers aware of the scam, the number of reports dropped significantly; however, the scam appears to be active again.

Credit card numbers and personal information should not be provided in response to an unsolicited phone call. Customers are advised to end the conversation and call MidAmerican Energy’s customer service line at 888-427-5632. Company representatives will confirm whether the call was from MidAmerican Energy’s call center or a scam artist. Customer service associates also can confirm a bill payment, service work, or an appointment at a customer’s home or business.

If a customer receives a suspicious call or any other type of unusual contact, local law enforcement should be contacted immediately.

MidAmerican Energy Company, Iowa’s largest energy company, provides electric service to 732,000 customers and natural gas service to 714,000 customers in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and South Dakota. It is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. Information about MidAmerican Energy is available on the company’s website, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages, which can be accessed via www.midamericanenergy.com.

Northwest Iowa — This is National Farm Safety Week. Experts are looking to try and cut down on the over 300 farm-related deaths that happen each year in America. Iowa State University extension safety specialist Charles Schwab says farming ranks as one of the most hazardous occupations.

For the full story visit http://www.kiwaradio.com/local-news/farm-safety-week-happening-during-busy-harvest-season-farmers-reminded-to-take-breaks

Rural Iowa — Nearly a quarter of Iowa’s corn crop has been harvested and it’s in slightly better condition, according to an update from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The USDA report shows 22-percent of Iowa’s corn was harvested by Sunday. That compares to the usual 7-percent for this stage of the season. Farmers are trying to salvage a drought-damaged crop before stalks weaken further. The USDA report rates 48-percent of Iowa’s corn in poor to very poor condition. That’s a slight improvement from 52-percent one week ago. Thirty-four-percent of Iowa’s soybeans are in the poor to very poor category, down from 36-percent last week.

Twenty-seven percent of Iowa’s pasture and range land is rated in fair or better condition, a four percentage point increase from last week. Pasture and range condition is rated at 48 percent very poor, 25 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 5 percent good, and 0 percent excellent. Livestock conditions for the week were excellent. Some livestock producers are moving cattle to stalk fields.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey says that the record early harvest continues and is picking up speed. He says he expects harvest to continue to advance rapidly as farmers look to get drought-stressed crops out in a timely manner.

Northey also released some safety tips for farmers and motorists to keep in mind during harvest season.

Tips for farmers include using the slow moving vehicle emblem on all appropriate tractors and equipment and making sure they are in good shape and visible. Also, be aware of and avoiding flowing grain suffocation hazards while unloading bins and wagons. Retrofitting older tractors with a rollover protective structure (ROP) is another important safety measure.

Harvest season is also a time when those traveling through rural Iowa need to be alert to potentially slow-moving equipment and should be prepared to take a little more time if necessary.

We at KIWA would like to add that equipment traveling at night can be especially hazardous. Motorists should stay alert, and farmers should make sure all lights and reflectors are in working order.

CROP REPORT

Mostly dry conditions coupled with cooler temperatures during the week aided harvest of Iowa’s crops, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Iowa Field Office. There have been a few reports of farmers completing corn harvest and moving to soybean harvest. One reporter mentioned “This is the earliest harvest I have observed in my career.” The week’s activities included row crop harvesting, fall tillage, haying CRP acres, and hauling water for livestock.

There were 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork statewide during the past week. Topsoil moisture level is rated at 42 percent very short, 42 percent short, 16 percent adequate, and 0 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture is rated at 59 percent very short, 34 percent short, 7 percent adequate, and 0 percent surplus.

Eighty-eight percent of the corn crop is now mature, well ahead of last year’s 52 percent and the five year average of 44 percent. Twenty-two percent of the corn crop has been harvested for grain or seed, over three weeks ahead of normal. In fact, corn harvest is more advanced than it has been on September 16th since the NASS Iowa Field Office began keeping records. Moisture content of all corn in the field is estimated at 23 percent while the moisture content of corn being harvested is estimated at 19 percent. Corn lodging is rated at 60 percent none, 22 percent light, 13 percent moderate, and 5 percent heavy. Ear droppage is rated at 68 percent none, 22 percent light, 9 percent moderate, and 1 percent heavy. Corn condition improved slightly and is now rated at 20 percent very poor, 28 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 17 percent good, and 1 percent excellent. Ninety percent of the soybean crop is turning color, ahead of last year’s 67 percent and the five year average of 75 percent. Fifty-four percent of Iowa’s soybean fields are dropping leaves, a 28 percentage point increase from last week. Six percent of the state’s soybean crop has been harvested with northwest Iowa leading the way with 12 percent. Soybean condition improved slightly and is now rated at 12 percent very poor, 22 percent poor, 39 percent fair, 25 percent good, and 2 percent excellent.

IOWA PRELIMINARY WEATHER SUMMARY

By Harry Hillaker, State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship

Temperatures over the past week averaged from four degrees warmer than normal over far northwest Iowa to five degrees below normal over the far southeast portion of the state. Tuesday (11th) was the warmest day in most areas with afternoon highs varying from the mid 80s east to the upper 90s west. Meanwhile afternoon highs on Thursday (13th) were only in the mid 50s southeast to upper 70s northwest while lows dropped into the 40s over most of Iowa by Friday morning. Temperature extremes varied from Thursday morning lows of 38 degrees at Belle Plaine and Stanley to Tuesday afternoon highs of 98 degrees at Little Sioux and Sioux City (setting a record high for the date). Temperatures for the week as a whole averaged 0.2 degrees below normal. There was only one rain event during the week. Rain moved into western Iowa early on Wednesday and exited the southeast by Thursday evening. Rain fall of an inch or more fell over much of west central and southwest Iowa but amounts of an under one-quarter inch were the rule over southeastern parts of the state. Rain totals varied from 0.07 inches at the Dubuque Airport to 2.20 inches at Glenwood. The statewide average precipitation was 0.58 inches while normal for the week is 0.80 inches. This was the 17th week of the past 19 to bring less than normal precipitation to the state.

The weekly report is also available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov or on USDA’s site at www.nass.usda.gov/ia.