Des Moines County News

Amid the rubble, Mediapolis resident Alisha Hulett knelt next to her severely injured and bloody friend, Heather Levins of Burlington.

Bar owner Lynn Wells originally opposed Iowa's smoking ban, but the Iowa cigarette smoker acknowledged Tuesday -- a day before the ban's one-year anniversary -- that she's softened her stance.

So far, Burlington officials have been unwilling to share the cost to repair the road impacted by flash flooding.

That was the assessment of Des Moines County supervisors after reviewing damage caused by flash flooding spurred this week by severe thunderstorms.

Shortly after District Court Judge William Dowell issued a bench warrant, defense attorney Toby Gordon notified the court he had received a phone call from Buster saying his babysitter was late and he was on his way.

Councilman's stepson gets 10 years for robbery that netted $5.45. By JOHN MANGALONZO jmangalonzo@thehawkeye.com Michael DaJuan Hicks wept as he talked on a cell phone while being closely guarded by a Des Moines County Sheriff's deputy just outside a small courtroom Wednesday.

At 35, Severado was not afforded the benefit of being young and impulsive. District Court Judge John Linn said the man should have known better and noted the crime of drug delivery is a serious one, something that leads to violence.

Fisher's chance encounter with a Burlington Police officer in March, where he supposedly went to a convenience store to buy milk but was instead arrested on a drug charge, netted him a guilty verdict for possession of crack cocaine as a habitual offender from a Des Moines County jury earlier this month.

A distinct but quiet "Wow" came somewhere from the mass of bodies. "On behalf of the historical society, I welcome you to Heart, Land and Home and the 19th century gallery opening," said Lyle Magnuson, vice president of the Des Moines County Historical Society.

The state of Iowa will be auditing Des Moines County's books this fiscal year due to a lack of interest on the part of private accounting firms.

Des Moines County supervisors are mulling over their next move in a dispute with the city of Burlington regarding financial liability for a flood-damaged section of Tama Road.

John Gaines/The Hawk Eye Stacy Hiller, Executive Director with the Des Moines County American Red Cross, gets banners and collection buckets ready Thursday with the help of Stephanie Standard, Burlington Steamboat Days administrative assistant, for the disaster relief concert at the BSD office in Memorial Auditorium .

Jurors will be told about damage to interrogation tape if case goes to trial. By JOHN MANGALONZO jmangalonzo@thehawkeye.com Video interrogation of two Burlington men accused of raping a teenage girl last year was not downloaded properly and was ruined, Des Moines County attorneys said Monday.

During a meeting Wednesday, Board Chairman Jeff Heland said he backs borrowing the funds to "free up" the cash-strapped E911 Board.

But last week, Meppelink, 43, and another Burlington man, Jeffrey Wayne Dillon, 42, were sentenced to federal prison.

John Lovretta/The Hawk Eye Dustin Walker, with Restoration of Old Homes of Danville, right, and Mike Halbert of Burlington help hang a 17-foot racing row boat donated by Burton Prugh Thursday at the Des Moines County Heritage Center's Exhibit Gallery.

District Court Judge William Dowell described the 18-year-old as someone who had been given several chances by the legal system such as probation and suspended prison terms.

Authorities allege they have witnesses who saw the 25-year-old try to get in a parked car after his own vehicle broke down.

On Tuesday, it only took Des Moines County prosecutor Lisa Taylor 30 minutes to convince a jury of her case against the 45-year-old man.

Des Moines County Supervisor Dan Cahill alleged this week that the county's Enhanced 911 Board is operating "illegally" and called for the board to open up its books to the public for review.