News

Dubuque County Supervisors Target No Property Tax Levy Increase

The Dubuque County supervisors are prioritizing a flat or lower property tax levy for the next fiscal year. Budget transparency and a more critical eye toward capital improvement requests by department heads were also discussed Monday during their budget planning for next fiscal year. The three supervisors were unanimous in their support for keeping the property tax levy rate the same or lower than it is in the current fiscal year. The Board of Supervisors will work with other county elected officials and department heads over the next several months to craft the county budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.

Dubuque Man Convicted of Several Sex Crimes

A Dubuque man has been convicted of several sex crimes. The TH reports 64-year-old Teodoro Rubio was recently found guilty of second-degree sexual abuse and three counts of lascivious acts with a child after a jury trial in Iowa District Court of Dubuque County. A Dubuque woman notified police in early 2023 that Rubio had inappropriately touched her when she was a child and that her daughter had disclosed that she also was abused by Rubio when she was a child. The woman’s daughter met with police and stated that she was abused by Rubio when she was in third through seventh grades, documents state. The daughter said the abuse occurred about 10 times. A sentencing hearing for Rubuio is set for January 6th.

Dyersville Downtown Market to Host Holly Jolly Market in December

The Dyersville Downtown Market will host a special holiday market, Dubbed Holly Jolly Market. The event will take place on Saturday, December 7th in the traditional location of Legacy Square near Downtown Dyersville. The event will start with the Run Run Rudolph 5K run through West Side Park at 10AM, The vendor market runs from Noon to 4, and the event finishes with the lighted Christmas parade at 6. Registration is open for all three events. For details, go to dyersvilledowntownmarket.com.

Driver Injured When Vehicle Collides with Vehicle, Building, and Other Objects in Downtown Dubuque

One person was injured Saturday when their vehicle collided with another vehicle, a building and several other objects in downtown Dubuque. The crash occurred at about 3:15 p.m. Saturday, at the intersection of Central Avenue and East 14th Street in Dubuque. The accident report states that a vehicle driven by 24-year-old Laquan Edwards was traveling southbound on Central Avenue in the right lane. He attempted to turn left on 14th Street and collided with a vehicle driven by 28-year-old Damon Griffin of Marion, which was traveling southbound in the left lane. Edwards’ vehicle then collided with the building located at 1398 Central Avenue, which is owned by Dubuque Bank & Trust. The vehicle subsequently collided with a parking meter and a crosswalk control box before coming to rest. Edwards was cited with failure to provide proof of financial liability and unsafe turn or failure to give a signal. Edwards was injured but not transported for treatment.

Janesville Iowa Woman Arrested for OWI after Rolling Vehicle in Delaware County

A Janesville Iowa woman was arrested for OWI after rolling her vehicle in Delaware County. The Delaware County Sheriff's responded to a single-vehicle rollover accident at about 6:55 pm on November 1st. A press release states that 41-year-old Michelle Meaney of Janesville was Eastbound on Highway 20, and took Exit 277 to Jefferson Road while going to fast to make the corner and went off the curve. Meaney's vehicle then turned sideways and rolled over, coming to rest on it's top. When examined at the scene, meaney reported no injuries and refused treatment. Deputies located open containers in the vehicle. Meaney was arrested and charged with OWI, 1st offense and open container. Her 2021 Honda Pilot was totaled in the accident.

Delaware County Man Faces Several Charges after House Fire

A Delaware County man has been arrested after authorities say he set a fire in his house while five children were inside. According to the Delaware County Sheriff's Department, 30-year-old Joseph Pasker of Manchester, was arrested on November 1st in Petersburg on a warrant charging first-degree arson and five counts of child endangerment. Deputies responded just before 8 p.m. July 24th to a structure fire at a residence in Petersburg. Pasker and five children were in the residence at the time of the fire and safely evacuated. “Upon further investigation at the scene, it was determined that the circumstances of the fire were suspicious in nature.” This was the second fire that occurred at the residence within a week. The Iowa State Fire Marshal Division investigated the fire and determined that it was intentionally set within the residence. Investigators determined that there was “localized damage in the void space and floor, no competent ignition source for the fire and no sources of fuel readily available to maintain said fire in the home itself.” When interviewed by authorities, Pasker denied intentionally starting the fire. Court documents state that “various discrepancies in his statement were noted.” A warrant for Pasker’s arrest was issued on October 31st. His next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19th.

Edgewood Woman Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for UTV Crash

An Edgewood woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for her involvement in an UTV crash that killed a man. Iowa District Court of Delaware County sentenced 28-year-old Hanna Meese, of Edgewood, after pleading guilty to one count of homicide by vehicle -- reckless driving. The case stems from a May 2nd, 2021, UTV crash in which Meese lost control of a UTV she was operating on Wood Edge Drive in Edgewood. Meese lost control while making a turn, causing both Meese and passenger 32-year-old Jordan Cabalka of Edgewood, to be ejected from the vehicle. Cabalka died at the scene, and Meese sustained serious injuries. Meese’s blood was drawn and tested at the Division of Criminal Investigation Criminalistics Laboratory in Ankeny, and court documents state she had a blood alcohol content of 0.162 — more than twice the legal limit to drive in Iowa. Meese previously entered a guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter, though that plea was rejected by Ackley on the grounds that the plea agreement did not meet the qualifications for the lesser charge. Ackley accepted Meese’s more recent plea to homicide or serious injury by vehicle, however, and a sentencing hearing was held Tuesday. As part of her sentence, Meese must pay $150,000 to Cabalka’s family.

Mount Vernon Teen Injured in Single-Vehicle Roll Over

A Mount Vernon teen was injured in a single-vehicle rollover accident in Linn County Wednesday. A press release fro the Linn County Sheriff's office states that just after 2PM, Linn County Deputies along with Linn along with other emergency services were dispatched to a single vehicle rollover on Springville Road near Elbow Creek Road. Upon Arrival, emergency responders located a black Honda Accord in the field. The car had sustained significant damage and rolled several times. The driver and sole occupant, 17-year-old Cayden Noehl of Mount Vernon, was transported to St. Lukes Hospital with minor injuries. Noehl was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

Anamosa Man Injured in Single-Car Crash

An Anamosa man was injured in a single-car crash in rural Linn County Tuesday afternoon. First responders were called to the intersection of Buffalo Ridge Road and Finn Road outside of Waubeek. They arrived there just before 2:15 p.m. and found a car rolled over in a nearby ditch. Authorities say 19 year old Mark Ward was heading eastbound on Buffalo Ridge Road when he lost control and went into the ditch. Ward was taken to a nearby hospital and was treated for what are believed to be non life-threatening injuries. He was the only person in the car at the time of the crash. The Linn County Sheriff's Office was assisted by Linn County Sheriff's Rescue, the Anamosa Fire Department, and Anamosa Ambulance at the scene.

Dubuque Senior High School Football Coach Accused of Misappropriating Funds from DIFL

The Dubuque Senior High School head football coach is accused of misappropriating more than $47,000 from an account belonging to the now dissolved Dubuque Independent Football League. Darrell Moore, 39, of Dubuque, is charged with theft. A criminal complaint says that from about November 2020 until the league ended in 2023, Moore, while serving as the league‘s president, transferred money from the DIFL’s account to his personal account and a business account with his name on it. Moore also allegedly made electronic and cash withdrawals from the DIFL account, as well as debit purchases that don’t appear to be associated with league business. Records show the funds were used to make deposits into Moore’s FanDuel account, and payments for things like his Roku account and purchases at grocery stores, gas stations and restaurants. He also allegedly used the funds at golf courses and to make hotel reservations, and other online purchases. In total, $47,360.52 in DIFL funds appear to have been misappropriated. The money in the DIFL account was raised through yearly fundraising efforts and was meant to pay for field rentals, game officials, equipment storage and to be divided among affiliated programs - Little Eagles, Junior Rams and Junior Mustangs. When affiliated programs asked Moore for disbursement checks that he was responsible for sending from the DIFL account, officials say Moore sent them checks that did not clear because of insufficient funds.

Dubuque woman Facing Multiple Charges 

A Dubuque woman is facing multiple charges after police say she was intoxicated when she drove her vehicle with two children inside. A Dubuque police officer initiated a traffic stop at Bluff and 10th streets Saturday, when he saw a vehicle traveling with the front passenger door open. The driver, 38 year old April Bergfeld of Dubuque, said she was returning from dropping off her daughter’s friends. At the time of the stop, Bergfeld’s 14-year-old daughter and her daughter’s juvenile friend were in the vehicle. The officer noticed that Bergfeld appeared to be intoxicated and was emanating the odor of alcohol. Bergfeld admitted to consuming wine. A report says an officer instructed Bergfeld to remain in her vehicle but that she stepped out and started walking toward the squad car, grabbed the officer’s forearm and pulled it while pinching it. Two officers attempted to handcuff Bergfeld, who resisted unsuccessfully and then continued kicking the vehicle. Bergfeld was arrested on charges of assault on persons in certain occupations, interference with official acts, operating while under the influence and three counts of neglect or abandonment of a dependent person.

Two people Injured in Rear-End Collision on US-20 East of Dyersville Monday Afternoon

Two people were injured in a rear-end collision on Highway 20 east of Dyersville on Monday afternoon. A press release from the Iowa state Patrol states that at 1:25 PM, a westbound a semi-tractor/tanker driven by 56-year-old Jeffrey Koerner of Warsaw Minnesota, rear-ended a 2017 Ford Escape, driven by 31-year-old Constance Beasley of Waterloo that was traveling at a low rate of speed, due to mechanical issues. The semi crossed the eastbound lanes and came to rest in the south ditch. The Escape rolled, coming to rest on it's wheels in the north ditch. Beasley and her passenger 31-year-old Kariya Carver of Milwaukee were transported to MercyOne Dubuque for treatment of minor injuries. The State Patrol says that Koerner was distracted by an electronic device which was recorded by an on-board camera in his cab. He was charged with failure to stop in clear assured distance and use of electronic communication device. Beasley was informed Monday morning by Midas in Dubuque that her vehicle was not safe for travel due to mechanical issues. She was charged with movement of unsafe vehicle and failure to provide proof of financial responsibility.

Jones County Man Wanted on Probation Arrested after Fleeing to Mexico

A Jones County man who was wanted on probation has been arrested after fleeing to Mexico, according to the U.S. Marshals. CBS2 reports 37-year-old Zachariah Schminkey, was wanted out of Jones County Iowa on charges for violation of his state probation. The Iowa Department of Corrections High Risk Unit worked with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force to find and capture Schminkey, who had an extensive criminal history involving drugs and guns. In September, a Linn County family filed a missing person report with the Cedar Rapids Police Department for a family member that law enforcement believed to be closely associated with Schminkey. U.S. Marshals worked withconsulates in Mexico and the Agencia Ministerial de Investigacion Criminal (AMIC) who helped them narrow their search to Rocky Point, Sonora where they found Schminkey and arrested him around 9 p.m. on Thursday. The missing person was also found and taken to a hospital while Schminkey was taken to a Sonoran jail. Schminkey is now back in the U.S. and will soon be taken back to Iowa. The U.S. Marshal's is working to reunite the missing person with her family in Iowa.

City of Dyersville Files Lawsuit Against Dubuque County for Breach of Contract

The City of Dyersville has filed a lawsuit against Dubuque County after not receiving the $524,293.88 in American Rescue Plan Act funds owed to the city for the Field of Dreams project. In December last year, the City of Dyersville was supposed to receive the money for renovations at the Field of Dreams, but the funds were fraudulently directed to a third party. KCRG reports Dyersville and Dubuque County entered the agreement in December 2022. However, scammers hacked the City of Dyersville’s email and sent emails to Dubuque County, impersonating a Dyersville city clerk requesting the funds. Dubuque County Auditor Kevin Dragotto has stated the office had no reason to question the payment and alerted law enforcement as soon as they were made aware of the fraud. However, the lawsuit filed Thursday alleges Dubuque County took no action to reach out to anyone in Dyersville to confirm the request for a transfer of funds, nor verified which account the funds were going to. The investigation into the stolen funds started in February. Dubuque County Sheriff Joe Kennedy says the investigation is still active and includes the FBI. Sheriff Kennedy has said the money had been transferred to cryptocurrency, meaning it would likely be impossible to ever recover the funds. The Iowa Communities Assurance Pool denied coverage for the money, saying that because the County actively sent the money to the wrong account, it does not meet coverage for a hacking or fraudulent act. Dyersville city leaders say Dubuque County still owes the money. They’re filing the lawsuit for a breach of the contract.

Authorities Identify Three Killed in Wrong-Way Crash

Investigators have now identified three people killed in a fiery crash on Highway 20 near Earlville back on October 13th. The Delaware County Sheriff's Department says a preliminary investigation by the Iowa State Patrol revealed that a 2014 Chevy Impala driven by 50 year old Tijuan White of Robbinsdale, MN was traveling eastbound on Highway 20 near the 287 mile marker, near Earlville, when the vehicle crossed the median and continued eastbound in the westbound lanes. The Chevy crashed head on with a 2018 Freightliner Straight Truck, driven by 62 year old Ricky Bergfeld of Peosta, and both vehicles became fully engulfed in flames. All three occupants of the Chevy died at the scene, including White, and passengers 21 year old Tyrese Johnson of Minneapolis, and 38 year old Augustine Monboe of Robbinsdale, MN. Bergfeld, the driver of the Freightliner, sustained minor injuries. Further investigation has determined that White had been shot prior to the crash. No evidence was found that indicated the gunshot came from outside the vehicle. Because of the fire damage to the vehicle, the manner of death remains undetermined. The investigation remains ongoing.