News

Dubuque County Jail Inmate sentenced for Series of Assaults on Law Enforcement Officers

A Dubuque County Jail inmate has been sentenced to 18 months in jail for a series of assaults on law enforcement officers. The TH reports 33-year-old Jarrell Johnson recently received the sentence in Iowa District Court of Dubuque County after pleading guilty to five counts of assault on persons in certain occupations with injury, two counts of interference with official acts with injury and one count of fifth-degree criminal mischief. Per a plea agreement, additional charges of disarming a peace officer and first-degree harassment were dismissed. Court documents state that Johnson engaged in a series of disturbances with law enforcement officers while he was an inmate in the Dubuque County Jail. On Feb. 20, 2023, four corrections officers responded at around 3 a.m. when Johnson was causing a disturbance in his cell and yelling loudly. Johnson refused to cooperate with “handcuffing procedures” so he could be removed from his cell, and he threatened to kill one of the corrections officers. He armed himself with a large metal drawer from under the cell bunk. When officers entered Johnson’s cell, he was “thrashing his arms” and attempted to grab a stun gun when it was pulled out by one officer. Johnson kicked two officers and injured two other officers before being arrested. In subsequent months, he was charged in relation to four other incidents in which court documents state he assaulted jail staff.

Daily Commercial Air Service Resumes at Dubuque Regional Airport

Daily commercial air service is back at Dubuque Regional Airport. Regional air carrier Denver Air Connection completed their first flight out of Dubuque to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport Monday, marking the airport’s first regularly scheduled commercial flight since April when Avelo Airlines halted flights. While community leaders celebrated the inaugural flight, Mayor Brad Cavanagh noted the work to keep service in Dubuque continues. Cavanagh insists he won’t be satisfied until the Dubuque Regional Airport features at least six daily flights to major hubs east and west of the region. A sale is in effect through November 25, where one-way tickets from Dubuque to O’Hare cost $89. Afterwards, tickets will cost around $120.

Texas Felon Sentenced for Possessing Firearms After Arrest in Clayton County

A Texas man stopped for speeding in Clayton County and found in possession of several firearms was sentenced to more than three years in federal prison. Accordng to a press release, 41-year-old Douglas Lynn Greer of Fort Worh Texas received the sentence in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids. Clayton County deputies stopped Greer for speeding. Greer admitted during the stop that he had 4 firearms in his vehicle. In March of this year, Greer entered a guilty plea to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Greer was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Greer had previously been convicted of the felony offences of making terroristic threats and offering a forged check.

Hopkinton Man has Died from Injuries Suffered in October Car Crash

A Hopkinton man has died from his injuries suffered in an early morning car crash on October 20th. According to a press release, Linn County Sheriff’s Deputies, Prairieburg and Coggon Fire Departments, Monticello Ambulance, and AirCare Air Ambulance responded to a report of a car crash at Monticello and Prairieburg roads at 3:20 a.m. Upon arriving at the scene, responders found 48-year-old Chad Landas was trapped in a blue Mercury Sable that had rolled in a farm field. Landas, the only occupant of the vehicle was trapped in the car and had to be removed by mechanical means. Landas was flown to the University of Iowa Hospital in critical condition. He later died from his injuries. The crash remains under investigation by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.

MercyOne Auxiliary Holiday Festival 2024

MercyOne Dyersville Auxiliary’s Holiday Festival runs through this Saturday. The public is invited to shop for holiday gifts, decorations and Christmas arrangements, a large selection of jewelry, scarves and purses, children’s books and puzzles, plus cupcakes, truffles and dips. Free samples will be offered. There is no sales tax charged on items purchased at the gift shop. All proceeds support health care programs and services at the hospital and in the community.

Dyersville Motorcyclist Airlifted Following Crash in Dubuque

A Dyersville motorcyclist was airlifted following a crash in Dubuque Sunday. A Dubuque police crash report states that 32-year-old Cameron Huseman of Dyersville was sitting on a running motorcycle in a yard in the 700 block of Louise Lane at approximately 2:45 p.m., when the motorcycle started traveling down a steep embankment and crashed. Huseman was transported by ambulance to UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital and subsequently airlifted to University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

Farley Man Arrested on Drug Charges after Attempting to Flee from Law Enforcement

A Farley man was arrested on drug charges after attempting to flee from law enforcement. According to the Delaware County Sheriff’s Department, on October 14th, authorities attempted to stop a vehicle driven by 41-year-old Robert Julson of Farley for speeding on U.S. 20. Julson fled the traffic stop in his vehicle and then parked before fleeing on foot. A K-9 unit located Julson and he was apprehended. Julson was arrested on charges of eluding, interference with official acts, possession of fentanyl (third or subsequent offense) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Archdiocese of Dubuque Named a Defendant in a Trio of Civil Cases

The Archdiocese of Dubuque has been named a defendant in a trio of civil cases alongside a former area priest previously charged with sexual abuse. The TH reports The lawsuits were filed this month in Charlotte County (Fla.) Circuit Court. The Archdiocese of Dubuque is listed as a defendant in all three cases alongside Leo Riley, who served as a priest in the Dubuque area in the ’80s and ’90s. The civil complaints that spurred the three cases are not yet publicly available, though all three were filed the same day and list John Doe plaintiffs represented by the same attorney. Riley, 68, of Port Charlotte, Fla., previously was charged in Iowa District Court of Dubuque County with five counts of second-degree sexual abuse stemming from allegations related to his time at a Dubuque parish in the 1980s. Riley was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Dubuque in 1982 and served in various archdiocesan parishes before requesting a move to the Diocese of Venice, Fla., in 2002. Court records show four people reported Riley sexually abused them from 1985 to 1986 when he was associate pastor at Church of the Resurrection in Dubuque. The case was dismissed in July because the statute of limitations had expired. Riley denied the claims and pleaded not guilty prior to the case being dismissed. No attorney was listed for Riley in online court documents as of Monday related to the Florida cases. In a statement, Archdiocese of Dubuque officials wrote that they do not have specific details about the court filings and were “not able to comment further because of this potential pending litigation.” Archdiocese officials encouraged anyone with information related to victims of clergy abuse to contact the archdiocesan victim assistance coordinator at 563-552-0280, the Archdiocese of Dubuque at 800-876-3546 or the Iowa attorney general hotline for survivors of abuse at 855-620-7000.

Linn County Teen Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries after Accident Involving Skid Loader

A 15-year-old boy has life-threatening injuries after an accident involving a skid loader in Linn County. KCRG reports that Crews with the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Linn County Rescue, Marion Fire, Area Ambulance, and LifeGuard Air Ambulance responded to 1777 Martin Creek Road at about 5:25 p.m. Monday. Sheriff’s deputies say a man was moving a hay bale when the boy became trapped between the skid loader and the bale of hay. The boy was transported by ambulance for what the Sheriff’s Office says could be life-threatening injuries. The Sheriff’s Office says the accident remains under investigation.

Semi Damaged in Delaware County Rollover

A semi was damaged in a rollover accident in Delaware County Sunday. According to a press release from the Delaware County Sheriffs Department, 26-year-old Austin Schumacher of Strawberry Point was turning on 300th Street from Highway 13, when the load shifted, causing the semi and trailer to overturn on it's side. The frame of the 1997 International driven by Schumacher sustained heavy damage and the load of corn being hauled in the trailer was lost. Damage to the truck is estimated at $5,000. Schumacher was cited for failure to maintain control.

Clayton County Man Sentenced to Five Years Probation for 2023 Theft

A Clayton County man has been sentenced to five years of probation for a 2023 theft. Iowa District Court of Delaware County recently sentenced 40-year-old Lee Earl of Guttenberg after pleading guilty to second-degree theft — habitual offender, third-degree burglary and third-degree criminal mischief. The TH reports that Earl faces up to 15 years in prison if he violates the terms of his probation. The charges stem from an Aug. 12, 2023, incident in which court documents state deputies responded to a property in the 1300 block of 280th Avenue in rural Delaware County for a report of a burglary in progress. The property owner reported observing surveillance footage of a vehicle and two masked individuals on his property. When deputies responded to the property, the suspect vehicle fled the scene by driving through a cornfield. Pursuing deputies followed corn stalk debris that had fallen from the vehicle to the Colesburg area and identified Earl as the driver of the vehicle, documents state. The Iowa State Patrol stopped Earl’s vehicle in the Guttenberg area. The vehicle was covered in fresh corn stalks and appeared to have recent damage. Earl’s juvenile son was the second occupant in the vehicle and admitted to being on the property and admitted to participating in the theft of multiple items.

Unemployment Rate Drops in most Local Counties

Unemployment rates dropped in most local counties last month. Dubuque County’s unemployment rate was 2.6% in September, down from 3.3% in August and down from 2.7% in September 2023, according to Iowa Workforce Development. Elsewhere in the area, Clayton County’s unemployment rate was 2.7% in September, compared to 3.1% in August and 2.7% in September 2023. Delaware County’s rate was 2.3%, down from 2.6% in August and up slightly from 2.2% in September 2023. Jackson County’s rate was 3%, down from 3.5% in August and down from 3.2% a year ago. Iowa’s statewide unemployment rate was 2.9% in September, unchanged from August and down from 3.1% in September 2023.

Dubuque County and Dyersville Determining Action Over Missing Funds

The Dubuque County Auditor and the City of Dyersville are speaking out about whether or not they will pursue legal action in regards to a scam incident. The city is trying to recover $524,000 meant for the Field of Dreams development site, but was instead paid to a scammer posing as a city employee. They're both responding after KWWL obtained a memo from County Attorney to the Board of Supervisors. Dyersville sent a letter to the county requesting the return of the funds within 30 days, warning that they would pursue legal action otherwise. However, the Assistant Attorney for Dyersville stated that they are still determining next steps. Dyersville Assistant Attorney Edward Henry says the letter that we sent did indicate that legal action was on the list of actions that might be taken in response to the missing funds. Dubuque County Auditor Kevin Dragotto responded in a statement to KWWL after the County Attorney's memo outlined how his office handled the missing funds and indicated that the county would face, "certain litigation over the lost funds." They are still in negotiations in determining what actions may be taken. Assistant Attorney Henry could not confirm whether Dyersville suffered a cyber-attack since the impersonator used a fake Dyersville address.

Dubuque County Fair Association Names New General Manager

The Dubuque County Fair Association has named a new general manager. According to a press release John Bries replaces Kevin Kotz, who recently retired from the association after nearly eight years as manager. The release states that Bries, of Asbury, Iowa, has served as president and CEO of several area businesses and most recently was treasurer of the executive board for Bluff Strokes Art Center, a new local nonprofit for art education and for supporting artists. Bries says he thinks his business experience can help the Fair Association continue to move in the right direction.

Low River Levels Limit Grain Cargo on Mississippi

Low Mississippi River levels are limiting how much cargo barges can carry as farmers look to ship their harvested crops, cutting profits. KCRG reports that according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Mississippi River is several feet lower than normal for this time of year in Dubuque. Logistics Park Dubuque loads grain, fertilizer, and other bulk commodities onto barges. General Manager Joe Bitter says as water levels run lower, barges “run into more of a risk hitting ground.” Profit margins are affected if the carrying capacity of barges is compromised more trips for freighters to ship harvested crops are required. When water levels are too low along the Mississippi River, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pulls material out of the river to make room for barges to pass through safely by dredging. Dredging also shuts down the river, delaying deliveries and increasing operating costs further for freighters.

Regional Family Health Clinics Doctor Fined for Relationship with Patient

A family doctor that works at Regional Family Health clinics in Manchester and Strawberry Point was cited and fined for having a sexual relationship with another employee who was also a patient of his at the time. The Iowa Board of Medicine alleged Nikolas May, M.D. committed “unprofessional and unethical conduct” and that he failed to report the disciplinary action that followed. Board documents say Dr. May failed to report a 30-day suspension the hospital handed down due to the alleged relationship. Dr. May was cited by the Iowa Board of Medicine on October 17th. He was ordered to pay a civil penalty of $3,000. He is also required to complete a Board-approved “professional boundaries course.”

Dyersville Woman Injured in Rollover Accident

A Dyersville woman was injured in a rollover accident in Delaware County Saturday. According to a crash report from the Delaware County Sheriff's department, at about 5:10p.m. 37-year-old Lindsey Leibold of Dyersville was traveling eastbound on a gravel park road, that turns up hill and to the right. The vehicle failed to negotiate the corner and dropped off the shoulder, rolling multiple times. Leibold's 2006 Chevy Malibu was totaled. She was transported by ambulance to Guttenberg hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Driver Arrested after High-Speed Chase on U.S. 20

A driver led law enforcement on a high-speed chase reaching speeds of 120 mph on U.S. 20 in Dubuque County Sunday. A Dubuque Police Department officer and an Iowa State Patrol trooper attempted to stop a vehicle West bound driven by 45-year-old Eli McCauley of Dubuque on Dodge Street near Crescent Ridge. Authorities had been advised that McCauley had outstanding out-of-state warrants. McCauley’s vehicle continued traveling west on U.S. 20, reaching a speed of 98 mph in a 65-mph zone while passing the intersection with Thunder Hills Road. McCauley’s vehicle then accelerated to a speed of 120 mph near the Sundown Road overpass. A Dubuque County Sheriff’s Department deputy deployed a tire deflation device on U.S. 20 near Dutch Lane Road, and McCauley’s vehicle came to a stop. McCauley was apprehended and arrested at approximately 11:10 p.m. on a charge of eluding, an Illinois warrant charging domestic battery and a Wisconsin warrant charging probation violation.