Thursday, February 28, 2013

DM Schools Chief Finalists Names Tonight

Des Moines school board's expected to select the finalists for the School Superintendent's job when they meet tonight. WHO-TV reports those finalists will be interviewed starting Monday evening. You'll have a chance to meet the finalists during a reception at the Central Des Moines Public Library at 4:30 Monday afternoon.

House Committee Approves Flat Tax

An Iowa House committee's approved a GOP backed plan that would give taxpayers the option of paying a 4.5% flat tax on their earnings instead of the graduated income tax. The Des Moines Register reports the State Revenue Department found higher income earners would get much bigger savings than those making $20,000/year or less. Over half the $400-million in projected savings under the flat tax would go to people earning over $150,000 a year.

Bigger Mega Millions Jackpots on the Way

Mega Millions jackpots are going to get bigger and get bigger faster than they used to. Iowa Lottery officials tell KCCI that's because Florida's joined Iowa and 41 other state in selling Mega Millions lottery tickets. Lottery officials say that's because Florida is the 4th largest of the 50-states, with a population of over 19-million.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

DM Pharmacist Makes His Case Over Missing Pain Pills

A Des Moines pharmacist accused of selling pain pills out the back door of Bauder Pharmacy testified at a Pharmacy Board hearing today. Mark Graziano says there were no pills missing in his audit, and he says the compliance officer told him he only needed to keep 2-years of invoices, not the 10 he'd been holding on to. It's alleged the pharmacy's short 740,000 plus hydrocodone tablets.

Raw Milk Bill Back Again

The House Judiciary subcommittee met today to again take up the issue of whether or not raw milk should be sold in Iowa. House Bill 131 would let farmers sell raw milk directly to consumers or at farmers markets. KCCI reports Rep. Jason Schultz says the issue to him is freedom of liberty, but a California mom testified raw milk put her son in the hospital, and says raw milk should only be sold with warnings of the potential risks.

New Poll Shows IowanDon't Want Internet Gaming

A new Des Moines Register Iowa Poll shows almost 75% of those surveyed don't want to join the drive of other states for legalized and regulated online gambling. A state senate subcommittee's meeting tomorrow to consider a proposal to allow casino's here to set up internet poker games and allow online betting.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Top Gop Names Back Gay Marriage

An Iowa GOP operative, David Kochel, is one of 80-top Republicans nationwide, who've signed a legal brief arguing that gay couples have a constitutional right to marry. The brief will be filed with the U.S. Supreme Court tomorrow. They are reviewing the California court ruling that tossed a 2008 law banning gay marriage as unconstitutional. Other names on the brief: Jon Huntsman, William F. Weld, and Christine Todd Whitman.

State Troopers Union Chief: We Need More Troopers

The head of the Troopers Association told lawmakers and representatives of Gov. Branstad today the state needs to hire 87 troopers to get the State Patrol up to the level needed to protect public safety. There were 455 troopers in 2000 before budget cuts. That number is now 363, leaving some counties without a trooper on duty during overnight shifts. Branstad's budget proposal has no money for new hires.

Graziano Faces Pharmacy Board

Des Moines pharmacist Mark Graziano's faced the Iowa Board of Pharmacy today, over 740,000 hydrocone pills missing from the Bauder Pharmacy inventory. The investigation started in 2011, with a tip that Graziano was allegedly selling pills from the back of the pharmacy. Graziano's license has been suspended. The pills worth $10 to $20 each on the street.

New GOP Push to Ban Gay Marriage

18-State Senate Republicans have signed on to a resolution calling for a statewide referendum on a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. The Des Moines Register reports the resolution would define marriage as between one man and one woman. The proposal comes at a time when some members of the GOP, especially outside of Iowa, are saying the party should be embracing same-sex marriage.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Student Detained Over Gun in Car Outside Norwalk HS

Norwalk PD investigating the discovery of a firearm inside a locked car in the parking lot at Norwalk High School. Superintendent Denny Wulf tells the Des Moines Register the owner of the gun is a student, and that it doesn't appear that the weapon was every in the school building. The student's been turned over to the Norwalk Police Department.

Missing 12-year old DM Girl Found

The 16 day search for 12 year old Karina Rodriguez-Resendiz is over. A tip led DM PD to a home on SE 9th Street, where she was found with 18-year old Sergio Lopez. Her family thought she'd left town with Lopez. Lopez is in the Polk County Jail charged with two counts of third degree sex abuse and an violating a no contact order.

DM Police Chief Wants Better School Security

Des Moines Police Chief Judy Bradshaw wants the city's schools more secure. She told Des Moines City Council today she wants to go from 9 to 14-school resource officers so each school has one. She'd also like to expand the Mobile Crisis Units to deal with potential mental health issues. Bradshaw says schools were originally designed for easy access; now security should be the #1 priority.

Story Blogged at 02-25-13 15:20 by djennings

DM Police Chief Wants Improved School Security\\\\\

Des Moines Police Chief Judy Bradshaw wants the city's schools more secure. She told Des Moines City Council today she wants to go from 9 to 14-school resource officers so each school has one. She'd also like to expand the Mobile Crisis Units to deal with potential mental health issues. Bradshaw says schools were originally designed for easy access; now security should be the #1 priority.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Des Moines will take steps to notify residents of issues

Des Moines city leaders have presented a series of recommendations to notify neighborhood associations of news and developments that could affect them.

The issue of the city improving neighborhood notification came about last year after Marty Mauk, chairman of the Des Moines Neighbors group, asked the City Council to form a committee of city and neighborhood leaders to try to solve the problem.

City Manager Rick Clark responded in the fall by forming a committee of about a dozen city staff, elected officials and neighborhood representatives.

The issue reached a peak last summer when an estimated 200 people attended a south-side neighborhood meeting to discuss a low-income apartment complex slated for construction on McKinley Avenue. Many residents of that neighborhood, Watrous South, said they had been unaware the city had been looking at the project since early in the year.

The proposal was scheduled to go to the Planning and Zoning Commission for consideration the next day, but it was rescheduled for a later meeting because of neighbors’ opposition. Eventually, the project was scrapped and developers decided instead to build on the far east edge of the city.

Similarly, residents of two east-side neighborhoods felt they learned too late in the process that city officials were exploring whether to close streets in their area to increase capacity of a Union Pacific rail yard. A final decision still has not been made on creating the proposed dead-end streets.

The city’s report on the notification issue indicates the committee believed that neighborhood notifications could be timelier and that email addresses should be updated for association leadership. The report also states that members discussed the current postcard notification system and the possibility of expanding it so that residents living beyond the 250-foot limit were notified of proposed projects on nearby properties.

It recommends implementing steps over two phases — the first in the next 90 days and the second within 12 months. Some of those steps include improving the city’s website, creating a citywide meeting calendar and improving the city’s cable channel.

“I would say we got 90 percent of what we wanted,” Mauk said at a Northeast Neighbors meeting Feb. 19. “ Once this gets implemented, it should solve the problem.”

He added that neighborhood leaders must take responsibility to learn more by going to the city’s website for information and signing up for email alerts there.

Clark said when he formed the committee the goal was to ensure residents were better informed.

“One objective is to make sure people know what’s going on,” he said.

Iowa lawmakers again consider raising fuel tax

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — While education spending and property tax cuts have been the focus so far in Iowa's legislative session, some think lawmakers might also take action this year on the perennial proposal of raising the fuel tax.

Iowa's fuel tax — now 22 cents per gallon for gasoline including all fees — hasn't been raised since 1989. A commission appointed by Gov. Terry Branstad in 2011 recommended an increase of 8 to 10 cents to boost funding for the state's substantial network of bridges and roads, many of which are considered deteriorating or deficient.

Proposals to raise the tax have come up repeatedly, and an effort to increase it by 10 cents failed in the Legislature last year. But Rep. Joshua Byrnes, R-Osage, who chairs the House transportation committee, said he thinks similar legislation would have a stronger chance this time around.

"(Chances are) better, because I think any time you are in an election year, something like this becomes extremely difficult," said Byrnes, who plans to introduce legislation in the coming weeks that would gradually raise the tax by 10 cents over three years. "If we're going to do it, it has to be this year."

When you add in the federal fuel tax, the total drivers pay at Iowa pumps is about 40 cents a gallon for regular gas and slightly more for diesel. Branstad has said he will consider a fuel tax increase if state lawmakers approve property tax reductions and the overall tax burden for residents drops.

Scott Newhard, executive vice president for the Associated General Contractors of Iowa, which supports the increase, expressed some optimism over the potential for a gas tax increase this year.

"If you see some form of tax reductions, you very likely might see a gas tax bill," Newhard said.

Iowa's taxes and fees for gas are lower than in neighboring states Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Only Missouri has a lower rate.

A 10 cent increase would yield $215 million annually for road projects, which Department of Transportation Director Paul Trombino said would help state infrastructure needs.

"There are some very difficult issues in the county areas. Some of the small cities have significant challenges with roads and bridges," Trombino said.

Revenue from the fuel tax — expected to be about $440 million in the current fiscal year — is divided between the state, counties and cities for upkeep on the state's 114,000 miles of road and 25,000 bridges. Revenue from car registration fees also goes to road repairs.

According the commission report in 2011, the state ranks fifth nationally for the number of bridges and 13th for miles of roadways. The system, largely built in the 1940s through 1960s, is deteriorating due to age and heavy use.

Iowa ranks 43rd nationally for the condition of urban interstates and 38th for rural interstates, according to a 2010 report from the Reason Foundation, a libertarian public policy group.

Reactions are mixed to raising the tax. A recent poll by The Des Moines Register showed 63 percent of residents opposed to raising the gas tax, 35 percent in favor and 2 percent undecided. Groups lined up in support of the tax include the Iowa Farm Bureau Association and the Iowa Good Roads Association. Opposition includes Iowans for Tax Relief

"Iowans are already overtaxed. We already have a nearly $1 billion surplus, proving we're overtaxed," said Lindsay McQuarry, policy director for Iowans for Tax Relief. "The gas prices are already extremely high right now. Iowans are already paying a good portion of their budgets to the road use tax funds."

But Barb Seil, who lives on a farm near Gowrie in central Iowa, said she would pay the increase if it would help fix the cracks and potholes in the regional and state highways she and her husband travel.

"I think my personal opinion is that I do believe that's a good thing. The people who use the roads should help pay for them," Seil said. "If somebody comes in from out of state, they're going to help pay."

Iowa loses at Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Dylan Talley's tie-breaking, shot clock-beating 3-pointer with 9.2 seconds left sent Nebraska to a 64-60 victory over Iowa yesterday and put a dent in the Hawkeyes' NCAA tournament hopes. Talley scored 18 points and Shavon Shields added 17 for Nebraska, which shot 62.5% the second half and outscored Iowa 19-7 over the last 9:42 in Lincoln.

Grinnell keeps need-blind admissions policy

GRINNELL, Iowa (AP) - Leaders at Grinnell College decided yesterday not to scrap its need-blind admissions policy - for now. Grinnell is 1 of the nation's wealthiest private liberal arts colleges, managing a $1.5 billion endowment that has grown to among the country's largest.

Missing girl may be with wanted man

A missing 12-year-old girl last seen Feb. 8 could be traveling with a man wanted by police, Des Moines police said.

Karina Rodriquez-Resendiz was last seen when her mother drove her to school more than two weeks ago. Police believe she is with Sergio Lopez, 18, who is wanted for failing to appear in court on a third-degree sexual abuse charge.

Lopez also was barred from contacting the girl because of a protective order.

Police believe Rodriquez-Resendiz and Lopez have left the state, according to a press release.

Officer injured in chase with Des Moines shoplifter

A Des Moines police officer chasing a shoplifter tried to slow the fleeing man with a spray but ended up with the spray in his own face, according to police.


The shoplifter tried to flee Dahl's Foods at 4343 Merle Hay Road with a stolen bottle of liquor when the officer followed him on foot and twisted his knee during the chase.


The man was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting. Neither his identity nor the officer's was immediately available.

Memorial service set for veteran killed in high-speed chase

A memorial service is planned next week for Jeremiah Johnson, the Army veteran who died when the car he was driving over 100 mph crashed into a parked police cruiser.


Johnson’s son was in the back seat of the car and survived. Johnson had fled from police who tried to pull him over in Clive. He had taken his son months earlier after a judge awarded custody to his ex-wife, authorities and family members said.


The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. March 2 at Southtown Baptist Church, 6001 S.E. Fifth St. in Des Moines, according to an obituary.


In addition to the custody battle, the Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and had recently lost his mother to cancer, his family said a day after the crash. Just a few hours before his death, Johnson left his father a voice mail message saying, “I just wanted to let you know that I’m at a crossroads and I wanted to leave this message to let you know I’m probably not going to make it much longer.”

Woman arrested after reportedly making mess at Hy-Vee store

Des Moines police were called just after midnight Saturday after a woman reportedly began taking merchandise and throwing it on the floor at Hy-Vee, 4605 Fluer Drive.

Elizabeth Renee Grubb, 35, of Des Moines was arrested for simple assault and disorderly conduct following the incident. She was transported to Polk County Jail.

When asked to stop, Grubb allegedly spit in the face of the Hy-Vee night manager. She also knocked over plants on her way out of the store.

Officers found Grubb inside her vehicle in the parking lot. She was uncooperative and belligerent according to the police report. The arresting officer wrote in a police report that Grubb “appeared to be high on drugs, judging by her constricted pupils and incoherent statements.”

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Hy-Vee stores recall dog food

WEST DES MOINES, IA (AP) -- Hy-Vee says it's recalling some bags of Hy-Vee dog food that might contain a toxin commonly found in corn.

The Iowa-based company says tests conducted by the Iowa Department of Agriculture indicated higher-than-normal levels of aflatoxin in some samples of the dog food made at a Kansas City plant operated by Pro-Pet, LLC.

Aflatoxins are chemicals produced by fungi on corn that can sicken pets. Symptoms include sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, vomiting, yellowish tint to the eyes or gums and diarrhea.

The recalled products carry three different "Best By" dates and were distributed to Hy-Vee stores in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri, amongst other between Oct. 26 and Jan. 11.

Colorado GOP shows shifting immigrant tuition stance

DENVER (AP) – Colorado Republicans appear to be changing their strategy on immigration, with several breaking ranks Friday and joining Democrats in favor of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants.

The bill passed on an unrecorded voice vote that included three Republicans, thought to be the first in the Colorado Senate ever to vote for such a proposal. In-state tuition for illegal immigrants has been considered for more than a decade in Colorado, but the measures were defeated each time by lawmakers from both parties.

Over the years, as Colorado’s Latino population exploded, Democrats came to unify behind the tuition measure. Friday’s Senate vote showed at least some Republicans are changing their minds, too.

“I want the GOP to become the Grand Opportunity Party,” said Republican Sen. Greg Brophy of Wray, who has voted against in-state tuition proposals before.

Brophy said his mind was changed by ambitious young Latinos in his rural eastern Colorado hometown.

“They can’t leave here to go home, because they are home,” Brophy said.

Brophy was joined by two freshmen Republicans, Sens. Larry Crowder of Alamosa and Owen Hill of Colorado Springs.

Most in the GOP still opposed the tuition measure. But they took pains to argue they aren’t anti-Latino, but critical of an overall immigration system that is flawed.

After the Democratic sponsor of the tuition told a story about a young high school graduate forced home to Mexico’s dangerous Ciudad Juarez, the Senate’s lead Republican stood to make clear that the Republican Party doesn’t oppose immigration or young people seeking an education.

“We are a very generous people,” insisted Sen. Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs.

Other Republicans tried and failed to amend the bill to get rid of out-of-state tuition entirely, saying people from neighboring Kansas or Wyoming should have lower rates, too. Some argued that the tuition bill is a Democratic attempt to gloss over the deep immigration problems this nation faces.

“Our bureaucracies are broken, and by passing bills like this, we are taking pressure off Congress to act,” said Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley.

However, the debate highlights came when Brophy and the freshmen Republicans explained why they favored the tuition bill. Crowder talked of growing up in southern Colorado surrounded by Latino immigrants, both illegal and legal.

“Until the federal government steps up to the plate and fixes this problem, we’ve got to do something,” argued Crowder, who went on to decry anti-immigrant sentiment.

“I guess some people just want them to graduate and flip burgers … (but) it’s time to realize we are a melting pot,” Crowder said.

Hill talked about visiting the Statue of Liberty as a child.

“It is not that I love law less, but I love liberty more,” Hill said.

After a formal vote next week, the measure heads to the House, which has defeated tuition proposals in the past. This year, the House is in Democratic hands, and the bill is expected to pass. Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper has said he’ll sign the bill into law.

Police report man beaten, robbed of $300

A Des Moines man was transported to a hospital after being beaten and robbed by an unknown number of people Thursday night, a police report shows.


The victim told police the suspects approached him in a white, older model four-door car while he was walking in the 1300 block of Sixth Avenue. The suspects left the car and began hitting him with bats and crowbars before taking his cellphone and $300 in cash.


The suspects were gone when police arrived, according to the report. The victim was transported by ambulance to Mercy Medical Center. His condition was unknown.


The case remained under investigation Friday.

Iowa grants $22.5M in tax credits to Principal

Principal Financial Group snagged $22.5 million in state tax credits Thursday for its massive downtown Des Moines campus renovation, one of three expansions Friday that whittled down the state’s available business credits to $1.5 million.

With the state in the hunt for projects that include an elusive $1.5 billion data center, Director Debi Durham said the agency will need to tap into next year’s pot of tax credits to land jobs and investment in Iowa.

Using next fiscal year’s credits is allowed under state law, Durham said, adding that the state is experiencing an unusual number of $1 billion-plus projects. CF Industries plans to invest $1.7 billion expanding its fertilizer plant near Sioux City, and Orascom Construction Industries is building a $1.4 billion plant in Lee County.

“No one anticipated that we’d have billion-dollar projects. We had two and have one in the wings,” Durham said.

Lawmakers have criticized the Orascom project, saying the incentives are too rich. Orascom Construction, based in Egypt, received $50 million in tax credits last year and CF Industries, $22 million. Orascom also has the option of seeking a total of $50 million over the next two years.

Durham said the state rarely provides the full amount of tax credits allowed under law, including to the fertilizer plants. “We only provide what we needed to get the deal done,” she said.

The agency is asking lawmakers to boost the $120 million cap on business tax incentives to $185 million, the state’s original cap on tax credits, beginning this fiscal year.

Durham said the state is still competing aggressively for the massive data center project, and she talks almost daily with the company involved. Nebraska also is working hard to land the project, beefing up its state incentives to match Iowa’s for high-tech development.

Principal’s nearly $285 million modernization project will cement the financial services company in Des Moines and Iowa for decades to come, leaders said. “It’s a really big upgrade and a good project for the city,” said Pete Brownell of Grinnell, a member of the Iowa Economic Development Board.

The state said the project would help retain 1,740 workers in the Des Moines area. Principal is considering upgrading three downtown buildings so they’re more appealing to knowledge workers who want high-tech, environmentally friendly spaces.

The city of Des Moines is looking to give Principal Financial 50 percent of any new property taxes generated from improvements made to its buildings for up to 15 years. The city is not yet able to estimate how much it will rebate to the company, City Manager Rick Clark said.

The city also plans to consider pushing up replacement of a parking garage near the company and beautification of Keosauqua Way, a main street leading into downtown.

State halts radio-buying effort

Iowa’s Department of Administrative Services has abandoned its latest effort to purchase law enforcement radio equipment and network infrastructure amid criticism from suppliers and lawmakers that its procurement process isn’t giving vendors a fair shake.

The department, which manages equipment purchases for agencies across state government, issued the request for proposal to purchase about $7 million in radio equipment last fall, and since then has issued two more for the development of a statewide radio network potentially costing tens of millions of dollars.

The cancellation of all three was announced in a terse notice from the department.

“DAS will be restructuring these RFPs and consolidating them into a single RFP in an effort to maximize economies of scale and to ensure the most efficient possible use of taxpayer dollars,” the announcement said. “DAS remains committed to a process that ensures fairness for the vendor community and competitiveness on behalf of Iowa taxpayers.”

State Sen. Matt McCoy, who’s been a leading critic of the department’s handling of the radio contracting for months, cheered the announcement.

“It’s a huge win for the taxpayers and the state,” he said.

The cancellation, he added, “was a clear admission on the part of DAS that this thing was mishandled and poorly executed from the word ‘go.’ ”

In an interview, however, department spokesman Caleb Hunter said the RFPs’ cancellations had less to do with the controversy that has erupted than with a feeling among officials that a new RFP could make the process more efficient.

“We were comfortable with the legality of these RFPs; we just think we can do it a little bit better this time,” he said.

Friday’s announcement was the third time the department canceled bids for the purchase of radios. Two previous RFPs, in late 2011 and spring 2012, were canceled after vendors and lawmakers pointed out specifications that seemed to disqualify all radios except those manufactured by industry leader Motorola Solutions Inc.

The questions of bias were explored in a story by The Des Moines Register earlier this month.

The latest equipment RFP, issued last September, sought to purchase hand-held radios, in-car mobile units, and other devices for use by the departments of public safety, transportation, natural resources and corrections. Marshalltown-based vendor Racom Corp. and another firm challenged it again, however, arguing that the department ignored recently passed state laws governing the procurement of radio equipment and skewed the request to sideline potential bidders.

Lawmakers lined up behind Racom: Several lawmakers wrote letters questioning the RFP, and a Senate committee grilled DAS Director Mike Carroll on the matter earlier this month. The Government Oversight Committee was scheduled to query him again Thursday, but the hearing was canceled because of the snowstorm.

Racom President and CEO Michael Miller said Friday he was “pleased” by the department’s reversal. A spokesman for Motorola said the firm was “surprised and disappointed” by the announcement.

Going forward, the department’s statement said, the state will “work with an independent consultant to generate a new RFP to complete the purchase of radios and a radio network.”

Developing a statewide network for law enforcement communications could be far more costly than the radio purchases. Estimates for various systems range from around $20 million to more than $100 million.

Lawmakers, meanwhile, promised to remain involved.

Senate Government Oversight Committee Chairwoman Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, called the 16-month ordeal an “embarrassment” and said her concerns over state procurement go further than just radios.

“We cannot continue to let people within state government deliberately take care of their favorite vendors, rigging the process at the expense of Iowa taxpayers,” she said.

Her committee will continue to engage with Carroll on reforms — “even if that means cleaning house with certain employees,” she said.

McCoy, the state senator, referred to the agency’s procurement process as “amateur hour,” and said he would propose legislation this year seeking reforms.

“We’ve got to get a level of professionalism and competency relating to multimillion-dollar deals that doesn’t make the state look like a bunch of monkeys,” he said.

Gov. Branstad to make NASCAR driver honorary Iowan

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Gov. Terry Branstad will make famed NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace an "honorary Iowan" during a ceremony at the state Capitol.

Branstad is set to give a proclamation to Wallace on Wednesday afternoon. He will honor Wallace's contribution to racecar driving and his role in developing the Iowa Speedway.

Wallace has had 55 NASCAR Cup wins and won the 1989 championship. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame earlier this month. Since retiring in 2005 he has worked to promote NASCAR and been an analyst on ESPN.

Wallace is a designer and part-owner of the Iowa Speedway, which opened in 2006 in Newtown.

PARKING TICKETS: First Storm For New Ordinance

Thursday’s storm was the first time Des Moines police were handing out tickets for violators of the city’s new snow ordinance.

Des Moines police say more than 400 tickets were written Thursday.

The rules require all cars to be off city streets, except in five neighborhoods where cars must be parked on the odd or even side of the street correlating with the day of the month. Those neighborhoods include Sherman Hill, Carpenter, Drake, Drake Park, and River Bend.

Des Moines police say they also impounded 30 cars during clean-up overnight.

Ape sanctuary in Iowa to resume public tours

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An ape sanctuary in central Iowa is resuming public tours this year.

The Des Moines Register (http://dmreg.co/1208gUthttp://dmreg.co/1208gUt ) reports the Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary will offer tours through online reservations. The tours will be limited to 25 people and will run about an hour and a half.

The sanctuary near Des Moines was previously called Great Ape Trust. Its director, Sue Savage-Rumbaugh, was accused last year by former workers of endangering the apes and being mentally unfit for the job. A sanctuary board cleared her and the facility has passed several federal inspections since then.

The tours will include a lecture and bonobo demonstration. The sanctuary is asking visitors to donate a minimum of $20 for adults and $14 for children.

Friday, February 22, 2013

DM Man Beaten and Robbed

A Des Moines man's recovering at Mercy Medical Center after being beaten and robbed last night in the 1300 block of 6th Avenue. The Des Moines Register reports the victim was approached by several people who got out of a car and attacked him with baseball bats and a crowbar. The suspects got away with about $300. The incident's under investigation.

List Narrows for New DM Schoiol Supt

49-people have far applied for the Des Moines School Superintendent's job. KCCI reports a consultant narrowed the list to 14. Last night the school board picked 6-finalists who'll be interviewed next week. Two or three finalists will then be identified publicly, and they will be interviewed on the district's Mediacom cable channel. The new Superintendent's should be named in mid March.

DM PD Looking for Missing 12-year Old Girl

Des Moines PD are looking for 12-year old Karina Rodriguez-Resendiz. She been missing since February 8th, and authorities think she's left the state with18-year old Sergio Lopez, who's wanted for failing to appear on a 3rd degree sex abuse charge, and who's barred from seeing the girl under a protective order. Iv you have any information, call Des Moines PD's Detective Bureau (515) 283-4864 or Polk County Crime Stoppers at (515) 223-1400.

























DM PD Looking for Missing 12-year old Girl

Des Moines PD are looking for 12-year old Karina Rodriguez-Resendiz. She been missing since February 8th, and authorities think she's left the state with18-year old Sergio Lopez, who's wanted for failing to appear on a 3rd degree sex abuse charge, and who's barred from seeing the girl under a protective order. Iv you have any information, call Des Moines PD's Detective Bureau (515) 283-4864 or Polk County Crime Stoppers at (515) 223-1400.

























Thursday, February 21, 2013

Road Conditions Snow

Iowa DOT and State Patrol say road conditions are getting worse as the day wears on. Des Moines area Interstates are partially to mostly snow covered. I-80 is partially covered from Omaha to Grinnell. KCCI reports I-35 has snow from West Des Moines to the Missouri Border and North of Des Moines to Ames. You can check road conditions by calling 511 in Iowa, or on tour computer: www.511ia.org.

You Can Get A Speeding Ticket For Doing Speed Limit in Snowstorm

If you're out in the snowstorm and think you can't be ticketed for driving the speed limit think again. The Iowa State Patrol says you should slow down in hazardous conditions. If not, you can be given a ticket for driving too fast for conditions. They'd prefer it if you stayed home, buy KCCI reports if you do drive in the snow: SLOW DOWN.

Guilty Plea in Johnston Pot Growing Operation

Timothy Lanz pleaded guilty in Des Moines federal court today to running a pot growing operation in a Johnston home. Authorities found over 540 marijuana plants when they raided the home last September. The investigation began in 2010, when items used for growing pot were found in a storage locker. Lanz faces a minimum 5-years in federal prison when he's sentenced in May.

WDM Property Tax Rate Unchanged for 2013-14 Budget

There'll be no property tax hike for West Des Moines for the 2013-14 budget year that starts July 1st. The Des Moines Register reports the rate's staying at $12.05/$1,000 of taxable property value for the 7th straight year. West Des Moines residents could still see their tax bills go up due to an increase in the rollback, which is the percentage of a residential property’s value that is subject to tax.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

More Details on Warren County Casino

Wild Rose Entertainment's taken the wraps off plans for a Warren County Casino. They want a 150-room hotel/casino, with an event and bowling center. Project developers say it could have a $1900-million economic impact on the area. The project would be built near Highway 5 and the Southwest Connector near Norwalk. The facility would be about 3-miles away from I-35.

DM Considering Keo Way Fix Up

Des Moines officials are looking at fixing up Keosauqua Way. KCCI reports the city says about 25,000 drivers use the street every day, and with Principal Financial set to renovate its' campus, the time has come for Keo Way to get a fix up. Formal plans may not be ready for at least a year. The fix up on Keo Way would run from University Avenue to Eighth Street.

NWS Issues Winter Storm Warning for Most of Iowa for Tomorrow

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for a large portion of Iowa from noon tomorrow to noon Friday. Heavy snow's expected to start late tomorrow morning in the southwest counties and push east through tomorrow night. Iowa DOT says tomorrow's afternoon rush will not be pretty. Current models show about 5-8 inches are expected in the Des Moines metro.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Next Snowstorm DM Will Ticket Street Parking

You've gotten your warnings. If you're parked on the street during the next snowstorm in Des Moines, city officials say you'll get a $35 ticket if you don't move your car. A snowstorm's expected to hit the area Thursday. Officials handed out 4,000 warnings during the last couple of storms.

School Employee Background Check Bill Advances

A state senate subcommittee's approved legislation requiring school districts to run the names of all job applicants through the state sex offender registry, central registry for child abuse, and central registration for dependent adult abuse. The Des Moines Register says districts would have to run employees names every 5-years, and if they're on any of those registry's suspend them pending termination.

NWS Issues Winter Storm Watch Starting Thursday

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch from Thursday morning through Friday morning. NWS says the snow's expected to start in southwest Iowa by sunrise Thursday, and work its way to the northeastern part of the state by early afternoon. Snow totals are expected run between 5 to 10", with some areas getting up to a foot, with the heaviest snow west of I-35.

FBI Considers Possible Iowa Tie to Child Porn

The FBI believes several people they want to talk to about sexually explicit pictures, may have ties to southwest Iowa. KCCI reports investigators are looking for 2-white men, and items in the pictures, including a t-shirt with the words "New Market Basketball," may mean an Iowa link. They're hoping the two men they're looking for can give them the name of the child seen in the pictures taken in 2003.

Monday, February 18, 2013

More Troopers Hirtting I-35/80 Corridor to Keep Speeding Down

Iowa's Transportation Department's stepping up patrols on unspecified days over the next three months on the I-35/80 corridor from Altoona through Des Moines to the Mills Civic Parkway exit in West Des Moines. Operation Safe Commute's designed to cut accidents by getting drivers to stick to the speed limit. 9-extra marked cars will be working two mile loops during the morning and evening rush.

Remaining Blockbuster Stores in Iowa Closing

Bye bye Blockbuster. The last 5-stores the company has in Iowa, including the Ankeny, will close in April. Dish Network, which owns Blockbuster, announced plans last month to shutdown 300 stores nationwide and layoff 3,000 people. Blockbuster, which filed for bankruptcy in 2011, has been losing to DVD rental kiosks, mail order rentals and video streaming.

State House Gets Commercial Property Tax Cut Plam

The State House is considering a plan, introduced today, to slowly cut the taxable portion of a commercial property's value, so owners would eventually pay taxes on just 80% of the assessed value.
KCCI reports the state make up what the change will cost local governments in tax revenue. It would also cap at 2% how much residential, agricultural and commercial property values can go up in one year.

Friday, February 15, 2013

Vilsack Not Running to Replace Harkin

Former Iowa Governor and current Sec. of Agriculture Tom Vilsack's office says he won't be running to replace Sen. Tom Harkin who's decided not to seek reelection. A spokesperson says Vilsack's goal is to continuing to serve in the Obama cabinet for the President's second term. Democratic Cong. U.S. Bruce Braley's already announced his plan to run for the Senate seat.

Branstad Keep Wrestling Campaign

Gov. Branstad's kicking off a campaign today to reverse the International Olympic Committee's recommendation to drop wrestling as an Olympic sport. The Governor and all of Iowa's Congressional delegation have signed a letter to the IOC describing the importance of wrestling to the state and the Olympics. You can sign a petition to support wrestling at www.letskeepwrestling.com.

We Could Have More Snow Next Week

It'll hit the 50's this weekend. Enjoy it while it lasts. The National Weather Service says there's another storm system headed here by the end of next week, and expect a lot of snow. Early projections wind and a 70% chance of snow by Thursday. After Sunday's 50's, it'll be back to the mid 20's by the middle of next week.

Man Dead, Child Hurt in Car Chase

The driver killed in at a police chase early this morning in Indianola was wanted by authorities in Georgia. Police say 33-year old Jeremiah Johnson had has son in the car. Des Moines PD say the child, who's in a Des Moines hospital, had been reported to them as missing in December. KCCI reports the case started in Clive when an officer started following the car because the license plate couldn't be clearly seen.

DM Benefiting from Prarie Meadows

The City of Des Moines' picked up over $4-million under the profit sharing deal involving Polk County and the Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino. The Des Moines Register reports that money's gone in years past to bridge and street improvements. City Manager Rick Clark's office says the city's streets and bridges are in much better shape.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Dems Have Comnmercial Property Tax Cut Plan

State Senate Democrats have taken the wraps off a commercial property tax cut plan they say will do more for small businesses that one from Gov. Branstad. Their plan would give commercial property owners over 5-years a tax credit worth 40% on their first $324,000 in assessed property value, and they say 80% of the states 116,900 commercial properties are assessed at or below $324,000.

Story Blogged at 02-14-13 16:43 by djennings

House and Senate Act on Educatrion Reform and Funding

The State Senate's approved raising state funding for K-12 schools by 4% for the 2014-2015 school year. Republicans on a House committee have approved a scaled-backed version of Gov. Branstad's education reform, lowering raises Branstad wanted for teachers and letting districts opt out of minimum salary hikes or leadership bonuses.

State Sen. Dems Commercial Property Tax Cut Plan

State Senate Democrats have taken the wraps off a commercial property tax cut plan they say will do more for small businesses that one from Gov. Branstad. KCCI reports their plan would give commercial property owners over 5-years a tax credit worth 40% on their first $324,000 in assessed property value, and they say 80% of the states 116,900 commercial properties are assessed at or below $324,000.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

First Bill Signing

Gov. Branstad's pen will be busy tomorrow, signing the first bill to come out of the current legislative session. It's Senate File 106, and WHO-TV reports it'll align the state and federal tax codes. The law became necessary after Congress passed the Federal American Taxpayer Relief Act last month to deal with the fiscal cliff. The Iowa law will avoid delays in filing taxes and getting refunds.

MWA Adopt a Waterway

The Metro Waste Authority's looking for Des Moines area residents to help clean up waterways in the greater Des Moines area. MWA's started an Adopt a Stream program, and the first clean-p's already on the calendar for April. You'll get leather gloves, litter grabbers, and a guide on how to do a cleanup project. More info's @ www.goadoptastream.com.

DM Woman Missing in New Orleans

Friends and family are worried about the well being of a 34-year old Des Moines woman. According to KCCI, Jessica Pratt flew to New Orleans a week ago to work in gentleman's clubs. She never did, and since checking out of a New Orleans hotel last Thursday, there's been no activity on her credit card, and her cell phone hasn't been used in a week. Pratt, a mother of three, missed her return flight to Des Moines.

Teen Babysitter and Friend Charged with Possessing Booze

A 15-year-old Urbandale girl and a 15-year old friend from Waukee were busted by Urbandale PD for possession of alcohol as a minor over the weekend. The DM Register reports the girl from Urbandale was babysitting 4-children. The two teens found a bottle of booze in the house and started drinking. When one girl started vomiting, the babysitter called 911. She had a blood alcohol level of .067, the girl throwing up: .152.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

WDM City Council Special Election

The polls close tonight at 8 in the special election to fill the Ward 2 seat on the West Des Moines City Council. Lucas Casey and John Mickelson are on the ballot, running for the seat vacated by Charles Schneider, who was elected to the Iowa Senate in a special election in December.

Father of Murdered Evansdale Girl Busted

The father of one of the cousins who vanished and was later found dead on Evansdale is in trouble with the law again. 36-year old Daniel Morrissey was busted yesterday for missing appointments with a pre-trial probation officer and allegedly using drugs. He was on supervised release pending trial on drug and domestic assault trials from a couple of incidents in 2011.

Lawmaker Wants Gun Permit Info Confidential

A GOP lawmaker's proposing that the names of Iowans with permits to acquire or carry guns should be private information. Right now the names of permit holders are public record. GOP Rep. Matt Windschitl says he's concerned keeping the info public would put residents in danger by leading criminals to guns or giving them information to target homes without guns.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Principal Financial Has Big Plans for DM Campus

Principal Financial released more details at a Des Moines City Council work session today on plans for a $238-million renovation of its downtown campus. Three building are to be renovated, and changes to the city's 7th Street and Grand Avenue parking garage, and a new skywalk from Principal to the parking garage across 8th Street. The city's being asked for an incentives package and public improvements.

DM Mayor's Fur Store Vandalized

Vandals left a message over the weekend at the fur shop that belongs to Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie. Police say someone spray-painted the word "murder" on the side of the Cownie Furs, and they also smashed three windows and three glass doors. No arrests yet, and the damage's estimated at almost $3,000.

Hearing Held on Expanding Medicaid

Lot's of support today from witnesses at a legislative subcommittee hearing on a democratic plan to expand Medicaid. According to KCCI, the proposal would expand eligibility requirements for Medicaid, opening the program to as many as 150,000 more people. The Health Reform law provides more funding to states that expand Medicaid. Gov. Branstad says he doesn't trust the federal guarantees.

Guilty Plea in VanLo Murder

Raymond Benitez will be sentenced March 14th, after pleading guilty to 2nd degree murder in the murder of his girlfriend, 18-year old Judy VanLo. She was found dead in her family's home. The 19-year old Benitez was captured by the U.S. Border Patrol last June. He's been in the Polk County Jail since.

Friday, February 8, 2013

April Trial in DM Man's murder

27-year old Orlando Moore, Jr.'s first degree murder trial starts in Black Hawk County April 9th. He's charged with the shooting death of Anthony Gardner of Des Moines in December. The 27-year old was visiting Waterloo, and his body was found on Moore's porch. According to WHO-TV witnesses say the two men argued before the shooting.

Gasoline Price Higher in Des Moines

Gasoline prices are up in Des Moines, today hitting an average $3.49/gallon. That's about 30-cents/gallon higher than last month, and The Des Moines Register reports it coincides with a $10/barrel hike in the price of crude oil, which started the day at $95.83/barrel. The U.S. Energy Department's forecast average price for gasoline this year of $3.44 per gallon, others project a range of $3.25 to $3.50/gallon.

Prairie Meadows Steps Up for New YMCA Project

The Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino board of directors voted today to pay $1,000,001 for the naming rights to the 50-meter pool at a new downtown YMCA planned for the former Polk County Convention Complex. The donation will be paid out over 5-years and gets the YMCA over the $22-million mark they needed to hit to make the project a go. The new “Wellmark YMCA,” could open as early as January 2015.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Shoot Threat at School Cover for Bank Heist?

Fort Dodge Police are trying to figure out if a threat to shoot up one of their schools this morning was a diversion to a bank robbery. The threat was called in at 9a.m., and police responded. About 15-minutes later, a man walked into a Citizen's State Bank demanding money. The bank's about 3-miles away from the school.

New Stores fpr Jordan Creek Town Center

More changes on the way at Jordan Creek Town Center. KCCI reports The Walking Company and Vera Bradley will be adding stores to the mall. Two other stores, White House/Black Market and True Style, will be relocating. Walking Company will open in the lower level of the Younker wing; Vera Bradley in the lower level Dillard's wing.

Ruud Picked to Run UNI

William Ruud's been selected by the Iowa Board of Regents as the next president at the University of Northern Iowa. Ruud, current President of Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania, got the votes of all 8- board members during a meeting in West Des Moines. He'll replace Benjamin Allen on June 1st.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Warren County Casino?

Officials are talking up the possibility of a new casino in Warren County, just outside Des Moines. Warren County Economic Development Corp. is talking to gaming executives, as well as residents to see if the idea has any support. The region already has Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Polk County and Lakeside Hotel and Casino in Clarke County.

Bill to Ban Abortion from Conception

GOP lawmakers have introduced legislation that would ban abortion from conception, and allow doctors who perform abortions to be charged with murder. The bill's prospects aren't clear in the House, and it's expected to face major issues if it makes it to the Senate where Democrats are the majority party.

Suit CLaims Officials Knew Teacher Abused Female Students

A former Anita Elementary School student and her mother have filed a federal suit against the CAM School District alleging the principal and district superintendent knew a former teacher abused girls, and did nothing about it. 66-year old William Foulkes, who resigned in 2010, was given a suspended sentence and probation last October after pleading guilty last March to sexual exploitation of a minor. The suit claims the girl was also abused.

ISU AD Escorted from Son's Hoops Gane

Did Jamie Pollard cross the line, disagreeing with an official's call during a game involving his son's Gilbert basketball team during a game against Colfax-Mingo last night? KCCI reports an official asked that Pollard be escorted out after disagreeing with a referee's call. Pollard's Athletic Director at ISU.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Iowa to pay $448K to settle doctor's age bias case

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Iowa taxpayers will pay $448,000 to settle an age discrimination lawsuit filed by an 81-year-old doctor fired after working just eight days at a state home for the disabled.

Dr. Zane Hurkin, of Clive, filed a lawsuit in Polk County District Court in 2010 after he was fired from the Woodward Resource Center.

He claims he was asked age-related questions during the job interview, wasn't adequately trained, and was paid thousands of dollars less than the job's posted pay.

A jury in June awarded him more than $480,000 in lost wages, damages, and attorney fees. The state considered appealing but finalized a settlement agreement with Hurkin on Monday. The money comes from the state's general fund.

Hurkin voluntarily surrendered his medical license in July 2011 after developing health issues.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Cover photo revealed for Iowa Travel Guide

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A photo of a kayaker on the Turkey River in Northeast Iowa will appear on the cover of the 2013 Iowa Travel Guide.

Gov. Terry Branstad on Monday announced the winner of a contest held by the Iowa Tourism Office to find a cover photo for this year's guide. More than 600 entries were narrowed down to three contenders. Facebook fans of the office then voted for the winner.

Jessica Rilling, of Cedar Rapids, took the winning image. It will be featured on the 100,000 printed copies of the guide, set to come out in the spring, and digitally on www.traveliowa.com . She will not receive any financial compensation for the photo.

Branstad says tourism is important to the state's economy, noting it generates about $328 million in taxes annually.

Pair mistakes station for strip club

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Authorities in Des Moines say a woman was arrested after she and another person accidentally drove to a police station looking for a strip club.

The female passenger was arrested early Friday for possession of a controlled substance after officers stopped her and the male driver. The pair had driven their vehicle into a private area of the police station after looking for a strip club in West Des Moines.

The Des Moines Register (http://dmreg.co/WpNo4x ) says officers reported the pair had bloodshot, watery eyes. They also say the vehicle smelled of marijuana. Officers did not find anything illegal in the car.

The newspaper says the passenger was arrested after she reportedly admitted to having prescription painkillers in her purse.

Iowa football coaches searching far and near to complete 2013 recruiting class

The Iowa football coaches are searching far and near to complete their 2013 recruiting class.

Decorah linebacker Josey Jewell was the latest recruit to commit to Iowa, announcing his decision in a press release late Sunday night. His commitment came just hours after New Jersey running back Akrum Wadley and Texas receiver Anjeus Jones picked the Hawkeyes.

West Branch linebacker Bo Bower also decided within the past 24 hours to accept Iowa’s offer to be a preffered walk-on over a full-ride scholarship offer from Northern Iowa.

Iowa now has at least 19 players committed in the 2013 class, including 18 high school seniors. The one exception is junior-college receiver Damond Powell. Those commitments will become official when the players sign national letters of intent on Wednesday, which is the start of the national signing period.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Jewell combined to rush for over 3,200 yards as a junior and senior, making all-state both times. He also had 190 solo tackles and 120 assisted tackles as a linebacker.

Jewell picked Iowa’s scholarship offer over another full-ride offer from Northern Iowa.

“I am very thankful and excited for the opportunity to become a Hawkeye,” Jewell said in the release. “My teammates, coaches and teachers have done a great job to help me reach this point. I am hopeful that the lessons learned thus far from them will help me contribute as much as I can to the Iowa program.”

Iowa is still in the running to land linebacker Reggie Spearman, who attends Simeon High School in Chicago. He is expected to announce his decision Tuesday. Spearman was previously committed to Illinois, but is now also considering Iowa, Minnesota and Indiana.

St. Louis running back Jonathan Parker also is expected to choose between Iowa and Tulsa before signing day on Wednesday. Parker has been committed to Tulsa since September, but wanted to take a closer look at Iowa before making a final decision. Parker visited Iowa this past weekend, along with Wadley and Jones.

West Branch linebacker Bo Bower is also trying to decide between accepting Iowa’s offer to be a preferred walk-on or to accept a full-ride scholarship from Northern Iowa. Bower said last week that he was leaning towards picking Northern Iowa, but still wasn’t ready to make a final decision.

GOP plan would make it harder to pass tax hikes

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Republican lawmakers want to require a three-fifths majority vote for any state tax increase.

Legislation discussed Monday by a subcommittee in the state House would change the Iowa Constitution to require a three-fifths majority to approve any tax hike or new tax. Rep. Mark Lofgren, 1 of the sponsors, says he wants to make it difficult to raise taxes in Iowa.

Lofgren argued that Iowa needs low taxes to compete with other states. But Democratic Rep. Tyler Olson says he was concerned that changing the voting rules could make it harder for future legislators to respond to budget matters, such as a drop in revenue during the 2008 recession.

Leprechaun Chase comes to Iowa

Considered one of the best races in Nebraska, the Leprechaun Chase is making its inaugural appearance in Des Moines, IA on March 16, 2013.

It's a St. Patty's day race with a twist. The women start in waves, 5.5 minutes before the men. If a woman finishes first, all the female participants win free beer. If a man wins, all the men will get to drink for free.

According to its website, "This is the one event of the year where you can run a PR while wearing your favorite Irish gear, drink a few adult beverages, get really weird and fit right in! So go ahead, pull up your striped green socks, wear a silly hat, bust out your finest argyle, dye your side burns orange and slap on a ridiculous bow tie. Just don’t forget to bring a healthy dose of Irish swagger."

Following the race, the Green Beer After Party gives the participants a chance to refuel with food and drinks, as well as an awards ceremony. Overall winners, age group winners and Best Dressed Lads and Lasses will be recognized.

The Des Moines race will start and end in Downtown. The course is flat and fast with dash over Grays Lake. The Green Beer Block Party will be held at the Royal Mile immediately after the race.

Friday, February 1, 2013

Pella cooperative awarded $5.6M federal grant

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - An electric cooperative in Pella has been awarded a $5.6 million grant to improve its power lines.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency says the funds will be used to replace and strengthen more than 120 miles of lines to better withstand storms. The Pella Cooperative Electric Association lines are in Jasper, Mahaska, Marion, Polk and Poweshiek counties.

Sen. Tom Harkin announced the grant Thursday. He was the chief sponsor of legislation that expanded FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Program which is funding the grant.

The purpose of the program is to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster.

State review faults Iowa teacher evaluations

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A state review says most Iowa teacher evaluations don't help administrators identify their top performers.

The report released Thursday says that of the nearly 17,600 teachers evaluated during the 2011-12 school year, 98% received a positive rating.

Jay Pennington wrote the report for the Iowa Education Department, and he says 58% of the Iowa school districts reported using a system in which teachers either met or didn't meet evaluation standards.

Pennington says that evaluation system isn't providing "that spread that says who are your good, who are your great, teachers."

Gov. Terry Branstad's education reform package under consideration in the Legislature would include a three-tier performance scale and would factor in student performance.

$14.3M Jackpot Abandoned

(DES MOINES, Iowa) -- It is too late to collect on the $14.3 million Iowa Lotto ticket, but the state’s Division of Criminal Investigation is still trying to determine who owned the ticket that was claimed and then abandoned to make sure no one was killed or blackmailed, officials told ABC News.

The ticket was purchased in December 2010 at a Des Moines, Iowa, gas station, but a claim for it only emerged nearly a year later, just hours before the deadline to claim the jackpot expired.

It was claimed by Crawford Shaw, 77, of Bedford, N.Y., who said he represented a trust that owned the ticket. He sent the ticket via FedEx to a law firm in Des Moines whose attorneys tried to collect on Shaw’s behalf.

When Iowa officials challenged Shaw’s ownership, he abandoned the claim and the ticket became worthless because the deadline to collect the winnings had passed.

Nevertheless, the probe into who was the owner of the bonanza continues.

“The possibilities of what could have occurred here really are endless,” said Iowa Lottery spokeswoman Mary Neubauer. “It could have been as serious as someone being killed, or someone being blackmailed. It’s all within the realm of possibility. The whole situation is just strange.”

The Iowa Lottery balked at paying Shaw because the owner would not come forward.

“Our security ran all the checks,” Neubauer told ABC News. “There was no question that it was actually the winning ticket, but they couldn’t answer some very simple security questions.”

Neubauer said Shaw and his attorneys were unable to identify who bought the ticket, where it was purchased, and where the ticket had been for the year until the claim was made.

“In most instances, the people who come in to claim the prize answer the questions off the top of their heads in just a few minutes, so this was unusual the whole way through,” she said.

According to Neubauer, Shaw said he didn’t know the winner’s identity and that the trust’s proceeds would go to a corporation in Belize, a country that has a reputation as a tax haven.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has subpoenaed phone and email records in an effort to get to resolve the mystery. Officials say they are running down a couple of leads, but added no new information has emerged that would move the case forward in a significant way.

“The ticket could have been stolen or somebody might have been blackmailed,” Jessica Lown, communications manager at the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation told ABC News. ”The important thing is that we want to sure there is nobody in physical jeopardy or that there is no financial crime going on.”

When contacted by ABC News, Shaw refused to provide details on how he came into possession of the ticket.

“As far as I am concerned, this is old news,” he said. ”I’ve totally discussed this with the people in Iowa. They have a full record of the case. I have no comment.”