On March 13, 2016 at approximately 4:00 p.m. members of the Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force with the assistance of the Oskaloosa Police Department executed a drug search warrant at 206 6th Ave East in Oskaloosa where numerous “One Pot” methamphetamine drug labs were seized.

As a result of the search warrant 1 individual was taken to the Mahaska County Jail on drug charges awaiting initial appearances. Robert Carl Williams age 32 of that residence was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine and failing to affix a drug tax stamp.

Manufacturing methamphetamine is a class B felony and failing to affix a drug tax stamp is a class D felony.

Residences from the apartment building were evacuated and were able to return to their homes around 6:30 p.m. Animals located in the apartment were taken to shelter by the Animal Rescue League.

Assisting the task force at the scene was the Oskaloosa Police Department, Oskaloosa Fire Department Hazmat, Mahaska County Ambulance and the Animal Rescue League.

As a reminder, a criminal charge is merely an accusation and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force is based in Des Moines and currently has 21 central Iowa local, county, state and federal agencies participating in the task force.

Lt. Brad M. Shutts, Jasper County Sheriff’s Office

DES MOINES, IA – On April 19, 2016, Nathan Leland Minard, 32, of Knoxville, Iowa, was sentenced by Chief United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey to 120 months in prison for a felon in possession of a firearm charge, announced Acting United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Minard was ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term and to pay $100 to the Crime Victim’s Fund.

Minard pleaded guilty to the offense on July 13, 2015. On November 17, 2014, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office was notified that an individual had knocked on the door of a Knoxville resident, asked a few questions, and then departed the residence striking a vehicle in the yard. The resident provided law enforcement with a description of the vehicle. A Marion County Deputy Sheriff responded to the call and located the vehicle driven by Minard. A camouflaged shotgun was stuck out the window of the driver’s side of the vehicle and, at some point during the encounter, Minard racked the shotgun. The deputy was able to persuade Minard to leave the vehicle and the weapon. Minard was arrested after it was determined he was a convicted felon and not eligible to possess a firearm. Two stolen shotguns were discovered in the vehicle Minard was driving.

This matter was investigated by Marion County Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa as part of the Project Safe Neighborhood initiative.

OSKALOOSA – The ISU Extension Office was packed as Mahaska County residents filtered in Tuesday night to hear from candidates running in the June primaries.

“We had a packed house and we really hope that people got an opportunity to learn more about their candidates,” said Eduardo Zamarripa, Senior Producer at Communications Research Institute (CRI). “We always strive to make information accessible to everyone and our collaboration on this event with the Oskaloosa Herald and KBOE helped make that possible.”

The evening was split into two sections; the first being reserved for question and answer with the four Mahaska County Sheriff’s candidates, and the second focusing on the four Mahaska County Supervisor candidates who have stepped up to run in the primaries on June 7.

The questions, put together by Communications Research Institute, KBOE and the Oskaloosa Herald, gave candidates the opportunity to speak for one minute following each question. Sheriff’s topics highlighted the differences between each candidate, as Marsha Riordan moderated the segment.

Candidates Trevor Wells, Russ Van Renterghem, Randy Poe, and Doug McMillian took turns providing insight into their professional and personal backgrounds, as topics ranged from the role each would play as the Mahaska County Sheriff, as well as how each one is distinguishable from the others in a crowded field of Republican candidates.

After the Sheriff Q&A was over, there was a brief pause in the action before Supervisor candidates took the stage. Candidates Randy Binns, Mark Groenendyk, Crystal Boender­Jimenez and Valinn McReynolds took questions from moderator Michael Collins, as each took a stand on local issues ranging from the Local Option Sales Tax, county roads maintenance, and a number of questions regarding finances.

“I was very proud to have participated in a small way in the forum on Tuesday,” said Herald Publisher Deb Van Engelenhoven. “I learned so much from the candidates. I hope it answered many questions in the minds of the audience.”

This event was held by the Oskaloosa Herald, in partnership with KBOE­FM, CRI, and the William Penn Digital Communication Program, in order to better educate potential voters about each candidate running in the primaries on June 7.

“It was great to see the community come out and show that it wants to be informed,” said Zamarripa. “We’re thankful the candidates took the time to participate and answer our questions.”

Couldn’t make it to the event?

Listen to the full audio of the forum On Demand by going to www.kboeradio.com and clicking LISTEN LIVE at the top right corner of the home page. From there, listeners can find the forum archived on 104.9 FM KBOE. To watch the full video recording of the event or for additional coverage, visit CRI Weekly News on Facebook, or visit www.CRItv.org. The forum will also air on MCG Channel 12 this Friday through Sunday (April 22­-24) at 7 p.m.

Story provided by the Herald Editor Hailey Brown