SIOUX CITY – A former deputy with the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office faces several felony charges following a state investigation. Caleb Haverdink, and his wife Jill, were charged with
seven counts of Neglect of a Dependent Person, Class C Felonies; two counts of Mandatory Reporter Violations, Simple Misdemeanors; and one count of False Report to Law Enforcement, a Simple Misdemeanor. At the time of the initial complaint, Caleb Haverdink was employed by the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy sheriff. According to the complaint and affidavits, the Haverdinks had prior knowledge of a child in their care committing numerous acts of sexual abuse and sexualized acts against other children and took no meaningful action to stop the acts or protect children under their care. Haverdink’s employment was terminated earlier this month

WASHINGTON D.C. – Both Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley largely praised a ruling by the Environmental Protection Agency to allow for year-round sales of E15 fuel at gas pumps. Governor Kim Reynolds was part of a bipartisan coalition of midwestern governors to call for the move. However, all three leaders expressed frustration that the ruling starts the process in 2025 — and additional petitions have been filed to start those sales this summer.

NEWTON – The Jasper County seat is looking to join another nearby community and several others in the state in implementing a speed camera along a four-lane highway. The Newton City Council unanimously voted to add the devices along a stretch of Interstate 80, according to KCCI-TV. The city says their emergency departments respond to just over 200 calls per year for the highway alone. Newton joins fellow Jasper County community Prairie City in the effort; the land of the buffalo received $1.7 million from their cameras in fiscal year 2022 on Highway 163. State lawmakers have tried for seven years to ban speed cameras, but have been unsuccessful.