DES MOINES – A police chief was found guilty on the majority of federal charges tied to abuse of authority when purchasing federally-regulated machine guns. The Des Moines Register reports Bradley Wendt serves as both the leader of the Adair Police Department and the owner of two Iowa gun stores. Wendt falsely told the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives the weapons he wanted for his store were for police use, and instead, he was reselling them. Wendt was found guilty of conspiracy and several other charges; he plans to appeal. BELLEVUE – A jury found a Bellevue man guilty in the killing of his estranged wife. KWQC reports Christopher Prichard is guilty of first degree murder and first degree robbery. Angela Prichard was found dead with a gunshot wound in October of 2022. She had an active no-contact order against Christopher at the time of the killing. POLK COUNTY – Gov. Kim Reynolds requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration for eighteen Iowa counties due to significant snowfall during the January winter storms. The governor requested funding under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance Program for 18 counties for trecord-breaking snowfall that occurred between January 8 through January 14. Following a joint federal, state, and local damage assessment of the affected counties, it was estimated the significant snowfall resulted in more than $8 million worth of damage that could be eligible under the Public Assistance program. IOWA CITY – History is about to be made in Iowa City. Tonight, Iowa Hawkeyes Superstar Caitlin Clark is expected to break the NCAA women’s basketball all-time scoring record at Carver-Hawkeye arena. Clark needs eight more points to pass Kelsey Plum as the NCAA women’s career scoring leader, according to KCCI-TV.

WEBSTER CITY – A Webster City man has been charged in relation to a Hamilton County crash that killed a man last year. KCCI-TV reports 40-year-old Dustin Humlicek faces a count of homicide by vehicle following the incident this past September that left his passenger, 48-year-old Kevin Beightol, dead as a result of injuries suffered in the crash. Humlicek also is charged with OWI and driving while suspended. PLEASANT HILL – Southeast Polk is receiving additional counseling services from the Heartland Area Education Services agency after several students witnessed a classmate jump from a third floor landing Tuesday. The individual involved was hospitalized, according to a release issued by district administration. DES MOINES – A bull that fled from the Iowa Beef Expo at the Iowa State Fairgrounds was euthanized. WHO-13 reports Des Moines Police discovered a cow that went missing just before 8 a.m., and that officials located the animal nearly two hours later. The Iowa Beef Expo reported the bull was euthanized for safety reasons. DES MOINES – Just over 1,000 Iowa high school wrestlers are convening at Wells Fargo Arena today to kick off their dreams of state champions at the 2024 Iowa High School Athletic Association state traditional tournament. In 2023, the meet expanded to include 24 total wrestlers over 14 weights in three classes. State champions will be crowned on Saturday evening after four full days of competition.

WEST DES MOINES – A teacher at Dowling High School has pled guilty to having sexual contact with a student. KCCI-TV reports Kristen Gantt was teaching English when she was arrested last spring. Police say she admitted to attempting to seduce a student in her classroom multiple times. She faces up to two years in prison. PLEASANT HILL – An increasing number of reports of violence in schools has led to another arrest. WHO-13 reports a Southeast Polk Junior High student was charged with making terrorist threats. Pleasant Hill police say that they received information about the potential threat late last week and found the individual they believe to be responsible. Ever since the tragic shooting in Perry, more than a dozen Iowa school districts have received various threats of violence, and several students have been arrested. POLK COUNTY – The Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case State of Iowa v. Faron Alan Starr during a special evening session in Des Moines. The event will be held on Monday, February 19, at 7:00 p.m. in the Supreme Court Courtroom on the fourth floor of the Judicial Branch Building, 1111 East Court Avenue. The evening session is open to the public and provides an opportunity for residents who may not be able to attend the court’s regular morning and afternoon sessions to watch the court conduct oral arguments in person. The Polk County Bar Association will sponsor a public reception with the supreme court justices in the Judicial Branch Building following the oral arguments. DES MOINES – The Greater Des Moines Committee will recognize Ray Cole, Robert J. Denson and Roger C. Underwood as the 2023 inductees to the Iowa Business Hall of Fame. The inductees will be honored during the Greater Des Moines Committee’s Annual Induction Event on Wednesday, May 1 at The Meadows Events and Conference Center. The Iowa Business Hall of Fame honors the achievements of Iowans who have made outstanding contributions to the development and enhancement of Iowa’s business climate.

DALLAS COUNTY – A person of interest in a Minnesota homicide was arrested in Iowa last week. KCCI-TV reports 32-year-old Arlene Bell was placed in custody for unrelated charges in Dallas County near Van Meter. The Faribault Police Department in Minnesota say Bell was in a relationship with 70 year old Gary Lehmeyer, who was found dead recently. Police say she was driving his car in Iowa. DUBUQUE – A Dubuque man accused of killing his mother and her dog is undergoing mental evaluation before trial. KCRG-TV reports Tyler Dazey will receive a competency test after a judge granted a request late last week. Dazey was arrested last month after his mother and her dog were found dead with several violent injuries. He faces charges of first degree murder and animal abuse causing death. OSKALOOSA – Officials say a child is recovering after being hit by a semi in Oskaloosa Friday. KCCI-TV reports the minor was trying to cross a highway when being struck by the large vehicle. The child is expected to survive; the driver was not cited and released from the scene. LAS VEGAS – A pair of college football graduates who shined in the state borders came up just short of their first Super Bowl win. The Brock Purdy and George Kittle-led San Francisco 49ers found themselves on the wrong end of the Patrick Mahomes-led Kansas City Chiefs dynasty in a 25-22 game in Las Vegas. The former Cyclone quarterback Purdy threw for 255 yards and didn’t commit a turnover, while the former Hawkeyes tight end Kittle only caught two passes for four yards.

ALTOONA – A Des Moines man faces more than a dozen new charges after he was caught attempting to meet a minor. KCCI-TV reports 28 year old Bradly Delk was arrested in Altoona Wednesday and charged with sexual exploitation. Delk is accused of attempting to meet a teenage girl, who was instead a detective. Delk faces previous charges for sexually abusing a 12 year old girl in Jasper County. DAVENPORT– An Iowa City man was sentenced this week to 180 months in federal prison for Receipt or Distribution of Child Pornography. Michael Joseph Schmidt, 27, was identified by the Johnson County, Iowa Sheriff’s Office Joint Forensic Analysis Cyber Team) for uploading child sexual abuse material to Kik. In April 2022, agents executed a search warrant on Schmidt’s residence. Multiple electronic devices were located at Schmidt’s residence that contained numerous images of child sexual abuse material. DES MOINES – Lawmakers are advancing a bill that would allow more staff members to be armed in school buildings. KCRG-TV reports House Study Bill 675 requires larger school districts to hire a private school security officer or partner with a local police agency for a school resource officer, establishing grants for the hires. However, another proposal would make it easier for staff or administration to carry guns in school. Some districts have attempted to arm teachers, but their insurance companies then refused to protect the school, weighing the risk for potential accidents. MARTENSDALE – Another Iowa school district is joining others in establishing a four-day school week. WHO-13 reports that Martensdale-St. Mary’s is joining a growing number of others with a shorter week, opting out of Monday classes as a way to attract talent and save money. Several smaller districts in Iowa are considering the move, including Melcher-Dallas and Twin Cedars in Marion County.