Knapp’s Death to be Certified as Suicide
An update on a story we first reported on about a week and a half ago.
The autopsy results have been released in the death of Bobby Joe Knapp, who was found dead inside a burnt out vehicle in rural Guthrie County by the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office around 6pm the evening of Sunday, March 30th.
According to the Iowa Department of Public Safety, State Medical Examiner Dr. Julia Goodin has determined the cause of Knapp’s death to be from multiple cuts of the upper and lower extremities complicated by smoke and soot inhalation. The death will be certified as suicide.
Knapp had left prison only days before his body was found by the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Department. He had been sentenced to 41 months in prison back in 2011 due to his connection to improper asbestos removal from the Equitable Building in Des Moines.
The original investigation into Knapp’s death was conducted by the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, the Division of Criminal Investigation and the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Howard Stepping Away from Stuart Rescue
Jeff Howard is the Director of Operations for Stuart Rescue no more.
After being a volunteer and then paid EMS member for the past 35 years in the Stuart community, Howard has decided to step away from his position with Stuart Rescue, saying now is simply the right time to move on.
Howard explains what he takes away from his remarkable tenure.
“I tell you, I really believe God put me on earth to help people, and I think that is what I’ve accomplished in my 35 years. I’ve met a lot of new friends during my venture. There have been some sad times; there have been some great times. What I take is, ‘treat people how you want to be treated’, and that’s it.”
While there are undoubtedly many things Howard will miss about working with Stuart Rescue, he does admit, he’s looking forward to the next chapter of his life.
“I’m going to be a little more free now. I know my wife Lisa, she’s sacrificed a lot. My father passed away in December and my mother is down in southern Missouri, so we’d hopefully like to spend a little more time with her. I just think it is time… I don’t have any regrets.”
Three Individuals Arrested and Charged Following Routine Traffic Stop East of Panora
Three individuals were arrested Monday following a routine traffic stop about a mile east of downtown Panora.
According to the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, Chief Deputy Jeremy Bennett made the traffic stop for standard traffic violations at approximately 10:30am Monday at the intersection of Highway 44 and Viceroy Trail.
After investigation by the Sheriff’s Office, numerous charges were filed upon the following people:
48 year-old Daniel Wesley Davis Jr. of Des Moines, was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine 3rd Offense Felony.
29 year-old Bejay Sandra Borger of Des Moines, was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine 1st Offense.
And finally, 29 year-old Amber Rojean Jurgensen of Guthrie Center, was charged with Driving While License Denied, Suspended, Cancelled or Revoked and Speeding.
All three were arrested and transported to the Guthrie County Jail. Early Tuesday, Davis posted bond and was released, while Borger was released on her own recognizance. Jurgensen plead guilty to her charges and is still being held on another agency’s charges.
All persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.
Area Departments Participate in “Plunge for Landon”
A charitable “plunge” is currently sweeping the nation, and numerous area departments are getting involved in the cause.
“Plunge for Landon” has taken off the past week in towns across America, with people plunging into cold water and challenging at least three others to do the same. Plungers then pledge to donate certain amounts of money for each person they challenge who jumps within 24 hours.
In turn, these pledges go to the care of 5-month-old baby Landon Shaw of Tarkio, Missouri, who has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.
Adair Fire Chief Jorden Smith and his department took the plunge Sunday evening after being challenged by the Atlantic Fire Department. He talks about why he wanted to get involved in this charitable cause despite having no affiliation with young Landon.
“It’s just a really good feeling, it is really neat. I would do it again actually, I would. Just being able to help somebody out like that, especially somebody that age and what they’re going through, that family… it’s (nice) to show them that everyone cares, even people they don’t know.”
Shortly after Adair Fire & Rescue took the plunge, they challenged Stuart Fire & Rescue, who had 13 members take the plunge on Monday evening. Stuart Rescue Paramedic Specialist Kelly Surber took part, and his comments about the experience echo those of Smith.
“It’s really a neat situation to be able to help somebody we don’t have any involvement with, and it was a great experience that Fire & Rescue were able to come together as a team to pull for this little boy that isn’t related to any of us.”
There is currently a Facebook page set up for people to post their pledges and challenge videos. The page currently has more than 28,000 members despite being set up just a week ago.
Other area departments who have participated or have been challenged to do the “Plunge for Landon” are the Guthrie Center Fire Department, Menlo Fire & Rescue, Panora Fire & EMS and the Casey Fire Department.
Guthrie Center Chamber Discusses Creation of New City-Wide Celebration
Members of the Guthrie Center Chamber of Commerce met Tuesday for their April session.
While numerous items were talked about, the Chamber largely focused discussion on the possible combining and reshuffling of organization committees to allow for a larger summer event in town.
Ultimately, the Chamber decided to combine its Garage Sales and Sidewalk Days Committees to allow for a newly formed “summer festival”-type committee. This group will now begin planning for Guthrie Center’s city-wide celebration, which is tentatively scheduled for the weekend of July 18th & 19th as chosen by the Chamber. That date was selected to avoid other major events in the area, such as River Ruckus and Panorama Days.
The Chamber will also be coordinating with the Farm Bureau to see about incorporating its “Barbeque Challenge” into the new summer festival.
Next, Chamber President Lonnie Carrick spoke to the Chamber about an open house and ribbon cutting coming up this Friday for a new business in Guthrie Center. The event will take place from 4 to 7pm to welcome the Cut Loose Salon to town. Ribbon cutting will occur just after 5pm, and Carrick encourages all Chamber members to show up for support.
Donna Benton ended the meeting by asking that the Chamber contribute to the purchase of four new planters to be used on State Street in Guthrie Center. The work is being handled by the Main Street Guthrie Center’s Design Committee, who will be placing eight or nine planters along State Street this summer. Chamber members agreed unanimously to give $300 to the Design Committee’s planter cause.
Benton says she hopes to have these new planters ordered and in town by early May so that flowers can be planted and set up later that month.
The Guthrie Center Chamber will next convene on Tuesday, May 13th at the Guthrie County Extension Office.
Livestock IDs Due Soon for Guthrie County 4-Hers
The Guthrie County Extension & Outreach Office has released information regarding some important dates that 4-H participants need to know about.
Livestock IDs are due by 4:30pm on Thursday, May 15th, for all 4-Hers showing breeding animals, including bucket calves, dogs, goats, horses, rabbits, poultry and pets at the Guthrie County or Iowa State Fair.
The Extension Office says “absolutely no late IDs will be accepted.”
The other date 4-Hers should know about is June 15th. That is the DNA deadline for anybody showing market lamb, hog, goat and feeder calves at Ak-Sar-Ben.
Any 4-Hers with questions can call Extension Office Youth Coordinator Mollie Clark at 641-747-2276.