Burlington, IA-  The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of a New London man following a domestic disturbance.

According to a news release, at about 8::57 AM Monday, May 8th, Des Moines County Deputies responded to 16400 Jimtown Road for a domestic disturbance.  Deputies learned that the suspect, 60-year-old Curtis Yetter of New London, had threatened to kill the victim.

Yetter left the residence on a motorcycle before deputies arrived, which was located near the intersection of E. Main Rd. and Racine Ave. in New London.  Deputies attempted to stop the motorcycle, but Yetter proceeded to lead deputies on a high-speed chase reaching speeds of 80 mph. The pursuit continued until Yetter lost control at 2736 295th St.

Yetter was arrested and charged with Speeding, Failure to Obey a Stop Sign, No Valid Driver’s License, Eluding, and Domestic Abuse Assault.

Yetter was transported to the Des Moines County Jail, where he was found to be in possession of Methamphetamine.  Yetter was additionally charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Contraband in a Correctional Facility.

Burlington, IA- The Burlington Fire Department says a garage is considered a total loss following a fire.

According to a news release, at 5:53 PM Tuesday, May 9th, the Burlington and West Burlington Fire Departments responded to a reported garage fire behind 504 S. 6th Street in Burlington.

Firefighters arrived at 5:56 PM to find a one-car garage and attached storage shed fully involved in flames. A box alarm was struck calling in off-duty Burlington firefighters as well as bringing Danville and Mediapolis firefighters closer to Burlington.

The fire was extinguished at 6:31 PM.

The garage is owned by Donald & Rosalie Smith and is considered a total loss. The heat from the fire damaged the back of the Smith’s house at 504 S. 6th Street. Neighboring properties also damaged include a duplex apartment at 517 Vine Street, the house and fence at 503 Vine Street, and the siding on the house at 506 S. 6th Street.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Burlington Fire Department.

Burlington, IA-  The Burlington Police Department says three men were arrested after attempting to steal copper wire.

According to a news release, just before 1 AM Tuesday, a BNSF Railroad Police Officer called DESCOM to report people trespassing on the railroad shop’s property at 1801 West Burlington Avenue.

Police arrived on the scene and saw movement around two abandoned rail cars.  Officers located multiple bags lying on the ground near rail cars and found three men hiding in one of the rail cars.

The three men were identified as 42-year-old Lucas Blunk, 38-year-old Travis Keever, and 40-year-old Mickey Sourwine, all of Burlington.

Officers also located numerous bags inside the rail car along with wire snips, bolt cutters, pry bars, cut copper wire, and suspected methamphetamine.  After speaking to the three men, officers found areas where copper had been cut and located a copper pipe lying next to the rail car.

All three men were arrested.  Blunk and Sourwine were charged with 3rd-degree burglary and Possession of Burglary Tools.

Keever was charged with 3rd Degree Burglary, Possession of Burglary Tools, and Possession of Methamphetamine 3rd or Subsequent Offense.

Burlington, IA-  A Burlington man was sentenced to 60 years in prison Monday, May 8th on multiple charges.

According to a news release, 31-year-old Wesley Chamblee of Burlington was sentenced in Iowa District Court to a total of 60 years in prison following guilty pleas to charges of 2nd Degree Kidnapping, Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury with a Firearm, Intimidation With a Firearm, and 2nd Degree Burglary from Des Moines County, as well as a charge of Attempted Murder from Louisa County.

Chamblee received two consecutive 25-year prison sentences for the Kidnapping and Attempted Murder charges, as well as three 10-year prison sentences for the Willful Injury, Intimidation, and Burglary charges.

Those sentences will run concurrent to each other, but consecutive to the Kidnapping and Attempted Murder charges. The Willful Injury and Intimidation sentences also each carry 5-year mandatory minimum sentences because a firearm was used during the commission of the offenses.

The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on September 18th, 2022 in Burlington, when Chamblee shot one victim and then kidnapped his ex-girlfriend and transported her at gunpoint from Burlington to rural Louisa County where he shot her after she was able to escape from the vehicle that Chamblee was driving.

Chamblee was ultimately arrested in Johnson County after a high-speed pursuit.

Charges related to the pursuit are still pending in Johnson County.

Burlington, IA-  The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of a Sperry man for Assault and illegal possession of a firearm.

According to a news release, on Wednesday, May 10th at about 11:41 AM, Des Moines County Deputies were called to the area of 16097 Iowa City Rd. for a woman saying she had been assaulted.

Deputies spoke with the woman, who was bleeding from a laceration on her head.  She said that she had been beaten by 57-year-old Kevin Eugene Nims of Sperry, at his residence at 16595 Iowa City Rd.  She said that Nims had punched her, hit her with an object, and hit her head into the concrete.

The woman was taken to the hospital for treatment of her head injury.

Deputies went to 16595 Iowa City Rd., and made contact with Nims who admitted that he punched the victim.  While at the residence, deputies seized a 12 gauge shotgun Nims was in possession of.  Nims has a felony conviction, and thus was not allowed to possess firearms.

Nims was arrested and charged with Assault Causing Serious Injury and Dominion/Control of a Firearm by a Felon.

Burlington, IA-  The Iowa Transportation Commission will hold a public input meeting at Burlington Memorial Auditorium on Tuesday, June 13th.

According to a news release, the meeting is being held to hear about transportation matters from representatives of local government, interest groups, and individuals.

Items that may be discussed at the meeting include the Iowa Transportation Improvement Program, transportation policies, and highway, aviation, rail, river, bicycle, pedestrian, and public transit issues.

For more information, visit iowadot.gov.

Burlington, IA-  The Burlington Fire Department says that one person was hospitalized Thursday, May 11th after escaping a house fire.

According to a news release, at 5:33 PM Thursday the Burlington and West Burlington Fire Departments responded to a reported house fire at 214 S 10th St. in Burlington. Des Moines County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived first and reported the structure on fire.

Burlington Firefighters arrived within 1 minute of being dispatched to a two-story duplex with extensive fire showing from the first-story windows of one of the apartments.

Two people were able to escape from a first-story roof upon firefighter’s arrival with assistance from a Des Moines County Deputy.  One victim was taken to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center.  Two pets were also rescued in the incident.

The structure sustained significant heat and water damage, with smoke throughout. The fire was extinguished at approximately 5:47 PM.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Burlington Fire and Police Departments.

The property is owned by Dennis Wilson, and is insured.

Burlington, IA-  The Greater Burlington Partnership has announced that the Great River Bridge in Burlington will be lit on Monday, May 22nd.

According to a news release, There will be a public celebration at the Port of Burlington starting at 7:30 PM. Musical entertainment will be provided by the SCC jazz band.  A brief program will begin at 8 PM followed by the lighting. This family-friendly event will be hosted by Downtown Partners, Inc. and Burlington city officials.

The Great River Bridge Lighting was designed by Energyficient Systems, Inc. and installed by Frank Millard Company both of Burlington, IA. This project has been done in cooperation with the City of Burlington.  It features warm LED lighting to complement the steeple lighting and will save on energy costs in the future.

Burlington Lightscape Project is a committee of Downtown Partners, Inc. and a division of Greater Burlington Partnership.

Burlington, IA-  The Burlington Police Department is investigating following reports of gunfire early Sunday, May 14th.

According to a news release, at about 2 AM Sunday, Burlington Police Officers were dispatched to the 200 block of South 8th Street after the sound of gunfire was reported.

Officers arrived on the scene and found evidence that shots had been fired and someone had been injured.  Police have yet to find a victim and no damage was located.

Burlington Police Detectives are continuing to investigate the incident.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 319-753-6835.

Burlington, IA-  The Burlington Police Department says a man has been arrested for burglary after a business owner spotted the man on their surveillance cameras.

According to a news release, on Saturday, May 13th at 12:25 PM, Burlington Police Officers responded to 123 S. 3rd Street when the business owner observed someone inside the building on their surveillance cameras.

Officers located signs of forced entry, and conducted a search of the building. An individual, later identified as 41-year-old Cheyenne John Stone, was found hiding in the basement of the building.  Officers located pry bars, a saw, and a set of hedge trimmers in the area where Stone was hiding and near the door where entry was made into the building.

Stone was arrested and charged with 3rd Degree Burglary and Possession of Burglary Tools.

Burlington, IA-  The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of a Springfield, Illinois man for vandalizing vehicles.

According to a news release, at about 8:37 PM Friday, May 12th, Des Moines County Deputies were dispatched to the Des Moines County Correctional Center for a report of vandalism.

Des Moines County Correctional Officers discovered an individual had thrown large rocks at the windshields of two County Correctional Center transport vehicles. There was additional damage to the front passenger window and frame of one of the transport vehicles. Total damage to the vehicles is estimated to be over $1500.

The suspect was located by County Correctional Officers in front of the vandalized vehicles, lying on his stomach with his hands behind his back.  The suspect was identified as 37-year-old Calvin Ball of Springfield, Illinois.

A check of surveillance video showed Ball vandalized the vehicles at about 8:34 PM. Deputies placed Ball under arrest for 2nd Degree Criminal Mischief.

West Burlington, IA-  Four students from Southeastern Community College’s Computer Club, and five from its Business Club earned top ranks at the 2023 National Business Professionals of America competition held last month in Anaheim, California.

The BPA is the top career and technical student organization for students pursuing careers in business management, office administration, information technology, and related career fields.

This year was the biggest event on record with over 6500 participants.

SCC students competed against 2 and 4-year colleges from around the US and Canada in several categories including Personal Financial Management, Prepared Speech, Computer Security, and Web Design.

Computer Club members Kyle Shores, Jacob Shores, and Crystal Timmerman, all from Burlington, and Gary Brownlee of Warsaw earned 16 honors and certifications combined at the National competition. Each of the four placed in the top 10 of at least one event and also came home with several certifications.

Business Club members Piper Cole, Burlington, Corwyn Gaines, Burlington, Chloe Jones, Ft. Madison, Aidan Pealer, New London, and Pattie Poling earned 13 awards and certifications combined.

SCC network administration and cyber security instructor, Brenda Wamsley, is the co-advisor of the Computer Club.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am of these students and, for the first-year students, how excited they are to go again next year to Nationals in Chicago, IL.” Wamsley said. “Their success here is just a stepping stone to greater things.”

Business program coordinator Trisha Hopper says that while the ultimate goal is always to earn top honors in competitive events, students benefit from the sum total experience of the entire trip.

“We ate at new places, hung out at the beach, shopped on Pacific Coast Highway, went to Disney Land, earned plaques and medallions, and built our business networks,” Hopper said. “Most impressive is how these students represented SCC in putting their skills and knowledge to the test.”

West Burlington, IA-  The West Burlington Police Department is investigating recent armed robbery and burglary incidents at two local cell phone stores.

According to a news release, on Saturday, May 6th at about 9:11 PM,  the West Burlington Police Department responded to Cricket Wireless, 411 West Agency Road Suite 3, for a report of a burglar alarm.  Officers found the store had been burglarized and several cell phones and money had been taken.

Then, about 6:10 PM Monday, May 8th, West Burlington Police responded to the Verizon Wireless store at 166 West Agency Road Suite 7, for a report of an armed robbery.

The suspect brandished a firearm and stole several phones before exiting the store.

These incidents are being investigated by the West Burlington Police Department.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is encouraged to call the West Burlington Police Department at 319-754-8555, or area Crime Stoppers at 319-753-6835.

Burlington, IA-  Carl A. Nelson & Company has announced a leadership transition that will prepare the 113-year-old design-build, construction management, and general contracting firm for the future.

During its annual meetings on May 10th and 11th, the Board of Directors voted to appoint Chris Smith to the role of President.  He will succeed Tim Seibert, who served as president for 16 years.  Seibert will remain with the company and is transitioning to the role of chairman.

Succeeding Smith as Vice President of Operations (Burlington) will be Dan Culp of Fort Madison. Culp was previously director of business development and will retain that role through the transition.

As president, Smith will be responsible for overall company management and will continue to help lead projects where he is currently engaged.

“I am honored to lead such a great group of professional and talented team members,” Smith said. “I look forward to continuing our core values of Fairness & Honesty, Quality Workmanship, and Service Second to None.”

To learn more, visit carlanelsonconstruction.com.

Burlington, IA-  The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of a Burlington man for possession of methamphetamine.

According to a news release, at about 10:29 PM Tuesday, May 16th, a Des Moines County Deputy stopped to check on a disabled motorcycle in the 500 block of Summer Street.

The Deputy observed a man with the motorcycle who appeared to be under the influence of illegal narcotics based on his behavior.

After further investigation, the man, later identified as 35-year-old Gary Lee Swanson of Burlington, was found to be in possession of methamphetamine.

Swanson was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd or Subsequent Offense, and transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center.

Burlington, IA-  The Burlington Public Works Director’s Office has announced that on Friday, May 19th from about 7:30 AM until 4:30 PM, 3rd Street, Washington to Columbia & Columbia Street from Main to 3rd Street will be closed so that a contractor can do some construction work.

Work will start back up again on Monday, May 22, 2023, and continue through Friday, May 26, 2023.

These streets are expected to be closed each day from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 PM.

Burlington, IA-  The City of Burlington says that a contractor for the Iowa DOT will be performing rehabilitation on the DOT Central Avenue Bridge over Highway 34.

According to a news release, starting Monday, May 22nd temporary traffic signalization will be in place at the Central and High Street intersection, as well as the Central and Arch Street intersection.

Bridge work will be phased.

The signalization will affect traffic on Central, High, and Arch, as well as the connecting highway ramps. Through traffic on local streets will be maintained.

The temporary signals are expected to be in place for several months.

Burlington, IA-  The Burlington Parks and Recreation Department is continuing fundraising efforts for the Dankwardt Park Playground Project.

According to a news release, nearly $1.2 million has been secured for the project out of the approximate $1.5 million total cost.

This project will replace the existing and outdated Dankwardt Park playground with new inclusive and accessible playground structures, play elements, surfacing, sidewalks, and site amenities that are imaginative and challenging for all ages and abilities.

A Community Attraction and Tourism grant has recently been awarded to the playground project in the amount of $200,000, but this grant is contingent upon raising the remaining funds necessary for the construction of the playground by July 6, 2023.

At this time, about $310,000 in additional funds are necessary to meet the requirements for the grant, and to complete the playground construction.   Further funding beyond this amount is necessary to complete additional on-site accessible parking, sidewalk connections throughout the area, and added site amenities.

Multiple options exist for a donation to the project, including a GoFundMe site, though the Friends of Burlington Parks, and directly to the City of Burlington Parks Department.

For more information on the project, contact the Parks & Recreation Department at (319) 753-8131, or visit Burlingtoniowa.org.

Burlington, IA-  The Burlington Lightscape Project celebrated the completed lighting of the Great River Bridge Monday evening.

Burlington Lightscape Project co-chair  Gretchen Miller says that they are hopeful the new lighting on the bridge will have a positive impact on the community.  “We’re hoping that it will increase tourism in Burlington,” Miller said.  “We have so many people who live across the river in Illinois who come to work in Burlington and they’re so excited because, the bridge is going to light their way to come to work in the morning.”  “Were thinking it’s going to be a huge impact on the whole Burlington community,” Miller said.

The south side of the bridge lights have been dedicated to Pearson Franklin and Andrew Whitcomb, two workers who were killed in an accident on the bridge on October 18th, 2022.

The dedication was made with the approval of the families of both men.

Burlington, IA-  Burlington Notre Dame has announced the winners of the 2023 Pot O’ Blue and Gold drawing.

The first prize of $100,000 was won by Doris Johnson and Vickie Hull.  The second prize of $10,000 went to Catherine and Thomas Hansen.  The third prize was won by Letha Reif, 4th prize went to Lawrence Weidmann, and 5th prize was won by Kent Muntz.

The Proceeds from the Pot O Blue and Gold benefit Notre Dame teachers’ salaries, as well as curriculum, technology, and the teachers’ retirement fund.

To see a full list of the winners, visit the Burlington Notre Dame Facebook Page.