March 31, 2017
Oelwein Police are investigating a criminal mischief complaint. Oelwein Police received a report of criminal mischief at 1:52 p.m., on March 31, 2017 from the 300 block 7th av sw. This incident remains under investigation.
Oelwein Police are investigating a criminal mischief complaint. Oelwein Police received a report of criminal mischief at 1:52 p.m., on March 31, 2017 from the 300 block 7th av sw. This incident remains under investigation.
Contractor Charged With Failure to Obtain Permit:
The Office of the Building Inspector has completed its investigation into an incident in which a contractor performed work without obtaining a proper permit.
Shane Allen Rechkemmer, 41, of Oran, has been charged with Failure to Obtain a Demolition Permit, Failure to Cap Utilities and Failure to Have Utilities Inspected Prior to Backfill. Mr. Rechkemmer has been cited and issued a notice to appear in court.
The City of Oelwein reminds citizens and contractors that proper permitting is required prior to performing demolition and many construction, electrical and plumbing projects.
When is a permit needed?
• New Construction
• Remodel of existing structure
• Any structural work
• Electrical work
• Plumbing work
• All Mechanical work
• Excavation work
• Street cuts
• Roofing
• Windows
• Signs
• Siding
• Doors – other than the changing of door for door without the removal of the existing frame.
• Temporary structures – these are good for 120 days per 12-month period.
• Zoning
• Floodplain
• Demolition
• House moving/oversized loads being transported on City of Oelwein streets
• Tree planting in the Right of Way the City has an approved species list
• Peddler permits (door to door sales)
When in doubt, contact the building inspector. (319)283-4311
On March 30, 2017 at 5:17 a.m., Oelwein Police arrested Kenneth Ray Ogle, 36, of Oelwein. Ogle was arrested and charged with Criminal Mischief 5th Degree-Simple Misdemeanor and Interference with Official Acts-Simple Misdemeanor. This arrest followed and incident in the 10 block 3rd av ne.
At 8:57 pm on March 28, 2017 Oelwein Police arrested Thomas Rigdon, 22, of Oelwein. Rigdon was arrested on a charge of Public Intoxication-Simple Misdemeanor. This arrest was made after a disturbance was reported in the 200 block of 5th AV NE.
At 11:00pm on March 27, 2017 Oelwein Police arrested Nathaniel Rohrick 24, of Oelwein. Rohrick was arrested on a charge of Public Intoxication-Simple Misdemeanor. This arrest was made while conducting a welfare check at the corner of 2 ST NE and 3rd AV NE.
At 3:58 p.m., on March 26, 2017 Oelwein Police arrested Heather Marie Claussen, 36, of Oelwein. Claussen was arrested on a Pottawattamie County warrant for Failure to Appear on an original charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance- Marijuana. This arrest occurred after an officer’s interaction with the subject in the 500 block of 1st st se.
At 8:21 p.m., on March 26, 2017 Oelwein Police arrested Austin James Troendle, 20, of Hawkeye. Troendle was arrested on an Allamakee County Warrant for Probation Violation on an original charge of Criminal Mischief 4th degree. This arrest was made following a call in the 100 block 1st av nw.
At 9:59 a.m., on March 25, 2017 Oelwein Police arrested Brandon Michael Bowser, 23, of Oelwein. Bowser was arrested on a Bremer County Warrant for Failure to appear for a contempt hearing. This arrest followed an officer’s interaction with the subject in the 500 block of Rock Island Road.
Oelwein Police investigated a motor vehicle accident in the 500 block 1st st se at 10:35 p.m., on March 25, 2016. A White 2011 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Cameron Wilson collided with a Blue 2006 Ford Tauras driven by Shelby Shaffer. Wilson was arrested and charged with Operating while Intoxicated-Serious Misdemeanor and cited with Driving without a Valid License and Failure to Reduce Speed. The Oelwein Police were assisted by the Oelwein Fire Department and Mercy Oelwein Ambulance.
On March 24, 2017 at 9:00 p.m Oelwein Officers performed a traffic stop in the 800 block of East Charles. Officers arrested Kashell Elexsis Allison, age 23 of Fayette for Driving While License Revoked, a Serious Misdemeanor. Also arrested was James Daniel Mull, age 35, of Fayette. Mull has been charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine, Possession of Controlled Substance-Psilocyn,both Class "D" Felonies, Possession of Controlled Substance-Marijuana, an Aggravated Misdemeanor, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a Simple Misdemeanor.
Press Release
Oelwein Police To Citizens – Be Aware of Potential Hail Damage Repair Scams
The Oelwein Police Department are urging people to be on alert for unreliable contractors who may try to fool or deceive you out of your money in relation to the recent hailstorm.
Hail can damage vehicles, trees, fixtures, roofs, siding and more and people are generally rushed to try to get that damaged repaired. Be wary of persons that travel the path of these storms to prey on those that have experienced damage.
Victims of storm damage should be aware to not sign a contract or pay a repairman who shows up on their doorstep. Instead, they should check to make sure any contractor is bonded and insured, verify their address and website and check to see if they are a registered contractor with the State of Iowa. It is required for a contractor to be registered with the State of Iowa to work in the city of Oelwein.
It is also important to keep in mind that a person should not pay for the repairs in cash and to not pay the repair person but instead pay the company. Property owners are encouraged to get the estimates and agreements in writing.
Insurance Tips
If your property has been damaged as a result of severe weather, the BBB offers these tips before choosing a contractor:
If you have a concern or question about whether or not a contractor is able to perform work in Oelwein, feel free to contact our local building inspector by calling Jim Prouty at 319-283-4311 or emailing him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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At 11:58 p.m., on March 22, 2017 Oelwein police arrested Bobbi Jean Brown, 21, of Oelwein. Brown was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance-Serious Misdemeanor and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia-Simple Misdemeanor. This arrest was the result of a citizen report in the 10 block of 4th st nw
On March 21, 2017 at 7:44 p.m., Oelwein Police arrested Barbara Bernadette Swaggerty, 50, of Oelwein. Swaggerty was arrested and charged with Forgery-Class D Felony and Interference with Official Acts- Simple Misdemeanor. This arrested followed and incident in the 300 block 1st av ne.