Fee Police Records Mills County Iowa

Man sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for Lake Mills arson

Larry Dick Smit, 46, was convicted of one count of second-degree arson, a felony, tied to the fire at 102 N. Fourth Ave. W. in Lake Mills on April 7.

He is to serve this sentence consecutively with a June 9 sentence in Cerro Gordo County, in which Smit violated his terms of probation after being convicted of a charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

In that case, Smit must serve 365 days in jail. He has credit for 30 days previously spent in jail.

Smit has been in custody since he was arrested the same day of the fire, shortly after authorities received a call of the blaze on the corner of Fourth Avenue and Lake Street.

By the time firefighters arrived, the house and a Plymouth Voyager minivan were engulfed in flames.

Firefighters reportedly encountered Smit, who was described as “a man who was disturbed” and who would not let them fight the fire.

Court records state witnesses also reportedly saw Smit put gasoline on the van and then set it on fire.

After police arrived at the scene, Smit was subdued with a Taser and arrested.

Smit was a former tenant of the house who was living in the camper next to the home. He was reportedly remodeling the home.

He initially faced two arson counts.

Wednesday June 22nd Midday Report « KGLO News, Sports & Weather

MASON CITY — Residents of about 60 properties around Mason City are continuing to deal with a crisis caused by an apparent negligent landlord. About 60 properties owned by Hammond Estates recently received foreclosure and shutoff notices for electricity and water, with Mike Hammond of Hammond Estates allegedly not keeping up his rental properties and making utility payments for his tenants. A hazardous health situation was also taking place with garbage piling up on the property. John Wilson says he worked for Hammond and told the Mason City City Council that he can’t find Hammond. He says he’s tried to get him e-mails and voicemails on things that needed to be done that tenants were reporting to him. He says Hammond was buying the properties on contract from another person who had moved away from Mason City. April Lawler lives in one of the properties and asked the City Council for more help. She says the situation has “physically, mentally, emotionally and financially tore us apart. We don’t know what we’re supposed to do.” Andrew Griffin lives in one of the apartments and invited council members to visit the properties and see first-hand what they are dealing with. He says tenants have had to deal with things like black mold, and it’s a shame that the apartments are being foreclosed on. He says the tenants have bonded together to help each other through the situation. City Administrator Brent Trout says he’s worked to make sure that water, electricity and other services continue until the residents can find another place to live. He says he’s already worked with the city’s finance department to make sure the water isn’t shut off, and Alliant Energy has agreed to honor the same type of agreement to continue to provide electricity. Holt Services has also agreed to resume picking up garbage at the properties, even though they say Hammond is up to three months behind in making payments. The council at their meeting last night voted to send letters to the impacted tenants and keeping them updated on the city’s effort to help them. MASON CITY — The town of Dougherty is one of about 30 incorporated and unincorporated communities around north-central Iowa that according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources does not have a proper wastewater treatment system. The DNR has been shifting its focus recently to deal with those cities that are likely in violation of the 1972 Clean Water Act.

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