The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission ended a busy year with their meeting earlier this month. The commission approved a new casino in Greene County and voted down one in Linn County. They also began the process of shutting down one of the greyhound racing operations under a plan approved by the legislature. Commission chair, Jeff Lamberti of Ankeny, says he doesn’t know of any big issues that may come up in the new legislative session in January.

“Not that I have been made aware of, obviously when we did not approve the license in Linn County, there’s been folks over there that have been talking about seeking some kind of legislative change that would allow them to have a facility,” Lamberti says. But he doesn’t believe anything concrete has come of that talk. “I have not seen anything specific at this time, but that may still be out there,” Lamberti says. The two license applications created extra meetings and work for the commission, and Lamberti says they are glad to see things slow down.

He says they would be happy to see things a little quieter for awhile. The commission does not meet in December. They will continue the work on the plan to shut down the Bluffs Run greyhound track next year as they decide how to dole out the 36-million dollars set aside for those retiring from the dog racing business.

(Radio Iowa)

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Council Bluffs is considering whether to begin regular city inspections of rental housing, but the idea has drawn fire from some landlords. The Daily Nonpareil says the current policy requires self-inspections by the property owners.

Mayor Matt Walsh says Council Bluffs is the only city in Iowa with a population of 15,000 or more that doesn’t have professional inspectors. The proposal would increase the city registration fee to $35 per unit every two years from $15. The plan would be to inspect every rental unit in the city at least once every three years.

Local landlord Carla Limmer told the newspaper that there’s no need for the change and that landlords “maintain things on a safe level.” A public hearing on the issue is scheduled for Dec. 15.

RIVERTON, Iowa (AP) — Fremont County authorities are blaming a cigarette for starting a fatal fire in southwest Iowa. The Daily Nonpareil reports that the death of 66-year-old William Daniel on Tuesday was ruled an accident, a result of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Fire crews from Riverton, Sidney and Hamburg were dispatched to the Riverton home about 6:20 a.m. State fire investigator John Ticer says the fire was contained to the master bedroom. The Sheriff’s Office says the fire was started by an improperly discarded cigarette on Daniel’s bed.

A chase Thursday afternoon in Montgomery County lasted for over an hour, and the eventual arrest of a man who was wanted on several outstanding warrants. According to the Red Oak Police Department, 22-year old Jonathan Tyler McAlpin, of Red Oak, was arrested just before 2-p.m. Thursday, following a traffic stop, a foot pursuit and a lengthy search.

Officials say the incident began after officers initiated a traffic stop in Red Oak, on a vehicle driven by David Wayne Robinette, of Clarinda. Robinette was charged with Driving While Suspended. McAlpin, who was a passenger in the vehicle, allegedly resisted arrest when officers attempted to take him into custody on several warrants. The officer attempted to use his Taser on McAlpin, but the effort failed.

The man fled on foot, climbed over a fence and zig-zagged between several house in the 200 block of east Ohio Street. The officer lost sight of McAlpin, but a Red Oak K-9 unit and tips from neighbors in the area lead to McAlpin being found hiding in a single car garage in the 700 block of South 4th Street.

McAlpin continued to resist arrest, but was taken into custody and is facing nine felony and two aggravated misdemeanor charges. The latest felony charges include: 3rd Degree Burglary, and Disarming a Peace Officer of a Dangerous Weapon. He The aggravated misdemeanor charges include: Interference with Official Acts and Assault on a Peace Officer.

Based on previous warrants he also faces felony charges that include: two counts of 2nd Degree Theft; two counts of 2nd Degree Criminal Mischief; Assault with a weapon on Peace Officers/Others; and, two counts of Eluding.