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Iowa woman pleads not guilty in baby’s death

News

September 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Sioux City woman accused in the death of her infant son has pleaded not guilty to child neglect and child endangerment resulting in death. Rebekah Williams-McCarthy, 24, entered the pleas Friday in Woodbury County District Court, the Sioux City Journal reported. Williams-McCarthy was formally charged Sept. 12. The charges stem from the April 29 death of her 2-month-old son, Leonard Williams. She is also charged with two counts of neglect of a dependent person in connection with her two other children.

Woodbury County Attorney Patrick Jennings said an autopsy showed the baby died of malnutrition and dehydration. A bond review hearing for Williams-McCarthy has been set for 10 a.m. Monday.

Earlier court documents filed in the case say Williams-McCarthy failed to take the baby to doctor appointments and did not pick up vouchers for baby formula. The apartment in which she lived with her children was not safe for them, the documents said. Leonard’s father, Michael Williams, 26, has pleaded not guilty to neglect of a dependent person in connection to the death. He carried the baby into a hospital before the child was pronounced dead.

He is scheduled to stand trial Oct. 14.

Iowa rallies, knocks off unbeaten Pitt 24-20

Sports

September 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mark Weisman ran for 88 yards and two touchdowns, including a 1-yard plunge with 6:56 remaining as Iowa rallied for a 24-20 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday. The Hawkeyes (3-1) trailed by 10 at the half but surged when C.J. Beathard replaced starting quarterback Jake Rudock in the third quarter.

Beathard hit Damond Powell for a 62-yard gain to jumpstart the comeback and Weisman followed with a 10-yard sprint into the end zone for his first score. His second score gave the Hawkeyes their first lead.

James Conner rushed for 155 yards and a touchdown but was held in check during the second half as the Panthers (3-1) failed to improve to 4-0 for the first time since 2000. Chad Voytik passed for a career-high 250 yards but Pitt’s last-gasp drive ended with an interception.

Journal aims to stoke interest in Midwest history

News

September 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — When a group of historians gathered last spring in Omaha to discuss the revival of teaching Middle America’s history, among their plans had been to start an online Midwest history journal. Instead, this week they saw the University of Nebraska Press send out the inaugural print editions of the Middle West Review, an academic journal devoted to the history of the Midwest and Plains.

The 180-page issue features eight peer-reviewed articles, 18 book reviews and an interview with a 94-year-old former University of Wisconsin-Madison history professor it deemed “the last prairie historian.”

University of Iowa graduate student Paul Mokrzycki, the journal’s editor-in-chief, says it will help preserve the region’s history and provide a place for historians to publish their work, helping them get college tenure, grant funding and book deals.

Bluffs man arrested after high-speed central IA chase Friday

News

September 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A man from Pottawattamie County was arrested Friday afternoon, following a 50-mile chase during which speeds topped 120-miles per hour. KCCI-TV reports 31-year old Ace Ivan James Leonard, of Council Bluffs, was defiant even after authorities took him into custody in West Des Moines. Leonard stopped the Scion he was driving on Interstate 80 near the Jordan Creek Parkway, only after it ran over stop-sticks, which punctured the tires, and after officers used a pit maneuver to knock the car onto the shoulder. State Patrol Sgt. Scott Bright said Leonard was barred from driving and had warrants out for his arrest, which is why they believe he refused to stop.

The chase began near Ames on Interstate 35 at around 11:40-a.m., Friday. The pursuit continued southbound on I-35 and entered Des Moines from the east mix-master and onto Interstate 235 just before noon. Leonard and law enforcement vehicles in pursuit of him traveled south near the downtown area and then continued west into West Des Moines and onto Interstate 80. The chase finally ended at around 12:10-p.m. Sgt. Bright said at one point speeds during the chase reached nearly 130 mph, with Leonard driving erratically, including onto the shoulders of the road, and weaving in-and-out of traffic.

As officers were leading the handcuffed man to their squad car, Leonard was seen struggling with them.

(Podcast) 8-a.m. News, 09/20/2014

News, Podcasts

September 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Significant Weather Advisory: Fremont/Mills Counties

Weather

September 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

FREMONT IA-MILLS IA-CASS NE-SAUNDERS NE-LANCASTER NE-OTOE NE-
SARPY NE-
747 AM CDT SAT SEP 20 2014

AT 745 AM CDT…DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR GREENWOOD…OR 15 MILES NORTHEAST OF LINCOLN…MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH. ADDITIONAL STORMS EXTENDED TO SOUTH OF PLATTSMOUTH. DIME SIZE HAIL AND WINDS IN EXCESS OF 30 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS. LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN IS ALSO LIKELY AT TIMES.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE…
PLATTSMOUTH…WAVERLY…ASHLAND…LOUISVILLE…WEEPING WATER…
GREENWOOD…PACIFIC JUNCTION…MURRAY…CEDAR CREEK…MURDOCK…
UNION…NEHAWKA…MANLEY…SOUTH BEND…CAMP CAROL JOY HOLLING…
SCHRAMM PARK STATE RECREATION AREA…PLATTE RIVER STATE PARK…
LOUISVILLE STATE RECREATION AREA AND MAHONEY STATE PARK.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 15 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE
SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.

(Podcast) 7:18-a.m. Sports, 9/20/2014

Podcasts, Sports

September 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

With KJAN’s Ric Hanson.

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(Podcast) 7:07-a.m. News & funeral report, 9/20/2014

News, Podcasts

September 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

Play

(Podcast) Skyscan Forecast, Sat. 9/20/14

Podcasts, Weather

September 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The National Weather Service forecast for the KJAN listening area and weather information for Atlantic.

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Altercation with Police results in two arrests in Red Oak

News

September 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

An altercation between two men and Police officers in Red Oak has resulted in arrests, but no reports of injuries. According to Red Oak Police, 19-year-old Shae Daniel Lewis and 22-year-old Justin Lewis Marsden, both of Red Oak, were taken into custody shortly after 11-p.m., on charges of Assault on a Peace Officer and Interference with official Acts.

Red Oak Police officers were sent to a home in the 1200 block of East Summit Street at around 11:05 p.m., following a report of person’s underage drinking alcohol. When they arrived one of the subjects identified as Daniel Lewis, allegedly became uncooperative and belligerent with Officers.

At one point Lewis allegedly placed his hands around an Officers throat. Another man, identified as Justin Marsden, allegedly grabbed the same Officer, resulting in a second physical altercation. After a brief struggle both Lewis and Marsden were brought into submission when Police deployed a Taser.

Lewis and Marsden were taken into custody and transported to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center, where they were being held on $1,000 cash bond each. And, as a result of the original investigation 18-year-old Cheyenne Musland, of Red Oak was cited and released on the charge of possessing alcohol while underage.