CRUST:
1-3/4 c. all-purpose flour
½ t. salt
½ c. vegetable oil (I use corn oil)
2 T. water
METHOD: Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. In a medium bowl, combine flour and salt. In a glass measuring cup add oil and water. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until combined. (Do not over mix as this would develop the gluten in the flour too much and cause a tough crust.) With freshly washed hands, gently form dough into a ball. Put ball of dough into middle of 9-inch pie plate. Use fingers to spread dough toward sides of pan. Push dough evenly up to top of sides of pan so that there is enough dough to make a crimped edge. Crimp top edges of crust. Use a table fork and prick holes in bottom and sides of crust. This will keep crust from puffing up too much while baking. Bake for 10-15 min. or until crust is just starting to turn light brown. Remove from oven. Cool completely. Makes crust for one single-crust pie.
A District Court Judge in Pottawattamie County, Thursday, questioned the competency of a man who was accused of attempting to abduct a child. The Daily NonPareil reports 20-year old Nathan Busse, of Council Bluffs, appeared at a court hearing and apparently had trouble answering questions about whether he understood why he was being charged. His actions caused 4th District Court Judge Timothy O’Grady to continue a hearing on the matter until a later date.
Busse is accused of attempting to abduct a 10-year-old from a Council Bluffs elementary school. He had been scheduled to plead guilty to child stealing – a Class C felony that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, according to Iowa Code – and register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Assistant Pottawattamie County Attorney Jon Jacobmeier said the prosecution and defense attorney Jennifer Nelson Solberg plan to meet later today (Friday) to decide whether to continue working toward a plea deal or take the matter to a trial. While discussing O’Grady’s decision, the prosecutor noted that Busse suffers from mild developmental disabilities.
The family of the victim was, understandably upset at the proceedings. Busse was originally charged with third-degree kidnapping, assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, child stealing and enticing away a minor under the age of 13 for sexual abuse and exploitation.
According to police, around 2:20 p.m. on Jan. 28, 2013, near Edison Elementary – located at South 23rd Street and Second Avenue – a 10-year-old fifth-grader was walking on Fourth Avenue, about a block from the school, to meet a family member for a ride after finishing her duty as a crossing guard.
The suspect approached her and said, “What’s up?” Busse allegedly grabbed the girl’s arm and forced her to walk with him for several feet. The youngster was eventually able to break free of his grasp and run to the family member. The suspect fled the area and was later located by the victim’s father, who detained Busse until police arrived.
The girl and her family did not know Busse.