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Iowa early News Headlines – Thu., May 1st 2014

News

May 1st, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — Marshalltown police are moving ahead with plans to acquire a 24-foot-long, 10-foot-high military vehicle. The Marshalltown Times-Republican reports Police Chief Mike Tupper told City Council members Monday his department wants to obtain the Caiman MTV Defensive Vehicle through a military exchange program.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Legislature is debating budget measures and a few remaining policy bills in an effort to finish the 2014 legislative session. With several major budget bills remaining and two of Governor Terry Branstad’s priority measures hanging in the balance, debate began yesterday afternoon with the goal of finishing late in the evening.

OKOBOJI, Iowa (AP) — A planned sale of The Inn at Okoboji is off and the hotel’s owner says there are now no plans to sell the historic lakefront property. Brian DePalma, who heads North Texas-based DePalma Hotels, told the Sioux City Journal “the sale is not happening and there is no plan to relist it right now.” DePalma Hotels has operated the 200-room hotel since 2011, when it entered foreclosure. The hotel dates to 1896.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — A decision to exclude some vendors from a popular farmers market in downtown Cedar Falls has prompted complaints that event organizers are limiting competition. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports hog farmer Carl Blake complained Monday night to the Cedar Falls City Council and asked officials to investigate why he and others had repeatedly been denied the chance to join the market.

Treynor 5th grade teacher/coach placed on paid leave pending an investigation

News

May 1st, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A fifth-grade teacher at the Treynor Community School District has been placed on paid administrative leave. The Daily Non Pareil reports Mike Travis, who also is an assistant softball coach, is under investigation by the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Jeff Danker said Travis had been placed on leave following allegations of misconduct with at least one student.

Treynor School District Attorney Joseph Thornton told the Omaha World-Herald the issues with Travis do not involve any current students. He said it was basically a “personnel matter,” but declined to comment further.

Danker said an investigation is underway he hoped it will be wrapped-up next week. No charges have been filed.

Young Professionals receive recognition & awards in Atlantic

News

April 30th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Nearly a dozen young professionals in Atlantic were recognized Wednesday for their achievements and commitment to excellence in their profession and/or community. The 11 individuals received their awards during the Inaugural Young Professionals of Atlantic (YPA) Dessert and Luncheon held at the Atlantic Golf and Country Club.

YPA logo

YPA logo

The YPA is comprised of a group of persons ages 21-to-40, whose mission is to “Connect, engage, and attract young leaders into the Atlantic Community while promoting Atlantic and the surrounding area.” The organization has been established in Atlantic for several years.

YPA Vice-President Lucas Mosier said the young professionals who received awards Wednesday had been nominated in 11 different categories including: education, food/drink/hospitality, health, non-profit/government, professional services, retail/sales, technology, skilled labor/trade, Agriculture, and start-up entrepreneurs.

YPA Award Winners

YPA Award Winners

The winners in their respective categories include: Media-Bennett Blake-Meredith Communications; Education: Nick Ross, Teacher and Coach at Atlantic High School; Food/Drink/and Hospitality-Jacob Weitzel-Owner of Weitzel’s Restaurant; Health-Brad Peerbolte-Peerbolte Chiropractic; Government-John Lund-Assistant to the Atlantic City Administrator; Professional Services-Tom Welchans-Certified CPA, with Gronewald-Bell-Kyhnn & Company; Retail-Hans Krengel, Howards Clothing; Technology-Matthew Klein, Communications Systems and IT Coordinator for AMU; Skilled Labor-Andy Elings, Camblin Mechanical; Agriculture-Ryan Houser, Lindeman Tractor; and Entrepreneur-Brandi Eckels-Owner of, Lou Lou’s Boutique.
And the Young Professional Choice Workplace Award was presented to the Cambridge Law Firm. The award recognizes a company  that effectively attracts, retains and develops young professionals.

Craig has 4 hits, Cards beat Brewers 9-3

Sports

April 30th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Allen Craig homered on a four-hit day that included three RBIs, and Matt Adams hit a three-run homer as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 9-3 Wednesday. Jon Jay had three hits and a walk his first four trips to the plate. The Cardinals avoided a three-game sweep by the team with the best record in the major leagues.

Shelby Miller (3-2) worked around homers to Mark Reynolds and Carlos Gomez, allowing three runs and six hits in six-plus innings. Milwaukee went 20-8 in April, a franchise record for wins in the season’s first full first month.

Matt Garza (1-3) joined the lengthy list of injured Brewers when he was removed in the fourth inning because of a bruised right thumb.

EILEEN BROWN, 84, of Creston (& formerly of the Fontanelle area) – Svcs. 5/3/14

Obituaries

April 30th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

EILEEN BROWN, 84, of Creston (& formerly of the Fontanelle area), died Tue., April 29th, at the Greater Regional Hospice Home in Creston. Funeral Services for EILEEN BROWN will be held Sat., May 3rd at 10:30 a.m., at the Fontanelle United Methodist Church. Steen Funeral Home in Fontanelle has the arrangements.

A family visitation will be held on Friday, May 2nd, at the Steen Funeral Home in Fontanelle from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.

Burial is in the Fontanelle Cemetery. A luncheon will be held at the church following the committal services at the cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the Eileen Brown memorial fund to be established by the family at a later date.

EILEEN BROWN is survived by:

Children: Curtis (Kim) of Johnston, Patricia (Carol) of Waukee, and Brian of Des Moines.

Her brother – Mel Harlan of Gering, Nebraska

Her sister – Joyce Staggs of Doniphan, Missouri

1 great-granddaughter, other relatives and friends.

Iowa House elects Matt Windschitl speaker pro tem

News

April 30th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republican Rep. Matt Windschitl has been elected speaker pro tem, a top leadership position in the Iowa House. The 30-year-old Windschitl, of Missouri Valley, replaces retiring Rep. Steve Olson, of DeWitt, who resigned the post Wednesday.

Windschitl was first elected to the House in 2006 and has served as an assistant majority leader for the past five years. The speaker pro tem is part of the leadership team and presides over the chamber when the house speaker is absent.

Reps. Jarad Klein, a Keota farmer, and Lee Hein, a Montezuma farmer, were elected assistant majority leaders.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30th

Trading Post

April 30th, 2014 by Jim Field

FOR SALE:  a yard cart, measures 30″ x 42″, like new.  Asking $150 or would trade for a smaller one.  Call 712-343-2338 in Avoca.

Harkin aide to visit Shelby County, Thursday

News

April 30th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

An aide to Iowa Senator Tom Harkin will be in Shelby County, Thursday, to kick-off a summer tour highlighting Harkin’s partnership with Iowa Communities throughout the years. Harkin’s office says the “In the Footsteps of History” tour will include all 99 Iowa counties and feature local projects aimed at keeping communities healthy and safe, keeping them thriving through targeted education, research, and economic development projects, along with promoting local agriculture and conservation, while at the same time mitigating disasters.

Harkin’s State Director Rob Barren will tour the Danish Windmill from 1-until 2-pm Thursday, 38-years to the day that the Iowa Senator helped in the reconstruction of the windmill.

Harkin working to reconstruct the Danish Windmill in the 1970's.

Harkin working to reconstruct the Danish Windmill in the 1970’s.

He’d been invited to help with the project after Harkin successfully got the windmill released from New York, where it was being held due to import levies. Harkin also worked to ensure Elk Horn received a refund for the levy.

The windmill was bought by Elk Horn officials in 1976, after the large structure graced the Danish landscape for 127 years.

Harlan Police investigate thefts

News

April 30th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Police in Harlan are investigating two recent thefts. Officials say on April 26th, a set of golf clubs valued at $3,000 was reported stolen from the cart shed at the Harlan County Club. And, on April 19th, someone broke into the coin operated laundry machines and took coin boxes, from the laundry room at the Hillcrest Apartments in Harlan.

The Harlan P-D reports also, the arrest on a domestic abuse assault charge, of 41-year old Monica Gonzales, of Harlan. The woman was taken into custody for allegedly striking her sister, on April 26th.

Anita man arrested on drug charges, Monday

News

April 30th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

An Anita man was arrested earlier this week on drug charges. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports 33-year old Terry Lee Chaney, of Anita, was arrested Monday on charges of Driving While Barred, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Chaney was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released the following day on his own recognizance.

The Sheriff’s Office reports also:

  • 33-year old Travis Austin Moon, of Wiota, was arrested Friday on a District Court warrant for Failure to Appear (Child Support). Moon was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on $2,000 bond.
  • 36-year old Frederick Louis Anthony, Jr., of Cainsville, MO, was arrested last Thursday, on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Anthony was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was later released on $1,600 bond.
  • And, 49-year old Douglas Allen Bissell, of Anita, was arrested last Thursday in Cass County, on a charge of Driving Under Suspension. Bissell was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on $300 bond.