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Red Oak couple arrested Sunday morning

News

April 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Two Red Oak residents were arrested early Sunday morning as authorities were executing a search warrant at a location near Highway 48 and E. Ratliff Road. Red Oak Police say 52-year old Jack Ray Steinspring was taken into custody at around 3:50-a.m. on a warrant for Failure to comply with the Sex Offender Registry/5th offense. During the incident, 34-year old Becky Jo Hegarty was arrested for Interference with Official Acts. Both Red Oak residents were brought to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center, where Steinspring was being held on $5 ,000 cash bond. Hegarty’s bond was set at $300.

ATF: Des Moines fire doesn’t appear intentional

News

April 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Federal experts have wrapped up their investigation of a downtown Des Moines fire without determining the cause. Investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Sunday there is no sign the March 29 fire in the former Younkers building was set intentionally. But it’s not yet clear what caused the fire at the building built in 1899 that was being renovated into apartments at the time.

Control of the devastated building will be turned over to the developer. City officials will now work to determine what development might be done on the block after the fire.

Update: Victims in Thu. afternoon fatal crash in Woodbury Co. ID’d

News

April 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa State Patrol has identified the victims of a snow-storm related crash that happened Thursday afternoon in Woodbury County. As we reported on Friday, the fatal crash happened around 4:30 p.m. Thursday on Interstate 29 near Salix, when a northbound vehicle towing a flatbed trailer crossed the median and hit a southbound vehicle. The crash killed a passenger in the northbound vehicle and sent the driver to a Sioux City hospital.

Officials say 71-year old Allen J. Lueck, of Rosendale, WI...a passenger in 2004 Ford driven by 69-year old Gary C. Schwantes, of New Holstein, WI…died at St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City from injuries he suffered in the crash. Schwantes, along with the driver of a 2004 Pontiac, 25-year old Desiree Lhotka, of Onawa, and the other driver, 38-year old Kevin Johnson, of Sioux City, as well as 70-year old Michael Fuller, of East St. Paul, Manitoba, Canada, were injured in the crash. Each of the injured were transported to Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City.

Woodbury County Sheriff Dave Drew says the biggest contributing factors in Thursday’s crashes were accumulated slush on roads and vehicles going too fast for road conditions.

Cardinals strike early, down Pirates 6-1

Sports

April 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Yadier Molina hit his second homer of the season, Jhonny Peralta added a late two-run shot and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 Saturday night. Molina finished 2 for 4 and his solo homer in the sixth gave the Cardinals plenty of cushion as they bounced back from a 12-2 loss on Friday night by jumping on Pittsburgh ace Francisco Liriano (0-1) early.

St. Louis used a three-run first inning to put the Pirates in an early hole then held on as Joe Kelly (1-0) wiggled his way out of trouble. The right-hander worked 5 1-3 innings, walking four and striking out four in his first start of the season.

The Pirates left 11 runners on base, including seven in the first four innings.

Capitol focus on settlement agreements continues

News

April 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Settlement agreements are likely to continue to dominate the agenda at the Iowa Capitol this week as some lawmakers remain unsatisfied with discrepancies in testimony and answers they received during hearings last week.

Former employees testified at a Government Oversight Committee hearing Wednesday they were treated badly when fired in 2011 and were offered money to keep quiet about their dismissals. Department of Administrative Services Director Mike Carroll denied those allegations on Thursday in testimony to the committee that completely contradicted the workers.

Democratic Sen. Janet Petersen, chair of the Senate Government Oversight Committee, says she plans to ask state department heads and human resources officials to come before the committee. She’s waiting for the Department of Administrative Services to provide numerous documents about state contracts and hiring practices.

Oklahoma St. sweeps Iowa St. in softball

Sports

April 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — The Oklahoma State Cowgirls snapped a five-game losing streak and swept Iowa State in softball in Stillwater. The Cowgirls beat ISU 11-0 in five innings in the first game Saturday in Stillwater then knocked off the Cyclones 7-6 in nine innings in game two.

OSU improves to 21-16 overall and 2-5 in the Big 12 while ISU falls to 18-17 on the season and 1-5 in conference play.

Injuries hamper progress for Iowa State

Sports

April 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Injuries and other issues have left Iowa State working from behind with the spring game a week away. Iowa State offensive lineman Brock Dagel is out for the spring with a leg injury. Wide receiver Dondre Daley has been limited by a sprained ankle and defensive lineman Pierre Aka is out with a concussion.

Junior college transfer Devron Moore, a potential starter at safety, is homesick and has returned to Texas, according to coach Paul Rhoads. Freshman quarterback Trevor Hodge didn’t participate in Saturday’s scrimmage due to what Rhoads said was an “internal issue,” but Rhoads added that Hodge remains with the team.

LOUIS GEORGE WEIHS, 92, of HARLAN (Svcs 4/8/14)

Obituaries

April 6th, 2014 by admin

LOUIS GEORGE WEIHS, 92, of HARLAN died Sat., April 5th at the Elm Crest Assisted Living facility in Harlan. A Mass of Christian burial service for LOUIS WEIHS will be held on Tues., Apr. 8th at 11-a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan.  Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

Visitation at the funeral home will be Mon., Apr 7th , from 4-to 9-p.m. A Knights of Columbus Rosary will be held at the funeral home beginning at 7-p.m., Monday.

Burial will be at the Harlan Cemetery.

LOUIS GEORGE WEIHS is survived by:

His sons – Ron (Sally) Weihs of Defiance, & David (Kelley) Weihs of Missouri Valley.

His daughter – Julie (Larry) Goetzinger, of Westphalia.

His sisters – Bernice Anastasi of Earling; Rita (Jack) Claussen, of Harlan, and Joanne (Mike) Kostanecki of Boise, ID.

His brother – Wilfred (JoAnn) Weihs, of Harlan.

6 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

 

GIFFORD ARIEL COVAULT, 94, of Guthrie Center (Svcs. 4/8/14)

Obituaries

April 5th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

GIFFORD ARIEL COVAULT, 94, of Guthrie Center, died Fri., April 4th, at the New Homestead in Guthrie Center. Funeral services for GIFFORD COVAULT will be held 2-p.m. Tue., April 8th, at the 1st United Methodist Church in Guthrie Center. Twigg Funeral Home in Guthrie Center has the arrangements.

Burial will be in the Union Cemetery at Guthrie Center.

2 men arrested in Red Oak

News

April 5th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Police in Red Oak report the arrest of two men on separate charges Friday night. 45-year old Kevin LaRoy Vanderhoof, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 11:05-p.m. in the 1100 block of Boundary Street, after authorities received a call about a physical altercation having allegedly taken place in the 400 block of E. Reed Street. Following an investigation, Vanderhoof was arrested on Criminal Mischief in the 3rd degree and Disorderly conduct charges. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $2,000 cash bond.

And, just before 11-p.m., Friday, officers with the Red Oak P-D arrested 45-year old Allen Glen Hale, of Red Oak. Hale was charged with Disorderly Conduct, and booked into the Montgomery County Jail. His bond was set at $300.