The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa reports an Audubon County man was sentenced Thursday to two and a-half years in prison for possessing a firearm after a felony conviction. 51-year old Randy Eugene Doss, of Exira, was also ordered to serve two-years of supervised release once he completes his 30-month sentence.

On August 1st, Doss plead guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. The charge was the result of a June 12th, 2013 search by law enforcement of Doss’ home in Exira, during which a loaded .410 shotgun was discovered near the front door of the residence.

The investigation was conducted by officers with the Council Bluffs Police Department, U-S Marshall’s Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by the U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

An historical organization in Adair County has received a national award for its efforts at restoring a nearly 120-year old building in the heart of downtown Greenfield. The National Trust for Historic Preservation presented its Preservation Honor Award for the restoration of the Warren Cultural Center in Greenfield, to the E.E. Warren Opera House Association. The project is one of 18 award winners honored by the National Trust during its 2013 National Preservation Conference in Indianapolis, IN.

E.E. Warren Opera House in Greenfield

Attending on behalf of the E.E. Warren Opera House Association was Board President Nancy Queck and Catherine Howe, former vice-president. Co-recipients are Greenfield Chamber of Commerce and Main Street; INVISION Architecture; the Iowa State Historic Preservation Office; and Lang Construction Group.

The National Preservation Awards are bestowed on distinguished individuals, nonprofit organizations, public agencies and corporations whose skill and determination have given new meaning to their communities through preservation of our architectural and cultural heritage.

In the face of a declining economy, the community of Greenfield took action to preserve the historic E.E. Warren Opera House. Built in 1896, the Romanesque-inspired building was a local landmark for decades, but eventually time took its toll and the building was showing its age. When Greenfield was made a Main Street Iowa community in 1996, the town redoubled its efforts to preserve the Opera House.

Led entirely by volunteers, the E.E. Warren Opera House Association raised $4.5 million. The project’s diverse mix of private and public funding – including state and federal historic tax credits – enabled an expert rehabilitation. The project also catalyzed several other downtown rehabs, including a boutique hotel and new restaurant.

The winners of the National Preservation Awards will appear online at www.PreservationNation.org/awards.

Police in Red Oak report an animal skull valued at $300 was stolen sometime this past week from a garage off of B Street. The victim of the crime said a 30-by-30-inch bull skull that was attached to the garage was taken sometime between Nov. 5th and 8th. The incident remains under investigation by the Red Oak Police Department.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A 43-year-old inmate again has been listed as escaped from a work release facility in Sioux City.   Officials at the Sioux City Residential Treatment Facility said Friday that David Kreider remains free.

David Kreider (2012 photo)

Kreider was listed as escaped after he didn’t return as scheduled from his overnight shift job on Thursday morning. He’s serving a 20-year sentence for willful injury and other crimes. He was convicted of stabbing a man in October 2004.

In July last year, Kreider left the center without permission. He was found two days later by U.S. marshals and subsequently convicted of voluntary absence.  Prisons spokesman Fred Scaletta says Kreider was given another opportunity for work release because officials perceived that Kreider’s behavior had improved.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – After Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation leaders summoned an agent to Des Moines to be fired, they mistakenly allowed him to drive two hours home in a state car equipped with a shotgun.  One workplace safety consultant says it was a stupid blunder that created serious security and liability concerns and showed a lack of respect for the employee.  Department of Public Safety spokesman Scott Bright calls it an oversight that won’t be repeated.

Division officials ordered Council Bluffs-based agent Andrew Harrelson to a meeting at their Des Moines headquarters on Feb. 6 to be fired. Harrelson drove a state vehicle equipped with a Remington 870 shotgun. Bright says administrators wrongly assumed Harrelson had driven a personal vehicle and didn’t know until later he drove the state car home.