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NWS forecast for Cass & area Counties in Iowa

Weather

June 20th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

316 AM CDT THU JUN 20 2013

EARLY THIS MORNING…PARTLY CLOUDY. SOUTHEAST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH.

TODAY…PARTLY SUNNY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. BREEZY. HIGH IN THE UPPER 80S. SOUTH WIND 10 TO 20 MPH.

TONIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. LOW IN THE UPPER 60S. SOUTH WIND 10 TO 15 MPH.

FRIDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. HOT AND HUMID. A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH MID MORNING. HIGH IN THE LOWER 90S. SOUTH WIND 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 25 MPH. HIGHEST HEAT INDEX READINGS AROUND 100 IN THE AFTERNOON.

FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOW IN THE LOWER 70S. HIGH IN THE LOWER 90S. SOUTH WIND 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 25 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. BREEZY. LOW IN THE LOWER 70S. HIGH IN THE UPPER 80S.

SUNDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A 50 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. LOW IN THE LOWER 70S.

MONDAY…PARTLY SUNNY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. HIGH AROUND 90.

Iowa early News Headlines: Thu., June 20th 2013

News

June 20th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

RICEVILLE, Iowa (AP) — A northern Iowa police chief has been placed on paid leave pending a city investigation. The Riceville City Council took the action last week on Chief Kim Orth. Mayor Dean Eastman won’t discuss the reasons for the investigation because it is a personnel matter. He says the Mitchell County and Howard County sheriff’s departments will handle Riceville law enforcement coverage in the meantime.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Des Moines school district has approved the purchase of 182 additional security cameras. The Des Moines Register reports the school board Tuesday night approved a plan to buy and install the new camera at a cost of nearly $370,000. The expense will be covered by grants and money from a local option sales tax.

DESOTO, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa State Patrol says a man has died from injured he received in a crash on Interstate 80 in central Iowa caused by a wrong-way driver. 20-year-old Jessie Leeper of Adair died early yesterday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police say a man has died after being crushed between a truck and a semi-trailer. The Des Moines Register reports the accident happened late yesterday afternoon in an industrial lot near the Iowa Capitol. The victim’s name was not released last night.

Atlantic man fined in connection with stabbing incident

News

June 19th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

An Atlantic man who was stabbed during an altercation with three young men on January 28th, has pled guilty to drug charges in connection with the incident, but additional felony charges of Willful Injury and Going Armed with Intent, were dismissed. Online court records indicate 43-year old Robert Alan Leslie entered a written plea of guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd offense, and Possession of a Marijuana/2nd offense, on May 28th in Cass County District Court. His trial was to have been held Tuesday (June 18th).

Judge James Richardson ordered Leslie to serve a total of 20-years in prison, but then suspended the sentences and ordered the man to pay fines amounting to $1,500 plus court costs and attorney’s fees. Leslie will also remain in two-years supervised probation, is required to complete a substance abuse treatment program, submit a DNA sample and maintain a full-time student or employment status.

Three young men were also charged in connection with the incident involving Robert Leslie. On April 29th, 18-year old Bryce Baker, of Atlantic, was sentenced to not more than 5-years in prison after pleading guilty to an amended charge of Willful Injury. 21-year-old Austin Nelson and 23-year-old Mykel Thoren, were charged with Accessory after the Fact, and received two-year suspended prison sentences.

During Baker’s sentencing, his attorney Jay Mez, said Baker was dating Robert Leslie’s daughter, and that Leslie did not agree with the relationship. The altercation took place, he said, when Baker went to Leslie’s home to “settle things.” Baker told the judge that the stabbing occurred out of self defense because Leslie had a weapon. He said he used a pocket knife to protect himself.

woman injured during Page County Motorcycle accident Wednesday

News

June 19th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s Officials in Page County say one person was injured during a motorcycle accident in Clarinda, Wednesday. According to the Sheriff’s report, 61-year old Joann Joyce Rogers, of Clarinda, was stopped at the intersection of 6th and State Streets in Clarinda at around 11:30-a.m., and had proceeded to make a right turn onto State Street, when the 2007 Suzuki she was driving drove over a gravel/sand mix on the curb edge of the roadway, and according to a witness, “kicked out from under” Rogers and toppled onto its side.

Rogers hit her head on the concrete during the accident. She also complained of pain in her right shoulder and right ankle and was also bleeding on the right side of her face. She was not wearing a helmet. Rogers was taken by Clarinda EMS to Clarinda Regional Health Center for examination.

Iowa G Thomas to transfer

Sports

June 19th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa says that reserve guard Kathy Thomas is transferring. Hawkeyes coach Lisa Bluder announced Wednesday that Thomas has been released from her scholarship after two seasons. Thomas, a 5-foot-6 native of Flint, Mich., averaged just 1.6 points in 32 games off the bench in 2012-13. Bluder says Thomas wants to play closer to home.

Affidavit: Iowa family abused adult son for years

News

June 19th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A Council Bluffs family of three adults has been accused of severely beating the father’s 20-year-old son over several years. An affidavit says the abuse included the son being starved, chained with a dog leash and forced to sleep while standing.

The son, who ran away from home around March, was described in the affidavit as “mentally handicapped” without further explanation. He told authorities his father, 51-year-old James Beyer Jr., and his stepmother, 45-year-old Rebecca Beyer, had abused him for years. He says his stepmother often burned him with utensils heated from a stove.

Rebecca Beyer’s son, 22-year-old Ryan Smith, is accused of punching and kicking the man on previous occasions. Police arrested the Beyers and Smith on Wednesday. They each face first-degree kidnapping charges.

Calvin Smith II follows in father’s footsteps

Sports

June 19th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — For Calvin Smith II, sharing the same name and being the son of Calvin Smith means carrying a lot of weight. It’s not easy following in the footsteps of a former world-record holder, world champion, Olympic medalist and Hall of Famer. That’s why, at an early age, the son decided he wasn’t going to be a 100-meter sprinter like his father, but rather would make a name for himself in his own event, the 400, and stand out on his own merits.

One thing’s for sure: He certainly inherited his dad’s speed as he competes this week at the U.S. championships, hoping to earn a spot on the world team headed to Moscow in August.

Board of Adjustment in Atlantic to hold hearings on 2 variance apps

News

June 19th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The City of Atlantic’s Board of Adjustment will hold public hearings on July 8th, with regard to two variance applications. One application comes from Joseph and Karen Riesberg, of 54886 650th Street, in Atlantic, that would, if approved, allow for the construction of a storage shed which would not conform with the Zoning Ordinance rear yard setback requirement. The shed would be located at 423 Elm Street. The other application, from Larry and Marlene Hummel, at 2803 Country Club Drive, in Atlantic, would allow for the construction of a three-car garage that does not conform to the street side yard setback requirements under City Code.

The public may comments in person at the hearings, set to take place 7:30-a.m. Monday, July 8th, at City Hall. You may also submit written comments in advance, to the City Clerk’s Office, at 23 East 4th Street, in Atlantic. Questions may be directed to Zoning Administrator John Lund, at 243-4810, or by e-mailing johnlund@mediacombb.net.

10-years in prison for woman connected to fatal crash near Mo. Valley

News

June 19th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

A Harrison County woman has been sentenced up to 10 years in prison following a fatal two car accident near Missouri Valley in February 2012. Online court documents say 32-year old Kerri Lynn Collier, formerly of Woodbine, was sentenced Monday in Harrison County District Court to 10 years in prison and fined $1,000.

Collier pleaded guilty on May 7th to an amended charge of vehicle homicide. As part of the plea, all of her simple misdemeanors, including driving on the wrong side of the highway, unlawful passing of a school bus and financial liability, were waived. By pleading guilty to the vehicular homicide charge, Collier admitted to causing the February 1st, 2012 accident that took the life of 54 year old Jennette McGrew of Magnolia.

The accident happened at the intersection of Highway 30 and Ann Street about 2 miles east of Missouri Valley. Collier was also ordered to pay $150,000 to McGrew’s estate.

FFA Field Day prepares participants for competition

Ag/Outdoor

June 19th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Ever wonder what it’s like to be a farmer today? Over the next 50 years, farmers will need to produce more food than has been produced in the last 10,000 years, combined. In order to educate youth about these agriculture issues and topics, the Monsanto Research Farm in Atlantic, hosted an FFA Field Day on June 3rd. All FFA chapters in southwest Iowa were invited to attend the day of fun and farming.

The field day, sponsored by Asgrow® and DEKALB® brands, taught FFA students from Griswold, Clarinda, Southwest Valley and Glenwood High Schools about soil science, insect and weed identification, and other agronomic topics to better prepare them for upcoming FFA competitions. Nancy Faber, district sales manager for Monsanto, said “Our FFA Field Day is a great way to interact with our next generation of agricultural leaders.We went over information to help prepare the students for their upcoming FFA Career Development Events (CDE) contests. I wish the best of luck to all the FFA students at their upcoming events.”

FFA students also had the opportunity to experience a hands-on safety simulator that teaches the importance of safe driving. Students sat behind the wheel of a car and “drove” through various environments using the high-tech Drive Square driving simulator. After putting on special glasses and navigating through various routes, students were shown the dangers of distracted driving.

Monsanto says it has been a proud supporter of the National FFA for the past 50 years. FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

(Press Release)