The third of three men involved in the January stabbing of an Atlantic man was sentenced in Cass County District Court to not more than 5-years in prison, today (Monday).

Bryce Baker

18-year old Bryce Baker pled guilty to an amended charge of Willful Injury in the stabbing of 43-year old Robert Leslie. The incident occurred January 28^th.

Judge Richard Davidson ordered Baker to pay restitution to the victim, attorney’s fees and related court costs.  He is also required to have no contact with Leslie. The man was remanded to the custody of the Department of Corrections, with Mittimus to be issued immediately, and credit for time served. His sentenced was NOT suspended. Baker had requested probation and a suspended sentence, but the State, represented by Cass County Attorney Dan Feistner, agreed to go along with what the pre-sentence investigation recommended, which ended up being a prison sentence, which was recommended by the Department of Corrections

During his sentencing, Baker’s attorney Jay Mez said his client was dating Robert Leslie’s daughter.

He  said Leslie did not agree with the relationship, and the altercation took place 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. 

Two others involved in the altercation, 21-year-old Austin Nelson and 23-year-old Mykel Thoren, were with Accessory after the Fact and received two-year suspended prison sentences.

Patrons of the Exira and Elk Horn-Kimballton Community School Districts are set to head to the polls on June 25^th, for a vote on reorganization. Last week, members of the EHK Board approved setting the date for the vote. Their counterparts on the Exira School Board approved the same measure during their meeting this (Monday) morning.

The districts currently operate under a whole-grade sharing agreement. Superintendent Dean Schnoes has said the only difference the change will make if reorganization is approved by the voters on June 25^th, is a property tax deduction of one-dollar at the onset, with a gradual increase over a period of three-years to $5.45 per thousand dollars of taxable property valuation.  

Republican Governor Terry Branstad seems to be suggesting Republican Congressman Steve King either is not running or should not run for the U.S. Senate. “I really believe that Iowans want somebody that will serve in the Senate that will be an Iowa problem solver, not another congressman,” Branstad said. “You know congress is a mess. We’ve seen them spend a trillion dollars more than they take in every year and so the Democrats have decided, ‘Well, we’re going to send up another congressman.’ That’s the last thing we need is another congressman in the United States Senate.”

Democratic Senator Tom Harkin announced in January that he would not seek reelection in 2014. Democratic Congressman Bruce Braley started running for the Senate in February, but no Republican has stepped forward. Several in the G-O-P have said they’re considering it, including state Senator Joni Ernst of Red Oak and state Ag Secretary Bill Northey. “The contrast of having an Iowa problem solver versus somebody who that’s had all of their service in Washington, D.C. in the congress would be a very good thing for Republicans,” Branstad says.

Steve King served six years in the state senate before being elected to congress in 2002. While Branstad told reporters this morning that King was a “very effective” state legislator, the governor then doubled down on his anti-congressman pitch. “That last thing we need is another congressman in the United States Senate,” Branstad said. “The congress is so messed up. They are so unable to make tough decisions. They are so far out of touch with the public in terms of their spending policies that we just need somebody that’s going to come there with fresh ideas and we’ve got some of those in Iowa.”

Senator Harkin served 10 years as a congressman before he was elected to the Senate in 1984. Republican Chuck Grassley had been a congressman for six years before he was elected to the Senate in 1980.

(Radio Iowa)

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports three Shenandoah residents were arrested on drug charges, Thursday. 32-year old Daniel Lee Mattox faces Possession with the intent to deliver/methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Driving Under suspension, charges. 39-year old James Raymond McFail was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and 44-year old Christine Renee Perry was charged with Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

The Atlantic Police Department reports the arrest of two individuals, Saturday. 31-year old Ericka Sanchez, of Houston, TX, was arrested for Public Intoxication. And, 27-year old Tyler Gage, of Creston, was arrested for Theft in the 2nd degree. Official says Gage allegedly took an enclosed trailer from the 1100 block of East 14th Street, in Atlantic.  Gage and Sanchez were brought to the Cass County Jail and held, pending an initial court appearance.