SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a discarded cigar is to blame for a deadly fire in Sioux City. According to KTIV-TV in Sioux City, investigators say 71-year-old Delbert Rowse died at a hospital after he was pulled from the basement of the burning home early Saturday. Officials say Rowse was asleep when the sofa he was on was ignited by an improperly discarded cigar. It is Sioux City’s second fatal fire this year. A man found dead in a burning home in July died of smoke inhalation.
The Iowa League of Cities has recognized the city of Avoca as a 2012 All-Star Community. The recognition came at the ILC’s Annual Conference & Exhibit, which was held in Sioux City from September 26-28th. The All-Star Community Award is the most prestigious honor given by the League to cities.
Photo of the Avoca group with their award (Courtesy Iowa League of Cities)
Entries are judged by a panel of former city officials and others familiar with municipal government. Judges determine winners based on innovative efforts in areas such as urban renewal, development, preservation, service sharing or quality of life improvements. This year, Avoca was one of five of Iowa’s 947 cities to garner such recognition for their Restoring Avoca Project.
During a visioning exercise, leaders in the city of Avoca realized they were stuck in the “good enough rut.” As former council member David McCain put it, “maintaining a city is an ongoing project.” When the city decided to start enforcing nuisance codes, many residents were resistant. The All-Star judges panel recognized that the community took a big risk, and endured lots of criticism from unsettled citizens. Yet community leaders believed in their vision to restore Avoca and moved forward.
Taking advantage of the need to update an underground water main, the city’s downtown underwent a face-lift along with infrastructure improvements. During the Elm Street renovation, downtown business owners had the opportunity to partner with the city to update their storefronts, restoring the main business district and sharing costs.
Residents also had the opportunity to cost-share with the city and update their deteriorating sidewalks. The initiative, which helped to replace more than 40 percent of the city’s sidewalks, allowed homeowners to opt-in. The city paid for the materials for the walkways while the property-owner paid for labor, with the option to spread the payment over seven-years. Restoring Avoca includes many projects and has created a huge physical transformation. Leaders in Avoca have noticed that as the aesthetics improve, pride in Avoca is also being restored.
This year’s other All-Star Community Award winners were Charles City, Manchester, Mason City and North Liberty.
The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports numerous arrests over the past week. On September 25th, 23-year old Alexander Paul Dvorak, of Atlantic, turned himself in at the Cass County Sheriff’s Office on a District Court Warrant for Probation Violation. Dvorak was being held at the Cass County Jail on $5,000 bond. That same day, 23-year old Jennifer Rene Dellaca, of Atlantic, was arrested on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for Child Endangerment. Dellaca was taken to the Cass County Jail where she was released the following day on $2,500 bond.
On September 28th, 40-year old Michael Eugene Boggs, of Atlantic, was arrested on charges of Domestic Abuse 3rd or Subsequent Offense, Assault on a Police Officer, and Interference with Official Acts. Boggs was taken to the Cass County Jail and was released the following day on $10,000 bond. Also on Sept. 28th, deputies in Cass County arrested 53-year old Terry Lee Ranney, of Massena, on a charge of Simple Assault. Ranney was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on $300 bond.
On Saturday, 35-year old Joshua Lynn Hemminger, of Atlantic, turned himself in to the Cass County Jail on Sheriff’s office charges of Child Endangerment and OWI 3rd Offense. The charges were the result of a motor vehicle accident that occurred on June 6th, 2012. Hemminger was released the following day on his own recognizance.
And on Sunday, 37-year old Daniel Ray Lung, of Massena, was arrested on a charge of Domestic Abuse Serious. Lung was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released today (Monday), on his own recognizance.
The Atlantic Police Department reports the arrest on Friday, of 19-year old Jessica Cooper, of Atlantic. Cooper was taken into custody on a charge of Serious Assault. No other details about the incident are available. Cooper was booked into the Cass County Jail.
(12-p.m. News)
A gambling hall in western Iowa that shut down last summer should be reopening before the end of the year. Widespread flooding of the Missouri River forced the closure of CasinOmaha last June near the town of Onawa, about halfway between Omaha and Sioux City. The casino is owned by Nebraska’s Omaha Tribe. Tribal leaders say flood damage will be repaired and the casino will have a new look and a new name when it reopens. It’ll be the Blackbird Bend Casino. Construction is getting underway this month and the plan is to have the facility operational in late December.
(Radio Iowa)
Shelby County Emergency Manager Bob Seivert said today (Monday), that the Fire Danger level in the County will remain in the “HIGH” category through at least Thursday, October 4th. The Fire Danger rating in Shelby County is based on input from local fire chiefs and the Emergency Manager, and weather factors.
Controlled Burns should only be conducted with the knowledge of the local Fire Chief. Open burning is discouraged. Seivert said last week, that he expects the Fire Danger to remain High throughout the month of October.
After apologizing to his victim, her family, his wife and family, the Anita Community School District and the court, a Cass County man was sentenced today (Monday), to a total of four-years in prison on two-counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor by a School Employee. But Fourth Judicial District Judge Greg Steensland suspended 65-year old William Glenn Foulkes‘ sentence, and instead ordered the man placed on supervised probation for a period of two-years. Foulkes will reside at a Residential Correctional Facility (RCF) for at least six-months, beginning when space becomes available at the facility.
As part of his sentence, Foulkes will be placed on the State’s Sex Offender Registry for a period of 10-years. He must have no criminal law violations during his two-years of supervised probation, successfully complete a Sex Offender Treatment program of four-to six-months, and submit a DNA sample for profiling purposes. He will also be required to make restitution to the victim (with whom he is allowed no contact for a period of five-years), and be required to pay fines amounting to $650, plus court costs and related fees.
Foulkes, his voice choking up, told the court he apologized to his family for “The embarrassment and pain” his actions have caused. He apologized to the court for his “Inappropriate and illegal behavior and actions.” Foulkes said “I know I have let a lot of people down,” and that he hopes everyone will begin the process of healing.
Foulkes’ Attorney, F. Montgomery Brown told KJAN News he thinks the sentence was a “Just resolution, given Mr. Foulkes’ history and lack of prior criminal record, his military service.” He said also the sentence was “fair,” and “Sufficient to protect the public.” Brown said Foulkes is a low risk to re-offend and that the incident “Appears to be an abhorrent behavior on his part.” The judgement says Foulkes has 30-days to appeal the sentence if he so chooses, but that is not expected to happen. The Appeals bond was set at $10,000, but all other outstanding bonds were exonerated. Foulkes will remain free pending his placement in the RCF.
Foulkes, a former Anita Community School District teacher pled guilty to the charges on September 4th, in a voluntary plea agreement, in exchange for a felony charge of Sexual Exploitation, and 47 other Aggravated Misdemeanor charges of Sexual Exploitation being dropped.
Foulkes admitted to kissing a juvenile female on numerous occasions while teaching the student in a math program, from August 2009 until November 11th, 2010. He resigned from his teaching position in November 2010.
Lavon Eblen speaks with Haily, Celia, and Clare Brocker at Lake Anita State Park about the Dutch Oven Cooking Contest.
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The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office today (Monday) released a report on recent activity. Officials say on Sept. 22nd, 19-year old Thomas J. Bersch, of Omaha, was arrested on a Possession of Drug Paraphernalia charge, and, 28-year old Isaac Calvin Hayes, of Hamburg, was arrested for Public Intoxication.
On Sept. 27th, Fremont County deputies investigated an incident of theft at the Fremont County Landfill, and on Sept. 25th, a Clarinda man reported an incident of Larceny/Theft.
Officials said also, that on Sept. 17th, David Burns, of Sidney, was driving a 2000 Chevy Silverado pickup westbound on Highway 2, by the Interstate 29 exit (Exit 10), when he was approached by a 2001 Mercury Cougar, driven by Makayla Smith, of Hamburg. Smith failed to slow down in time, and hit the pickup. Burns suffered possible neck and back injuries, and was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Nebraska City, NE, for evaluation.
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