One person was seriously injured during a tractor rollover accident this (Tuesday) morning, in Page County. Sheriff Lyle Palmer says they received a 9-1-1 call about the accident at around 9:30-a.m.  Emergency personnel responded to the scene in the 3200 block of 250^th street, southeast of Clarinda. During an investigation, it was determined that 18-year old Nathan Keith Harvey, of Yorktown, was operating an International 856 wide front tractor with loader, when he attempted to drive the tractor on a bank over a tube in the road ditch from the field side.

The tractor, which did not have a cab or rollover protection, rolled once before coming to rest right side up in the bottom of the ditch, among the bank rip rap.  Harvey was transported to Clarinda Regional Health Center where he was being treated for his injuries.

A relative of Chicago legend Al Capone has written a book about her unique life.

Deirdre Capone

Deirdre Capone is the grand niece of legendary mobster Al Capone. She says she decided to publish her book after starting it when she was 11 years old. The woman is the last living member of the family born with the famous last name. Her grandfather was Al Capone’s oldest brother and business partner. On Monday, Deirdre Capone stopped in Templeton to tour the infamous Templeton Rye brewery and get a taste of what Al called “The Good Stuff”. She said one of the reasons she wanted to tour the facility was because her family spoke about the whiskey they use to get in the small town in Iowa. Capone says one of the main purposes of the book is to tell a different side of Al Capone.

Al Capone: The Untold Story from inside his family

 The book features several insightful stories into the life of Deirdre and Al including information on how the Capone’s made their money and what happened to Al when he was locked up in Alcatraz. She says “That’s when you hear that Al got violent and they had to put him in solitary confinement. They were injecting my Uncle with mercury and said that would cure his syphilis.” 

She says the book will give insight on things previously not made public. The book is subtitled ‘The Untold Story from Inside his family.’ Capone says there are many many things about the Capone family that nobody knows. She said her children were a heavy influence on releasing the book when she told them about being related to the Italian mobster. According to Capone, her four children “Begged her to write the book.”  When people ask her “Was Al Capone a mobster?’ She says “Yes he was.” But “ Was he a monster? No he was not.” 

The book is titled Uncle Al Capone the Untold Story from inside His Family and can be purchased anywhere books or sold or online at www.unclealcapone.com. Deirdre Capone is touring Western Iowa and is stopping in Carroll at the Carrollton Inn this (Tuesday) evening, beginning at 6 when she will sign copies of her book. That will be followed at 7 by a special screening of the movie “Capone’s Whiskey: The Story of Templeton Rye,” and a social/cocktail at 8:15, featuring a Q&A session with Deirdre Capone. The cost of the event is $10 per person, and includes a Templeton Rye cocktail.

(courtesy Joel McCall/KNOD)

The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Tuesday) approved an “Other Supplemental Pay” allowance for Chief Deputy Sheriff John Westering for Fiscal year 2013, in the amount of $5,000. The pay includes Social Security and IPERS benefits. Board Chair Duane McFadden explained that during the Fiscal Year 2013 Budgeting process, the position of Jail Administrator was considered. Sheriff Darby McLaren was consulted, and it was determined it would be most practical if the 1^st Deputy Sheriff – Westering – agreed, and was willing to expend additional hours necessary to perform those duties. A motion to approve the supplemental pay passed unanimously, with Supervisor Gaylord Schelling, absent. The actual amount of pay, minus Social Security and IPERS, amounts to just over $4,253. 

In other business, the Board heard from Cass County 9-1-1 Director Rob Koppert, who mentioned a slight problem with the County’s 175-kilowatt Emergency Generator located on the courthouse grounds. He said they had an issue last week where it “alarmed out” at around 1-a.m. Friday, showing a “Low Voltage” on batteries. Koppert said they called Caterpiller Service, who came out and confirmed there was a problem with a battery charger on the system, which maintains the battery voltage. A replacement charger was ordered, and a temporary charger installed to speed up the generator. 

The temporary part is functioning as it should, and, since the generator was purchased in November 2010 and installed in the Spring of 2011, the replacement part and service call to install it, is covered under warranty. Rob Koppert said also, a new dispatcher has been hired for the Cass County Communications Center. Sherri Hansen, of Atlantic, started her job last Thursday. Hansen will undergo numerous hours of training, including Emergency Medical Dispatch Training in Council Bluffs, and other required courses.

Emergency 9-1-1 calls regarding missing and/or sexually exploited children could be the first step towards saving a child in your community. Mike Jensen, Shelby County Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator says the Shelby County EMA/911 has completed 70 hours of enhanced specialized training and is now better prepared to take those types of calls. Shelby County EMA/911 has recently become a National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)/9-1-1 Call Center Partner. The program acknowledges the Agency’s commitment to making the safety of children a priority.

Every 9-1-1 call involving a missing and/or sexually exploited child must be handled according to best practices. To promote the adoption of these best practices, NCMEC has created the 9-1-1 Call Center Partner Program. The Shelby County EMA/911 has incorporated the best practices in its policies and training material, making a commitment to follow these best practices. Jensen says “We feel that we have always had a good program in place for addressing these types of calls but being able to take advantage of this partnership will further enhance our capability.” He said they owe the accomplishment in large part to the training commitment of their 911 dispatch staff.                       

Every year 800,000 children go missing in the United States. That’s more than 2,000 children per day. Calls about missing and sexually exploited children can become high profile events that have a devastating impact on the victim’s family, your community, and your call center.  Every 9-1-1 call center must have in place policies and training to help ensure every missing and sexually exploited child is given the best chance to be found alive and unharmed. NCMEC is encouraging all Emergency Call Centers to become a NCMEC 9-1-1 Call Center Partner in order to obtain the skills and resources needed to respond to calls pertaining to missing and/or exploited children.

Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Doug O’Brien today (Tuesday) announced the selection of projects in Iowa for loans and grants that will support job creation efforts, business development and strengthen economic growth in rural communities across the state.

Among the five projects receiving funds is the Harrison County Rural Electric Cooperative, which will use a $344,000 loan to construct a 10,000-square-foot central warehouse facility for Grato Holdings, Inc. The new warehouse will consolidate the company’s operations.

O’Brien made the announcement in Clarinda, during a two-day tour in Iowa. The trip began with a groundbreaking ceremony at Manning Regional Healthcare Center, in Manning. USDA Rural Development is providing a $21 million loan to assist with construction of the hospital. Following the ceremony, O’Brien toured the new Clarinda Regional Health Center in Clarinda, Iowa. The health center recently received an $18.9 million USDA loan to help with construction costs.

Funding is being provided through USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program (REDLG), which provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which they, in turn, pass through to local businesses (ultimate recipients) for projects that will create and retain employment in rural areas. With today’s announcement, the USDA says it is investing nearly $2.5 million to spur economic growth.