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Iowa evening News Headlines: 4-26-2012

News

April 26th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

CHARLES CITY (AP) — A company based in the Czech Republic has opened its first North American tire factory in Charles City. Mitas opened the plant today in a ceremony attended by Governor Terry Branstad and Petr Gandalovic, the Czech ambassador to the United States.

SIOUX CITY (AP) — A Sioux City-based maker of vinyl and aluminum windows and doors says it is expanding its South Sioux City, Nebraska manufacturing operations. The Sioux City Journal in Iowa says Gerkin Windows and Doors is breaking ground on land near its current 165,000-square-foot factory built in 2004.

SIOUX CITY (AP) — Morningside College Athletic Director Jerry Schmutte will resign next month to take a position in Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska. Officials at Sioux City-based Morningside say Robbie Rohlena, dean of enrollment, will act as interim athletic director starting June 1st. The search for Schmutte’s replacement is under way.

WATERLOO (AP) — Mitchell County supervisors are sending out requests for architects to submit proposals for a new courthouse. The decision came after a consultant said creating an efficient work space in the existing courthouse built in 1858 would be difficult. Supervisor Joel Voaklander says he’s sending letters to about a half-dozen architectural firms. He’s also looking into temporary space for courthouse offices.

Grassley welcomes move to drop farm labor rules

Ag/Outdoor

April 26th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley is welcoming the U.S. Labor Department’s decision to withdraw a much-criticized proposed rule designed to protect children who work on farms. Grassley released a statement Thursday evening expressing relief at the Labor Department’s decision to abandon what he called “ridiculous regulations” that could have hurt farm families. In announcing it was dropping its proposed child labor rules Thursday, the Labor Department noted it would not pursue the matter during the duration of the Obama administration. The agency says it will work with groups such as the American Farm Bureau Federation and Future Farmers of America to reduce accidents involving young people. Federal officials earlier had argued new rules were needed because farming is one of the nation’s most dangerous occupations.

Audubon Woman Cited After Traffic Accident

News

April 26th, 2012 by admin

The Audubon County Sherriff’s Office says an Audubon woman was cited after a single vehicle accident Thursday morning.  At about 8:00 AM Thursday, a 2006 Chevy Equinox driven by 42-year-old Angela Marie Nielsen of Audubon was traveling east on Highway 44 about 3 miles east of Kimballton.  Nielsen drove onto the shoulder and overcorrected.  Her vehicle then slid sideways into the north ditch and rolled.

Nielsen was transported by Elk Horn Fire and Rescue to the Audubon County Memorial Hospital.  An update on any possible injuries is not currently available.

Nielsen has been charged with failure to maintain control.  Damage from the accident amounted to about $8,000.

2012 Fourth Soccer Rankings

Sports

April 26th, 2012 by Jim Field

Compiled by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union
Class 1-A
School
Record
LW
1
Davenport Assumption
7-0
1
2
Waterloo Columbus Catholic
6-0
2
3
Sioux City Bishop Heelan
3-1
3
4
Council Bluffs St. Albert
5-2
4
5
Gilbert
7-3
6
6
Nevada
5-1
9
7
Dubuque Wahlert
3-5
5
8
Center Point-Urbana
4-2
8
9
Solon
6-0
10
10
Denver
4-2
7
11
Bondurant-Farrar
5-2
11
12
Iowa City Regina
6-1
12
13
Unity Christian
5-1
15
14
Clear Creek-Amana
5-2
14
15
Burlington Notre Dame
4-1
13
Dropped Out: None

Class 2-A
School
Record
LW
1
Cedar Rapids Xavier
5-1
1
2
Glenwood
6-0
2
3
Pleasant Valley
3-2
3
4
Pella
9-2
4
5
ADM
5-0
5
6
Sioux City East
6-0
6
7
Union
7-2
7
8
Lewis Central
5-3
8
9
Des Moines Hoover
3-3
9
10
Spencer
6-0
10
11
Dallas Center-Grimes
6-1
11
12
Cedar Rapids Prairie
7-3
12
13
Indianola
5-3
13
14
North Scott
3-5
14
15
Waverly-Shell Rock
3-4
15
Dropped Out: None

Class 3-A
School
Record
LW
1
Ankeny
5-0
2
2
Iowa City West
6-0
4
3
Bettendorf
7-1
1
4
Dowling Catholic
3-0
6
5
Johnston
4-1
8
6
West Des Moines Valley
4-2
3
7
Waukee
2-1
7
8
Cedar Rapids Kennedy
5-1
5
9
Cedar Rapids Washington
4-1
9
10
Muscatine
5-2
10
Dropped Out: None

Iowa Law Enforcement Seek Assistance in Locating Missing Pennsylvania Man

News

April 26th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Crawford County, IOWA — Law enforcement in Iowa and Pennsylvania request the public’s help in locating Jonathan Elwell. Elwell is a 44 year old white male who stands 6’2” tall, has blue eyes, and is balding.

Jonathan Elwell

Elwell is originally from Shillington, Pennsylvania. He was last seen in that area on Tuesday, April 17, 2012. Then on Friday, April 20, 2012, Elwell’s rental car, a Volkswagon Jetta, was found in Crawford County, Iowa. Information discovered during the investigation indicates Elwell was in the Quad Cities area.  Additional information indicates that Elwell was in the Carroll, Iowa area on Wednesday, April 18, 2012. He has not been seen since.

Elwell may also have occasionally been traveling by bicycle, as Pennsylvania authorities indicate that is his primary mode of transportation in Shillington.

If you have seen Jonathan Elwell or know his current location please contact the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office at (712) 263-2146, or call your nearest law enforcement center.

Elwell rental vehicle - White VW Jetta

Sears, former ISU Coach becomes interim FB coach at Weber State

Sports

April 26th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

OGDEN, Utah (AP) — Weber State has selected Jody Sears as its interim football coach to replace John L. Smith. Smith left Monday to take the Arkansas job following that school’s firing of Bobby Petrino. The 44-year-old Sears joined the Wildcats staff this spring and has been working as the team’s defensive coordinator. He will continue in that role as well. Sears spent the previous three seasons at Washington State, where he was co-defensive coordinator. He also is no stranger to the Big Sky Conference as he spent five seasons as defensive coordinator at Eastern Washington. He began his collegiate coaching career at Iowa State in 1994. Sears was a two-year letter-winner at Washington State after walking on as a wide receiver. Weber State opens its season Sept. 1 at Fresno State.

Regents approve $37M U of I football facility

Sports

April 26th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The University of Iowa has received the approval of the Iowa Board of Regents to spend $36.6 million to build a facility to house weight rooms, squad meeting space, and coaches’ offices. The regents approved of the spending Thursday on the UI Football Operations Facility. University of Iowa Athletics Director Gary Barta says the money comes from fundraising and athletic department revenue. No general university dollars or increased student fees will be used. Construction is scheduled to start in spring 2013, with completion in summer 2014. The building will be south of the new Indoor Athletics Practice and Recreation Facility, now under construction. The operations facility also will include space for video editing, lockers for players and coaches, and reception space.

Gov. Branstad orders flags at half-staff to honor fallen Korean War soldier

News

April 26th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Governor Terry Branstad today (Thursday) ordered all flags in the state to be flown at half-staff on Friday, April 27h, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in honor of Sgt. 1st Class Edris “Eddie” A. Viers.

SFC Edris Viers

Sgt. Viers was last seen Aug. 12, 1950, during the “Battle of Bloody Gulch” near Pongam-ni, South Korea, and was officially pronounced deceased on Dec. 31, 1953, but remains were not recovered at the time.

The governor’s directive applies to all U.S. and state flags under the control of the state. H.R. 692, signed in 2007, requires federal government agencies in the state to comply with the governor’s executive order that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff in the event of the death of a member of the Armed Forces.

Flags will be at half-staff on the state Capitol building and on flag displays in the Capitol complex, and upon all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.

Backyard and Beyond 04-26-2012

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

April 26th, 2012 by admin

Lavon Eblen speaks with Linda Bloom, Audubon Hospital Board Memmber, about the Breakfast Fundraiser for the Audubon Hospital Foundation and an upcoming concert this summer featuring Simon Estes to celebrate the 60 year anniversary of the Audubon Hospital.

Play

Anita man grabs officers’ gun during struggle

News

April 26th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

An Anita man was arrested Wednesday evening after he allegedly threatened law enforcement officers who responded to a reported knife fight, and grabbed an officers’ weapon.

Randall Lewis (Photo courtesy of the Cass Co. Sheriff's Office)

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports 42-year old Randall Wayne Lewis, of Anita, was arrested by Anita Police on charges of Disarming a Peace officer of a Dangerous Weapon, and the Threat of Terrorism. The incident which led to his arrest began with a call to authorities at around 7:30-p.m., Wednesday. The call was in reference to a fight involving a knife, at 811 4th Street in Anita. Upon arrival, law enforcement officers were confronted by Lewis.

While attempting to subdue him, officials say the man threatened officers and grabbed an officer’s gun from its holster. The gun was taken from Lewis and he was placed under arrest by the Anita Police Department.

A search warrant executed on a property at 811 4th Street in Anita resulted in the Cass County Sheriff’s Office charging Lewis with Threat of Terrorism, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Interference with Official Acts, and Habitual Offender (two prior felony convictions).

Lewis was taken to the Cass County Jail where he is being held awaiting hearing before the magistrate. The Anita Police Department and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office were assisted by the Atlantic Police Department.