United Group Insurance

Corning man arrested on Public Intox charge

News

January 26th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports 25-year old Andrew Olson, of Corning, was arrested at around 2:30 this (Thursday) morning, on a charge of Public Intoxication. Officials say he was taken into to custody after allegedly trying to hide from law enforcement approaching him on foot. The Sheriff’s Office says Olson also became loud and belligerent and refused to follow deputies’ commands.

Montgomery County arrest report

News

January 26th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says a Stanton man was arrested at around 2:45 this (Thursday) morning on OWI and other charges. 24-year old Lucas J. Bogart was taken into custody on a charge of OWI/1st offense, following a traffic stop on Corning Street in Red Oak. The stop was initiated after authorities received word several, allegedly intoxicated persons were seen traveling in a vehicle matching the one being driven by Bogart. A sheriff’s deputy observed the vehicle cross the centerline of the road and make an improper turn. Bogart failed a Field Sobriety Test and was brought to the Montgomery County Jail on the OWI charge. In addition, he was cited for Failure to have a valid driver’s license and issued a warning for driving Left of Center. Bogart was being held in the jail on a $1,000 bond.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office also reports 22-year old Sara A. Billie, of Clarinda, was arrested Wednesday, on a warrant for violating her probation, in association with an original charge of 5th degree theft. The woman was located by authorities in Clarinda, and transported to Montgomery County, where she was being held on an $850 cash only bond.

And, 28-year old David M. Wright, of Villisca, was arrested Tuesday, on a Simple Misdemeanor charge of Obstruction of Emergency Communications, after the Montgomery County Comm Center received a call from a residence in Villisca. While on the line, Wright allegedly interferred with the alleged victim on numerous occasions, by securing the phones in the home, as well as physically damaging them to prevent calls from going out or coming in. Wright was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and later released on $300 bond.

Investigators: Harlan woman killed in I-80 crash Jan. 13th near Avoca, was texting

News

January 26th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

A Harlan woman who died January 13th when her vehicle crossed the median of Interstate 80 and was hit broadside by a semi near Avoca, was apparently texting her boyfriend just moments before the crash. Investigators with the Iowa State Patrol say texting and driving was likely the major contributing factor in a crash that killed 22-year-old Nikki Johnston.

The woman’s family told authorities she had texted her boyfriend at 12:53 p.m., asking him what she wore on their first date. Minutes later, her boyfriend texted her a picture from their first date. Johnston received that text at the same time as the first 911 call from the scene of the crash near Avoca. That call came from the driver of a vehicle which was directly behind Johnston.

Investigators said Johnston lost control of her car and went through a grass median before a semi-truck heading east broadsided her at about 70 mph.Johnston died on impact. Family members said she was on her way to work at Tac Air in Omaha at the time of the crash.Her phone was found intact.Investigators said they conducted several tests and ruled out a mechanical malfunction as an explanation for the crash. They said texting was likely the major contributing factor.

Johnston’s family told Omaha television station KETV, they don’t want to believe texting caused the crash that killed their oldest daughter, and they think there’s more to the crash than distracted driving.

88 dogs rescued from squaller in Sac County

News

January 26th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) say 88 dogs living in deplorable conditions were removed from a property near Kiron, in Sac County, Wednesday.

Cocker Spaniel w/matted hair before being treated (Courtesy ARL)

 The conditions caused the dogs, most of which were Cocker Spaniels, to suffer from severely matted hair and other health problems. The animals have since been moved to ARL shelters in Des Moines, Carroll, Boone, Cedar Rapids and Sioux City.

Officials say six of the dogs may be pregnant. A total of 18 will remain with the Animal Rescue League in Des Moines to undergo veterinary care and grooming, officials said. Once healthy, the dogs will be put up for adoption. League officials say donations of money and dry dog and puppy food will help cover veterinary expenses.

Same dog, after hair trimmed and cleaned up (Courtesy ARL of IA)

Nat’l. Weather Service Forecast for Cass & area Counties, 1-26-12

Weather

January 26th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

333 AM CST THU JAN 26 2012

TODAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. BREEZY. PATCHY FOG THROUGH MID MORNING. HIGH AROUND 40. TEMPERATURE STEADY OR SLOWLY FALLING IN THE AFTERNOON. NORTHWEST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 30 MPH.

TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR THROUGH MIDNIGHT THEN BECOMING MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOW IN THE MID 20S. WEST WIND NEAR 10 MPH.

FRIDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. BREEZY. SNOW LIKELY IN THE MORNING…THEN A CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW IN THE AFTERNOON. SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 1 TO 2 INCHES. HIGH IN THE UPPER 30S. SOUTH WIND 5 TO 10 MPH INCREASING TO WEST 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 30 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 70 PERCENT.

FRIDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. BREEZY. LOW 15 TO 20. NORTHWEST WIND 15 TO 25 MPH SHIFTING TO THE WEST 10 TO 15 MPH AFTER MIDNIGHT.

SATURDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. BREEZY. HIGH IN THE LOWER 30S. WEST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOW AROUND 15. HIGH AROUND 30.

SUNDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOW IN THE MID 20S.

West Harrison H.S. Principal accused of de-panting female student

News

January 26th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Harrison County have been called to investigate an alleged incident involving a teenaged girl and the principal of the West Harrison High School, in Mondamin. Sheriff Patrick Sears said school officials called his office after a  freshman at the high school accused her principal of pulling her pants down to her knees in front of fellow students. School officials are not talking about the Friday afternoon incident.

According to the Omaha World-Herald, the incident involved 15-year old Callie Merriman,  who plays guard on the girls basketball team, and Principal Mike Loftin, who coaches the varsity squad. Merriman told the paper the team was about to board a bus for a game when the incident allegedly took place. The teen was wearing warm-up pants but had forgotten her shorts at home that day. She said she went home to grab them, but they were still in her purse. Merriman and some teammates were leaving the girls locker room, and she says when she came out, she was standing by the boys locker room, the coach was talking, and she said – quote – “I guess he meant it as a joke and just yanked at my warm-up pants.” The girl says she screamed she wasn’t wearing any pants underneath the warmups, which went down to her knees. She said she immediately went to the ground try to hide her underwear and pulled her pants back up. On the bus after the incident, Merriman said Loftin apologized repeatedly and offered to buy her candy.

Superintendent Joel Foster would not comment and declined to say whether Loftin was still employed or had been suspended, describing the incident as a personnel matter. He did tell The World-Herald that Loftin had worked for the district for about a year and a half. The district’s website indicates Loftin is principal of grades 7-12. Merriman said Loftin has not been seen at the school since the incident. Loftin reportedly told an Omaha television station school officials suspended him pending while an investigation into the alleged incident is being conducted by the sheriff’s office. He said the allegations were blown out of proportion.

No charges have been filed.

Indiana State Defeats Northern Iowa 59-54

Sports

January 26th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — Carl Richard scored 17 points to lead Indiana State to a 59-54 victory against Northern Iowa on Wednesday night. Richard was the only player in double figures for the Sycamores (12-9, 3-7 Missouri Valley), who never trailed and held the Panthers (14-8, 4-6) to 36 percent shooting from the floor. Seth Tuttle scored 22 points and Johnny Moran added 11 for Northern Iowa. Marc Sonnen, who entered Monday with a 10.1 scoring average, was held to four points but made a 3-pointer for a 16th straight game. Sonnen had a putback that would have cut the Indiana State lead to 56-54 with 1:21 remaining, but it was waived off due to a foul. Jake Odum increased the Sycamores’ cushion to six points with a jumper.

Drake Loses to No. 15 Creighton 77-69

Sports

January 26th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Drake got big nights from its two stars, Rayvonte Rice and Ben Simons, and put a significant scare into No. 15 Creighton. Doug McDermott and the Bluejays were just too much for the Bulldogs to handle, keeping Drake from moving closer to the Missouri Valley’s elite. McDermott scored 30 points and No. 15 Creighton held off Drake 77-69 on Wednesday night for its sixth straight road win. Jahenns Manigat added 15 for the Bluejays (19-2, 9-1 MVC), who have the program’s longest road winning streak in 37 years. Creighton let a 15-point lead dwindle to two early in the second half against the Bulldogs. But McDermott helped keep the Bulldogs from getting any closer, scoring 10 straight points late in the half. Rice had 23 points and 11 rebounds to lead Drake (12-9, 5-5), getting his seventh 20-point game of the season. Ben Simons added 18 and Kurt Alexander added 16 points off the bench. Creighton never trailed in the second half in winning its ninth straight overall.

Worker injured in backhoe accident in Iowa

News

January 25th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

CRESCENT, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say the operator of a backhoe was injured when the machine tipped over and landed in a small body of water near Crescent in western Iowa. The Pottawattamie County sheriff’s office reports two men were working with the backhoe Wednesday morning when the accident happened. Officials say one man was trapped inside the water-filled cab and his co-worker had to break to glass of the cab to get him out. The operator was taken to a hospital to be treated for hypothermia and cuts to his hands from the glass.

County still dealing with Council Bluffs levees

News

January 25th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Pottawattamie County supervisors are starting over on the nagging question of who’s responsible for repairing the levees north of Council Bluffs. The levees had about a dozen breeches during summer flooding on the Missouri River. However, since the county doesn’t own them and didn’t provide maintenance before the flooding, just who can apply for federal or state funding to fix the problems remains up in the air. Supervisor Scott Belt told the board Tuesday that after the county was told it can’t receive help, government agencies are still asking for information. County Engineer John Rasmussen says he continues to gather information, and if agencies request it, he sends it. The county continues to explore developing a levee district to deal with the repairs.