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Villisca man arrested on weapon and drug charges, Thursday.

News

April 29th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

An Adams County man was arrested last night in Montgomery County, following a traffic stop. Sheriff’s officials say 23-year old Jessie Bruce Fitzwater, of Villisca, was a passenger in a vehicle pulled over at around 8:45-p.m. near Grant.

Fitzwater did not have any identification on him. Officials say while he id’d himself as Steven L. Fitzwater, the officer who made the traffic stop had prior knowledge Fitzwater allegedly had a history of providing false identification when encountering authorities. After comparisons were made of tattoos on the passenger to known person wanted by authorities, Fitzwater admitted and further provided information which proved he was in fact, Jessie Bruce Fitzwater.

He was taken into custody on a warrant from Adams County on charges of Possession of a Firearm as a Felon, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Methamphetamine, and two Serious Misdemeanors. Fitzwater was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and later transferred to the Adams County Jail, where he was being held on $7,000 cash bond.

Cumberland woman arrested on drug charges in Harlan

News

April 29th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Police in Harlan reported Thursday a Cumberland woman was arrested Monday, for possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana.18-year old Shannen Tedford was taken into custody following a traffic stop. When officer offered to give four persons in the vehicle a ride home, those persons were patted-down to be checked for weapons.

During the search, the illegal substance and paraphernalia were allegedly found on Tedford, who was subsequently brought to the Shelby County Jail and booked for possession. Tedford posted a $1,000 cash bond and made her initial appearance in court, Thursday, where she plead not guilty to the charges. Her trial date has yet to be set.

04-28-2011 Backyard and Beyond

Podcasts

April 28th, 2011 by admin

Lavon speaks with Margee Shaffer about the John James Audubon festival this upcoming weekend in Audubon.

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Display honoring fallen soldiers embarks on Iowa tour

News

April 28th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A display featuring hundreds of photos is about to start its Iowa tour, honoring members of the military who’ve died in combat since the Nine-Eleven attacks of 2001. The exhibit called “Remembering Our Fallen” is sponsored by Bellevue University, just south of Omaha, Nebraska. Jim Maxwell is a spokesman for the school.

“The exhibit…was created to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars,” Maxwell says. “It’s a legacy that these men and women will never be forgotten and their names will be remembered and spoken.” The display includes photos of 98 service members from Nebraska and Iowa who have died in the War on Terror in the past decade. Maxwell says the exhibit has been at Bellevue University since late March and it’s brought an emotional response like nothing else they’ve had on campus.

“Some people have left written notes on the display itself to be given to the families at a later date,” he says. “If you view the display yourself, you’re used to seeing people in uniform but when you start to see photos of people in their everyday lives, people in roles as fathers, wives and mothers and you see children in the photos, it really hits home.” Maxwell says the exhibit is especially moving because of where the university is located.

“We’re right next door to Offutt Air Force Base, a close connection to the military so we’re very proud,” he says. “Nearly 20-percent of our students are active duty or military veterans and our student veterans association chapter is one of the largest in the nation. This isn’t just another sponsorship. This is something we are very proud to be a part of.”

As of May 1st, the display will start what is hoped to be a national campaign, appearing at various locations in Nebraska and Iowa through the end of the year.

Iowa schedule: May 1, 1:30 pm program open to the public 2-4 pm, Adel-DeSoto-Minburn High School, Adel; May 2-5, State Capitol Rotunda, Des Moines; May 16-22, Community Center, Exira; June 13-18, Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association, Shenandoah; June 20-25, Wilson Performing Arts Center, Red Oak; September 6-11, Onawa Public Library, Onawa; September 13-17, Stanton School, Stanton.

On the web at http://rememberingourfallen.org/

Atlantic man arrested on burglary, drug & weapons charges

News

April 28th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Cass County say an Atlantic man was arrested April 22nd on burglary charges, following an ongoing investigation. In their report issued today (Thursday( authorities said 43-year old Harold Eugene Powell, of Atlantic, was charged with Burglary 2nd Degree, Burglary 3rd Degree, Possession with Intent to Deliver Meth, Ongoing Criminal Conduct, five counts of Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, five counts of Trafficking Stolen Weapons, and one charge of Theft 5th Degree.

Powell was being held at the Cass County Jail on $110,000 bond.

Atlantic man turns himself-in on drug warrant

News

April 28th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s office says 35-year old Thomas Jordan Fredrickson, of Atlantic, turned himself-in Friday, after a warrant was issue his arrest. Fredrickson was wanted for Possession with Intent to Deliver Meth and Child Endangerment.

After being processed at the jail, Fredrickson was released on $12,500 bond.

And, officials say on Sunday, 28-year old Misty Jo Nelson, of Atlantic, was arrested on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Nelson was taken to the Cass County Jail, and released on her own recognizance later in the day.

Congressman King speaks about potential foe Christie Vilsack

News

April 28th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Republican Congressman Steve King says it’s too soon for him to speculate about facing former Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack in the 2012 election.

“The Democrats may have a primary. On my side I may have a primary so we can’t presume that that is a match up at this point, although it seems to be likely,” King says. “She placed a courtesy call to let me know that she has an exploratory committee. I think that’s to her credit and we’ll see how this emerges.” Vilsack, who is a life-long Democrat, announced last week she is moving to Ames, which is in the new fourth congressional district where King lives, and will be conducting a “listening tour” with voters in the district. King says he and Vilsack have a “complete philosophical disagreement on how the world looks.”

“That could be an engaging and interesting discussion taking place across 39 counties,” King says. “I was born here. I live here. My roots go down here. Our family for three generations, four generations, I guess more, go down in this part of the state.” Christie Vilsack is also an Iowa native, but her hometown of Mount Pleasant is in southeast Iowa and is not part of the new fourth congressional district. King says it’s “hard to estimate” how tough an opponent Christie Vilsack may be.

“Not having a track record, it’s hard to estimate that. I think that people on her side think so and so I would take her and any opponent very seriously and intend to do my share of this work and put together the best team we can,” King says. “Anytime you have a new district and the extra counties that are added it makes it a more difficult task and certainly I expect that.” After winning a seat in congress in 2002, King has refused to debate his Democratic opponents in the past four elections. And King is making no committment to debating Christie Vilsack.

“Nor am I declining. That’s something that I would think would be discussed between the two camps, if it got to that point,” King says. “But I would just say that most everybody in Iowa knows that I’ve debated a Vilsack many, many times…Tom and I served in the Iowa Senate together as we engaged each other over and over again. And then as he as governor, and I as a senator and then, he as governor and I as a congressman and now he as the secretary of agriculture and I as a congressman.” King suggests he’ll have even more debates with Tom Vilsack before debates Christie Vilsack. King made his comments on the Iowa Public Radio program, “The Exchange”.

(Radio Iowa)

Lane restrictions on I-29 near Missouri Valley begin May 6

News

April 28th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Council Bluffs construction office reports bridge construction work will cause lane restrictions in both directions of Interstate 29 between U.S. 30 (exit 75) and Harrison County Road F-50 (exit 82) near Missouri Valley beginning May 6th and lasting until August 5th, weather permitting.

Traffic in the work zone will be restricted to one lane in each direction. Also, a 13-foot-6-inch width lane restriction will be in place.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey posted speed limits and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles and wear seat belts.

DNE, Local Agencies to Participate in National Drug Drop-off Program

News

April 28th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement (DNE) will partner with local agencies across the state to participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s nationwide prescription drug take-back program. Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue. The DEA says currently, more Americans abuse prescription drugs than the number of those using cocaine, hallucinogens, and heroine combined.

Iowans can turn in their unused, unneeded and expired prescription medications at collection sites across Iowa. To find the site nearest you, surf the web to http://www.justice.gov/dea/

In our area, the collection sites include:

The Hy-Vee Pharmacy at 1605 N. Broadway, in Red Oak

Umba Hall at 300 2nd Avenue, in Underwood.

Hy-Vee Drug Town at 757 W. Broadway, in Council Bluffs

The Greater Regional Medical Center parking lot at 1610 W. Townline, in Creston.

The Glenwood, and Carter Lake Police Departments

And, the Farmers & Merchants Bank in Winterset.

The service is free and anonymous. No questions asked. Tablets, capsules, all other solid dosage forms, and liquids in original prescription bottles will be collected. Syringes will not be accepted.

The event will be held from 4-to-6-pm Friday, April 29th, and from 10-a.m. to 2-p.m. Saturday, April 30th.

Rocha murder – Woolsencroft trial

News

April 28th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The trial of one of three people charged with the murder of a Council Bluffs woman began Tuesday at the Pottawattamie County Courthouse. On Wednesday, the jury heard testimony in the case against 47-year-old Clarence L Woolsoncroft. Woolsoncroft stands accused of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree robbery and conspiracy in connection with the January 14th death of Tammy Rocha.

Prosecutors say minutes after Rocha and Woolsoncroft had a playful snowball fight, Woolsencroft drove Rocha to a home owned by Lisa A Reeves and her father, Bryan E Reeves. The three are suspected of conspiring to assault Rocha over the theft of a cell phone and some jewelry.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, Dale Mercer, a passenger who rode along with Rocha in Woolsoncroft’s truck the night of the attack, testified that he had never met Woolsoncroft, but Rocha called the man to give them a ride home from the Horseshoe Casino.

Mercer said as Woolsoncroft drove the truck north on 35th Street and made a left turn onto Fifth Avenue, Rocha questioned where they were going. Mercer said Woolsoncroft told her he needed to see some people, but Rocha warned him those individuals would attack her. As the truck approached a house at 3510 Fifth Avenue in Council Bluffs, Rocha tried to push the accelerator pedal, but Woolsoncroft was able to brake and put the truck in park. Mercer said three to four people were waiting near the street for the truck to stop.

Lisa Reeves allegedly began to assault Rocha in Woolsoncroft’s pickup before Woolsoncroft allegedly pulled Rocha out of the truck. Reeves continued to assault the woman, who was eventually found in the street with multiple stab wounds. Rocha later died at the Nebraska Medical Center.