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Charles City man gets prison for DUI crash that killed boy

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November 10th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

CHARLES CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Charles City man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for driving drunk and causing a crash that killed a 9-year-old Sioux City boy. The Sioux City Journal reports that 30-year-old Jesse Blade was sentenced Monday after pleading in September to vehicular homicide while intoxicated, second-offense operating while intoxicated and three counts of serious injury by vehicle. Prosecutors say Blade was drunk and had cocaine in his system on Oct. 26, 2019, when he ran a stop sign at a rural intersection near Rudd, hitting a minivan and killing 9-year-old Royce Fisher. Three other people in the minivan also were injured.

 

Iowa audit: Problems with sheriff’s evidence room integrity

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November 10th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — A new state auditor’s report has confirmed problems with the integrity of the evidence room of the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office in northwestern Iowa. State Auditor Rob Sand said in a special investigation report released Tuesday that record logs of evidence did not match the actual evidence in inventory in at least six cases. That included 49 pills of both over-the-counter medicines and unknown substances missing from the evidence room.

Investigators also found that some evidence bags had been tampered with and 18 instances in which the sheriff’s department failed to keep sufficient records to determine whether something was missing from the evident room.

 

Police say eastern Iowa man killed in bicycle crash

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November 10th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

TIFFIN, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in eastern Iowa say a man died in a bicycle crash over the weekend. The Gazette in Cedar Rapids reports the crash happened Sunday afternoon when 39-year-old Steven Towne, of Tiffin, lost control of the electric bike he was riding. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office says Towne’s bike hit a bridge railing at Tiffin City Park. Investigators say Towne was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and suffered fatal head injuries. Officials say he died at the scene.

 

Gov. Reynolds expands measures to try & contain the spread of COVID-19

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November 10th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Tuesday, said new rules will be in effect due to the spread of COVID-19 and the record numbers of hospitalizations and positive tests. (See the summary below) Reynolds said the trends of record setting hospitalizations cannot continue. There is no specific age group or type of activity that’s driving the rapid increase in positive cases. Because of the high level of community spread, the Governor said she is “dialing-up” measure to mitigate the spread of the virus. That includes signing a new proclamation that continues the Public Health Emergency for another 30-days. The proclamation imposes a number of additional health measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

There are new rules that apply to indoor youth or high school sporting events as well.

The new eight-person rule also apply to bars and restaurants. Distancing of six-feet between groups will continue to be enforced, and patrons must be seated to consume food and/or drink.

Bowling alleys, pool and bingo halls, arcades and indoor playgrounds and children’s play centers, are limited to groups of eight, unless from the same household. Reynolds also ordered all employers to re-evaluate whether or not more of their employees can work remotely and/or from home whenever possible. The governor says hospital staffing is becoming a challenge and it may soon impact Iowans who need care, for COVID or otherwise. She urges Iowans to rethink any planned gatherings and how their actions could impact their own lives and the lives of others.

CAM School Board approves bids and sets date for Special RPS Election

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November 10th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The CAM School Board Monday evening, approved bids for snow removal at the Massena campus, and for the purchase of a truck. Superintendent Paul Croghan told KJAN News the Board approved a bid from Brian Bauer for snow removal, and a bid from Travis Dorsey, of Massena, for the truck. In other business, the CAM School Board voted to send the Revenue Purpose Statement (RPS) to a Special Election on March 2nd, 2021.

The CAM School Board also discussed and decided to hold facilities talks with the community after the March 2nd election, both face-to-face and/or virtual, depending on what happens with COVID.

 

Crash in Pott. County sends 5 people to the hospital

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November 10th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

A collision Monday afternoon in Pottawattamie County resulted in five persons injured and transported to a hospital. The accident happened at around 1:20-p.m. near Carson, at the intersection of Highways 92 and 59. According to the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, Brandi Wood, of Marne, was driving a 2003 Lincoln Towncar southbound on Highway 59 and in was making a left turn, across the northbound traffic lanes, to the ramp to Highway 92.

David Deren, of Brooker, Florida, was driving a 2020 Ford F350 northbound on Highway 59, when his vehicle struck the passenger side of Wood’s car. Wood told investigators she was following a semi and road spray from recent light rains was covering her windshield. As a result, she didn’t see the Deren’s pickup heading toward her before she made the turn. Deren told Deputies that Wood turned in front of him, and he had not enough time to react.

Wood was transported to Mercy Hospital by Macedonia Rescue. Her passenger Cam Jahnke, of Council Bluffs, was transported to UNMC by Carson and Council Bluffs Rescue. Another passenger, Gregory Wood of Marne, was transported to Jennie Edmundson Hospital by Treynor Rescue. David Deren and a passenger, Adam Ryan of Stuart, Florida, were transported to the hospital by private vehicle.

Wood was cited for No Insurance and Failure to Yield Upon Making a Left Turn.

COVID-19 vaccine is promising but UI officials say we’re still weeks away

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November 10th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Drug maker Pfizer says early results of its COVID-19 vaccine trial show it’s more than 90-percent effective, but University of Iowa experts say it could be awhile before it’s widely distributed. Carver College of Medicine executive dean Pat Winokur says the F-D-A likely won’t approve the vaccine for emergency use until at least December. “It’s really important to continue with the face masks and social distancing and hand washing,” Winokur says. “It’s because it’s going to take us a while to get as many people vaccinated as we need to start controlling the spread of this disease.”

The ongoing national trial consists of 44-thousand participants, including 270 people enrolled through the U-I. Winokur, who oversees the Iowa City trial, says while the early results are promising, it will likely be several weeks before we’re rolling up our sleeves, as Pfizer still needs to submit its final safety data to the F-D-A. “They have to see the data for safety, when at least half the people have gotten their second dose and have been followed for two months,” she says.

The Iowa Department of Public Health along with local public health departments are working on vaccine distribution plans. Winokur says health officials need to determine who gets priority for the vaccine as it will take awhile for the company to ramp up production.

(By Natalie Krebs, Iowa Public Radio)

Pedestrian fatality in Decatur County

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November 10th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

An accident at around 3:40-a.m. Tuesday (Today) in southern Iowa’s Decatur County had claimed the life of a 35-year old male. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2002 Ford SUV driven by 32-year old Ashley Jean Rice-Tetley, of Des Moines, was traveling south on Highway 169, just north of County Road J-14, when she struck Cornelius Andrew Zolicoffer, of Des Moines, who was  in the middle of the southbound roadway.

The man was pronounced dead at the Decatur County Hospital. The incident remains under investigation.

Cass County Sheriff’s report (11/10): 4 arrests

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November 10th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports four people were arrested and four underage individuals were cited over the past week. On Saturday, Deputies responded to a report of a juvenile party in Griswold. Upon investigation, 20-year old Gavin Brett Fell-Nichols, of Griswold, was arrested on a charge of Contributing to the Delinquency of Minors. Fell-Nichols was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on his own recognizance. Officials say 18-year old Collin Jacob Clarken, of Atlantic, along with two 17-year-old males, a 16-year-old female, and a 16-year-old male were cited into Juvenile Court, for Possession of Alcohol.

Yesterday (Monday, Nov. 9), Cass County Deputies arrested 38-year old Brian Harold Eilts, of Massena, on a Cass County Sheriff’s Department warrant charging him with Willful Injury (A Class-D Felony) and Domestic Abuse Assault. Eilts remains held at the Cass County Jail on no bond. Also arrested Monday, was 39-year old Steven Robert Pedersen, of Council Bluffs. Pedersen was arrested on a Department of Corrections warrant for Parole Violation. He was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held for pick-up on no bond.

On November 5th, Deputies arrested 41-year old Charles Theodore Shroyer, of Atlantic, on a charge of Driving While Barred. Shroyer was taken to the Cass County Jail and transferred the following day to Guthrie County on their warrant.

Cass County Supervisors certify Nov. 3rd General Election results

News

November 10th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Board of Supervisors met at 9-a.m. Tuesday, to serve as Board of Canvassers and to proceed with the official canvass of the November 3, 2020 General Election.  After examination of the tally books submitted by the precinct election officials, the total votes received by all candidates were ascertained. County Auditor Dale Sunderman was directed to draw up the abstracts of the election to be submitted to the Secretary of State and to be filed in the office of County Auditor and to notify all local candidates who were declared elected in the General Election. The Certified canvass was prepared and placed on file in the office of the Cass County Auditor.

SUMMARY OF LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS (Declared Elected):

COUNTY OFFICIALS                             Votes:

Bd. of Supr. (1st)    Stephen S. Green  (R)  1,028

Bd. of Supr. (4th)    Steve Baier           (R)  1,261

Bd. of Supr. (5th)    Bernard Pettinger (R)  1,000

County Auditor        Dale Sunderman (R)  6,187

County Sheriff        Darby McLaren     (R)  6,266

County Attorney TFVac Vanessa Strazdas  (R)  5,421

Hospital Trustee      Linda L. Pelzer        4,210

Hospital Trustee      Leanne Pellett        4,376

Hospital Trustee      Ned Brown             3,890

SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS:

Chase Wheatley      (Massena Twp)        3,919

Ray Wilson          (Noble Twp)                3,750

Curt Behrends       (Franklin Twp)           4,420

AG. EXTENSION COUNCIL MEMBERS:

Darrin Petty                                           3,847

Marcy Jo Dorsey                                   3,220

Curt Rush                                              2,854

Jody Steffen                                          3,386

TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE                             Votes

Edna                   Dan Schrier                     53

Union                  Delmar South               102