IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — In a victory for prosecutors, a judge has ruled that they can use key evidence against the man charged with killing University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts. Judge Joel Yates agreed with prosecutors that some statements made by Cristhian Bahena Rivera must be suppressed because they came during an interrogation after he was not read his full legal rights.

But Yates ruled that prosecutors can use information provided by Rivera that led them to the body of Tibbetts, who disappeared in July 2018 while out running in Brooklyn, Iowa. He also ruled that they can use key blood evidence.

On Thursday, December 26, CCHS will be hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm in Conference Room 2.  Those interested in donating can either walk in or make an appointment by contacting Britney Weirich at 712-243-7477 or weibc@casshealth.org OR by going to https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time and entering the sponsor code: CASSCO.

The Harlan Police Department reports the arrest on December 17th, of 22-year old Brett Donald Keane, of Harlan. Keane was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, carrying weapons, theft in the 2nd Degree, possession of burglar’s tools and driving while suspended.

On Dec. 20th, Harlan Police arrested 19-year old Kyle David Confere, of Harlan. He was charged with domestic abuse assault. The following day, 43-year old Jennifer Marie Rowedder, of Harlan, was arrested on for allegedly making false reports.

Medivac, Harlan Fire and Rescue, Harlan Police, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department and Iowa State Patrol were on the scene of a multiple-vehicle accident this (Monday) afternoon. The crash involving two semi’s and two cars happened on the north side of the bridge near the intersection of Highway 59 and River Avenue (or about 2-miles south of the Harlan Airport). The crash occurred in a construction zone at around 2:44-p.m.

LifeNet and Medivac await the transport of crash victim(s).

Accident scene (all photos submitted to KJAN)

One of the victims was in need extrication. LifeNet helicopter was called and landed in a nearby field.  One person was flown from the scene to the Nebraska Medical Center.

Traffic was being rerouted at County Road F-58 and Highway 59. Additional details are currently not available.

(Radio Iowa) — If you are dreaming of a WARM Christmas — your dream is going to come true. National Weather Service meteorologist Brooke Hagenhoff says temperatures in the 50s will be the norm the next couple of days. “We got a little taste of it here this weekend with some 50s and that will continue at least through midweek here — Wednesday at least until Thursday — and then things will start to cool off again,” Hagenhoff says.

The forecast is calling for a high in the mid 50s on Christmas day. “It’s pretty unusual. Normal highs for this time of year are generally in the low 30s. The record high — at least for Christmas Day in Des Moines was 38 — and that was in 1936,” according the Hagenhoff. She says a small area in the far northern portion of the state is the only place that might not see the 50’s.

“While we’re not quite going to get to those record highs — we are certainly much warmer than normal. It’s pretty rare to be this warm around the holiday season.” Hagenhoff talks about the weather pattern that’s causing the warmth. “We’ve got a pretty big ridge of what we call high pressure, and that’s allowed for a lot of southerly flow up out of Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico. So, a lot of the central U-S, across a lot of the central U-S and even into some of the northern plains, which as allowed for temperatures to really soar through a lot of this week,” Hagenhoff says.

Temperatures toward the end of the week will fall a bit and there is a chance for some snow. She says the system will hit late this week into the weekend and drop temperatures closer to normal, which could include a little bit of snow or rain. Hagenhoff says the precipitation mix could hit right around the time people are heading back from Christmas visits.

“Anyone that has travel plans here for the weekend is going to want to keep an eye on this. We don’t have quite the details we want yet, just because it is several days out. So, it will be something to keep an eye on as we fine tune the forecast for the weekend,” she says. One thing she is sure of — those who procrastinated in their Christmas shopping won’t have to worry about going out in wintry weather.

“Any last minute shopping runs that people need to make should have excellent weather for that,” Hagenhoff says, “Nice and warm and dry.” But those who like a White Christmas will have to wait until next year.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A group of top state officials has approved payments of nearly $400,000 to continue a lawsuit defending former Gov. Terry Branstad. A jury found in July he discriminated against former Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey because he is gay and awarded him $1.5 million. State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald and Auditor Rob Sand refused to approve the payment. They say taxpayers shouldn’t continue paying. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Secretary of State Paul Pate and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig approved the bills, bringing total court costs to more than $8 million, which will climb since Reynolds is appealing the case.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – More than 20,000 people could soon be eligible for reimbursement of fines and late fees collected by the city of Cedar Rapids on traffic camera citations issued between 2010 and 2018. A proposed class-action settlement shows the city has agreed to pay nearly $3 million in refunds and attorneys’ fees to end a lawsuit that challenged its two-year-old collection program. Those who paid late fees or who had their state tax refunds seized by the city will be eligible to seek up to $599. Pending court approval, notices will be sent to class members detailing the process for filing claims.

FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) – Prosecutors have cleared an officer who fatally shot an armed man at a warehouse in Fort Madison earlier this month. A special assistant attorney general said Friday that Officer Cory Brown’s shooting of Robert Elfgen was “legally justified.” Officers sent Dec. 10 to the warehouse encountered Elfgen. The West Point resident was armed with a handgun, and several warehouse workers were nearby. Authorities say Elfgen refused to follow Brown’s orders and was shot when he turned to flee. Elfgen had been searching the warehouse for a former girlfriend who worked there. He’d gone there after shooting a man elsewhere in Fort Madison.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has nominated 50 Iowa students to be considered for appointments to the U.S. service academies. Grassley said “These young Iowans who want to enter the academies and serve our country are a remarkable reflection on our state. Their accomplishments, leadership and desire to serve are exceptional, and signal continued excellence in the U.S. armed forces.”

Each year, Grassley has the opportunity as a U.S. senator to nominate either current or future Iowa high school graduates for a select few service academy placements. The U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy all select at least one qualified student from Grassley’s nominations. The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy makes selections in proportion to states’ representation in Congress.

Grassley encourages Iowa students to consider applying to more than one service academy due to the highly competitive nature of admissions. Iowa members serving in the U.S. House of Representatives make nominations in addition to both of Iowa’s U.S. senators. Students may receive more than one nomination. Students interested in academy appointments should begin the application process in the spring of their junior year of high school. Early application is encouraged. The academies select students based on the number of vacancies available for the next school year.

Traditionally, the high quality of Iowa nominees results in several Iowa students being offered admission to attend each of the service academies. These students then choose whether to attend the academy. Among the 2020-2021 nominees appointment (locally) to the U-S Air Force Academy, is:

• Anthony Cordes –  of Avoca
• Jacob Hrasky – from Treynor
• Jacob James – of Council Bluffs
• Connor Pickhinke – from Early

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests. This (Monday) morning, 33-year old Amanda Fay Maln, of Glenwood, was arrested for Driving While Barred, and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability. Her bond was set at $2,000.  Sunday afternoon, 41-year old Myron Lee Brandon, of Pacific Junction, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office for Violation of an Order/Contempt of court. His bond was set at $300. And, Friday afternoon, 37-year old Amberlee Wilmot, of New Market, was arrested at the Page County Jail, on a Mills County warrant for Theft in the 5th Degree. Her bond was also set at $300.