(Radio Iowa) – A jury in Davenport started but did not finish, Thursday, deliberations on the case against the man accused of murdering 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts nearly three years ago as she was jogging in her hometown. They were sent home at 5-p.m. without having reached a verdict. Their deliberations will resume 8:30-a.m. Friday.

Yesterday (Wednesday) Cristhian Bahena Rivera testified that he did not kill Tibbetts and claimed two masked men forced him to participate in the crime. Prosecutor Scott Brown delivered closing arguments this (Thursday) morning. “There weren’t two other guys. That’s a figment of his imagination,” Brown said. “All of the credible evidence in this case — all of it — points at him.” Brown says video showing Bahena’s vehicle in Brooklyn contradicts his testimony.

“The video, the confession and the physical evidence in this case tell the story,” Brown said. In closing comments that lasted into the lunch hour, Bahena’s defense attorney Chad Frese emphasized that the murder weapon has not been found and he suggested Bahena was spoon fed his confession. “Some of the investigation was sloppy,” Frese said, “but it really got sloppy when Cristhian Bahena Rivera got targeted.” Brown, the prosecutor, again cited the video showing Bahena’s car driving behind Tibbetts was the key. “The defendant here was not targeted,” Brown said. “The evidence led officers to him.”

Frese told jurors investigators cut corners and failed to fully investigate Tibbetts’ boyfriend Dalton Jack.  “He withheld information and he told you here on the stand he didn’t deem that him having an affair on Mollie was pertinent,” Frese said. Brown, the prosecutor, responded to that assertion in a final statement to the jury. “What do you do if you’re not getting along with your girlfriend? You break up with her,” Brown said. “You don’t take her out into the country and stab her to death.”

Brown said investigators cleared Tibbetts’ boyfriend after his boss provided an alibi and he refocused on Bahena confessing in 2018 and leading authorities to Tibbetts’ body. “The evidence in this case, there’s a mountain of it and it’s overwhelming and is leads you to the only conclusion,” Brown said, “Cristhian Bahena Rivera… he committed the murder.” Bahena’s attorney, Chad Frese, called Tibbetts’ murder absolutely tragic, but he asked the jury not to seek vengeance.

“You don’t decide this case with emotions tugging at your heartstrings,” Frese said. “It’s not your job to right a wrong.” The jury left the courtroom to begin deliberations early this (Thursday) afternoon.

Atlantic, IA — Cass Health CFO Abbey Stangl said Thursday, “There is a great deal happening at Cass Health these days in part due to the ongoing construction all around and within the facility. We’re really in the thick of our project right now, and we know that’s causing some temporary disruption. We ask for everyone’s patience with the noise and changes as we continue through this process. It is short-term pain for long-term gain.”

Some of the key projects going on now include atrium renovations, the Atlantic Medical Center remodel, and preparations are underway a to move main entrance to the south side of the building while they are revamping the main drive on the north side beginning in late June.

Atrium Renovations
Stangl says the current staircase has been partially removed to allow for the construction of the new staircase. Patients and visitors will immediately notice black tarping in the space. Access to the second floor is still open via the stairs and elevator. Along the atrium hallway, patients and visitors will also notice that the Specialty Clinic waiting room is now open, and the doorway into the Laboratory has been widened to better accommodate wheelchair access.

Atlantic Medical Center, RHC
Construction on the expanded medical center is happening in two phases. The north half is currently under construction and will open in late July. The south half will begin construction once the north half is operational. Current patients at the Atlantic Medical Center are seen in Suites B and E and may face some disruptions due to the noise of roof construction.

Cass Health Chief Clinic Administrator Tammy Bireline says “Besides seeing people at our main campus, patients can also take advantage of telehealth appointments or schedule appointments at one of our satellite locations, if they are concerned about the noise or any mobility issues. We also offer walk-in care at AMC Rapid Care, which is a great alternative for minor health issues.”

Main Entrance Driveway
Beginning June 23, the Main Entrance and driveway leading up to it will be closed for approximately three months so that crews can remove and replace the concrete that lead up to the building. During this phase of construction, the temporary main entrance will move to the south side of the building where all patients and visitors will enter through the Emergency Department. Patient and visitor parking will also be available in Lots B and C during that time.

The Glenwood Police Department reports one recent arrest. Officials say 38-year-old Michael Barton, of Glenwood, was arrested Wednesday, for possession of a controlled substance. His cash or surety bond was set at $1,000.

Atlantic School District Superintendent Steve Barber has released a monthly letter to parents, students, staff and patrons of the District, with regard to COVID-19 information. See the letter below

(Radio Iowa) – A jury in Davenport will soon start deliberations on the case against the man accused of murdering 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts nearly three years ago as she was jogging in her hometown. It comes a day after Cristhian Bahena Rivera testified that he did not kill Tibbetts and claimed two masked men forced him to participate in the crime. Prosecutor Scott Brown delivered closing arguments this (Thursday) morning.

Brown spoke to the jury for an hour. Shortly after 11 o’clock, Bahena’s defense attorney started his closing arguments. Chad Frese asked the jury not to seek vengeance for Tibbetts, but to apply logic to what they heard in court and make a judgement based on the facts presented. Frese suggested Bahena had been spoon fed a confession and investigators had not followed leads on other suspects.

(check back for updates throughout the day)

Atlantic, IA – The Cass Health Foundation recently awarded the Louie and Elsie Hansen Scholarships. The recipients are McKenzie Waters, Jennifer Steffens, and Genevieve Martinez.

The Louie and Elsie Hansen Scholarship was established through the generosity and careful planning of these two life-long Cass County residents. The Hansen’s believed in higher education, so much so that over 70% of their estate was bequeathed for that purpose, including a gift to the Cass Health Foundation.

Under the supervision and guidance of the Cass Health Foundation, scholarship opportunities are provided yearly. As per the Hansens’ wishes, scholarship candidates must have graduated from a Cass County high school and be enrolled in and accepted to an accredited nursing or medical doctor school pursing a degree as LPN, RN, BSN or MD.

Exira-EHK High School Administrative Assistant Jan Greving, today (Thursday), released to the media the name of 2020-21 Exira Middle/High School Honor Roll students. The 2nd Quarter/4th Semester lists follows, below:

2^nd Semester HS Honor Roll High Honor Roll (3.50 and above)

Honor Roll (3.0-3.49)

2^nd Semester JH Honor Roll

4^th Quarter HS Honor Roll High Honor Roll (3.50 and above)

Honor Roll (3.0-3.49)

4^th Quarter JH Honor Roll