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Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa, Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Appeals Court has overturned the second murder conviction of a man who’s spent more than 10 years in prison. Juries have twice found Kenneth Heard guilty of murder for fatally shooting of 26-year-old Joshua Hutchinson in December 2007. The Des Moines Register reports that the court ruled Wednesday that Heard’s constitutional right to compel witnesses to testify was violated. The appellate court says the trial court failed to determine the “extent and validity” of one witness’s assertion of his Fifth Amendment privilege against incriminating himself.
The witness testified for the prosecution at Heard’s first trial but asserted his Fifth Amendment right at the time of his deposition before the second trial. Heard has accused that witness of fatally shooting Hutchinson. Heard’s first first-degree murder conviction in the case was overturned after he claimed his lawyers were ineffective. It’s unclear whether prosecutors will seek a third trial.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha real estate company has proposed a plan to turn a vacant former college dormitory into apartments for homeless veterans. The Omaha World-Herald reports that Burlington Capital Real Estate is seeking $347,000 in tax-increment financing to help fund the $8.2 million Victory Apartments II project. The City Planning Board on Wednesday unanimously voted to recommend that the City Council approve the request.
The project would occupy a building formerly used by Grace University, which closed in May. The new apartment complex would be located next to Victory Apartments 1, which has 90 apartments for veterans. Veterans also receive services such as addiction counselling and job-readiness training. Burlington Capital Vice President George Achola says more apartments are needed because the first building is full with a waiting list of 140 people.
The Adair County Board of Supervisors will hold a special session beginning 9-a.m. Friday, in their Boardroom at the Courthouse, in Greenfield. During their meeting, the Supervisors will hear additional FY 2020 budget year funding requests from the following: Veterans Affairs; County Conservation; Southern Iowa Trolley; Home Care/Community Services grant; DHS; Adair County Tourism; Custodian; Environmental Health, and the County Auditor.
The Board earlier this week heard FY 2020 budget requests from other county department heads.
Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County report a Nebraska man was arrested Wednesday night following a pursuit. Authorities say at around 9:50-p.m., Pottawattamie County Dispatch advised via radio traffic that Washington County, Nebraska deputies were in pursuit of a Black 1998 Acura 3.5, and that they terminated their pursuit at the Nebraska/Iowa state line. Washington County advised that the vehicle continued eastbound on Interstate 680 into Iowa. The vehicle was later located by Pott. County Deputy Adam Fields, and a traffic stop was conducted. The driver of the Acura, 29-year old Bradley Sutton, of Omaha, was taken into custody on charges of Eluding and OWI/2nd offense.
Officials with the Cass County Health System (CCHS) in Atlantic, have announced the next “Healthy U” session will take place beginning at Noon on Thursday, Jan. 17th, in Conference Room 2 at the Cass County Memorial Hospital. During the free session, Dr. Todd Bean, Chief Medical Officer, and Carrie Schmitt, Director of Diagnostic Imaging, will make a presentation on lung health and a new lung cancer screening.
Healthy U is a monthly, free educational series. The public is invited and welcome to attend, but reservations are required as a meal is provided for all attendees. Please call 712-243-7479, to reserve your seat.
Carrie Schmitt, Director of Diagnostic Imaging
Dr. Todd Bean, Chief Medical Officer
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials say two occupants were hospitalized after a fire at their Des Moines home. Firetrucks were dispatched around 10 p.m. Wednesday, and firefighters found the two outside the home when they arrived. Their names haven’t been released. The front of the home was heavily damaged. The fire cause is being investigated.
More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.
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The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office reports 38-year old Clinton Johnson, of Athelstan, was arrested Wednesday, in Athelstan, on a Department of Corrections warrant for Parole Violation. Johnson is being held at the Taylor County Jail without bond.
The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Wednesday morning, reviewed a recommendation from the County Compensation Board, who suggested a five-percent pay raise for Elected Officials. The Supervisors did not take any action on the recommendation during their meeting, but when it comes time to making a decision during the budgeting process, they may choose to accept the Compensation Board’s recommendation, or reduce the percentage, but they cannot go above the recommended amount. Regardless of which way they choose to act, the percentage must be the same for each of the elected officials.
Supervisor Mark O’Brien pointed out that in the last 10-years, the Board of Supervisors has approved a combined 23.5-percent in pay raises. During the same time, the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Federal Employees has been around 13-percent. He said Cass County has given more raises than the national government. A trend toward population decline, he said, means less people will assume the tax burden for the pay increases.
The Supervisors agreed to inform elected officials that they may base their budgets on a 2.8-percent increase, at least for now, but again no official action will be taken until they begin work on the FY2020 budget.
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