OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A company that operates call centers intends to close its Omaha operations next week, costing the city nearly 100 jobs. The Omaha World-Herald reports that Cincinnati-based Convergys has filed notice with the Nebraska Labor Department of its intended closure. Company spokeswoman Brooke Beiting says 27 of the 123 people affected will work from their homes as call center agents. The rest are being offered outplacement assistance.

Beiting says the closure is “just a business decision made by Convergys” and wasn’t tied to any specific contract or piece of business. The company announced in January that it would close its call center in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, eliminating about 180 jobs. Convergys opened in Omaha in 1995 and had employed as many as 600 people in the city over the years.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have delayed legal proceedings because of competency concerns about an Iowa man accused of trying to kill a fellow state psychiatric hospital patient. Court records say 44-year-old Terrance Rooney Jr. has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and other charges. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that a judge ordered a trial delay so Rooney could be evaluated for his ability to participate in his defense.

Rooney has been a patient at the Mental Health Institute in Independence for years and was a patient there when he pleaded guilty in 1999 to making a threat to the life of President Bill Clinton. Authorities say in the latest case that Rooney tried to suffocate another patient in November and twisted the thumb of a staffer and threatened to kill her in February.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A Council Bluffs woman who tried to help her underage daughter claim a $50,000 lottery prize has been given a year of probation. The Daily Nonpareil reports that 62-year-old Michelle Lett also received a deferred judgment, which means her record can be expunged if she successfully completes the terms of her probation. Lett and 20-year-old Katelyn Dolezal were charged with lottery theft or forgery. Iowa law requires players to be 21 or older.

Authorities say Dolezal was 19 when she bought the winning scratch-off ticket. Court records say her mom went to the Iowa Lottery office in Council Bluffs to claim the prize, and a check was issued in Lett’s name.
Police say Dolezal later called the office for help, saying her mother wasn’t going to share the money with her.

Elk Horn, IA – As part of the kick-off activities to Tivoli Fest 2018, the Danish Windmill will host a book signing with Stig Hansen, the Viking Chef on Friday, May 25 from 4:00-5:00 pm. Hansen is an award-winning professional chef and recognized authority on Danish cooking. His book, “Cooking Danish—A Taste of Denmark”, is the only complete full-color Danish cookbook available in English. It’s ideal for Danes and people of Danish descent who wish to preserve, explore, discover or rediscover their culinary heritage.

Stig Hansen

Mill Manager Lisa Steen Riggs said “We are thrilled to have Stig visit us during Tivoli Fest,” said . “His book, “Cooking Danish” is one of our most popular cookbooks because it features Old World recipes with great instructions and colorful photos.” Following the book signing, starting at 7:00 at the Elk Horn Fire Station there will be Danish Hot Dogs and live music with Diego Garcia Band sponsored by the Tivoli Fest Committee.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A man sentenced to 10 years in an Iowa prison has been charged in federal court with bank robbery. The Sioux City Journal reports that 43-year-old Brendon Reed was charged Tuesday.
Authorities say he robbed United Bank of Iowa in Moville of nearly $14,000 on March 30. He was apprehended later that day after crashing a stolen car during a chase by officers near Salix. He pleaded guilty last month to theft.

The drivers of two vehicles suffered what were described as “Suspected minor/non-incapacitating” injuries, following a collision that occurred in Creston  at around 3:20-p.m., Thursday, in the 900 block of N. Sumner Street. Authorities say a 2006 Chevy Impala driven by 16-year old Brooklyn Nicole Bolinger, of Creston, was traveling southbound at the same time a 2015 Buick Encore driven by 68-year old Penny Lea Carson, of Creston, was traveling northbound.

When Carson attempted to make a left turn, Bolinger failed to see the Buick and hit the vehicles’ front end. The impact caused the airbags to be deployed on both vehicles. The Impala sustained major damage during the collision (estimated at $6,000) and will likely be totaled. The Buick also sustained major front end damage (estimated at $6,000), and was also a likely total loss, according to authorities. Both drivers refused medical treatment. No citations were reported.

State Senator Nate Boulton’s exit from the race for the Democratic Party’s nomination for governor a dozen days before the primary has voters scrambling to reconsider their choices. A recent Des Moines Register Iowa Poll showed Boulton in second place, behind perceived front-runner Fred Hubbell. Dianne Bystrom, head of the Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State University, says voters who were “all in” for Boulton may migrate to anyone but Hubbell. “Those votes may go toward John Norris, who is oftentimes noted as a second choice among a lot of Iowa Democratic voters,” Bystrom said. “But I also think…the two women in the race could also pick up a sizable share of Boulton supporters.”

Those two female candidates — Cathy Glasson and Andy McGuire — both called on Boulton to exit the race after The Des Moines Register published the accusations of three women who say Boulton touched them inappropriately. Boulton apologized, but made the distinction the alleged activity happened in a social setting. Bystron says there’s more legal recourse for women who are sexually harassed in the workplace — but Bystrom says it’s not surprising three women in the state senate called Boulton out for trying to classify harassment in a bar as something different from misconduct in the workplace. “Women want to be treated with respect whether they’re at work or in a social setting,” Bystrom says.

Boulton, a first-term state senator who turned 38 Wednesday, was the youngest candidate in the Democratic race for governor. Bystrom says some of her Iowa State students were volunteers on Boulton’s campaign. “I’m hoping that enthusiasm among young people for his campaign continues and that they make the choice to still stay engaged in the primary,” Bystrom said, “with their support going to another candidate.” The Democratic Leader in the Iowa Senate has called on Boulton to resign from the legislature. Bystrom says it’s “not impossible, but increasingly difficult” for someone to return to elected office once confronted with allegations like this.

“I think it depends on how each man handles each situation,” Bystrom said. “I wouldn’t say it’s particularly over for Nate Boulton. I think, as he’s said himself, that this should be a teachable moment.” Boulton said Thursday, during an interview with K-C-C-I Television it has been an “intense and, in a lot of ways, heartbreaking” 48 hours. Boulton again apologized for anything he said or did that women who came forward believe had crossed a line. Boulton’s wife said during the K-C-C-I interview she has sympathy for the women Nate offended, but she expressed concern there had been a rush to judge her husband before there was a “full conversation” about the allegations.

(Radio Iowa)