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

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VINTON, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have charged an eastern Iowa couple who kept hundreds of animals in a residence that’s also home to four children. Thirty-eight-year-old Barbara Galkowski and 36-year-old Marshall Galkowski have been charged with child endangerment, and court records say she’s also charged with animal neglect.

In January officials found hundreds of animals in the Galkowskis’ Vinton house and garage, including rabbits, rats, mice, hedgehogs, turtles, birds, guinea pigs, gerbils and a ball python. Several carcasses also were found. Barbara Galkowski has said the animals were not neglected or starving and that she takes in rescue animals and breeds and shows guinea pigs.

Melanie Petty, with the Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund in Atlantic, has announced the non-profit organization is proud to once again fund the Atlantic Baseball Pitching Clinics for 4th-7th graders.  Petty said also, “We are happy to have Sean O’Brien back in town to teach our youth and look forward to working together in the future.”

Sean O’Brien

She reminds you also, that the 10th Annual TFred Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, August 11th.  The event is the only fundraiser held each year.  It’s a fun day of golf along with a silent auction and lunch.  Since losing Trev in 2009. Petty said the 501(C)3 fund has been able to donate back $165,000.00 in his memory to the things he loved. Watch for future donations to the community on the organizations’ Facebook page (Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund), and listen for them here on KJAN.

Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports that early this (Thursday) morning, Fremont County Deputies arrested 26 year old Courtney Bartles, of Hamburg. Bartles was arrested on a valid arrest warrant in the 1900 block of Park street in Hamburg. She was charged with delivery of controlled substance to a minor and transported to the Fremont County Law Enforcement Center, where her cash only bond was set at $25,000.

Courtney Bartles (photo courtesy Fremont County S/O)

Sheriff’s officials in Adams County report a man from Union County was arrested just after 8-p.m. Wednesday on drug charges. Adams County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near the intersection of Quince Ave. and 190th Street and upon further investigation, arrested Keden Morris, of Creston, for Operating While Intoxicated 1st Offense (drugged) and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Morris was being held in the Adams County Jail on a $2,000 cash only bond.

Fred Hubbell, Iowa Democratic candidate for governor, launched his ‘Invest In Opportunities Tour,’ Wednesday, and will be traveling across the state to meet with voters and discuss his vision to expand opportunities to succeed for every Iowan.

During his “meet & greets” that will take place from Council Bluffs to Perry to Dubuque, Hubbell’s campaign says he will “highlight how his commitment to restoring people-first priorities — investing in education, expanding access to health care, and supporting community growth, rather than doling out millions in wasteful corporate tax credits — will build an Iowa that will be successful for generations.”

Hubbell will be in western Iowa tomorrow (Friday) at the following locations and times:

Pottawattamie County Meet & Greet: 11-a.m. at the Council Bluffs Library Meeting Room 1A, 400 Willow Ave, Council Bluffs.

Monona County Meet & Greet: 1-p.m. at Miller’s Kitchen Banquet Room, 812 Iowa Ave, Onawa.

Woodbury County Meet & Greet: 4-p.m. at Rebo’s in the Party Room at 1107 4th St, Sioux City.

Dallas County Meet & Greet: 7:30-p.m. Friday, at the Volunteer Home, 1908 North St, Perry.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The father of a 16-year-old girl who was tortured and starved to death is pleading guilty to three counts of assault while participating in a felony causing a serious injury. The Des Moines Register reports that 47-year-old Joseph Finn II appeared in court Wednesday to plead to the charges, which each carry up to 10 years in prison. Finn is set to be sentenced May 4 for his part in the October 2016 death of Natalie Finn.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Magazine and broadcasting company Meredith plans to eliminate 1,000 jobs over the next 10 months as it integrates the operations of Time Inc., which it bought six weeks ago. Meredith CEO Tom Harty said Wednesday 200 employees have been notified their positions were eliminated.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Republican strategist has challenged the filing paperwork of the only GOP candidate seeking to run against Gov. Kim Reynolds in the upcoming primary. The Iowa Secretary of State’s Office says a formal challenge was filed Wednesday against Republican Ron Corbett’s paperwork. Craig Robinson, a former political director for the Republican Party of Iowa, claims Corbett’s campaign turned in duplicate signatures that put the former Cedar Rapids mayor below the required signature threshold.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Police have arrested a suspect after at least two clerks were sexually assaulted during a string of convenience store robberies in northwestern Iowa. The Courier newspaper reports that the 25-year-old man was arrested Tuesday as he entered a convenience store in Waterloo wearing all black with his face covered. Victims of four other robberies in Waterloo described the suspect as wearing the same attire. The man is jailed on $1.8 million bond.

Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope said Wednesday evening, that a 14-year old juvenile was taken into custody as the result of an investigation into an incident that occurred at Sidney High School, in Fremont County.

Deputies called to the Sidney High School in reference to threat of a shooting that was made at school by the juvenile, immediately isolated the student upon their arrival. The juvenile was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center located in Council Bluffs and is being charged with Threats of Terrorism.The student’s name was not released

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office is still working with the Fremont County Attorney’s Office, Juvenile Court Officials, and Sidney Schools in connection with the matter.

Atlantic City Administrator John Lund Wednesday evening, received a blessing from the City Council, to crack down on property owners who violate the city’s Minimum Maintenance Code, this Spring. (Chapter 148 of the City Code, http://www.atlanticiowa.com/atlantic/city-government/city-code/ )

Lund said “The plan right now is begin issuing orders to correct violations, and people who are not doing that are going to get Municipal Infraction citations.” If the problem is still not corrected, or the citations are not paid, the City will move forward with the magistrate court’s intervention.

He said from this point forward, Code Enforcement Officer Kris Erickson will work with City Attorney Mark Bosworth to deal with the habitual offenders, those who have received prior notices and failed to rectify the situation.

He says “By the time the municipal infraction citation is issued, it becomes a judicial process. Not administrative, not political, and I’m not going to engage people that want to protest or make a scene or complain about the fact that they received a citation because they have a property violation.”

Lund said he’s been working with Erickson for three-years, and he’s not seen one instance where he’s questioned her judgement, or her compassion when it’s reasonable. He says “We need to take this seriously and for people that feel they are being treated unfair by the City, you will get your hearing before the Magistrate. If we are being unreasonable, the Magistrate will step-in and stop us. I am not going to encourage people to come [to City Hall] and protest if they’re in violation of City Code.

He recommended the Council take a similar position, “Otherwise people will try politics and influence to get around the fact that they own property they’re not maintaining and it’s an eyesore in this community. If we start carving out exceptions based on that, we’re going to end up with inconsistent enforcement, and it will compromise the whole purpose of why we’re even bothering with this.”

Attorney Mark Bosworth said the fines for failing to follow the Ordinance are $250 for the first offense, $500 the second offense, and $1,000 for repeat offenses. If fines are not paid, the City would pursue Judgements or liens on the property.

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, Wednesday evening, said on their social media page, that “Area authorities are on the lookout for a black male and female that are going around selling hotel coupons. They are driving a newer maroon Suburban or Yukon. A similar vehicle has been spotted near locations of recent residential burglaries.”

Possible suspects in Montgomery County Burglaries.

Officials say “If you see these individuals please do not approach them and contact your local law enforcement agency immediately.”