A U-S District Court Judge in Council Bluffs, Thursday, sentenced a western Iowa man to a little more than 5 1/4 years in prison for possessing child pornography. 32-year old Matthew P. Goodside, of Shelby,  was also ordered to serve ten years of supervised release following his imprisonment and comply with Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act requirements.

Federal and state authorities began investigating Goodside in July of 2014 with regard to the suspected distribution of synthetic marijuana from his residence in Avoca. During a search warrant that was conducted at the Avoca residence in January of 2015, several laptops and pieces of computer equipment were recovered. A later forensic examination of the computers revealed the presence of several images and videos reflecting child pornography that had been downloaded using a peer-to-peer file sharing program.

The matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the Avoca Police Department, and the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Taskforce. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – State lawyers say a lawsuit brought by a fired Iowa criminal investigator should be delayed until former Gov. Terry Branstad completes his service as ambassador to China. The Iowa attorney general’s office filed a motion Wednesday asking a judge to suspend proceedings in Larry Hedlund’s lawsuit indefinitely or to alternatively delay the trial scheduled for Dec. 4. The filing says Branstad will be unable to attend, and his “vital duties to this country make it extraordinary difficult” to participate in his defense.

Hedlund is the former Division of Criminal Investigation agent who was fired in 2013, days after reporting speeding by Branstad’s security detail. He’s suing Branstad for defamation and Department of Public Safety supervisors for wrongful termination. Branstad has said Hedlund’s firing had nothing to do with the speeding complaint and the department says Hedlund was fired for insubordination.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – Police say officers have arrested a Marion man who left his baby son in a crash-damaged van at a Cedar Rapids restaurant parking lot before returning hours later. Station KGAN reports that Trevor Brickson is charged with child endangerment and other crimes. Jail records say he remained in custody Friday. His attorney didn’t immediately return a call from The Associated Press.

Police say Brickson pulled into the lot Wednesday afternoon, spent 20 minutes hanging around the restaurant and then left without the van. Police say it was damaged in an accident earlier Wednesday. Police say a restaurant worker found the baby crying in the van 15 minutes after Brickson left. A pry tool was used to get the baby out. Officers arrested Brickson when he returned a couple hours later.

Cass County youth interested in learning about robotics to solve real-world problems should be aware Cass County 4-H is forming a First Lego League group for 4-8th graders interested in getting hands-on experience with science. Guided by a team of adult Coaches, FIRST LEGO League* teams (up to 10 members, grades 4-8) research a real -world problem such as food safety, recycling, energy, etc., and are challenged to develop a solution using robotics and problem solving skills. Working as a team, members design, build, and program a Lego MINDSTORMS EV3 Robot to complete specific tasks on a table-top 8’ x 4’ Challenge field using LEGO MINDSTORMS® kits. Teams will also identify a community project and plan a presentation to share a creative approach to a solution.

An informational meeting for parents set for this Sunday, October 15th at 5-p.m. It will be held at the Cass County Extension office in Atlantic. Any local youth in grades 4-8 can join First Lego League. When you join, you will register for 4-H since FLL is part of Cass County 4-H.   The team will meet at least once a week from Mid-October through December. Please call the Cass County Extension office at 243-1132 or email shelbyrw@iastate.edu to register your spot for this informational meeting. Any parents or other adults interested in coaching are also encouraged to contact the office; technology experience not required.

FIRST LEGO League (FLL) is an international program, created by FIRST® and LEGO® , designed to get young people interested in and excited about science, technology and engineering. Every year, FIRST releases a new challenge that engages the teams in hands-on robotics design and scientific research. The theme for the challenge is different each year, allowing teams to learn about a variety of subjects.  This year’s theme is: HydroDynamics – learn about how we find, transport, use and dispose of water!

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County today (Friday) released an updated list of charges filed against two men allegedly involved in theft of numerous vehicles and other property. 25-year old Brandon J. King, of Scranton, KS, and 30-year old John P. Detimore, of Burlingame, KS, were arrested early Thursday morning, following a chase that began on Interstate 80 westbound, near Beebeetown. King faces charges that include: 1st and 2nd Degree Theft (Motor vehicle related); Eluding; Possession of a Concealed weapon (Handgun); Theft in the 4th Degree (stolen property); Interference with Official Acts, and Reckless Driving.

Detimore was charged with: 1st and 2nd degree Theft (Motor Vehicle related); Felon in Possession of a Firearm; Possession of a Concealed weapon (Handgun); Attempt to commit murder; Theft in the 4th degree – stolen property; and Interference with official acts. Both men remain in the Pott. County Jail.

Evidence recovered following the crash, includes a 2008 Chevy Cobalt, a 2014 Ford F-250 diesel pickup, and 2015 Chevy Silverado 1500 High Country pickup, and a .9-millimeter Ruger handgun. The vehicles were stolen from registered owners in Seneca, KS, Neola and Shelby.

Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson today (Friday) released a report on arrests that have taken place since Sept. 23rd. The report shows two men were arrested on separate drug charges: This past Wednesday (10/11), 44-year old Joseph King, of Atlantic, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance (Meth), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. And, on Sept 24th, 32-year old Aaron Rebarcak, of Atlantic, was arrested for Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and on a Fremont County warrant for Harassment in the 3rd Degree.

Three men were arrested on assault charges in Atlantic: 22-year old Bryce Baker, of Atlantic, was arrested Tuesday, for Assault Causing Bodily Injury. 25-year old Samuel Martines-Alvarado, of Atlantic, was arrested last Sunday for Simple Assault. And, last Saturday, 30-year old Ruben Eram, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault.

On Oct. 3rd, 45-year old Jesse Simmons, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Violation of Probation. And on Sept. 23rd, 29-year old Justin Cooley, of Atlantic, was arrested for Theft in the 4th Degree.

Each of those men was booked into the Cass County Jail.

Sheriff’s officials in Audubon County report a Carroll County man was arrested at around 9-p.m. Thursday on an outstanding Audubon County warrant. 19-year old Drew Matthew Schultz, of Lanesboro, was arrested on a warrant for Dissemination of Obscene Material to a Minor. The charge is the result of an investigation into Schultz allegedly sending obscene nude photo’s to a minor’s cell phone. The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation and arrest.

Schultz was transported to the Audubon County Jail and later posted a cash bond before being released. He’s scheduled to appear in court Monday Oct. 16th, at 9-a.m.

A pedestrian struck by a car Thursday night in Council Bluffs was transported to the hospital suffering from possible head injuries. Council Bluffs Police say emergency personnel were called to the 600 block of N. 28th Street at around 10:18-p.m. Thursday, for an injury accident involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. Upon arrival it was learned that 18-year old Kyleigh Severn, of Council Bluffs, was driving southbound on N. 28th street. The woman told officers she was looking at her phone and not watching the roadway. Her vehicle drifted to the right  and struck a pedestrian, 36-year old Kenneth Hill, of Council Bluffs, and also struck a nearby tree.

Severn told officers she was not aware she had struck anything other than the tree until she stopped her car, exited and saw witnesses tending to the pedestrian. Hill was transported to Jennie Edmundson Hospital’s Emergency Room, treated and eventually released from the hospital. Police said Hill is very fortunate to have suffered only minor injuries as a result of the accident.

Severn told officers she believed she was traveling around the speed limit of 25 mph at the time of the accident. She was issued a citation for unlawful use of an electronic device. If convicted, this charge carries a fine of slightly over $100. The Council Bluffs Police Department is reminding all drivers that use of an electronic device is prohibited while on the traveled portion of the roadway. That includes while stopped for traffic signals or stop signs. Depending upon the circumstances of the accident, penalties range from a fine to license suspension and in the event of a fatality, 10 years imprisonment.

Authorities urge you to “Please put your phones down while behind wheel of your vehicle.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The former manager of a state program that regulates Iowa livestock farms and the manure they produce alleges money dedicated by law to the program has been illegally diverted for other uses by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Gene Tinker, who was laid off last month after 14 years as the DNR coordinator of animal feeding operations, says there should be plenty of money to pay him since the state gets $1.6 million a year from fees paid by the farms the program oversees.

State Sen. David Johnson also believes money in the fund has been spent elsewhere even though a 2005 state law prohibits it. Johnson says he plans to seek a special audit of the fund. DNR spokesman Alex Murphy says the agency “fully denies the allegations.”

Officials with ARISE (The Atlantic Rock Island Society Enterprise) invite you to the American Legion Building (Old Armory, 201 Poplar St.) this Sunday afternoon, to hear from Curt Lane, an Atlantic native and Vietnam War veteran. Lane will talk about his tour of duty while in the U.S. Army in Vietnam, on Sunday, October 15th beginning at 2 pm. Lane graduated from Atlantic High School and enrolled at the University of Iowa. He was drafted and served in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970. He was seriously wounded in May, 1970. He received many citations including the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts.

You’ll get his personal insight into the war in Vietnam, including everyday challenges, night ambush missions, helicopter combat assaults and nighttime firefights. Much of Lane’s action was near the Cambodian border. Curt Lane’s presentation is one of the ongoing programs to understand and honor members in the service, veterans and their families. Programs are sponsored by Atlantic Rock Island Society Enterprise. A time to visit with Lane, and refreshments will be offered after the program. There is no fee to attend.

Curt and his wife Carol are ardent Hawkeye fans. They give generously to support faculty fellowships and student scholarships at the University of Iowa. He is Chairman of the Atlantic Alumni Scholarship Fund.