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1 dead, 2 hurt in Decatur County crash

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July 9th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A single vehicle accident Saturday afternoon on a gravel road in Decatur County left one person dead and two others injured. The Iowa State Patrol says the driver of a 2006 Chevy Silverado pickup, 69-year old James Edgar Young, of Lamoni, died on the way to the hospital. Two passengers in the pickup, 13-year old Ethan Cullen, of Champaign, IL., and 10-year old Audbrey Cullen, also of Champaign, were transported to the Leon Hospital.

The accident happened at around 2:45-p.m., Saturday, as the pickup, which was traveling eastbound on River Road. The truck began to slide sideways and entered the east ditch,  where it struck a telephone pole. James Young — who was wearing his seat belt — was ejected from the pickup, which came to rest on its side.

Iowa early News Headlines: Sunday, 7/9/17

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July 9th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 4:45 a.m. CDT

CHEROKEE, Iowa (AP) — After nearly three years of sitting vacant, a Tyson Foods plant in the northwestern Iowa community of Cherokee could be showing signs of life. The Des Moines Register reports that the property owner recently listed the site with Chicago-based Global Food Properties. Local leaders hope that means a new occupant for the 250,000 square-foot plant will be found.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police say a 4-year-old girl was shot in one of her legs after she found a handgun under her parents’ bed. The girl was hospitalized but expected to recover after the Thursday night shooting. Investigators say the parents told police the girl had been playing in the house, found the case that holds the gun and took it to her room. She then apparently opened the case and accidentally shot herself in the thigh.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police in Des Moines say the body of a 13-year-old boy has been pulled from the Birdland Marina off the Des Moines River. Police say officers and Des Moines rescue crews were called to the marina just before 7 p.m. Friday for a report of a body in the water. Workers found the boy’s body minutes later. Police said in a news release Saturday that the death does not appear to be the result of a crime.

WAVERLY, Iowa (AP) — Leaders of the northeastern Iowa city of Waverly are considering replacing an historic bridge with a pedestrian bridge. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier report that the City Council recently heard from city engineer Mike Cherry about two basic pedestrian bridge options. The council agreed to add a resolution at its Monday meeting to begin a feasibility study comparing bridge options.

Separate accidents in Montgomery County results in 2 arrests

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July 8th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Two separate accidents in Montgomery County have resulted in two arrests. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports Adam C. Woods, of Carson, was arrested at around 8:20-a.m. Saturday, following an investigation into a vehicle in the ditch at N. Avenue and 110th Street. Deputies located Woods on the road in the westbound lane of 110th.

Officials say there was a moderate odor of alcohol emanating from the man, he was swaying at he stood up, and slurred his words while trying to explain what happened. Woods refused to take a breath test and was taken into custody. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond.

And, at around 9:50-p.m. Friday, Montgomery County Deputies investigated a two vehicle accident at N. 2nd and Oak Streets in Red Oak. Officials say a 2011 Jeep SUV driven by Juan Carlos Garnica, of Red Oak, was traveling north on N. 2nd Street, when he suddenly stopped and put the vehicle into reverse. The SUV collided with a marked Red Oak Police Patrol car, operated by Officer Zach Ward. Garnica was taken into custody for OWI/1st offense and held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 cash bond.

Damage from the collision amounted to $4,000, with the Red Oak P-D cruiser sustained the brunt of the damage, at $3,500.

Police: 4-year-old Iowa girl shoots self after finding gun

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July 8th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police say a 4-year-old girl was shot in one of her legs after she found a handgun under her parents’ bed. Police say the shooting happened Thursday night in the girl’s home. The preschooler was hospitalized and is expected to recover.

Investigators say the parents told police the girl had been playing in the house, found the case that holds the gun and took it to her room. She then apparently opened the case, found the gun and accidentally shot herself in the thigh.

Sgt. Paul Parizek says the parents could face charges in the case. The shooting remains under investigation.

Vacant Iowa Tyson plant listed for sale for about $2.5M

News

July 8th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

CHEROKEE, Iowa (AP) — After nearly three years of sitting vacant, a Tyson Foods plant in the northwestern Iowa community of Cherokee could be showing signs of life. The Des Moines Register reports that the property owner recently listed the site with Chicago-based Global Food Properties. Local leaders hope that means a new occupant for the 250,000 square-foot plant will be found.

Tyson, once Cherokee’s largest employer, closed in September 2014, taking 450 jobs with it. Since then, Tyson has held onto the lease. Last July, the company offered to buy out its lease, which doesn’t expire until 2020. But the offer went nowhere, as the property owner feared taking over the costs of security, maintenance, utilities and property taxes.

The plant and its 45-acre site are listed for about $2.5 million.

NE man arrested after motorcycle pursuit into IA, Friday evening

News

July 8th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) said Saturday (Today), that their Troopers and those with the Iowa State Patrol (ISP) worked together Friday evening, to apprehend a reckless motorcycle rider who led troopers on a pursuit along Interstate 80 starting in Lincoln and ending in Iowa. 22-year old Devon Brogdon, of Omaha, faces multiple charges.

The pursuit began just before 5:30 p.m. near mile marker 397 in Nebraska, when an NSP trooper clocked the motorcycle traveling at 90 MPH in a 65 MPH zone. After the trooper activated lights and siren, the motorcycle accelerated and was tracked at speeds in excess of 100 MPH while still on I-80 in Lincoln. Due to the high rate of speed and increasingly dangerous driving of the motorcycle, troopers pulled back and allowed the NSP Aviation Support Division to take over the pursuit from the air.

The motorcycle was observed maintaining speeds in excess of 90 MPH, passing traffic on the inside shoulder of I-80 between Lincoln and Omaha. Several troopers positioned themselves along the route to monitor the pursuit while the NSP helicopter followed.

As the motorcycle entered Iowa, the Iowa State Patrol took over the ground pursuit with support provided by the NSP helicopter. Iowa troopers were able to corner the rider and engaged in a foot pursuit after forcing the motorcycle to stop. Brogdon was apprehended and turned over to NSP to be returned to Lincoln.

He faces charges and citations in Nebraska that include Flight to Avoid Arrest, Willful Reckless Driving, Driving Under Suspension, Speeding, Failure to Signal, Driving on the Shoulder, No Motorcycle Endorsement, No Proof of Insurance, Failing to Display the Proper Number of License Plates, and Operating an Unregistered Vehicle. Brogdon was logged into Lancaster County Jail. He was also cited by the ISP for traffic infractions.

Annual gathering of Midwestern lawmakers set for Des Moines

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July 8th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa will host the Midwest’s largest annual gathering of state legislators this month. The Midwestern Legislative Conference of The Council of State Governments will meet Sunday in Des Moines. More than 500 lawmakers, staff, private sector representatives and guests representing 11 Midwestern states and four Canadian provinces are expected. The conference runs through Wednesday and will be held at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown.

Featured speakers include Kenneth Quinn, former U.S. ambassador and president of the World Food Prize, Isabel Wilkerson, author of the best-selling, award-winning “The Warmth of Other Suns,” and Harry Enten, senior political writer and analyst for FiveThirtyEight.

Reminder: Fireworks, gun amnesty day for Omaha, western Iowa

News

July 8th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – The Omaha Police Department is giving people the opportunity to get rid of leftover fireworks this weekend. People can also turn in guns and ammunition Saturday for the Metro Area Fireworks/Gun Amnesty Day. Three drop-off locations will take fireworks, guns and ammo from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The drop-off sites are the Omaha Fire Station on 103rd Street, Seymour Smith Park and the west parking lot of the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The event allows the items to be dropped off with no questions asked, but police will document all firearms. If a gun is linked to a crime or reported stolen, police will investigate.

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 7/8/2017

News, Podcasts

July 8th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

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

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Iowa school sets up emergency fund for students in need

News

July 8th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A central Iowa school is setting aside grant money to create an emergency fund for students which could mean the difference between some students staying in school or having to quit. Carl Moses, provost of Grand View University in Des Moines, says the money is meant for students who are faced with unexpected expenses when they’re already struggling to make ends meet. “So it might be medical costs, it might be traveling home for a family emergency or auto repair,” Moses says. “They need to choose between paying for that and paying for college.”

The school is getting 210-thousand dollars from Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation to establish the fund which will be available at the start of the fall semester. “We don’t give the funds directly to the students,” Moses says. “So, if it’s a matter of an auto repair, we write a check to the mechanic and we can do that in less than two days from the time a student first approaches us for assistance.”

He estimates as many as 900 Grand View students are living day-to-day and might value the financial help.

(Radio Iowa, w/Thanks to Rob Dillard, Iowa Public Radio)