FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — A judge has decided that a man accused of killing two brothers in the Webster County city of Fort Dodge can’t get a fair trial there, so he’s moving the trial to Ames in Story County. The Messenger reports that Judge Kurt Stoebe ruled Tuesday that, after nearly two days of jury selection, it was unlikely an impartial jury could be assembled in Webster County to try 28-year-old Tanner King. He’s pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in the October 2018 shootings of 37-year-old Marion and 34-year-old Eldominic Rhodes.

Stoebe also said he would be shocked if a significant number of jurors didn’t know of the defendant, the numerous witnesses to be called or the families affected by the slayings.
The questioning of potential jurors in Story County is scheduled to begin Nov. 12.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County say one person was injured during an off-road motorcycle accident, Wednesday, between Oakland and Hancock. Authorities say 21-year old Ethan Rankin, of Carson, was riding a dirt bike on private property in the 4300 block of Juniper Road, a little after 5:30-p.m., when the accident took place. Rankin was transported to the UNMC in Omaha, by LifeNet. A report on his condition was not available.

A survey by SecurityBaron.com ranks Atlantic as one of the safest cities in Iowa. Coming in with a score of 75.57, Atlantic ranks 33rd among the 50 safest cities in the State. The analysis found that Atlantic (with a population of 6,588) had a rate of 3.49 violent crimes per 1,000 citizens. The city also has a citizen-to-officer ratio of 1.82 per 1,000 people and an average income of $39,702. Additionally, there are 3,283 households in Atlantic and a rate of 19.88 property crimes per 1,000 citizens.

It was also found that the safest city in Iowa is Sioux Center, with a safety score of 90.1 and an average income of $73,185. Sioux Center has a rate of only 0.26 violent crimes per 1,000 citizens and in fact, a citizen-to-officer ratio of 0.92 per 1,000 people. It’s highly unlikely you’ll be a victim of crime here! There are also 2,361 households in Sioux Center on average. The results were gleaned from FBI crime statistics.

By comparison, it was found that Storm Lake ranked last on the list, with a safety score of 68.3 and a median income of $48,382. The city in Buena Vista County has a rate of 6.58 violent crimes per 1,000 citizens, along with a citizen-to-officer ratio of 1.76 per 1,000 people.

For more information, go to: https://securitybaron.com/safe-cities/iowa/

(Update 10:15-a.m.) — OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Missouri River continues to rise and flood mostly rural land in Nebraska and Iowa, but Interstate 29 remains open near Omaha. Iowa Transportation Department officials expect to have to close parts of I-29 at some point during this week’s flooding. The river is expected to crest Saturday near Omaha after overnight rains dropped 1-to-3 inches in the area.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — The field manager of an Iowa hog farm has testified that a woman with whom he was having an affair told him last year she was deathly afraid of her husband — a man now accused of using a corn rake to kill her. Jerry Frasher testified Wednesday in the trial of Todd Mullis. Mullis is charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of Amy Mullis on Nov. 10 at the farm about 40 miles west of Dubuque.

Delaware County’s county attorney John Bernau, right, questions witness Delaware County Deputy Eric Holub as he hands back a corn rake during the first-degree murder trial for Todd Mullis at Dubuque County Courthouse in Dubuque, Iowa, on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019. Todd Mullis is accused of killing Amy L. Mullis by stabbing her with that rake on Nov. 10. (Nicki Kohl/Telegraph Herald via AP)

A prosecutor has said Todd Mullis was irate over the affair and fearful that he’d lose their farm if she divorced him. The Telegraph Herald reports that Frasher said he told Amy Mullis they had to cool things after Todd Mullis confronted him about text messages Frasher exchanged with Amy.

Two men wanted on separate warrants turned themselves-in to the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, Wednesday. 32-year old John Phillip Fry, of Council Bluffs, was wanted for Violation of Probation, and 22-year old Alexander Page McGinnis, also of Council Bluffs, was wanted for Harassment in the 2nd Degree/3rd offense. After their warrants were confirmed, both men were transported to the Pott. County Jail, and turned over to Corrections Staff.

The Cass County Auditor’s Office reports several candidates have filed nomination papers to run during the Nov. 5th City/School Elections. The deadline to submit nomination papers to the Cass County Auditor’s Office, for persons seeking City office, and School Board candidates (Submit papers to your School District Secretary), is 5-p.m.!

Those who have filed papers today (Thursday) include:

• Jericho Schmitt, Mark Opbroek, Wayne Preister and Angela Redler – for the Marne City Council
• Ashley Hayes-Atlantic Park and Rec
• Incumbents Jim Fisher and Steven R. Havens have filed to run for re-election to the Wiota City Council,
• Duane Scott Anderson has filed to run for re-election to the Lewis City Council.
• Russell Hansen has filed to run for Mayor of Lewis.

Candidates may submit nominations for both City and School Board positions. Today is the deadline!