NEW YORK (AP) – James Alan McPherson, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning story collection “Elbow Room” and a longtime faculty member at the University of Iowa’s prestigious Writers’ Workshop, has died.  McPherson died Wednesday at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City from complications of pneumonia, according to Iowa program secretary Deborah L. West.

He was 72 and retired from Iowa in 2014.

james mcpherson photo credit Tom Langdon

A native of Savannah, Georgia and graduate of Harvard Law School, McPherson became the first African-American to win a fiction Pulitzer when “Elbow Room” was cited in 1978. His other works included the story collection “Hue and Cry” and the memoir “Crabcakes.”  He taught at several schools, notably at Iowa, home to one of the country’s oldest and most elite creative writing programs.

Griswold School District Superintendent David Henrichs says, in an effort to show transparency in the District, patrons are being informed of two Griswold Facility Committee Sessions planned for August, for the purpose of assessing the District’s current educational facilities.

The first work session takes place 5-p.m. Thursday, August 11th. The second, will be on Thursday, August 18th, also at 5-p.m. The meetings will be held at the Griswold Community School District’s Middle School / High School Library.  If you have any questions, please call the Superintendent’s Office, at 712-778-2152.

Area residents have several opportunities to enjoy a FREE outdoor movie over the next few weeks, complete with popcorn. Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Director Seth Staashelm says the first movie will be held tomorrow (Friday) night beginning at 8 o’clock. The movie “Inside Out,” is a 2015 American 3D computer-animated comedy-drama adventure film, set in the mind of a young girl named Riley Andersen, where five personified emotions—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust – try to lead her through life as her parents move from Minnesota to San Francisco, and Riley has to adjust to her new surroundings.

Staashelm says there are fun things taking place before the film is shown. There’ll be a Scavenger Hunt at 6:30-p.m., for the kids, where they will search for characters from the movie, and a chance for them to use the new playground equipment. The movies will be shown just down the hill from the Kiddie Korral Shelter at Sunnyside Park.

Seating for the movies will be on the grass, so bring your lawn chairs and/or blankets. You can also sit at the picnic tables in the shelter to view the movie. And, bring your soft drinks to wash down the popcorn. Movies will be shown on Friday nights for four weeks. The next movie is “Big Hero 6,” on August 5^th. Seth says they hope kids – and adults — dress-up for the movie as their favorite “Super Hero.”

The remaining movies in the park include, on August 12th: “Little Giants,” and on August 19^th, “Despicable Me.”  The movies are hosted by the Atlantic Parks & Recreation Department. Staashelm says also, the new Kiddie Korral and nearby playground equipment, as well as some finishing touches put on the Schildberg Park Connector Trail by KJAN, are just a few of the improvements that are continuing to be made in the Atlantic Parks System.

For more information, or questions about the summer movie series, or anything to do with the Atlantic Park system, call 712-243-3542.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A court has upheld the seizure of $63,000 from a former professional basketball player suspected of marijuana trafficking. Deputies in western Iowa seized former Purdue and Houston Baptist forward Gordon Watt’s cash in 2013 after stopping his speeding rental car. The money was packaged in bundles and discovered with items that investigators said pointed to drug dealing, including a baggie of marijuana, a digital scale and a stolen handgun.

Investigators believe Watt was driving to Colorado to buy marijuana to resell in Illinois. Watt, who played overseas after completing his college career in 2009, claimed he was going to practice in the high altitude and that he didn’t trust banks. The Iowa Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday the cash is subject to forfeiture based on its likely tie to drugs.

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers said in a news release this (Thursday) morning, his officers were kept busy overnight dealing with an incident involving knives and a stun gun, and a second incident resulting in a police officer being assaulted.

At around 8:30-p.m., Wednesday, Clarinda Police responded to a 911 call of a domestic fight with weapons involved, at the Parkview Apartments on E. Main Street. Following an investigation, Officers arrested 27-year old Sara Ann Billie, for alleging assaulting 29-year old Lovelle Joseph Ward, and threatening Ward with a knife. Billie and Ward live together in one of the apartments.

Ward also allegedly displayed and threatened Billie with a stun gun during the altercation. Billie was arrested for aggravated domestic assault, while Ward was arrested for aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon. Billie was being held in the Page County Jail without bond, while Ward’s bond was set at $2,000.

And, at around 12:15-a.m. today (Thursday), Clarinda Police responded to a 911 call about a domestic altercation occurring at a residence in the 700 block of S. 18^th Street, where property was being damaged. When officers arrived they learned that one of the parties involved in the incident, 38-year old Troy Lee Landess, of Clarinda, had left the home prior to officers arriving. Officers found Landess at his home on W. Logan Street. When they confronted him,  Landess allegedly became combative with the officers, and used his fist to strike one officer in the head. The officer did not require medical attention.

Landess was arrested for interference with official acts by resisting arrest and disorderly conduct and additional charges are pending. He was later released on a recognizance bond in order to seek medical treatment for injuries Landess may have sustained earlier in the evening, for allegedly hitting a window with his fist.

Reports concerning both incidents have been forwarded to the offices of Page County Attorney Carl M. Sonksen for review and the filing of formal charges.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will meet Friday morning at the courthouse, in Atlantic. During their session, which begins at 8:30, the Board will discuss and act on a Resolution for Posted Weight Limits on County Bridges. They’re also expected to adopt a Cass County Information Technology Policy, and, following a hearing, adopt an ordinance to “Establish a Policy for the Construction and Reconstruction of Roadways and Bridges” on the Cass County Secondary Road System.

In other business, the Board is scheduled to receive quarterly reports from the County Veterans Affairs and Conservation Directors, and, act on a Resolution to “Enter into a 28-E agreement for Iowa Precinct Atlas Consortium” (that is, for use of computer software programs known as “Precinct Atlas and Absentee Atlas), and related software/hardware components.

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

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The Creston Police Department reports a Newton woman was arrested Wednesday afternoon for Theft in the 5th Degree. 53-year old Joan McCulloch was arrested at 806 Laurel Street and then released on a Promise to Appear later, in court. And, early this (Thursday) morning, 32-year old Martin Ruiz, of Creston, was arrested at the intersection of Sumner/Highway 34, on the charge of OWI/1st offense. Ruiz was later released from the Union County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

CHEROKEE, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have ruled that the death of an Iowa man acquitted in the slaying of a 2-year-old girl in 2000 was an accident. The Sioux City Journal reports that the Iowa medical examiner’s office says Jesse Wendelsdorf, of Cherokee, died of ethylene glycol poisoning. The chemical is the primary ingredient in antifreeze.

Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation agent Darrell Simmons says antifreeze was found near Wendelsdorf when he was found March 29. He died two days later at a Sioux City hospital. Simmons told the newspaper it’s nearly impossible to say whether Wendelsdorf wanted to kill himself – he left no note. Simmons says some people drink antifreeze to get drunk.

Wendelsdorf was acquitted of murder and sexual abuse charges in the January 2000 death of his girlfriend’s daughter.

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

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