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Another Griswold Administrator faces alcohol-related charges

News

March 16th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Less than three-months after the Superintendent of the Griswold Community School District was arrested in Carroll County for OWI/1st Offense, another Griswold District Administrator is in trouble with the law. Authorities in Union County say 41-year old Thomas “T-J” Dunphy, Principal at the Griswold High School, faces a charge of OWI/2nd offense, and Carrying a weapon while intoxicated. The charges were the result of a traffic stop for speeding in Creston, that took place at around 3-a.m. Sunday.

Iowa online court records show Dunphy pleaded guilty to drunken driving in 2010 and served two days in jail for the crime. Since his latest incident, Dunphy has posted bond and had his preliminary hearing set for March 29th. School officials say Dunphy was placed on administrative leave. The Griswold School Board is expected to meet Monday to discuss the matter and Dunphy’s future with the district.

In December, 2015, Griswold Superintendent Dana Kunze was arrested in Carroll County for OWI/1st offense. In a plea bargain, Kunze plead guilty to the charge on Feb. 25th. He was given a 60-day jail sentence, with all but two days suspended and credit given for time served. Kunze was also ordered to pay a $1,250 fine and given two-years probation.

AZ man faces sex abuse charges in western IA

News

March 16th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

An 18-year old man from Arizona was arrested Sunday night in western Iowa and charged Monday with six felony counts of sexually abusing a minor under the age of 12. The Daily NonPareil reports Jake Rytter, of Phoenix, AZ., also faces single counts each of disseminating obscene material to minors, and indecent exposure, both of which are misdemeanor offenses.

The alleged incidents took place from October of 2015 to December of 2015 in Honey Creek with a victim under the age of 12. According to the arrest affidavit, Rytter gave the victim two dollars, a pillow, his Popeye shirt and allowed the victim to play video games after the alleged sex acts.

In January, Rytter moved to Phoenix. While in Iowa last weekend, Rytter was arrested by the Council Bluffs Police Department. Authorities have not yet said where Rytter moved from or why he had returned to Iowa. If convicted, Rytter faces up to 25 years in prison on each second-degree sexual abuse count. He was being held in the Pottawattamie County Jail on $200,000 bond.

Rytter also faces charges in Crawford County that include Possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana. His next court date will be a preliminary hearing in Council Bluffs, on March 23rd.

Bluffs man sentenced to 5-years max. in prison for Child Endangerment

News

March 16th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

A Pottawattamie County man has been sentenced to up to five years for injuring an infant. According to the Daily NonPareil, 22-year old Andrew Ross, of Council Bluffs, pleaded guilty Tuesday to felony child endangerment. He’ll begin serving his sentence at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Coralville. In Ross’ written guilty plea, he admitted to smoking marijuana on Sept. 15th, 2015, and later that day knowingly tossing the child victim.

Ross also violated the probation he received in September 2015 after pleading guilty to assault and criminal mischief charges. He was originally granted a deferred judgment in that case. The deferred judgment was revoked following his arrest on the child endangerment charge, and Ross was sentenced to two years in prison on the criminal mischief charge and one year of prison on the assault.

The court also extended the no-contact order in-place between Ross and his victim, until March 2021.The two cases were consolidated, and the sentences will run concurrently. As part of a plea bargain, Ross agreed to plead guilty and will have his maximum five-year sentence reconsidered after 180 days.

According to court documents, if Ross receives a favorable report from his counselor, he may be released and placed on probation for two years. As part of his probation, he must complete his program at the Fourth Judicial District’s Residential Care Facility.

Special election set in Council Bluffs for new P-D HQ

News

March 16th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

City leaders in Council Bluffs, Monday, approved a special election to place a bond issue before the voters, for a new police headquarters. According to the Omaha World-Herald, the vote, which takes place May 3rd, will determine if the city should issue up to $20 million in bonds for a new headquarters for the Council Bluffs Police Department.

The vote Monday was 3-to 2, with council members Melissa Head, Roger Sandau and Sharon White in support of the measure and Al Ringgenberg and Nate Watson in opposition. Ringgenberg preferred a vote during the November general election, set for Nov. 8, when more voters would probably turn out. He also expressed concern about not having enough information about the project.

Three sites for the new headquarters were identified by a study committee and a separate, city-led review of 13 initial proposed locations:

  • Woodbury (just north of NP Dodge on Woodbury Avenue),
  • Google (part of Google’s property near South 24th Street and 34th Avenue)
  • and Sapp Bros. (near 23rd Avenue and South 24th Street).

At its afternoon study session, the Council Bluffs City Council heard the advantages of each site, but a final selection wasn’t made. The overall goal, according to Police Chief Tim Carmody, is to provide a building the police department can use for a century.

 

Iowa early News Headlines: Wed., March 16th 2016

News

March 16th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A Council Bluffs teenage driver is facing charges after an investigation indicated she had drugs in her system during a rollover crash that killed one of her passengers. Police say a 16-year-old girl was arrested and charged with motor vehicle homicide by driving while under the influence and reckless driving in connection with a Dec. 4 crash on Interstate 80 in Council Bluffs.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers have approved legislation over taxes that supporters say will help people and businesses, but critics argue the move will cut needed state revenue. The legislation would conform Iowa’s tax laws to federal changes for the 2015 tax year. It would also expand sales tax exemptions for manufacturing. The legislation heads to Gov. Terry Branstad.

Six former students have filed a lawsuit alleging that an Iowa boarding school kept them in isolation boxes for days at a time, allowed sexual abuse and provided inadequate medical care. Several of their parents also joined the lawsuit against the now-closed Midwest Academy in Keokuk, Iowa and its owner, Benjamin Trane. The parents allege the high-priced school for troubled teens made false representations to induce them to enroll their struggling children, then failed to “provide appropriate and quality education, medical and therapeutic services.”

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The inmate population has dropped over the past three years at the Johnson County Jail, and officials credit the Jail Alternatives program. Bookings dropped to fewer than 5,300 last year, compared with more than 5,900 in 2014 and more than 6,400 in 2013. The program focuses on people who don’t pose a danger or whose issues would be better addressed by other county services.

Grassland Fire Danger Index is HIGH for Wednesday across parts of western IA & eastern NE

News, Weather

March 15th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

MONONA-HARRISON-SHELBY-POTTAWATTAMIE-MILLS-MONTGOMERY-FREMONT and PAGE COUNTIES IN IA…741 PM CDT TUE MAR 15 2016

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN OMAHA SAYS THE GRASSLAND FIRE DANGER INDEX IS EXPECTED TO REACH THE VERY HIGH CATEGORY OVER MOST OF EASTERN NEBRASKA AND SOUTHWEST IOWA WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL DROP INTO THE 25 TO 35 PERCENT RANGE, WITH NORTHWEST WINDS FROM 15 TO 30 MPH. GUSTS MAY REACH AROUND 40 MPH.

A VERY HIGH FIRE IS EXPECTED AGAIN THURSDAY AFTERNOON FOR AT LEAST PARTS OF THE AREA. OUTDOOR BURNING IS NOT RECOMMENDED THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

Wiota man will challenge Waters in Cass Co. BOS race

News

March 15th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

A challenger has filed nomination papers for the District 5 seat on the Cass County Board of Supervisors, in advance of the June 7th Primary election. The seat is currently held by Republican Frank Waters, of Cumberland. On Tuesday, J. Ford Lillard, of Wiota, submitted certified nomination papers for the election on the Republican ticket.

That means so far, with the March 30th filing deadline approaching, there will be three Board of Supervisors races to follow during the Primary: Lillard and Waters in District 5; Republicans Steve Baier and Barry Moore, of Griswold, and Todd Hansen, of Atlantic, in District 4, and Republicans Steve Green, Dave Jones and Dale Retallic, all of Atlantic, in district 1.

So far, no challengers have filed papers to run against Cass County Republican Auditor Dale Sunderman, or Republican Sheriff, Darby McLaren, and no Democrats have filed in any of the races.

Atlantic City Council to Act on engineering agreement for street & alley projects

News

March 15th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, is expected to act on approving an Engineering Agreement with Snyder and Associates Engineers, for the City’s 2016 Street and Alley Improvement Project. The meeting at City Hall, begins at 5:30-p.m.

The total cost of the projects is estimated at $1.4-million, of which, according to City Administrator John Lund, $1.09-million is coming from the upcoming bond. Another $500,000 will flow into the Capital Improvement Street fund as a transfer from the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) fund. Any surplus funds will be directed to handle change orders, and anything remaining from that point will be moved into the 2017 Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Fund, to reduce future bonding needs and save interest costs.

The current 2016 Street and Alley improvement projects:

Street Projects

  • Minor curb repair, mill, patch and overlay on 10th St. (from Sunnyside to CCMH)
  • Mill, patch and overlay (MPO) Maple St. (from 9th to 10th)
  • MPO Birch St., from 2nd to 3rd
  • MPO Spruce St., from 7th to 10th

Downtown Alleys & parking lots

  • Alley from 3rd to 4th St., between Chestnut & Poplar Streets
  • Alley from 4th to 5th St., between Walnut and Elm Streets
  • Alley from 3rd to 4th St., between Oak and Hazel Streets
  • Alley from 8th to 9th St., between Chestnut and Walnut Streets
  • Alley from 2nd to 3rd between Maple and Linn Streets.

Iowa lawmakers OK measure over taxes that will cut revenue

News

March 15th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers have approved legislation over taxes that supporters say will help people and businesses, but critics argue the move will cut needed state revenue. The Republican-majority House and the Democratic-controlled Senate each voted Tuesday for the legislation, which would conform Iowa’s tax laws to federal changes for the 2015 tax year. It would also expand sales tax exemptions for manufacturing. The legislation heads to Gov. Terry Branstad.

The nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency estimates the measure would cut about $97 million in state revenue during the current fiscal year. It would add about $23 million in state revenue for the fiscal year that begins in July. Some House Democrats say the Legislature should not reduce its revenue. Other lawmakers say the money will go back to Iowa taxpayers.

“Building Strength” the subject of a CCHS seminar for women

News

March 15th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Women’s Health Services committee at Cass County Health System invites women of all ages to a free seminar, “Building Strength.” The free class will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on March 29th at Cass County Health System.

Laura Hickman, DPT, ATC, and Erin Johnson, PTA, will present at the seminar. Hickman says “Resistance training is really important for women because it can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Whether it’s using resistance bands, free weights, or your own body weight—these exercises can also help women burn more calories and achieve a more toned look.”

CCHSThe class will be held in Conference Room 2. The first portion of the class will cover the basics of resistance training—the why and how behind it—and the second portion will be an active session for the participants. Attendees are encouraged to dress comfortably.

Hickman says “We’ll be up demonstrating these exercises, but all of our attendees will be actively trying them, too. We’ll also send everyone home with a resistance band so they can continue these exercises on their own.”

This is a free event, but because space is limited, reservations are required and can be made by calling 712-243-7479. Attendees are asked to park in Parking Lot C and enter through Rehabilitation Services. Any questions about the event can be directed to CCHS Public Relations Department at 712-243-7405.