The 7:06-a.m. report w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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VAN METER, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa clergyman is buying raffle tickets with the hope that he wins and will be able to spare a city official from being shocked by a stun gun.
The city of Van Meter has been selling raffle tickets as part of a public safety fundraiser. The winner will get the opportunity to use a stun gun on City Administrator Jake Anderson or Councilman Bob Lacy.

A pastor at Van Meter Baptist Church, Paul Porter, has been raising money to buy as many raffle tickets as he can. He told The Des Moines Register that if he were to win, neither man would get shocked. The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa has condemned the event as an improper and dangerous use of a stun gun.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have apprehended two inmates who had been listed as escaped from the Iowa prison work release facility in Waterloo. An Iowa Corrections Department news release says 23-year-old Darius Caston was caught around 6 p.m. Monday. He’s been serving a 20-year sentence since May 28, 2010, after convictions for willful injury and intimidation with a dangerous weapon. Caston was transferred to the work release facility on May 1st.

Another department news release says 20-year-old Jared Brooks was caught around 10 p.m. Monday. On Saturday he was placed on escaped status because he didn’t return from work. Brooks has been serving a 10-year-old sentence for willful injury and intimidation with a dangerous weapon. He was transferred to work release on March 17th.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A top veterinary official with the U.S. Department of Agriculture says more money, surveillance and farm security is needed to fight off a possible return of bird flu this fall. David Swayne, director of a USDA poultry research laboratory, told the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee that no new cases have been detected in three weeks. But he says the government has increased surveillance of wild birds to detect any return of the virus, and is working with farms to improve biosecurity.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad says there was no way to ensure schools would have abided by a call to not use one-time money for ongoing expenses, leading him to veto that part of a budget bill. Branstad also says he doesn’t think Democrats will get enough Republican support to call a special session to vote again on the budget. The Legislature recently sought $135 million in a spending bill that included nearly $56 million for K-12 education. Branstad cut that in a veto, arguing he opposes one-time spending for ongoing expenses.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa prison officials have removed a dozen inmates from a lockdown unit in Fort Madison where a prisoner escaped his cell over the weekend. They’re still investigating how Justin Kestner got out of the prison Sunday. He made it to Illinois before being caught.

(Information in the following story is from: The Des Moines Register, http://www.desmoinesregister.com)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The brother of a man who died after being transferred from a Clarinda mental hospital closed by the state is blaming his death on the move to a private center. Tim Hanson says his brother Robert got superior treatment at the facility in Clarinda and became severely dehydrated and died after he was moved to a nursing home in Perry last month.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad says there was no way to ensure schools would have abided by a call to not use one-time money for ongoing expenses, leading him to veto that part of a budget bill. Branstad also told reporters Tuesday he doesn’t think Democrats will get enough Republican support to call a special session to vote again on the budget.

The Legislature recently sought $135 million in a spending bill that included nearly $56 million for K-12 education. Branstad cut that in a veto, arguing he opposes one-time spending for ongoing expenses.

Republican House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, of Hiawatha, says language in the bill specified the money would go to one-time expenses, but Branstad says that wouldn’t have been enforceable.

Democratic leaders called Monday and Tuesday for a special session.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday), reports four arrests. On July 3rd, 30-year old Bradley Allen Fink, of Malvern, was arrested on a warrant for Theft 1st and Conspiracy Commit Non Forcible Felony. His bond was set at $15,000.00

On July 4th, 36-year old Aaron Michael Greene, of Rock Port, MO., was arrested for Theft 2nd and Felony Eluding. His bond was set at $8,000.00

And on Monday, 34-year old Nathan Kyle Hale, of Hannibal, MO., was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance. Bond was set at $1,000.00

Officials with the Harlan Police Department released a report on arrests today (Tuesday). The incidents date back to June 19th. In the report, it was noted that on June 20th, officers were called to several locations where items had been taken from garages and gas cans were taken. There were also several reports of gas being siphoned from vehicles. As a result of the investigation, 37-year old Jeffrey Simpson, of, Harlan, was taken into custody and charged with four counts of Burglary 3rd degree and two counts of theft 5th.

On June 23rd, 14-year old Masen Schmitz, of Harlan, was arrested when officers were called to Taylor Quick Pik for an apparent shoplifting. Officers were able to view surveillance tapes from the store and identify Schmitz allegedly taking several E-cigarette items. Schmitz was charged with theft 5th, which will be referred to Juvenile Court, and with minor in possession of tobacco products.

On June 24th, 36-year old Frank Dunn, of Villisca, was arrested on an active Pottawattamie County warrant for criminal mischief 4th degree. Dunn was taken to the Shelby County Jail.

And on June 27th, 35-year old Dicey Trotter, of Atlantic, was arrested following a traffic stop. Trotter was cited for excessive speed and driving under suspension, given a court date and released.

On Thursday June 18, 2015, the CCHS Foundation celebrated with their partners in philanthropy.

Kent Gade

Kent Gade, President, opened the program with a sincere thank you to all donors. “Because of you, we have provided over $1.3 million dollars’ worth of new equipment, services and education to the Health System so we can better serve our communities.”

Chief Executive Officer Todd Hudspeth remarked on past purchases including a surgical table, the Healing Garden, equipment for Physical Therapy, Cardiac Rehab and Outpatient Clinics, and fetal monitors – all purchased with funds from the CCHS Foundation. “Also this year, because of a thoughtful and generous bequest from James E. and Gertrude B. Hunt we were able to purchase the needed equipment for our in-house orthopedist, Dr. Edward Fisher,” Todd shared. “This gift had great forethought and meaning from a couple who understood the importance of giving back to their community.”

(CCHS Press Release)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The brother of a man who died after being transferred from a Clarinda mental hospital closed by the state is blaming his death on the move to a private center. The Des Moines Register reports 65-year-old Robert Hanson Jr. died July 1 at a Des Moines Hospital. He’d been among fewer than 20 patients in the Clarinda hospital’s geriatric program when Gov. Terry Branstad closed the center and another mental hospital in Mount Pleasant.

Hanson, who suffered brain damage in the 1980s, was moved to a Perry nursing home June 8. His brother, Tim Hanson, says he became severely dehydrated and was transferred to a Des Moines hospital, where he died. Tim Hanson says the Clarinda nurses offered superior treatment.

Branstad spokesman Jimmy Centers says the governor offered condolences.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on July 2nd, of an Atlantic man on drug charges. 25-year old Alexander Paul Dvorak, was taken into custody on charges that include Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Dvorak was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $10,000 bond.

On June 29th, as the result of a report of the theft of a vehicle and some personal items from a rural Anita residence, deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 19-year old Sarah Jo Porter, of Anita, on charges of Burglary 3rd Degree, Theft 2nd Degree, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Porter was taken to the Cass County Jail where she was released later that day on $7,500 bond.

On June 27th, deputies in Cass County arrested 28-year old Rebecca Ann Edwards, of Puxico, MO, on charges of Assault on a Peace Office, Public Intoxication, and Interference with Official Acts. Edwards was taken to the Cass County Jail where she was released later that day on her own recognizance.

On June 26th, 20-year old Wyatt Lee Sargent, of Council Bluffs, was arrested by deputies in Cass County on a District Court warrant for Failure to Appear. Sargent was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released the following day on his own recognizance.

And on July 3rd, Donald Leo Loury III turned himself in to the Sheriff’s Office on two outstanding Cass County warrants for Violation of a No Contact Order and Failure to Appear. Loury was booked and released on $825 bond.