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Iowa lawmakers spar over education funding

News

May 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — As lawmakers struggle to resolve the state budget, a new conflict has sprung up about how much new money to give schools in the 2016-2017 school year. The Appropriations Committee in the Republican-led House on Wednesday approved a plan that would provide about $125 million in new dollars in that year, with some of the money going to a teacher leadership program. But Democrats say the funding level is inadequate.

Republicans had previously supported spending more money, but Rep. Chuck Soderberg, a Republican from Le Mars, said they didn’t want to “overcommit and under-deliver.” The Republican-controlled House and Democratic-majority Senate are still at odds over how much new money to provide in the upcoming school year, with Democrats wanting to offer more than Republicans.

Medical condition causes accident in Pacific Junction

News

May 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Authorities say an accident Tuesday morning in Pacific Junction was the result of a woman suffering from a medical condition. The Mills County Sheriff’s Office says Kathlein Bacon, of Pacific Junction, was traveling east on Lincoln Street at around 11:05-a.m., when her 2006 Pontiac left the road and entered a ditch before hitting an embankment. Bacon was transported by Glenwood Rescue to a hospital in Council Bluffs for treatment.

Sheriff’s officials said also, a Pacific Junction man was arrested Tuesday evening. 49-year old Brian Keith Konfrst (Con-first) was taken into custody on a warrant charging him with Violation of Probation. Konfrst was being held in the Mills County Jail on $5,000 bond.

Short meeting for the Cass County Supervisors

News

May 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Board of Supervisors had a light agenda this (Wednesday) morning, and therefore a brief meeting. The Board continued discussion with regard to the bidding process for the courthouse HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) replacement project, but made no decision on the matter.  Auditor Dale Sunderman said he visited with various vendors, one of whom was trying to put together a cost estimate. Sunderman says since the cost is expected to exceed $135,000, Iowa Code requires there to be a competitive bid process.

The Board said that there are still too many questions with regard to efficiency, and about what kind of system should be installed, or for that matter, if the current room radiators should be retained or replaced. There also needs to be an inspection to make sure the pipes aren’t insulated with asbestos.

Supervisor Chuck Rieken said they have to decide if they’ll use independent room heating and cooling, a boiler or whatever, before they can issue an RFP – a Request for Proposal.) Board Chair Frank Waters said it looks like they have a way to go before any changes are made to the courthouse system.  He said it’s shaping up to be a project for next year, at this point.

And, in his report to the Board, Cass County Engineer Charles Marker said there currently is no road rock available from the local quarries, but they still have some available for the worst roads. Road crews are being kept busy in the mean time, cleaning out road ditches and taking care of mowing. He said also officials with the City of Lewis had inquired about placing a tornado warning siren within the County road right-of-way by the Lewis School on the south side of town, near where County Roads G-43 and M-56 form a triangle.

He said he sees no problem with the position of the pole and siren, but the Supervisors need to approve the request during their meeting next week. The Board also reminds Cass County residents that if they see people tearing-up the dirt roads when they are soft and muddy, to call the Sheriff’s Department with a description of the vehicle and direction of travel. Offenders will be fined if they are caught.

Glenwood P-D reports 2 arrests

News

May 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Police in Glenwood report two arrests this (Wednesday) morning. 53-year old Shari Baker, of Glenwood, was arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. And, 23-year old Theodore Brayman, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Theft in the 5th degree. Both subject’s bonds were set at $300.

(Podcast) KJAN News, 5/20/2015

News, Podcasts

May 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The 8-a.m. Newscast w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Harassment and assault arrests in Creston

News

May 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Two people have been arrested in Creston on separate harassment and assault charges. Creston Police say 52-year old James Cook was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center Tuesday afternoon. Cook was charged with Harassment in the 1st Degree. He was being held in the jail on $4,000 bond.

And, 29-year old Christina Hunter, of Creston, was arrested Monday morning at the Union County LEC for Assault. She was released on a promise to appear later, in court.

(Podcast) KJAN News & funeral report, 5/20/2015

News, Podcasts

May 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

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

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Earling teen faces jail time & a fine for alleged threat

News

May 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A Shelby County teen faces five-years in jail and a $5,000 fine for allegedly making terrorist threats against the Harlan Middle School. The Harlan News-Advertiser reports the unidentified 13-year-old is alleged to have kept a journal with specific threats to kill students, teachers, and athletes at HMS.

She was transported to the juvenile detention center in Council Bluffs and held on the felony charge. An investigation into the incident continues.

Man admits Omaha bar was front for prostitution operation

News

May 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A 67-year-old man has admitted running a prostitution operation out of his exotic-dance bar in Omaha. Louis Venditte pleaded guilty on Tuesday to four federal prostitution charges, including one involving the transport of women from Iowa to Nebraska. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 10.

Venditte’s wife, Ruby Venditte, and John W. Wagstaffe have pleaded not guilty to prostitution charges, accused of being partners in the operation at the former Goodfellas bar. Law enforcement raided the bar in October 2013 while serving a search warrant. The bar has since closed.

Ruby Venditte and Wagstaffe are scheduled to go on trial next month.

Man & woman arrested in Montgomery County Tue. evening

News

May 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Two people, a man and a woman, were arrested on separate charges Tuesday evening, in Montgomery County. Sheriff’s officials say at around 9-p.m., 48-year old Kristine Courtney Ryan, of Elliott, was arrested in Elliott, for Fraudulent Practice in the 4th Degree. Ryan was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 bond.

Earlier in the evening, 26-year old Chase Michael Samples, of Red Oak, was arrested in Red Oak, for allegedly violating a Protection Order. Samples was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond.