A Nebraska man was sentenced to prison Wednesday in Pottawattamie County District Court, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. U-S District Court Judge John A. Jarvey sentenced 35-year old Barvarito Garcia Longoria, of Omaha, to 84 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.

The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa says on April 3, 2014, Garcia Longoria pled guilty to the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Pottawattamie County law enforcement investigated a domestic incident, and found Garcia Longoria in possession of a defaced 9mm handgun. Garcia Longoria was prohibited from possessing a firearm after he pled guilty in 2006 to third degree assault on an officer.

The investigation was conducted by the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

A public hearing will take place this (Thursday) evening in Walnut, with regard to a proposed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application to the CDBG Housing Fund. Jeremey Middents, with SWIPCO (Southwest Iowa Planning Council) will be present at the Walnut City Council meeting to discuss submission of the application on behalf of a Housing Rehabilitation Program. The hearing will be followed by the possible adoption of a Resolution approving the application.

In other business, the Walnut City Council will: Act on approving membership in SWIPCO; Review the City’s Health Insurance package; Act on the purchase of the Wheatley property; Hold an annual evaluation of City Employees, and hold the second and possibly waive the third readings of ordinances pertaining to Off-road utility vehicles, solid waste, vacancies in an elected office and City elections, and underage persons serving as social hosts.

The meeting begins at 5-p.m. in the council’s chambers at the Walnut City Hall.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says nominations are currently being accepted for the “Angels of Christmas” recognition and awards. The Angels of Christmas is a tradition in Atlantic to help give thanks and recognize area residents who symbolize the true meaning of the season. Angels exemplify the true Christmas spirit all year long, putting others first, spreading generosity and sharing the holiday spirit with everyone that meet.

Together the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and Cass County Health System will honor the Angels of Christmas at the Holiday Concert on December 7th at the First United Methodist Church. Nominations are now being accepted in writing at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. Nominations can be submitted until November 12th, 2014. Angels of Christmas receive AtlantiCash and an angel figurine in appreciation for their positive attitude of giving.

To nominate an Angel, submit a brief paragraph by November 12th to the Chamber at 102 Chestnut Street in person, through the mail, or by e-mail to chamber@atlanticiowa.com.

With Ric Hanson.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (8.0MB)

Subscribe: RSS

DUNLAP, Iowa (AP) – Iowa authorities say a man has been seriously injured after accidentally shooting himself while hunting for coyotes.  The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says the elderly man was stepping out of his truck in a harvested cornfield west of Dunlap when he tripped and fell on Wednesday evening. Officials say the high-powered rifle he was carrying shot a bullet into his abdomen.

The man was flown to an Omaha hospital. His identity hasn’t been released. DNR officials are investigating.

One person person died and two others were injured during a crash Wednesday evening north of Dunlap. The Iowa State Patrol says 80-year old Jim Macumber, of Manilla, who was wearing his seat belt, died at the scene of the crash on Highway 37, at around 6:30-p.m. Officials say he was driving a 2009 Buick Lesabre east on Highway 37 when the vehicle collided in the eastbound lane with a 2012 Ford F-350 pickup driven by 41-year old Bryan Brummer, of Solider.

Following the collision, the car came to rest in the south ditch, while the truck came to rest on its top in the middle of the road. Brummer, who was not wearing a seat belt, and a passenger in the Buick, 76-year old Rosalie Macumber, of Manilla, who was wearing her seat belt, were flown by helicopter to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (4.8MB)

Subscribe: RSS

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say seven people have been arrested in Sioux City, suspected of aiding a man who shot a police officer. A spokesman for federal prosecutors, Tim Duax, on Wednesday declined to identify the seven or address the specific charges against them.

Jamal Dean, the man who shot officer Kevin McCormick, fled Sioux City after the April 29, 2013, shooting. He was arrested five days later during a traffic stop in Riviera, Texas, 105 miles from the Mexican border.

Although McCormick’s police vehicle was riddled with bullets and he was shot in the head, he wasn’t seriously injured. He’s returned to work. Dean later pleaded guilty to attempted murder and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

LOGAN, Iowa (AP) – An 18-year-old from western Iowa has testified that while in his fantasy world, he killed a goblin. But Cody Metzker-Madsen said he didn’t realize until later he’d actually killed his 5-year-old foster brother.  Metzker-Madsen testified Wednesday he visits a different world whenever he plays a game with someone and that only he can visit those worlds. His lawyer is using an insanity defense to combat the murder charge in Harrison County District Court in Logan.

Authorities say Dominic Elkins, of Atlantic, was killed last year while the boys were playing outdoors at their home near Logan. An autopsy said Elkins, whose body was found at the bottom of a ravine, died as a result of blunt-force head injuries and drowning. Metzker-Madsen was 17 at the time.

The Superintendent of the Shenandoah Community School District was fired Wednesday night, following a Special Closed Session of the Board. The district’s contract with Superintendent Jeff Hiser was terminated unanimously by the Board.

Among the reasons given:

• Submitting fraudulent requests and acceptance for reimbursement of expenses for pay and receiving said reimbursements.
• Knowing providing untruthful, inaccurate and incomplete information during a Board investigation into Superintendent’s conduct.
• Impeding, obstructing and/or otherwise failing to cooperate with a Board investigation into Superintendent’s conduct.
• Violating district policy and Superintendent’s contract by engaging in outside employment with Board approval.
• Using school district time, property, and resources for personal and financial gain.
• Violating district policies and procedures regarding submittal of leave requests and other documents.
• Violating district policies, and regulations on staff use of technology, including but not limited to, downloading personal software on a district laptop and deleting files from a district laptop.
• Inability to maintain confidence and trust of the Board.

Further details about the allegations were not disclosed, however board members confirm Hiser has the right to appeal the decision, at which point the details of the matter would be discussed in open session. According to reports, Hiser had recently been placed on indefinite medical leave.

Acting Superintendent Monte Munsinger will oversee the district until a decision is made on a permanent replacement for Hiser.