With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson…

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A retired neurosurgeon who is the author of a book that’s on the New York Times best-seller list spoke to over four-hundred Republicans in Iowa’s capital city last night (Sunday). Supporters in the crowd wore t-shirts and waved signs encouraging Ben Carson to run for president in 2016. “It’s been a little while since we’ve been to Iowa, a wonderful, wonderful place — particularly if you like corn,” Carson said, then Carson and the crowd laughed. After his speech, more than 100 people waited in line to get Carson’s signature on his book, which is titled “One Nation.”

Carson says this is no time for Republicans to relax because of the stakes in this fall’s election. “I’m not sure if we don’t take the Senate in November that there’ll even be an election in 2016 at the rate that we’re going because we will still have Harry Reid. He still will be pocket-vetoing everything and the president will be expanding his executive powers and who is to say how long our republic can stand that.” Carson says one reason America can’t solve problems is because “political correctness” is keeping citizens from having “honest conversations” with one another.

“I hate political correctness. I think it is a destructive thing. It’s antithetical to one of the founding principles of our nation — freedom of speech and freedom of expression.” Carson was the keynote speaker at a Polk County Republican Party fundraiser. Richard Hamann of West Des Moines hopes Carson runs in 2016 because he sees Carson as an effective communicator, in the mold of Ronald Reagan.

“(Reagan) communicated to the people, not at the people,” Hamann says. “Carson is right, talks to you and you understand what he is saying.” And Hamann says Carson’s inspiring life story is an asset, too. Thirty-two names were listed on a “straw poll” ballot handed out to those who bought tickets to Sunday night’s Polk County G-O-P fundraiser and Carson won. Some of Carson’s supporters came from surrounding states and arrived three hours before the event started — and five hours before Carson got there — to ensure they got in.

(Radio Iowa)

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Police say a University of Iowa residence hall was evacuated the night before classes began after an unknown chemical was reported and a student was found unresponsive.  The 500-person capacity Slater Hall was evacuated for about four hours Sunday night. Students were allowed to return around 11:30 p.m. after police said there were no toxic or explosive dangers. Police didn’t identify the chemical.

Police spokesman Chuck Green tells The Daily Iowan a male student was transported to an area hospital after he was found in a third-floor lounge. An update on his condition was not available Sunday night, but Green says no one was injured by the chemical. It’s unclear what was wrong with the student.

Green says the residence hall was evacuated as a “safety precaution.”

CLIVE, Iowa (AP) – Iowa authorities have charged a 49-year-old man with first-degree murder in the death of a man whose body was found near a recreational trail. Clive Police Chief Michael Venema says officers arrested Steven Jonas late Sunday. He is charged in the death of 21-year-old Zachary Michael Paulsen.

Volunteers cleaning the Greenbelt Trail found Paulsen’s body lying against a fence on the property of a business owned by his family. An autopsy will be performed Monday to determine his cause of death. Venema didn’t disclose evidence for arresting Jonas.

Jonas is being held at the Polk County Jail on a $500,000 bond. Online jail records didn’t indicate an attorney.

Two men from Nebraska were arrested on drug charges Sunday evening in southwest Iowa. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office says Clinton Doiel and Darrel Wichman, both of Nebraska City, NE, were arrested for Delivery of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine, following a traffic stop.

Doiel, who was driving the vehicle, was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license. Both men were being held in the Fremont Count Jail on $50,000 cash bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

Police, city officials and a former employer are warning the public about an alleged scam artist in Council Bluffs. According to the Daily NonPareil, 39-year old James Urso, also known as “James Fetter,” has left a trail of unhappy customers throughout the country, often times taking money up front for work he fails to complete.

James Urso, AKA “James Fetter.”

Officials in Council Bluffs say he’s likely doing the work there, to pay restitution to victims allegedly scammed elsewhere. In April, Ohio’s Attorney General announced the indictment of James Urso on felony theft charges relating to his home improvement businesses.

Urso, of Mt. Gilead, OH, operated companies under the names Help Point Restoration LLC and ZunCare Restoration LLC. The indictment alleges that in 2011 and 2012, Urso took nearly $22,000 from four homeowners for roof replacement and other repairs but failed to perform the work, deliver the materials, or provide a refund.

In December 2012, the Ohio Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section filed a civil lawsuit against Urso and his companies, for violations of Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act. As a result of the lawsuit, Urso was ordered to pay more than $52,800 in consumer restitution and civil penalties to the state of Ohio.  On April 29th, a warrant was issued for Urso’s arrest in Ohio. The felony warrant charged him with 5th degree theft and 4th degree Theft/Theft from an Elderly person.

Urso plead guilty to the charges earlier this month. He’s scheduled to appear in an Ohio court on Oct. 2nd for a disposition hearing. He’s also been charged in Kentucky, Colorado and Oklahoma.

Anyone in the area who’s had money stolen by a contractor is asked to call police at (712) 328-5737.

The Iowa State Patrol says one person was injured during a single-vehicle accident Sunday night on Interstate 29, in Pottawattamie County. 45-year old Bruce Allen Cornwall, of St. Clairsville, OH, was transported by Lewis Township Fire and Rescue to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, after the pickup he was driving went out of control and hit a bridge guardrail.

Officials say Cornwall’s 2004 Chevy Silverado pickup was traveling north on I-29 just after 10-p.m., when the truck crossed into the left lane. Cornwall over-corrected, sending the vehicle spinning clockwise into the right lane. When the driver’s side of the vehicle hit a bridge guardrail at the 45-mile marker, Cornwall was ejected out the left side window of the pickup and landed in the east ditch. He was not wearing a seat belt.

Alcohol was found at the scene and is believed to be a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will meet Monday night (8/25), at the high school. During the work session, which begins at 7:30, the Board will discuss several matters. Among them: School Improvement plans; A review of programs at the Cass County Educational Opportunity Center (CCEOC) and the Link Center; A review of the SAM (School Administration Management) Program, and, Board and Superintendent goals.

The meeting takes place in the High School Media Center.

The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Board is set to meet Monday evening (Aug. 25), at City Hall. During their 5:15-p.m. session, the Board will receive updates on the Summer Rec Program, Capital Projects, and Boy Scout Cabin. Old business includes a policy on donors and/or sponsors placing names on park buildings.

In his report to the Board, Director Roger Herring will talk about graffiti on the playground equipment at Pellett Park, and, this coming weekend’s two-day Disc Golf Tournament at Sunnyside Park. Herring says last year, people from five states were in Atlantic for the tournament, which was spearheaded by Frank Saddlemire.