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Creston pair arrested in Taylor County

News

May 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A traffic stop Wednesday night in Taylor County resulted in the arrest of two Union County residents. According to the Lenox Police Department, 25-year old Colleen Denton and a passenger in her car, 25-year old Benjamin Hoffman, both of Creston, were taken into custody on separate charges.

Denton was arrested for failure to hold a valid driver’s license. In addition, she was wanted on warrants out of Union County for Failure to Appear on original charges of Theft and Assault. Denton was released to authorities in Union County. Hoffman was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia, after a drug pipe was located under the passenger seat of the car. He was subsequently released on the citation.

The pair were taken into custody after police in Lenox investigated a report received at around 8:30-p.m., Wednesday, about a vehicle traversing the alleys, and individuals looking into peoples’ windows and around houses.

Accident on loose gravel in Montgomery County

News

May 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Montgomery County say no injuries were reported following a rollover accident Thursday afternoon, near Red Oak. According to the Sheriff’s Department, William Linfor, of Shenandoah, was driving a 2009 Hyundai Accent northbound on Evergreen Avenue, when the car went out of control on the loose gravel and entered a ditch before rolling over.

The accident happened at around 4:12-p.m.. No citations were issued. Damage amounted to $8,000.

300+ Korean War vets apply for Honor Flight, money needed for additional planes

News

May 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A little over a week ago, Polk County officials awarded $125,000 to the Central and Western Iowa Honor Flight organization to send a plane full of Korean War veterans to Washington, D.C. to see a memorial built in their honor. But, there’s not enough room on the plane for all of the veterans who want to go. Jeff Ballenger of Council Bluffs, who’s organizing the honor flight, says the initial plan called for giving 130 Korean War veterans a free trip to the nation’s capital on September 30. But, as of this Thursday, 318 Korean War veterans from Iowa have applied for the trip.

“One veteran even spent $21.95 to overnight his application to make sure we got it, so that tells you what this program means to our veterans,” Ballenger said. Roughly $250,000 more is needed to cover the expenses for all of the veterans who hope to see the Korean War Memorial. Iowa businesses and individuals, since 2007, have contributed enough money to send roughly 2,300 World War Two veterans to Washington, D.C.

“Iowans are very patriotic by nature and appreciate what our veterans have done for us and the sacrifices made. They’ve usually just stepped right up to the plate,” Ballenger said. He’s hoping they’ll do so again, so one or two more planes can be booked to accommodate the demand. Iowans can learn more about making a tax-deductible donation to the Korean War veterans’ honor flight by calling 712-322-6638 or by visiting the website www.centraliowahonorflight.org

(Radio Iowa)

2 arrests in Montgomery County overnight

News

May 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County report an arrest and a citation overnight Thursday into early this (Friday) morning. A traffic stop in Red Oak at around 1:42-a.m. today (Friday) resulted in a citation for 35-year old Benjamin Robert Murphy, of Bedford. Authorities say Murphy was a passenger in a vehicle pulled over for an equipment violation in Red Oak. He was cited by Red Oak Police for Possessing an open container of alcohol, and released.

And, at around 9:10-p.m. Thursday, a Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy arrested Jason  Leon Latham, of Grant. Latham was taken into custody on a valid Nodaway County, Missouri, warrant for Failure to Appear on charges of Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia. He was being held in the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center, pending extradition to Missouri.

Bluffs care facility has 5 residents more than 100-years old

News

May 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A care facility in Council Bluffs has the unique distinction of being home to nearly a half-dozen  Centenarians, those who are 100 or older. The Omaha World-Herald says the Bethany Lutheran Home has five of them, all of whom are women. Current residents who are 100 or older are Ethel Torneten, 101; Genevieve Winger, 102; Helen Clem, 102; Leota Heinrich, 105; and Alice Steers, 106.

The ladies told the paper hard work, “clean living,” being honest and staying true to their friends are part of their longevity.  One of the women worked until she was 92. Her employment included working in a doctor’s office, and waiting on tables for many years. Another taught at a country school in Hazel Dell Township. One of the ladies say her hobby of antiquing is what kept her going for so long.

None of them complained about their hardships and the fact technology was not as advanced as it is today.

Incentives package may determine fate of Bluffs business

News

May 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Iowa economic development officials today are expected to approve tax benefits that will determine whether or not a longtime Council Bluffs business stays on the east side of the Missouri River. The Omaha World-Herald reports in an application for incentives worth more than $4.5 million, Interstate Electric Supply Co. indicated it would move 108 employees from its existing facilities near 35th Street and U.S. Highway 6 to Nebraska if it did not receive adequate financial incentives from the State of Iowa.

With the incentives, Interstate Electric Supply Co. plans to spend about $10.7 million to move its wholesale facility and other operations to a 13-acre parcel at the intersection of 24th Street and U.S. 275/Highway 92 in Council Bluffs. Plans call for 190,000 square feet of warehouse space in addition to a training center and a storage yard for equipment. IES says in its incentives application that it was “strongly considering” a site in Sarpy County, where property taxes on a comparable project would be half of what the company will spend in Iowa.

The Council Bluffs City Council in late April gave unanimous approval to the company’s application for benefits under the High Quality Jobs Program, which is administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority. That organization’s board meets in Des Moines at 10 a.m. today and is expected to approve the project.

The proposed deal includes a partial property tax abatement worth more than $2.8 million over 15 years in addition to state tax credits including sales tax refunds on building materials and investment tax credits. The company expects to finish the project in spring 2016 and will create eight new jobs.

Vietnam Vets pull out of Bluffs parade over Tiger Cage controversy

News

May 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A parade scheduled to take place Saturday in Council Bluffs will feature several floats and participants, but a local veterans group has pulled out after they were asked not to display a replica of a cell designed to hold Prisoners of War. The Council Bluffs Daily NonPareil reports members of the local Vietnam Vets of America group will not be participating because parade officials oppose their “tiger cage,” which the group president said is simply a loose representation of what Vietnam prisoners of war endured. One of the parade’s emcees has also threatened to pull out of the parade unless event officials change their minds.

An event spokesperson said the parade entry submitted by the veterans group doesn’t reflect the theme of the parade, which is “CB Better Together.” Celebrate CB is a private event organized by a group of local volunteers. It is not affiliated with the city of Council Bluffs and has not been affiliated with Council Bluffs schools since 1978.

The local veterans group’s representation of the “tiger cage,” was constructed out of the same bamboo material that held Vietnam-era POW’s, and features with a captain’s flight suit inside representing a soldier. A parade official said the float was detrimental to children and refused its showing during the parade. The same float was in the parade last year, according to a veterans representative, and there were no complaints.

Ben Wiese said he believes only one or two people complained about the float to parade officials, who then decided to pull the plug. Parade committee member Lynne Branigan said the parade committee monitors every float each year to ensure the parade theme is followed. She admitted the float should not have been allowed last year, and said the committee reserves the right to accept or deny requests to participate in any of their 10 days of events, including the parade, if the entries don’t reflect the theme.

Iowa early News Headlines: Friday, May 16th 2014

News

May 16th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The economy appears to be gaining strength in rural parts of Nebraska, Iowa and eight other Midwest states. The overall economic index for the region improved to 55.6 in May from April’s 53.2, suggesting growth in the months ahead across the rural Midwest.

BETTENDORF, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a convicted sex offender faces felony charges after he was found hiding under a child’s bed in Bettendorf. The Quad-City Times reports the two charges were filed Tuesday for 33-year-old Julien Skipper. He remains at the Scott County Jail. Police say Skipper was found April 19th hiding at a neighbor’s apartment as officers investigated a disturbance call. He was arrested at the time and charged with possession with intent to deliver and a parole violation.

FAIRFIELD, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say they have discovered a marijuana growing operation at a home near a southeast Iowa high school. The Fairfield Police Department tells the Ottumwa Courier it executed a search warrant Wednesday at a home close to Fairfield High School owned by 63-year-old Campbell Hair.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Loras College in Dubuque has received a $1 million donation for its business education program. The private college announced Tuesday that Andrew and Mary Pat Studdert had contributed the $1 million to fund the Andrew P. Studdert Endowed Chair in Business Ethics and Crisis Leadership. The contribution is part of a $75 million fundraising campaign at Loras, a Catholic college with about 1,600 students.

Frost Advisory early Friday morning

News, Weather

May 15th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

345 PM CDT THU MAY 15 2014

…NEAR FREEZING TEMPERATURES EXPECTED TONIGHT…

A WEAK AREA OF HIGH PRESSURE WILL PUSH INTO WESTERN IOWA TONIGHT. MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES AND LIGHT WINDS WILL ALLOW FOR TEMPERATURES TO FALL TO NEAR FREEZING IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS. FROST WILL BE POSSIBLE.

COUNTIES: SAC-CRAWFORD-CARROLL-AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-DALLAS-CASS-ADAIR-MADISON-ADAMS-UNION-TAYLOR-RINGGOLD.

…FROST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 7 AM CDT FRIDAY…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED A FROST ADVISORY…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 7 AM CDT FRIDAY.

* TIMING…TEMPERATURES WILL FALL THROUGHOUT THE OVERNIGHT HOURS…WITH THE COLDEST TEMPERATURES OCCURRING IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS NEAR SUNRISE.

* TEMPERATURE…LOWS FROM NEAR FREEZING TO THE UPPER 30S ARE EXPECTED.

* IMPACTS…SENSITIVE OUTDOOR VEGETATION COULD BE DAMAGED OR KILLED IF LEFT UNPROTECTED…ESPECIALLY IN SHELTERED OR LOW LYING AREAS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A FROST ADVISORY MEANS THAT FROST IS POSSIBLE. SENSITIVE OUTDOOR PLANTS MAY BE KILLED IF LEFT UNCOVERED.

Argosy seeks bankruptcy protection to save casino

News

May 15th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The owner of the Argosy riverboat casino in Sioux City has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in an effort to stop its scheduled closing. Belle of Sioux City LP filed for Chapter 11 protection Wednesday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Des Moines. The Sioux City Journal reports Belle, the Iowa-based subsidiary of Penn National Gaming Co., has asked a judge for an automatic stay or temporary injunction of an order to shut down the casino by July 1.

An expedited hearing on the request is scheduled Friday in U.S. District Court in Reading, Pennsylvania. The company wants the stay until Penn’s lawsuit against the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is resolved. Penn has criticized the bidding process for a license that later went to another developer.