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Venue change request in baby death trial being considered

News

May 23rd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

NEW HAMPTON, Iowa (AP) — A district court judge is considering a motion to move the trial for the father of a baby whose lifeless body was found in an infant swing. The Courier reports that Zackary Koehn’s trial on first-degree murder and child endangerment charges had been set for June, but Koehn’s attorney on Tuesday asked for a delay. Koehn has also asked for a change of venue.

On Tuesday, Judge Richard Stochl said he has had no luck in finding another courthouse where the trial could be held. He says he will continue to work with court administration to find another trial venue.

Authorities say the body of 4-month-old Sterling Koehn was infested with maggots when found Aug. 30 by police and medics in his parents’ Alta Vista apartment. The baby’s mother, Cheyanne Harris, has also pleaded not guilty to charges.

Cass County Sheriff’s report (5/23) – 2 accidents, 1 arrest

News

May 23rd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday (today), said no injuries were reported following an accident at around 6-a.m. Sunday, on Marne Road. A 2005 Honda Element driven by 18-year old Izzy Belle Edmondson, of Walnut, was westbound on Marne Road when Edmondson fell asleep at the wheel. Her vehicle struck a mailbox and came to rest in the north ditch of the road. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $1,500. Edmondson was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

And, at around 11:20-a.m. Monday, a single-vehicle accident happened on Highway 6, near Lewis. Authorities say a 1987 Plymouth Colt driven by 60-year old Jerry Grandquist, of Atlantic, was westbound on the highway when the right front wheel came off the vehicle, causing Grandquist to lose control. The car entered the south ditch and came to rest in a farm field. No injuries were reported. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $1,500.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office said also, just before 3-a.m. today (Wednesday), deputies arrested 48-year old Kevin Boyd Canter, of Atlantic, on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Canter was taken to the Cass County Jail and later released on his own recognizance.

Harlan Police report (5/23)

News

May 23rd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Harlan Police Department reports one arrest, and several citations were issued.  On May 16th, 31-year old Linda Frances-Anna Hemminger, of Harlan, was cited driving under suspension, operating a vehicle without registration, and failure to prove security against liability. The citations were issued following a traffic stop at 6th and Baldwin, in Harlan.

On May 12th, 21-year old Cassie Kaylynn Swensen, of Harlan, was arrested on several outstanding Shelby County warrants. On May 22nd, 56-year old Melanie Marie Mogensen, of Harlan, was cited for driving while suspended, failure to prove security against liability, and failure to use child restraints. She was issued the citations following a traffic stop in the 1100 block of Chatburn Avenue.

And, on May 22nd, 48-year old Michael Allen Schuemann, of Harlan, was cited for Driving Under Suspension, following a traffic stop at 12th and Chatburn. Harlan Police said also, no injuries were reported following a single-vehicle accident May 16th on Exchange Street. Adam Nelson, of Irwin, was traveling southbound when he took the second corner too sharply. His 2012 Timpte trailer struck a utility pole on the west side of the road.

Man with protective orders against him arrested in Red Oak

News

May 23rd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Red Oak Police today (Wednesday), arrested a man with two valid protective orders against him, following an incident involving a female. Officers were called to a location on E. Valley Street at around 11:30-a.m., for a report of a man and woman verbally fighting. Upon arrival, officers say 58-year old Thomas Oscar Anderson, of Red Oak, and the woman protected by the order, in the garage area. Anderson was arrested for Violating a No Contact Order, and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where his bond was set at $300.

Franklin leads Michigan past Iowa 2-1 at Big Ten tourney

Sports

May 23rd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Jesse Franklin hit a game-winning sacrifice fly to lift third-seeded Michigan past Iowa 2-1 in 10 innings to open the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday. Franklin also homered for the Wolverines (33-19), who held the Hawkeyes to just one hit — and none after the second inning. Michigan lost starting pitcher Tommy Henry in the second inning after he was hit in the throwing arm by a ball. But reliever Alec Rennard threw 5 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, and Franklin tied it up at 1-all in the fourth.

Big Blue then loaded the bases in the 10th, and Franklin’s sacrifice to deep right field scored Christian Bullock easily. Zach Daniels (6-2) took the loss for the sixth-seeded Hawkeyes (33-19), while William Tribucher (4-3) picked up the win for Michigan.

Temps expected in 90s for holiday weekend

News, Weather

May 23rd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of the summer season and it will definitely feel like summer across Iowa. Temperatures will climb well into the 80s today and tomorrow (Thursday) and National Weather Service Meteorologist Roger Vachalek says it’ll turn even hotter for the weekend. “Into the weekend, we may actually see some spots topping the 90-degree mark Saturday, Sunday, and possibly even into Monday,” Vachalek said. This will be the first prolonged heat episode of the season so Vachalek suggests those planning outdoor events should stay hydrated, take breaks, and apply sunscreen.

“Of course, the first event of the year is maybe a little more traumatic for people because they’re not used to it,” Vachalek said. In addition to the warm and humid conditions, there are some storm chances – particularly during the late afternoon and evening hours Thursday and Friday. “Given the fact that we’re now getting into some hotter weather and also more humidity, there’s a little better chance of seeing some brief heavy downpours and also maybe some hail with those storms,” Vachalek said.

(Radio Iowa)

Iowa candidate runs outside group supporting his campaign

News

May 23rd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Democratic candidate for Iowa Secretary of State has been running a political action committee that’s supporting his campaign despite a law that appears to ban the practice. Jim Mowrer has continued to serve as treasurer of The Majority Rules, which he created after the 2016 presidential election to seek the abolishment of the electoral college. The PAC has donated to and endorsed Mowrer’s campaign. It’s also made payments for consulting services to a company Mowrer manages.

Iowa law states that candidates for state office cannot “establish, direct, or maintain a political committee.” The Republican Party of Iowa filed a complaint Tuesday alleging that Mowrer is breaking the law, seeking an investigation and “all appropriate sanctions and penalties” for any violations found. A lawyer for Mowrer’s campaign says he doesn’t believe the state law applies because The Majority Rules is a federal PAC.

Motorcycle accident in Page County

News

May 23rd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

A motorcyclist who authorities say was going too fast for conditions, lost control of his machine and suffered undisclosed injuries when he was ejected. The Page County Sheriff’s Office was notified at around 8-a.m. Monday about the crash on M Avenue, near 220th Street, or about a mile southeast of Yorktown. Authorities say 25-year old Daniel Nathan August, of Clarinda, was southbound on M Avenue and attempting to navigate a curve in the road to the left (east), when he braked and skidded on the damp/wet pavement. The motorcycle slid on its side, ejecting August,  who was not wearing a helmet.

He was transported to Clarinda Regional Health Center by Clarinda Ambulance. Damage to the motorcycle is estimated at $ 5,000. The Page County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Clarinda Fire Department and the Clarinda Ambulance service. No citations were issued.

Three arrested in Pott. County Wed. morning

News

May 23rd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

A traffic stop early this (Wednesday) morning in Walnut resulted in an arrest. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a deputy stopped a 2011 Chevy Malibu at around 12:07-a.m., in the area of Antique City Drive and Park Streets, in Walnut. The vehicle was pulled over for having a broken tail lamp. The driver, 47-year old Christopher James Binns, of Walnut, displayed numerous clues of impairment and was placed under arrest for OWI 2nd offense.

A traffic stop at around 2:25-a.m., Wednesday, resulted in a passenger in the vehicle being arrested on a warrant. Sheriff’s officials say the traffic stop on a 2001 Buick LeSabre was made at 185th and Honeysuckle. The vehicle was stopped for the driver showing a status of not valid. The driver was identified as Kevin O’Connor and the passenger as 41-year old Tracey McDougal, of Crescent. A records check showed McDougal was wanted on a Pott. County warrant for Probation Violation. She was taken into custody without incident, but once at the Pott. County Jail, was found to be in possession of marijuana. McDougal was subsequently charged with Possession of Contraband in a Jail Facility.

Reynolds defends GOP for taking disgraced ex-senator’s money

News

May 23rd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds says it was an “appropriate decision” for Iowa Republicans to accept a $522,000 donation from a disgraced former lawmaker. Reynolds told reporters Wednesday she was “fine” with the Republican Party of Iowa accepting a March 26 contribution from former Iowa Senate Majority Leader Bill Dix. The Shell Rock Republican resigned two weeks earlier after video surfaced showing him kissing a Statehouse lobbyist who wasn’t his wife.

A GOP party spokesman on Tuesday defended the donation, saying it will help elect Republicans this fall. Dix faced criticism last year after the state paid a $1.75 million settlement to a former Senate Republican staffer who says she was fired after reporting workplace harassment. Dix claimed the firing was performance related.

Democrats say Republicans should use Dix’s money to reimburse Iowa’s general fund.