With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson…

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A man and woman from Nebraska remain hospitalized in Omaha following the Sept. 7th crash of their motorcycle in Mills County.  Bill Brucken, the uncle of 56-year old Robert S. Fatica, of Fremont, NE., said in an e-mail to KJAN News, his nephew is in critical condition at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Fatica suffered several fractured vertebrae and ribs. Brucken, who lives in Cleveland, OH.,  says as of this past Saturday, Fatica was unconscious due to severe brain injuries and bleeding on the brain. He also has a broken eye socket and nose.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reported a 1995 Harley Davidson occupied by Fatica and his 40-year old wife Michelle, was traveling north on 190th Street at around 12:20-a.m. Sept. 7th, when the cycle left the road and drove into a ditch. The couple was ejected from the motorcycle. Neither was wearing a helmet. Michelle Fatica remains hospitalized at the UNMC, where she is recovering from surgeries to repair a severely broken shoulder, collarbone, ribs and several fractured vertebrae.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A Council Bluffs manufacturer of truck bodies and related equipment is expanding and expects to hire a dozen welders and additional information technology workers. The Daily Nonpareil in Council Bluffs reports Omaha Standard Palfinger is building a logistical center south of its headquarters to move materials and products more efficiently.  A company spokesman says the expansion will involve the construction of five additional loading docks to improve shipping capabilities as it prepares for future growth.

The company acquired nearly five acres for the expansion, which should be completed in mid-October.  Established in 1926, Omaha Standard is a manufacturer of an extensive line of truck bodies and truck equipment. Two years later, it was acquired by the Salzburg, Austria-based company Palfinger.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa soldier has received the Silver Star medal, one of the nation’s top combat decorations, for his actions in Afghanistan.  Sgt. Ryan Steinkamp, who is 26 and from Johnston, was awarded the honor Aug. 28.   The Des Moines Register reports the award is recognition of his leadership in combat on April 17, 2012, when his squad was tasked with clearing insurgents from a village in Afghanistan. They fought against fortified enemy positions, cleared more than 50 compounds and managed to avoid civilian casualties.

The U.S. Department of Defense says only 127 Marines have been awarded the Silver Star for combat in Iraq and Afghanistan since Sept. 11, 2001.   Steinkamp is scheduled to be discharged from the Marines in December.

A Red Oak man was taken into custody early this (Monday) morning on a charge of Criminal Mischief in the 4th degree. Red Oak Police report 21-year old Cody Dean Johnson was arrested at the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center just before 1-a.m., and turned over to Momtgomery County Corrections, where he was being held on a $1,000 cash bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

INDIANOLA, Iowa (AP) — San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro has told Iowa Democrats that he’s proud of a political party that provides access to education and health care coverage. The Texas Democrat spoke yesterday at Senator Tom Harkin’s annual steak picnic in Indianola along with Vice President Joe Biden.

ROCKWELL CITY, Iowa (AP) — The funeral service has been set for a Rockwell City police officer shot and killed last week. The Des Moines Register reports that the funeral service for 37-year-old Jamie Buenting will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow in the gym at South Central Calhoun Middle School in Rockwell City. Burial at Rosehill Cemetery in Rockwell City will follow the funeral service.

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — Marshalltown police are investigating the shooting death of a man whose body was found in home. Police say that officers responded to a report of gunshots before 5 a.m. yesterday but couldn’t find any problems. At about 6:30 a.m. Sunday, a woman called 911 to report a shooting victim. Police say they’re still investigating but that no suspects are being sought and there’s no risk to public safety.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Fire officials say an overnight fire has damaged an apartment complex in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids television station KCRG TV reports that fire crews were called to the complex in southeast Cedar Rapids shortly after midnight Saturday. Officials say everyone inside the building was able to escape the complex without injury.

The Griswold School Board will discuss and take action on several projects during their meeting Monday, at 5:30-p.m. They include a replacement of the boiler, and the remodeling of the locker and restrooms, along with track and fencing.

In other business, the 2011-2012 School Board will retire and the results of last Tuesday’s school board election will be read, followed by the election of a Board President and Vice President. The board will then discuss and act on: Snow removal bids; A budget guarantee; The appointment of a County representative; Setting of the Board meeting time and date, school improvement advisory committee; Flu shots; A letter of understanding with the Cass County Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) and a Special Education Deficit Levy.

The meeting takes place in the Central Office Board Room at the Griswold Middle School/High School Building.

ROCKWELL CITY, Iowa (AP) — The funeral service has been set for a Rockwell City police officer shot and killed last week. The Des Moines Register reports that the funeral service for 37-year-old Jamie Buenting will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the gym at South Central Calhoun Middle School in Rockwell City. Buenting, a married father of two, was shot during a standoff early Friday in Rockwell City. Police arrested 32-year-old Corey Trott and charged him with first-degree murder in Buenting’s death.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Palmer and Swank Funeral Home in Rockwell City. Donations may be left with First Community Bank in Rockwell City in lieu of flowers. Burial at Rosehill Cemetery in Rockwell City will follow the funeral service.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mary Beth Tinker was just 13 when she spoke out against the Vietnam War by wearing a black armband to her Iowa school in 1965.

Mary Beth Tinker, 1965 (Photo from ACLU.org)

When the school suspended her, she took her free speech case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and won, in Tinker vs. the Des Moines Independent Community School District. Now 61, she’s quit her part-time job as a nurse and will travel the country, urging young people to take action on issues important to them.

Starting Tuesday, Tinker will begin traveling in a recreational vehicle to 17 states and the District of Columbia as part of what’s being called the “Tinker Tour.” She’ll log 10,000 to 15,000 miles before her tour ends Nov. 25 in Kansas City, Mo. Along the way, she’ll stop at more than three dozen locations, most of them schools.

(For more on the Tinker US SUPCO case, visit http://www.uscourts.gov/multimedia/podcasts/Landmarks/tinkervdesmoines.aspx)

Police in Red Oak report the arrest this (Sunday) morning, of 40-year old Eric Michael Huffstutlear, of Red Oak. He was taken into custody at 210 West Reed Street at around 3-a.m., on a charge of Simple Domestic Assault. Huffstutlear was being held in the Montgomery County Jail without bond, pending an appearance before the magistrate.