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Fiat Chrysler recalls minivans for engine stalling problem

News

January 12th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DETROIT (AP) — Fiat Chrysler is recalling more than 160,000 minivans mainly in North America to fix a software problem that can make engines stall. The recall covers certain Chrysler Pacifica vans from the 2017 model year with gasoline engines.

The company says under rare conditions, the engine control computer can incorrectly determine the operating status and cause the engine to shut off. Fiat Chrysler says it knows of one potentially related crash but no injuries caused by the problem.

Dealers will upgrade engine control software. Customers will be advised when to bring their vans in for the free service, which will be available sometime before April 1.

The recall comes about two months after the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety filed a petition asking the government to seek a recall of the vans. The group told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that over 50 people have complained about stalling.

Farmers post record crop for soybeans, peanuts, canola, hops

Ag/Outdoor

January 12th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture says farmers have harvested record crops for soybeans, peanuts, canola, rapeseed and hops. The agency released its annual crop production report Friday summarizing the 2017 crop year.

It shows that peanut production jumped 30 percent to 7.2 billion pounds. Production of hops, a main ingredient in beer, grew 20 percent as Idaho’s production surpassed Oregon’s for the first time. Washington remained the leader, producing 75 percent of the nation’s crop.

Soybean production was at 4.39 billion bushels, up 2 percent from the previous year as farmers planted a record 90.1 million acres. Canola production was up 1 percent. Rapeseed, used to make cooking oil, rose 7 percent.

Corn production fell 4 percent to 14.6 billion bushels on fewer planted acres. Wheat production was down 25 percent.

Bluffs man arrested following a disturbance, Wednesday

News

January 12th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

A call to the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department about a disturbance Wednesday afternoon near the Joslin Road and Old Morman Bridge Road, resulted in the arrest of a man on a warrant and additional charges. The Sheriff’s Office reported Friday (today), that a deputy dispatched to the area was informed a female was covered in mud and was seen walking through a field. She was being followed by an older, Ford truck.

When Deputy Josh Harker arrived on the scene, he made contact with a male and female at the intersection of Pokeamoke Lane and the Old Morman Bridge. Both were inside a 1995 Ford F-250 pickup. The driver, 36-year old Bret David Hauptman, of Council Bluffs, was bleeding from an apparent cut on his nose and a cut below his left eye. The windshield of the truck appeared to have been recently broken.

Dispatch advised the Deputy the Hauptman had a warrant out of Pott. County for Failure to Appear on a Violation of Compulsory Education Mediation Agreement. He was arrested just before 3-p.m. on the warrant, Violation of a No Contact Order, and for Driving While License Denied or Revoked. The 28-year old female in the pickup was not charged, and did not appear to have been injured.

Authorities said in their report, that woman was Hauptman’s girlfriend.

2 from western Iowa appointed to Boards and Commissions

News

January 12th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Kim Reynolds today (Friday) announced appointments to Iowa’s boards and commissions. Gilbert Thomas, of Clarinda, was appointed to the Iowa Finance Authority Board of Directors. And, Beverly Wharton, of Sioux City, was appointed to the Higher Education Loan Authority Board. Their positions are unpaid,  and subject to Senate confirmation.

June 5 2018 Primary Election Info. for Cass County

News

January 12th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman reminds citizens that the Primary Election takes place June 5th, 2018.  The first day for Democratic and Republican candidates for county offices to file nomination papers in the office of the county auditor is Monday, March 5, 2018.  The last day to file is Wednesday, March 28, 2018. Nomination papers may be circulated prior to first date for filing as well as during the filing period.  Nomination papers are available at the office of the county auditor and from the secretary of state ( www.sos.iowa.gov )

The county positions to appear on the Cass County ballot for the 2018 PRIMARY ELECTION are:

  • District 2 County Supervisor
  • District 3 County Supervisor
  • County Attorney
  • County Recorder
  • County Treasurer

List of persons currently serving in those positions:

  • Treasurer                 (incumbent: Tracey Marshall, Republican)
  • Recorder                  (incumbent: Mary Ward, Republican)
  • Attorney                  (incumbent: Michael Hooper, appointed)
  • District 2 Supervisor     (incumbent: Gaylord Schelling, Republican)
  • District 3 Supervisor     (incumbent: Mark Wedemeyer, Republican)

Supervisors in Cass County are nominated from and elected by the residents of the specific supervisor district. Supervisor District 2 is comprised of Atlantic Second Ward and Atlantic Third Ward.  Supervisor District 3 is comprised of Atlantic Fourth Ward and Atlantic Fifth Ward. Ward maps are available at the office of the county auditor; available for viewing on the county website casscountyiowa.us; and available at the office of the Atlantic city clerk.

For additional information, including the number of signatures required in order for a name to appear on the ballot, contact the Cass County Auditor’s Office at 712-243-4570, or e-mail auditor@casscoia.us.

(Update) Suspect in eastern Iowa exchange of gunfire w/law enforcement is identified

News

January 12th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

ROCHESTER, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say the suspect in an exchange of gunfire with officers in eastern Iowa, has been arrested. 60-year old Charles Johnston was taken into custody and was being held in the Cedar County Jail on felony charges of Attempted Murder and Assault on a Peace Officer with Dangerous Weapons.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety says state troopers and local officers responded to a 911 call around 2:20 p.m. Thursday about gunshots at an Interstate 80 rest area. The shooter – later identified as Johnston – left the rest area, drove west, exited the interstate about 2 miles south of Rochester and fired at motorists at a gas station. No one was hit.

Troopers and local officers encountered Johnston on a nearby rural road and exchanged shots with him. They arrested him after a brief standoff. The department says no one was injured.

Hamburg woman arrested in Page County

News

January 12th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports 27-year old Sonya Marie Green, of Hamburg, was arrested at around 10:35-p.m., Thursday. Green was taken into custody at the Page County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for Failure to appear. Green posted the $300 bond with 10% allowed in cash and was released pending further court proceedings.

Atlantic man arrested on an assault charge

News

January 12th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson reports 42-year old Levi Stroup, of Atlantic, was arrested Thursday for Domestic Abuse Assault, with injury. Stroup was transported to the Cass County Jail and booked-in.

Report says ‘nothing’ has changed on Iowa Capitol misconduct

News

January 12th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An ex-Republican lawmaker tasked with recommending improvements to workplace culture within the Iowa Senate after an ex-GOP staffer sued for sexual harassment says “there is nothing that has changed to prevent additional inappropriate behavior and ensuing problems” at the Iowa Capitol. Mary Kramer issued the warning today (Friday), in her recommendations to improve working conditions at the Iowa Legislature. She says everyone working at the Capitol, from elected officials to nonpartisan staff and the press, should receive training “regarding what constitutes inappropriate behavior.”

Kramer says a clear process needs to be established for a legislative ethics committee to investigate lawmakers accused of misconduct. The Legislature is grappling with the fallout from a lawsuit filed by a former Senate Republican staffer who was fired after reporting sexual misconduct. The state paid $1.75 million to settle the case.

Iowa man convicted for scamming out-of-state hunters

News

January 12th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

BLOOMFIELD, Iowa (AP) — A man from southeast Iowa has been convicted of scamming out-of-state hunters in a case that raises questions about whether the state does enough to protect against fraudulent outfitters. The Des Moines Register reports that 34-year-old Andrew Wulf was convicted on two counts of felony theft and ongoing criminal conduct on Thursday. Wulf owns Whitetail Ridge Outfitters in Tipton and was accused of swindling three out-of-state customers, leading illegal hunts and ripping off customers.

The case has reignited discussion about whether legislation is needed to better protect hunters against fraud in Iowa, a destination for thousands of out-of-state hunters each year. Several states regulate and license outfitters and guides, including Alaska, New Mexico and Wyoming. Wulf faces up to 35 years in prison. He will be sentenced in March.