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Sheriff’s clerk charged with theft after state audit

News

December 12th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The former administrative clerk in the Poweshiek County sheriff’s office has been charged with theft after a state audit found nearly $7,000 in missing money. State criminal investigators announced the charges today (Tuesday) against Megan Lynne Strong, hours after State Auditor Mary Mosiman released a report showing missing deposits mostly from gun permits.

Sheriff Thomas Kriegel had requested the audit. During an investigation in February Strong admitted to taking money and she resigned. It’s not the first time a state audit revealed problems at the sheriff’s office.

Former Sheriff Tom Sheets was sentenced to probation in December 2016 for theft after an audit showed the county lost about $312,000 over three years. Kriegel defeated Sheets in the 2012 election and took office in January 2013 and was re-elected last year.

Harlan Police report, 12/11/17

News

December 12th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Harlan Police Department reports one arrest and one accident. 22-year old Marcus Tyler Morgan, of Harlan, was arrested last Friday on an active Shelby County warrant.

The accident occurred Dec. 6th, at 19th and Lincoln Avenue, in Harlan. Vehicles driven by Rex Adams and Allan Ickes, both of Harlan, collided at the intersection. The crash happened after Adams stopped, but then continued into the intersection, not seeing the approaching 2009 GMC Canyon driven by Ickes.

Adams was driving a 2014 Dodge Ram. The GMC hit the Dodge on the side, causing the pickup to slide around and end up sitting on the right of way on the northwest corner of the intersection. No injuries were reported.

Update: Body found in Council Bluffs was the victim of a homicide

News

December 12th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

In an update to our earlier reports, Police in Council Bluffs have identified a body that was found Monday morning in a vacant lot. The deceased was 34-year old David Randall Simpson, a homeless man. An autopsy conducted at the Iowa State Medical Examiner Office has ruled his death as a homicide by blunt force trauma.

The body was found in a grassy area just north of a building at around 10:35-a.m. Monday, at 1004 1st Avenue, which is a vacant lot. A Council Bluffs man told officers that while walking his dog in the area he discovered the body and called police.

Anyone having possible information in solving the crime is encouraged to call the Criminal Investigation Division at (712) 328-4728 or Crime Stoppers at (712) 328-7867.

Walnut Communications switches name to METC

News

December 12th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The CEO of Marne-Elk Horn Telephone reports Walnut Communications, which was acquired by Marne Elk Horn in September of 2016, is changing its name to Marne Elk Horn as part of a rebranding effort by the company. Janell Hansen says soon, customers will see the new logo publicly, on materials, trucks and staff clothing. Hansen says “As our staff has grown into one team over the past year, it became apparent we were ready for this next step, and since we were going to use one name – it seemed appropriate to update the logo at the same time.”

All offices and staff remain the same, but you will see the new Marne Elk Horn logo on trucks, staff clothing, company communications and materials. According to Hansen, a new website will be launched in early 2018. She says “In January, we will connect our first fiber-to-the-home customers in the city of Walnut, which will feature our new Fiber TV product. As we install these products in customers’ homes, staff from all our offices will be available for the installations. We thought it would be more clear if we are all under the same name and logo.”

Marne Elk Horn was started in 1903, when the first telephone lines were built between Marne and Rorbeck, then to Elk Horn, thus the name began as “Marne Elk Horn”. The company serves customers in and around the communities of Avoca, Brayton, Elk Horn, Exira, Kimballton, Marne, McClelland, Minden, Neola, Persia, Shelby, Underwood, and Walnut with Internet, TV and phone services. Marne Elk Horn’s main office is located in Elk Horn, with additional offices in Walnut and Avoca.

Update! Names released in school bus fire

News

December 12th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office has released the names of the victims of today’s (Tuesday’s) fatal Riverside School Bus fire. Authorities say two fatalities due to the fire have been confirmed, including the driver of the bus, 74-year old Donald Hendricks, of Carson. The second victim has been identified as 16-year old Megan Klindt, who lived in rural Pottawattamie County. They were the only persons on the bus.

The investigation into the cause of the fire continues.

Statement issued by Riverside Superintendent following fatal school bus fire

News

December 12th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Superintendent of the Riverside Community School District issued a statement following this (Tuesday) morning’s fatal school bus fire in rural Oakland that claimed the lives of the bus driver and a student.

Dr. Timothy Mitchell said “This morning, the Riverside Community School District suffered a tragedy when we lost a student and an employee in a school bus accident. Our hearts go out to their families and loved ones. The investigation into the cause of the accident is underway, and we are cooperating with law enforcement as they do their work. The safety of students and staff is the top priority for the District. School is in session and a Crisis Team from the Green Hills Area Education Agency along with area schools counselors and many community volunteers have been deployed to all our buildings to assist students and staff. All afterschool activities for today have been cancelled and will be rescheduled.’ He said also, “The entire community of the Riverside Community School District is deeply saddened by the events of this morning. We would like to thank everyone who has offered assistance. Once again, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who is impacted by this tragic event.”

The Pottawattamie County Communications Center received a 911 call at around 7:02-a.m., with regard to a Riverside Community School District bus on fire near 17840 480th Street, about six-miles southeast of Oakland. A resident of the home the bus had just left made the call. Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Lt. Rob Ambrose said the bus had been backing out of the rural driveway and became stuck on the road embankment. Upon arrival, Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office and Firefighters from Oakland and Carson and found the bus to be completely involved in flames. Once the fire was contained, the remains of two individuals were found on the bus.  The male bus driver and a student who lived at the residence died. There were no other persons on board.

The incident remains under investigation.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12th

Trading Post

December 12th, 2017 by Jim Field

FOR SALE:  DOLLS! DOLLS! DOLLS! start your Lil one on her first collection of porcelain dolls, $10.00 each, have pics if interested. Call or text 865-963-7499 Great Christmas Gifts.

FOR SALE: Firewood; 16′ livestock trailer. 712-420-3016.

FOR SALE: 2 full size 6 string acoustic guitars with soft shell cases, brand names $100 each; wood burning stove for shop or garage, new firebrick $40, you load and haul. 712-243-2408, leave a message.

Iowa deer harvest nearly identical to 2016; Coyote hunt begins Jan. 10th

Ag/Outdoor, Sports

December 12th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reports  the 2017 Iowa deer harvest is running less than 1 percent ahead of the 2016 totals. So far this fall, 76,204 deer have been reported, compared to 75,909 for the same period last year. Iowa’s second shotgun season ends Dec. 17. Iowa’s deer seasons conclude with the late muzzleloader season and archery season, both of which are Dec. 18-Jan. 10, 2018.

An expected 10,000 to 15,000 Iowa hunters will turn their attention to pursuing the state’s top predator after Jan. 10. That’s when most of Iowa’s hunting seasons close, and coyote hunting begins in earnest. Although its season never closes, coyotes are hunted most often during the winter. The number of Iowa coyote hunters and harvest has been at a record level for four of the past five years, thanks in part to predator hunting shows and because coyote fur has held its value as most other pelt prices have declined.

“Coyote pelts go for anywhere from $15-$30 per pelt depending on the quality and Iowa’s pelts are considered average. Last year’s average price was $17. The top pelts come from the Dakotas, Montana, and Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada,” said Vince Evelsizer, state furbearer biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Coyote fur is used as trim for hoods and coats in foreign markets. Coyote population is distributed fairly well across the state with the highest population in western Iowa. Coyotes are habitat generalists and can be found near large brushpiles, timber and grass fields, and in particular, fields with switchgrass.

Hunters prefer a fresh layer of snow for tracking and the white background makes coyotes easier to see from a long distance. Wind is critical to coyote hunters because it impacts where and how they set up for calling and pursuing coyotes as coyotes have a keen nose and are naturally wary. Wearing snow colored camo is often effective to avoid detection. Hunters can use predator calls, hunt day or night, use rifles, may hunt over bait and use groups of hunters and or hounds to round them up. There is no bag limit and coyotes can be hunted on a hunting or furharvester license.

“We receive complaints from the public about coyotes’ impact on young deer, turkeys and rabbits; harass pets, and farmers’ loss of livestock. So in that respect, hunters provide an important service by hunting coyotes,” Evelsizer said. “That being said, they’re a very wary game animal worthy of respect. We don’t allow the use of artificial light for night hunting on purpose because we encourage fair chase and it could increase the incentive to misuse the technology to poach deer and other wildlife.”

Coyote trapping is allowed, but it must be done during the trapping season.

North Iowa city councilman killed in crash near Swaledale

News

December 12th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

SWALEDALE, Iowa (AP) — A Swaledale City Council member in north-central Iowa has been killed in a single-vehicle rollover crash. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that 42-year-old Troy Smeby, of Swaledale, was driving a car Saturday morning near Swaledale when the vehicle went off the road and into a ditch. The Iowa State Patrol says the vehicle rolled several times, and Smeby, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the car. Smeby was first elected to the Swaledale City Council in 2009, and most recently, in 2015.

Ex-Iowa senator loses appeal in pay-for-endorsement case

News

December 12th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A federal court has rejected the sentencing appeal of former Iowa Sen. Kent Sorenson, who is serving a 15-month federal prison sentence for causing false campaign finance reports to be filed and obstructing an investigation. Sorenson accepted money for endorsing presidential candidate Ron Paul in 2012 but was caught up in a criminal case when federal authorities said he and Paul campaign officials attempted to hide the payments.

He pleaded guilty and expected probation but was given prison time in January when Judge Robert Pratt concluded Sorenson betrayed the public trust and deserved punishment. He appealed the sentence but the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday concluded Pratt’s sentence was appropriate. Sorenson is at a minimum security prison in Thomson, Illinois. He is due for release in April.