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Iowa early News Headlines: Thursday, 11/16/17

News

November 16th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:45 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A group of lawmakers tasked with evaluating Iowa’s response to the opioid epidemic will miss a deadline for completing a report offering findings and recommendations. The Opioid Epidemic Evaluation Study Committee was supposed to deliver an opioids report to Gov. Kim Reynolds and lawmakers by Nov. 15, but the report wasn’t available Wednesday. An official with the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency blamed the delay on staffing limitations.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An animal rights group is asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to require more humane treatment for turkeys, chickens and other poultry as the birds are sent to slaughter. California-based Mercy For Animals filed the petition Wednesday, about a week before Thanksgiving. The petition asks that poultry be covered under the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1958. A spokeswoman for the National Chicken Council says including poultry in the law is unnecessary.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The National Indian Gaming Commission has again approved the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska’s plan to build a casino near Omaha, but after a decade of court hearings, the project’s future remains uncertain. The commission’s ruling this week came nearly 10 years after it first approved the proposed casino in Carter Lake, Iowa.

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (AP) — Attorneys for former “Bachelor” contestant Chris Soules say he performed CPR on an Iowa farmer who died after Soules rear-ended his tractor in April. The attorneys filed a motion Monday seeking the dismissal of the charge against Soules _ leaving the scene of a fatal accident. They say Soules performed CPR on 66-year-old Kenneth Moser until it became clear it was futile. Investigators say Soules fled the scene after killing Moser. He was later arrested at his home about 10 miles away.

Boil Advisory in Adair

News

November 15th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Adair-Guthrie County Emergency Management Agency reported Wednesday evening, that “Due to the water main break Adair is now under a boil advisory until further notice.” Citizens should boil their water before consumption or brushing their teeth. and then letting it cool.

Red Oak man’s VM trial – change of venue request is denied

News

November 15th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A Senior District Court Judge, Monday, denied a request for a change of venue in the case of a man charged with Voluntary Manslaughter. Fourth District Judge Timothy O’Grady ruled the trial for 39-year old Kevin Duane Staley, of Red Oak, will be held in Red Oak, on January 9th, 2018.  Staley had requested a change of venue due to extensive media coverage.

Staley entered a written plea of Not Guilty to the charge, on Monday. He’s accused of shooting 27-year old Devin Alexander Davis, of Villisca, during the early morning hours of Oct. 11th, in Red Oak.

Red Oak Police have said Davis suffered from a single gunshot wound to the chest.  Investigators determined that Staley and Davis “had been in a confrontation” earlier that morning, which resulted in Staley shooting Davis.

Police arrested Staley in his Red Oak home after executing a search warrant there on the afternoon of Oct. 11th. He remains in custody on a $100,000 bond.

State board approves new fine art standards for schools

News

November 15th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The State Board of Education has approved new fine arts standards for all students in the state’s public schools. The new standards for music, theater, dance and other forms of artistic expression in Iowa public schools mirror standards used in 22 other states. Iowa school districts, however, have the option of ignoring these recommendations.

The standards, which focus on promoting the creativity and presentation skills of students from preschool through 12th grade. Advocates say these fine arts standards will promote a lifelong “appreciation for the arts.”

While schools may opt out of these new fine arts standards, the state’s ACADEMIC academic standards are NOT optional.

(Radio Iowa)

Time capsule removed from Iowa courthouse cornerstone

News

November 15th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Coins, photos and newspaper articles are among the contents of a century-old time capsule that has been removed from the cornerstone of the Woodbury County Courthouse. The Sioux City Journal reports that the time capsule was removed Tuesday in preparation for the landmark building’s centennial next year.

The iron box had to be drilled out of granite. The box, set in July 1916, contains foreign and U.S. coins, photos of then-President Woodrow Wilson and city street scenes and the results of an October 1875 local election. It also holds a souvenir from the 1916 Panama-California Exposition in San Diego and many articles from the Sioux City Journal in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The box will be opened Tuesday at the courthouse.

Gaming panel approves tribe’s plan for casino near Omaha

News

November 15th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The National Indian Gaming Commission has again approved the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska’s plan to build a casino near Omaha, but after a decade of court hearings, the project’s future remains uncertain. The Commission ruling this week came nearly 10 years after it first approved the proposed casino in Carter Lake, Iowa.

Ponca Tribal Chairman Larry Wright Jr. celebrated the latest decision because building the casino would give the tribe significant new resources to help its members. The tribe wants to build a casino with 2,000 slot machines, 50 table games and a 150-room hotel.

Iowa Attorney General spokesman Geoff Greenwood says the office is still reviewing the decision and deciding whether to appeal. The Nebraska Attorney General’s office didn’t immediately respond to a message Wednesday.

Cass County Library Association requests $2,000 funding increase for FY2019

News

November 15th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Library Association, represented by the representatives from the six city libraries in the county, met with the County Board of Supervisors this (Wednesday) morning, to present a report on services provided in FY2017 for each and all libraries.  The Association requested that the current county funding ($73,800) be increased by $2,000 for each library for FY2019.  Their request was taken under advisement.

The Board did however, approve contract payments for library services to Cass County residents residing outside of cities for FY2018.  [Anita-$13,100; Atlantic-$15,200; Cumberland-$10,900; Griswold-$12,600; Lewis-$10,900; Massena-$11,100].

The Supervisors’ next meeting is set for Thursday, Nov. 30th.

DON DIERS, 96, of Greenfield (Svcs. 11/21/17)

Obituaries

November 15th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DON DIERS, 96, of Greenfield, died Wed., Nov. 15th, at the Greenfield Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. A Mass of Christian Burial for DON DIERS will be held 10:30-a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21st, at St. John’s Catholic Church, in Greenfield. Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield has the arrangements.

The family will greet friends at the Steen Funeral Home on Monday, Nov. 20th, from 4-until 6-p.m.

Burial will be in the Fontanelle Cemetery. A luncheon at St. John’s Catholic Church in Greenfield. to follow committal services.

Memorials may be directed to the Don Diers Memorial Fund, to be established by the family.

DON DIERS is survived by:

His daughters – Carolyn (David) McNichols, of West Des Moines; Gayle Hanshaw, of Oxford, AL; Janet (Charles) Skellenger, of Alamo, TX; Mary (Dan) Scott, of Lincoln, NE. and Marsha (Don) Westphal, of Nashville, TN.

His sons – Alvin (Cheryl) Walgenbach, of Council Bluffs; William (Gloria) Dorsey, of Long Beach, CA.

His brother – Bill Diers, of TX.

many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Pott. County Sheriff’s report (11/15/17)

News

November 15th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

After weeks of being off-line, the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office today, released a lengthy on-line report, on recent arrests. A man from Crescent was arrested a little after 3-a.m. today (Wednesday), for Theft in the 2nd Degree (Motor vehicle related), after a Deputy conducted a traffic stop at 160th and Old Mormon Bridge Road. The registered owner, John Metzger, has had an expired license plate since 2009. The Deputy spoke with the driver, Beth Zarek, who wasn’t the registered owner. A passenger, 46-year old Jimmy Wayne Metzger, was arrested on a Felony warrant for a stolen trailer. He was taken into custody without incident.

Tuesday evening, Deputies arrested 31-year-old David Anderson and 28-year-old Nicole Anderson, both of Magnolia, both for Assault with Injury and Criminal Mischief 5th degree.  They were taken into custody after Deputies responded to 16733 Whippoorwill Road, where a woman was yelling for help. At the scene, people were reportedly beating the caller’s boyfriend with a bat.  Soon thereafter, it was reported a taser was involved. Officials say the front driver’s side window of a vehicle received around $200 damage during the incident.

Also on Tuesday, 48-year old Jodi Chesler, of Oakland, was arrested at the Pott. County Jail, for possessing contraband in the form of a small baggy of methamphetamine. And, 28-year old Tyler Miller, of Avoca, was arrested Tuesday during a traffic stop. An investigation determined Miller, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was wanted on a warrant for being a Fugitive from Justice.

Last Saturday, 45-year-old Danny Hulett, of West Des Moines, was arrested in Pott. County for Eluding, Reckless Driving and Dark Windows. His arrest was the result of an attempted traffic stop for a traffic violation. Hulett pulled over, but then took off. The pursuit went through two Iowa counties and eventually ended in Denison. On Nov. 6th, a 17-year-old female from Oakland was charged with Theft 3rd Degree after authorities investigated the theft of $813 in cash from the Riverside High School.

Other persons arrested last week: include 48-year Karen Wilburn, of Oakland, for a Violation of a No Contact Order in Oakland; 34-year old Brent Swisher, of Avoca, was arrested November 9th following a domestic disturbance in Avoca. Swisher was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault; 22-year old Tanner Bremser, of Denison, was arrested Nov. 11th for OWI/1st Offense. He was also given a citation for Careless Driving and a warning citation for Failure to Yield Half of Roadway; 27-year old Alexander Everage, of Council Bluffs, was arrested that same day, for Driving While Revoked and Possession of a Controlled substance. Authorities say a clear plastic baggie with a green leafy substance weighing 5.5 grams was seized during the stop.; 26-year old Nichole Goffney, of Macedonia, was arrested November 11th for OWI/1st offense, following a traffic stop for Operating While Intoxicated 1st Offense.

Mills County pair arrested for Lottery Forgery

News

November 15th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Police in Glenwood report two people were arrested Tuesday on Mills County warrants for Lottery Forgery.  36-year-old Jennifer Mills and 18-year-old Damion Gray, both of Glenwood, were being held in the Mills County Jail on $5,000 cash or surety bonds, each.