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Many of Branstad’s goals remain unfinished as he heads out

News

May 14th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — As Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad prepares to step down from office, he’s highlighted his administration’s successes in recent years. That includes a low unemployment rate, multi-billion dollar private-sector investments and a slate of workforce initiatives. The results are more mixed when considering four goals he promised when returning to office in 2011. Data shows many remain unfinished as he heads out.

The objectives by 2016 were 200,000 new jobs, a 15 percent reduction in the cost of government, 25 percent increase in family incomes and having the nation’s best schools. Ben Hammes, a spokesman for Branstad, says the governor would argue “substantial” progress has been made in all areas.

Branstad is expected to resign soon to become ambassador to China. A Senate vote could happen as early as this week.

Sioux City district pays $160K to settle bus crash lawsuit

News

May 14th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Sioux City Community School District has paid $160,000 to a woman injured when a school bus rear-ended her vehicle in 2013. The Sioux City Journal reports the school board approved the settlement last week with Jennifer Fitzpatrick. In exchange, her lawsuit was dismissed Thursday.

The settlement is covered by the district’s insurance carrier. Each side will pay its own legal costs. Fitzpatrick filed her suit against the district and bus driver Marsha Tucker in January 2015, seeking damages for past and future medical expenses. Fitzpatrick was injured on April 4, 2013, when she was driving south on Floyd Boulevard and her Toyota Camry was rear-ended by a school bus driven by Tucker.

Police release few details about death of 16-year-old girl

News

May 14th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

PERRY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have released few details about the death of a 16-year-old Iowa girl they are investigating. KCCI reports police in Perry say the girl was unresponsive when she was found Friday. Paramedics were sent to the home where the girl was at around 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Police have not released the identity of the girl or the cause of her death. An autopsy is planned for this week. The address where the girl was found is the location of a home day care, but it’s not immediately clear if the girl lived there or if she was being cared for at the day care.

Names of Iowa couple released in fatal Kentucky plane crash

News

May 14th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Authorities have released the names of an Iowa couple killed when their plane heading to Alabama crashed in southern Kentucky. Christian County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Capt. Chris Miller says in a news release that the 69-year-old pilot, Dominic Giametta, and his 55-year-old wife, Dr. Dianne Giametta, were killed in Friday’s crash near Hopkinsville. The statement did not indicate their hometowns, but media outlets report the couple was from Bettendorf, Iowa.

The statement says the plane was flying from Bettendorf to Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The Federal Aviation Administration says the crash involved a Beechcraft Bonanza, which seats up to six people.

Griswold School Board to meet Monday evening

News

May 14th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Griswold School Board will hold its regular monthly meeting 5:30-p.m. Monday (May 15th), in the Central Office Board Room. On their agenda is an update from KPE architects with regard to the District’s educational facilities, and the second reading of 502 series Board Policies.

Other action items include: Approval of a Budget Amendment; Approval of Contract Renewals for Certified Staff, Non-Certified Coach/Sponsors, Administration, Quasi-Administration, and Support Staff; the Setting of Contract Issue and Return dates; Approval of Iowa Western Community College Contracts and the establishment of: Convenience fees for on-line deposits, nutrition prices, registration, technology and Activity Pass fees for 2017-18.

The Griswold School Board will also act on Fuel and Tech Support bid specifications, along with the first reading of numerous Board 400 and 500 Series Policies. There will also be an 8th Grade Leadership Academy presentation, and a TLC update/presentation.

JAMES C. SPORLEDER, 81, of Elk Horn (Svcs. 5/17/17)

Obituaries

May 14th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

JAMES C. SPORLEDER, 81, of Elk Horn, died Saturday, May 13th, at home. Funeral services for JAMES SPORLEDER will be held 10:30-a.m. Wednesday, May 17th, at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church (Elk Horn, IA). Kessler Funeral Home in Exira has the arrangements.

Friends may call at the funeral home, where the family visitation begins 6-p.m. Tuesday.

Burial will be in the Elk Horn Lutheran Cemetery.

JAMES C. SPORLEDER is survived by:

His wife – Verna Sporleder, of Elk Horn.

His sons – Wayne (Loida) Sporleder, of Aurora, CO., & Michel (Chelli) Sporleder, of Red Oak.

His daughter – Beth (Craig) DeBolt, of Red Oak.

His brother – Larry (Susan) Sporleder, of Glendale, AZ.

His sister – Joann Pfiester, of Rochester, MN.

10 grandchildren, 1 great-great granddaughter, his in-laws, other relatives & friends.

4 arrests in Montgomery County – juvenile arrested for alleged assault of school staffer

News

May 14th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports four separate arrests took place over the past few days. At around 3:25-p.m. Friday, Deputies in Montgomery County arrested a juvenile male at the Southwest Valley Middle School in Villisca, for simple assault of a staff member. The youth was booked into the jail and then released to the custody of a parent.

Early Saturday morning, deputies arrested 27-year old Skylar Grant Winterstien, of Avoca, for OWI/1st offense. Winterstien was booked into the Montgomery County Jail. 47-year old Dale Lee McMurray, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at around 11:30-a.m. Saturday for Driving While Suspended, with seven withdrawals in effect. McMurray posted a $435 bond and was released from custody.

And, just before 11:30-p.m., Saturday, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 45-year old Darin David Dyke, of Red Oak, for Driving While Revoked for OWI test failure. Dyke was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and held on bond.

 

Iowa early News Headlines: Sunday, 5/14/17

News

May 14th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 5:30 a.m. CDT

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A man who was convicted of killing an Iowa City landlord but later saw the ruling overturned has pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the case. The Press-Citizen reports 26-year-old Justin Marshall was sentenced Friday to 25 years in prison. Marshall admitted that he fatally shot 64-year-old John Versypt in a stairway in 2009. Marshall says he was trying to steal Versypt’s wallet, but didn’t intend to kill him.

CRESCO, Iowa (AP) — A man accused of driving a 30-ton (30.48-metric ton) grain truck over a small county bridge with a 3-ton (3.05-metric ton) weight limit, leading to its collapse, has been cited. Cedar Rapids television station KCRG reports that the truck’s driver was cited for violating a weight embargo. The collapse happened early the morning of May 5 on Cattle Creek Road over the Upper Iowa River east of Cresco. No one was injured.

RIDGEWAY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say two northeastern Iowa sheriff’s deputies were injured when a man under arrest tried to escape. The incident happened Friday afternoon, less than two weeks after two western Iowa sheriff’s deputies were shot, one fatally, during a jail break there. Authorities say on Friday, a Winneshiek County deputy suffered serious injuries and was taken to a hospital while chasing a suspect on foot. A Howard County deputy also suffered injuries.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials say the cost to renovate Des Moines’ City Hall has grown by more than $2 million as the city continues to expand the scope of the project. The Des Moines Register reports that the cost is now projected at $8.6 million _ up from initial plans that called for a $6.3 million upgrade to the mechanical systems and fire sprinklers in the historic downtown building.

Skyscan Weather forecast for Atlantic & the area, Sunday 5/14/17

Weather

May 14th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Today: Sunny & breezy. High near 85. South wind 10 to 20 mph, w/gusts to near 30.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: Partly sunny w/a 20% chance of showers & thunderstorms. High 89. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. S @ 15-30.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny & windy, w/a 20% chance of showers & thunderstorms. High near 87. S @ 15-35.
Tuesday Night: Showers & thunderstorms likely through midnight. Low 64. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely through Noon. High near 78.

Carlos Martinez gets 2 hits, Cardinals beat Cubs 5-3

Sports

May 13th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez had two hits and an RBI, Tommy Pham kept up his strong start to the season and St. Louis beat the Chicago Cubs 5-3 on Saturday. In a rematch of the season opener, Martinez (3-3) again topped Jon Lester (1-2). Martinez allowed three runs, five hits and four walks over 6 2/3 innings, striking out seven.

Top Cubs prospect Ian Happ homered off Martinez in the seventh for his first hit in his major league debut. Martinez scored Pham on a squeeze bunt in the third inning. Lester tried to field the ball and flip it home, but the attempt came up short while Martinez took second with nobody covering.

Pham had two hits, two RBIs, a walk and a stolen base. The outfielder is batting .387 with seven extra-base hits in eight games since being recalled from Triple-A this month. Seung Hwan Oh pitched the ninth, giving up a two-out single before picking up his 10th save in 11 opportunities.