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Iowa early News Headlines: Tuesday, 4/25/17

News

April 25th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:59 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A plan to spend nearly a half-million dollars remodeling the interior of the newest state office building in Des Moines is moving forward despite budget cuts that are hitting an array of state programs and services. The Iowa Utilities Board is planning to demolish and redo much of the customer service area in its six-year-old building, adding a conference room and a nicer reception area. Planning documents call for new glass walls and doors, woodwork, paint and even a 75-inch television.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa athletic director Gary Barta said Monday that three separate rounds of complaints from parents and field hockey players prompted an investigation into the program that ultimately led to the firing of coach Tracey Griesbaum in 2014. Griesbaum’s termination is a central piece of a lawsuit filed by former top female administrator Jane Meyer against the university.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Polaris Industries plans to close its plant in the northwest Iowa city of Milford, leaving up to 300 employees out of work. Polaris spokeswoman Kelly Basgen told the Sioux City Journal on Monday the company would stop production of all-terrain and utility vehicles at the Milford plant that had operated since 2013. Production would shift to plants in Alabama, Minnesota and California. Company executive Ken Pucel says the plant was being closed to “streamline our plant infrastructure.”

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Federal officials say 15 people have been indicted for allegedly trafficking eagles and other migratory birds. The U.S. attorney’s office in South Dakota and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced charges Monday after a two-year undercover investigation. U.S. Attorney Randy Seiler says that officials expect “significant” additional federal charges.

Chiefs waive DT Jaye Howard with failed physical designation

Sports

April 25th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs waived Jaye Howard with a failed physical designation Monday after the veteran defensive tackle was limited to eight games by a hip injury last season. Chiefs coach Andy Reid said last week Howard was progressing with rehab work following hip surgery.

The 28-year-old Howard started 13 of the 16 games he played in two years ago, racking up 36 tackles and 5½ sacks. He parlayed that into a $12 million, two-year contract prior to last season.

The Chiefs allowed defensive tackle Dontari Poe to leave in free agency, but they still have plenty of depth in the interior of the line. Along with Allen Bailey and Chris Jones returning, they also signed former Eagles defensive tackle Bennie Logan to a one-year deal.

Barta says 3 rounds of complaints led to Griesbaum’s firing

Sports

April 24th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — University of Iowa athletic director Gary Barta has testified that three rounds of complaints from parents and field hockey players prompted an investigation into the program that led to the firing of coach Tracey Griesbaum in 2014.

Griesbaum’s termination is a central piece of a lawsuit filed by former administrator Jane Meyer against the university and was a focus Monday in testimony in Meyer’s discrimination trial. Meyer, who was Barta’s longtime top assistant, filed the suit after being moved to another department soon after the firing of Griesbaum, who was her partner. Meyer’s job was eliminated in 2016.

Meyer alleges she suffered workplace discrimination as a gay woman in a relationship with a coach, that the school retaliated against her and that she was paid less than a male counterpart.

Polaris closes NW Iowa plant, putting up to 300 out of work

News

April 24th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Polaris Industries plans to close its plant in the northwest Iowa city of Milford, leaving up to 300 employees out of work. Polaris spokeswoman Kelly Basgen told the Sioux City Journal on Monday the company would stop production of all-terrain and utility vehicles at the Milford plant that had operated since 2013. Production would shift to plants in Alabama, Minnesota and California.

Basgen says some employee could move to other Polaris plants, leaving between 275 and 300 workers out of a job. Ken Pucel, the company’s executive vice president of operations, says the plant was being closed in an effort to “streamline our plant infrastructure.”

Polaris is based in the Minneapolis suburb of Medina.

Mills County Sheriff’s report (4/24)

News

April 24th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office is reporting four recent arrests. Sunday evening, 33-year old Travis Mitchell Long, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on I-29 for Driving While Barred. His bond was set at $2,000. Saturday night, 26-year old Kimberly Marie Salnicky, of Plattsmouth, NE., was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set at $300.

Last Thursday, Mills County Deputies arrested 27-year old Patrick Neil Jack, of Malvern, for Harassment in the 2nd Degree, the bond for which was set at $1,000. And, 21-year old Ridge Allen Casteel, of Bedford, was arrested for Driving Under Suspension. His bond was set at $300.

2 men arrested on Trespass and Theft charges in Adair County

News

April 24th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office says two men were arrested on Trespass, Theft and other charges, Saturday afternoon, in Bridgewater. 52-year old Michael Kurt Fahrney, of West Des Moines, faces charges that include Trespass, Theft in the 4th Degree, felony Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine -3rd or subsequent offense, and four moving violations.  27-year old Matthew Dean Johnson, of Fontanelle, was arrested for Trespass and Theft in the 4th degree. The theft charge is with regard to a walnut tree that was cut down on a property without the owners permission. Fahrney was being held in the Adair County Jail on $5,000 bond, while Johnson was later released on $1,000 bond.

Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports also, 21-year old Dominique Lawren Peterson, of Sioux City, was arrested April 18th at the Woodbury County Jail, on an Adair County warrant for Probation Violation. Her bond was set at $10,000. 30-year old Daniel Fritz Reeves, of Sioux City, was arrested April 19th at the Woodbury County Jail, on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. His bond was also set at $10,000.

Adair County Sheriff’s report 3 NY men arrested on drug charges on the way to CO

News

April 24th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater, Monday,  said three men from Rochester, New York, were arrested last week on drug charges while on their way to Colorado.  The Sheriff says a Stuart Police Officer initiated a traffic stop the afternoon of April 19th on an SUV traveling 97 miles per hour in a 70 zone on Interstate 80 westbound near mile marker 92. Upon stopping the vehicle, the occupants were seen jumping around and changing seats. Once all three occupants were detained, the officer could smell and see marijuana from outside the vehicle.

During a probable cause search of the vehicle, $6,000 in cash was found in the glovebox, along with a plastic baggie and marijuana. An occupant of the SUV, 21-year old Devon Xavier Skerritt claimed the items belonged to him. In the rear of the vehicle, officers found a black backpack containing $2,000 cash, a large baggie that allegedly once held marijuana, and small baggie of pot. 26-year old Rashaad Markel Jones, another passenger in the SUV, claimed that property was his. Officers also found $1,000 in cash in another bag Jones owned. The third occupant, 24-year old Darnell Jerome Sanders, told officers that while being pulled over, he was smoking marijuana.

All three men admitted they were on their way to Colorado for April 20th (420) activities. They said they had smoked all their pot on the drive, and were going to buy more in Colorado. Skerritt and Jones were charged with felony counts of Possession with the Intent to Deliver. They were released later on $5,000 bond, each. Sanders was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance. He was later released on $1,000 bond.

DENNIS HUSTON, 62, of Atlantic (Svcs. 4/27/17)

Obituaries

April 24th, 2017 by Jim Field

DENNIS HUSTON, 62, of Atlantic died Monday, April 24th at Atlantic Specialty Care in Atlantic. Celebration of Life services for DENNIS HUSTON will be held Thursday, April 27th at 11:00am at the Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Visitation with the family will be held Thursday, April 27th from 10:00am-11:00am at the funeral home prior to services. Online condolences may be left at www.RolandFuneralService.com

Burial will be in the Canfield Cemetery east of Pleasant Hill at 3-p.m. Thursday.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation to the Russell and Ann Gerdin American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Iowa City.

DENNIS HUSTON is survived by:

Mother: Marjorie Huston of Atlantic.

His sisters – Cindy (Randy) Kook, and Sherry Davis (& Dr. R. Dixon Appel), all of Adel.

KENNETH LAPPE SR., 74, of Atlantic (Svcs. 04/28/2017)

Obituaries

April 24th, 2017 by Jim Field

KENNETH LAPPE SR., 74, of Atlantic died Sunday, April 23rd at his home in Atlantic. Funeral services for KENNETH LAPPE SR. will be held Friday, April 28th at 11:00am at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Visitation with family present will be held Thursday, April 27th from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Burial will be in the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Atlantic.

Online condolences may be left at www.RolandFuneralService.com.

KENNETH LAPPE SR. is survived by:

Wife: Peggy Lappe.

Children: Linda Kelly. Kenneth (Kim) Lappe Jr.. Cheryl (Brent) Leighton. Christine (Justin) Stufflebeam.

14 Grandchildren

1 Great-Grandchild

LUCILLE BENTLEY, 98, of Oakland (Svcs. 4/29/17)

Obituaries

April 24th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

LUCILLE BENTLEY, 98, of Oakland, died Sunday, April 23rd, at the Oakland Manor nursing home. Memorial services for LUCILLE BENTLEY will be held 11-a.m. Saturday, April 29th, at the Oakland United Methodist Church. Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland has the arrangements.

Interment will be at a later date.

LUCILLE BENTLEY is survived by her children:

JoAnn Wendt, of Elliott; Lyle (Peggy) Bentley, of Oakland, and Dale (Colleen) Bentley. of Omaha, NE.