COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of a former Army officer accused of breaking into a Council Bluffs apartment and assaulting a woman. The court rejected the appeal from former Lt. Col. Robert Butts, who claimed there were several problems with his 2010 jury trial. Butts was sentenced to 25 years in prison for seven charges, including second-degree kidnapping. Butts was accused of breaking into a woman’s apartment on Nov. 11, 2009, which was Veteran’s Day, and holding her at gunpoint. The woman’s sister, who was hiding in a closet, called police. During his trial, Butts testified he didn’t remember what happened that night. A psychiatrist testified Butt has history of sleepwalking.

The City Council in Audubon is set to meet Monday evening. On their agenda for the 7-p.m. session at City Hall, is an update from Barb Jacobsen on the Blue Zone Project. Audubon was one of 8 western Iowa communities selected last week from a field of 84 towns, to submit a full application for the opportunity to become one 10 finalists for Blue Zones demonstration sites. The next step in the process, is for the City to submit the full application, by no later than January 4^th.

The Council will also discuss siding on the police office, space in the basement for the police department, and compensation practices.

The Exira and Elk Horn-Kimballton Boards of Education will hold a joint meeting Monday evening, in Elk Horn. On the agenda for the 7-p.m. session in the Family and Consumer Science Room at the EHK High School, is discussion with regard to: graduation diplomas; sports facilities; communication structure; a joint advisory committee; their mission and vision; and goals for the 2012-2013 school year.

The next joint meeting of both boards will take place March 26^th, in Exira.

Police in the Taylor County community of Lenox reported Saturday, a disturbance at around 11:30-a.m. Friday resulted in the arrest of 30-year old Lucas Briggs, of Lenox. Briggs was charged with Domestic Abuse/Serious Assault, following an incident which allegedly occurred in the 500-block of West Ohio Street. He was brought to the Taylor County Jail and held, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

Police in Red Oak report the arrest this (Sunday) morning of Eric Vannausdle. The man was taken into custody in the 400 block of North 3rd Street in Red Oak, on a warrant out of Montgomery County, for Theft in the 2nd degree. Vannausdle was being held in the Montgomery County Jail.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports one person was arrested early this (Sunday) morning in Red Oak, on Trespass and Public Intoxication charges. 46-year old Steven James Shearer, of Elliott, was taken into custody at around 2:30-a.m., following an incident in the 100 block of Corning Street, in Red Oak. Shearer was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 bond.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – The outfield bleachers at Omaha’s Rosenblatt Stadium have been taken down and are on their way to a new home in Iowa. The Omaha World-Herald reports  150 volunteers helped dismantle the bleachers Saturday. The bleachers will be installed at Al Leber Field at St. Albert Catholic Schools in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

The College World Series was played at Rosenblatt from 1950 to 2010. The games then moved to a new stadium in downtown Omaha. The Omaha Zoo Foundation bought the Rosenblatt property and plans to demolish the stadium to make way for zoo expansion. Parts of the stadium are slowly being dismantled. Last month, about 90 stadium seats were taken down and moved to Wahoo’s Sam Crawford Field.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports a Missouri woman suffered possible, unknown injuries during an accident Thursday morning, east of Coin. Officials say a 1996 Ford van driven by 38-year old Rebecca Willis, of Maryville, MO., was travelin west on 270th Street at around 11-a.m., when a vehicle pulling a construction trailer backed out of a farm driveway just west of the intersection with I Avenue.

57-year old Robert Michael, of College Springs, failed to see the approaching van, which hit the construction trailer in the right rear fender, causing $3,000 damage to the trailer and $4,600 damage to the van. Following the collision, the van ran off the road. Willis suffered undetermined injuries in the crash, and was transported by ambulance to the hospital in Clarinda.

Robert Michael was cited following the accident investigation, for Unsafe Backing onto a highway, and Failure to Provide Security Against Liability (no insurance).

An incident during an altercation early this (Saturday) morning in western Iowa’s Monona County resulted in one person being sent to the hospital. The Iowa State Patrol reports 25-year old Manuel Anton, of Blencoe was hit by an SUV during a verbal altercation behind a bar  in Onawa. Officials say the incident took place in an alley behind the “Sudds and Juggs” bar.

According to the report, while a verbal altercation was underway just after 2-a.m., a passenger in an SUV, 44-year old Kimberly Heberer, of Sgt. Bluff, moved into the driver’s seat, and backed the 2004 Chevy Tahoe over Anton, who was standing behind the vehicle.

Anton was transported to Mercy Hospital in Sioux City by Burgess Ambulance. The report did not indicate what, if any, charges were filed.

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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