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Fugitive from the Rocky Mountain State arrested in Southwest IA

News

September 13th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

A tip from authorities in Denver, Colorado, Tuesday, resulted in the arrest in Red Oak, of a man wanted on sexual assault charges. According to Red Oak Police, their department was notified by Denver Police, that 23-year old Jacoby Tyrell Tubbs, was residing in Red Oak.

Tubbs was found in the 1600 block of E. Summit Street and taken into custody on a Fugitive from Justice Charge, in Iowa. He was being held at the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center without bond, pending a hearing and extradition to Colorado, where Tubbs was wanted on two felony warrants for Sexual Assault with Force, and Sexual Assault Aiding and Abetting by another.

Atlantic School District PPEL w/added income surtax passes

News

September 13th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Voters casting their ballots Tuesday during a Special Election for a Voter Approved Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (VPPEL) have said YES to a request by the Atlantic School District to have an income surtax blended with the property tax the District collects, to fund school infrastructure, equipment, repairs, purchases and improvements over $500 or for capital improvement projects.

Unofficial results from the Cass County Auditor’s Office show there were  351 Yes votes (61.63%) and 221 NO votes (38.64%). A simple majority was needed in order for Public Measure B to pass. The results will be canvassed during a meeting of the Cass County Board of Supervisors next Monday morning.

School officials had said in the months leading up to Tuesday’s vote, that if they would have been able to use an income surtax for the VPPEL in the past, it would’ve reduced the property tax by 60-cents per $1,000 of taxable valuation. Approval means patrons of the district will pay no more than 85-cents per thousand dollars of taxable property valuation each year annually (for up to 10-years), plus up to 20-percent of an Iowa Income Surtax for each individual income taxpayer in the district, with the amount of the surtax to be determined by the School Board each year. The total taxation cannot to exceed $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed property value in any one tax year.

The Income Surtax will begin December 31st for each calendar year, commencing with the 2017 calendar year, and the PPEL itself will begin with the levy of property taxes for collection in the fiscal year that begins July 1st, 2017. School Board Vice President Kristy Pellet said back in July, that the combined PPEL and Income Tax Surtax would essentially make it fairer, because more people would contribute to the PPEL, not just property owners.

A similar Measure placed before the voters last fall, failed.

Southbound I-29 access to U.S. 275/Iowa 92 in Council Bluffs scheduled to close Sept. 19

News

September 13th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – Sept. 13, 2016 – The Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 4 Office in Atlantic, reports the southbound Interstate 29 access to U.S. 275/Iowa 92 in Council Bluffs, will be closed beginning Monday, Sept. 19, weather permitting, for interstate road construction work (See map). Travelers should use the South Expressway (exit 3) to exit the interstate during this ramp closure.

It is expected that the ramp will reopen in late October when additional minor lane shifts on U.S. 275/Iowa 92 will take place before construction is completed. The southbound I-29 on-ramp and northbound off-ramp are still closed, but these are expected to open this fall. All lanes of U.S. 275/Iowa 92 will be open to traffic on Tuesday, Nov. 15.IA DOT

Atlantic School Board to hold elections during their meeting Wednesday

News

September 13th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting Wednesday evening at the High School. During the 5:30-p.m. session in the Media Center, the Board will hold an election among its members, for Board President and Vice President, and act on appointing the Board Secretary and Treasurer, followed by the administration of Oath of Office for those individuals. They’ll also act on possible changes to the date, time and place of Board meetings for the 2016-17 School Year

In regular business, the Atlantic School Board will hear from Justin Williams during the Public Comment portion of the meeting. They’re also set to hear special presentations from Williams with regard to the Cass County Educational Opportunity Center (CCEOC), and Dan Vargas, with regard to the Costa Rica trip.

The Board is also expected to act on approving various teacher contracts, the appointment of John Becker as volunteer Middle School Football Coach, the resignation of Justin Williams as Archery Club Sponsor, and other, administrative matters.

Prior to concluding their meeting, the Atlantic School Board will discuss progress on the search for a new Superintendent, and Instructional/Athletic Facilities.

AP Prep Football Poll after Week 3

Sports

September 13th, 2016 by admin

Iowa Prep Football Poll
The Associated Press

The Top Ten teams in the Associated Press Iowa high school football polls of the 2016 season with first-place votes in parentheses and won-loss record, total points and position last week at right:

Class 4A
Record Pts Prv
1. West Des Moines Valley (16) 3-0 160 2
2. Cedar Rapids Washington 3-0 134 3
3. West Des Moines Dowling 2-1 125 1
4. Ankeny Centennial 3-0 111 4
5. Iowa City West 3-0 95 6
6. Council Bluffs Lewis Central 3-0 80 7
7. Waukee 2-1 53 8
8. Muscatine 2-1 32 NR
9. Iowa City High 2-1 24 5
10. Cedar Falls 2-1 19 10

Others receiving votes: Bettendorf 18. Ames 12. Waterloo West 8. Newton 6. Urbandale 3.

Class 3A
Record Pts Prv
1. Cedar Rapids Xavier (11) 3-0 150 1
2. Pella (3) 3-0 139 2
3. Norwalk (1) 3-0 117 4
4. Washington (1) 3-0 113 3
5. Manchester West Delaware 3-0 87 5
6. Carroll 3-0 81 7
7. Creston-Orient-Macksburg 3-0 70 10
8. Sergeant Bluff-Luton 3-0 36 NR
9. Huxley Ballard 3-0 29 NR
10. Gilbert 3-0 19 NR

Others receiving votes: Le Mars 17. Glenwood 9. West Burlington-Notre Dame 7. Webster City 3. Sioux City Heelan 2. Storm Lake 1.

Class 2A
Record Pts Prv
1. West Union North Fayette (15) 3-0 159 1
2. New Hampton 3-0 133 2
3. Union, La Porte City (1) 3-0 116 5
4. Boyden-Hull-RV 2-1 97 4
5. Garner-Hayfield Ventura 3-0 86 6
6. Waukon 2-1 71 7
7. Clarion-Goldfield 3-0 52 9
8. Mount Vernon 1-2 47 8
9. Cascade 2-1 27 3
10. Central Lyon-GLR 2-1 17 NR

Others receiving votes: Carroll Kuemper 16. Williamsburg 13. South Central Calhoun 13. Sheldon 12. Monroe PCM 7. Donnellson Central Lee 6. Monticello 2. Chariton 2. Aplington-Parkersburg 2. Dyersville Beckman 1. Dike-New Hartford 1.

Class 1A
Record Pts Prv
1. Iowa City Regina (13) 2-1 149 1
2. Pella Christian (1) 3-0 129 2
3. Inwood West Lyon (1) 3-0 119 3
4. Hinton 3-0 111 4
5. Denver (1) 3-0 108 5
6. Van Meter 3-0 76 6
7. Madrid 3-0 72 7
8. Hull Western Christian 3-0 45 8
9. Wilton 3-0 28 9
10. West Branch 2-1 19 10

Others receiving votes: Sigourney-Keota 8. Bellevue 5. Logan-Magnolia 4. Leon Central Decatur 3. A-H-S-T-W, Avoca 2. Pleasantville 1. Wapello 1.

Class A
Record Pts Prv
1. St. Ansgar (12) 2-0 152 1
2. Gladbrook-Reinbeck (3) 3-0 127 2
3. Algona Garrigan 3-0 114 3
4. Council Bluffs St. Albert 3-0 111 4
5. Lisbon (1) 3-0 100 5
6. Hawarden West Sioux 3-0 90 6
7. Lynnville-Sully 3-0 67 7
8. Mason City Newman 3-0 29 9
9. Britt West Hancock 2-1 28 8
10. Hudson 3-0 23 NR

Others receiving votes: Belle Plaine 20. Akron-Westfield 6. Winthrop East Buchanan 5. Montezuma 4. New London 3. Grundy Center 1.

Class 8-Man
Record Pts Prv
1. Gilbertville-Don Bosco (13) 3-0 156 1
2. Fremont Mills, Tabor (3) 3-0 140 2
3. Audubon 3-0 124 3
4. Ackley AGWSR 3-0 100 4
5. Lone Tree 4-0 84 7
6. Jackson Junction Turkey Valley 3-0 72 8
7. Bedford 3-0 40 9
8. Harris-Lake Park 3-0 36 NR
9. Graettinger-Terril Ruthven-Ayrshire 2-1 34 5
10. Coon Rapids-Bayard 2-1 30 6

Others receiving votes: Wyoming Midland 20. Newell-Fonda 11. East Union 14, West Bend-Mallard 9. Ar-We-Va 5. Bussey Twin Cedars 3. Boyer Valley 2. Glidden-Ralston 1. Stanton 1. Lenox 1.

Carroll school administrators investigating bullying texts

News

September 13th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

CARROLL, Iowa (AP) — The Carroll schools superintendent says administrators are investigating bullying text messages written by students last week about a gay classmate chosen for the homecoming court. Carroll Community Schools Superintendent Rob Cordes told The Carroll Daily Times Herald that administrators were talking with students included in group text messages and would decide how to respond.

Cordes learned of the messages after they were printed out and left on windshields of the school’s football coach’s car and other players’ vehicles. Some of those receiving the texts were football players. Among the texts were comments that the gay student should kill himself.

Cordes says the incident falls within the school’s anti-bullying and anti-harassment policy. He says some students involved are remorseful and wish they’d acted differently, but “you can’t un-ring the bell.”

Midwest governors send letter to EPA seeking ethanol changes

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 13th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Seven Midwest governors have sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency seeking regulation changes intended to increase sales of gasoline blended with a higher percentage of ethanol. The governors of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota sent a letter Tuesday to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy requesting new standards that would allow stations to sell more gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol rather than the current standard of 10 percent ethanol.

The letter says the current setup “is stifling the widespread adoption” of E15 ethanol blends. The governors — five Republicans and two Democrats — are all from leading ethanol-producing states. The letter was also sent to President Barack Obama.

Cass County Sheriff’s report – part 2 (9/13/16)

News

September 13th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

In a follow-up to the Adair County Sheriff’s report on Monday, Sheriff’s Officials in Cass County said today (Tuesday), Deputies last Thursday arrested 41-year old Joseph Michael Greathouse, of Massena, on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for Ongoing Criminal Conduct, Theft 2nd Degree, and Tampering with Records. Greathouse remains held in the Cass County Jail pending sentencing.

On September 7th, Cass County Deputies arrested 18-year old Ronald Edward Lee Mathers, of Davenport, on a charge of False Report to Law Enforcement. Mathers was taken to the Cass County Jail and remains held on a $300 bond.

And, on Friday, 50-year old Kristine Courtney Ryan, of Elliott, was arrested on charges of OWI 2nd Offense and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Ryan was taken to the Cass County Jail where she remains held on $2,300 bond.

4 arrested in Cass County

News

September 13th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday) issued a report on recent arrests. Officials say last Friday, 30-year old Ivan Antonio Cervantes, of Omaha, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Failure to Appear. Cervantes was taken to the Cass County Jail and was later released on his own recognizance.

On Sunday, 69-year old Arma Re Fouts, of Atlantic, was arrested on a charge of Driving While Barred. Fouts was taken to the Cass County Jail and was released later that day on her own recognizance. Also arrested Sunday, was 21-year old Corey Allen Lee Whitt,  of Walnut, on a charge of Public Intoxication. Whitt was taken to the Cass County Jail where he later pled guilty and was released.

And today (Tuesday), Deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 20-year old Andrew Jacob Roach, of Missouri Valley, on a warrant for Probation Violation. Roach was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $2,000 bond.

Bike Your Park on Sept. 24th

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 13th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Thousands of people across the country are expected to participate in the inaugural Bike Your Park Day on Saturday, Sept. 24. This new national event promotes exploration of parks and public lands by bicycle. Iowa’s state parks make beautiful biking destinations for families and friends, especially now, with cooler temperatures and changing seasons. Many state parks connect to more extensive bike trail systems, giving cyclists choices of distance and difficulty.DNR logo

Worth a consideration next time you want to pedal a park are the following:

Big Creek State Park is one Iowa state parks’ best biking destinations. Located just north of Polk City, the park hosts miles 23-26 of the Neal Smith Trail. Riders can explore the wooded areas, prairies and shorelines in the park or continue on to downtown Des Moines. From the parking lot at Big Creek Beach, riders can go two miles east on 142nd Avenue to access the High Trestle Trail. The park’s location between these trails makes it an ideal park for bicycling opportunities.

George Wyth State Park makes a great biking park because its trails adjoin the Cedar Valley Trail system with more than 100 paved miles. There are many looped routes ranging from 6.2 miles to 50+ miles. The park also has 10 miles of soft trails for biking.

The main “stem” of the Iowa Great Lakes Trail system is a 14-mile, ten-foot-wide, hard surface trail with many arteries to explore Iowa’s Great Lake and the vast array of parks, beaches, lakeshores and other public areas that surround them.

Green Valley State Park’s 3.5-mile paved trail starts in the campground, follows much of the lake’s east side and finishes near the Green Valley Lake dam. The trail connects with 3 miles of other paved trails south of the lake traveling through a wildlife management area, past Southwestern Community College and ending in the town of Creston. Other grass multi-purpose trails in Green Valley State Park also offer bikers a soft-trail experience.

Pine Lake State Park has 2.6 miles of beautiful paved bike trail connecting its cabins and campground to its beach and fishing accesses on the Upper and Lower Pine lakes. Bikers can add about 3 more miles to their ride by starting at Deer Park in the town of Eldora, crossing the Iowa River and heading north on the park’s bike trail to Hwy S56. The road will take riders to two Hardin County areas, where the bike trail picks up and goes through Tower Rock to Pine Ridge Park

Honey Creek State Park and Resort Guests at Honey Creek Resort, on Lake Rathbun, can choose from a variety of bike types to rent or bring their own to enjoy the surrounding beauty of the resort. The whole resort is bike-friendly. On the wooded peninsula across from the resort is Honey Creek State Park with miles of paved roads inviting cyclists to tour the 800-acre park and catch a glimpse of the wildlife it holds.

Discover new parks or experience your favorites in a new way. Whatever the case, celebrate them as great bicycling opportunities, on Bike Your Park Day, Sept. 24.

For more information about Iowa’s state parks visit www.iowadnr.gov/parks To find a nearby Bike Your Park ride, publicize your own ride for others to join, find a Bike Your Park ambassador for answers and suggestions.