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PRIMARY ELECTION PREVIEW: Three Democrats seeking third congressional district seat

News

June 6th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Tomorrow’s (Tuesday’s) Primary will determine which of three candidates will be the Iowa Democratic Party’s nominee in the third congressional district.  Freshman Republican Congressman David Young is seeking reelection in the third district and the Democrats who’ve lined up to challenge him are Desmund Adams, Mike Sherzan and Jim Mowrer. Mowrer ran against Republican Congressman Steve King in 2014, moved to Des Moines afterwards and is running for congress again, but in the third district.

“We cannot let the party of David Young and Donald Trump carry out their extreme agenda that is completely out of touch with Iowans,” Mowrer says. Sherzan is a retired businessman from West Des Moines who says Young ran as a moderate in 2014, but Young’s voting record in congress has been conservative. “He, time and time again, has done nothing but take orders from the senior officials in the Republican Party,” Sherzan says. “He doesn’t stand out as a leader.”

Adams, the other candidate in the third district race, accuses Young of “flip-flopping” on a ban against discrimination of federal contractors who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. “I think that we need leadership in this district that best represents a broad coalition of individuals,” Adams says. Adams, who is from Clive, was a high-school drop-out who is now a lawyer.

(Radio Iowa)

Iowa early News Headlines: Monday, June 6th 2016

News

June 6th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad says the newly approved state oversight of Iowa’s privatized Medicaid program will make it one the most transparent in the country, but health advocates remain skeptical. The Iowa Department of Human Services is required under new legislation to submit quarterly and annual reports. The reports detail how three private insurance companies are running the state’s roughly $4.2 billion health care program for poor and disabled residents.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa City architect is asking for city officials for support in seeking state tax credits to build a 14-story workforce housing highrise downtown. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that Kevin Monson, president of Neumann Monson Architects, has provided the city with new plans for the mixed-use building that would include 72 workforce housing units. Monson said the residential units will cater to young professionals.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — The Dubuque Police Department is seeking the public’s help in developing a policy to govern the use of police body cameras. Last year, the department received a $61,000 federal grant and donations to outfit all city police officers with body cameras over a two-year period. The Telegraph-Herald reports that police are asking the public to review and comment on a draft policy to guide officers on the use, retention and release of body camera footage.

ROCKWELL CITY, Iowa (AP) — The trial of a Pomeroy man accused of killing a North Dakota man is set to begin Monday. The Fort Dodge Messenger says 48-year-old Freddy Crisp is charged with first-degree murder for the November shooting death of 41-year-old Dale Currie Potter, of Devils Lake, North Dakota. Deputies found Potter dead at a Pomeroy house on Nov. 10. Agents with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation arrested Crisp eight days later.

Cardinals rally to beat Giants again, 6-3

Sports

June 6th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Aledmys Diaz, Matt Adams and Yadier Molina each had an RBI during a four-run sixth inning and the St. Louis Cardinals came from behind for the second straight game to beat the San Francisco Giants 6-3 on Sunday night.

The tiebreaking run came on an RBI fielder’s choice with the bases loaded by Molina, who entered the at-bat in an 0-for-20 skid. Shortstop Brandon Crawford made an error on the play when he dropped the ball on the exchange trying to flip to second to start a double play.

Carlos Martinez (6-5) allowed three runs in six innings and Matt Carpenter had three hits and an RBI for St. Louis. Trevor Rosenthal earned his 10th save in 11 chances. Giants manager Bruce Bochy used three relievers in the sixth trying to preserve the lead for Jake Peavy (2-6), who missed a chance at his 150th career victory.

Scott McCarron wins PGA Tour Champions event in Iowa

Sports

June 5th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Scott McCarron won the Principal Charity Classic on Sunday for his first PGA Tour Champions title, birdieing the final three holes for a 7-under 65 and a one-stroke victory. The 50-year-old McCarron finished at 15-under 201 at Wakonda Club to edge Miguel Angel Jimenez and Billy Andrade. Making his 17th start on the 50-and-over tour, McCarron won for the first time since taking the 2001 Bellsouth Classic for the last of his three PGA Tour titles.

Andrade had a 68 after shooting a course-record 63 on Saturday. Jimenez shot a 67. Duffy Waldorf (67) and Joe Durant (71) tied for fourth at 11 under, and Tom Lehman (71) and Senior PGA winner Rocco Mediate (70) were 10 under.

Council Bluffs firefighters help renovate Habitat house

News

June 5th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Ten western Iowa firefighters spent their day off helping renovate a Habitat for Humanity home for a mother and her child. The Daily Nonpareil reports the off-duty firefighters showed up Friday to spent the day working with Council Bluffs Habitat for Humanity officials on the refurbished home on Fourth Avenue. The firefighters hung siding and attached shingles on the main home and a backyard shed.

Council Bluffs Habitat for Humanity Construction Manager Teresa Johnson says the volunteers were a big help. Johnson says the house was originally built in the 1930s and a mother and child will move in later this summer. Now that the firefighters have finished the roof and siding, other volunteers, Habitat officials and the mother will do some painting and cabinet work.

NEIL JOSEPH PETSCHE, 67, of Portsmouth (Svcs. 5/9/16)

Obituaries

June 5th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

NEIL JOSEPH PETSCHE, 67, of Portsmouth, died Saturday, June 4th, at Iowa Methodist Hospital. A Mass of Christian Burial for NEIL PETSCHE will be held 10:30-a.m. Thu., June 9th, at St. Mary/Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, in Portsmouth. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

Visitation at St. Mary’s in Portsmouth is from 5-until 8-p.m. Wed., June 8th, with a Prayer Service at 7-p.m.

Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Portsmouth.

NEIL JOSEPH PETSCHE is survived by:

His wife – Peg Petsche, of Portsmouth.

His sons – Donald (Diane) Petsche, of Ankeny, & David Petsche, of Portsmouth.

His daughter – Patti Jo (Mike) Olsen, of Persia.

His sisters – Mary (Larry) Raid, of Denmark, IA., & Janet (Tom) Erickson, of Crawfordsville, IA.

and 5 grandchildren.

Montgomery County authorities investigate burglary in Villisca

News

June 5th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

(Update: The suspect vehicle was located at around 4:50-p.m. Sunday, and was impounded to be checked for evidence.)

Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County are asking for your help in solving a residential burglary that took place Sunday morning. Authorities say at around 8:10-a.m., a residence north of Villisca was burglarized by a heavyset white male who wore tan shorts and a grey t-shirt. The suspect walks with a limp. He was driving an older, “beatup” black Lexus with license plates that were a red lettered, plastic dealership-style. The suspect’s first name might be “Joe.”

Anyone with information about the incident or suspect is asked to call the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at 1-888-434-2712.

Pomeroy man’s murder trial set to begin Monday

News

June 5th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

ROCKWELL CITY, Iowa (AP) — The trial of a Pomeroy man accused of killing a North Dakota man is set to begin next week. The Fort Dodge Messenger says 48-year-old Freddy Crisp is charged with first-degree murder for the Nov. 10 shooting death of 41-year-old Dale Currie Potter, of Devils Lake, North Dakota.

Crisp has pleaded not guilty. His trial is set to begin with jury selection Monday at the Calhoun County Courthouse in Rockwell City. Authorities say deputies were called to a Pomeroy address early the morning of Nov. 10 on a report of someone having been shot. Deputies found Potter dead at the scene. Agents with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation arrested Crisp eight days later. Crisp is being held in the Sac County Jail on $1 million bond.

Trail latest of Le Mars community betterment projects

News

June 5th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — A trail system connecting Plymouth and Woodbury counties is being the latest among an array of Le Mars community betterment projects. The Le Mars Daily Sentinel reports that the PlyWood Trail involves 16 miles connecting the existing trail heads from the north end of Leeds to the south end of Le Mars.

The $20 million project is in its infancy, with trail mapping expected to be complete in June 2016. To date, $60,000 has been raised through donations by cities along the trail including Sgt. Bluff, Sioux City, Hinton, Merrill, and a private donation from Wells Enterprises.

Iowa advocates remain skeptical about new Medicaid oversight

News

June 5th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad says the newly approved state oversight of Iowa’s privatized Medicaid program will make it among the nation’s most transparent, but some health advocates remain skeptical. State officials are also beginning to determine plans for organizing and delivering some information required under the oversight.

The Iowa Department of Human Services is expected to submit quarterly and annual reports. The reports will detail how three private insurance companies are running the state’s roughly $4.2 billion health care program for poor and disabled residents. Various groups will also monitor the program, which switched to private management on April 1.

The companies will submit raw data to DHS. The department will provide analysis of the data for clarity to the public. Health advocates argue raw data should also be posted online.