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(Update) – Jeep & trailer stolen from Bluffs casino parking lot have been found

News

January 12th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Omaha Police Department Tuesday evening said they had recovered a stolen 2003 Jeep Liberty and the tandem axle trailer that it was on. The SUV and trailer were found shortly after 2-p.m., Tuesday. The trailer and vehicle were found abandoned in Hummel Park, near the intersection of Copper Hollow Road and Pilcher Road.

The vehicle and trailer were stolen from the parking lot of the Harrah’s Casino and Hotel in Council Bluffs, sometime Monday night or early Tuesday morning. A 2005 Ford F-350 pickup with Washington State license Plate C95260, and a 2008 Yamaha R6S motorcycle with Washington license plate 1D9964, have not been located, and authorities are continuing to ask for your help in locating them.

of missing vehicles & trailer.

Harrah’s Casino surveillance still photo images

Authorities are still looking for this pickup and motorcyle.

Authorities are still looking for this pickup and the motorcycle pictured above.

Officials say Nicolas Craig and his wife, Rochelle, were in the process of moving from Virginia Beach, Virginia to the state of Washington. They stopped in Council Bluffs Monday evening and got a room at Harrah’s Casino Hotel. When they awoke Tuesday morning, they discovered their vehicles, a trailer and many of their personal belongings were missing.

Nicholas Craig had just retired from the Navy and the Craig family was on their way home when the theft occurred. If you have any information about the theft, call 712 328-5737, and select Option 1.

Harlan Police report, 1/12/16

News

January 12th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Police in Harlan issued a report Tuesday on recent arrests and incidents. Officials say on Monday (1/11), 77-year old Vincent Costanzo, of Harlan, was taken into custody following a traffic stop. Costanzo was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and violation of one-way street designation.

On Jan. 2nd, several young people were arrested in Harlan when officers were alerted to a party in the 1300 block of Durant St where persons under legal age were drinking. Referred to Juvenile Court was: 17-year old Matthew Andersen,16-year old Michael Monson, 17-year old Ross Petersen, and 16-year old Devin Kramer, all of Harlan, along with 17-year old Robert Wegner, of Panama, and 17-year old Brodrick Greer, of Westphalia. All were referred to Juvenile Court for minors in possession of alcohol.

On Dec. 31st, 34-year old David Stevens, of Harlan, was taken into custody when officers were called to a domestic disturbance. Stevens was taken to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with assault and disorderly conduct.

And, on Dec. 29th, Harlan Police Officers were called to the 2000 block of 8th Street in regards to a back pack and wallet that were taken from a vehicle. The back pack and wallet were later recovered, however approximately $300.00 was missing from the wallet. The case remains under investigation.

Legal questions over Iowa farm drainage headed to high court

Ag/Outdoor, News

January 12th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A federal judge says the Iowa Supreme Court should settle legal questions about whether farmland drainage districts can be held liable for water pollution downstream before a lawsuit filed by a Des Moines water utility can proceed. Questions such as immunity for drainage districts and which constitutional protections might apply to parties challenging drainage systems have not been decided by state or federal courts in Iowa. The drainage districts have been around since the late 1800s.

Judge Mark Bennett said the novel legal issues deserve the attention of the state’s highest court. The decision comes in the lawsuit that Des Moines Water filed last year against three northwest Iowa counties that oversee 10 agriculture drainage districts. Farm drainage district attorneys say Iowa’s constitution has long protected them from legal liability.

Human remains identified in Sac County house fire

News

January 12th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

BREDA, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have identified the man whose remains were found last week in a burned house in Sac County, north of Breda. The Sac County Sheriff’s Office says the man has been identified as 48-year-old Daniel Robert Mielk, who lived in the home alone. The State Medical Examiner’s Office determined the identity using dental records.

On Jan. 8 deputies and firefighters from Auburn responded to a rural home and found that it had been burned to the ground. Authorities later found human remains inside the house. The cause of death has been listed as smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. No foul play has been suspected.

The State Fire Marshal’s office is still investigating the cause of the fire.

Sunderman will run for re-election

News

January 12th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Cass County Republican Auditor Dale Sunderman, Tuesday evening, announced that contrary to some reports, he WILL be seeking another term as Auditor. The primary election for the position will take place June 7th, 2016. Sunderman faces a challenge from Wendy Richter, who announced on Jan. 8th she intends to seek the seat held by Sunderman since 1984.

Iowa panel to look into state lotteries’ jackpot-fixing case

News

January 12th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A legislative committee in Iowa plans to look into the jackpot-fixing scandal that started in the state and has spread to several other state lotteries. Rep. Bobby Kaufmann says the Iowa House government oversight committee will investigate how it was possible for an employee at the Multi-State Lottery Association to allegedly fix jackpots. He says lawmakers want to prevent it from happening again.

Kaufmann said lawmakers may seek documents and testimony from the Urbandale, Iowa-based lottery association, which runs the popular Powerball game and is governed by 37 lotteries in U.S. states and territories.

The alleged scheme didn’t affect Powerball, which uses balls instead of computers to draw numbers. That game is expected to set a world jackpot record in Wednesday’s drawing of $1.5 billion.

JULIA VanDunk, 73, of Bridgewater (Svcs. at a later date)

Obituaries

January 12th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

JULIA VanDunk, 73, of Bridgewater, died Friday, January 8th, at the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Services for Julia Van Dunk will be held at a later date. Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.

Julia VanDunk is survived by her seven children; seven grandchildren; two great grandchildren; one brother and one sister.

Guthrie County S/O partners w/Iowa ABD for tobacco, Alt. nicotine & vapor education

News

January 12th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office says it has taken a pledge to keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of Guthrie County’s youth.
Known as I-PLEDGE, the program is a partnership with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD) to educate local retailers and to enforce Iowa’s tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product laws.

Due to a change in Iowa law, alternative nicotine and vapor products are now considered age-restricted products and will be part of the I-PLEDGE program’s compliance initiatives this year.Guthrie S-O patch Since the program’s inception in 2000, the statewide tobacco compliance rate has grown to 93%. By participating in the program, the Guthrie Co Sheriff’s Office has committed to do its part to increase the compliance rate even more this year.

I-PLEDGE places emphasis on retailer training. Clerks who successfully complete an online training course and then pass an exam will become I-PLEDGE certified. This allows a retail establishment to use and affirmative defense against a civil penalty if the certified clerk makes an illegal sale. Although not required to retake the training if currently certified, ABD encourages clerks to repeat the training after October 3rd, in order to familiarize themselves with the newly age-restricted products.

Guthrie Co Deputies and Reserve Officers will also be conducting compliance checks on local establishment as part of the I-PLEDGE program. Underage customers, under the supervision of law enforcement officials, will enter illegal sale will be cited on the spot. Criminal penalties for selling tobacco, alternative and vapor products to a minor include a $100 fine for a first offense, a $250 fine for a second offense and a $500 fine for a third and subsequent offenses. However, handing out citations is not the intent of the I-PLEDGE program.

Sheriff Marty Arganbright says “By partnering with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverage Division, we hope to educate clerks and maintain a compliant retail environment in our community. Moreover, we pledge to help keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of Iowa’s youth.”

To take the I-PLEDGE training or search certification records go to www.iowaabd.com

VA couple robbed of vehicles & more in Council Bluffs

News

January 12th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Police in Council Bluffs are asking for your help in solving the theft of vehicles from the parking lot of the Harrah’s Casino Hotel. Officials say Nicolas Craig and his wife, Rochelle, were in the process of moving from Virginia Beach, Virginia to the state of Washington. They stopped in Council Bluffs Monday evening and got a room at Harrah’s Casino Hotel. When they awoke this morning, they discovered their vehicles, a trailer and many of their personal belongings were missing.

The Craig’s had a red 2005 Ford F-350 crew cab pickup that was pulling an orange and grey tandem axle trailer, which had a blue 2003 Jeep Liberty on it. In the bed of the pickup, was a black 2008 Yamaha R6S Motorcycle.

Harrah's Casino surveillance still photo images of missing vehicles & trailer.

Harrah’s Casino surveillance still photo images of missing vehicles & trailer.

truck motorcycle truck trailer motorcycle jeep jeepThe license plate information for each vehicle/trailer is listed below:
2005 Ford F-350 Washington Plate C95260E
2003 Jeep Liberty Washington Plate AKE6206
2008 Yamaha M/C Washington Plate 1D9964
2004 U Haul Trailer Louisiana Plate L832249

Nicholas Craig had just retired from the Navy and the Craig family was on their way home when the theft occurred. The Council Bluffs Police Department is asking for the communities help in locating the Craig’s possessions.

If you have any information about the theft, call 712 328-5737, and select Option 1.

Atlantic hosts Glenwood in basketball doubleheader tonight

Sports

January 12th, 2016 by admin

The Atlantic Girls and Boys basketball teams get a rare chance to play home games on the same night tonight at the Atlantic High School gymnasium.  Fans don’t often get a chance to see both Varsity teams play on the same floor on the same night due to larger class scheduling habits but Glenwood and Atlantic worked out a home and home doubleheader series this year.  Fans coming out to the games to support the Trojans are asked to wear white to create a “white out” environment.

Glenwood won the first Girls match-up on December 15th 49-43 in a game that counted toward the Hawkey Ten Conference standings.  This time the teams meet in a non-conference match-up but a lot will still be on the line as both teams are just over .500 on the season.  Glenwood comes in with a 6-4 overall record and 4-3 in the Hawkeye Ten.  The Trojans are 6-5 overall and 3-3 in the Hawkeye Ten.  The Trojans will try to slow Glenwood Senior Molly Dean who had 19 points in the first meeting and is averaging 13 points per game.

In the Boys game Glenwood will be the team trying to even the season series as Atlantic won on December 15th 57-48 in a very physical game.  Trojan Senior Ryan Hawkins had 22 points in that first game while Junior Garrett Franken had a great game with 19 points.  The Trojans did a good job of slowing down Glenwood’s strong guard play back in December and will work to repeat that effort tonight.  Ram Sophomore Andre Blum had 18 points last meeting.  The Rams come in at 8-2 overall and 4-1 in Hawkeye Ten action.  The Trojans are 9-1 overall and also 4-1 in the conference. The meeting tonight does count toward the conference standings.

We will have coverage of both games tonight on KJAN AM 1220 and FM 101.1. Pregame for the girls game will start at 5:50pm with tipoff at 6:00pm.  The boys game will follow with tipoff scheduled for 7:30pm.  You can listen on-air, online, or on the KJAN mobile app. You can also catch the live video stream on our TV page at kjan.com