w/ Ric Hanson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (8.4MB)

Subscribe: RSS

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Flood Center has doubled the number of its flood sensors across the state.  Center engineer Dan Ceynar says the online database fed by the 100 sensors provides real-time monitoring of water levels in Iowa’s rivers and streams.  Using an internal cell modem, the sensors update the database every 15 minutes. The sensors use sonar to determine how fast water levels are rising. Ceynar says the sensors don’t compete with the U.S. Geological Survey’s 170 gauges that provide a similar service across Iowa.
 
Lori McDaniel is Iowa Department of Natural Resources supervisor of flood plain management and dam safety. McDaniel says there is a potential for a mixture of the two sensor arrays.

Police in Red Oak say two people were arrested early Sunday afternoon on drug and other charges, following an investigation into a domestic incident. Officials say 33-year-old Johnathon Wade Ray, of Red Oak, was arrested on felony charges of possession of a controlled substance 3rd offense, and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. And, 35-year-old Mandy Jo Perry, of Red Oak, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for failing to pay child support. The arrests occurred after Red Oak police officers were sent to an apartment complex following a call about a woman being threatened with a pistol. When officers arrived, they found Ray and Perry allegedly arguing. Upon further investigation, authorities obtained a search warrant to search their apartment. 

During the search, officers discovered numerous items of drug paraphernalia, items suspected in the manufacturing of controlled substances, approximately 10 grams of suspected marijuana, several types of prescription pills not legally possessed, and around $2,800 in cash, but no weapons were found. Ray was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $50,000 bond. Perry was also being held in the Red Oak Jail, awaiting transport to Audubon County. The investigation continues, with additional charges pending. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office assisted Red Oak Police in making the arrests.

w/ Ric Hanson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (3.5MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Funeral services will be held tomorrow (Tuesday), for a Harlan woman who died in a crash Friday afternoon on Interstate 80, in Pottawattamie County. The Iowa State Patrol says 22-year old Nicollette “Nikki” Johnston died when her car crossed the median near Avoca, and was struck broadside by a semi.

The accident happened about two-miles west of the Avoca exit, at around 1-p.m., Friday. Officials says Johnston’s 2006 Saturn was traveling west on I-80, when, for reasons unknown, the car went out of control, entered the median, spun counterclockwise and came to rest on the eastbound lanes of I-80, where it was struck broadside by a semi. The truck impacted the car on the driver’s side, causing it to enter the median, where it came to rest.

The semi, driven 45-year old Bret Roberts, of Estherville, crossed the median and came to rest on the westbound lanes of I-80. The accident, which remains under investigation, closed the interstate in both directions, for nearly 4 hours. A Mass of Christian Burial service for Nikki Johnston will be held 11-a.m. Tuesday, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, in Harlan.

The CAM and Elk Horn-Kimballton Boards of Education will hold meetings Monday night in Anita and Elk Horn, respectively. Both meetings begin at 7-p.m.

On the agenda for the CAM School Board, is discussion and possible action on: Snyder & Associates’ preliminary drawings and project cost estimates, and an agreement for the final project design; Resolutions to open a free, K-thru 12 online school and to approval of an agreement with Connections Education for the online school. In addition, the Board will receive a bleacher project update, act on any resignations, and, open enrollment applications.

The Elk Horn-Kimballton School Board will discuss the election of Board members and Board policies, followed by discussion and/or action on the approval of a bid proposal for roof repairs, as well as Special Education Delivery Plan Committee members.

The Griswold School Board will hold its regular monthly meeting Monday evening. The meeting will follow a 5:30-p.m. public hearing on the transfer of school property to the City of Elliott. During the regular session, the board will act on transferring a deed for the property to the City of Elliott, followed by the receiving of information and discussion, with regard to re-districting for School Board districts.

Business action items include those pertaining to: a contract with Estes Construction; various Board policies; Piper-Jaffrey bonding; and, boiler maintenance at the Middle School/High School building.  The Griswold School Board meeting takes place in the Central Office Board Room at the Middle School/High School building.

The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Board of Directors will meet Monday evening in the Council’s chambers, at City Hall. During the 5:15-p.m. session, the Board will receive updates on the various Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), including those pertaining to: the Park Maintenance building; Sunnyside Park improvements (including the grills, softball field; swimming pool, and entrance signs); Sunnyside Park tennis court reconstruction; City Park sidewalk improvements; the refurbishing of Sunnyside Park Skate Park equipment, and, the Holt Park playground equipment.

The board will also act on a YMCA Management Agreement and Fee structure, in addition to preliminary plan and site specifications for the Park Maintenance building.

The Iowa Supreme Court’s Attorney Disciplinary Board on Friday, suspended the law license of Atlantic lawyer and Cass County  Judicial Magistrate, James C. Van Ginkel. The Board suspended his license for an indefinite period of time, with no possibibility of reinstatement for at least 60-days. In it’s decision, the Board took into consideration a recommendation by the Grievance Commision of the Supreme Court of Iowa, which had suggested Van Ginkel’s license to practice law be suspended for at least 30-days, along with a public reprimand, but the Board concluded a suspension of 60-days was more appropriate, given the seriousness of the offenses.  No criminal charges were filed.

The Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board charged Van Ginkel with multiple violations of their disciplinary rules, in connection with the probate and closing of an estate. They charged Van Ginkel engaged in neglect in connection with the estate, engaged in conduct that was prejudicial to the adminstration of justice, knowingly made false statements to the tribunal, and engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.

 James C. Van Ginkel has been a member of the Iowa Bar since 1980. He has a solo private practice in Atlantic, and has served as Cass County Magistrate from November 1984 to June 1985, and from August 2001 to present day.

The Attorney Disciplinary Boards’ decision can be found online at:

http://www.iowacourtsonline.org/Supreme_Court/Recent_Opinions/20120113/11-0886.pdf

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday, that an Atlantic man was arrested Friday afternoon on an outstanding Audubon County warrant for Revocation of Probation. The charge against 26-year old Derek Allen McDermott stems from his recent arrests in Cass County. McDermott pled guilty to Burglary in the 3rd degree in Audubon County on August 22nd, 2011, and was on probation for the offense. He was being held over the weekend in the Audubon County Jail.