DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — The owner of a long-vacant hotel in Davenport has agreed to demolish the building and market the site for a new use. Hotel owner Alex Patel told the Quad-City Times his company had considered keeping a hotel at the site along with retail and offices but now plans to clear the site and put it up for sale. The former Hotel Davenport and Conference Center, located south of Interstate 80, sits on an 8-acre site and has been vacant for more than three years.

The 125,000-square-foot building has deteriorated and officials last fall ordered the owner to rehabilitate it or demolish the structure. The hotel was build in the 1970s as a Holiday Inn.

JOHNSTON, IA – Officials with the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), Friday, announced Elite Octane, a 150 Million Gallon per Year ethanol plant near Atlantic, has joined the association as a producer member. Nick Bowdish, Elite Octane’s President & CEO, will serve on IRFA’s board of directors. Bowdish said he is excited to work alongside the rest of the IRFA board this year to grow ethanol demand across Iowa, especially in light of Governor Kim Reynolds recent introduction of the Iowa Biofuel Standards legislation earlier this week.

Elite Octane CEO/President Nick Bowdish (File photo)

If passed, the legislation would set a minimum standard of 10 percent ethanol and 11 percent biodiesel sold in Iowa and chart the path to universal availability of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol in Iowa. Bowdish said “We share the vision of Governor Kim Reynolds, IRFA, and the other supporters of the Iowa Biofuel Standards legislation that gasoline containing 15% ethanol should be available for consumers at every Iowa retail station and this bill provides retailers with the support they need to make it happen.“We are looking forward to being a part of the IRFA team as it works alongside the Governor and other ag groups to see the passage of this crucial legislation.  Upon doing so, Iowa will continue to lead by example as we advocate for other states and countries to offer higher blends of ethanol.”

IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw said IRFA was excited to welcome Elite Octane as a new member. “While Elite Octane has only been in operation for a couple of years, Nick has been an active and staunch supporter for ethanol for many years and we look forward to his voice joining our board of directors,” Shaw said. “He is passionate and driven and as we work this year to pass ground-breaking legislation to boost biofuel demand, IRFA will be that much stronger because Elite Octane is now a part of our team.”

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A woman accused of driving three men suspected of firing a barrage of shots into a Sioux City home during a New Year’s party and killing a woman has pleaded not guilty to gun charges. The Sioux City Journal reports that 20-year-old Liliana Gutierrez, of Sioux City, pleaded not guilty Thursday to intimidation with a dangerous weapon and three counts of reckless use of a firearm.

Police say Gutierrez drove Christopher Morales, Carlos Morales and Anthony Bauer to the house shortly after midnight on Jan. 1. The three men are charged with firing at least 27 shots into the house, where 20-25 people were at a New Year’s party, and killing 18-year-old Mia Kritis. Three others were wounded.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Adair County escaped injury during a single-vehicle accident Thursday night. Authorities say 56-year old Jimmy Alen Robertson, of Bridgewater was driving a 2014 Chevy Cruze north on Highway 25 at around 8:45-p.m., when the car hit the east shoulder. Robertson over-corrected, causing the vehicle cross the road and end up in the west ditch, on the passenger side. He was trapped in the car by his seat belt, which was cut-off by rescue personnel.

After Medics checked him out, Robertson was released from the scene. His vehicle sustained about $3,000 damage. No citations were issued.

Firefighters from Massena were called at around 7:48-a.m. to provide Mutual Aid at the scene of a structure fire in Bridgewater. The house fire was occurring at 301 N. Main Street. Additional details are currently not available.

Creston Police report two arrests: Thursday night, 30-year old Brooke Carter, of Creston, was arrested at the Creston Walmart, for Theft in the 5th Degree, and Trespassing. Carter was cited for the offense and released from the scene on a Summons to Appear in court. And, at around 4:25-p.m., Thursday, 22-year old Taylor Giles, of Creston, was arrested at a residence in the 300 block of N. Oak Street. Giles was taken into custody on a Guthrie County warrant for failure to appear on an original, Possession of a Controlled Substance, charge. He was subsequently transferred to the custody of Guthrie County.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The Cass County Conservation Board, Thursday, CANCELLED the Sweetheart Snowshoe Hike that was scheduled to take place at the Pellett Memorial Woods north of Atlantic tonight (2/12), at 7 o’clock. The event was cancelled due to the extreme cold conditions.

You can still plan, however, to join Cass County Conservation and Atlantic Parks and Recreation for a no school Snow Fun Afternoon! February 19th 2021 2pm-4pm at Sunnyside Park in Atantic – near the Kiddie Korral. Cass County Conservation will have their snowshoes available for check out near Kiddie Korral shelter. The Atlantic Parks and Recreation offers an assortment of winter recreation opportunities for all ages and skill levels. Cross country skis and sleds are available to be checked out from the Parks and Rec Office at (712) 243-3542.

There are several miles of trails around the park for cross country skiing, rustic hiking trails, cleared trails along the hard surfaced road, and there are Fox and Goose trails made for all to enjoy. The Parks and Rec Department is currently hosting a Snow Sculpture Contest with plenty of space for people and snow for everyone to take advantage of. Hot Chocolate will be available!

(Radio Iowa) – House Speaker Pat Grassley says there have been years of inaction to complaints about retaliation against conservative speech on the public university campuses and that’s why House Republicans are considering a bill to end the tenure system at the universities in Ames, Iowa City and Cedar Falls.

Grassley said also….

Republican lawmakers in previous years have proposed ending tenure for professors at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa, but for the first time a bill to accomplish that goal has won approval in a committee. Three Republicans on the House Education Committee voted against the bill and Grassley says he’s heard concerns from fellow Republicans. Grassley plans to have House Republicans discuss the proposal in private to see if there are 51 “yes” votes among Republicans to pass the bill out of the full House.

During a recent statehouse hearing, the presidents of Iowa, Iowa State and U-N-I said ending tenure would prompt professors to leave and make it harder to hire staff. Ag commodity groups have expressed concern that ending tenure will be a set-back for critical research at the three state-supported universities. Earlier today (Thursday), a bill to ban tenure was approved by Republicans on a SENATE subcommittee.