IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The trial for the man charged with killing University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts in 2018 has been delayed. Cristhian Bahena Rivera had been scheduled to stand trial for first-degree murder on Feb. 4 in Sioux City. That plan became uncertain last week when Judge Joel Yates suspended the case so that the Iowa Supreme Court could decide whether to grant Rivera’s pretrial appeal of a key ruling.

A court spokesman said Tuesday that the trial has been delayed and will not happen in the month of February. A new trial date will be set after the Iowa Supreme Court decides how to handle Rivera’s appeal.

Pottawattamie County Chief Deputy Sheriff Rob Ambrose, Tuesday, announced his candidacy for Pottawattamie County Sheriff. If elected in the June Primary, Ambrose would succeed Jeff Danker, who, on Jan. 8th, announced he would not seek an eight term in office.

Pott. County Chief Deputy Sheriff Rob Ambrose

Ambrose, who was selected by Danker in 2018 to be his Chief Deputy, started his career with the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office in 2006, working for the Road Division. Sheriff Danker appointed him to the Investigations Division in 2008. While working in the Investigations Division, Ambrose was promoted to corporal in 2010 and sergeant in 2013. In 2015, he was promoted to lieutenant and assigned to oversee the Road Patrol and Investigations Division.

When he was appointed as Chief Deputy Sheriff, Rob Ambrose began overseeing the entire Sheriff’s Office. This includes six divisions, approximately 215 full-time employees, and a budget of approximately $21,000,000. As Sheriff, he says he “Will be committed to working diligently to provide residents of Pottawattamie County with dedicated and quality leadership within the law enforcement, communications and jail divisions.”

Ambrose is a graduate of Upper Iowa University. He previous experience, as from the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office, include serving as a Corrections Office for the Missouri Department of Corrections, and as deputy with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

He and his family live in Underwood. Ambrose’ wife teaches second grade at Underwood Elementary. The couple has three school-aged daughters. His bio says in his free time, he enjoys being with his family, watching our daughters participate in their school and athletic events, and playing golf. He says he’s also been actively involved with the community and school by volunteering his time as a coach for several athletic teams, and as a member of the Underwood School Safety Committee.

Ron Ambrose said also, “I enjoy participating in the annual Shop with the Sheriff event.”

Police in Harlan report two recent arrests. On Jan. 21st, 23-year old Stephaun Javon Lancer, of Harlan, was arrested on trespass and possession of drug paraphernalia charges. And, today (Tuesday), 34-year old Brandon Amos Woodruff along with 36-year old Maura Margarita Reyes Mejia, both of Omaha, NE were arrested following a traffic stop.

Woodruff faces charges that include speeding, failure to have a valid driver’s license, and prohibited acts. Reyes Mejia was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Harlan Police report also, a 1996 Dodge Ram driven by Michael Arnold, of Harlan, went out of control Jan. 23rd at 12th and Hill Streets. The pickup left the road and hit a tree before going airborne over an embankment and flipping. The vehicle landed on all four wheels, and was declared a total loss. No injuries were reported.

The Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund recently donated $5,000 to the Atlantic Schools Booster Club. Fund spokesperson and Trevor’s mom, Melanie Petty, said the donation is to help with the fundraising for the field turf at the Trojan Bowl.

(Photo submitted)

“We are excited to be a Gold Level Sponsor,” Petty said, “and hope others will take advantage of the opportunity to help complete this project.  Trevor played football all through high school and we loved traveling with him and supporting the team.” Melanie said also, “We appreciate Atlantic Bottling and the Tyler Family for offering a matching grant up to $100,000.00 to help with this project!”

The 12th Annual TFred Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on August 8th at Nishna Hills Golf Course.  Petty said “We look forward to a great day of golf, friendship and fundraising for upcoming projects that will meet our mission statement.  Thank  you to everyone who helps us each year so that we can continue to give back in Trev’s name.  We couldn’t do any of this without you!”

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – A warming center being evicted for not meeting fire codes has found a new spot to serve the homeless in Waterloo. The Waterloo Warming Center announced Tuesday it will be moving to the former Hawkeye Community College Metro Center and open for service on Friday. The overnight shelter opened Jan. 6 at Jubilee United Methodist Church Freedom Center to provide a safe haven from freezing temperatures. But organizers later were told it would have to close because inspectors found the space didn’t have a sprinkler system — a requirement for any building serving residential needs.

(Radio Iowa) – A half dozen lawmakers have taken the first steps in the legislature toward cutting red tape — so a Waterloo barber can take his cuts on the road. William Burt has built a mobile barbershop in a bus, hoping to drive to customers who can’t get to a brick-and-mortar shop for a hair cut.We can get in those remote locations and bring haircuts to some of these seniors and kids who have to travel 40 miles, 50 miles let’s say to Des Moines to get that haircut,” Burt says.

The problem is current state law requires barbershops and beauty salons be in a permanent structure and a bill that’s cleared subcommittees in the House AND Senate would authorize mobile hair-cutting units like Burt’s. His vision is to help train other barbers and encourage them to take their shears on the road, too. Representative Ras Smith, a Democrat from Waterloo, has been working for a couple of years to change state rules so mobile barbershops can be licensed. “In the black community, a barbershop is a safe haven. It’s a sanctuary. It always has been through civil rights,” Smith says. “For us to be able to take the next step forward is really exciting not only for out community, but for the state of Iowa as a whole, opening up doors for a lot of people to seek a profession and a livelihood that we know is impactful.”

Smith says everybody feels better after a haircut, but there are too many Iowans who do not have access to a neighborhood barbershop or beauty shop anymore. Representative Rob Bacon, a Republican from Slater, is a fan of Burt’s concept. “it’s a great idea. It’s a great business proposal,” Bacon said. “It’s entrepreneurship at its best.”

Governor Kim Reynolds invited Burt to her “Condition of the State” speech in Des Moines early this month, introducing him to the crowd as “an active and productive citizen.” Burt spent much of his early life in prison, but is now a business owner who cuts hair at four different locations in the Waterloo area. The governor recently restored Burt’s voting rights.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – Police say a wounded man died at a hospital Tuesday after officers found him shot in the parking lot of a northern Cedar Rapids apartment complex. Officers sent to the scene before 3:40 a.m. found the 22-year-old man, who’d suffered several gunshot wounds. Police say he was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His name hasn’t been released. No arrests have been reported.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Des Moines police have cited five people who refused to leave the Des Moines campaign office for Democrat Joe Biden after demanding to talk to him about Medicare for All proposals and his campaign donors. The five were among about two dozen people who’d entered the building Monday and remained until officers showed up. Police say the five were given summonses alleging criminal trespassing. The Citizens for Community Improvement Action Fund says the five were members of the organization or Iowa Student Action. A Biden spokeswoman said Tuesday that she couldn’t immediately comment.

Officials with the Midwest Partnership Economic Development Corporation (EDC) last week, recognized Colleen and Corey Conrad, of Casey, with the Economic Impact Award for their contributions to the community and organizations they support. The award was presented during the organization’s annual dinner and meeting on January 23rd, at the Casey Community Building. The Economic Impact Award recognizes Recognizing outstanding businesses and individuals for making a positive impact on economic growth and prosperity in the Midwest Partnership Development Corporation region.

Photo courtesy MWP EDC

The Conrad’s were nominated for their leadership in several of Casey’s civic organizations, the restoration of six downtown buildings and new businesses opening on Main Street. The Conrad’s ignored the rumblings around town of those who felt this effort was a “lost cause”. They then took on the task of restoring these structures and the town that came with it. Their first building renovation, Pioneers Pub and Grub, opened just in time for Casey’s 150th Celebration.  The Conrad’s have not only invested in downtown properties, they have invested in the community and the people in it for years to come.

Other highlights from the annual dinner included recognizing outgoing board member Doug Burns representing Guthrie County for his dedication and service to the organization over the past four years. Jerry Sullivan representing Guthrie County was elected President of the organization for 2020.  Sarah Gomez, Executive Director, provided a recap and highlights of the last year. David Maahs delivered a summary of the strategic regional marketing plans for the Greater Des Moines Partnership.  Those in attendance had the opportunity to hear from the evening’s guest speakers, Colleen Conrad and Kacey Peterson, who spoke about the revitalization of Casey.

Midwest Partnership is the region’s leading facilitator for the retention, expansion and attraction of business to create jobs and improve quality of life in Adair and Guthrie counties.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports six arrests and two people were cited and released. Saturday night, 36-year old Tim Leeroy Wambold, Jr., of Fontanelle, was arrested for Reckless Use of a Firearm and Domestic Assault with a weapon/1st offense. Officials say a deputy was dispatched to a residence in Fontanelle at around 6:20-p.m., Saturday, after they received a report Wambold, Jr. had a firearm and allegedly threatened to use it. His cousin Travis told a Sheriff’s Deputy an argument took place between Tim Wambold and his grandparents. Afterward, when Tim allegedly threatened to shoot his cousin, Travis struck Tim with a six-foot level to try and make Tim drop the gun. That’s when the weapon discharged, firing a round into the ceiling. Travis struck Tim a couple of more times to get him to drop the gun. After his arrest, Tim Wambold, Jr., was released a few hours later, on his Own Recognizance.

At around 11-p.m. on Jan. 21st, 24-year old Raymond Eugene Baker, of Greenfield, was arrested for OWI/1st Offense. He was released about 12 hours later on a $1,000 cash or surety bond. Also arrested Jan. 21st, was 36-year old Luke Allan Mullen, of Bedford, who was taken into custody in Indianola, by Indianola Police. Mullen was wanted on an Adair County warrant for Violation of a No Contact/Protective Order. While in the custody at the Adair County Jail and changing into a jump suit, Mullen was folding his jeans when a silver pocket knife fell out and onto the floor. He admitted the knife was in his 5th pocket after being patted-down by Indianola Police. Mullen said also that he had two pocket knives on him prior to his arrest, and a larger knife was in a property bag that the Indianola P-D gave to an Adair County Deputy. The second knife that fell out of the jeans was smaller than the other knife, already in Mullens’ property. Mullen was being held without bond in the Adair County Jail on the warrant, and a $5,000 cash/surety bond for the Contraband charge.

On Jan. 20th, Adair County Deputies arrested 54-year old Nathan William Storey, of Council Bluffs, on a Felony warrant for Violation of Probation. His bond was set at $5,000 cash or surety. That same day, 30-year old Joseph Dean White, of Adair, was arrested by Adair Police at around 4:47-a.m., for Domestic Abuse Assault/3rd or subsequent offense. His c/s bond was set at $5,000. And, at around 7:20-p.m. on Jan. 19th, 50-year old Patrick Jon Flater, of Stuart, was arrested by the Iowa State Patrol at 130th and Stuart Road, for OWI/2nd offense. His arrest took place following a call about a vehicle in the ditch. His c/s bond was set at $1,000.

Those cited and released in Adair County include: On Jan. 24th, 24-year old Logan Christopher Partlow, of Stuart, for Driving While Barred, and and Jan. 21st, 44-year old Lloyd Barima Donkor, of Lakeview, MN, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

(9-a.m. News)