FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) — A southeastern Iowa city council has taken a step toward making the city a future stop for Mississippi River cruise ships. The Fort Madison council approved further talks between city staffers and Viking Cruise Lines representatives. The Swiss-based company is planning seven-day cruises that would start in St. Louis and end in St. Paul, Minnesota. Viking also has talked to Dubuque about building a dock.

Viking would conduct its 11-stop cruises from July until October, with two weekly stops in Fort Madison where passengers could get off to see the local sights. City Manager David Varley and Mayor Brad Randolph told the Fort Madison council last week that Viking has agreed to contribute $500,000 toward dock construction. The city would spend $1.2 million more.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports four arrests over the past week. On May 10th, 34-year old Ashley Marie Richards, of Stuart, was arrested on a warrant. Additional information was not provided. That same date, 38-year old Jennifer Marie Woollums, of Greenfield, was arrested on a court ordered Mittimus for Theft in the 3rd degree. She was ordered to serve a sentence of 90 days, less credit for time already served.

On May 6th, 38-year old Daniel John Veach, of Winterset, was arrested on an Adair County warrant for Escape from Custody. Veach was also cited for Theft in the 5th degree, for allegedly committing theft of merchandise valued at less than $200, from the Greenfield Shopko, Interference with Official Acts, for allegedly attempting to escape from law enforcement while being questioned as a main suspect in a theft case, and Theft in the 5th degree by allegedly stealing a pair of handcuffs from law enforcement while escaping custody. Veach was released the following day on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

And, on May 5th, 29-year old Jose Hernandez Mata, of West Liberty, was arrested for Theft in the 1st degree and Driving While Barred. Mata was observed by a deputy walking on the side of the road on Highway 25, near 290th Street, at around 2-a.m., carrying a gas can. He waived down the deputy and said his name was Armando Mata. He said also, that he ran out of fuel. Mata was transported to the Casey’s store in Greenfield to fill the gas can. During questioning, he told the Deputy that he was on his way from Omaha to Des Moines, when he got lost.

Earlier that same evening, there was a broadcast from Taylor County about an Hispanic man who attempted to get into a vehicle with some younger females. When the females’ mother came home, Mata took off in a silver Ford F-150 that had been reported stolen by the Iowa City Police Department. The vehicle was valued at $18,000. The license plate on the tan Ford F-150 Mata was getting fuel for, came back as the same one reported stolen. A check of records confirmed the pickup had been stolen. As Mata was placed in the Deputy’s vehicle, he admitted the name he provided the Deputy, was in-fact, that of his brother. He then confirmed he was Jose Mata.

Mata remains in the Adair County Jail on a $12,000 cash-only bond.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A man has been given 25 years in prison for being intoxicated when his pickup truck struck a minivan in Waterloo, killing a baby inside. Black Hawk County District Court records say 37-year-old Derrick Johnson was sentenced Monday. He’d been found guilty of vehicular homicide while intoxicated. He also was ordered to pay restitution of $150,000.
Authorities say Johnson was involved in an Aug. 2, 2017, collision that killed 7-month-old Liam Mwanje, who was inside the minivan when it overturned. Other children in the minivan were injured.
Police say Johnson was speeding, failed to halt at a stop sign and was distracted and looking in his rearview mirror. Police also estimated that Johnson’s blood alcohol level was as high as 1½ times the legal limit at the time of the collision and say he had cocaine in his system.

AMES, Iowa – May 14, 2019 – The Iowa Department of Transportation is requesting public input on the proposed bridge replacement on U.S. 169 over the Middle Fork Grand River, 5.3 miles south of Iowa 2, in Ringgold County. The proposed project provides for removing the existing bridge and replacing it with a precast concrete beam bridge that is 125 feet by 40 feet. Through traffic on U.S. 169 would be detoured during construction using Ringgold County Road P-46 and Ringgold County Road J-55.

For general information or to make a comment regarding the proposed improvements, contact Scott Suhr, transportation planner, Iowa DOT District 4 Office, 2210 E. Seventh St., Atlantic, Iowa 50022, phone 712-243-3355 or 800-289-4368, email scott.suhr@iowadot.us.

Comments must be received by May 28, 2019 to be considered.

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

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Three people were arrested on separate charges Monday, in Creston. Authorities say 36-year old Nicki Renee Jones, of Creston, was arrested for Providing False Identification Information. She was additionally cited for the charge of Trespass. Jones was released from the Union County Jail on $300 bond. 58-year old Rodney Gale Fry, of Creston, was arrested on a charge of Theft 4th. Fry was released from the Union County Jail on a $1000 bond. And, 21-year old Klay Evans, of Creston, was arrested for Driving While Revoked. He was released from the Union County Jail on a $1000 bond.

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

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IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa City man accused of fatally beating his father is scheduled to enter a plea Tuesday and be sentenced. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness says 31-year-old Flannery Kennedy-Meier made a deal and will plead guilty to attempted murder. He’d already pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder for the death of Mark Meier.

Kennedy-Meier was arrested Nov. 13, 2017, after police were called to an Iowa City residence and found the injured Meier. Officers say Kennedy-Meier had hit his father in the head with a weapon, causing a skull fracture and brain bleed. Meier died of his injuries on Dec. 4, 2017, and an autopsy blamed the November beating.

The American Red Cross has a critical shortage of type O blood and urges eligible donors to give now to help patients facing trauma and other life-threatening situations. As a thank-you for helping replenish the blood supply, all donors who come to give blood or platelets now through June 10 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. Right now, the Red Cross has less than a two-day supply of type O blood available for emergency rooms, where it can be most critical. That means just six units of type O blood are available for every 100,000 people, but at least 14 are needed every day. While just 7% of the U.S. population has type O negative blood, it can be transfused to patients with any blood type and is what hospital staff reach for during emergencies when there isn’t time to determine a patient’s blood type. Type O positive blood is the most transfused blood type and is also critical in trauma situations.

“All blood types are urgently needed, but we’re facing a critical shortage of type O blood – the blood group most needed by hospitals,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “Because it’s vitally important for hospitals to have type O blood available when every second counts, type O donors are urged to donate now and make a point to donate often.” The Red Cross collected approximately 11,500 fewer type O blood donations than needed to sustain a sufficient blood supply. Spring break schedules are known to decrease blood donations, and schools, including high schools and colleges, begin to host fewer blood drives in late spring as school years end. Because these drives account for about 20% of blood donations during the school year, less drives can also greatly affect the blood supply.

Donations needed now

Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are urged to urged to make an appointment to donate using the Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Eligible donors with type O blood are encouraged to make a whole blood or Power Red donation, where available. During a Power Red donation, donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact. In thanks, all those who come to donate blood or platelets with the Red Cross May 1 through June 10, 2019, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.) Additionally, those who come to give May 24-28 will receive an exclusive Red Cross-branded T-shirt, while supplies last.

How to help

Eligible donors can find a blood or platelet donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass® are encouraged to help speed up the donation process. RapidPass lets donors complete the pre-donation reading and answer the health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, from the convenience of a mobile device or computer, or through the Blood Donor App. Those interested in hosting a blood drive can learn more and sign up to sponsor a drive this summer by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities May 13-June 8:

• American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, Loess Hills Blood Donation Center 705 N. 16th St., Council Bluffs, IA 51503
• Audubon County: Audubon – 6/5/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Patrick’s Parish Center, 2050 Hwy 71 N; Exira – 5/21/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Exira Recreational Center, 106 N Jefferson
• Carroll County: Arcadia – 5/21/2019: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., American Legion Hall, 210 Head Street
• Cass County: Atlantic – 5/16/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Atlantic YMCA, 1100 Maple Street; 5/17/2019: 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Atlantic High School, 1201 East 14th Street; 5/29/2019: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Cass County Memorial Hospital, 1501 E. 10th Street
• Crawford County: Denison – 6/4/2019: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., United Methodist Church, 113 South 14th Street
• Harrison County: Logan – 5/22/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 108 West 4th Street; Missouri Valley – 5/23/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Rand Community/Senior Center, 100 S. 4th St; Mondamin – 6/3/2019: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Mondamin Community Center, 200 Maple St; Woodbine – 5/14/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Woodbine High School, 501 Weare St
• Mills County: Malvern – 6/5/2019: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Malvern Library, 502 Main St
• Montgomery County: Red Oak – 5/20/2019: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1101 East Summit; Villisca – 5/22/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 201 S. 3rd Ave
• Page County: Clarinda – 5/14/2019: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Regional Health Center, 220 Essie Davison Drive; 5/28/2019: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Westminster Presbyterian Church, 322 N 16th
• Pottawattamie County: Council Bluffs – 5/17/2019: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Pottawattamie County Courthouse, 227 S. 6th St.; 5/31/2019: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Council Bluffs Public Library, 400 Willow Avenue; 6/3/2019: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., NP Dodge Real Estate, 1032 Woodbury Avenue; 6/7/2019: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Rasmussen Mechanical Services, 3100 Nebraska Avenue; 6/7/2019: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Mercy Hospital, 800 Mercy Drive; Oakland – 6/4/2019: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Community Center, 614 Dr. Van Zee Rd.
• Ringgold County: Mount Ayr – 5/14/2019: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., First Christian Church, 201 W Monroe.
• Shelby County: Elk Horn – 5/23/2019: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Elk Horn Lutheran Church, 4313 Main Street; Harlan – 5/14/2019: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Veteran’s Memorial Building, 1104 Morningview; Westphalia – 5/29/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Boniface Parish Center, 305 Duren St.
• Taylor County: Bedford – 5/15/2019: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., American Legion Hall, 301 Main St
• Union County: Creston – 5/24/2019: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Creston High School, 601 W. Townline

Troy Price, Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party, will be meeting with local activists and voters on Saturday, May 18th, at noon at the Family Table in Atlantic. Price, who is in his second term as Chair, plans to talk about the upcoming 2020 caucus and caucus changes, and the 2020 elections. He is also interested in discovering what the state party can do for the local party and obtain information about the local party’s activities.

Troy Price

Price is a longtime Iowa political operative and strategist as well as a vocal LGBT rights advocate. Raised in Durant, Iowa, he has worked for Governor Vilsack and Lt. Gov. Pederson and Governor Culver and Lt. Gov. Judge. He headed Iowa’s largest LGBT advocacy group, One Iowa, and has worked behind the scenes as political director for President Obama’s Iowa re-election campaign and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. He previously served as the Iowa Democratic Party’s executive director.