MONTEZUMA, Iowa (AP) — A new trial date has been set for a former farmhand charged with first-degree murder in the abduction and stabbing death of 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts in Iowa. The Des Moines Register reports that a judge on Friday set trial for 24-year-old Cristhian Bahena Rivera on Sept. 3 in the Poweshiek County courthouse in Montezuma. Trial had been set for April 16. Defense attorneys said they needed more time to go through a massive investigation file from prosecutors.

Rivera is charged in the killing of Tibbetts, a University of Iowa student who disappeared while out for a run July 18 in Brooklyn, Iowa. Investigators recovered her body a month later in a cornfield. A medical examiner has said Tibbetts was stabbed to death.

Rivera is a Mexican national who has been accused of being in the country illegally. He worked at a dairy farm a few miles from where Tibbetts disappeared.

WASHINGTON –  U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) today (Saturday) announced she will hold a town hall meeting February 9th in Audubon County, as part of her 99 County Tour for 2019. Senator Ernst says she looks forward to hearing from constituents in the area about the issues most important to them.

The town hall meeting is open to the public. It takes place 9-a.m. Feb. 9th in the Audubon Middle School/High School Auditorium.

w/ Chris Parks

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The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of a Creston man on Friday afternoon. At 2:00pm Deputies conducted a traffic stop on Highway 148 Mile-Marker 32. After investigation they arrested 21-year-old Luke Robert Stougard of Creston on charges of Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana 2nd Offense, Possession of Parphernalia, and Failure to Provide Security-No Insurance. He was taken to the Adams County Jail and held on $5,900 cash bond.

(Radio Iowa) — Nominations are now being taken for this year’s Iowa Character Awards. They honor individuals, businesses, organizations and schools for their roles in making Iowa a better place to live. Amy Smit is spokeswoman for the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University in Des Moines, which organizes of the annual awards.

“We think there are Iowans throughout the state who deserve to be recognized for their good character,” Smit says. “It might be a friend or a family member or a co-worker but I think everybody knows someone who can be nominated.” Smit says it’s easy to nominate someone for the recognition.

“Head to our website at iowacharacterawards.org and there’s an online nomination form where we just want to get to know your nominee a little better,” Smit says. “We try to keep it quick and easy for the nominator and we’ll have a volunteer selection committee review those this summer.” The award program was founded in 2005 and has since honored more than a-hundred individuals for showing good character. There are various categories in which to nominate.

Smit says, “If you know an organization that you think really embodies the six pillars of character, you can nominate an organization, a sports team, individuals.” The six pillars of character are: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. The entry deadline is May 1st.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 4:30 a.m. CST

ADEL, Iowa (AP) — The last of several people charged in the starvation death of a 16-year-old Iowa girl has been sentenced to prison. Station KCCI reports that Josie Bousman was sentenced Friday to up to 14 years after she pleaded guilty to neglect and two child endangerment counts in the death of Sabrina Ray. Bousman lived in the home with the teen and was there when the teen died in May 2017. Sabrina weighed just 56 pounds at the time of her death.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new survey report is forecasting solid economic growth over the next three to six months for nine Midwestern and Plains states. Friday’s report says the Mid-America Business Conditions Index rose to 56.0 last month from 55.2 in December. The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth. The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

STANWOOD, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa man faces attempted murder and other charges after police say he fired a gun at his neighbor’s house. Station KCRG reports that 61-year-old Randolph Allan High, of Stanwood, was arrested after the Sunday morning incident. Investigators say High’s neighbor was outside when he heard more than a dozen gunshots. Police say the victim initially though High was shooting at raccoons, but later discovered several bullet holes in his vehicle, camper and home.

ADEL, Iowa (AP) — The last of several people charged in the starvation death of a 16-year-old Iowa girl has been sentenced to prison. Station KCCI reports that Josie Bousman was sentenced Friday to up to 14 years after she pleaded guilty to neglect and two child endangerment counts in the death of Sabrina Ray. Bousman lived in the home with the teen and was there when the teen died in May 2017. Sabrina weighed just 56 pounds at the time of her death.

Sabrina’s adoptive parents pleaded guilty to charges ranging from child endangerment to kidnapping in the case . The mother, Misty Jo Bousman Ray, was sentenced a life sentence without parole and her husband, Marc Ray, got 80 years in prison. An adoptive grandmother and brother also received prison sentences.

Officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce said Friday, that “It has been brought to our attention that there is a business sending invoices requesting payment for a community guide they are putting together. The business name is Media Print Solutions and this is a scam.”

The Chamber stresses “The only community guide being printed in the Atlantic area is the Atlantic Area Community Guide the Chamber puts together. If you have received an invoice or receive one in the future, please ignore it.”

An example of the invoice is shown under the link: Media Print Solutions SCAM

Officials with the Cass County Health System (CCHS) hosted U.S. Representative Cindy Axne on Friday, February 1st. Rep. Axne toured CCHS and saw a number of departments including Inpatient, Obstetrics, Behavioral Health, and Rehabilitation Services. The CCHS administrative team then met with Rep. Axne to talk about the challenges facing rural hospitals.

The CCHS Administrative team talks with Rep. Axne about the challenges faced by hospitals. (Photo submitted)

ATLANTIC – Official with the Cass County Health System (CCHS) say they are proudly supporting the Atlantic High School’s Coaches vs Cancer Pink Out basketball games on Monday, February 4th. For every point the Trojan varsity teams score on Monday, CCHS will donate $2 to the American Cancer Society (ACS). The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a free pink hand sanitizer, and CCHS employees will be tossing out a limited number of free pink t-shirts during the halftime of both games.

AHS Fuel is coordinating the Coaches vs Cancer event, and their goal is to surpass their $2,600 donation of last year with a $3,000 donation this year. Fans and supporters are encouraged to come to the game in pink, and be prepared to donate to the ACS. The ACS will have staff at the game sharing information and statistics about cancer in Iowa and Cass County.

The Atlantic Trojans varsity girls team will play at 6 pm, and the varsity boys will play at 7:30 pm. Both games will be held in the AHS gym.