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Parents critical of school officials after fatal bus fire

News

March 26th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

OAKLAND, Iowa (AP) — The parents of the 16-year-old girl who died in a school bus fire in western Iowa last year are critical of school officials and the 74-year-old bus driver who also died. Glen and Natalie Klindt told The Des Moines Register they hope Iowa will strengthen school bus regulations because of the December 12 fire that happened right after Donnie Hendricks picked up Megan Klindt.

The Klindts say Hendricks couldn’t walk without a walker and had back surgery scheduled the week of the fire, so the couple says he wasn’t physically fit to drive the bus. School bus drivers in Iowa must have physicals, but endurance isn’t measured.
Federal investigators have said the fire began in the engine compartment after the bus backed into a ditch and became stuck.

Greenfield clears one hurdle as she seeks alternative path to Primary ballot

News

March 26th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Party leaders in the third congressional district have narrowly voted to place the name of a fellow Democrat on the ballot, even though Theresa Greenfield failed to collect the number of petition signatures necessary to qualify for June’s Democratic Primary.

Greenfield and a group she called “team democracy” fanned out through the district to collect a second set of petition signatures after her campaign manager admitted he forged some signatures on her first set of petitions. The last-minute effort, though, failed to produce ENOUGH signatures. Greenfield has been forced to seek another path onto the primary ballot.

Bill Brauch is chairman of the 88 third district Democrats who voted on the matter today (Monday). He doesn’t expect his group’s decision to be challenged in court. “I’m not anticipating any lawsuit, but one never knows,” Brauch says. Brauch says there was half-an-hour of “respectful” discussion about the ramifications of nominating Greenfield in this unusual way.

Some argued the move gives ammunition to Republicans, including Congressman David Young — the Republican seeking reelection in the district. Others said today’s vote was just a preliminary action and the final decision rests with three state officials who’ll meet tomorrow (Tuesday).

Iowa’s secretary of state, attorney general and state auditor are the three members of the appeal board that decide whether Greenfield’s name appears on the Primary ballot. That decision, whatever it may be, could be challenged in court.

(Radio Iowa)

Mills County Sheriff’s report (3/26)

News

March 26th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three weekend arrests. On Saturday, 24-year old Mercedes Devonna Liparoto, of Malvern, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance and OWI 1st offense. Her bond was set at $1,000. And, 36-year old Ryan Patrick Hinkel, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for OWI 2nd  offense. His bond was set at $2,000.

And, 33-year old Walter Louis Zeno-Lopez, of Omaha, was arrested Sunday morning in Mills County, for OWI 1st offense, and having No Valid Driver’s License. His bond was set at $1,000.

Stun gun used on Dubuque man in jail awaiting murder trial

News

March 26th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Jail authorities used a stun gun on a Dubuque man charged with murder after he refused to obey commands. Court documents say 22-year-old Helmon Betwell violated jail rules Sunday and received multiple verbal commands before Dubuque County Sheriff’s Department deputies used a stun gun to obtain compliance.

The Telegraph Herald reports Betwell has been charged with interference with official acts in relation to the incident. He also has been charged with murder, sexual assault and burglary connected to a fatal attack on a 66-year-old woman on Sept. 1, 2015, as she was walking in Dubuque. The trial was moved out of Dubuque County after extensive media coverage. Betwell’s trial had been set for May, but the prosecution and defense both said Friday they need more time to prepare.

Embattled prosecutor decides to quit race for 2nd term

News

March 26th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — A southeast Iowa prosecutor criticized for dropping charges filed against a nursing home operator has decided not to seek a second term. The Hawk Eye reports that Des Moines County Attorney Amy Beavers mentioned in her announcement Monday the scrutiny and criticism she’d received for dropping charges against Marc Johnson, director of the Danville Care Center. He was accused of taking money from a patient’s account.

She cited concerns that if he were convicted, the home would have to close. Beavers made an agreement not to pursue the charges if Johnson paid the case’s court costs and didn’t violate any laws for two years.
She said in her statement Monday that, “If closing this nursing home is what the community expects from their county attorney, I am not the right county attorney.”

3 more aides accused of sex with patients at Iowa facility

News

March 26th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

FAYETTE, Iowa (AP) — A sheriff says three more certified nursing assistants are charged with sexually exploiting patients at an Iowa facility for mentally disabled adults. Two CNAs at the Prairie View Residential Care Facility in Fayette were charged with sexual exploitation March 5. Fayette County Sheriff Marty Fisher said Monday that three additional former CNAs have been charged for alleged relationships dating to 2015.

The women ages 24, 31 and 43 were arrested and have been released. One’s accused of having a patient perform oral sex on her 30 times; another is accused of engaging in “heavy kissing and touching” with a patient twice. The third’s accused of having a weeklong sexual relationship. Fisher says the patients involved were undergoing court-ordered treatment.

He says investigators are looking into “further incidents where more charges could be filed.” The home provides skill-building services for adults with chronic mental illness.

Union County Sheriff’s report: Missing teen, 2 arrests and a theft

News

March 26th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Union County Sheriff’s Office says an Afton man reported Saturday evening, that his teenage daughter had run away from home. 15-year old Sabrina McBurney is a six-foot tall white female, weighing about 185-pounds, with brown hair, brown eyes, and a lip ring. If anyone has seen her,  or has any information on where she is, please call the Union County Sheriff’s Office at 641-782-8402. (There was no photo of her from the Sheriff’s Office, but she does have a Facebook account with images located there)

The Sheriff’s Office reports also, 53-year old David Dale Dukes, of Stuart, was arrested late Saturday night at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, for disorderly conduct. Dukes plead guilty and was released from the Union County Jail. And, 29-year old Casey David Mitchell, of Afton, was arrested Sunday night at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, for domestic abuse assault. Mitchell is being held in the Union County Jail on no bond.

Authorities said also, a Shannon City man reported Sunday morning, that sometime overnight, someone took 5 red gates (2 10-foot gates, 2 16-ft. gates, and 1  8-ft. gate) from his property. The estimated value of the gates was $825.

 

Harlan woman & Council Bluffs man arrested on drug charges in Audubon County

News

March 26th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

A traffic stop at around 6:23-p.m. Saturday, resulted in the arrest of a woman from Shelby County and a man from Pottawattamie County, on drug charges. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department reports 32-year old Sarah Chitty, of Harlan, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana/2nd offense, and for several traffic citations. Chitty was seen by the magistrate and was released on her own recognizance. And, 37-year old Ian Leib, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Saturday for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to deliver (under 5 grams), and possession of drug paraphernalia. Leib was seen by the magistrate and is currently being held in the Audubon County Jail on a $10,000 bond.  Both arrests stem from a traffic stop in Kimballton in which K-9 “Axel” alerted to the presence of an odor of a narcotic. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department also assisted in the traffic stop.

Mexico official: Iowa family died from water heater gas leak

News

March 26th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

MEXICO CITY (AP) — A prosecutor in Mexico says a gas leak in a water heater is suspected in the death of a southwest Iowa couple and their two children last week. The head prosecutor of the Caribbean coast state of Quintana Roo told local media today (Monday) that the water heater “was leaking gas, maybe from use or lack of maintenance.” Miguel Angel Pech told the Radio Formula station that “a high level” of gas was found in the rented condo where the couple was staying.

Autopsies indicate the family died from inhaling toxic gas in the resort of Tulum, but the source hadn’t been determined. Iowa officials identified the family as 41-year old Kevin Sharp, his 38-year old wife Amy, and their children, 12-year old Sterling, and seven-year old Adrianna, all of whom were from Creston. According to reports, their bodies are expected to be returned to the U-S on Wednesday.

If it was a gas leak the took the family’s lives, it wouldn’t be the first time faulty gas connections killed tourists in the area. In 2010, the explosion of an improperly installed gas line at a hotel in the nearby town of Playa del Carmen killed five Canadian tourists and two Mexicans. In that case, prosecutors said the heating-gas line, apparently meant to fuel a pool heating unit, was not properly installed or maintained. They claimed a leak from the line may have been set off by a spark from an electric switch or plug. A judge later dismissed criminal charges against five contractors and employees at the hotel.

Shelby County Fire Danger “LOW” this week

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

March 26th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency has reduced the County Fire Danger level from “medium,” to “LOW.”  An abundance of moisture over the next couple of days should reduced the threat of any controlled burns becoming out of control. The next field & grassland conditions Fire Index will be released on Thursday.