KEOKUK, Iowa (AP) — A prosecutor says a gender-fluid Iowa teenager was kidnapped, suffocated and executed by two cousins who believed the teen was a cute girl. Prosecutor Christopher Perras detailed the 2016 death of 16-year-old Kedarie Johnson in opening statements Thursday at the trial of Jorge Sanders-Galvez. Perras said Johnson “was a friendly high school student with a bright future” who sometimes dressed as a girl. Relatives say Johnson identified as both male and female.

Perras says Johnson was wearing a pink headband and hair extensions when Sanders-Galvez and his cousin saw the teen at a store. Perras says the men followed Johnson in their car, then took the teen to a Burlington home. He says a struggle ensued during a sexual encounter, and the men suffocated Johnson, shot the teen and dumped the body in an alley.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A former Iowa State University administrator is suing the school, saying it gives students accused of sexual assault more protection than victims. The lawsuit filed by Robinette Kelley alleges the university blocked her attempts to properly investigate sexual assault complaints and stopped her from ensuring the university was Title IX compliant.

The Des Moines Register reports Kelley was the university’s equal opportunity director and federal Title IX coordinator for more than two years. The lawsuit is requesting that the university be required to develop a strategic plan for sex discrimination-related cases and to allow the Title IX coordinator to act independently from other university officials. A university spokesman denies that Kelley was treated “in any way that was retaliatory, discriminatory, or otherwise illegal.”

Kelley was fired in October 2015. She now works at North Carolina State University.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court has adopted new rules to prohibit the use of handcuffs, chains and other restraints for juveniles appearing in court unless a judge approves in advance. Currently juvenile officers determine whether a child is restrained during court appearances. An order signed by Chief Justice Mark Cady on Wednesday says the rules will become effective Jan. 1 unless a legislative council objects. Cady’s order says the rule is flexible enough to deal with juveniles at risk of fleeing or endangering themselves or others.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa and a children’s rights group at the Drake Law School pushed for the changes last year. They say at least 28 states ban or limit the use of restraints on children in juvenile court hearings.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports three men were arrested Monday in connection with a break-in and burglary at the CAM School in Anita, on Oct. 20th, during which tools, welders, and other industrial items were stolen. As the result of a search warrant, 18-year old Kane Melvin Cooley, of Anita, 33-year old Daniel Eugene Long, Sr., of Anita, and 19-year old Jacob Hoyt Way, of Guthrie Center, were arrested on Felony charges that include:Theft 1st Degree, Conspiring to Commit a Nonforcible Felony, and Burglary 3rd Degree.

Jacob Way

Daniel Long, Sr.

Kane Cooley

In addition, Long faces a felony charge of Theft 2nd Degree with regard to a reported burglary and theft in Anita on September 11th, 2017. He was also arrested on three previous District Court warrants for Failure to Appear. Cooley was additionally charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, which took place earlier in the day on October 23rd.

All three men were taken to the Cass County Jail. Cooley remains held on $23,000 bond; Long remains held on $31,000 bond; and Way remains held on $20,000 bond.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports four people were arrested Wednesday on separate charges. At around 4:30-p.m., 28-year old Joseph Cody Foster, of Shambaugh, was arrested on an Adams County Warrant for (felony) Burglary 1st degree, and Eluding Law Enforcement. Foster was arrested at a residence in Shambaugh and later turned over to Adams County authorities.

A little after 10-p.m. Wednesday, Page County Deputies arrested 32-year old Laura Christine Hartman, of Coin, on a Page County warrant for Failure to Appear on a charge of Probation violation. Hartman was arrested at a residence in Coin and transported to the Page County Jail where she is currently being held on a $2,000 cash only bond, pending future court proceedings

Timothy Blank

Michael Rose

Laura Hartman

Joseph Cody Foster

Just after 8-p.m., Wednesday, Deputies from the Page County Sheriff’s Office arrested 42-year old Michael Lee Rose, of Hepburn, at his residence in Hepburn. Rose was arrested on a Page County Warrant for Probation violation. Rose was transported to the Page County Jail. Rose posted $1000.00 Cash bond and was released pending future court proceedings.

On October 25, 2017 at approximately 6:37 PM Deputies with the Page County Sheriff’s Office arrested 52-year old Timothy Jay Blank, of Coin, at his residence in Coin. Blank was arrested on a Page County Warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault display or use weapon 1st offense and Assault while displaying a dangerous weapon. The warrant stems from an incident at Blank’s residence in Coin on October 21st, 2017 where he allegedly assaulted his brothers with a weapon, causing injuries to them. Blank was transported to the Page County Jail where he was being held without bond pending appearance before a Magistrate Judge.

The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency says the FIRE DANGER index will remain HIGH through this weekend, due to anticipated high winds and dried crops remaining in the fields. Outdoor burning of vegetation and timber requires an open burning plan, which also needs the approval of your local Fire Chief. Open burning is strongly discouraged, especially where structures are nearby. Combine and other ag equipment operators should make sure their machine has a fire extinguisher handy in the event your machine starts to overheat or otherwise malfunction.

A Ceremonial Tree Planting was held in Atlantic, Wednesday, in honor of the City’s 25^th year of working with Alliant Energy and Trees Forever’s “Branching Out” partnership. Dolly Bergmann, President of the local Trees Forever organization, and Brad Riphagen, Field Coordinator for Trees Forever in Marion, were on-hand for the event. Riphagen said his role is to help communities determine what species of trees are needed, and how to go about planting them. He said the local Trees Forever group is well acquainted with much of that information, having been here for 25-years, so he also helps them with guidance on being involved on a State-wide basis, and additional expertise.

Riphagen has been involved with the organization for over 25-years, and has seen many changes in how the program operates. That includes newer practices in methods of planting trees. Each community, he says, have different needs and wants with regard to what types of trees will be beneficial not only aesthetically, but in terms of saving energy for homes and businesses. He says Alliant Energy and AMU – Atlantic Municipal Utilities – both encourage trees to be planted in residential yards because of the multiple benefits they provide when fully grown. Other communities focus on larger projects, such as newly created green space and how trees fill the void.

He said the value of trees increases throughout the years by providing shade and energy savings. Dolly Bergmann says the local Trees Forever organization has works with many other organizations, government and civic, as well as volunteers, to plant trees at dozens of locations through the community. That includes trees planted in each of the City’s Parks.

Tree number 25, a Little Leaf Linden, was planted Wednesday in the downtown Atlantic City Park.

The Atlantic Police Department reports 41-year old Ada Wilson, of Atlantic, was arrested Wednesday for Violation of a No Contact Order. 42-year old Levi Stroup, of Atlantic, was arrested the same day, on a Montgomery County warrant for Violation of a No Contact Order. Both subjects were booked into the Cass County Jail.

And, the Police Department says a bicyclist suffered minor (Non-life threatening) injuries, after he was struck by a vehicle in front of the Atlantic Middle School Wednesday, at around 1:50-p.m. Officials report a vehicle driven by Brenda Koch, of Atlantic, was traveling east on 11th Street in front of the Middle School, when her vehicle struck 12-year old Merrick O’Dette, of Atlantic, as he was in a painted crosswalk. Koch’s vehicle sustained $100 damage during the accident. She was cited for Failure to Yield the Right of Way.

An event being held Friday and Saturday in Avoca, is designed to provide the public with a variety of information on a plethora of public and private services available in the area. Chad Brockman, Commander of the sponsoring Avoca American Legion Fred Funston Post #227, says they’ve spent the past couple of months contacting organizations and local governments, who will be a part of the first-time “Community Helping Community Fair.” Brockman said they’ve reached to the Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration, and Western Iowa Development Association. Representatives from Iowa Western Community College, will be there to talk about their Certificate Program, and more.

Others include: The Visiting Nurses Association; Angel Care; Home Instead of Senior Care; Pine Cone, LLC (with regard to bill pay, mail review, insurance claim processing, etc.); West Central Community Action; Boy and Girl Scouts; Catholic Charities and many, many more. The Community helping Community Fair takes place at the Avoca American Legion Hall on Friday, from 9-a.m. Until 7-p.m., and on Saturday, from 9-a.m. Until Noon. There is no charge to attend. Legion members brainstormed over what information they thought area residents might want to learn more about. Brockman said it wasn’t about trying to sell products.

He said their main focus was to bring non-profit, service-based organizations to one central location where information can be disseminated. The event was spread over two days. In addition to all the information that will be available, they’ll help you get fueled-up for the day. He says there will be free donuts in the mornings, and soup over the lunch hour on Friday.

The Avoca American Legion is funding the entire venture. For more information, go to www.americanlegion227.com.

A recent study finds about one in three Iowans is overweight or obese, prompting renewed concerns about the threat of diabetes. Dr. Griffin Rodgers, a renowned diabetes researcher, says identifying diabetes early and properly managing the disease can help prevent a host of health problems. “In the state of Iowa, about 7.7% of adults have been diagnosed with the disease, but that varies with age groups,” Dr. Rodgers says. “Between 45 and 64-year-olds, it’s about 11 or 12%, but that jumps up to 21% if you consider people who are 65 and older.”

For people of all ages, Iowa’s rate of those diagnosed with diabetes is a full point-and-a-half below the national average of 9.2%. In Iowa, 32% of adults are obese or overweight, which leads to an increased likelihood of health problems, like diabetes, which may significantly impact quality of life. Rodgers says the biggest obstacle is, many people have diabetes and don’t know it. “About one in four people, it’s estimated, have diabetes and are totally unaware of it,” Rodgers says. “Obviously, if the disease is undiagnosed, it’s not treated and untreated diabetes can lead to serious health conditions like heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease and even death.”

Iowans need to pay attention to their health and make visits at least once a year to their physician for check-ups. That doctor should be able to help spot the development of diabetes before conditions worsen. “Some of the common symptoms are being very thirsty, urinating often, having blurred vision or losing weight without trying,” Rodgers says. “Since these are sort of non-specific symptoms, you can probably guess that they’re ignored or they’re rationalized as being the result of something else.”

Rodgers is the director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, based in Bethesda, Maryland. He encourages people with diabetes to examine how managing their diabetes can fit into their lives and empower them to take specific steps to improve their management with the support of a care team. To learn more, visit www.niddk.nih.gov.

(Radio Iowa)