OGALLALA, Neb. (AP) — A 22-year-old Kansas man has pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide charges for the crash deaths of four Iowa residents in western Nebraska. The North Platte Telegraph reports that Jeser Cisneros-Hernandez, of Liberal, Kansas, entered the pleas Friday in Keith County District Court.

Cisneros-Hernandez is charged with four counts of motor-vehicle homicide, reckless driving and driving left of the center of the road. Prosecutors say hit two motorcycles carrying two people each on July 1 near Ogallala.

Authorities say 54-year-old Sheila Matheny and 61-year-old James Matheny, from Bedford, Iowa, were on one motorcycle. The other riders were 58-year-old Michal Weese and 59-year-old Jerolyn Weese, who lived in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Cisneros-Hernandez’s next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 8.

The Chair of the Cass County Democratic Party reports the Democrats are teaming up with area food pantries and organizations, to resource food and clothing for those in need, even though the start of winter isn’t for another couple of months. Sherry Toelle says “It is obscene that, in the richest country in the world, we have children and adults who are going to bed or to school or to work hungry. Families should not have to choose between food and other costs of daily living—medications, shelter, transportation, utilities, clothing.”

Toelle says “That is why the Cass County Democratic Party is partnering with food pantries across the county—civic and church-related—to provide food for the neediest among us.” She add “You can help too—buy an extra can of tuna or a pre-packaged food item at the grocery store when you shop; it will only add a dollar or two to your bill but it could make a big difference to a child or adult whose stomach hurts because they are hungry.

In Cass County, she says, it is estimated that 12.5% of residents are food-insecure. That means 1700 people in are one-step away from severe hunger. Toelle says “We are [also] partnering with West Central Development Corporation (WCDC) as well as other ‘clothing closets’ to provide winter clothing for children and adults. We are asking that folks donate new or ‘clean, gently used’ clothing to marked drop boxes across the county. These donations will be provided, free of charge, to the folks who need them. Children’s coats, boots, hats, mittens and gloves are really needed. But let’s not forget that people can be cold within their homes, too. So, warm clothing—pajamas, sweaters, throws—are also needed to keep out the winter chill.”

All donations will stay in county, being provided to Cass County residents. Donations can also be left at Toelle’s home at 10 East 13th Street in Atlantic. For more information, contact Sherry Toelle at 712-243-4861.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Iowa’s largest teachers union challenging a new law that eliminated most collective bargaining rights for public workers. The judge said in his ruling that the new law does not violate workers’ constitutional rights to equal protection.

The Iowa State Education Association, which represents 34,000 education professionals across the state, filed the lawsuit in April. The lawsuit claimed the law creates two classes of public sector employees, unfairly targets unions for collecting dues through payroll deductions and creates an unfair election system for unions.

ISEA President Tammy Wawro says the union is considering all of its options, including appealing the ruling. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Iowa Council 61, also has filed a lawsuit challenging the law.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Those in Iowa looking for a few extra dollars around the holidays may be able to find them at the United States Postal Service. Des Moines television station KCCI reports that more than 250 temporary positions at the postal service are available in Des Moines.

The U.S. Postal Service is hiring support employees and mail handler associates. The jobs pay about $15 an hour. The extra hands will sort packages, move mail and get it ready for distribution to offices around the area.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Applications are being accepted for those interested in filling a judicial vacancy left by the retirement of District Court Judge Edward Jacobson in northwest Iowa.

The Sioux City Journal reports that applicants may obtain a questionnaire and other required forms from the district court administrator or from any clerk of court in the judicial district. The district covers Crawford, Ida, Monona, Plymouth, Sioux and Woodbury counties.

Applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. Nov. 3. Interviews will be held Nov. 20 at the Woodbury County Courthouse. The Judicial Nominating Commission will submit the names of two nominees to Gov. Kim Reynolds, who will appoint the new judge.

The application form also is available online at http://www.iowacourts.gov/District_Courts/District_Three/Current_Judicial_Openings/ .

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A former University of Iowa employee has been fined for secretly placing a video camera in a campus bathroom in 2014. The Press Citizen reports that 48-year-old Nicodemus Hendrik, of Coralville, was fined $1,875 at his sentencing hearing on Thursday in Johnson County Court.

Hendrik entered an Alford plea on Sept. 5 to trespass causing injury, a misdemeanor. In an Alford plea, the defendant does not admit guilt, but acknowledges that prosecutors likely have enough evidence to convict.

Hendrik, a former employee of UI’s Information Technology Services department, was arrested in April 2015 for placing a video camera in a restroom in the University Capitol Centre’s ITS space.

Hendrik was removed from his job and banned from UI’s campus in June 2014.

Clarinda Police responded this (Saturday) morning at around 1:40-a.m., to 11th and Chestnut to investigate a report of a stabbing incident. An investigation revealed that a forty-nine-year-old white male had been stabbed multiple times. None of the stab wounds appeared to be life threatening. The victim is in stable condition.

The victim – whose name was not released – was transported to the Clarinda Regional Health Center by private vehicle. Police Chief Keith Brothers said an investigation into the incident is continuing. Brothers advised that this is an isolated incident and that there is no danger to the public.

Emergency crews from Anita, Wiota and Atlantic were dispatched to a fiery rollover accident this (Saturday) afternoon on Interstate 80, in Cass County. Anita and Wiota Fire and Rescue and Medivac were responding to a crash off I-80 eastbound in the median, between the 69-and 70-mile marker, where the vehicle was on fire and a victim was trapped. The accident was reported at around 1:04-p.m.

No further details are available at this time.

w/ Chris Parks

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A contest is underway to select the cover of the next Iowa Travel Guide. Iowa Tourism Office spokesperson Jessica O’Riley says Iowans can vote for one of four options. “We have one of a couple shopping in downtown Mount Vernon, we’ve got people hiking in the Loess Hills in western Iowa, we’re showing off one of Iowa’s three whitewater parks – one on the cover is in Manchester, and then we also have a nice image of some people paddleboarding at sunset on Gray’s Lake in Des Moines,” O’Riley said. Iowans can check out the photos and vote for their favorite at traveliowa.com

ITG 2018 cover options

Visitors to the website can vote daily through early next week. “Voting closes at 10 a.m. on Tuesday and we’ll announce the winner on Wednesday, October 25, at the Iowa Tourism Conference (in Sioux City) and on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts,” O’Riley said. The 2018 Iowa Travel Guide will be available in late January. More than 125,000 guides are distributed annually to travelers from every state and around the world.

A photo of the Snake Alley Criterium in Burlington is on THIS year’s cover of the Iowa Travel Guide.

(Radio Iowa)