The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa reports a Nebraska man was sentenced late last week in connection with a firearms case. 33-year old Jesse Craig Wilkinson, of Omaha, was sentenced Thursday to 84 months in prison, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Wilkinson was also ordered to serve two years of supervised release following the period of imprisonment.

An investigation by law enforcement began with a report of suspicious activity occurring in Pottawattamie County. Wilkinson initially fled police officers, and when apprehended, was found to be in possession of a loaded .40 caliber handgun. Wilkinson was prohibited from possessing a firearm after he was convicted in 2003 in the District of Nebraska on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Wilkinson pleaded guilty on April 2nd, to the current charge of being a felon in
possession of a firearm. The investigation was conducted by the Council Bluffs Police Department and the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives). The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

In an update to our story last Friday, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday), says 28-year old Donte Lee Plunkett, of Omaha, was arrested following an accident that took place northwest of Atlantic at around 12:19-a.m., Friday.

Officials say the crash happened at 590th Street (Highway 173) and Marne Road, when a 1995 Nissan Maxima owned and driven by Plunkett, came to the T-intersection and failed to stop. The southbound car went out of control and entered a grassy area on the south side of the intersection, hit a pole and an apple tree. No injuries were reported. Damage amounted to $2,000 altogether.

Plunkett was arrested on charges of OWI 1st Offense and Possession of a Controlled Substance. He was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on his own recognizance.

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, today (Tuesday), announced the appointment of seven persons to various Iowa Boards and Commissions. Among them, was Karen Jones, from Glenwood. Jones was appointed to the Juvenile Justice Advisory Council. Her appointment became effective August 6th, is unpaid, and not subject to Iowa Senate confirmation.

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

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Christian nonprofit agency plans to build emergency housing for single men and their children in Sioux City. The Sioux City Journal reports  that the Gospel Mission has been helping single women and their children. The agency’s executive director, Harold Youtzy Jr., says that in the past 18 months, single men with children have frequented the Gospel Mission. He says those families end up homeless for a “wide variety of reasons.”

The $600,000, U-shaped complex will be built on land east of the Gospel Mission’s main facility. Construction of four apartment-style units is scheduled to start immediately and be finished in six months. Youtzy says half of the money needed already has been raised.

The 7:06-a.m. report w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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A candidate’s forum for persons who have filed to run for the Board of Education in the Atlantic School District will be held 7-p.m. Aug. 25th. Board President Kristy Pellet announced during Monday evening’s final, regular meeting of the current school board, that seven candidates looking to fill three open, At Large seats on the Board, will take place in the auditorium at the Atlantic High School. Three local media representatives will ask questions of the candidates, who will also take questions from the public.

Atlantic School Board 8-10-2015

Pellet said also, each of the candidates have been invited to attend an informational seminar that takes place this Wednesday from 1-until 3-p.m., at the High School Media Center. Pellet said Gary Sinclair, with PMA Financial Network, will be on-hand to present a financial workshop on school finances, which is a “primer” of sorts for those who may be elected to the School Board, on how to deal with funding matters.

In his report to the Board, District Operations Director Russell Peck gave an update on the various Summer Capital Improvement and/or Repair Projects. Peck said the cost to repair some of the heat pumps at the high school was slightly higher than expected due to some faulty pressure valves, which were replaced, while others were simply switched out. The system is wireless compatible.

Peck said also, the roof on the Middle School has been repaired, and is now draining properly. New furniture was also placed in the Middle School Art room, and Peck said the Teacher’s Lounge received a few kitchen cabinets. The Tuckpoint work is also finished. Peck says it came in under budget. It was estimated at $20,000, but the bid was $17,600.

The high school parking lot was also fixed. And, Peck said new bleachers at the Schuler Elementary School came with a much cheaper price tag than expected. He said he had budgeted $25,000 for them, but the ended up being $7,000 cheaper than any other bid. The motorized bleachers will have to be put in after school starts, though, since they have not yet arrived.

In other board activity, the hiring of an interim English, Speech and Theater Teacher was approved. Alex Bales has been hired on a one year contract. Bales, from Indianola, is a recent graduate of Iowa State University.

One person was injured during a single-vehicle accident late Monday morning, in Creston. Authorities say 55-year old Mauxie Jane King, of Creston, was driving a 2008 Toyota 4Runner SUV southbound on Cottonwood Street at around 11-a.m., and was making a left turn onto Prairie Street into a parking lot drive, when she suffered from a medical condition.

Her SUV went over a curb and crossed Prairie Street to the north before hitting a light pole. King was transported by ambulance to the Greater Regional Medical Center, in Creston. The woman told authorities she didn’t remember anything after making the turn onto southbound cottonwood. Damage from the accident amounted to $3,200.

Another accident in Creston, took place just after 10-a.m., Monday, at the intersection of W. Howard and N. Stone Streets. Police say 16-year old Alexa Miller, of Creston, was driving a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix westbound on Howard Street when she failed to yield to a 1999 Ford F-250 pickup traveling south on Stone Street, and driven by 49-year old Rickie Foster, of Creston. Miller said she couldn’t see the approaching pickup because of trees and brush near the intersection.

The vehicles collided, causing $6,000 damage altogether. Both drivers complained of pain and possible injuries, but they were not transported to the hospital. No citations were issued.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is asking for your help in solving the theft of numerous items from a City of Villisca storage garage. Authorities say the theft happened sometime between last Friday (Aug.7th) and Monday (Aug. 10th). Taken from the garage was a black, 6-foot by 14-foot (6×14) Finish Line  utility trailer. The trailer has damage to the left side fender and a missing clearance light.

It was loaded with two yellow Walker mowers (one 25-hp w/a52″ deck, the other 20-hp w/a 62″ deck), a Stihl line trimmer, and a Dewalt grinder. The loss was estimated $28,000.

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call Montgomery County Crimestoppers at 1-888-434-2712, or the Sheriff’s Office at 712-623-5107.

Deputies in Montgomery County arrested a rural Red Oak man on an assault charge, Monday evening. Authorities say 47-year old Donald Owen Schollian was arrested at around 8:40-p.m. in the 1900 block of G Avenue, and charged with Domestic Abuse/Simple Assault. He was brought to the Montgomery County Jail, and held without bond.