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Pickup crashes into Council Bluffs motel

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February 12th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Police say one person was injured when a pickup truck struck a motel Sunday night, in Council Bluffs. Officers were called at around 11:15-p.m. Sunday, to The Red Roof Inn (500 30th Ave) to investigate a crash in which a 2006 Chevy Silverado pickup truck had run into and partially through the side of the building. The driver of the vehicle was suspected of being intoxicated.

At the time of the crash there were occupants in the hotel room where the truck impacted. A female party in the room was treated by Council Bluffs Medics after being hit with flying debris.

Mark Bryceson

The driver of the vehicle, 59-year old Mark Bryceson, of Macon, MO., was arrested and transported to Pottawattamie County Corrections. He was booked for Operation While Intoxicated.

A city building inspector was called in to inspect the structure. The hotel was permitted to remain operational with the exclusion of a few rooms.

Shots fired toward Council Bluffs Apt. bldg.

News

February 12th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Police in Council Bluffs were called at around 2:21-p.m. Sunday, to 1601 Ave. H for shots fired. Initial reports stated the female resident, who lives at 1601 Ave. H Apt. #3, was walking out of her residence. She believed a male, who was  inside, fired a shot at her. Officers arrived on scene and secured the area.

The Emergency Services Team made entry to the residence and discovered no one was inside. Officers were unable to locate evidence of a shot being fired. The female resident was transported to the police station and interviewed by detectives.

Iowa early News Headlines: Monday, Feb. 12th 2018

News

February 12th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa health agency is proposing to roll back requirements in its oversight of the state’s privatized Medicaid program, a move that comes amid growing public scrutiny over the department’s plans to improve the program. The Department of Human Services requested a bill be filed last week in the Legislature that would reduce some consumer protection metrics among other changes. The department insisted the bill will not worsen transparency.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa man has been charged with selling fraudulent life insurance policies and keeping the money. The Des Moines Register reports that 59-year-old Roger Duane Goodwin is facing seven federal charges of mail fraud.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The officials who manage the reservoirs along the Missouri River say the system is in good shape to handle this spring’s runoff. John Remus with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the reservoirs are ready to reduce flood risk in the region even though runoff is expected to be slightly above average at 104 percent of normal.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A woman accused of leaving her children home alone, including one child covered in feces, has pleaded guilty to one of the charges against her as part of a deal with prosecutors. The Des Moines Register reports that 26-year-old Destinee Miller, of Des Moines, appeared Thursday in Polk County District Court and pleaded guilty to neglect or abandonment of a dependent person. She faces up to 10 years in prison when she’s sentenced March 26.

Iowa man charged with selling fraudulent life insurance

News

February 11th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa man has been charged with selling fraudulent life insurance policies and keeping the money. The Des Moines Register reports that 59-year-old Roger Duane Goodwin is facing seven federal charges of mail fraud.

Prosecutors say that between 2013 and August 2016, Goodwin recommended life insurance to several clients and then deposited their premium checks in a personal bank account. Authorities say the Windsor Heights man used part of the money for his personal expenses and some of it to repay other clients or make payments to insurance companies on behalf of other clients.

Goodwin’s case is tentatively scheduled for trial on April 2. His attorney didn’t immediately respond to a message Sunday afternoon.

Iowa agency reduces Medicaid oversight requirements in bill

News

February 11th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa health agency is proposing to roll back requirements in its oversight of the state’s privatized Medicaid program, a move that comes amid growing public scrutiny over the department’s plans to improve the program.

The Department of Human Services requested a bill be filed last week in the Legislature that would reduce how often it must report performance data on the health care program for the poor and disabled. The legislation would also remove some consumer protection metrics and eliminate a requirement that the agency report its expected savings under the privatized system.

The department insisted the bill will not worsen transparency and is aimed at more flexibility in presenting data to the public.

The wide-ranging proposal surprised lawmakers, both Republican and Democrat, who worked to enact oversight provisions in 2016 when the program was turned over to private insurance companies.

Atlantic Parks & Rec Board to meet Monday evening

News

February 11th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department’s Board of Directors are set to meet 5:15-p.m. Monday, in the City Council’s Chambers at City Hall. During their regular meeting, The Board will receive updates from Parks & Rec Director Seth Staashelm on: The Schildberg Recreation Area Development Project, including the West side Shelter Design, East side playground, and Lake number three trail;  And updates on the Community Parks Project, as well as the Sunnyside Park Entrance Sign. Other updates include those pertaining to the Ice Rink, and Campground at the Schildberg Rec Area.

The Board will also discuss with Staashelm, the Parks Dept. 10-year plan. They’ll hear about upcoming program events, also. A reminder from Staashelm: Sunnyside Park is open all winter, and the roads will remain open, weather permitting.

Iowa early News Headlines: Sunday, 2/11/18

News

February 11th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A woman accused of leaving her children home alone, including one child covered in feces, has pleaded guilty to one of the charges against her as part of a deal with prosecutors. The Des Moines Register reports that 26-year-old Destinee Miller, of Des Moines, appeared Thursday in Polk County District Court and pleaded guilty to neglect or abandonment of a dependent person. She faces up to 10 years in prison when she’s sentenced March 26.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A Lake City farmer has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for committing fraud to get bank loans, crop insurance proceeds and ease a bankruptcy burden. Federal prosecutors say 36-year-old Clint Devries was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty in September to two counts of making false statements and one count of bankruptcy fraud.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa mother accused of leaving her four children home alone while traveled to Germany could avoid a prison sentence. The Des Moines Register reports that prosecutors have offered to drop a gun charge against 31-year-old Erin Macke and give her a deferred judgment if she pleads guilty to four counts of child endangerment. Macke is currently charged with the four counts plus one count of making a firearm available to a person under 21. Police say she left four kids all 12 and under alone.

KENSETT, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa State Patrol says one person was killed and two were injured, including a sheriff’s deputy, in separate crashes on Interstate 35 in north-central Iowa. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that the crashes both happened Friday night on the same stretch of the southbound lanes of the interstate near Kensett. A semitrailer driver was injured when his rig hit a bridge support. Later, a driver rear-ended a sheriff deputy’s SUV at the crash site. That driver died, and the deputy was hurt.

Iowa mother pleads guilty in case of children left alone

News

February 10th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A woman accused of leaving her children home alone, including one child covered in feces, has pleaded guilty to one of the charges against her as part of a deal with prosecutors.

The Des Moines Register reports that 26-year-old Destinee Miller, of Des Moines, appeared Thursday in Polk County District Court and pleaded guilty to neglect or abandonment of a dependent person. She faces up to 10 years in prison when she’s sentenced March 26.

In exchange for her guilty plea, three counts of child endangerment were dropped. She was charged in October after officers found her three young children outside their filthy home. One child was covered with feces, another had a full diaper. Police say she left her 4-year-old boy in charge of his 2- and 1-year-old siblings.

Iowa farmer sentenced to prison for bank, bankruptcy fraud

News

February 10th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A Lake City farmer has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for committing fraud to get bank loans, crop insurance proceeds and ease a bankruptcy burden. Federal prosecutors say 36-year-old Clint Devries was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty in September to two counts of making false statements and one count of bankruptcy fraud.

Prosecutors say he lied from 2013 through 2015 to a bank about the amount of crops he had in storage and other things to obtain farm operating loans. He later defaulted on more than $400,000 in loans from the bank. Officials say he also lied to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to fraudulently obtain crop insurance proceeds, and that in 2015, he lied to a bankruptcy trustee about sales of his crops.

Race for Supervisor’s seats in Cass County w/another candidate

News

February 10th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Another candidate has announced his intentions to file papers on March 5th, to run for the Cass County Board of Supervisors in District 2. Mark O’Brien announced Saturday he intends to run for the seat being vacated at the end of the year by current District 2 Supervisor Gaylord Schelling, who has decided not to run for re-election. O’Brien joins Pat McCurdy in his bid to claim the seat in the June Primary. There is also a two-man race for the District 3 Supervisor’s seat held by Mark Wedemeyer, who is not running for re-election. The candidates include Dana Halder and John P. Hartkopf.

In a press release, O’Brien said “As a lifelong resident of Cass County, I feel I would be a respected voice for my fellow constituents due to the years of knowledge and experience I have attained on both a professional and personal level.” His experiences include: Owning and operating Iron Specialties, Inc., specializing in metal building construction along with general contracting of commercial and agricultural projects for over 30 years; He’s a residential and commercial property owner; farm and land owner; He serves on various local boards and committees; and is involved with coaching and coordinating various youth activities, as well as volunteer work around the community.

Mark O’Brien says his key objectives as a potential member of the Cass County Board of Supervisors “Will be to focus on keeping spending in-check, creating smart budgeting for continued county growth, improvement and progress, and having an open-door policy to the voters who elect [him], so their voices can be heard.” He says also, he believes his “Diverse knowledge of the construction industry would be an asset to the Board in the capacities of both planning and budgeting.

O’Brien’s family includes his wife Trish, and their sons Chris, Jason and Kolby, along with their families. He said he has recently begun the process to retire, and passing his business on to his sons. He says “As my duties at the office come to an end, I am eager to put my time to use serving the county.” Anyone with questions may contact him at 712-249-4881, or by e-mail (marktobrien@msn.com). A reminder to person interest in running for office in Cass County, the first day for Democratic and Republican candidates for county offices to file nomination papers in the office of the county auditor is Monday, March 5, 2018.  The last day to file is Wednesday, March 28, 2018. Nomination papers may be circulated prior to first date for filing as well as during the filing period.  Nomination papers are available at the office of the county auditor and from the secretary of state ( www.sos.iowa.gov )