The Iowa Supreme Court today (Friday), affirmed a District Court ruling in the case of a man who committed a 2002 home invasion in Taylor County and was sentenced to 25-years in prison for Burglary and Attempted Murder.  An attorney for Jarrod Dale Majors had argued on behalf of his client, that the district court on remand of its sentence, abused its discretion in failing to follow the supreme court’s mandate, when it imposed the mandatory minimum 17 1/2-year sentence before Majors is eligible for parole. Majors further contends his trial counsel was ineffective in failing to present expert testimony. Upon review, the Supreme Court determined the district court did not abuse its discretion by imposing the mandatory minimum after considering the youth sentencing factors under case law. They determined the sentence is supported by testimony from the State’s expert. In their Opinion, the Court said Majors personally chose not to retain a defense expert, and that his counsel was not constitutionally ineffective for relying on cross-examination of the State’s expert without retaining a defense expert that his client chose to forgo.

Majors was 17-years old, just days away from his 18th birthday, and a high school senior. He was obsessed with a 30-year old woman who lived across the street from him, in Bedford. One evening in May 2002 when the neighbors were gone from their home, Majors decided to enter the home and wait for them to return. He wore a ski mask and gloves and attached a large knife to his waistband. He put duct tape on his wrist and carried a .22 caliber rifle with a plastic soda bottle taped to the barrel. He hid in the closet of the master bedroom and waited for the family to return. When the woman entered the bedroom, Majors emerged and attacked her. She fought him off, her husband quickly intervened, and Majors was subdued. Police promptly arrived. The family, including the children, were terrified, but no serious physical injuries were inflicted.

Majors told police he was paid $100 to commit the crime as a prank. He later said he was hallucinating at the time and could not recall committing the crime due to drug use and lack of sleep for a prolonged period of time. He also believed the neighbors had planned to attack him. Majors had no prior criminal record other than a single offense for possession of alcohol as a minor.

The full court opinion can be found here: https://www.iowacourts.gov/courtcases/8505/embed/SupremeCourtOpinion

ATLANTIC, IA — Iowa 3rd District Democrat Representative Cindy Axne, today (Friday), announced a new grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) to facilitate the hiring of a disaster recovery coordinator for flood-affected counties in Southwest Iowa. The $180,000 award goes to help the Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) to establish a coordinator who will implement long-term strategic plans that will assist recovery efforts in counties in southwest Iowa including Fremont, Harrison, and Shelby. According to the EDA, the grant will cover 80% of the costs of establishing and filling the coordinator position.

Rep. Axne says “Securing the funds we need to help with flooding recovery is only one step on the pathway to rebuilding our communities. We need to have professionals in place to make sure our communities are working efficiently and effectively to not just get back to where we were before the floods, but to help us grow beyond them. This new position, part of Department of Commerce’s multi-million dollar investment in Iowa in the aftermath of last spring’s floods, will help us revitalize communities and attract new opportunities.”

The new recovery coordinator will help to create a stable economic climate for business attraction and retention, as well as improving the well-being of the region’s citizens when faced with potential devastating disasters, which will help spur business and social redevelopment in the region. Her office says after securing $3 billion for Midwest flood recovery in last year’s federal disaster bill, Rep. Axne has been tracking these and other grants that are helping Iowa rebuild with her Iowa Flood Funding Tracker.

As of December, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported to Rep. Axne that it has spent $6.6 million on flood recovery efforts in Iowa.

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa man is awaiting sentencing for drunkenly firing a rifle and wounding a woman inside her home instead of a deer he’d hoped to kill. Court records say 35-year-old Lee Ryals, of Ottumwa, pleaded guilty Wednesday. Authorities say 73-year-old Janet Wright was cleaning her stove on Jan. 4 last year near Ottumwa, when she heard a loud noise and felt pain in the back of her head. Wright drove herself to a hospital, where doctors removed a bullet.

Authorities say Ryals was drunk when he pulled the trigger on the deck of a camper where he’d been staying. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 29th.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (5.1MB)

Subscribe: RSS

The Audubon County Engineer & Secondary Roads Department reports the intersection of Mockingbird Ave. and 265th street will be closed to thru traffic for Multiple bridge replacements, beginning Monday, March 9th. Weather permitting work will wrap-up on June 1st. Until then, the intersection at Mockingbird Ave. and 265th Street, will remain closed. (See a map of the area below)

(click on the map to enlarge the image)

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (5.2MB)

Subscribe: RSS

If you have ever wanted to grow your own succulents instead of purchasing them, or wondered why certain plants flourished in your yard while others perished, or even dreamed of growing masses of blooms or veggies using your small deck, patio or raised bed, then tomorrow (Saturday, March 7th), is your chance to learn all about growing. Cass County Master Gardeners are giving you the opportunity to receive short, small group learning on those topics and many others during the “Lightning Learning” portion of the Spring Garden Seminar. The seminar, “Garden Inspiration, Old & New” will be held Saturday, at the Cass County Community Center.

Master Gardener Jan Steffen says “The ‘Lightning Learning’ portion of our seminar gives participants the opportunity to move around and visit 10 minute demonstrations on a variety of topics. They’ve been popular at our seminars before, and we are excited to bring them back in 2020.” Topics for the “Lightning Learning” sessions include Hosta Highlights, Propagating Succulents, Small Space Gardening, What’s New at the Garden Centers, Soil Testing, Seed Lending Libraries, Faux Finish Pot Painting and more. This fast, fun-filled portion of the seminar will last an hour with participants choosing the topics they want to participate in. Steffen says that with the variety of topics offered, everyone should find inspiration for their garden.

“Garden Inspiration Old & New” is a half day seminar designed to help discover what’s new in the garden and heirlooms that continue to delight gardeners. In addition to the Lightning Learning sessions, participants will hear from two guest speakers. To start the day, Kathy Johnson, owner of local business “Flowers For You”, will share her insight into growing cut flowers, knowledge of floral design and tips for selecting and growing flowers for your own bouquets.

The second speaker is Cody Egan from the Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa. Cody will teach attendees about heirloom plants and how to preserve them. Cody believes that heirloom seeds have the ability to reconnect us to a specific time and place, a certain soil and season during which that seed, and the memories associated with it, were grown.

“Garden Inspiration Old & New” will be held at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic. Doors open at 8:30AM, and a light continental breakfast will be served. The program begins at 9AM and will conclude by 12:30PM. Cost for the seminar, including continental breakfast and refreshments is $20. A schedule and registration form are available at the Cass County Extension office, or online at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass. Questions can be directed to Kate Olson at 712-243-1132 or by email at keolson@iastate.edu.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Colorado man who threw a cup of water on Iowa Congressman Steve King has been sentenced to two years of probation. Blake Gibbins, of Lafayette, Colorado, had pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault on a member of Congress. Gibbins admitted he approached a table at a Fort Dodge restaurant on March 22 last year and threw a cup of water at the Republican.

Gibbins’ attorney has said Gibbins’ actions were out of character and may have resulted from recent emotional pressure. Gibbins was in Iowa for a family funeral when he approached King, and Gibbins had no criminal history.

The Cass County Auditor’s Office, Thursday, said one additional person has filed papers in advance of the General Election nominating deadline. Deputy Auditor Sheri Karns reports Linda L. Pelzer has filed nomination papers for the Non-Partisan Hospital Board. Last Monday, Leanne Pellett submitted her papers for the same Board. There are three Hospital Board seats on the ballot for the General Election in November.

There have been no changes to the list of persons filing for the June 2nd Primary Election. As mentioned, the candidates (thus far) include:

• Steve Green, of Atlantic (Republican, Incumbent) – Cass County Board of Supervisors, District 1
• Steve Baier, of Griswold (Rep./Incumbent) – Cass County Board of Supervisors, District 4
• Russell Joyce, of Atlantic (Democrat), and Bernard Pettinger, of Anita for – Cass County BOS, District 5
• Republican Incumbents: Dale Sunderman – Auditor; and Darby McLaren – Sheriff.

The deadline to file nomination papers with the proper amount of signatures for the General Election, is March 20th. The deadline for the Primary Election, is March 25th.

(Radio Iowa) — To best prepare for outbreaks of any foreign animal diseases, the Iowa Pork Producers Association is partnering with the Iowa Department of Agriculture in asking state lawmakers for money. Drew Mogler, the association’s public policy director, says funding is needed to help the ag department prepare for diseases like foot and mouth disease or African swine fever. “They’ve ramped up some funding efforts for activities,” Mogler says, “and this year, again, we’re supporting them for another half-a-million dollars, for some of those activities as they continue to build up their planning and preparedness efforts alongside the industry.”

He notes that’s the primary state agency for battling any foreign animal diseases, should they reach Iowa. “The department of ag plays a pretty critical role in movement of animals and permitting,” Mogler says. “It’s important that they have the resources at their disposal to be able to make sure that continuity of business for producers and they have certainty as we respond to an incident like that.” Mogler says Iowa lawmakers are wrapping up their talks on policy bills after the recent “funnel” deadline. “Now, they’re turning to appropriations and putting budgets together,” Mogler says. “It’s one of those things that we’re pretty confident that we’ll be able to get some of that money but continue to remind legislators of the importance of proper planning and preparedness in the state.”

Mogler says while neither foot and mouth disease or African swine fever has shown up in the United States, it’s critical officials are vigilant with protection efforts against any possible outbreaks.