A dispatcher for the Pottawattamie County Communications Center received an award Monday afternoon for helping to save the life of a man who had fallen, was unconscious and not breathing.

(from left to right) Council Bluffs Interim Fire Chief Larry Wohlers – Becky Francis – Sheriff Jeff Danker. (Pott. Co. S/O photo)

Operator Becky Francis, who joined the unit in 2009, was honored by the Sheriff’s Office and Council Bluffs Fire Department with a Life Saving Award.

Sheriff’s officials say just before 11-a.m. on June 1st, 2013, Francis answered a 911 call from the son of the unresponsive male. She assisted the son in giving CPR instructions to his father until rescue crews could arrive and assume additional life-saving measures.

The man survived and left the hospital a week later.

The City Council in Council Bluffs has received word a business that has been in the community for years, will be closing its doors in May, leaving about 250 people without jobs. The Omaha World-Herald says Griffin Pipe Products officials notified the Mayor and some members of the Council about the closing, on Monday. The notice, from U.S. Pipe Holdings of Hoover, AL., a subsidiary of U.S. Pipe and Foundry of Birmingham, AL., said Griffin Pipe will close its doors on or about May 3rd.

U.S. Pipe purchased Griffin Pipe early this year, and in mid-February approximately 60 employees at the Council Bluffs plant were let go. At the time of the layoffs, a letter allegedly sent to the affected employees said they could be rehired at a later date if the demand for the company’s ductile iron pipe increased.

PAPILLION, Neb. (AP) — A 54-year-old Gretna, NE., woman already serving time for tax evasion has pleaded guilty to stealing the $4.1 million on which she didn’t pay taxes. Caroline Richardson made her plea Monday in Douglas County, NE., District Court in Omaha. Her sentencing is scheduled for March 18th. She faces up to 10 more years in prison. She’s already serving a five-year term.

Prosecutors say Richardson stole from Omaha-based Colombo Candy and Tobacco in 2010 and 2011 while working as company controller. Prosecutors say she used the money to gamble at Ameristar Casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Colombo has sued Ameristar, saying the casino knew about Richardson’s job and her approximate salary and should have known Richardson was gambling with ill-gotten money.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The first jury trial stemming from a contentious statewide crackdown on election-related crimes is set to begin, and a former Iowa felon charged with illegally voting is expected to fight the charge today. Kelli Jo Griffin of Montrose is scheduled to stand trial for perjury in Lee County. Prosecutors say that she signed an affidavit falsely claiming that she was not an ineligible felon when she voted in the Nov. 5 municipal election. Griffin has pleaded not guilty.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A bill allowing online voter registration in Iowa has passed in the Senate and been sent to the House. The measure passed 48-0 yesterday with no debate. Under the bill voters must provide the same information required on other voter registration forms. They would use the Secretary of State’s website to electronically register. Concerns about how electronic signatures will be verified are to be worked out in the House.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Several Iowa counties have issues on ballots tomorrow. Des Moines voters will decide whether to approve an increase in the fee charged on their utility bills to repay $40 million the city borrowed to pay a court-ordered refund of previously over-collected franchise fees. Story County voters will decide whether to approve borrowing up to $19 million to pay the city of Ames’ share of a convention center development at Iowa State University. Bond issues also are on the ballot in Pottawattamie County.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa pharmacist has been acquitted of 15 counts of health care fraud after a jury rejected allegations that he fraudulently billed an insurance company for life-saving drugs sent to hemophilia patients. The federal jury returned the verdict yesterday after a weeklong trial in the case of Michael Stein. He’s the owner of Pharmacy Matters in Iowa City. It was a defeat for the U.S. Attorney’s office in Des Moines and Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities are looking for an inmate they say never returned to a work release facility in Sioux City. Fred Scaletta with the state Department of Corrections says in a news release Monday that 21-year-old Eddie Sandoval-Rouillard failed to return to the facility from an assigned program meeting. He was placed on escape status Sunday.

Eddie Sandoval-Rouillard

Sandoval-Rouillard was transferred to work release on Feb. 14. He’s been serving a 10-year sentence for willful injury causing serious injury. Authorities say Sandoval-Rouillard has tattoos on his right ankle and left hand.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — More veterans would be eligible to receive financial assistance when purchasing a home under a bill approved by the Iowa Senate. The Senate unanimously approved a measure Monday meant to expand eligibility requirements for veterans seeking grants through the Military Homeownership Assistance Program. The legislation, which coincides with Gov. Terry Branstad’s initiative to better support veterans in Iowa, now goes to the House.

Current law limits grant eligibility to veterans who served beginning on or after Sept. 11, 2001. The bill would extend eligibility to veterans who served during the Persian Gulf conflict, beginning Aug. 2, 1990, and ending April 6, 1991.

Democratic Sen. Jeff Danielson says expanding eligibility would hopefully further the program’s success. Similar legislation being considered in the House would allocate more money to the program.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Senate has passed a bill that would make it illegal for landowners to allow drinking on their property by anyone under 21. The bill, which passed 48-0, makes it a simple misdemeanor for the first violation and imposes a $200 fine. A second offense and future offenses carry $500 fines.

The bill also holds juveniles responsible by making it a simple misdemeanor for anyone aged 18, 19, or 20 to drink alcohol in violation of the bill and imposes a fine of $200. A second offense carries a fine of $500 and a third offense carries a $500 fine and the loss of a driver’s license.

Sen. Robb Hogg, a Cedar Rapids Democrat, says the bill sets expectations for parents and communities. It moves to the House.

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers, Monday, released a report on his department’s most recent arrests and incidents. In the report, Brothers said on Saturday, 53-year old Kevin R. Lindahl, of Clarinda, was arrested for Aggravated Assault.

Last Thursday, 76-year old Kenneth Lee Polsley, of Blanchard, was arrested for first offense operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. On Feb. 25th, a 15-year old female from Council Bluffs was picked up as a runaway from Council Bluffs. On Feb. 23rd, a 16-year old male from Clarinda was arrested for Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and on Feb. 11th, 39-year old Christopher Paul Hamm, of Clarinda, was arrested on warrant for violation of probation/parole.

Now is the time to plan and plant for future gardens. The Cass County Master Gardeners group is offering a total of $1500 in grant money to be used in the 2014 growing season, to encourage gardening to grow food and/or beautify local communities. The money may also be used for gardening education purposes. The David Williams Master Gardener Grants are offered to honor the many years of service Master Gardener David Williams provided as a long-time volunteer, with the Master Gardener program and other community organizations, including a term as Cass County Master Gardener president in 2012.

Any Cass County not-for-profit group or individual may apply. Schools, churches, libraries, 4-H clubs, Scouts, and individuals working to improving their communities can use the money to begin or improve gardens or landscaping, or to provide education for their members or the public. To ensure the money is helping a wide variety of community organizations, groups who were funded by 2012 and 2013 grants will not be eligible to apply in 2014. Each grant has a maximum value of $300. The application must also include plans for teamwork and sustainability. Consideration for the environment is also an important selection factor.

Applications must be received by Thursday, April 10th for consideration. They may be submitted by mail or email. Grant recipients will be informed of their selection by the end of April. More information, and a grant application, is available on the Cass County Extension website, www.extension.iastate.edu/cass or by calling the Cass County Extension office at 712-243-1132, emailing keolson@iastate.edu, or stopping by the Extension Office at 805 W. 10th St in Atlantic. You may also contact committee members Judy Kennedy, LaVon Eblen, Connie Jones or Carolyn Hartmann for more information.

The Master Gardener program trains volunteers to develop their knowledge and skills in horticulture. These volunteers then give back to their communities through gardening service and education. The program is available in all 50 states and Canada through land grant university Extension programs such as Iowa State University. Education courses are available throughout Iowa on a regular basis. Contact Cass County Extension Program Coordinator Kate Olson, at 712-243-1132 or keolson@iastate.edu for more information.

Sheriff’s officials in Cass County say one person was injured during one of two separate accidents Sunday morning. The first happened just before 5-a.m. on White Pole Road, in Wiota. Authorities say a 2005 Jaguar owned and driven by 19-year old Bryson Thomas West, of Atlantic, was eastbound on White Pole Road when the car hit a large snow drift in the road and went out of control before running through a fence. West was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital by Medivac ambulance. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $3,500, while damage to the fence was estimated at $500.

The second accident happened at 7:50 a.m. on 710th Street. Officials say a 2004 Ford F150 pickup owned and driven by 22-year old Joshua Brian Behnken, of Massena, was southbound on 710th Street when the driver lost control. The vehicle rolled once into the east ditch and landed on its wheels. No injuries were reported. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $7,000. Behnken was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.