COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A 39-year-old man accused of attempted murder has been taken into custody after escaping from an Omaha hospital where he was being treated for stab wounds.  Bluffs Police report David Leroy McKee, of Council Bluffs, left CHI Creighton Hospital sometime between 2-and 2:40-p.m., Wednesday. At the time he was being transported to another area of the hospital for care of injuries he suffered during a stabbing incident Sunday evening.

McKee was apprehended in the vicinity of 42nd and Hamilton Streets in Omaha, and transported back to Creighton, where he was released from their care and then booked into the Douglas County, NE., Jail on warrants for attempted murder, first-degree burglary and felony domestic abuse assault.  He’s currently awaiting extradition back to Pottawattamie County.

McKee was charged after police investigated a report of a man threatening his estranged wife and another woman. McKee was stabbed with a kitchen knife by Roberta McKee after he allegedly tried to choke her to death. The other woman was not injured.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will meet 8-a.m. Monday, May 11th, to canvass the results of the May 5th Special Election, in Griswold. Voters on Tuesday approved by a vote of 28-to 4 to change the Griswold Mayor’s term from four-years to two-years. A canvass of those votes will be held in the Supervisor’s Board Room at the Cass County Courthouse.

A public hearing will be held Thursday evening in Walnut, with regard to a proposed amendment to the current Fiscal Year (2014-15) budget. Following the hearing, which begins just after 5-p.m., the Council will vote to adopt a Resolution calling for the amendment of the current Fiscal Year budget.

In other business, the Walnut City Council will: discuss a possible Streetscape enhancement project; Continue discussion with regard to the possible acquisition of the Walnut School building; Discuss proposed improvements to the Veterans’ Memorial Park; and accept the resignation of intern Marye (Mary) Bierbaum (beer-bawm).

The Council will also discuss the Optimist’s Antique City Car Show, a contract with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department for continued law enforcement services, and the possible demolition of the water plant, along with other City Maintenance matters.

A man who was arrested for allegedly trying to kill his estranged wife is missing, and police need your help to find him. According to Omaha television reports, 39-year old David McKee, who was being treated in Omaha at CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center, left the hospital today (Wednesday). He was apparently left unguarded.

David McKee was stabbed by Roberta McKee, as he allegedly tried to strangle her to death Sunday evening. The incident occurred after David McKee broke out a window to gain entry to a home near 36th Street and Second Avenue. He was critically injured initially, but his condition had been upgraded to fair condition on Wednesday morning.

David McKee faces charges that include attempted murder, 1st degree burglary and felony domestic assault.

The Iowa House has voted to create new tax credits for Iowans who are saving money to cover a downpayment and closing costs on their first home. Representative Matt Windschitl, a Republican from Missouri Valley: “It’s as simple as this, folks: it’s never a bad idea to leave more of the taxpayers’ money in their own pocket where they can invest it better than what we can down here in Des Moines,” Windschitl says.

Any interest earned on an “Iowa First-Time Homebuyers Savings Account” would not be taxed if the bill becomes law, plus individuals could claim a tax credit of up to three-thousand dollars per year for money socked away in the account. The tax credit would double to six-thousand dollars for a couple saving for their first home.

Representative Mary Mascher, a Democrat from Iowa City, voted against the bill. Mascher pointed to the estimate that Iowans will pay four-million dollars less in taxes if this tax credit is offered. She says that would put a squeeze on available state resources for other priorities. “We need to be cautious about the dollars we are commiting in the state budget to tax deductions or credits,” Mascher says.

Representative Cindy Winckler, a Democrat from Davenport, doubts this tax credit would help low-income Iowans afford a new home. “This might not be the best use of our $4 million,” Winckler said. “It might be nice to do this, but is it important or necessary?” The bill passed overwhelming on a 90-to-seven vote.

Representative Tom Sands, a Republican from Wapello, was among the bill’s supporters. “I don’t see this bill as a long-term drain on Iowa’s economy,” Sands says. “I see it as a stimulation on helping Iowans to to actually thrive within their communities and invigorate their communities.”

Sands argues first-time homeowners typically have to fix up their new property, creating ripple effects with the purchase of goods like paint and hardware for the home and the hiring of local painters, plumbers and carpenters to do the work. This proposal now goes to the Senate for consideration.

(Radio Iowa)

Deputies in Cass County, Tuesday, arrested a man from Shelby County for carrying an illegal knife. Officials say 20-year old Bill Louis Stockwell, of Elk Horn, was taken into custody on charges that include Carrying a Knife (with a blade Longer than 5”) (a Serious Misdemeanor) and Public Intoxication (a Simple Misdemeanor).

Stockwell was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was later released on his own recognizance.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce is warning its member businesses not to accept checks from a person identified as “Tyler Johnston.” The checks are written on an account from Rolling Hills Bank out of Anita. If your business has checks from “Tyler Johnston,” you’re asked to turn them over to the Atlantic Police Department.

(12-p.m. News)

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Tuesday, denied five prisoners’ applications for commutation of their sentences. Among them was 40-year old Edgar M. Cardona, who committed his crime on November 11th, 2003, in Pottawattamie County. Cardona is currently serving a twenty-five year sentence for first-degree robbery.

The Governor also denied 81-year old Earl Thompson‘s request for commutation. Thompson committed his crime on January 21st, 1961, in Dallas County. He is currently serving a life sentence for first-degree murder.

Commutation denotes the modification or reduction of a punishment. Under Iowa law, first-degree murder is punishable by life in prison without parole. Branstad has commuted only three life sentences during his 20 years in office.