GUTHRIE CENTER, Iowa (AP) — A judge has ordered a trial moved for a man charged with murder and arson in Guthrie County. Court records say the judge granted the defense motion filed by the attorneys for 27-year-old Patrick Thompson, who’s pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of arson. His attorneys argued that Thompson wouldn’t be able to receive a fair trial in Guthrie County, given the case’s extensive media coverage and the county’s small size.

The judge didn’t set a new location for the trial, which is still scheduled to begin May 8. The May 15 fire killed 16-year-old Shakiah Cockerham and 12-year-old Melanie “Paige” Exline and injured their uncle, 54-year-old William Long III, and grandmother, 74-year-old Shirley Exline.

Officials with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office report today, a woman was arrested Sunday, after Deputy responded to a single-vehicle accident at the intersection of Old Lincoln Highway and Prairie Lane. Upon further investigation, the driver of a 2005 Chevy Equinox, 21-year old Lindsey Ann Riegel, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Driving While Barred, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Carrying Weapon. The weapon was a “Green Zombie” taser valued at $50.

Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker says the Communications Center and the Sheriff’s Office received multiple calls from citizens, who reported they had been contacted by a member of the Sheriff’s Department. The caller indicated the resident had missed a court appearance, and unless they paid a fine, a Deputy would come to their residence and arrest them. Danker says as usual, any call of that nature is a scam, because the Sheriff’s Office will NEVER call you and demand any type of payment for a fine, in lieu of arrest.

The Sheriff says if you receive a call of that type, report it to your local law enforcement agency. The same can be said for persons calling you who may be an attempting to defraud you. Be sure to contact your local law enforcement agency BEFORE you transfer any funds.

The jackpots in Powerball and Mega Millions have both topped the 300 million dollar mark for the second time this year. Iowa Lottery C-E-O Terry Rich says the Powerball jackpot has gone unclaimed since October 25th and the jackpot is an estimated 384 million for Saturday’s drawing. “That’s a lot of money — 239 million in a lump sum — so it would be quite a treat, king of an after-Christmas present if we could get some of the Iowans to win this big pot,”Rich says.

The Mega Millions jackpot is an estimated 306 million dollars for today’s (Friday) drawing, which would pay out a little more than 191 million dollars if you take the lump-sum option. The only other time the two jackpots hit this level together was in August of this year. He says this is the level where people who aren’t weekly players try to grab a share. “That 300 million dollar mark seems to be the point where everybody kind of jumps on board,” Rich says. “The jackpots move a little slow and then once it hits 300 million, everybody dives in and tries to get a piece of it. So, I think it’s kind of the expectations of the customers and players who want to try to hit the big one when it does get big.”  These jackpots come at a time when they may not increase as rapidly if they aren’t won. He says people are on vacation and holiday and that means there’s probably less work pools, which he says seem to increase the jackpots dramatically.

Rich says hitting one of the jackpots has high odds — and hitting the double would really be tough. He says the odds of hitting both are astronomical, but he says it’s a fun way to dream a little.  Rich says you should remember the odds and not let the dreams of multi-millions dictate your decision to purchase tickets. “Play with your head, not above your head,” Rich says. “Have a little fun and we’d love to present you with a big check.”

You can buy Mega Millions tickets today (Friday) up until 8:59 p-m.

(Radio Iowa)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A SkyWest flight from Iowa to Detroit made an emergency landing in Milwaukee after a sudden loss of cabin pressure. SkyWest spokeswoman Marissa Snow tells the Journal Sentinel the plane with 38 passengers and three crew members landed safely at about 8 a.m. Thursday. She says a female passenger received treatment at a hospital because of pain in her ear, but later resumed her travels. The flight left from Cedar Rapids at about 7 a.m.

Snow says the passengers continued their trip on a different plane while mechanical crews investigated what caused the loss in cabin pressure. The Federal Aviation Administration is also investigating.