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Kentucky man arrested in connection w/murder of Council Bluffs man

News

October 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Montgomery County, Kentucky, have arrested a Mount Sterling, KY, man in connection with the August 30th murder of a Council Bluffs man. Bluffs Police say a warrant was issued for the arrest of 35-year old Arthur J. Crum charging him with Murder 1st Degree in connection with the murder of 39 year old Larry Scott. Scott’s body was found laying in the middle of Avenue B in Council Bluffs, just west of N. 10th Street, at around 4:20-a.m. on Aug. 30th. The man died from a gunshot wound.

Crum is being held in Kentucky while awaiting extradition on the Warrant. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information about the incident should contact the Council Bluffs Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 712-328-4728, or Crime Stoppers at 712-328-7867.

Arthur J. Crum

Arthur J. Crum

Atlantic Parks and Rec Board Special Meeting set for Tue., 10/4

News

October 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board of Directors will hold a Special Meeting at Noon, Tuesday. The Board will meet in the City Council’s Chambers, to act on approving Shore Stabilization for Lake #2 at the Schildberg Rec Area, from the Troublesome Creek Project, and a bid of $60,000 from Heuton Earthmoving for the same project.

They will also act on approval for REMOVAL of the CAT (Community Attraction and Tourism) Grant Application, in order for it to be resubmitted in January, 2017.  The application was submitted earlier this year with hopes of receiving funds for the Schildberg Rec Area campground project, but no action was taken at Vision Iowa’s meeting in June. According to former Parks Director Roger Herring, the Vision Iowa Board was in the process of being “dissolved,” and replaced with an “Enhanced Iowa” program, and more effort was needed to garner private fundraising support for the project.

CHARLES “CHARLIE” ALLEN VAN AERNAM, 74, of Wiota (Svcs. 10/7/16)

Obituaries

October 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

CHARLES “CHARLIE” ALLEN VAN AERNAM, 74, of Wiota, died Sunday, Oct. 2nd, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Funeral services for “CHARLIE” VAN ARENAM will be held 10:30-a.m. Friday, Oct. 7th, at the United Methodist Church in Anita. Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home has the arrangements.

Friends may call the United Methodist Church in Anita, on Thursday, from 5-until 7-p.m.

Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita.

CHARLES “CHARLIE” VAN AERNAM is survived by:

His daughters – Sandy Van Aernam, of Wiota, and Tammy (Shane) Reed, of Urbandale.

His son – Allen (Stacy) Van Aernam, of Atlantic.

His brother – Marvin Van Aernam, of Atlantic.

His sister – Connie (Craig) Lykke, of Brayton.

14 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

FAA says agency retested ISU president after rough landing

News

October 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) – The Federal Aviation Administration retested the flight skills of Iowa State University President Steven Leath after he damaged a university plane on a rough landing. FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Cory said Monday that Leath had satisfactory results on the check ride in August 2015 and was allowed to keep his pilot certificate. FAA rules say that such rides are usually required after accidents or incidents when the pilot’s competence was the apparent cause of what happened.

Leath has blamed windy conditions for his landing at the Central Illinois Regional Airport in July 2015 that damaged both wings of the school’s Cirrus SR22 single engine plane. After The Associated Press revealed the accident last month, Leath vowed to stop flying university planes and made a $15,000 donation to cover the repair costs.

Branstad plans trade mission to China and Japan in November

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad says he’s planning a trade mission to China and Japan in November that will focus on Iowa’s beef and pork exports. Branstad said Monday a delegation that includes Iowa business representatives will depart Nov. 11 and return Nov. 18. Stops will include Beijing and Tokyo.

Branstad says the trip will allow Iowa companies involved in meat processing to expand their markets abroad. The governor’s office says Iowa companies exported $564 million in meat products to Japan in 2015. China recently announced plans to lift a 13-year ban on beef imports from the United States.

Branstad is scheduled to speak at a food summit and a meat conference during the trip. He will also attend a reception at the residence of Caroline Kennedy, the U.S. ambassador to Japan.

County reopens courtroom after falling marble forced closure

News

October 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Months after a falling chunk of marble prompted the closure of a Woodbury County courtroom, officials say the space will reopen and ease scheduling problems in the 98-year-old courthouse. The Sioux City Journal reports Courtroom 203 will reopen Monday, about five months after county supervisors ordered its closure.

They took the action after a 6-foot marble section detached and fell from a window assembly. Windows in the courtroom also bowed out. Closure of the courtroom has been a headache for court officials, who have tried to shift hearings to other courtrooms. Repairs to the courtroom will cost about $175,000. Supervisors have set aside $450,000 for additional work on other courtrooms.

The Woodbury County Courthouse opened in 1918 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Griswold School District Patrons to receive open enrollment-out survey

News

October 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Griswold/Lenox School District Superintendent Dave Henrichs reports patrons of the Districts will be receiving a survey in the near future pertaining to families who open enroll-out their students. Henrichs says the purpose of the survey is to “Help determine if a change in facilities would encourage their (the students’) return to the district, and to determine why they have elected to leave the district.”

The goal, he says, is “To make sure the district does not do something in terms of facility changes that would cause others to leave the district.” Hinrichs says also, he has put together a list of steps and requirements required for a bond election.

The District’s Facilities Committee is set to meet today (Monday).

Backyard & Beyond 10-3-2016

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

October 3rd, 2016 by Jim Field

LaVon Eblen visits with CCHS Dietician Emily Krengel about the 20th anniversary of the walking school bus program.

Play

USA wins Ryder Cup

Sports

October 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

For the first time in eight years, the United States defeated Europe to win the Ryder Cup 17-11 at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota. Cedar Rapids native Zach Johnson won his match on Sunday to be part of his first Ryder Cup winning team and credited the fans in Minnesota.


It was the first time since 2008 that the U-S won the Ryder Cup.

(Learfield Sports)

Union County residents report incidents of theft

News

October 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Union County Sheriff’s Office says two residents of the County have reported incidents of Theft. On Sept. 21st, an Afton woman told authorities someone had entered her shed during a period spanning Sept. 16th and 21st, and stole property valued at approximately $2,820. Among the items reported missing: 2 one gallon chainsaw gas cans; a five gallon gas can; collapsible milk crate with canvas tool liner; 50’ air hose; 3 extension cords; a Fox Pro electric game call; a Stihl 230 chainsaw; an MS311 Stihl chainsaw; Predator generator; 3 fishing poles, tackle box and lures; a Makita angle grinder, small air angle grinder, muck boots, and chore boots.

And, on Saturday, a Union County man reported that someone took his father’s .22 Magnum Cobra Derringer pistol from his father’s home in Kent. The theft happened  sometime over the previous few days, with the loss estimated at $200.