United Group Insurance

Victims of F-16/Cessna crash in SC has SW IA ties

News

July 10th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

As the search continues for the remains of one of the two victims killed Tuesday when their small plane collided with a military fighter jet in South Carolina, a Clarinda woman was trying to come to terms with the loss of her great-nephew.The Daily NonPareil reports family members notified Millie Jensen of Clarinda Wednesday that her great-nephew, Joseph Johnson, and his father, Michael Johnson, had died in the plane crash. Michael Johnson was the ex-husband of Jensen’s niece, Lisa Johnson.

The accident occurred near Charleston, S.C., when a Cessna 150 piloted by Joseph Johnson collided with an Air Force F-16 fighter jet. Maj. Aaron Johnson was piloting the F-16 and was able to eject safely from the military aircraft. A certified pilot, Joseph Johnson was on his way to Myrtle Beach, S.C., with his father when the incident occurred.

Capt. Robert McCullough of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said at least part of the Cessna went into the Cooper River, while the F-16 crashed in Berkeley County, S.C. Recovery efforts were started following the collision. Authorities said Michael Johnson’s body has been found, but his son’s has not.

Joseph Johnson had played minor league baseball for two years after being selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 13th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft, according to Baseball Reference.

Men may proceed with lawsuit over seized money, judge rules

News

July 10th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A federal judge says two men may proceed with the lawsuit they filed after more than $100,000 was seized from them by two Iowa State troopers. The Des Moines Register reports that the judge rejected a dismissal motion by the troopers and Desert Snow, a company that trains officers on roadside searches. The judge said in his ruling Wednesday that the allegations are sufficient for a claim to move forward that the troopers and Desert Snow acted as part of a conspiracy to violate the rights of William Davis and John Newmerzhycky.

A trooper pulled over Davis and Newmerzhycky in April 2013 and accused them of not using a turn signal. The cash and a grinder with small pieces of marijuana were seized when their rental car was searched.

Escaped man sought in west central Iowa

News

July 10th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Guthrie County reported Thursday, they are on the lookout in the Stuart, Dexter, Redfield, Greenfield and DeSoto areas for a man wanted on warrants for escape and a parole violation.

Joseph LeClair, Jr.

Joseph LeClair, Jr.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, 30-year old Joseph L. LeClair, Jr., was last seen on foot near the intersection of White Pole Road and Highway 25 in Guthrie County, Wednesday evening. He evaded a three-hour search by law enforcement by entering a corn field.

LeClair was serving time on a criminal mischief conviction when he escaped on May 18th. Leclair was also wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant issued in Guthrie County for Parole Violation, and a warrant out of Polk County for Escape from Fort Des Moines. The charges stem from a case involving a motorcycle stolen last year in Guthrie County.

Anyone with information on Leclair’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office at (641)747-2214. You can remain anonymous when you call.

Iowa father charged with murder in 3-year-old’s death

News

July 10th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

BEDFORD, Iowa (AP) – A man arrested in May in connection with the death of his 3-year-old daughter in southwest Iowa has officially been charged with first-degree murder. The Taylor County Attorney’s Office announced Thursday that the charge was added against 25-year-old Charles Hall on July 2nd.

Hall and his girlfriend, 25-year-old April Clair, were both arrested in late May on charges of child endangerment in connection with the death of Janyiah King. Authorities responded to a 911 call at a residence in Bedford on May 22nd. Janyiah was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead. A full autopsy is pending but her death has been ruled a homicide.

Ernst says her next ‘ticket’ will be in 2020, not 2016

News

July 10th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Joni Ernst is downplaying talk that she might be her party’s next vice presidential nominee. During a conference call with Iowa reporters Thursday morning, Ernst was asked if she would “entertain” the V-P spot on the G-O-P’s 2016 ticket. “The next ticket I anticipate running on will be the 2020 election for United States Senate again in Iowa,” Ernst said. “I very much enjoy serving Iowans and I’m going to put their priorities first.”

Ernst was elected last November and took the oath of office about seven months ago. She laughs off the kind of praise that has spawned talk of her moving up the political ladder. “Well, thank you. Did my mother pay you to say that?” Ernst asked, laughing.

Ernst hosted an event a month ago in Boone that drew seven of the G-O-P presidential candidates, but she does not plan to endorse a candidate before Iowa’s Caucuses.

(Radio Iowa)

Ernst praises Obama’s pick for top military job

News

July 10th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Republican Joni Ernst, the only female combat veteran serving in the U.S. Senate, predicts the senate will easily confirm President Obama’s choice to be the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a key military advisor to the president. General Joseph Dunford Thursday before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Ernst is a member of that panel.

“He has been a service chief for a number of years. I have met with him on many occasions,” Ernst says. “We have discussed action all around the globe including what we see going on in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, of course the tension between Russia and Ukraine.” General Dunford, a Marine who is the son of a Marine, earned the nickname “Fightin’ Joe” from his troops after he jumped into a fire fight in Iraq.

“I think he’s going to do a fine job. I think he’s going to have a unanimous confirmation in the senate,” Ernst says. “I admire him greatly and respect his service.” The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the highest ranking officer in the U.S. military and a direct advisor to the president. The chairman meets with leaders of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and National Guard to craft U.S. military strategy.

(Radio Iowa)

Minor injuries reported following accident in Red Oak

News

July 10th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The driver of a vehicle involved in a collision at around Noon Thursday in Red Oak, reportedly complained of pain and was possibly injured, but did not request transport to the hospital. According to Red Oak Police, the accident happened at the intersection of N. 2nd and E. Coolbaugh Streets, when 65-year old Bonnie Husa, of Stanton, stopped her vehicle, but then proceeded into the intersection and struck a car driven by 85-year old Henry Elliott, of Red Oak. Elliott complained of pain afterward, but both drivers refused medical treatment.

Husa received a written warning for Failure to Obey a Stop Sign. Damage from the crash amounted to $10,000. Red Oak Police were assisted at the scene by the Red Oak Fire Department.

Weather forecast for Cass & area Counties, 7/10/15

Weather

July 10th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Early This Morning: Mostly cloudy. South wind near 5 mph.
Today: Partly sunny. A 20 percent chance of thunderstorms late in the afternoon. High around 80. Southeast wind near 10 mph.
Tonight: A chance of thunderstorms in the evening…then thunderstorms likely before midnight. Thunderstorms after midnight. Low in the upper 60s. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of thunderstorms 90 percent.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy until late afternoon then becoming mostly sunny. Thunderstorms through mid morning…then a chance of thunderstorms in the late morning and early afternoon. A slight chance of thunderstorms late in the afternoon. High in the mid 80s. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of thunderstorms 90 percent.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy. Low in the lower 70s. South wind 5 to 15 mph.

Sunday: Sunny. High in the lower 90s. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Highest heat index readings 100 to 105 in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy. Low in the lower 70s.

Monday: Mostly sunny. High in the lower 90s.

Area high school baseball scores from 7/9/15

Sports

July 10th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Ar-We-Va, Westside 15, Woodbine 3 (5 innings)
Ballard 6, Carroll 5
Bedford 8, Southwest Valley 3
Coon Rapids-Bayard 10, Underwood 4
Denison-Schleswig 14, Fort Madison 12
Denison-Schleswig 9, Fort Madison 4
Earlham 14, Woodward Academy 0 (5 Innings)
East Sac County 3, OA-BCIG 2
Glidden-Ralston 5, Guthrie Center 4
Kuemper Catholic, Carroll 10, Perry 1
Lenox 4, Nodaway Valley 2
Lewis Central 10, Creston 3
Lewis Central 12, Creston 2 (5 innings)
Logan-Magnolia 10, Audubon 2
Logan-Magnolia 4, Audubon 2
St. Albert, Council Bluffs 11, Des Moines Christian 1
Treynor 8, West Harrison, Mondamin 7 (8 innings)
Van Meter 7, ADM, Adel 5

Regional Softball Scores from 7/9/15 & Schedule for 7/11/15

Sports

July 10th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Thursday’s games:

 

Class 4-A Region 8 Quarterfinals

Lewis Central 4, Carroll 1
Harlan 7, Glenwood 6

Saturday, July 11th 2015

Class 4-A Region 8 Semi-finals
7:00 p.m. – ADM vs. Lewis Central @ Adel
7:00 p.m. – Creston vs. Harlan @ Creston

Class 4-A Region 1 Semi-finals
7:00 p.m. – Denison-Schleswig vs. Bishop Heelan Catholic @ Denison

Class 5-A, Region 8 Semi-finals
7:00 p.m. – CB Abraham Lincoln vs. CB Thomas Jefferson @ Abraham Lincoln