One of the largest medical centers in southwest Iowa is announcing expansion plans. Steven Baumert, president & C-E-O of Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital, says they’re adding a three-story, 60-thousand-square-foot medical office building with a price tag around 16-million dollars. “The first floor of the medical office building will be home to around 15 Methodist Physicians Clinic primary care providers,” Baumert says. “It will also include an imaging suite as well as a new Urgent Care with easy access and extended hours.”

The second floor will be dedicated to addressing and improving the health of area women. “This floor of the building will be a hub for women’s services,” Baumert says. “It will include OB-GYN practices, space for specialty practices like maternal fetal medicine as well as some imaging services like mammography and ultrasound.”

Plans for the third floor have yet to be finalized. Construction should begin later this year with completion expected in early 2020.

(Radio Iowa, w/Thanks to Karla James in Omaha)

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Officials are considering linking security camera networks owned by the city of Dubuque, Dubuque County and Dubuque Community Schools. The Telegraph Herald reports that school officials have proposed the idea with the goal of helping first responders during emergencies. Dubuque County Information Technology Superintendent Nathan Gilmore says a new server could give emergency responders access to the cameras. Gilmore says officials would be able to select which cameras are included in the system.

District Technology Director Coby Culbertson says officials will first test out the idea on certain cameras. Dubuque Information Services Manager Chris Kohlmann says city officials will likely conduct tests this summer. County, city and school officials will then create a draft plan, which would be considered by county supervisors, City Council members and school board members.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A 79-year-old West Des Moines woman accused of stealing more than $346,000 from her sister has pleaded guilty. Polk County District Court records say the written plea from Jewell Davis was filed Monday to a charge of theft. She’d also been charged with dependent adult abuse or exploitation. She’s scheduled to be sentenced June 27. Her trial had been set to begin June 11.
The court records say Davis had power of attorney over her sister’s finances. Her sister was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

The records also say Davis wrote checks to herself on her sister’s account and used money from the sale of her sister’s home to buy two homes. Investigators say in court documents that Davis admitted using her sister’s money for herself.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department reports today (Wednesday), the arrest on Monday of 47-year old JeenLee Nielsen, of Exira. Nielsen faces charges that include: Ongoing Criminal Conduct- Unlawful Activity; Theft in the 1st degree; Fraudulent Practice in the 1st degree; Fraudulent Practice 2nd Degree, and two counts of Forgery.  The charges stem from an investigation from her previous employment. Nielsen appeared before a District Judge and was released from custody Monday afternoon.

Authorities and emergency crews responded at around 9:40-a.m. today (Wednesday), to a call about a possible plane crash near the Harlan Airport.  According to the report, the plane was apparently trying to land on the grass runway at the Harlan Airport, but it clipped a fence, causing the aircraft to flip onto its nose into a farm field just north of the airport, on the west side of Highway 59.   Shelby County Emergency Management, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Harlan Police Department, Harlan Fire Department and Medivac Ambulance were all on the scene. The aircraft’s pilot and only occupant, was not hurt.

Pictures from the scene showed the single-engine, fixed wing 1946 Cessna 120 upside down in the field. It’s registry indicates it was formerly owned by Jim Kickland, of Atlantic, but had been sold about two-weeks ago.

Photo courtesy Brian Rink

Photo from our sister station KNOD

A Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Deputy attempting to stop a vehicle in Avoca early this (Wednesday) morning, ended-up in a pursuit. According to a report from the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began when the Deputy saw a vehicle with no license plate lamp. When a traffic stop was initiated, the vehicle took off. During the chase, the driver of the suspect vehicle tried to avoid stop sticks. The chase ended in Avoca, when a Deputy performed a PIT maneuver, and disabled the vehicle. Taken into custody for Eluding and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, was the driver, 35-year old Allison Acton, of Valley, Nebraska, and a passenger, 35-year old Clarence Brown, of Avoca, who was arrested for Interference with Official Acts and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Wednesday) issued a report listing numerous arrests. Among them, on May 11th, was 42-year old Samantha Sue Clark, of Atlantic, who faces charges that include Possession Meth 1st Offense, Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drug, OWI 1st Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Clark was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on $3,000 bond.

On Sunday, 32-year old Antonietta Patrizzia Lloyd, of Atlantic, was arrested by Cass County Deputies for OWI 1st Offense. Lloyd was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on her own recognizance. Last Saturday, Deputies arrested 34-year old Ryan John Platts, of Urbandale, on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Platts was also taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on his own recognizance.

On May 9th, 47-year old Brenda Sue Osborn, of Atlantic, was arrested on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for Theft 3rd Degree. Osborn was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on her own recognizance. On May 8th, 39-year old Dirk Ramsey Wasson, of Kimballton, was arrested on a Cass County District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Wasson was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on $250 bond. And, 22-year old River Dean Pecha-Nichols, of Griswold, was arrested May 8th, on a charge of Public Intoxication. Pecha-Nichols was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on his own recognizance.

May 6th, Deputies in Cass County arrested 31-year old Craig Steven Mumm, of Anita, on a charge of Violation of a No Contact Order. Mumm was taken to the Cass County Jail and eleased the following day on his own recognizance.

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Bedford was arrested Wednesday in Bedford. 21-year old Deiontae Moss was arrested in the 700 block of Madison Street, on a warrant for 2nd degree theft. Moss was being held without bond in the Taylor County Jail, until seen by the magistrate.