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Underwood teen dies in Sunday morning crash

News

May 2nd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

A teenager from Pottawattamie County died, and three others were injured, during a rollover accident Sunday morning, near Honey Creek. The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office says a male, 17-year old Dakota Gittins, of Underwood, died at Mercy Hospital, in Council Bluffs following the crash that happened at around 2:40-a.m., Sunday, in the vicinity of 185th Street and Sumac Road.

Deputies found a1998 Ford Escort involved in the crash, just before 3-a.m. An investigation determined the car failed to make it through a curve, left the road and went down into a ravine before it rolled over. Deputies located four teens, including Gittins, who was unconscious, and not breathing.  Deputies performed CPR on Gittins  until rescue personnel arrived, but he later succumbed to his injuries . Pott Co Sheriff

The vehicles’ other occupants, all of whom are 17 and from Council Bluffs, were identified as Keegan Caskey, Collin Evans, and Riley Allman. They reportedly suffered minor injuries. The crash remains under investigation by the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office.

Gittins was a junior at the Underwood High School, where he played baseball and football. One of his sisters is a freshman at the school. Grief counselors were available at the school Sunday afternoon, and will continue to be available all this week, as needed.

Afton Police cite 10 people for “Being at a disorderly house”

News

May 2nd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Afton Police Chief John Coulter said Monday, that following an investigation by the Afton Police Department, 10 persons were cited to appear before the Union County Magistrate, for “Being at a disorderly house” as described in Afton Code of Ordinances. The citations were issued following a party during the early morning hours of April 3rd, at a residence in Afton. Those cited into court include:

Name               Age                  Address

Campbell, Cole David          Age 19                   Afton, Iowa

Cheers, Sanden                    Age 17                   Afton, Iowa

Lee, Brandon Michael         Age 18                   Afton, Iowa

Ward, Michael Clay Jr.        Age 19                   Afton, Iowa

Hulsey, Brandon Lane        Age 20                   Lorimor, Iowa

Tomas, Kolby Michael        Age 17                   Creston, Iowa

Wynn, Kyle David               Age 19                   Creston, Iowa

Clayton, Caitlin Janae          Age 16                   Creston, Iowa

Hoepker, Coleton John       Age 19                   Winterset, Iowa

Patterson, Shaily Ann         Age 20                   Creston, Iowa

Backyard & Beyond 5-2-2016

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

May 2nd, 2016 by Jim Field

LaVon Eblen visits with Seth Staashelm about spring programs and happenings sponsored through the Atlantic Parks & Recreation Department.

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Creston man cited following collision Saturday afternoon

News

May 2nd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

No injuries were reported following an accident Saturday afternoon, just north of Afton. The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports a 2016 Ford Edge driven by 79-year old Gaylord Henriksen, of Afton, and a 1996 Chevy pickup driven by 22-year old Timothy Culpepper, Jr., of Creston, were both westbound on Highway 34 at around 3:25-p.m., when Henriksen slowed to make a north turn onto Creamery Road.

When Culpepper failed to slow down, his pickup hit the rear of the SUV, causing a total of $8,000 damage. Authorities cited Culpepper for Failure to reduce speed in a reasonable and proper rate.

Clarinda man arrested for probation violation

News

May 2nd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s deputies in Page County arrested a man Sunday afternoon on a warrant for Probation Violation. 25-year old Caleb Michael Sunderman, of Clarinda, was taken into custody following a traffic stop on Highway 71, north of Clarinda.  Sunderman was transported to the Page County Jail where he was being held on $10,000 bond.

Caleb Michael Sunderman

Caleb Michael Sunderman

And, at around 2:30-p.m. Saturday, the Page County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a single vehicle accident near Coin, at the intersection of Hackberry & 270th Street.  An investigation determined 61-year old Michael Len Roberts, of College Springs, was driving a 1986 GMC 3500 pickup eastbound from the intersection of 270th and Hackberry, when, according to Roberts, the truck’s throttle became stuck, causing him to lose control of the vehicle.  The truck entered the south ditch and hit a power pole owned by MidAmerican Energy, causing damage to the pole.

And, on Friday, officials with Southwest Nature Trails, reported an attempted burglary at a building at 1474 Highway 2.  The burglary occurred sometime between April 25th and 29th.

Entry into the building was not gained, but damage to a door and window was found.  The incident remains under investigation.  Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 712-542-5193.

Greenfield couple arrested on assault charges

News

May 2nd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

A man and woman from from Greenfield were arrested last week on assault charges. The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports 26-year old’s Zachary Ryan McNeeley, and Rachael Ellen Ragan were taken into custody by Greenfield Police at around 12:45-p.m. on April 24th, at 403 S. Jackson Street. Both face a charge of Serious Domestic Assault.

McNeeley allegedly threw Ragan to the ground, causing a head injury. Ragan allegedly slapped and scratched McNeeley’s face while she was trying to leave. The pair were later released on $1,000 bond.

32-year old Patrick Lawrence Nolte, of Menlo, was arrested by deputies in Adair County on April 26th, on Adair County warrants related to Driving While Barred. He was being held in the Adair County Jail on $2,000 bond.

Sioux City volunteers install more than 600 smoke detectors

News

May 2nd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Organizers say volunteers installed more than 600 smoke detectors in Sioux City homes during a fire safety blitz. The Sioux City Journal says more than 100 volunteers teamed up to visit around 1,600 homes Saturday in an area that accounted for 7 percent of Sioux City’s fires in 2015 although occupying just 1 percent of the land inside city limits.

As one volunteer on each team installed a detector, other team members talked to residents about fire safety.

4 arrests in Creston

News

May 2nd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Police in Creston report four people were arrested over the weekend. Sunday night, 31-year old Barrett Driskell, of Afton, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, on a warrant out of Adams County for Child Endangerment and Possession of drug paraphernalia. Driskell was released to the custody of Adams County authorities. Early Sunday morning, 56-year old Michael Fry, of Creston, was arrested on a charge of Driving While Suspended. Fry was later released on $300 bond.

Late Saturday night, 49-year old Kimberly Bunker, of Creston, was arrested for Public Intoxication. She was subsequently released on a promise to later in court. And, 20-year old Noah Coleman, of Creston, was arrested Saturday evening for Simple Assault. He also was released on a promise to appear in court.

Creston Police said also, a resident living in the 400 block of W. Townline Road reported early Friday morning, someone had entered her home sometime between April 26th and 29, and taken items that include a 52-inch LG TV, a Playstation gaming system, bracelets and watches. The loss was estimated at $750.

(8-a.m. News)

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 5/2/2016

News, Podcasts

May 2nd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Former Griswold Track stars shine once again at Drake Relays

Sports

May 2nd, 2016 by admin

Success goes on for a pair of Griswold Track Girls at the collegiate level after sharing in some of the seasons of dominance by the Griswold Girls at the Iowa State High School Track & Field Championships.  During Coach Andy Everett’s tenure (2008 – 2015) the Tigers had a dominating run winning three State Championships (2011, 2012, 2013) and had one Runner-Up finish (2014).  At the state meet from 2009 – 2015 his teams went 5th, 4th, 1st, 1st, 1st, 2nd, and 4th, a remarkable seven year stretch.  He coached Rebekah Topham all four years who scored 147 points, more than anyone (boys and girls) in Iowa’s history at the state meet for all class divisions. Jordyn Sindt was also a huge contributor as she was on all three state championship teams and scored in relays, the 800, and the 400 Hurdles.

 GriswoldEverettTophamSindt
Jordyn Sindt at the Drake Relays this past weekend anchored both the 4×800 Relay and the Distance Medley Relay for the Iowa University Hawkeyes.   Baylor and Utah won the two events respectively.   A freshman at Wichita State University, Rebekah Topham, competing against juniors and seniors, won the University/College Division 1500 Meter Race with a 4:23.09 in a photo finish, .04 seconds ahead of pre-race favorite Emma Huston a senior at Drake University.  Other notable runners in the race were senior Kaila Urick, University of Minnesota, senior Katie Wetzstein, University of South Dakota, and senior Tammy Berger of Ohio State University.
Jordyn and Rebekah will run at their respective conference meets, the Big Ten and the Missouri Valley in a little less than two weeks.