The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission gave approval at its recent meeting to a plan for the owner of the Ameristar Casino in Council Bluffs to sell its real estate and start paying rent. Pinnacle Entertainment is selling the property to what’s called a real estate investment trust or REIT. Gaming Commission chair, Jeff Lamberti of Ankeny, says it’s the first of its kind deal and they wanted to be sure the deal would still allow them to properly regulate the facility.

“We’re very big on the conditions of the properties — and also as conditions allow — additions to the properties,” Lamberti says. He says they reviewed the proposal fully before giving approval. “We wanted to ensure that through the licensing that even though the operator is going to now be a tenant as opposed to both owning and operating — that we had enough control that we could say we are not happy with the condition, or that we want you to pursue some additional amenities and that that will all fit under the structure of this — particularly under that master lease that we were talking about,” Lamberti says. “And we’re comfortable that those issues have been addressed in that lease.”

He says the new arrangement will ensure the casino property taken care of. Lamberti says there is “quite a bit of room” under the lease where the casino as a tenant can make improvements on their own for routine maintenance and upkeep without asking the landlord. And he says for bigger projects the landlord has to consent, but cannot be reasonably be withheld, and the landlord has the right to finance the projects to help improve their property.

Lamberti says there is one other key thing that ensures regulatory control over the casino. “We still hold the (gambling) license which is subject to approval every year. So, when we combine all those elements we fell very comfortable from an operation standpoint, really nothing is going to change,” Lamberti says. Lamberti is a lawyer and says this type of agreement hasn’t been used for gambling properties.

“It’s new to this, but they’ve been around for a long time,” Lamberti says. “It’ll be interesting to see…because REITS have a tendency to want to grow and so they are probably going to be looking to acquire additional properties.” The deal will provide Pinnacle Entertainment with more than one BILLION dollars in financing.

(Radio Iowa)

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports four arrests over the past week. On Jan. 11th, 21-year old Jameson Chase Cox, of Creston, was arrested by an Adair County deputy following a traffic stop on Highway 92. Following a conversation with Cox, the deputy became suspicious and requested to search the man’s vehicle. After Cox consented, the deputy found a baggie containing methamphetamine and a straw in Cox’ wallet.  Cox was placed under arrest for Possession of a Controlled Substance. Cox was later released on $1,000 bond.

Last Thursday, deputies in Adair County arrested 34-year old Ryan James Richter, of Casey, for Violation of a Domestic Abuse Protective Order. Richter was later released on his own recognizance.

On Friday, 37-year old Clinton Lewis Casteel, of Stuart, was arrested by Stuart Police for Driving While Barred. Casteel was later released on his own recognizance. That same day, 53-year old James Kermit Cook, of Greenfield, was arrested on a charge of Simple Assault. Cook pled guilty to the charge and was sentenced to time served. He was released from custody the following day.

And, the Adair County Sheriff’s Office is issuing a reminder about a reward being offered for information leading to an arrest or arrests in connection with arson fires that took place in May, 2015. The incidents occurred on a farm at 1693 330th Street near Orient, on May 7th, 10th and 11th, 2015. If you have information about any of the incidents, call the Adair County Sheriff’s Office at 641-743-2148, or the Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company’s Arson/Fraud Alert line at 1-800-362-2014, extension 8265. Your information could lead to a reward of up to $10,000.

The Glenwood Police Department reports several recent arrests. On Friday, 29-year old Trent Deering, of Glenwood, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. Deering was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail, until seen by a magistrate. On Saturday, 21-year old Dominique Schlup, of Hastings, was arrested on a Pottawattamie county warrant for Failure To Appear in court. His bond was set at $2000.

Also on Saturday, 30-year old Frank Torres, of Denison, was arrested for a Controlled Substance violation, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of contraband in correctional institution. Torres’ bond was set at $50,000. On Sunday, 36-year old Christopher Brown, of Glenwood, was arrested by Glenwood Police on a Mills County warrant for Harassment in the 2nd degree. Bond was set at $1000. That same day, 31-year old Elizabeth Horn, of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI 1st Offense. Her bond was set at $1000.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests. Friday morning, 53-year old Ronald Luciano Flowers, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at the Pottawattamie County Jail, on a warrant for Failure to Appear in court. Bond was set at $5,000. On Saturday, Mills County Deputies arrested 25-year old Jarrod Monroe Danahy, of Carter Lake. Danahy was taken into custody at around 1:30-a.m. on I-29, and charged with OWI/2nd offense.  His bond was set at $2,000.

Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer says a Blanchard man reported an incident of burglary in the 400 block of Main Street.  An investigation showed that an unknown person or persons had attempted to gain entry into the residence through the front door, but their efforts failed. Instead, entry was made through the back door. The resident reported that a knife set was missing. Evidence from the scene was sent to the DCI laboratory for analysis.

And, the Sheriff reports on January 15th, 31-year old Bradley Joe Wise, of Red Oak,  was operating a 2010 Ford Focus owned by Tara Robinson, also of Red Oak, when the car hit a deer on east bound on Highway 48. Damage from the collision amounted to an estimated $1500.

And, Palmer said Saturday evening (January 16th), 26-year old Nicki Eileen Foulkes, of Bedford, turned herself into the Page County Sheriff’s Office on a Page County warrant for Violation of Probation. Foulkes posted $1000 bond and was released pending further court proceedings.

(Update 4-p.m. 1/18 – Tuesday’s work session has been cancelled.)

The Board of Supervisors in Cass County will meet during a regular session Wednesday morning, at 8:30.

During the meeting Wednesday, the Board will hear a quarterly report from Veterans Affairs Director Mitch Holmes. They’ll also act on appointing an additional member to the Cass County Food Policy Council, and on a Resolution in support of “Stepping Up: A National initiative to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in jails.” The Resolution was introduced to the Board last week, by Supervisor Frank Waters.

In Greenfield, the Adair County Board of Supervisors will hold their regular session at the courthouse, beginning at 9-a.m., Tuesday.  During their meeting, the Board will hear from Custodian Rich Wallace, with regard to the cost of an E-911 sign. They’ll also hear a semi-annual report from County Treasurer Brenda Wallace, and, Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater will discuss new hires and a vehicle purchase. Their meeting will conclude following a budget work session.

Afton Police Chief John Coulter reports a teen from Clarke County was arrested Sunday evening on an assault charge. 17-year old Tyler Jon Hightshoe, of Murray, was arrested for assault following an incident at his mother’s apartment, in Afton. Hightshoe was referred to Juvenile Court and was being held at the Juvenile Detention Center, in Eldora.