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Iowa early News Headlines: Thu., Oct. 2nd 2014

News

October 2nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

AMES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa State University student has been found dead in her apartment on campus, but authorities say no foul play is suspected. University police say the woman was found unresponsive Tuesday night in a University Village apartment on the Ames campus.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A state audit of the Mahaska County Soil and Water Conservation District office alleges more than $279,000 was improperly taken and cash not properly deposited by a former secretary over seven years. Iowa Auditor Mary Mosiman says in a report released yesterday her office investigated financial irregularities at the request of state agriculture department officials. The audit shows cash withdrawn from commission accounts numerous times from 2006 to 2013 by Jessica Strasser, the former office secretary who resigned in August 2013.

GLENWOOD, Iowa (AP) – Officials in western Iowa say a new law enforcement center will house both men and women. Mills County Sheriff Eugene Goos says the facility has the capacity to separate the inmates. It can house up to 45 inmates. The Daily Nonpareil reports the new facility in Glenwood will mean less female inmates at the Adams County jail in Corning, where they’re often held after a transfer.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A campaign spokesman for Democratic Senate candidate Bruce Braley says he collected $2.8 million during the latest fundraising quarter. Jeff Giertz said yesterday that Braley had raised the funds between July 1st and Sept. 30th.

Dense Fog Advisory until 9-a.m. Thursday

Weather

October 2nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

…DENSE FOG ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM CDT THURSDAY…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED A DENSE FOG
ADVISORY…WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM CDT THURSDAY, FOR CASS, ADAIR, ADAMS, AUDUBON, CARROLL, GUTHRIE, DALLAS, MADISON, UNION AND RINGGOLD COUNTIES IN THE KJAN LISTENING AREA.

* VISIBILITY…VISIBILITY WILL FALL BELOW A QUARTER OF A MILE IN MANY AREAS…AND TO NEAR ZERO AT TIMES.

* IMPACTS…DRIVING WILL BECOME HAZARDOUS DUE TO LOW AND CHANGING VISIBILITIES. PLEASE DRIVE SLOWLY AND ALLOW EXTRA TIME FOR TRAVEL.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A DENSE FOG ADVISORY MEANS VISIBILITIES WILL FREQUENTLY BE REDUCED TO LESS THAN ONE QUARTER MILE. IF DRIVING…SLOW DOWN… USE YOUR HEADLIGHTS…AND LEAVE PLENTY OF DISTANCE AHEAD OF YOU.

GLADYS E. RASMUSSEN, 96, of Audubon (Svcs. 10/3/14)

Obituaries

October 2nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

GLADYS E. RASMUSSEN, 96, of Audubon, died Wed., Oct. 1st, at the Friendship Home in Audubon. Funeral services for GLADYS RASMUSSEN will be held 10-a.m. Fri., Oct. 3rd, at the 1st Presbyterian Church in Audubon. Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon has the arrangements.

Friends may call at the funeral home, where the family visitation is at 6-p.m. , Thursday.

Burial will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon.

GLADYS RASMUSSEN is survived by:

Her son – Tom (Sue) Rasmussen, of Audubon.

2 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

MACEL BROWER, 97, of Massena (Svcs. 10/8/14)

Obituaries

October 1st, 2014 by Ric Hanson

MACEL BROWER, 97, of Massena, died Wed., October 1st, at the Griswold Care Center in Griswold. Funeral services for MACEL BROWER will be held 1-p.m. Wed., Oct. 8th, at the Steen Funeral Home in Massena.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday at the Steen Funeral Home in Massena from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. The family will greet friends on Tuesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.

Burial will be in the Newlons Grove Cemetery, at rural Cumberland. A luncheon will be held at the Massena United Methodist Church following the burial.

Memorials: To the Macel Brower Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date.

MACEL BROWER is survived by her:

Her children – David Brower and wife Janet of Omaha, NE and Karon Myers and husband Jim of Twin Falls, ID

1 grandchild; 4 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-granddaughters; 2 step-grandsons; 5 step-great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

ISU’s Hogue hopes to build on strong NCAA tourney

Sports

October 1st, 2014 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State forward Dustin Hogue is looking to build off his breakout performance in last season’s NCAA tournament. Hogue scored a career-high 34 points – a total nearly three times above his season average – on 15 of 19 shooting against UConn in the Sweet Sixteen.

The Cyclones lost 81-76 to the eventual national champions. But Hogue’s performance was a fitting end to a season in which he continually exceeded expectations. The Cyclones (28-8 in 2013-14) will be looking for more big things out of Hogue, now a senior, when they open the season against Oakland on Nov. 14.

Iowa St’s Thomas, Nader suspended 3 games

Sports

October 1st, 2014 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State’s Matt Thomas and Abdel Nader will serve three-game suspensions for offseason drunken-driving arrests. Cyclones coach Fred Hoiberg says Thomas and Nader will each miss an exhibition contest and games against Oakland and Georgia State.

Hoiberg says he’s proud of the way Thomas and Nader have conducted themselves since their arrests. Thomas averaged 5.5 points a game as a freshman last year. Nader sat out last season after transferring from Northern Illinois.

Officials: New Iowa facility will house men, women

News

October 1st, 2014 by Ric Hanson

GLENWOOD, Iowa (AP) – Officials in western Iowa say a new law enforcement center will house both men and women. Mills County Sheriff Eugene Goos says the facility has the capacity to separate the inmates. It can house up to 45 inmates.

The Daily Nonpareil reports the new facility in Glenwood will mean less female inmates at the Adams County jail in Corning, where they’re often held after a transfer. County officials say that will result in savings of between $2,000 and $6,000 each month.

Federal prison inmates can be held at the law enforcement center. It will also house the Mills County Sheriff’s Office.

Lund praises Harris and vows to honor “his legacy”

News

October 1st, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Following the approval by the Atlantic City Council Wednesday, of City Administrator Doug Harris’ resignation and severance package, and the subsequent voted to appoint John Lund as Interim City Administrator, Lund spoke about the man who hired him a little more than three-years ago, and the suggestion by Mayor Dave Jones that he be “trained” for the position. Lund said with regard to taking over Harris’ job, “I don’t think I’m entitled to anything.”

He “With all due respect to the Mayor, I don’t believe I need any training. I’ve been in training for three and a half years under a man sitting right across from me.” He said he intends to honor Harris’ legacy, and is inspired by his “Class and integrity.” Lund said hopes moving forward, that he has “An opportunity to prove I’m worthy of serving this community, and that the City deserves “Nothing less than absolute transparency.”

In his final report to the Council, Doug Harris reported a development company out of Cedar Rapids that is interested in investing in Atlantic’s downtown area, such as the old Whitney Hotel.  Harris said the company plans to bring in their architects to look at a potentially $7-million dollar project to renovate the upper floor of the building into apartments, with a restaurant and sports bar on the first floor. Additional details are being kept “under wraps” for now.

Harris said “There is a real potential to see real revitalization in investments in our downtown,” but he said potential investors have concerns over the owners of other buildings not improving the façade of those structures. He said that’s where the City’s Minimum Maintenance Code and Tax Abatements come into play, by providing business owners the incentives and a chance to improve the look of their buildings and/or turning the second floors into apartments.

He said he recommends the Council focus on the opportunities to preserve and revitalize the downtown area, as opposed to “Incentivizing businesses to build-up on the outskirts.” Harris said Atlantic is a great community, and that he and his wife plan on sticking around.

Atlantic City Council approves Severance Agreement w/Harris

News

October 1st, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A large crowd turned-out for Wednesday evening’s meeting of the Atlantic City Council. Most of the more than two-dozen people were there to show their support for City Administrator Doug Harris, who was asked to resign nearly two weeks ago. Harris, who has served the City since 2010, reached a severance agreement with the City that was approved by the Personnel and Finance Committee during their meeting on Sept. 23rd. Following a lengthy closed session to discuss the matter, the Council voted four-to three to approve Harris’ resignation and the severance package. Councilpersons Jimerson, Stuart and Cord voted against the matter, while Councilpersons Somers, Halder, Hayes and Hartkopf voted in favor.

The Council also voted to appoint Harris’ assistant, John Lund, as Interim City Administrator. Mayor Jones suggested Lund hold the position for at least six months, but in the end, his length of service in the position and salary will be determined by the City’s Personnel and Finance Committee.

Among those who spoke in support of Harris prior to the Council’s vote to accept his resignation, was Atlantic resident Doug Dimig, who said “The City of Atlantic owes Doug Harris a deep debt of gratitude.” Dimig said Harris worked hard to restore the City’s infrastructure in a fiscally responsible manner. Former Councilpersons Kern Miller, Dave Wheatley and Pat Simmons were in the audience, as well. Miller, who was on the Council when Harris was hired, said Harris was “The most informed gentleman to handle the type of situations we have in this community.” He was referring to the recently approved Tax Abatements and Tax Increment Financing matters.

Mayor Dave Jones has repeated said Harris was asked to resign because he and the City “We’re going in different directions.” When asked by Cass County Supervisor Mark Wedemeyer is Harris could choose to stay, Harris was diplomatic in his answer. He said “The Administrator serves at pleasure of the Council. There has to be that working relationship and trust. And sometimes, there are different viewpoints, and that’s fine.” He went on to say he’s enjoyed working with the council and for the community and that “We’ve accomplished a lot, but…they made it clear they did not agree…I respect that.” Harris acknowledged he was asked to resign.

He said his employment agreement stipulated the Council could terminate his services without cause, as a means of best protecting the community’s interests.

Charges DROPPED against teen accused in western IA death

News

October 1st, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Pottawattamie County Matt Wilber said Wednesday (Today) charges will be dropped against the student charged with felony assault for his role in a fight that led to a fellow student’s death at Abraham Lincoln High School last Thursday. The Daily NonPareil reports during a press conference, Wilber said 16-year old Gregary Teer was legally justified in fighting back and using the force he did against Dakota Escritt, who was shown initiating the incident on a surveillance video released at the conference.

Escritt, who fell and hit his head on the floor after the altercation, died at an Omaha hospital Saturday night. No charges will be pursued against Teer, and the original felony assault charge will be dropped.