COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – After more than 17 years on the east bank of the Missouri River, the Kanesville Queen Riverboat has been sent downriver on its final voyage. The gambling boat had sat at Harrah’s casino in Council Bluff and welcomed gamblers and other customers since it opened on Jan. 1, 1996. The Daily Nonpareil says the boat’s top two decks will be removed at Jefferson City, Mo. Then it will head to Dubuque for scrapping.

Iowa initially required state-licensed casinos to locate on boats but changed the law in 2007 to let gambling centers operate fully onshore. The casino moved into a new space on land after an $8 million remodel of an existing convention center.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Supreme Court has opened the door for more than three dozen juveniles sentenced to long prison terms to appeal their sentences.  The court said Friday the U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year that threw out life sentences for juveniles may be applied retroactively to Iowa cases. The federal high court said juvenile sentences must be considered individually.

After the federal court’s ruling, Gov. Terry Branstad converted the life sentences of 38 Iowa juvenile killers to 60 years.  Many are appealing, saying that still equates to life in prison. The Iowa court in one case refuses to challenge Branstad’s commutation but affirmed that 60 years is too long and upheld a judge’s resentence of 25 years. In two other juvenile cases, the justices overturned lengthy sentences and ordered resentencing.

Authorities in Clarinda report the escape this morning of an inmate from the Clarinda Correctional Facility Lodge. 38-year old Rodney Eugene Long got away sometime this (Friday) morning.

Rodney Eugene Long (photo #1)

Upon further review it was determined that Long escaped over the recreation yard fence sometime between 4:10 a.m. and 7 a.m. Long is a white male, five-feet nine-inches tall, about 144-pounds. He has  brown hair and brown eyes. He also  has tattoos on his right and left wrists. Long was last seen wearing blue jeans, gray tee-shirt, white tennis shoes. He may possibly be carrying a bag pack fashioned out of laundry.

Emergency procedures and notifications, including local, county and state law enforcement agencies were implemented once the escape was discovered. Clarinda Correctional Facility security personnel were assisting authorities with the area search. It is not known if Long is on foot or has been picked up by another party.

Long is serving a five-year sentence from Appanoose County for third-degree burglary. His sentence began March 15th following a probation revocation. Long was transferred to Clarinda on April 30th. If you see Rodney Eugene Long do not approach him, but call your nearest law enforcement agency immediately, 9-1-1, the Clarinda Police Department at (712) 542-2194, or Page County Sheriff’s Department at (712) 542-5193.

Rodney Long (2nd pic)