LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska man has been sentenced to 50 to 70 years in prison for sexually assaulting two boys between 2004 and 2012. The Lincoln Journal Star reports Robert Schuster, who turns 33 on Tuesday, pleaded no contest to first-degree sexual assault. He was sentenced Monday. Authorities found seven other potential victims in addition to the boys Schuster is convicted of abusing.

And Schuster has been sentenced to 10-to-30 years in prison in Iowa for assaulting two boys during overnight trips to his apartment in Council Bluffs. He’ll serve that sentence at the same time as the Nebraska one. Lancaster County District Judge John Colborn says the long sentences reflect the seriousness of Schuster’s crimes and the need to protect the public.

 DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The chairman of Iowa’s leading health insurer says the company will not participate in the state’s new health exchange during 2014. Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield CEO John Forsyth said Monday that the insurer will enter the online insurance marketplace in 2015. He said the decision to delay was not financially motivated, but based on concern that implementing the exchange would be bumpy in year one.  Sunday was the deadline for insurance carriers to file to be included in the Iowa exchange. 
 
Under President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul, all states must have a health exchange, with enrollment starting Oct. 1 and coverage on Jan. 1.  Iowa’s insurance commissioner is expected to soon release more information on the exchange participants.

A Malvern woman was injured last week, when the vehicle she was driving plowed into the wall of a Post Office in Malvern. The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports June Malcom was attempting to park her 2005 Buick at around 9:35-a.m. Wednesday, when she stepped on the gas pedal instead of the brake. He car hit the west wall of the Post Office. Malcom was transported to Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, by Malvern Rescue. There was no report on the extent of her injuries, or a dollar figure on the damage to the car and building.

Later that same day, Brooke Paulsen, of Malvern, was driving a 2002 Buick westbound on Keys Avenue, when she lost control of the vehicle prior to crossing a bridge. The car hit the south side of the bridge and came to rest on a gravel road. Paulsen was cited for Failure to Maintain Control. No injuries were reported.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a Glenwood man was arrested last week on assault and child endangerment charges. 33-year old Dwight Allen Leach was arrested Thursday evening on charges of Domestic Abuse Assault (no bond), Assault, Child Endangerment and Interference with Officials Acts. His bond on all charges except that which was related to domestic abuse, was set at $2,600.

Also arrested Thursday, was 52-year old Julie Ann Vore, of Council Bluffs. Vore was taken into custody at around 2:30-a.m., for Driving While Barred. Her bond was set at $2,000.

Last Wednesday night, 49-year old Marlin David McDaniel, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for Simple Assault. About an hour earlier, 24-year old Christopher Lee McDaniel, also of Pacific Junction, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct and Interference with Official Acts. His bond was set at $600, while Marlin McDaniel’s bond was $300.

A more than century old barn that has stood the test of time was reduced to rubble in less than an hour this (Monday) morning, near Atlantic.

Fire fully engulfs the barn.

Firefighters from Atlantic and Marne were called to the fire at Indian Creek Farms at 57202 Indian Creek Street, at around 9:15-a.m. Doug Redinbaugh and his son Matt own the property. Doug told KJAN News he thinks the blaze started with an animal that ran from a burn pile a distance away from the barn.

The burn pile which likely resulted in the barn fire.

He says they were burning trees from last week’s storm at around 7-a.m.. Cats near the fire were on the prowl for mice escaping the fire, and it’s possible, according to Redinbaugh, that a raccoon living in the debris caught on fire and ran to the barn, catching it on fire. 

Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon speculated that embers from the burn pile may have caused the blaze, but he acknowledged the winds weren’t very strong at the time the burn pile was ignited. The barn and its contents were a total loss. Doug Redinbaugh said they were using the wood framed and metal coated structure as a storage facility. 

He says hay racks, saddles, a dozen new drive tires for trucks were inside, along with antiques, which were stored in the upper floor hay mound. No injuries were reported.

(Ric Hanson/photo’s)