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Iowa early News Headlines: Wed., Feb. 6th 2013

News

February 6th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A Cedar Rapids man has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of sexual exploitation of children. Acting U.S. Attorney Sean Berry says 23-year-old Lucas Robinson pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Cedar Rapids. He also was convicted of one count of possession of child pornography and one count of extortion.

PACIFIC JUNCTION, Iowa (AP) — Authorities continue to investigate the death of a toddler found unresponsive in a southwest Iowa residence. The state Department of Public Safety says the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is waiting for autopsy results to determine the circumstances surrounding the child’s injuries and death. Police received a 911 call Friday about an unresponsive child at a residence in Pacific Junction near the Nebraska state line.

EVANSDALE, Iowa (AP) — A park and trail in northeast Iowa that’s close to where two cousins were last seen alive is being renamed in their memory. Waterloo television station KWWL reports the park at Meyers Lake in Evansdale will now be called Angels’ Park in memory of Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins. The trail around the park will be called Trail of Angels.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Movie buffs will soon have great place to watch films in downtown Iowa City. The nonprofit group FilmScene announced Tuesday that a cinema and lounge will open this fall after extensive city-backed renovations to the building that housed the popular Vito’s bar.

Iowa authorities investigate toddler’s death

News

February 5th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

PACIFIC JUNCTION, Iowa (AP) — Authorities continue to investigate the death of a toddler found unresponsive at a residence in Mills County. The state Department of Public Safety says the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is waiting for autopsy results to determine the circumstances surrounding the child’s injuries and death. Police received a 911 call Friday about an unresponsive child at a residence in Pacific Junction.

The 13-month-old was transported to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha with extensive injuries. The child died Saturday. Authorities have not released the child’s name.

Cardinals RHP Chris Carpenter Likely Out for ’13

Sports

February 5th, 2013 by Jim Field

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Chris Carpenter is unlikely to pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals this season and his career may be over because of a nerve injury that kept him out most of last year.

General manager John Mozeliak said Tuesday that Carpenter has renewed numbness and some bruising in his right shoulder and hand. He will get an additional medical evaluation, but Mozeliak says Carpenter is unlikely to pitch again.

Carpenter had surgery in July for the nerve injury and returned to pitch three games down the stretch and three in the postseason.

Carpenter is 37 and is considered one of the best clutch pitchers in Cardinals history. He is 144-94 for his career and 10-4 with a 3.00 ERA in 18 postseason starts.

IWCOA Dual Team Wrestling Rankings

Sports

February 5th, 2013 by Jim Field

The latest Dual Team Rankings of the IWCOA: Feb. 5, 2013

CLASS 1-A
1.  Alburnett 27-1
2.  Woodbury Central 25-4
3.  Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 21-1
4.  Sumner-Fredericksburg 24-3
5.  Don Bosco 17-7
6.  Clarion-Goldfield 10-2
6.  Emmetsburg 17-4
8.  Audubon 23-2
9.  West Marshall 20-7
10. St. Edmond 19-6
11. Lake Mills 27-3
12. Guthrie Center 21-4
13. Maquoketa Valley 24-8
14. Northwest Webster 15-2
15. Iowa Valley 24-5
16. Tri-Center 21-7

CLASS 2-A
1.  West Delaware 23-0
2.  Davenport Assumption  21-5
3.  Mediapolis 23-0
4.  Charles City 17-4
5.  Creston/O-M 13-1
6.  Humboldt 22-0
7.  Spencer 19-6
8.  Union 22-5
9.  Decorah 17-4
10. Sergeant Bluff-Luton 15-1
11. Boyden Hull/Rock Valley 23-2
12. Osage 12-12
13. Independence 21-5
14. Washington 20-4
15. Mount Vernon 13-4
16. Crestwood 13-8

CLASS 3-A
1.  Southeast Polk 25-0
2.  Cedar Rapids Prairie  30-3
3.  Bettendorf 8-1
4.  Waverly-Shell Rock 19-2
5.  Linn-Mar 25-7
6.  North Scott 23-4
7.  Ankeny 28-1
8.  Iowa City West 24-7
9.  Dowling Catholic 14-2
10. Clinton 12-2
11. Pleasant Valley 24-10
12. WDM Valley 14-7
13. Sioux City North 29-2
14. Glenwood 21-0
15. Western Dubuque 23-14
16. Burlington 7-5

Corning man arrested Tuesday on a fugitive warrant out of Texas

News

February 5th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports an Adams County man was arrested early this (Tuesday) morning for being a fugitive from justice. Brothers says at around 12: 20-a.m., officers with the Clarinda P-D apprehended 36-year old James Keith Bost, of Corning. Bost eas taken into custody in the area of 18th & Lincoln Streets, on a fugitive from justice warrant from the State of Texas. Bost was wanted by Texas authorities for felony possession of marijuana.

He was transported to the Page County Jail and held on a $10,000 cash only bond while awaiting extradition to Texas.

Lawmakers agree to $11.6 million for mental health

News

February 5th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — State lawmakers have reached a bipartisan deal to provide $11.6 million to counties to fund mental health services in the current budget year. Sen. Jack Hatch says Tuesday that Republican and Democratic lawmakers have agreed to the funding plan, which will help counties with expenses as the state transitions to a new regional mental health treatment system. The funding for services through June 30 is substantially more than Gov. Terry Branstad proposed, but not as much as counties requested.

The Legislature approved changes to Iowa’s system last May, shifting from a system run by counties to a more regional approach in which counties pool their money. The new approach was meant to minimize differences between urban and rural areas.

Oakland man arrested Saturday in Cass County

News

February 5th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests last week. On Saturday, 20-year old Newberry Winfield Wright, of Oakland, was taken into custody on a charge of OWI/1st Offense. Wright was released later that same day, on his own recognizance.

And, as we reported late last week, deputies in Cass County arrested 36-year old Daniel Elmer Bright,  of Shenandoah, on January 29th. Bright was arrested in Page County on a Cass County warrant for Theft in the 2nd Degree. After being brought back to Cass County, Bright was taken to the jail in Atlantic and released later that same day on $5000 bond.

Atlantic woman arrested on theft charge

News

February 5th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Police Department reports the arrest Monday of 65-year old Linda Barber. The Atlantic woman was taken into custody on  a charge of 5th degree theft (Shoplifting). Barber was booked into the Cass County Jail.

And, officers with the A-PD investigated a non-injury accident Monday evening. Officials say vehicles driven by Collin Baker and Jason Watson, both of Atlantic, were headed east on 7th Street and approaching the stoplight at the intersection with Plum, when Watson stopped for traffic in front of him. When Baker failed to see Watson’s car had stopped, his vehicle hit the rear of the Watson vehicle, causing $3,000 damage to both vehicles.

Baker was cited for Failure to Stop in an Assured Clear Distance and Violation of an Instruction permit.

Gov. Branstad still opposed to Medicaid expansion

News

February 5th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A decision by the Ohio governor to expand the state’s Medicaid program has not changed Gov. Terry Branstad’s opposition to Medicaid expansion in Iowa.      Branstad’s spokesman said Tuesday that the governor still believes that raising the Medicaid eligibility limits would be too costly. Tim Albrecht said Branstad does support continuing the IowaCare program, a state and federally funded plan that provides limited health coverage to low-income adults.

Democrats in the state Senate have introduced legislation that would broaden eligibility requirements for the Medicaid program in Iowa, which covers low-income residents, including children and the disabled. President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul provides funding to states that expand Medicaid.   An expansion in Iowa could add as many as 150,000 people to the program, including those currently on IowaCare.

Security plans to be revised in Shelby County

News

February 5th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Shelby County Supervisors will be revising their security plan for county buildings. During a regular meeting this (Tuesday) morning, Shelby County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Seivert gave the supervisors a Shelby County Courthouse interim crisis response plan. Seivert put the plan together because “acts of violence against public offices and elected officials is a distinct possibility.”

The plan includes an action plan for verbal altercations, in the event an employee becomes involved in an argument or discussion with another person, the employees in the immediate area are to call 911 and if able, outline the events occurring. A robbery or weapon displayed was also discussed, in the event an employee is confronted by someone who is making demands for money, showing a weapon or implying they have a weapon, the employee shall comply with the person and have local law enforcement deal with the attacker.

The final item was weapons being fired.  Seivert said “That would be the most critical thing to happen to us. It has gained a lot of national attention. Homeland security has come up with a similar plan for offices. They give the option to hide or to attack the individual and making it so he can’t get to you. If you are backed into a corner and can’t get out of harms way, they need to protect themselves.” Supervisor Steve Kenkel asked a follow up question about where to take the initial plan from this point forward. Seivert said “We need to look at the entire county safety plan and all other buildings. There is a lot of drafts and methods to assessing our risks.”

The board approved a review of all security in the building, with the Safety Committee with Seivert and Shelby County Sheriff Mark Hervey assisting in the plans.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)