SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Sioux City man has pleaded not guilty to bludgeoning two people in their sleep with a crowbar.  The Sioux City Journal reports that 23-year-old James Kroll entered the plea Monday in Woodbury County District Court. Kroll is charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and first-degree burglary. Police say Kroll beat 54-year-old Jeffrey Moravek to death and seriously injured 54-year-old Mary Tope after breaking into Tope’s home on June 13. Tope remained hospitalized at Mercy Medical Center-Sioux City last week. An updated report on her condition is not available.
 
Police say Tope’s daughter, Emily Tope, was in the house at the time and identified Kroll, her former boyfriend. Court papers say Kroll was distraught that his relationship with Emily Tope had ended.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A federal grand jury has indicted a northwest Iowa couple on bank robbery, conspiracy and firearm charges.  The Sioux City Journal says 47-year-old Jeffrey Schoon and 40-year-old Roxena Schoon are accused of robbing four banks.  Jeffrey Schoon pleaded not guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Sioux City. Roxena Schoon is scheduled to be arraigned July 12.
 
The indictment alleges that the Wall Lake, Iowa couple robbed Iowa State Bank in Odebolt on Dec. 29, Citizens First National Bank in Early on Jan. 11, Westside State Bank in Vail on Jan. 28 and Heritage Bank in Lytton on March 23. A total of nearly $33,000 was stolen.
 
 The indictment says Jeffrey Schoon robbed the bank, and his wife drove the getaway car.

There’s no shortage of activities taking place on this Independence Day, 2012. Several area communities are celebrating, with parades this morning, and fireworks tonight. Among them, is Atlantic, where the Jaycees are once again sponsoring the fireworks show out at the Atlantic Municipal Airport. Tom Welchens says the same people that put on the display last year, will be in town again this year. The show begins at dusk, there will be a d-j providing patriotic music before and during the show, there will be “bounce houses” for the kids, and the Kiwanis will have a food stand. 

They’ll begin parking cars at 7-p.m. Parking is not allowed along the airport road.  The cost to attend is your free-will donation, which will be accepted at the airport. Welchens says donations from the community throughout the year help to pay for the show, as well. Welchens says the fireworks package costs about $6,000.

The day begins with the annual Flight breakfast, from 7-11am. It costs six-dollars per plate, and is a great time for the family to meet with pilots from all over the Midwest who come to Atlantic for the event. Pancakes will be served by “The Pancake Man,” along with all the fixings and sides. The Jaycees say they are expecting a big crowd this year, because the 4^th of July falls in the middle of the week, and many families will likely stay close to home.

Fourth of July Celebrations that began last Saturday in Exira, and continued into early this week, culminate today with many more activities, including foot races in front of the elementary school, at 9-a.m., and the big, annual parade at Legion Park, starting at 10:30. The theme for this year’s parade is “Hometown Traditions.” Judy Bintner, with the Exira Community Club, says the Grand Marshall is a City Employee with many years of service to the community.” The honor goes to recently retired City Clerk Jean Peterson, and newly appointed City Clerk Jane Jessen.”

The route for this year’s parade is unchanged from last year. Bintner says it’s always a good idea to find a spot to enjoy the parade before it begins, and there are plenty of areas for you to stake out your viewing point. Following the parade there are lots of activities throughout the day, including entertainment in the City Park from one- until five-p.m. There’s also the Grand River Rodeo, which gets underway at Kickapoo Park, beginning at 2-p.m. They’ve had a rodeo before in Exira, but it’s the first time it’s been held on the 4^th of July. 

Check out the complete list of activities on the KJAN.com website under the “Daily Diary” tab. The Grand Fireworks display the Exira Football Field, begins at 9:45-p.m.

Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County report one person was taken into custody early this (Wednesday) morning, on an assault charge. 38-year old Becky Lynn Oglesbee, of Corning, was arrested just before 1-a.m. on a charge of simple assault. Authorities say Oglesbee was arrested for an alleged incident of assault which occurred at the Villisca American Legion hall. She was brought to the Montgomery County Jail, booked-in and later released on a $300 cash bond.