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Duncan Hines recalling 2.4m boxes of cake mix

News

November 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

CHICAGO (AP) — Duncan Hines is recalling 2.4 million boxes of cake mix because of a link to salmonella. The recall affects Classic White, Classic Butter Golden, Signature Confetti and Classic Yellow varieties of cake mix, according to Conagra Brands, Duncan Hines’ parent company. The affected boxes have expiration dates between March 7-13, 2019. Most of the boxes were distributed in the U.S. but some were shipped internationally. Chicago-based Conagra said it is still determining what other countries may be impacted.

In a statement, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it informed Conagra after it tested a sample of cake mix and found that it contained salmonella. It was the same strain that sickened people in five cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control. The FDA says consumers should not eat or bake with the mix.

Agencies appeal judge’s conclusion in shooting records case

News

November 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Criminal Investigation Division and the Burlington Police Department have appealed a judge’s conclusion that they broke state law by refusing to turn over all records after investigating a city officer’s accidental shooting of a woman. Autumn Steele was fatally shot on Jan. 6, 2015, by an officer responding to a fight between Steele and her husband. The Hawk Eye newspaper and her family filed complaints with the Iowa Public Information Board when the two agencies didn’t turn over all the records.

The Hawk Eye reports that lawyers for the two filed separate appeals Friday to the information board, which will decide whether to accept or reject Administrative Law Judge Karen Doland’s proposed opinion.
The police attorney argues that Doland relied on an “incorrect application” of Iowa code governing open records law. The investigation division’s attorney argues that Doland is wrong in interpreting “what materials may be part of an investigative file.”

Quail hunter hurt last week in Page County hunting incident

Ag/Outdoor, News

November 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources said today (Tuesday), that DNR Conservation Officers are investigating a Nov. 1st hunting incident involving a group of quail hunters in Page County. Authorities say 58-year old Neil Bartelt,  of Fruitland, Iowa, was injured while upland bird hunting in the northwest corner of Page County, near the Montgomery, Mills, and Fremont county lines, around 3-p.m. on November 1st, when he was acting as a “blocker” for his hunting group.

The four other members of the hunting group were walking towards Bartelt when they scared up a group of quail. Several of the hunters fired shots at the quail striking Bartelt with pellets in the face and abdomen. Bartelt was transported to the Shenandoah Medical Center Hospital with minor injuries. The investigation continues into this incident.

Man sentenced on Pott. County Sex abuse charge dies in IA City Hospital

News

November 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Corrections reports that a man incarcerated in connection with Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree and other crimes in Pottawattamie County, has died from natural causes. 79-year old Donald Warner Brammer was pronounced dead at 4:22 p.m. on Monday, November 5th, at the University of Iowa Hospital where he had been admitted due to chronic illness. His incarceration began on January 12th, 2018.

Donald Brammer (File photo from Pott. County Sheriff’s Office)

Brammer was formerly “foster grandparent” at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands’ Council Bluffs Unit from 2012 to 2015, during which time, according to court documents, he bought his female victim gifts, invited the family for cookouts at his apartment complex and let the girl and her friends have sleepovers in his extra room. The victim said he eventually began to give her what investigators believed to be spiked drinks to make her fall asleep. He would then abuse her while she was alone with him and once locked her in his bathroom.

During his sentencing, Brammer maintained his innocence, and proclaimed he would be dead long before he was eligible for parole at the age of 95.

Brief road closures announced for Shelby County

News

November 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Officials in Shelby County have announced plans for two short-term closures this week on Linden Road. Shelby County Emergency Management said that on Wednesday (Nov. 7th), from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the bridge on Linden Road south of 200th Street will be closed. On Thursday (Nov. 8th), the bridge on Linden Road between F-24 and 2100th Street will be closed for the day.

Pickup vs. Cow in Page County

News

November 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Two men refused medical treatment after the vehicle they were in struck a cow on the road in Page County, Sunday night. Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports the accident happened on Highway 71, just south of the Montgomery/Page County line, at around 8:25-p.m. An investigation determined 23-year old Mark Richard Schut and 20-year old Paul Andre Schut, both of Villisca, were traveling in a 1996 Chevy K1500 pickup northbound on Highway 71, when the vehicle struck a black cow that was in the traveled portion of the road. The pickup continued into the east ditch before coming to rest. The cow went into the east ditch also, where it died.

Damage to the pickup was estimated at $4500. The black cow was owned by Jacob Harold Eitzen, of rural Villisca, who was notified of the accident and identified the black cow as being his. The estimated value of the cow is $1000. No citations were issued. The Page County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Villisca Fire and rescue.

Backyard & Beyond 11-6-2018

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

November 6th, 2018 by Jim Field

LaVon Eblen visits with Carol Seddon and Karla Akers about the Atlantic Kiwanis Club Childhood Hunger Program.

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Missing woman hits a power pole in Union County

News

November 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

A woman who had been reported as missing from Ackworth, in central Iowa, was involved in an unknown, possible injury accident Sunday morning, west of Thayer, in Union County. Sheriff’s officials say 66-year old Jacqueline Kay Hodson was traveling south on US Highway 169 at around 10-a.m., Sunday, when she failed to stop at the T-intersection stop sign for Highway 34. The 1996 Dodge pickup she was driving continued south across US 34 and struck an Alliant Energy power pole before ending up in a field. Authorities noted Hodson was a previous medical condition that does not allow her to drive.

The pickup sustained $3,000 damage. Damage to the power pole was also estimated at $3,000. Hodson was transported by ambulance to the hospital in Osceola, to be checked for injuries. No citations were issued.

Trial set for Illinois man charged in southeast Iowa slaying

News

November 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — A January trial has been scheduled for an Illinois resident accused of killing a man in southeast Iowa last year. Des Moines County court records say 28-year-old Antoine Spann, of Dalton, Illinois, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder. He’s accused of shooting to death 26-year-old Demarcus “Peanut” Chew on Sept. 10, 2017, in a car outside the home of Chew’s mother in Burlington. His trial is set to begin Jan. 8 in Burlington.

Harlan School District Board to meet this evening

News

November 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Harlan Community School District Board of Directors will meet tonight at 5:30. They will have a presentation to the Board by the FFA. They will also discuss the employment of Amanda Simon in High School Food Service, Mary Renkly and Kim Zaccone for Middle School Mock Trial Co-Sponsors and Dawn VandenBerg and Troy Renter as Key Club Co-Sponsors. The Board will also discuss Flex Funds and hear administrator reports. The Board will then go into closed session to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance or discharge is being considered. The Board will then re-enter open session.