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Council Bluffs school placed on “Lockout” status while shooting is investigated

News

September 22nd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

(re-posting due to server error)

Several area schools in Council Bluffs were placed on “Lockout” status as a precautionary measure for nearly 90-minutes this (Thursday) morning, while authorities investigated a shooting. Bluff Police say the incident was reported just before 9-a.m. at the Featherstone Apartments in the 900 block of N. 35th Street.

Responding officers determined that the call had originated from the apartment of a family member of 22-year old Devon Seth Hunt, of Council Bluffs. devon-huntThe family members told officers that they discovered Hunt sitting on their back patio with a wound to his abdomen. Hunt told family members that he had been shot. When 9‐1‐1 was for called for an ambulance, Hunt attempted to wrestle the phone away from family members then fled the area on foot.

Officers conducted a search of the area with the assistance of a Police Canine; he was not located during the search. Officials say Hunt has outstanding arrest warrants for unrelated incidents. At this time, investigators are unable to confirm that Hunt was in fact shot and it is unknown how or where Hunt received the injury to his abdomen.

The case remains under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Division. Authorities are asking for assistance from the public in locating Devon Hunt so that he can receive medical attention. Anyone having information on his whereabouts is encouraged to call 9‐1‐1 or contact Council Bluffs Crime Stoppers at (712) 328‐ 7867.

2 suspects sought in Bluffs bank robbery Thu. morning

News

September 22nd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Police in Council Bluffs are asking for your help in locating two suspects involved in the Thursday morning robbery of a bank. At around 9:30-a.m., two black males entered the Council Bluffs Savings Bank at 1751 Madison Avenue, and announced they were robbing the bank. One suspect then jumped the teller counter while the other suspect stood near the counter displaying a handgun. The suspects then fled the business with an undetermined amount of cash.

cb-robb1 cb-robb2Both men were described as being in their 30’s. One was about 6-feet tall and weighed approximately 180-pounds. His hair was in dreadlocks. The second suspect was about 5-feet 6-inches tall, and weighed around 150-pounds.

Nearby Abraham Lincoln High School was placed into a “Lockout” briefly until officers could verify the suspects were no longer in the area. The case remains under investigation by the Council Bluffs Police Department. Anyone with information concerning this Robbery is encouraged to contact Criminal Investigations at (712) 328-4728 or Crime Stoppers at (712) 328-7867.

2016 Coca-Cola Days set to begin in Atlantic

News

September 22nd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The classic red and white colors of Coca-Cola will be prevalent in Atlantic this weekend, as the community welcomes fans of the soft drink from all over the Midwest to town. Visitors and locals alike will be celebrating the communities’ 24th-Annual Coca-Cola Days this Friday and Saturday. It’s the second largest mini-convention of Coca-Cola collectors in the United States, second only to Atlanta, Georgia.

EDITED - coca cola days revised sleeveThe schedule of events include, on Friday:

  • A Tailgate Party for everyone from 5:30-to 6:30-p.m. at the Rock Island Depot (102 Chestnut Street)
  • A Sneak Peek from 6-to 8-p.m. at the Herring Building, located at 2nd & Poplar.

On Saturday:

The Show, Swap & Sell takes place from 9-a.m. until 2-p.m. at the Herring Building.

There’s also the 2016 Coca-Cola Days Raffle, where, for $5 a ticket, you have the chance to win a custom Coca-Cola pop machine or a grill with a taste of Atlantic inside. The Coca-Cola Machine is custom made by Bob Lansdown of Atlantic Bottling and will be the final machine he builds for Coca-Cola Days. The Char-Broil grill being raffled is filled with items donated by area businesses.

The grill was donated by Cappel’s Ace Hardeware and will be filled with items donated by area businesses including: meat from Atlantic Locker, dinner for two at Weitzel’s Restaurant and Bar, Stay at American’s Best Value Inn and Suites (formally Atlantic Super 8) and custom Coca-Cola bbq tools.

Raffle tickets are available at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, Atlantic Coca-Cola Center and Museum.  Tickets can also be purchased from Coca-Cola Days committee members. The raffle will take place at 2-p.m. Saturday, at the close of the Show, Swap and Sell at the Herring Building.

For more information on Coca-Cola Days, call toll-free 877-283- 2124, or go to AtlanticIowa.com, on the web.

Police: Man locked girlfriend in home he tried to burn

News

September 22nd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Sioux City man has been charged with arson and other counts after police say he locked his live-in girlfriend in their home before trying to set it on fire. Television station KTIV reports that the woman called 911 on Wednesday afternoon to report that her boyfriend had threatened to kill her and had started a fire in the home. Officers say they found a burned paper bag on the living room floor.

In addition to arson, 39-year-old Karl Lyons has been charged with false imprisonment, domestic abuse assault, criminal mischief and public intoxication. He’s being held in the Woodbury County Jail on $25,000 bond and could not be reached for comment.

Atlantic will try to get the offense going at Creston O-M

Sports

September 22nd, 2016 by admin

The Atlantic Trojans Football team will go on the road Friday night to face the Creston Orient-Macksburg Panthers in a Class 3A District 7 game.  The Trojans come into the contest with a 1-3 record, coming up short in 3 close games after a season opening win against Clarinda.  A big reason the Trojans haven’t been able to get back into the win column has been a sluggish offense and Head Coach Mike McDermott says his team has been working on finding a way to get the run game going.

While Atlantic works to get the run game going the Trojan defense knows they will be facing a powerful rushing attack from Creston led by star Running Back Chase Shiltz.  Schiltz has rushed for nearly 700 yards on the season already and is averaging over 9 yards per carry for the Panthers. Coach McDermott knows the Trojans will need to try to slow him down first and foremost.

Creston Head Coach Brian Morrison knows the talent he has with Shiltz in the backfield to establish the run and he gives a lot of credit to the guys paving the way along the offensive line.

With their strong 4-0 start to the season the Panthers are eyeing one of the top two spots in the district to get into the playoffs.  Coach Morrison said his players have been focused on trying to take it one week at a time and putting their best effort on the field every Friday.

We’ll have coverage of the Trojans and the Panthers on Friday night.  Join Chris Parks and Mike Smith for the broadcast.  Catch our pick ’em show Who’s Gonna Win? at 6:00pm, followed by the Dvorak Tire and Service Pre-Game show at 6:30pm, and Kickoff is set for 7:30pm. You can tune in on AM 1220, FM 101.1, online at kjan.com, or on the KJAN mobile app.  You can also watch the game with live streaming video on KJANTV.

Atlantic Public Library receives State accreditation

News

September 22nd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the State Library of Iowa have announced that the Atlantic Public Library has met the conditions for State accreditation, as outlined in “In Service to Iowa: Public Library Standards 6th Edition.” Accredited libraries receive a higher rate of compensation through the State Library’s Enrich Iowa Program. They also receive a Certificate of Accreditation signed by Governor Terry Branstad and other dignitaries. The accreditation is valid through June 30th, 2920.

Of Iowa’s 544 public libraries, 349 – including the Atlantic Public Library – are accredited. State Librarian Michael Scott said “The Director and Board of Trustees of the Atlantic Public Library and the City of Atlantic, are to be commended for this achievement and their commitment to excellence in public library services for their community.”

For more information on the State Library’s accreditation program, go to www.statelibraryofiowa.org.

Jury finds Clarinda woman guilty in arson case

News

September 22nd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

A jury in Page County has found a Clarinda woman guilty on felony charges of 2nd Degree Arson and 2nd Degree Burglary. 33-year old Brandy Lee Allison faces up to 10-years in prison and fines of up to $10,000 when she’s sentenced Oct. 19th.

The charges were the result of an investigation into a fire at 214 W. Logan Street, in May. Authorities determined carpeting in the home’s kitchen was intentionally set on fire. The blaze caused $5,000 damage. No one was injured. The home’s owner managed to extinguish the flames. Clarinda Fire fighters helped to ventilate the home.

Vilsack to campaign for Clinton in s.w. Iowa

News

September 22nd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack will be campaigning in southwest Iowa tomorrow (Friday), on behalf of Democrat Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Clinton’s campaign says the U-S Ag Secretary will be in Council Bluffs for a Volunteer Appreciation event beginning at 10:15-a.m. Friday, at the Council Bluffs “Iowa Together” office (217 S. Main St.), and at the restored Depot in Creston (116 W. Adams St.), for a “Rural America Infrastructure” event, beginning at 3:30-p.m.

U-S Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack

U-S Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack

During his visits, Vilsack will focus on Clinton’s plans to strengthen the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) and investments in rural infrastructure. Go Mrs. Clinton’s campaign site (hillaryclinton.com) to register for either event.

Law Enforcement in Iowa to Participate in First NHTSA Regional Speed Enforcement

News

September 22nd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa — Motorists enjoying the first signs of fall are advised to maintain the speed limit.  From September 23-25, the Iowa State Patrol will join participating law enforcement from Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Arkansas and Oklahoma in a Regional Speed Enforcement Campaign. Officers will be on the lookout for those who are traveling above the speed limit on all roadways.

The Patrol’s Colonel Michael VanBerkum says “The main goal of the Iowa State Patrol is to help ensure that all who travel on Iowa’s roadways arrive to their destination, and arrive there safely.ISP patch The campaign is aimed to modify unsafe driver behavior through concerted enforcement efforts.”

Sgt. Nate Ludwig with the Iowa State Patrol says “Speeding is a serious problem on Iowa roadways and has contributed to multiple traffic crashes, especially those that resulted in deaths. Too many of our fellow citizens are impacted by drivers who drive too fast for the road conditions or exceed the speed limit. In order to get drivers to slow down and reduce the number of crashes and fatalities, we plan to intensify enforcement of posted speed limits in Iowa.”

The Iowa State Patrol will be working with county and local law enforcement this weekend across the state, with primary efforts on Interstate 35 and Highway 30.

Pat Hoye, Chief of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, said “There has been a significant increase in Iowa fatalities, currently Iowa  has seen an increase of 18% from this time last year.” Nationwide, 27% of crash fatalities in 2015 were related to a driver exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for conditions. Fully 86 percent of all speeding-related traffic fatalities occurred on local roads — where the posted speed limits were 55 miles per hour or under.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a crash on a road with a speed limit of 65 mph or greater is more than twice as likely to result in a fatality than a crash on a road with a speed limit of 45 or 50 mph and nearly five times as likely as a crash on a road with a speed limit of 40 mph or below.

Sex offenders sue over Iowa’s civil commitment program

News

September 22nd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Nine men who were convicted of sex crimes, served their prison sentences and are now indefinitely confined to an Iowa mental health unit have filed a federal lawsuit against the state, claiming its civil commitment program is unconstitutional. They say the program fails to offer adequate counseling and other services that would rehabilitate them enough for release.

The lawsuit, filed in September 2012 in federal court in Cedar Rapids, highlights the difficult balance between keeping dangerous sexual predators off the streets and not violating their constitutional rights. More than 5,000 people are believed to be held in sexually violent predator programs in 20 states and the federal Bureau of Prisons.

Judges in Minnesota and Missouri found programs similar to Iowa’s unconstitutional in the past year and ordered changes.