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Estherville teen arrested for assaulting police officer

News

April 21st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — An Estherville teenager was arrested this weekend and is facing several charges after police say she tried to set grass and her jacket on fire with a cigarette lighter.  An officer attempted taking the lighter and then the suspect brandished a knife and cut the officer on the arm.

Eighteen-year-old Grace Hrbek was then taken into custody and was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation before being transported to the Emmet County Jail. She’s charged with willful injury, assault on a peace officer and going armed with intent. The officer was treated and released.

Planting slowly getting underway

Ag/Outdoor

April 21st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — The U-S-D-A crop report released Monday shows snow and rain have slowed the start of the planting season — but two percent of the projected corn crop has been planted. Iowa State University Extension crops specialist Joel DeJong, says farmers in his northwest Iowa region are still mostly preparing fields for planting.

“There was some work done before that Easter snow came through — a handful of planters were in the fields doing a little bit, making sure the planter was set, doing a few acres. Not very many did that,” DeJong says. “However, the manure and fertilizer got a good start. We are now as we dry out — we are seeing that again. WE’re seeing a lot of the prep work continuing.” DeJong says the soil temperature has not yet consistently been at or above the 50 degrees needed for planting.

“We’re getting really close and if the forecast I see is right even with the rain and a little cooler temperatures in the weekend — the average daily temperature should still be around 50,” he says. “If the soil is set, I think we are going to see more and more people putting some seed into the ground as we move into the week.”

Wet weather kept farmers from planting for much longer than they would have liked last year. DeJong says things are drying out nicely now and that shouldn’t be an issue in most areas. “Even though there is a lot of water in the subsoil, the surface actually is drying out pretty well. And yeah, there’s still problem spots in fields, but I think it is looking a little better now than most times we had a chance to be out there last spring,” according to DeJong.

The corn planting progress at two percent is one week behind the five-year average.

Iowa pork plant reopens after outbreak; a 2nd begins testing

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 21st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — One Iowa pork plant at the center of a major coronavirus outbreak is reopening as another began testing all employees to learn the scope of their infections. Tyson Foods resumed limited operations at its pork processing plant in Columbus Junction, where more than 200 workers have become infected and at least two have died. The plant, which has about 1,400 employees, had been shut down for two weeks after reporting the outbreak.

In northern Iowa, Wright County officials reported that 16 employees at a pork processing facility run by Prestage Foods of Iowa have tested positive. Mass testing at the plant began Monday.

Sheriff: 3 dead in central Iowa likely died of CO poisoning

News

April 21st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

COLLINS, Iowa (AP) — Sheriff’s investigators in central Iowa say three people have been found dead in a Collins travel trailer and likely died from accidental carbon monoxide asphyxiation. The Story County Sheriff’s Office says in a news release that deputies were called to the residence just before 8 a.m. Tuesday to check on the welfare of people there.

Arriving deputies discovered the bodies of three adults inside, including a 62-year-old woman, a 41-year-old woman, and a 20-year-old man. Officials say all three lived there. Three dogs were also found dead inside the trailer. Investigators say there were no signs of foul play.

Officials: Northwestern Iowa man killed in tractor rollover

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 21st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

MAY CITY, Iowa (Sioux City Journal) — Authorities in northwestern Iowa say a Hartley man has died after a tractor he was driver rolled into a ditch on top of him. The Sioux City Journal reports that the accident happened around noon Monday, while 77-year-old Kenneth Boernsen was operating the tractor southwest of May City.

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office says it appeared Boernsen was transporting a section of an old loader with his loader bucket raised, when the tractor tipped over into the ditch. Boernsen was found by deputies under the tractor, and pronounced dead at the scene.

Adair County Sheriff’s report 4/21/20

News

April 21st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports four arrests took place over nearly the past 10-days. On April 12th, 27-year old Danielson Allen-Harris, of Stuart, was arrested by Stuart Police on charges that include: Interference with Official Acts; Trafficking stolen weapons/1st offense; Felon in control of a firearm; Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree; Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer without injury, and Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana. Allen-Harris – who also had multiple felony convictions in Illinois – was released from the Adair County Jail in Greenfield the same day, on a $5,000 cash or surety bond.

31-year old Tyrone Anthony Morris, of Stuart, was arrested at the same location on charges of Trafficking stolen weapons/1st offense; Reckless use of a firearm (for discharging a weapon near a residence where other persons were located), and Felon in control of a firearm. Morris had a previous conviction in Iowa for Domestic Assault causing bodily injury. He was released from the Adair County Jail on a $10,300 cash or surety bond.

As we reported last week, the incident began at around 11-p.m. Saturday, April 11th, with a report of shots fired at 615 SW 7th St. in Stuart, Apartment 6. Officers responding found fresh shell casings and determined that several shots had been fired within feet of the front door of the apartment Officers could hear people arguing inside the apartment and discovered three adults and several children were inside.

An investigation resulted in the discovery of two handguns, one of which has the serial number filed-off and was believed to be stolen, and marijuana. It was discovered that one of the male subjects fired several shots from one of the recovered handguns leading to the shots fired call. During the arrest, Allen-Harris allegedly became combative and assaulted a Stuart Reserve Police Officer by chest bumping him and spitting on a him. He also allegedly damaged a Sheriffs Department vehicle by kicking the door and windows. Deputies from the Adair and Guthrie County Sheriff’s Offices and Iowa State Troopers assisted at the scene.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports also, 20-year old Jaxson Timothy Blade Hall, of Stuart, was arrested April 12th at a separate location from the previous incident. Hall was taken into custody for Domestic Abuse Assault w/injury or mental illness/1st offense, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Hall admitted to assaulting his girlfriend at their residence in the 500 block of Max Drive. He was later released on a $2,000 cash or surety bond.

And, on April 13th, 33-year old Michael Eugene Matherly was arrested on two Union County warrants. He was later released on his Own Recognizance.

Atlantic School Board to meet electronically Wed. evening

News

April 21st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will conduct an electronic meeting 6-p.m. Wednesday (April 22nd) via YouTube (at https://youtu.be/g7b5aQpscRs). On the agenda is discussion with regard to the IASB Needs Assessment Survey Results, along with COVID-19/District Response and Planning.

Last week, Governor Reynolds announced that all school districts and nonpublic schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year and will continue to offer continuous learning to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. That also includes the cancellation of spring sports activities.

The governor and the Iowa Department of Education also announced that the state of Iowa will:

  • Waive instructional time requirements for the remainder of the 2019-2020 regularly scheduled academic year for schools that continue to provide continuous learning through one of two approved options, voluntary educational enrichment opportunities, required educational services, or a combination of the two.
  • Require schools to submit a Return to Learn Plan to the Iowa Department of Education by July 1 outlining ways they will address disruptions to learning as a result of COVID-19. This could include summer school, enrichment activities or other opportunities to address the needs of learners.
  • Waive the requirement that schools start no earlier than Aug. 23, allowing school districts and nonpublic schools to make local decisions about the length of their 2020-2021 academic year.

The Atlantic School Board will also act on the resignation of Jordan Newberg as 2nd Grade Teacher/Girls Soccer/MS Wrestling Coach. And, they will act on the disposal of two buses: #12 (A 2008 Thomas) and #15, (a 2007 Thomas), both of which are being replaced with money from the VW grant. In order for the district to receive the grant money, the buses mentioned will need to be salvaged or destroyed.

The Board will act on approving Change Orders/Proposal Requests with regard to the Atlantic Athletic Facilities Improvement Project. Proposals for dirt work/perforated drain tile and related costs were received from Central Iowa Dirt Works of Johnston, for 8,173, and $8,710, from Rochon Corporation of Iowa.

CHARLIE LEROY ALLEN, 85, of Avoca (Svcs. 04/24/2020)

Obituaries

April 21st, 2020 by Jim Field

CHARLIE LEROY ALLEN, 85, of Avoca died Monday, April 20th at his home. A Private family funeral service for CHARLIE LEROY ALLEN will be held on Friday, April 24th at 11:00 a.m. at Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Avoca.

A Public Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 23rd from 1:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Avoca. Per CDC regulations 10 visitors or less at a time will be allowed.

Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery in Avoca.

CHARLIE LEROY ALLEN is survived by:

Wife: Laura (Andersen) Allen of Avoca.

Daughters: Janet (Dick) Dorsey of Anita. Barbara (Gail) Goodner of Carroll.

Sons: Wayne (Kelly) Allen of Avoca. Larry (Traci) Allen of Odebolt.

Sister: Pat (Bob) Rodenburg of Omaha, NE.

10 Grandchildren

7 Great-Grandchildren

Iowa sheriff’s office identifies woman found dead in house

News

April 21st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

GRIMES, Iowa (AP) — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has identified a woman whose body was found inside a house near Grimes over the weekend. The sheriff’s office said in a news release Tuesday that 35-year-old Melanie Scheuring, of Grimes, was found dead in a home that deputies, firefighters and medics had been called to Sunday morning. Officials say arriving deputies and medics found a Scheuring unresponsive in the home, along with her 46-year-old fiance. Authorities have not released the fiance’s name or given details on how she died. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal of Investigation are investigating the death.

Atlantic Fire called to structure fire northeast of town

News

April 21st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Fire Department was called to the scene of an unknown structure fire this afternoon. A building was said to be on fire at 65504 Galveston Road, northeast of the old State Patrol Headquarters off of Highway 71. The call went out at 12:22-p.m.  Crews were told a few minutes later there was a small grass fire at the scene…not a structure fire.