The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (3.7MB)
Subscribe: RSS
The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (3.7MB)
Subscribe: RSS
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Closing arguments have been scheduled for Monday in the fourth Iowa trial of an Illinois man accused of killing a 9-year-old girl in 1990. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that the defense rested its case for 57-year-old Stanley Liggins on Thursday in Black Hawk County District Court in Waterloo. Jurors were dismissed until Monday.
He’s charged with first-degree murder in the death of Jennifer Lewis, of Rock Island, Illinois. Her burned remains were found in September 1990 near a school in neighboring Davenport, Iowa, which is just across the Mississippi River.
Liggins has been convicted and sentenced to life in prison twice in the death of Lewis. Both convictions were overturned. His third trial was moved to Black Hawk County because of extensive pretrial publicity in Scott County. It ended in a mistrial in September 2018 because jurors couldn’t reach a verdict.
Medivac Ambulance and Atlantic Fire & Rescue were dispatched at around 6:53-a.m. to a two-vehicle accident at 11th and Chestnut Street. (Update 6:55: Atlantic Police advised no one complained of injuries and, contrary to initial reports, no one was trapped.) Additional details are currently not available.
WANTED: I am looking for old sturdy lumber such as saw mill lumber to make benches with for my wedding. If anyone has any they’d be willing to part with they can contact me at 712-370-1531.
FOR SALE: Wood wardrobe with mirror and three drawers $100. Wood antique hutch with front claw feet $1000.
FREE: Giving away a 3-piece living room set. Includes two rocker-recliners that are hunter green and maroon plaid. Also includes a two-drawer tabletop. They all attach to each other if desired. Located at 707 Hickory Street in Atlantic. Call with questions at 712-243-2880.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. (AP) — The flood-damaged U.S. Air Force base south of Omaha has reopened its runway to aircraft. The Omaha World-Herald reports that some of the nine aircraft flown from Offutt Air Force Base to other bases returned Thursday, once it was determined that the flooding didn’t damage the runway and taxiways. Other aircraft had been towed to higher ground.
Earlier this month Missouri River floodwaters breached one levee and overtopped another near the sprawling complex, flooding the southeastern third. The water inundated nearly 80 buildings and covered more than a quarter of the runway. On Wednesday Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said the Air Force needs $4.9 billion in extra funding over the next three years to rebuild and repair Offutt and Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, which sustained hurricane damage last fall.
JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — The adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard has announced his plans for retirement. A National Guard news release says Maj. Gen. Tim Orr intends to step down effective May 1 after 10 years as the Iowa Guard’s commander. He was named to the post by then Gov. Chet Culver in March 2009. Brig. Gen. Stephen Osborn will serve as the interim adjutant general.
Orr enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard in 1978 while still a senior at Boone High School and rose through the ranks.
Red Oak Police, Thursday night, arrested a man wanted on a Page County warrant for Theft in the 5th Degree (loss less than $200). 19-year old Brandon Kyle Beckstead, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 10:50-p.m. and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where his bond was set at $300.
Today: Partly cloudy to cloudy w/rain late this morning or early this afternoon. High 52. NE @ 10-20mph.
Tonight: Cldy w/rain possibly mixed w/light snow, ending late. Low 34. N @ 10-20.
Tomorrow: Cldy to P/Cldy. High 48. N @ 15-25.
Sunday: P/Cldy. High 48.
Monday: Mo. Cldy. High 53.
Yesterday’s High in Atlantic was 55. Our Low this morning, 38. Last year on this date our High was 46 and the Low was 29. The record High in Atlantic on this date was 90 in 1986. The Record Low was 5 in 1969.
The Iowa Dept. of Transportation reports flood waters are beginning to recede in some flooded areas around Iowa. However, just because water may no longer remain on the roadway that does not mean the roads are ready to be opened to traffic. There are several stages the Iowa Department of Transportation must go through to make sure roadways are safe for you to travel.
Depending on the extent of damage caused by floodwaters, the recovery process may take anywhere from a few days to several months. As soon as floodwaters recede, the Iowa DOT is working as diligently as possible to move through the recovery process and reopen the roadway.
The following is a list of roads currently closed due to flooding and what the recovery process is:
Barriers blocking access to roads will remain in place until the road has been deemed safe for traffic. If you see a barricade, don’t drive around it. Just because a road looks safe, doesn’t mean it is safe. While some structural damage to the road surface is very visible, damage to the ground underneath the road may be more difficult to see. Barricades are in place to protect you from hurting yourself, damaging your vehicle, and potentially causing further damage to the road. If you are a resident or property owner and need to get to your property, your county emergency management office can help coordinate safe access. For the latest in flooding information and recovery resources, go to https://floods2019.iowa.gov/
Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee center fielder Lorenzo Cain soared above the wall to rob Jose Martinez of a tying home run for the final out, lifting Christian Yelich and the Brewers over the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4 in an opener. With at least one Cardinals player in the bullpen already raising his arms to celebrate, Cain pulled back the pinch-hit drive by Martinez in right-center. A fired-up Cain flung the ball high into the air as the Brewers poured onto the field to celebrate.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Brad Keller pitched two-hit ball over seven shutout innings, Adalberto Mondesi tripled twice and the Kansas Royals held off the Chicago White Sox 5-3 after the start of their season opener was delayed nearly two hours by rain. Eloy Jimenez went 0 for 3 with an RBI in his major league debut for Chicago after signing a $43 million, six-year contract _ a record high for a player under club control yet to appear in a big league game.
AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State and women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly have agreed to a three-year contract extension through 2025. Fennelly who finished his 24th season at Iowa State with an upset to loss at home to Missouri State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The 61-year-old Fennelly had been signed through 2022. Financial terms were not disclosed.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri-Kansas City hired Northwestern assistant Billy Donlon to take over its men’s basketball program, which has never qualified for the NCAA Tournament at the Division I level. Donlon spent six years as head coach at Wright State, going 109-94 while leading the program to three 20-win seasons and three Horizon League title games. He also spent time working under John Beilein at Michigan and as an assistant at his alma mater North Carolina-Wilmington.