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Court upholds conviction of Iowa sleepwalker in Bluffs’ assault

News

November 27th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of a former Army officer accused of breaking into a Council Bluffs apartment and assaulting a woman. The court rejected the appeal from former Lt. Col. Robert Butts, who claimed there were several problems with his 2010 jury trial. Butts was sentenced to 25 years in prison for seven charges, including second-degree kidnapping. Butts was accused of breaking into a woman’s apartment on Nov. 11, 2009, which was Veteran’s Day, and holding her at gunpoint. The woman’s sister, who was hiding in a closet, called police. During his trial, Butts testified he didn’t remember what happened that night. A psychiatrist testified Butt has history of sleepwalking.

Audubon City Council to meet Monday

News

November 27th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The City Council in Audubon is set to meet Monday evening. On their agenda for the 7-p.m. session at City Hall, is an update from Barb Jacobsen on the Blue Zone Project. Audubon was one of 8 western Iowa communities selected last week from a field of 84 towns, to submit a full application for the opportunity to become one 10 finalists for Blue Zones demonstration sites. The next step in the process, is for the City to submit the full application, by no later than January 4th.

The Council will also discuss siding on the police office, space in the basement for the police department, and compensation practices.

Elk Horn-Kimballton & Exira School Boards to hold joint meeting Monday

News

November 27th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Exira and Elk Horn-Kimballton Boards of Education will hold a joint meeting Monday evening, in Elk Horn. On the agenda for the 7-p.m. session in the Family and Consumer Science Room at the EHK High School, is discussion with regard to: graduation diplomas; sports facilities; communication structure; a joint advisory committee; their mission and vision; and goals for the 2012-2013 school year.

The next joint meeting of both boards will take place March 26th, in Exira.

FRED DUANE MEIER, 74, of Persia (Svcs 11-29-11)

Obituaries

November 27th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

FRED DUANE MEIER, 74, of Persia, died Fri., Nov. 25th, at Alegent Mercy Hospital. Funeral services for FRED MEIER will be 10:30-a.m. Tue., Nov. 29th, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Persia. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

Visitation at Trinity Lutheran Church is from 1-to 8:30-pm Mon., Nov. 28th, with a Prayer service at 7-p.m.

Burial will be in the Valley View Cemetery at Persia.

FRED MEIER is survived by:

His wife – Mona Meier, of Persia.

His son – Duane Meier, of Council Bluffs.

His brothers – Robert (Janet) Meier, of Irwin; Ron (Gloria) Meier, & Richard (Kathy) Meier, all of Tabor.

His sisters – Regina Schmidt, of Avoca; Lotus (Marlon) Martin, of Harlan; LaVonne (Nick) Mspringman, of Portsmouth; & Deanna (Marvin) Huebner, of Persia.

6 grandchildren.

Serious assault reported in Lenox

News

November 27th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Police in the Taylor County community of Lenox reported Saturday, a disturbance at around 11:30-a.m. Friday resulted in the arrest of 30-year old Lucas Briggs, of Lenox. Briggs was charged with Domestic Abuse/Serious Assault, following an incident which allegedly occurred in the 500-block of West Ohio Street. He was brought to the Taylor County Jail and held, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

Rice Leads Drake Over Cal State Northridge 73-49

Sports

November 27th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Rayvonte Rice had 22 points to lead four Drake players scoring in double figures in a 73-49 victory against Cal State Northridge on Saturday. Ben Simons added 14 points and Kurt Alexander and Jordan Clarke 11 each for the Bulldogs (4-2). Stephan Hicks and Josh Greene scored 10 points each for the Matadors (1-4). Hicks had eight rebounds. A 17-3 run during a 5:18 stretch of the first half gave Drake permanent control of the game. Rice had seven points during the surge, which culminated with his layup that gave the Bulldogs a 31-16 lead with 6:05 remaining in the half.

Babb, McGee Lead Iowa State Over Rice 90-63

Sports

November 27th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (AP) – Chris Babb scored 26 points and Tyrus McGee added 17 as Iowa State defeated Rice 90-63 in the South Padre Island Invitational on Saturday night. Chris Allen and Scott Christopherson scored 10 points each for the Cyclones (5-1). Melvin Ejim had eight points and 11 rebounds. Tamir Jackson scored 13 points and Lucas Kuipers 11 for the Owls (4-2). Allen’s 3-pointer with 13:30 remaining in the first half commenced a 13-0 run that gave the Cyclones permanent control of the game. McGee ended the surge with consecutive 3-pointers, the second giving Iowa State a 26-16 lead. The Cyclones led by 29 points in the second half.

James Leads Northern Iowa Over Providence 79-62

Sports

November 27th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (AP) – Anthony James scored 22 points to lead Northern Iowa to a 79-62 victory against Providence in the South Padre Island Invitational on Saturday night. Seth Tuttle had 13 points and 11 rebounds and Jake Koch 13 points for the Panthers (5-1), who won their fourth straight game. Vincent Council scored 26 points, LaDontae Henton 16 and Gerard Coleman 13 for the Friars (4-2). Henton had nine rebounds. The Panthers, who defeated a Big East school for the first time in 10 tries, led 40-34 with 15:21 remaining. An 11-2 run over the next 1:44, in which Koch scored six points, gave them control of the game for good.

Northern Iowa and Iowa State were both 4-0 at the South Padre Invitational. The teams play at Iowa State on Wednesday.

Theft arrest reported in Red Oak

News

November 27th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Police in Red Oak report the arrest this (Sunday) morning of Eric Vannausdle. The man was taken into custody in the 400 block of North 3rd Street in Red Oak, on a warrant out of Montgomery County, for Theft in the 2nd degree. Vannausdle was being held in the Montgomery County Jail.

Trespassing & Public Intox arrest in Red Oak

News

November 27th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports one person was arrested early this (Sunday) morning in Red Oak, on Trespass and Public Intoxication charges. 46-year old Steven James Shearer, of Elliott, was taken into custody at around 2:30-a.m., following an incident in the 100 block of Corning Street, in Red Oak. Shearer was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 bond.