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U.S. 20 traffic to be shifted off detour in Ida and Sac counties Dec. 9

News

December 5th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Iowa Department of Transportation report U.S. Highway 20 traffic will be shifted off the detour to the existing lanes in Ida and Sac counties between Galva and Early at noon Friday, Dec. 9th, weather permitting. Traffic will remain on the existing lanes through the winter with the detour reactivated in spring 2017.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through our 511 system. Visit www.511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter (find links at www.iowadot.gov/511/socialmedia.html); or download the free app to your mobile device.

FBI seizes data that may be connected to Sioux City probe

News

December 5th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The FBI has seized computer data that may be connected to a federal investigation into Sioux City’s emitting improperly treated sewage with high levels of harmful bacteria into the Missouri River. The Sioux City Journal reports   agents served a warrant Thursday at the city-county Information Technology Department.

Tony Morfitt is a spokesman for the U.S. attorney in northern Iowa, and he said Monday he couldn’t comment on what the agents were seeking. Attorney Guy Cook represents the city in the wastewater matter, and he told the Journal the city is cooperating with the U.S. attorney’s office and the FBI.

The wastewater treatment practices have been under state and federal scrutiny since Iowa officials learned last year that two plant supervisors were manipulating chemical levels used to treat sewage.

Branstad will meet with Trump amid new job speculation

News

December 5th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad will meet with President-elect Donald Trump this week amid speculation the Iowa governor could become the next U.S. ambassador to China. Branstad told reporters Monday he has a tentative appointment to meet with Trump while the Republican governor is in New York for an economic development trip scheduled between Tuesday and Thursday.

At a rally in Sioux City before the election, Trump had praised Branstad’s knowledge of trade and called him a “prime candidate to take care of China.” Branstad said Monday that Trump hasn’t been offered a position. Although Branstad didn’t directly reference becoming U.S. ambassador to China, he told reporters he’s had discussions recently with his family about possibly moving to China.

Trump won Iowa and will hold a rally Thursday in Des Moines.

Atlantic Police report 5 arrests and 2 accidents

News

December 5th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Police Department reports five people were arrested on separate charges recently. Last Friday, Officers with the A-PD arrested 20-year old Douglas Cline, of Atlantic, on Cass County warrants for Violation of Probation. On Saturday, 55-year old Phillip Fraser, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Simple Assault. On Nov. 29th, 32-year old Adam Morris, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault and Simple Assault causing bodily injury. On Nov. 25th, 26-year old Devin Register, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County Sheriff’s warrant for Delivery of a Controlled Substance. And, on Nov. 22nd, 32-year old Daniel Long, of Atlantic, was arrested on Cass County warrants for Theft in the 3rd Degree, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. All subjects were transported to the Cass County Jail and booked-in.

And, no injuries were reported following accidents that occurred Dec. 1st and 2nd. Officials say Patrice Hanson, of Forest City, was given a warning for Failure to Yield upon entering a through street, after she stopped at the intersection of 10th and Olive Streets on Dec. 1st, before proceeding westbound into the intersection, where her vehicle collided with a vehicle driven by Jordan Edgington, of Atlantic. Edgington was making a left-hand turn from northbound Olive onto 10th Street at the time. The accident, which happened at around 6-p.m. Thursday, resulted in $2,500 damage.

The second accident happened at around 5:10-p.m. Friday at the intersection of 7th and Olive Streets, when a vehicle driven by April Lummus, of Atlantic, struck the rear of a vehicle driven by Pamela Rodriguez, of Atlantic. The accident occurred as Rodriguez was slowing for a red light as she was traveling east on 7th Street. Damage from the collision amounted to $3,200. Police cited Lummus for Failure to Stop in an assured, clear distance.

Atlantic woman arrested on drug charge last week

News

December 5th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two women were arrested following a traffic stop last week. 20-year old Selena Marie Hansen, of Atlantic, was arrested Wednesday on a warrant for Failure to Appear in court. Also arrested during the same traffic stop, was 54-year old Beth Ann Bonnesen, of Atlantic. Bonnesen was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine/1st Offense. Both women were taken to the Cass County Jail. Bonnesen was released on her own recognizance later that day; Hansen was released on her own recognizance several days later.

Last Friday, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 29-year old JaNae Nicole Anderson, of Audubon, on five counts of Unauthorized Use of a Credit Card (less than $1,000). Anderson was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on her own recognizance.

On November 28th, 22-year old Nicholas Wayne Renner, of Huxley, was arrested in Cass County on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Renner was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $5,000 bond. And, on November 29th, 25-year old Devin Allen Foote, of Griswold, turned himself in at the Cass County Jail on a Sheriff’s Office charge of Violation of a No Contact Order. Foote was released later that day on his own recognizance after pleading not guilty before the magistrate.

Harlan man arrested Mon. morning for OWI; Oakland man arrested Sun. for assault

News

December 5th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a Shelby County man was arrested early this (Monday) morning on an OWI charge following a traffic stop on Interstate 80 in Pottawattamie County, near mile marker 39. After the 2001 Mercury driven by 32-year old Andrew Jacob Smith, of Harlan, was pulled over for having a partially obstructed license plate, the Deputy observed Smith had blood shot eyes and a strong odor of alcohol was coming from the vehicle.

Smith told the Deputy he had consumed two drinks. He consented to a Field Sobriety Test and Preliminary Breath Test, which registered a preliminary Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .142 (point One-Four-Two) percent. A subsequent breath test at the Pott. County Jail registered .112 Percent. Smith was taken into custody for OWI/1st Offense and Failure to Maintain a Registration (License) Plate.

The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office said also, a man from Oakland was arrested Sunday night for Domestic Assault resulting in bodily injury, after he allegedly assaulted his mother. 41-year old Shane Elam Rouse was taken into custody after his son reported the incident to authorities. The victim of the assault suffered a bump on the head.

Backyard & Beyond 12-5-2016

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

December 5th, 2016 by Jim Field

LaVon Eblen visits with Museum of Danish America Eecutive Director John Mark Nielsen.

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3 injured in Harrison County crash, Sunday afternoon

News

December 5th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Three people were injured when two vehicles collided Sunday afternoon on northbound Interstate 29, in Harrison County. The Iowa State Patrol says a 2004 Ford Explorer driven by 25-year old Tanner D. Harl, of Onawa, was passing a 1997 Ford Ranger pickup driven by 45-year old Hugo Ronaldo Corado-Urrutia, of Syracuse, NE, when the SUV drifted into the the side of the pickup, causing both vehicles’ drivers to lose control.

The SUV rolled over and came to rest on its top in the center median, while the pickup spun around on the road and rolled over before coming to rest in the east ditch. Both drivers, and a passenger in the pickup, 32-year old Edwin Otero-Chicas, of Syracuse, NE, were injured. Corado-Urrutia and Otero-Chicas were transported by Mondamin and Missouri Valley Rescue, respectively to the Missouri Valley Hospital, while Harl was flown from the scene by LifeNet helicopter to Creighton Hospital, in Omaha. All three men were wearing their seat belts.

Harrison County Sheriff’s Deputies and Missouri Valley Police assisted at the scene.

Guthrie County man arrested after chase in Polk County

News

December 5th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Police in Des Moines arrested a Guthrie County man driving a stolen vehicle late Sunday night. According to WHO-TV, 40-year old Jason Lathrop, of Bagley, was being held in the Polk County Jail following his arrest at around 11:45-p.m. on the east side of the metro.

Lathrop faces charges that include eluding, driving with a suspended license, and second degree theft. He also had outstanding warrants for unauthorized use of credit cards and fifth degree theft.

Fatal crash in Shelby County Saturday morning

News

December 5th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

A man from Montgomery County died during a rollover accident Saturday morning, in Shelby County. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports 18-year old Devon Lee McClain, of Elliott, died at the scene of the crash in the 1100 block of Timber Road. The accident happened at around 9:45-a.m.

Authorities say McClain was traveling northbound on Timber Road when he lost control of the 1999 Chevy Tahoe he was driving, causing the vehicle to rollover into the east ditch.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Harlan Fire Department, Harlan Police Department and Medivac Ambulance.