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Bluffs man found guilty of 2nd degree murder

News

May 3rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A jury in Pottawttamie County, Monday, handed-down a “guilty” verdict against a Council Bluffs man in connection with the January 14th, 2011 stabbing death of 39-year old Tammy Rocha. 47-year old Clarence Woolsoncroft was found guilty of second-degree murder and two lesser crimes. 

He had faced charges of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree robbery and conspiracy, but after eight hours of deliberations, jurors only found him guilty of second-degree murder, false imprisonment and willful injury causing serious injury. Second-degree murder carries a mandatory 50-year prison sentence. A mandatory minimum time of 70 percent of the sentence – or 35 years – must be served before being eligible for parole. The jury decided Woolsoncroft was not guilty of conspiracy. 

Woolsoncroft’s Attorney, Joseph Reedy said the jury’s decision would be appealed. Sentencing in the matter is scheduled for June 6th. 

Rocha was stabbed multiple times in January and found in the street near 35th Street and Fifth Avenue in Council Bluffs. Woolsoncroft, in a taped interview with Council Bluffs police detectives, said he took Rocha to a residence on Fifth Avenue on Jan. 14, because Lisa Reeves – who also faces murder charges – told him she would “make it worth his while.” He said he assumed she meant she would give him drugs or money. Woolsoncroft told investigators that he never saw anyone stab Rocha after he drove her to the scene of her death. 

Both Lisa Reeves – whom prosecutors allege stabbed Rocha – and her father, Bryan Reeves, face similar charges in the incident. Their trials are scheduled separately at a later date.

Atlantic arrests

News

May 3rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Police Department reports five people were arrested over the past few days. On Sunday, 18-year old Scott Jackson, of Atlantic, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 27-year old Cody Hanson, of Atlantic, was arrested for Public Intoxication.

And, 25-year old Tony Mayo, Jr., of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County Warrant issued April 28th charging him with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of drug paraphernalia. Mayo, Jr. posted a $1,500 bond Monday, and was ordered to appear in court Thursday afternoon.

On Saturday, officers with the A-P.D. arrested 25-year old Zebedee Joiner, of Atlantic, on a charge of 5th degree theft. And, last Thursday, 54-year old Robin Jennings, of Atlantic, was arrested on an assault charge.

With the exception of Tony Mayo, Jr., each of the other individuals were brought to the Cass County Jail and held pending an appearance before the magistrate.

Montgomery County arrests

News

May 3rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports two men were arrested Monday on unrelated charges. 27-year old Garrett Alan Winther, of Villisca, was taken into custody Monday morning, on a warrant for theft in the 5th degree.

And, 39-year old Jason Ray Cornelison, of Red Oak, was arrested Monday afternoon, on an April 25th bench warrant for violation of his probation. Cornelison was originally charged back in April, with Possession of a Controlled Substance, 3rd offense.

Atlantic accidents

News

May 3rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Two, non-injury accidents were reported in Atlantic over the weekend.

According to the Atlantic Police Department, Paul Willenbring, of Lisbon, was cited Friday for failure to obey a stop or yield sign, after his vehicle collided with one driven by Daniel Huey, of Atlantic. The accident happened at the intersection of 10th and Palm Streets, at around 3:25-p.m. Damage from the mishap amounted to $6,500.

And, Brandon Jacobsen, of Atlantic, was cited Saturday, for Failure to obey a traffic control device, after the vehicle he was driving collided with one driven by Stuart Hoegh, of Atlantic, at 8th and Chestnut Streets. The crash, which happened at around 8:45-p.m., caused an estimated $7,500 damage.

Gov. Terry E. Branstad orders flags at half-staff Staff Sgt. James Justice

News

May 2nd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry Branstad has ordered all flags in Iowa be flown at half-from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4, in honor of Staff Sgt. James Justice, 32, of Grimes, Iowa.

Gov. Branstad has cleared his public schedule on Wednesday in order to attend the funeral service.

Staff Sgt. Justice was killed during a small arms fire exchange with enemy fighters in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan on Saturday, April 23, 2011.

The Governor’s directive applies to all U.S. and state flags under the control of the state. H.R. 692, signed in 2007, requires federal government agencies in the state to comply with the Governor’s Executive Order that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff in the event of the death of a member of the Armed Forces.

Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex, and upon all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.

The U.S. flag flown over the state Capitol on the day of the funeral will be presented to Staff Sgt. Justice’s family at a later date, along with a proclamation honoring him.

Iowa’s Best Burger 2011

News

May 2nd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A Central Iowa restaurant is the home of Iowa’s Best Burger in 2011. Officials with the Iowa Beef Industry Council said today (Monday), “The Rusty Duck” in Dexter was selected by a secret panel of judges as the top location in the state to get a hamburger.

The restaurant was one of 275 nominated from across the state for the IBIC’s and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association contest. The field was whittled down to 10 finalists, which included the Coon Bowl Two in Coon Rapids, and the Farmer’s Kitchen, in Atlantic.

The Rusty Duck’s owner Brad Waldron is also the cook for the 90-seat bar and grill. He says 80-percent of his time is spent preparing hand-pattied beef at the restaurant. Waldron buys choice boxed beef and cuts his own steaks. The trim from the top loin and sirloin goes into the grinder and becomes ground beef for his burgers, which he forms into a 14- or 8-ounce size.

For having the Best Burger in Iowa, The Rusty Duck received a plaque and media prize package. This was the second year the IBIC and ICA have sponsored the contest. Last year’s winner was the Sac County Cattle Company, in Sac City.

Arrest Related to March Death of Harlan Man

News

May 2nd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in western Iowa report an arrest has been made in connection with investigation into the March death of a Harlan man. 20-year old Colton Edward Blaine-Benson, of Harlan, was charged today (Monday) with Murder in the Second Degree – a Class B Felony – for the death of 39-year old Jay Anthony Casali.

Officials say Benson-Blaine and Casali were involved in a fight inside a home in Harlan during the early morning hours of March 5th. Casali was transported by ambulance to the hospital in Harlan where he was treated for his injuries. The following evening, he was found dead inside of a different home in Harlan.

An autopsy conducted by the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office determined the injuries inflicted on Casali by Benson-Blaine contributed to Casali’s death.

Benson-Blaine was taken into custody at his residence in Harlan, around 10:30 this (Monday) morning. The arrest was made by officers with the Iowa D-C-I and Harlan Police.

Walnut soldier injured in Afghanistan

News

May 2nd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

An Iowa National Guard soldier from Walnut was injured by weapons fire while on patrol over the weekend in Afghanistan.  Guard spokesman Col. Greg Hapgood reports Specialist Dane Nelsen was wounded by enemy fire while he was part of a foot patrol in Paktia Province.

Hapgood says Nelsen was wounded, evacuated from the combat zone and is receiving medical care, but additional information concerning the extent of his injuries and condtion, was not available.

Nelsen serves with Company B, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry with the Iowa National Guard.

Griswold Golf Results

Sports

May 2nd, 2011 by Jim Field

Friday, April 29

Boys: Griswold 189, Underwood 201

Medalist:  Drake Fanslau (U) 44  Runner-up:  CJ Coughlin (G) 44

Girls: Underwood 206, Griswold 227

Medalist:  Cassie Forsyth (G)  44  Runner-up:  Erika Casson (U)  50

 

Fremont County Boys Golf Tourney (April 30)

Team Scores:

  1. Nebraska City  341
  2. Treynor  369
  3. Fremont Co.  413
  4. Auburn, NE  418
  5. Griswold  427
  6. East Mills  469
  7. Fremont-Mills  528

Griswold Results:

  • 16th — Dillon Bates  102
  • 17th — Cody Burnside  104
  • 21st — Casey Marshall 110
  • 23rd — Alex Oakleaf  111
  • 28th — Noah Sindt  120

05-02-2011 Backyard and Beyond

Podcasts

May 2nd, 2011 by admin

Lavon speaks with Terry O’Brien, photographer providing vintage costumes, about his life and business in Ireland where Lavon recently visited.

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