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Man charged with 5 new felonies in Iowa Trump rally shooting

News

January 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Prosecutors have added five felony weapons and assault counts against a white man already charged with attempted murder for shooting into a car carrying four Black girls during a rally for President Trump in Iowa. The Polk County Attorney’s Office has filed a formal charging document against 25-year-old Michael McKinney who has been jailed since his arrest hours after the Dec. 6 shooting near the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines.

Army veteran Michael McKinney, is shown in a Dec. 6, 2020 booking photo released by the Polk County Jail in Des Moines, Iowa. McKinney is charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a 15-year-old Black girl who was arguing with supporters of the president at a Trump rally, a case authorities have not detailed to the public. (Polk County Jail via AP)

In addition to attempted murder, the document charges McKinney with intimidation with a dangerous weapon, willful injury, assault while participating in a felony, reckless use of a firearm and going armed with intent. He has said he fired in self-defense.

 

Pursuit that crossed state lines reaches speeds of 110 mph

News

January 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

CHANCELLOR, S.D. (AP) — An Iowa man is behind bars in South Dakota after a pursuit that crossed state lines and reached speeds of more than 100 mph. The chase started when deputies with the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office in Iowa started pursuing a stolen vehicle Monday. The pursuit entered Lincoln County when the South Dakota deputies there were asked to take over. It lasted for several miles in Lincoln County with speeds reaching 110 mph, authorities said.

The pursuit ended when a Highway Patrol trooper stopped the vehicle at an intersection west of Chancellor, South Dakota.

 

House subcommittee advances proposed amendment on abortion

News

January 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Republicans in the legislature are prioritizing a process that would override an Iowa Supreme Court ruling that Iowa women have a right to abortion. A proposed amendment to Iowa’s constitution cleared its first hurdle in the House early this (Tuesday) morning. Iowans for Life executive director Maggie DeWitte thanked G-O-P lawmakers for bringing it forward so quickly in the 2021 session.

Kim Laube, director of life ministries for Lutheran Family Service, also spoke at the statehouse hearing.

Two Republicans on a House subcommittee voted to advance the proposal to the House Judiciary Committee. Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell of Ames, the only Democrat on the subcommittee, says legislators should focus on other issues.

And Wessel-Kroeschell says she felt unsafe as others in the statehouse hearing room were not wearing face masks. Jamie Burch Elliott of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa is among the dozens of Iowans who submitted written comments rather than attending the in-person hearing. She says House subcommittee hearings should be held in a virtual format that lets members of the public speak during the meeting.

Burch Eliott made her comments during an online news conference held via Zoom. The process of amending Iowa’s constitution takes years and the proposed amendment discussed today (Tuesday) stalled in the House last June. That means 2024 is the earliest the amendment could be presented to voters for ratification or rejection.

Child injured in Red Oak crash Tue. morning

News

January 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

A child passenger in a car was injured Tuesday morning in Red Oak, during a collision at the intersection of N. 4th and E. Maple Streets. Red Oak Police report the nine-year old girl suffered suspected minor injuries during the crash that happened just before 7-a.m.  She was transported by Red Oak Rescue to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital. During their investigation, Officers determined 20-year old Ashlee Young, of Red Oak, was driving a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee northbound on N 4th Street and 30-year old Cassandra McVay, of Red Oak, was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu eastbound on E Maple Street, when she failed to yield at the yield sign, and to the right-of-way to Young’s vehicle.

Young’s Jeep struck McVay’s Malibu in the right rear quarter panel. Police issued McVay a warning for Failure to Obey a Yield Sign. Damage from the collision amounted to $11,000. Both vehicles were declared a total loss.

Exira-EHK School Board agrees to continue sharing agreements & RTL/Mask mandate

News

January 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Exira-Elk Horn Kimballton School Board, Monday evening, agreed in-principal, to continue Sharing Agreements they have with various area districts, including the position of School Business Officer, Human Resources, Transportation Director and Superintendent. Exira-EHK Superintendent Trevor Miller…

Among the adjustments or “tweaks” to those contracts they are proposing, is to Miller’s 80/20 contract, with regard to time spent in the district and cost sharing. He’ll meet Thursday evening with the IKM-Manning Board to continue the discussions. In other business, the Exira-EHK Board set their February 15th meeting as the date for a Public Hearing on the proposed 2021-22 School Calendar.

The Board also agree to extend the Return-to-Learn and mask mandate until their meeting March 15th.

And, they agreed to extend FFCRA leave (COVID-19 related), which had expired Dec.31st. It will remain in-place now until the end of the school year. And, they approved the hiring of Emily McDermott as a Long-Term substitute 2nd Semester English Teacher, along with the resignation of Librarian Linda Petersen, who is retiring, as well as Bus Driver David Anderson, who will still act as a substitute, when needed.

Spencer Lee named Big Ten Co-Wrestler of the Week

Sports

January 19th, 2021 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior Spencer Lee has been named Big Ten Co-Wrestler of the Week, the conference office announced Tuesday. Lee shares the award with Minnesota’s Patrick McKee.

Lee, ranked No. 1 at 125 pounds, opened the 2021 season with a first-period fall against Indiana’s 11th-ranked Liam Cronin. Lee led 6-0 before securing the fall in one minute, 21 seconds.

The pin was the 22nd of Lee’s career, his 17th in the first period. He improved to 19-0 all-time at Carver-Hawkeye Arena and extended his winning streak to 24 matches.

The weekly conference honor is the second of Lee’s career. He was previously recognized Jan. 23, 2018.

Lee and McKee, who is ranked 17th at 125 pounds, meet Friday at 8 p.m. (CT) when top-ranked Iowa visits No. 14 Minnesota. The dual is televised on BTN.

KC mayor to Chiefs fans: Celebrate with COVID-19 in mind

Sports

January 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas is a big fan of the Chiefs, but he can’t help but worry after watching news coverage of fans celebrating close together following the team’s 22-17 NFL playoff game win over Cleveland. Now, with the Chiefs hosting Buffalo in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, Lucas is urging fans to keep COVID-19 preventative measures in mind as they gather to watch.

Fireworks are seen over Arrowhead Stadium after an NFL divisional round football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City. The Chiefs won 22-17. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

The Kansas City Star reports that the city will touch base with entertainment districts to make sure crowds next weekend don’t leave “a lot of people sick around the Super Bowl.”

 

Mega Millions jackpot now $850M; Powerball up to $730M

News

January 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Lottery players are getting another shot at the third-largest jackpot in U.S. history. The Mega Millions top prize has hit an estimated $850 million, making Tuesday night’s drawing the biggest in more than two years. Powerball, the other lottery game offered in most of the U.S., isn’t far behind at $730 million for a drawing Wednesday night. It’s the first time both lottery jackpots have topped $700 million.

No one has won the Mega Millions jackpot since Sept. 15. The last Powerball jackpot winner was a day later, on Sept. 16. Mega Millions and Powerball are both played in 45 states as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball also is offered in Puerto Rico.

 

Adair woman escapes injury during a rollover accident

News

January 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Road conditions played a role in a rollover accident last Thursday evening, just north of Adair. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports 51-year-old Kristina Sherman, of Adair, was driving a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee east on White Pole Road at around 7:15-p.m., when the vehicle went out of control, entered the south ditch and rolled onto its top. Sherman was wearing her seat belt, and was not injured. She was cited for two counts of Driving While license suspended. The SUV was totaled in the crash.

Backyard & Beyond 1-19-2021

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

January 19th, 2021 by Jim Field

LaVon Eblen visits with Cass County Wellness Director and Produce in the Park Manager Brigham Hoegh about the Sweetheart Market.

Play