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(Podcast) KJAN News, 4/12/21

News, Podcasts

April 12th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The 7:07-a.m. local news report, w/Ric Hanson.

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2 vehicle accident in Red Oak, Sunday

News

April 12th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Red Oak Police say no injuries were reported following a collision Sunday at the intersection of N. 8th and E. Reed Streets. Authorities say a 2007 Pontiac G6 driven by 17-year-old Courtney Lynn Hoswell, of Red Oak, was traveling east on Reed Street (going the wrong way on a one-way street). When she attempted to cross N. 8th Street, her vehicle was struck by a 2018 Chevy Equinox driven by 24-year-old Candis Ann Tiepelman, of Lenox, that was traveling northbound on 8th.

Damage to the vehicles amounted to $4,000. Red Oak Police cited Hoswell for Failure to Yield upon entering a through street.

2 women arrested on drug & other charges Sunday, in Red Oak

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April 12th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Red Oak Police Department reports officers arrested two women on drug and other charges late Sunday night. Authorities say 28-year-old Ray Jean Mae Steele, and 28-year-old Alina M. McFarland, both of Red Oak, were arrested a little after 11-p.m., for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Gathering where marijuana is used. Steele faces an additional charge for four counts of Child Endangerment. Her bond was set at $2,000. Bond for McFarland was set at $1,000.

A traffic stop at around 9:50-p.m. Sunday, in Red Oak, resulted in the arrest of 42-year-old Devlin Jay Phillips, of Council Bluffs, for Driving Under Suspension. His bond was set at $491.25. And, at around 6:30-p.m. Sunday, 62-year-old Scott Wade Barry, of Red Oak, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 bond.

Hundreds salute processional of hearse carrying slain trooper to Independence

News

April 12th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) –  On Sunday, hundreds lined the highway into Independence as the hearse carrying the body of 51-year-old Iowa State Patrol Sergeant Jim Smith passed by. Smith was shot to death late Friday night during a stand-off with a Grundy Center man. Iowa Public Safety Commissioner Stephen Bayens says Smith died a hero.

“He was shot and killed, attempting to arrest a barricaded subject. He sacrificed himself protecting others.” Smith, a 27-year veteran of the patrol, was the leader of a regional tactical unit and had entered the Grundy Center home of Michael Lang with a team on Friday night when he was shot to death. After another gun fight three hours later, Lang was taken into custody. Authorities say he’s in critical condition at the University of Iowa Hospitals after surgery for multiple gunshot wounds. The public safety commissioner paid tribute to Sergeant Smith during a news conference on Saturday.

“Sergeant Jim Smith was a guardian of justice,” Bayens said. “…I’m going to keep saying his name until his sacrifice is seared upon the hearts of anyone that can hear my voice.” Smith is survived by a wife and two children. Smith, who has been stationed at the patrol’s Oelwein office since 1996, is the first trooper to be shot to death while on duty since 1936. The man charged with murdering Smith Friday night was known to authorities, according to the Division of Criminal Investigation.

The Des Moines Register reports Lang had recently been cited for trespassing at a Grundy Center bar where he had been banned due to belligerent behavior. Court records show he was charged with third offense drunk driving in 2009, a felony. Lang unsuccessfully ran for sheriff as a Democrat in 2020. Authorities say Lang’s father went to his son’s house early in the stand-off and told officers his son had several guns inside, including a shotgun.

Iowa COVID-19 update for 4/11/21: 8 additional deaths; 469 additional cases

News

April 11th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Public Health’s Coronavirus dashboard today (10-a.m., Sunday, 4/11/21) showed there were eight additional COVID-19 related deaths reported since 10-a.m. Saturday, leaving the statewide pandemic death toll in Iowa at 5,857. There were two additional deaths reported in Pottawattamie County, for a total of 160. Long-Term Care facility deaths account for 2,294 of the total number of deaths across the state.

There were 469additional positive test results for COVID-19 returned from the labs, for a total of 385,739. There are remain three Long-Term Care facility outbreaks, with 28 positive cases among residents and staff within those facilities.

Health officials say COVID-related hospitalizations are 212 (compared to 218 previously). There are 54 COVID patients in an ICU (compared to 52 previously). The IDPH says 39 people were admitted to a hospital across the state, compared to 47 the day before, and 20 patients remain on a ventilator.

RMCC Region 4 hospitals (those in western/southwest Iowa) show: There are 30 hospitalized with COVID (Compared with 32 Saturday); 12 COVID patients are in an ICU (There were 14 previously); three people were admitted with symptoms of COVID (6 less than previously reported), and there remain two COVID patients on a ventilator.

The 14-day and seven-day positivity rates were each 4.8%.

In the KJAN listening area, here are the current number positive cases by County; The # of new cases since yesterday {+} – if any; and the total number of deaths in each county to date:

  • Cass, 1,417 cases; {+0}; 54 deaths
  • Adair, 959; {+0}; 32
  • Adams, 336 {+0}; 4
  • Audubon, 511 {+0}; 9
  • Guthrie, 1,247 {+0}; 28
  • Harrison County, 1,875; {+2}; 73
  • Madison County, 1,656; {+3; 19
  • Mills County, 1,736; {+4}; 20
  • Montgomery, 1,074 {+1}; 37
  • Pottawattamie County, 11,664; {+37}; 160
  • Shelby County, 1,323 {+1}; 37
  • Union County,  1,320; {+0}; 32

Public Hearing on the budget during CAM School Board meeting, Monday

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April 11th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

A public hearing will be held beginning 6:30-p.m. Monday (April 12), with regard to the FY 2021-22 CAM Community School District Certified Budget and School Calendar. The meeting takes place prior to the regular CAM CSD Board meeting, during which the Board will discuss and take action on (D/A):

  • Approving the 2021-22 Calendar and Budget as presented
  • Renewal of an Iowa Local Government Risk Pool Natural Gas Program agreement
  • Approving a Purchasing Agreement with the AEA for 21-22.
  • Approving an MSW (Master of Social Work) Agreement for 21-22 CSD/GHAEA (CAM School District/Green Hills AEA)
  • Approving the list of graduating seniors for the CSD and Connections Academy
  • A review and awarding of a bid for vehicles
  • and, approval of an out-of-state trip for the After Prom event

The CAM School Board will also received a presentation by the Nodaway Valley FFA and Ag Issues Team, and hold discussion with regard to Daycare, in Massena. They will act on any Personnel matters (New hire, resignations, etc.) to come before them, and receive a Facility Update.

Their final order of business is to hold an Exempt session for strategy negotiations.

Exira-EHK School Board regular meeting set for Monday evening

News

April 11th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Members of the Exira-EHK School Board will hold their regular monthly meeting 6-p.m. Monday (April 12th). During their meeting in the Conference Room at the Elk Horn building, the Board will hold a Public Hearing on the FY 2021-22 Budget.

New business on their agenda includes:

  • Discussion on & approval (D/A), of the 2021-22 School Budget.
  • D/A on approving an AEA Purchasing Contract for Food Service items
  • D/A on an approving Operational Sharing Agreements for 2021-22 with IKM-Manning for: A School Business Official; Superintendent and Technology.
  • D/A on approving a Sharing Agreement w/Green Hills AEA for a Librarian.
  • D/A on approving the 2021 Graduating Class (Pending the meeting of graduation requirements)
  • D/A on approving a PK-5 Principal
  • D/A on approving a bid for the renovation of restrooms in the Elementary School building.
  • D/A of Personnel hires, transfers and/or resignations.
  • and, D/A with regard to the Return-To-Learn Plan (re: facial coverings)

(Updated) Iowa State Patrol Trooper shot & killed during a Grundy Center stand-off is identified

News

April 10th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

A man known to local law enforcement officers in Grundy Center, shot an Iowa State Patrol Trooper who was part of a tactical entry team, following an incident that began late Friday night. The Trooper, Sgt. Jim Smith, a 27-year veteran of the Patrol, died from a single gunshot would, after being transported to the Grundy County Memorial Hospital. He was the 11th Trooper to die in the line of duty in the history of the Patrol. Trooper Mark Toney was the last to die in 2011, when he tried to make a traffic stop.

ISP Sgt. Jim Smith

During a press conference Saturday afternoon, Iowa DPS Asst. Director of Criminal Investigation, Mitch Mortvedt, said Sgt. Smith was shot by 41-year old Michael Thomas Lang, of Grundy Center. He was shot several times during a standoff, and transported to the University of Iowa Hospital where he was listed in critical condition. Lang faces one Class A felony count of murder in the first degree. His bond was set at One-million dollars.

Assistant Director Mortvedt said “On Friday, April 9th at approximately 7:22-p.m., the Grundy Center Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Lang, who fled from the Grundy Center Police and was chased to an area east of town. He pulled over on 250th Avenue exited his vehicle, and assaulted the Grundy Center Police Officer who chased him.

During the assault,” Mortvedt said, “Lang yelled shoot me!,” to the officer, multiple times. “Lang disarmed the officer of his Taser, removed his radio and put the officer in a choke hold. Law enforcement responded to the area of the assault. A Grundy County Deputy arrived on scene and witnessed the Grundy Center Police officer recovering from the assault, and Lang in the area of the officer’s patrol vehicle. The Deputy drew his weapon and gave commands to Lang, to ‘put his hands up.'” Lang refused to comply. Instead, he yelled “Come get me.” He subsequently got into his vehicle and fled the area.

“The Deputy pursued Lang back into Grundy Center,” Mortvedt said, but lost sight of him. The Deputy then went to Lang’s residence located at 305 G Avenue in Grundy Center. He saw Lang’s vehicle parked in the driveway, and Lang entering his residence through the garage. The Deputy requested assistance from other law enforcement officers in the area. Responding [officers] set up a perimeter around the house. Lang’s father arrived at the house,” according to Mortvedt, and informed law enforcement his son had multiple firearms inside the residence, including a .410 shotgun.

At around 8:55-p.m., four additional Iowa State Patrol Troopers and a Hardin County Sheriff’s Deputy K9 Unit made entry into the residence, through the door of the garage leading into the residence. “Prior to entering the residence,” Mortvedt said, the entry team verbally identified themselves as law enforcement. They also announced that they would send in a K9. As the entry team began to clear the upstairs of the residence, Sgt. Jim Smith was hit by gunfire coming from inside the residence.”

“After Sgt. was shot, members of the entry teams observed Lang emerge from the doorway holding a black, pump-action shotgun. Two members of the entry team that were with Sgt. Smith, retreated into the basement, while other members of the entry team pulled Sgt. Smith from the residence. Lang then barricaded himself inside the residence and refused to come out. Members of the entry that remained in the basement, stated that Lang made several statements about having shot Sgt. Smith, and expressed the desire to shoot more police officers.”

“Lang remained barricaded inside the residence for several hours,” Mortvedt said. “At approximately 11:50-p.m., and Iowa State Patrol Tactical Team attempted to make entry into the residence with a wheeled, armored personnel carrier (APC). During the entry, Lang shot multiple rounds at the [APC}, and three members of the Tactical Team returned gun fire, striking lane multiple times.” He was then taken into custody by the Tactical Team members. No other injuries were reported.

 

Update: Iowa State Patrol Trooper dies in Grundy County shooting

News

April 10th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Public Safety will hold a press conference this (Saturday) afternoon at 2:30, to provide an update of an officer-involved shooting leading to the death of an Iowa State Patrol Trooper.

The Iowa State Patrol said earlier that an officer-involved shooting was under investigation in Grundy County. The incident happened Friday night. The Iowa State Patrol, Grundy and Hardin County Sheriff’s Deputies were involved.

The Grundy Register has reported police gathered outside a residence after reports of a high-speed chase from Parkersburg that led to the shooting.

Officer involved shooting in eastern Iowa Friday night

News

April 10th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa State Patrol has confirmed to KCCI that an officer-involved shooting is under investigation in Grundy County. According to the Iowa State Patrol, the incident happened Friday night. The Iowa State Patrol, Grundy and Hardin county were involved.

In a statement to the television station, patrol spokesman, Sgt. Alex Dinkla said “At this time, we are working with the DCI gathering information. Look for more details regarding a press conference that will be held later today.”

The Grundy Register reported police gathered outside a residence after reports of a high-speed chase from Parkersburg that led to the shooting.