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Driver distracted by cell phone causes accident in Creston

News

June 6th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(Corrected to show which vehicle hit which – apologies for the confusion) A woman who admitted to being on her cell phone caused a non-injury accident Thursday afternoon, in Creston. Authorities say a 2017 GMC Acadia driven by 80-year old Barbara Jo Crittenden, of Creston, was struck in the rear by a 2012 Chevy Cruze driven by 21-year old Paige Abagail Marken, of Creston. 

The GMC was stopped at the red light intersection with New York Avenue at around 1:05-p.m., when it was hit from behind by Marken’s vehicle. Damage from the collision amounted to $5,600. Marken was cited for Use of Communication Device. Her car was totaled in the collision and towed from the scene.

Lawsuit seeks info about Iowa deputy’s shooting of motorist

News

June 6th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An open government group has filed a lawsuit seeking to force Polk County to release recordings and additional information about the fatal shooting of a motorist from Wisconsin.

The lawsuit filed by the Iowa Freedom of Information Council contends that the county has refused to explain why a deputy stopped 25-year-old Isaiah Hayes outside of Des Moines last July. It says the county has not clarified whether Hayes was armed when he was killed and how many shots were fired at him.

A grand jury declined to pursue charges against the deputy, Ryan Phillips, who has returned to work. The county says he acted appropriately but has refused to release recordings and information about the shooting, including dash camera video and audio. The county says those are “investigative reports” that can be withheld from the public indefinitely.

The sheriff’s office has said Phillips saw Hayes exit the stolen car he was driving and flee on foot. Phillips reported Hayes had a weapon and that he fired at Hayes when he refused orders to drop it. Investigators have refused to say, however, whether any weapon was found.

Iowa treasurer returns more than $12K to American Red Cross

News

June 6th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald has returned more than $12,000 to the American Red Cross — one of thousands to see unclaimed property held by the state turned over to rightful owners. Fitzgerald presented a check for $12,300 Thursday to the humanitarian assistance group.

Fitzgerald’s office says more than $377 million in unclaimed property in Iowa is waiting to be claimed. That included more than $61 million in Polk County alone.

The program has returned over $263 million to more than 592,000 people since Fitzgerald started the program in 1983. Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions or companies that have lost contact with the property’s owner. State law requires them to annually report unclaimed property to the state treasurer’s office.

Iowa governor OK after chest pains prompt trip to hospital

News

June 6th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds was taken to a hospital after experiencing chest pains but has returned to work at the Capitol.

The governor’s office released a statement saying Reynolds noticed chest pains early Thursday and was taken to a hospital emergency room “out of an abundance of caution.”

A doctor checked Reynolds and she was given blood tests, a chest X-ray and an electrocardiogram test, which is commonly used to evaluate the heart. After all the tests came back normal, the governor was released.

Creston man arrested on Federal warrant; search warrant results in 3 lbs of Meth & more

News

June 6th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Creston Police Department report that on Tuesday, June 4th, a joint effort coordinated by the United States Probation Office with the Creston Police Department, Des Moines Police Department, Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement resulted in the arrest of 39-year old Brandon Robert Fry, of Creston. Fry was taken into custody on a Federal Supervised Release Warrant in Des Moines.

Subsequent to his arrest in Des Moines, searches of his properties and vehicles in Creston resulted in the seizure of approximately 3 pounds of Methamphetamine, marijuana, and other contraband.

Grant man arrested for Driving While Revoked

News

June 6th, 2019 by admin

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of a Grant man following a traffic stop on Thursday. At 12:41pm Deputies arrested 55-year-old Scott Timothy Brown of Grant for Driving While License Revoked. He was stopped in the 2600 block of O Avenue for driving a pickup with plates that expired in December of 2018.  Brown was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $1,000 bond.

Ernst hints at congressional reaction if Trump imposes new tariffs on Mexico

News

June 6th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Iowa Republican Joni Ernst says Republican senators are “overwhelmingly” opposed to additional tariffs on imports from Mexico. President Trump has threatened to impose a five percent tariff on Mexican imports on Monday to pressure Mexico to stem the tide of migrants arriving at the southern border.

“The administration and especially President Trump — I did speak to him personally this last Friday — knows exactly where I stand,” Ernst says. “They know where a number of other colleagues stand on this issue.” In an interview in Iowa last Friday, Ernst said “tariffs cannot be the answer to everything” and Ernst has been warning ratification of the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement may be endangered if Trump imposes new tariffs on Mexico Monday.

Ernst today (Thursday) said she does not want to speculate about whether the Republican-led U.S. Senate may try to override the tariffs if Trump follows through. “We’re getting a lot of conflicting information from the administration right now. In moment we hear that things are going well and, ‘Perhaps we don’t need the tariffs.’ And then a moment later we’re hearing, ‘Okay, maybe we’re going to go ahead with the tariffs,'” Ernst says. “I hope we don’t get to that point, but I do think congress needs to exercise its right to put some checks and balances out there.”

Any “resolution of disapproval” of the tariffs would originate in the House, according to Ernst. She suggests there are ways for the U.S. and Mexico to resolve the situation without new tariffs. “They have a border into Central America that is a choke-point. It is, I believe, only around 150 miles of border. We have 2000 miles on our southern border with Mexico,” Ernst says. “So, is there a way that we can collaborate and boost up the patrols in that area to make sure those folks from Central America aren’t crossing into Mexico?”

Ernst made her comments this (Thursday) morning during a conference call with reporters.

Cass County Sheriff’s report (6/6/19)

News

June 6th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Three people were arrested on separate charges in Cass County over the past week. The Sheriff’s Office reports that on Wednesday, 44-year old Kelly Jeanne Blue, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Failure to Appear. Blue was taken to the Cass County Jail and will be released upon serving time.

This past Sunday, Cass County deputies arrested 24-year old Tray D. Anderson, of Exira, on a charge of Domestic Abuse (Serious). Anderson was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on $1,000 bond.

And, on May 31st, 61-year old Douglas Allen Howard, of Council Bluffs, was arrested by Cass County deputies on two District Court warrants for Probation Violation. Howard was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on $10,000 bond.

Wild parsnip found in some Atlantic Parks

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 6th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department reports the Parks Department has found wild parsnip growing in some of the City parks. Crews are working on getting it all cut down and sprayed. However, please be aware to not expose yourself or your children to it as it will have long lasting hazardous effects on your skin.  Officials with ISU Extension say conditions have been especially favorable this year for wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa), a common roadside weed in Iowa.

Wild parsnip plant parts contain a substance called psoralen, which can cause a condition known as “phytophotodermatitis”. This reaction occurs when plant juice gets on the skin and then the skin is exposed to sunlight.

parsnip burn

The results are skin reddening, rash development and in severe cases, blisters, skin discoloration, and burning or scalding type pain. Wild parsnip burns often occur in elongated spots or streaks. Dark red or brownish skin discoloration develops where the burn or blisters first appeared and can last for several months, possibly up to two years. Extra care should be taken to wear protective clothing before working with or exposure to wild parsnip.

Wild parsnip is found in open places such as roadsides, pastures, and disturbed areas throughout most of the United States and Canada

Wild Parsnip

Dubuque police captain alleges sex discrimination in lawsuit

News

June 6th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa police captain is accusing her police chief and the city she serves of gender discrimination. The Telegraph Herald reports that Dubuque police Capt. Abby Simon filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Iowa District Court for Dubuque County alleging her rights have been violated under Iowa’s Civil Rights Act. Simon is also suing for harassment and retaliation. The lawsuit names Police Chief Mark Dalsing and the city.

The 20-year police veteran’s lawsuit says she was passed over for promotions, even though she scored better in tests and interviews than the men who won the promotions. She says Dalsing also emailed derisory comments about her to several colleagues. Speaking on behalf of Dalsing, spokesman Randy Gehl and City Attorney Crenna Brumwell said legal counsel is reviewing the lawsuit.