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Pott. County Sheriff’s report (1/16) – CA woman arrested after 15-lbs of pot found in an SUV

News

January 16th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a traffic stop on Interstate 80 at around 10-a.m. last Wednesday on a speeding SUV, resulted in the arrest of a woman from California, on drug charges. 26-year old Saundra Ashley Hawkins, of Marysville, CA, was taken into custody for a Controlled Substance Violation, after 15-pounds of marijuana was found in the vehicle.

At around 11:20-p.m. Sunday, a man was arrested on a Pottawattamie County warrant for Violation of Probation, after a deputy saw him walking in the middle of Railroad Highway, near Yellow Road. When the deputy activated his patrol vehicle’s lights to check on the man, he walked to the patrol vehicle and identified himself as 46-year old Bryan Douglas Charles, of Omaha. Charles said he was lost and trying to find the homeless shelter after having left a friends’ house on Franklin Avenue, in Council Bluffs. Pott. County Dispatch confirmed Charles was wanted on a warrant. He was transported to the Pott. County Jail and booked-in.

And, 29-year old Rachel Linn Nielsen, of Omaha, was arrested Monday afternoon in Underwood, on warrants for Violation of Probation, Operating a motor vehicle without owners consent, and Failure to Appear in court on a 2nd Degree Theft charge.  Nielsen was booked-in the Pott. County Jail.

New trial date set for man charged with girls’ slayings

News

January 16th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

GUTHRIE CENTER, Iowa (AP) — A judge has set a new trial starting date for a man charged with murder and arson in Guthrie County. Court records say the new date of Sept. 17 was filed Friday. The old date was May 8. The judge already has granted a motion from the attorneys for 27-year-old Patrick Thompson to move the trial to another county. The judge hasn’t yet announced which county that will be.

Thompson has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of arson. The May 15 fire in Guthrie Center killed 16-year-old Shakiah Cockerham and 12-year-old Melanie “Paige” Exline and injured their uncle, William Long III, and grandmother, Shirley Exline.

Griswold School Board receives news on facilities bids

News

January 16th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Griswold School Board received word during their meeting Monday evening, that bids for their facilities’ improvements came in much higher than expected. The District had budgeted $10-million dollars for those projects. Superintendent Dave Henrichs said they went out for bids December 21st. He said after the process was completed, they realized they were about $330-thousand dollars OVER budget. The plan then was to pull out some the 14 separate bid packages, and re-bid those that were over budget.The next day, one of the low bidders pulled their bid because they made a mistake. Henrichs wasn’t made aware of that until last Friday afternoon. With that bid having been pulled, the next low bidder was looked at. They were also over budget. At that point, the Distrct was looing at being $660-thousand dollars over budget.)

Plans are still moving forward, with KPE Architects and Estes Construction hold conversations with contractors. Some bid packages were too big, meaning more than the contractors were capable of handling, or, some were too small, with the result being contractors didn’t want to deal with a less substantial project. Therefore he said in some cases, they’re going to split them up, while others will be bundled together. They’ll also look at some specifications, to determine if there are some areas where things can be removed to help bring the cost of the project under bid.)

That being the case, the Griswold School Board rejected seven different bids. The contractors with other bids,specifically those that came in under budget, have agreed to extend bids for 45 days. Bids for the other aspects will be called for, with those bids due in on February 8th, during which it’s hoped the Board can approve all the bids. Henrichs said also, every year the Griswold District tries to look to the future where the General Fund is concerned. Business Manager Dan Rold, he says, spent a lot of time working on the projections, which include enrollment, staffing, State Aid and other factors, which are always a “Moving target.” The biggest thing the District looks at is their Spending Authority, or the amount of money the District can legally spend, which is not the same as cash. Prior to his coming to Griswold, the projections showed by 2020, the District would have a negative spending authority, which is illegal, and can cause the District to be shut-down.

With the changes made over the past couple of years, Henrichs said they have actually increased their spending authority. Last year, that amounted to an additional $250-thousand dollars, to make the total $1.1-million. “In our projections then moving forward,” according to Henrichs, “ we look like we will be able to continue that trend of increasing the spending authority, up until 2021,” when it will be $1.7-million, and then there will be a little tail-off. Long term, through the 2023 school year, he said “We have no issues what-so-ever. Our projections through the end of 2023 have a spending authority of $1.2-million,” which takes them back to where they were in 2014. He said “So, we’re heading in the right direction.”

Iowa governor proposes $18 million for worker training

News

January 16th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds wants to spend about $18 million on worker training programs in the next couple years to ensure Iowa employers can fill jobs at a time of low unemployment. The Des Moines Register reports that Reynolds announced new policies to address Iowa’s shortage of qualified workers in her Condition of the State address on Jan. 8th. The governor proposed expanding the state’s apprenticeship program and creating a scholarship for residents who pursue up to a two-year degree in a high-demand field. Reynolds also recommended an Employer Innovation Fund to match private sector spending on training programs.

Iowa had a 2.9 percent unemployment rate in November, below the national rate of 4.1 percent. Employers consistently express concern over being unable to find qualified workers for job openings. Legislation is still being drafted.

Adair County Sheriff’s report (1/16)

News

January 16th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

(updated) –Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater had a brief report for the media, today. In it, he mentioned 26-year old Dalton James Cormeny, of Creston, was being held without bond in the Adair County Jail, on an Adair County warrant for Failure to Complete a jail sentence.  Two men were cited separately for Driving Under Suspension, and then released.  25-year old Cody Michael Montgomery, of Mapleton and  35-year old William Anthony Harrison, of St. Charles, were the recipients of those citations. Montgomery was released at the scene. Harrison was brought to the Adair County Jail and released on his own recognizance the following day.

Shelby County Sheriff’s report (1/16)

News

January 16th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Shelby County today (Tuesday), released their latest arrest report. On Monday, Deputies arrested 31-year-old Leonardo Garcia Cardenas, of Harlan, on a charge of Burglary in the 2nd Degree. Cardenas was taken to the Shelby County Jail, where he was being held on a $10,000 cash/surety bond. Last Saturday, two people were arrested in Shelby County. 48-year-old Kendra Lee Thielen, of Portsmouth, and 41-year-old James Lyle Behrens of Harlan, were arrested on charges of OWI/1st offense. Both were released Sunday morning, each on their own recognizance.

And, on January 9th, 32-year old Luis Jonathan Guajardo, of Lake View, was arrested in Shelby County on charges of OWI 1st, Carrying Weapons, Open Container, No Valid Driver’s License, and Improper use of registration. Guajardo was taken to the Shelby County Jail and later posted a $2,000 Cash Bond.

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 1/16/2018

News, Podcasts

January 16th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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SWIPCO meeting in Lewis this evening

News

January 16th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

A reminder to residents of Lewis: A SWIPCO Town Hall meeting will take place beginning at 7-p.m. In the Lewis Activity Center. The purpose to the meeting is to discuss a $240,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the rehabilitation or repair of a limited number of homes, owned by low-to moderate income homeowners. There’s no need for matching funds from the homeowner in order to be eligible. The only stipulation, is that the homeowner(s) must reside in the home, and if they live there for up to five-years, the entire grant is forgivable.

SWIPCO Community Development Director Daniel Lee, says the CDBG is awarded annually by the Iowa Economic Development Authority with funding from the Department Housing and Urban Development. Daniel Lee says it’s not the first time the grant funds have been awarded and used for homes in Lewis. Last year SWIPCO assisted the City of Lewis in completing a CDBG application, which resulted in a $240,000 award that allows for the repair up to six homes, for as much as $25,000 per home. The funds can be used for things such as roofing, siding, energy efficient windows, heating, and so on.

Lewis was selected for the program after a housing survey was conducted by SWIPCO because after a review of properties, it was determined the community fit the criteria that would allow SWIPCO to submit an application for the CDBG funds. Tonight’s meeting is meant to be informational only. Lee says six homes will initially be awarded as projects. SWIPCO will come up with the bid specifications. The homeowner finds a contractor, and once the final inspection is complete after the work is done, SWIPCO will pay the contractor. Lee says bringing any financial information you may have, such as income, etc., will to help their staff determine your eligibility for the program.

The homes will be selected by a Housing Committee in Lewis, comprised of local members, and if there’s money left over, the funds will be used toward the rehabilitation of additional homes. Again, that meeting is tonight at seven o’clock, at the Lewis Activity Center. If you need more information in advance, call Tammy DeBord at 712-243-4196.

(Podcast) KJAN Morning News & funeral report, 1/16/2018

News, Podcasts

January 16th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Creston man arrested Tue. morning on a drug charge

News

January 16th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Creston Police, early this (Tuesday) morning, arrested James Chandler Sash at his residence on West Adams Street. Sash was taken into cutsody on the charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was being held at Union County Jail on a $300 bond.