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Former Iowa Supreme Court justice Daryl Hecht dies at age 66

News

April 3rd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court says former Justice Daryl Hecht has died after leaving his position to focus on his treatment for skin cancer. The court’s spokesman Steve Davis says Hecht died early Wednesday. He was 66.

Hecht, who was appointed by Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack in 2006, resigned from the court in December while receiving treatment for melanoma in Sioux City and at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

In a statement, the Iowa Judicial Branch described Hecht as a kind, thoughtful jurist with a passion for the law and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law.
He practiced law in Sioux City for 22 years before his appointment in 1999 to the Iowa Court of Appeals, where he served until his appointment to the Supreme Court.

He is survived by his wife, two daughters and three grandchildren.

Iowa Sen. Grassley: Trump wind turbine comments ‘idiotic’

News

April 3rd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa Republican senator is expressing irritation at what he calls “idiotic” comments by President Donald Trump about wind energy.
Trump, at the National Republican Congressional Committee’s annual spring dinner Tuesday night, said noise from wind turbines causes cancer.

Sen. Chuck Grassley said in a conference call with reporters Wednesday that the comments “were first of all idiotic and it doesn’t show much respect for Chuck Grassley as the grandfather of the wind energy tax credit.” Grassley was instrumental in approving a federal tax credit 26 years ago that has spurred wind energy development.

Iowa is a national leader in wind energy, with more than 4,000 turbines. Asked about Trump’s claim, Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds refused to say the president was wrong, saying it was not her place to do so. “You know how those things change. One year coffee is good for you and the next year coffee causes cancer,” she said.

“That’s what happens. We’ve got a lot of people that are driving the industry and investing in the industry and we should be proud of our position.” She noted Iowa generates 40 percent of its electricity from wind.

ORVILLE “DEAN” MERRITT, 89, of Griswold (Svcs. 4/6/19)

Obituaries

April 3rd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

ORVILLE “DEAN” MERRITT, 89, of Griswold, died Wed., April 3rd, at the Griswold Care Center. Funeral services for DEAN MERRITT will be held 11-a.m. Saturday, April 6th, at the Central Church of Christ in Griswold. Rieken Duhn Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

The visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral. Memorials may be make to the charity of your choice.

DEAN MERRITT is survived by:

His daughters – Renee Jones, of Atlantic, and Sherri Merritt, of Bandon, Oregon.

His son – Kevin (Laura) Merritt, of Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

His brother – Curtis (Nancy) Merritt, of Council Bluffs.

His sisters – Wilma Selders, of Griswold, and Fran Cupples, of Fullerton, Nebraska.

3 grandchildren, 2 Great-Grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.

Omaha Woman Sentenced to Prison for Laundering Drug Money

News

April 3rd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa reports 48-year old Valeria Ventura Ramirez, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced Tuesday in Council Bluffs District Court, to 24 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to launder money.

In 2016, Ventura Ramirez was the owner and operator of Novedades Ventura, Inc., a money service business located on Leavenworth Street in Omaha. Between July and November of 2016, Ventura Ramirez utilized multiple money transfer companies, including but not limited to, MoneyGram, Western Union, Sigue, InterCambio Express, CES and Intermex, to knowingly wire drug money from the United States to Mexico on behalf of drug traffickers operating in Council Bluffs and Omaha.

The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Council Bluffs Police Department, and the Omaha Police Department. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Shayok an AP Honorable Mention All-American

Sports

April 3rd, 2019 by admin

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State senior Marial Shayok has been named an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American.

Shayok, who averaged a team-high 18.7 points, is the only player nationally to average at least 18 points while shooting at least 49 percent from the field, 38 percent behind the arc and 87 percent at the free-throw line. He also pulled down 4.9 rebounds per game.

Shayok scored at least 20 points in 16 games and was in double figures in 32 of the 34 games he played. He earned All-Big 12 First Team accolades and is a finalist for the Julius Erving Award, giving annually to the nation’s top small forward. He was the Big 12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player after averaging 18 points per game in leading the Cyclones to their fourth title in the last six seasons.

Shayok is the third Cyclone under head coach Steve Prohm to earn All-America honors.

The Ottawa, Ontario native will participate in the Portsmouth Invitational April 17-20 along with fellow Cyclone senior Nick Weiler-Babb.

Cass County Sheriff’s report (4/3/19)

News

April 3rd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Wednesday (today), said three people suffered minor injuries during a collision Sunday afternoon at the intersection of Highways N-28 and 92. Authorities say a 2007 Buick Rendezvous driven by 15-year old Joann Elizabeth Brahms, of Cumberland, was westbound on Highway 92 when a southbound 2018 Chevy Silverado owned and driven by 70-year old Stephen Swanson, of Essex, pulled away from a stop sign and entered the intersection, striking the Buick in the driver’s side. The Buick then entered the south ditch. The injured persons were transported to Cass County Memorial Hospital by Cumberland Rescue and Medivac. Swanson was cited for Failure to Yield at a Stop Sign. Damage to the vehicles amounted to $15,000.

On March 26th, Cass County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 40-year old Justin David Altstadt, of Atlantic, on three Atlantic Police Department warrants for Violation of No Contact Order, and two District Court warrants for Failure to Appear. Altstadt was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $11,100 bond.

On March 29th, 20-year old Jacob Hoyt Way, of Audubon, was arrested on two District Court warrants for Probation Violation. Way was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $40,000 bond. That same day, 38-year old David Dewayne Thomas, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County Sheriff’s Office warrant for Harassment 2nd Degree. Thomas was taken to the Cass County Jail and was released the following day on his own recognizance.

On March 30th, Cass County deputies arrested 28-year old Shari Lavon Lowe, of Creston, on a District Court warrant for Failure to Appear. Lowe was taken to the Cass County Jail and was held pending transport to the Iowa Correctional Facility for Women.

And, on April 1st, 39-year old Misty Lynn Scybert, of Atlantic, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Violation of Probation. Scybert was taken to the Cass County Jail where she remains held on $5,000 bond.

Gustafson First Team, Carleton Third Team on USBWA All-American teams

Sports

April 3rd, 2019 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior Megan Gustafson has been named a first team All-American by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA), the organization announced Tuesday.

Gustafson is one of five first team selections that will contend for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, given to the nation’s best player. The announcement will be made Friday at the Women’s Final Four in Tampa.

Gustafson is the fourth Hawkeye in program history to earn USBWA All-America honors. She joins Michele Edwards (1988), Necole Tunsil (1994), and Samantha Logic (2015). Gustafson was a second team selection last season.

The Port Wing, Wisconsin, native ended her career with 2,804 points and 1,460 rebounds. On Monday, Gustafson became just the fourth NCAA women’s basketball student-athlete and the first ever post player to score 1,000 or more points in a single season.

Gustafson led the nation in points per game (27.8), field goal percentage (69.6), total points (1,001), field goals made (412), and double-doubles (33) this season. She also ranked second nationally in defensive rebounds per game (11), and third in rebounds per game (13.4) and total rebounds (481).

Iowa State women’s basketball senior Bridget Carleton was named a USBWA Third-Team All-American the U.S. Basketball Writers Association announced Tuesday.

A native of Chatham, Ontario, Carleton put together one of the finest seasons and careers in the history of Iowa State women’s hoops. Carleton led the Big 12 in scoring at 21.7, breaking ISU’s season point record with 760.

She ended her career just eight points shy of breaking ISU’s all-time scoring mark with 2,142 points. Carleton also ranks in the top-five in Iowa State’s record book in career field goals (3rd, 713), steals (3rd, 211), blocked shots (3rd, 124) and 3-pointers (5th, 255).

Carleton is the second Cyclone to earn USBWA All-America honors, joining Angie Welle (2001).

2018-19 All-America Team

First Team
Napheesa Collier, UConn
Megan Gustafson, Iowa
Sabrina Ionescu, Oregon
Teaira McCowan, Mississippi State
Arike Ogunbowale, Notre Dame
Second Team
Kristine Anigwe, California
Kalani Brown, Baylor
Chennedy Carter, Texas A&M
Asia Durr, Louisville
Katie Lou Samuelson, UConn
Third Team
Bridget Carleton, Iowa State
Kaila Charles, Maryland
Lauren Cox, Baylor
Sophie Cunningham, Missouri
Alanna Smith, Stanford

Fremont County woman sentenced for bank fraud

News

April 3rd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

A former City Clerk in Fremont County was sentenced Tuesday in Council Bluffs District Court to 5-years of probation for Bank Fraud. 57-year old Carol S. Jennings, of Riverton, was also ordered to pay $77,247.47 in restitution. As part of her sentence, Jennings will serve six months of home confinement.

In November 2018, Jennings pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. According to plea documents, Jennings admitted that while employed as the clerk for the City of Riverton, she opened an account with a local bank by providing a falsified document. Jennings also admitted to depositing city funds into the account and then converting almost the entire balance for her own personal use.

The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Work continues on flood-damaged Iowa roadways: detailed damage assessment map available

News

April 3rd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa – April 3, 2019 – While there was some good news last night with the opening of a segment of I-680 helping with the flow of traffic between Omaha and Council Bluffs, the public should expect that many Southwest Iowa roads will remain closed for weeks and in some cases, months due to severe flood damage.

The Iowa Department of Transportation is working diligently to assess damage, repair roads, and get them reopened as quickly as possible. Working with the Federal Highway Administration, local transportation partners, and the Nebraska and Missouri departments of transportation, our goal is to keep people moving as safely as possible through the area.

For those roads that remain closed, barriers continue to block access. Those barriers will remain in place until the road has been deemed safe for traffic.

A link to a detailed map of the initial damage assessments is available at: https://floods2019.iowa.gov/IADOT_2019FloodMap.pdf.

Click on the graphic to enlarge

And seen here:

LARRY BUCKNER, 75, of Adair (Celebration of Life Svcs. 4/6/19)

Obituaries

April 3rd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

LARRY BUCKNER, 75, of Adair, died Wednesday, April 3rd, at home in Adair.  Celebration of Life services for LARRY BUCKNER will be held 11-a.m. Saturday, April 6th, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle. Steen Funeral Home in Fontanelle has the arrangements.

A luncheon will be held at the church immediately following the service.

Open Visitation:  Will be held on Friday, April 5,at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with the family greeting friends from 5-until 8-p.m.; Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.

Memorials may be made to the Larry Buckner memorial fund to be established by the family.

LARRY BUCKNER is survived by:

His wife – Wanda Buckner, of Adair

His children – Rick (Julie) Buckner, Tammy (Jim) Zimmerline, Joseph Buckner, and Lynette (Randy) Carney, all of Adair.

His brothers – Bob (Gloria) Buckner, of South English, and Scott (Linda) Buckner, of Williamsburg.

His sisters – Cindy (Mike) Chafa, of Stuart, and Patty and Brenda Ingle of Runnells.

8 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren;  and his sisters-in-law: Linda Buckner of Des Moines and Ardith Buckner.