United Group Insurance

Council Bluffs woman faces multiple drug charges in Mills County

News

December 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s Deputies in Mills County arrested a woman from Pottawattamie County on drug charges Saturday evening, after they responded at around 5:15-p.m. to the intersection of 221st Street and Highway 34 south of Glenwood, for a man who was having a seizure as his vehicle was in the ditch.

Deputies recognized the parties at the scene as Liam Whitehouse, the driver of the car, and his passenger, 27-year old Shialea Kay Cozad, of Council Bluffs. Whitehouse told Glenwood Rescue crews that he had taken a pill given to him by Cozad. Whitehouse was then transported to the hospital.

A K-9 search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a methamphetamine and marijuana pipe. A search of Cozad’s purse revealed a bag of methamphetamine, two different pills without prescriptions and a hypodermic needle. Cozad was arrested on two counts of unlawful possession of prescription drugs and one count each of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was taken to the Mills County Jail on $3,300 bond.

The K9 Unit was informed by another Mills County Deputy, that Cozad allegedly tried to toss something when the deputy arrived. The K9 alerted to a small bag of meth smashed into the snow under a foot print. The location happened to be where Cozad was first contacted by the deputy, and the bag was identical to one she had in her purse.

Tailgating incident leads to an arrest in Mills County

News

December 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports that a man who ran from a vehicle that went into a ditch Saturday afternoon, was located by a K9 Unit in the basement of a home and taken into custody on drug and other charges. 48-year old Mark Monroe Moore, of Council Bluffs, was charged with Driving While Barred, and Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 2nd offense.

The incident that resulted in his arrest began at around 1:10-p.m. Saturday, when a Mills County K9 Unit turned around on a vehicle that was tailgating another vehicle, in the area of 189th and Bunge. The vehicle being tailgated took off at a high rate of speed after the driver noticed the deputy had turned around.

The K9 unit attempted to catch up with the vehicle, but lost sight of it. The vehicle was later found in the ditch by 20005 Bunge Road. The driver (Moore) had fled the scene. He was tracked by the K( to a residence, where the dog alerted to a basement door. The suspect (Moore) was ordered to come to the door but initially refused. Once the K9 started barking and another order was given for Moore to come out, he complied because he did not want to be bitten.

While deputies were clearing the residence, they noticed a strong smell of marijuana and found three bags of the weed in plain view. Moore acknowledged the bags of marijuana were his, and that he ran because he did not have a license.

Cass County Supervisors approve Master Matrix Resolution

Ag/Outdoor, News

December 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Monday, passed a Resolution pertaining to the construction of livestock feeding operations.

The “Construction evaluation resolution,” or, “Master Matrix” as it’s commonly called, permits those counties that have adopted the Resolution to submit to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), an adopted recommendation to approve or disapprove a construction permit application regarding a proposed confinement feeding operation structure, and the ability to contest the DNR’s decision regarding such matters, if a specific construction application approved by the Board, is denied by the DNR.

The Resolution is acted upon annually by the Cass County Supervisors, and covers those applications received, evaluated and scored by the Board between February 1, 2019 and January 31, 2020.

Prior to the start of their regular session Monday afternoon, the Supervisors conducted a canvass of the Dec. 11, 2018 Iowa Western Community College Bond vote.

Their next regular meeting takes place Monday, Dec. 31st, unless an urgent matter requires their attention and action.

Sunnyside Skate Park opening delayed & other Atlantic Parks Board News

News

December 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Sunnyside Ice Rink opening has been delayed due to the inconsistent weather pattern. Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Director Seth Staashelm said Monday he had hoped to have the rink open by this Saturday, Dec. 22nd, but now it looks like it won’t be until after Christmas. He says it’ll still be weather dependent. They tried to fill the rink the other day, but that didn’t work, because it didn’t hold water. They’ll work on getting the liner installed Tuesday, in preparation for filling with water.

In the meantime, Parks staff will be working on Winter projects, such as making their own Curling rocks so young adults can try out the sport of Curling, which is an Olympic event. Staashelm said ice skates are available for use on a first-come first-served basis, but they are not in good condition, meaning the skates are not very sharp, and they are not very attractive. If you have your own skates, you’ll probably want to use them, instead.

He said also, the Schildberg Campgrounds are closed, and the roads inside Sunnyside Park are closed, but the park remains open for Winter activities. In other business, Jolene Smith with the Atlantic Royal Neighbors organization, have presented a check for $900 to Staashlem, for a black bench that’s been placed in the downtown City Park, south of the restrooms/shelter house. Parks and Rec Board member Charlene Beane commended Smith for her efforts over the years to spearhead fundraising for various projects.

Parks & Rec Director Seth Staashelm accepts a check from Board Member Jolene Smith with the Atlantic Royal Neighbors.

And, the Parks and Rec Board, Monday evening approved a proposal for staggered four-term Park Board terms, instead of the current six-years. They had approved it during their last meeting as well, but Staashelm wanted to consult with the City Attorney to make sure it was legal to change the terms, in an effort to reduce burn-out and get other people interested in serving.

Parks and Rec Board members are elected to their seat, not appointed. The City Council will consider the proposal at an upcoming meeting.

Nishna Valley Trails transfer rights of connector trail to AMU Board & Parks & Rec Dept.

News

December 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Officials with Nishna Valley Trails have conveyed a section of recreational trail to the City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department and the Atlantic Municipal Utilities’ Board. NVT’s Dave Chase said during Monday evening’s meeting of the Parks and Rec Board, and earlier at the AMU meeting, that the $138,000 Troublesome Creek to AMU Wellhead Site Connector Trail located adjacent to the Atlantic Little League Complex, has been completed thanks to donations, and with the cooperation and input of the Parks Department and AMU, the organization coordinated the design of the trail by Snyder and Associates of Atlantic.

Dave Chase (NVT) presents a certificate conveying the completed trail system to Parks and Rec Dir. Seth Staashelm. From left to right: Snyder & Associates Engineer Dave Sturm, Staashelm, Chase and Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones.

Since the project has been paid for, Chase said the group “Thought it appropriate to dedicate [the] trail section to the Public, and add to our community trail system.” The completed hard-surface connection adds about six-miles of trail to the current system in Atlantic, and ties in the Schildberg Quarry to the west and AMU Wellhead trail system to the east.

Chase said the next project the group wants to tackle in the coming year, is a gazebo that will act as a trailhead, a shelter and a place where trail users can get maps and other information about the community, its businesses and services available. The gazebo will be located just off Olive Street, with a hard surface ramp to an area on the Little League Complex grounds. The project is expected to cost about $12,000. He said funds have already been given toward the project by the Atlantic CPC, other organizations and individuals, including memorials from estates.

Trail Head Gazebo concept for the Little League Complex

Chase said also that “We’re not done yet.” That’s because they are looking toward the further implementation of the Atlantic Recreation Trail Comprehensive Plan that was adopted by the City in 2015. Chase said that includes through the use of additional painted lanes, signage and further development of the existing trails. They will enhance the current and proposed trails by making them even more pedestrian and bicycle friendly.

The 2015 Comprehensive Trail plan which was modified a bit in 2017. (click to enlarge)

Those routes and methods are being further identified and supplemented by a recent “Walking Audit” of the City, conducted by the Wellmark Foundation and sponsored by Cass County Public Health.

Flames consume a building in Grinnell Monday morning

News

December 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Fire destroyed a building in downtown Grinnell this (Monday) morning. Grinnell Fire Chief Dan Sicard says crews were called at 6 a.m. on the report of flames coming from the roof of the building, which housed a Mexican restaurant. “The fire was in the roof and crawl space area,” Sicard said. “We kept it from expanding into any of the buildings next to it and after the collapse happened, we were able get inside and finish putting it out.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation. People in nearby apartments made it out safe and no one was seriously hurt. “Everybody was evacuated from the apartments, we have one minor injury to a firefighter,” Sicard said. The Grinnell Fire Department was assisted by crews from Gilman, Kellogg, Searsboro, Malcolm, and Brooklyn.

Western Iowa man pleads not guilty in death of his grandmother

News

December 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

ONAWA, Iowa (AP) — A western  Iowa man has pleaded not guilty in the death of his grandmother.
The Sioux City Journal reports 21-year-old Eliot Stowe pleaded not guilty Monday in Monona County District Court. He is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 66-year-old Cheryl Stowe, whose body was found June 27 wrapped in a rug in an area near her home in the tiny community of Castana.

Authorities found Stowe’s body after being contacted by co-workers, who were concerned she hadn’t shown up for work. An autopsy found she died due to “complex homicidal violence.”
Eliot Stowe, also of Castana, was already in custody on an unrelated case when he was arrested Nov. 20 on the murder charge.

Atlantic boys basketball hosts Kuemper Catholic tonight on KJAN

Sports

December 17th, 2018 by Jim Field

Trojan LogoThe Atlantic boys basketball team will play host to the Kuemper Catholic Knights tonight and we’ll have coverage on KJAN. The 4-2 Trojans are coming off wins last week over Glenwood and Shenandoah and will face a 2-3 Knights team that beat Creston this past Friday.

Atlantic comes in to the match-up averaging 61 points per game and Chase Mullenix is leading the team with 24 points per outing. The Knights have dropped in 41 points per game so far this season. The Knights’ leading scorer is Ben Brincks with 13 points per outing, he is the only Kuemper player averaging in double figures.

You can catch the game on AM1220, FM101.1, online at kjan.com, and on the web app. You can also catch live video tonight on our facebook page. Chris Parks has the call from Atlantic High School.

Red Oak woman arrested for shoplifting

News

December 17th, 2018 by admin

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest of a Red Oak woman on Monday afternoon. At 1:02pm Officers arrested 24-year-old Ashley Marie Matthews for Shoplifting at the HyVee food store in Red Oak. Matthews was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond.

AP Women’s Basketball Top 25 12/17/2018

Sports

December 17th, 2018 by admin

The top 25 teams in The Associated Press’ women’s college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Dec. 16, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and last week’s ranking:

Record Pts Prv
1. UConn (31) 9-0 775 1
2. Notre Dame 9-1 738 2
3. Louisville 11-0 712 4
4. Mississippi St. 10-0 681 5
5. Maryland 10-0 632 6
6. Baylor 8-1 585 3
7. Oregon 8-1 583 7
8. Stanford 7-1 561 11
9. Tennessee 8-0 558 9
10. NC State 11-0 510 10
11. Oregon St. 8-2 429 8
12. Texas 8-2 390 12
13. Minnesota 10-0 387 13
14. California 9-0 386 13
15. Syracuse 9-2 337 15
16. Iowa 8-2 303 16
17. Arizona St. 8-2 227 17
18. Kentucky 10-1 215 18
19. Marquette 8-2 191 19
20. DePaul 7-3 185 20
21. Gonzaga 10-1 148 21
22. Michigan St. 9-1 134 23
23. Texas A&M 8-2 98
24. Miami 9-2 95 24
25. South Carolina 6-4 66 25

Others receiving votes: Iowa St. 22, South Dakota 22, Florida St. 21, Virginia Tech 21, South Florida 19, Missouri 13, Indiana 11, Georgia 8, Utah 5, Southern Cal 4, West Virginia 1, Drake 1, South Dakota St. 1.