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Iowa early News Headlines: Thursday, 8/23/18

News

August 23rd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CDT

BROOKLYN, Iowa (AP) — For years, his employer said the young man from Mexico presented himself as a legal U.S. resident and reliable worker at a family dairy farm in Iowa. But this week, the image of Cristhian Bahena Rivera transformed in a matter of hours. Now he’s accused of illegally living and working in the U.S. and of being a predator who kidnapped and killed a beloved young woman. Rivera appeared in court Wednesday on a first-degree murder charge in the death of 20-year-old college student Mollie Tibbetts.

ADEL, Iowa (AP) — A judge has approved a motion to move the trial of an Iowa couple charged in the starvation death of their 16-year-old adopted daughter. The Des Moines Register reports that a judge on Wednesday agreed that pretrial publicity surrounding the case necessitated moving the trial of Marc and Misty Ray out of Dallas County. The Rays have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, child endangerment resulting in death and other counts related to the May 2017 death of Sabrina Ray.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Farmers and ranchers in two southeastern Iowa counties who’ve suffered losses and damages from recent drought may now be eligible for federal emergency loans. That news came Wednesday as the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that Appanoose and Van Buren counties have been designated as primary natural disaster areas.

MONTEZUMA, Iowa (AP) — Experts say the systems offered by the U.S. government to check the legal status of workers like the Mexican man now suspected of killing an Iowa college student can be easily exploited through identity fraud and gaps in government systems. In the case of Cristhian Bahena Rivera, the 24-year-old now charged with murder in the death of Mollie Tibbetts, Rivera’s ex-employer said Wednesday said it didn’t use the federal E-Verify program, correcting information it used a day earlier.

Trial moved for parents charged in Iowa teen’s starvation

News

August 22nd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

ADEL, Iowa (AP) — A judge has approved a motion to move the trial of an Iowa couple charged in the starvation death of their 16-year-old adopted daughter.
The Des Moines Register reports that a judge on Wednesday agreed that pretrial publicity surrounding the case necessitated moving the trial of Marc and Misty Ray out of Dallas County.

The Rays have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, child endangerment resulting in death and other counts related to the May 2017 death of Sabrina Ray in her Perry home.

Authorities say the girl weighed just 56 pounds when she died. Her brother, Justin Ray, was sentenced to 10 years in prison earlier this year for drop-kicking Sabrina down basement stairs, leaving her unable to walk, talk or eat in the days before her death. The girl’s adoptive grandmother was sentenced to 20 years for failing to seek medical help for Sabrina and for abusing other children in the household.

CHARLES “RAY” RAYMOND GARY, 77, of Red Oak (Svcs. 8/25/18)

Obituaries

August 22nd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

CHARLES “RAY” RAYMOND GARY, 77, of Red Oak, died Tuesday, Aug. 21st, at the Good Samaritan Society in Red Oak. Funeral services for “RAY” GARY will be held 10-a.m. Saturday, Aug. 25th, at the Rieken-Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday, August 24th, from 5:30 to 7:00-p.m.

Interment will be in the Griswold Cemetery.

CHARLES “RAY” RAYMOND GARY is survived by:

His daughter – Teresa Williams and her friend Les McFarland,of Red Oak

His son – Brad Gary, of Red Oak; Mark (Nicole) Gary, of Atlantic; and Matthew Ray Gary and friend Carrie Miles of Sioux Falls, SD.

His sisters – Amelia Lewis, and Marlena Hansen of Wichita, KS

14 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

2 arrested on drug charges in Mills County

News

August 22nd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Two people were arrested Wednesday morning on drug charges, in Mills County. The Sheriff’s Office reports 27-year old Shialea Kay Cozad, of Council Bluffs, and 29-year old Christopher Lee McDaniel, of Pacific Junction, were arrested at around 9-a.m. near 195th and Highway 34. Both were charged with Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. McDaniel was also arrested for Driving While Barred. His bond was set at $3,300. Bond for Cozad was set at $1,300.

And, at around 10:45-p.m. Tuesday, 18-year old Jonathan Jo Arrick, of Glenwood, was arrested for Criminal Trespass. His bond was set at $300.

Woman injured in wreck by Highway 34 bridge near Red Oak

News

August 22nd, 2018 by Jim Field

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports a woman was injured after a two-vehicle accident on Highway 34 on Wednesday. The accident happened 1/2 mile west of Red Oak at 3:00pm. After investigation it was determined that a 2015 Chevy Silverado owned and operated by 69-year-old Lawrence W. Irwin of Clarinda was eastbound on Highway 34 when he stopped on the west side of the river bridge due to construction traffic control on the bridge. A 2007 Chevy Trailblazer owned and operated by 77-year-old Judy McFarland of Red Oak was also eastbound and failed to see the stopped truck and rear-ended it.

After the accident McFarland was flown by air ambulance to an Omaha hospital for treatment of her injuries. No further details on her condition were available.

Damage to the Silverado was estimated at $4,800 and damage to the Trailblazer was estimated at $7,000.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Red Oak Police Department and the Red Oak Fire Department.

US official: No record Rivera has legal status

News

August 22nd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Immigration authorities say they have no record of granting admission into the United States to the man suspected of killing an Iowa college student. A spokesman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said Wednesday that a search of the agency’s records found nothing indicating that Cristhian Bahena Rivera “has any immigration status.”

That potentially contradicts the statement of Rivera’s attorney that he “has the legal documents” to work in the United States. Rivera is accused of killing 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts. His immigration status has drawn national attention, and the White House has said Tibbetts’ death has underscored the need for immigration restrictions proposed by President Donald Trump.

The manager of a dairy farm that employed the man charged with killing an Iowa college student says he has received dozens of threatening phone messages and other contacts in the last 24 hours, including death threats. Dane Lang, manager of Yarrabee Farms in Brooklyn, Iowa, says one person threatened to kill his dog and another said he would burn down his farm buildings. Lang says, “this is a really scary situation.” Lang says the farm employed Cristhian Bahena Rivera for four years but knew him by a different name, which he did not disclose.

A judge has ordered Rivera to be jailed on a $5 million cash-only bond. He had been held since Tuesday on a $1 million cash-only bond after being charged with first-degree murder in the death of Mollie Tibbetts. At a hearing Wednesday, Magistrate Judge Diane Crookham-Johnson granted a state prosecutor’s request to raise the bond amount to $5 million.

Statement issued by the family of Mollie Tibbetts

News

August 22nd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa — Mollie Tibbetts disappeared on July 18, 2018, while jogging in or near Brooklyn, Iowa.  After more than a month of searching, investigators located her body in a farm field in rural Poweshiek County on August 21, 2018.  An autopsy is being conducted, but results will not be available immediately. Charges were filed against Cristhian Bahena Rivera, who will appear in Poweshiek County District Court at 1:00 p.m. on August 22, 2018.

The family of Mollie Tibbetts has asked that this information be conveyed to members of the media and the public:

Our hearts are broken.

On behalf of Mollie’s entire family, we thank all of those from around the world who have sent their thoughts and prayers for our girl.  We know that many of you will join us as we continue to carry Mollie in our hearts forever.

At this time, our family asks that we be allowed the time to process our devastating loss and share our grief in private.

Again, thank you for the outpouring of love and support that has been shared in Mollie’s name.  We remain forever grateful.

Marshalltown tornado will cost Lennox millions, most insured

News

August 22nd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — The tornado that hit and heavily damaged the Marshaltown Lennox plant on July 19th will cost the company millions of dollars in sales. Lennox International C-E-O Todd Bluedorn gave investors an update on the situation Tuesday in a conference call with investors. “For the second half of 2018 we are estimating that the impact from the tornado will cost approximately 100 million in lost revenue, and 55 million in lost profit for our residential business segment,” Bluedorn says.  He says the Marshaltown plant manufactures their two high-end systems that have a larger profit margin — and that contributes to the profit loss. “We are also moving toward the heating season and the furnaces are among our highest margin products,” Bluedorn says. “The final impact to mention is that we want to make sure we maintain our close dealer relationships and keep our sales force intact. So we are making are sale representatives financially whole during this temporary shortage of enough high-end systems to sell.”

He says the tornado will cost an additional 80 million dollars in charges in 2018. “Which includes site cleanup costs, asset write offs and factory inefficiency costs. Over the course of 2018 and 19 we expect business interruption and property insurance proceeds to offset both the earnings impact from lower revenue and the special non-core charges resulting from the tornado,” according to Bluedorn.  The company has a stock of 40 days for some products and 90 days for others, and he says a tight supply could be felt until they are back at top production. “We expect some of our high-end business to be borrowed by others in the short term — but we have a loyal Lennox dealer base — and we expect the business to return as our high-end volume returns through production at our other factories and Marshalltown ramps up,” Bluedorn says.

Bluedorn says even with all the damage to the Marshalltown plant, they have started limited production. “It’s just a matter how quickly we can ramp up,” he says, “it’s amazing when you look at the photos of the damage that took place and how quickly our guys are back up. We brought back 150 hourly employees, we have our full salaried workforce back.”

The plant has around 14-hundred workers at the time of the tornado. Bluedorn says the company has one BILLION dollars in insurance with a 250-thousand dollar deductible. He says they have already seen some insurance payments as they work toward recovery. Marshalltown’s plant accounted for around 25 percent of the company’s production, and some of the manufactoring of the high-end products has been moved to Lennox’s plants in Mexico and South Carolina while the reconstruction is underway.  “I would tell you that I hope I never live through another tornado in my business career,” Bluedorn says. “But again it shows the benefits of having multiple factories producing different products at multiple locations.”

Bluedorn says they are not sure if some of the high-end production will stay at those other plants, and says they will evaluate all their systems and needs as they move forward with the rebuilding of the Marshalltown plant.

Friend shares memories of Mollie Tibbetts, changes running routine

News

August 22nd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

(KCRG-TV via Radio Iowa) — A woman who competed against and became close friends with Mollie Tibbetts says she hopes people will remember Mollie for how she lived, not how she died. Alexis Morrison told KCRG-TV she first met Mollie in the eighth grade. Both loved running and faced each other on the track. “We ran our whole high school and middle school career together,” Morrison said. “We were always right by each other in every race.”

Mollie ran for BGM and Alexis for Montezuma schools. Alexis said while she always looked forward to races against Mollie, it didn’t matter who won. They encouraged each other to post personal best times. “We prayed together and stuff before every race to help each other,” Morrison said.  The 20-year-old Tibbetts, who was to be a sophomore at the University of Iowa, disappeared on July 18 while on a jog in her hometown of Brooklyn. On Tuesday, authorities announced the arrest of a 24-year-old man who’s accused of killing Tibbetts and leaving her body in a cornfield. Morrison said she’ll focus on her memories of Mollie, but the life-long runner said this situation has changed her routines. She now takes some precautions before heading out on trails through Poweshiek County.

“My husband actually just bought me a taser because I’m training for a half marathon and it’s really scary to be out there,” Morrison said.

St. Louis Cardinals announce 2019 regular season schedule

Sports

August 22nd, 2018 by admin

ST. LOUIS, Mo., September 22, 2018 – The St. Louis Cardinals, in conjunction with Major League Baseball’s league-wide release, today announced their 2019 regular season schedule.  The home opener for the Redbirds is set for Thursday, April 4 against the San Diego Padres as part of a seven-game home stand with San Diego (April 4, 6-7) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (April 8-11).

The Cardinals will open their 2019 season on the road with a four-game series at Milwaukee against the division rival Brewers beginning on Thursday, March 28, followed by a two-game series at Pittsburgh (April 1 & 3).

The 2019 season will feature 26 home series and 26 road series, including 14 weekend series at Busch Stadium: April 4, 6-7 vs San Diego, April 19-21 vs New York Mets, April 26-28 vs Cincinnati, May 10-12 vs Pittsburgh, May 24-26 vs Atlanta, May 31-June 2 vs. Chicago Cubs, June 21-23 vs. Los Angeles Angels, July 12-14 vs Arizona, July 26-27 vs Houston, August 9-11 vs Pittsburgh, August 23-25 vs Colorado, August 30-September 1 vs Cincinnati, September 13-15 vs Milwaukee and September 27-29 vs Chicago Cubs.

The Cardinals will host the Chicago Cubs for two weekend series (May 31-June 2 & September 27-29), including the final series of the 2019 regular season, and one mid-week series (July 30-August 1) at Busch Stadium.

The Cardinals 20-game interleague schedule will feature a pair of two-game home-and-home series with in-state rival Kansas City (May 21-22 at Busch Stadium & August 13-14 at Kansas City) and with the Oakland Athletics (June 25-26 at Busch Stadium & August 3-4 at Oakland).  In addition, the Cardinals will host three-game home series against the Los Angeles Angels (June 21-23) and Houston Astros (July 26-28), and will play three-game road series at Texas (May 17-19) and at Seattle (July 2-4).

The Cardinals are scheduled to play 43 of their 81 home games before the July 8-11 All-Star Break, playing 16 home games in April, 13 in May, 14 in June, 11 in July, 13 in August and 14 in September.  The Cardinals are scheduled to play home games on Easter Sunday (April 21 vs. Mets), Mother’s Day (May 12 vs. Pirates), Memorial Day weekend (May 24-26 vs. Braves) and Labor Day weekend (Aug. 31-Sept. 1 vs. Reds & Labor Day, Sept. 2 vs. Giants).

The Cardinals longest home stands of the 2019 season consist of two nine-game stands (April 19-28 & June 17-26).  Their longest road trip is 10 games (June 7-16). The Cardinals will play 20 consecutive games without a day off from June 4-23 (10 home games & 10 road games).

The season opener on March 28 against the Brewers represents the first time in franchise history that the Cardinals will begin the season at Milwaukee.  The two teams have faced each other three times previously on Opening Day (2004, 2003 & 1999), all in St. Louis.  The March 28 season opener will also be the earliest in franchise history.

The Cardinals will make future announcements regarding game times, ticket pricing and ticket availability for the 2019 season.  To view the full 2019 regular season schedule, visit cardinals.com.