Police in Council Bluffs are investigating an armed robbery that took place at around 1-a.m. today (Thursday). Officers were sent to the Kwik Shop at 3632 Ave G. Soon after they arrived on the scene, Police spoke to the clerk and a victim that entered the store during the robbery. The clerk said a 30-to 35-year old black male produced a handgun and demanded money, and alcohol. The second suspect, a 20-to 25-year old black male, went behind the counter and grabbed cigarettes.

Armed suspect

A second victim was ordered into the store by the armed suspect, and was told not to move. Both offenders fled west out of the store on foot. No shots were fired and no injuries were reported. The suspects fled the store with an undetermined amount of money, two bottles of alcohol and an undetermined amount of cigarettes. The first suspect was wearing a tan jacket with a red hood. The second suspect was wearing all black.

2nd suspect

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Council Bluffs Criminal Investigation Division at 712-328-4728 or Crime-stoppers at 712-328-7867 (STOP).  The Council Bluffs Police Department wants to remind citizens to call the police if they see suspicious individuals hanging around any businesses especially at night or early morning hours.

Red Oak Police report two separate arrests took place Wednesday. At around 8:20-p.m., 51-year old Barbara Darlene Wilson, of Red Oak, was arrested in the 600 block of Sunset, for Disorderly Conduct. Wilson was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $300 bond. And, at around 3:47-p.m., 33-year old David Ray Sturgis, of Maryville, MO., was arrested in the 600 block of E. Reed Street, in Red Oak. Sturgis was taken into custody on a valid Montgomery County warrant for Violating a No Contact Order. His bond at the Montgomery County Jail was also set at $300..

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:45 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A group of lawmakers tasked with evaluating Iowa’s response to the opioid epidemic will miss a deadline for completing a report offering findings and recommendations. The Opioid Epidemic Evaluation Study Committee was supposed to deliver an opioids report to Gov. Kim Reynolds and lawmakers by Nov. 15, but the report wasn’t available Wednesday. An official with the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency blamed the delay on staffing limitations.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An animal rights group is asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to require more humane treatment for turkeys, chickens and other poultry as the birds are sent to slaughter. California-based Mercy For Animals filed the petition Wednesday, about a week before Thanksgiving. The petition asks that poultry be covered under the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1958. A spokeswoman for the National Chicken Council says including poultry in the law is unnecessary.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The National Indian Gaming Commission has again approved the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska’s plan to build a casino near Omaha, but after a decade of court hearings, the project’s future remains uncertain. The commission’s ruling this week came nearly 10 years after it first approved the proposed casino in Carter Lake, Iowa.

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (AP) — Attorneys for former “Bachelor” contestant Chris Soules say he performed CPR on an Iowa farmer who died after Soules rear-ended his tractor in April. The attorneys filed a motion Monday seeking the dismissal of the charge against Soules _ leaving the scene of a fatal accident. They say Soules performed CPR on 66-year-old Kenneth Moser until it became clear it was futile. Investigators say Soules fled the scene after killing Moser. He was later arrested at his home about 10 miles away.

Officials with the Adair-Guthrie County Emergency Management Agency reported Wednesday evening, that “Due to the water main break Adair is now under a boil advisory until further notice.” Citizens should boil their water before consumption or brushing their teeth. and then letting it cool.

A Senior District Court Judge, Monday, denied a request for a change of venue in the case of a man charged with Voluntary Manslaughter. Fourth District Judge Timothy O’Grady ruled the trial for 39-year old Kevin Duane Staley, of Red Oak, will be held in Red Oak, on January 9th, 2018.  Staley had requested a change of venue due to extensive media coverage.

Staley entered a written plea of Not Guilty to the charge, on Monday. He’s accused of shooting 27-year old Devin Alexander Davis, of Villisca, during the early morning hours of Oct. 11th, in Red Oak.

Red Oak Police have said Davis suffered from a single gunshot wound to the chest.  Investigators determined that Staley and Davis “had been in a confrontation” earlier that morning, which resulted in Staley shooting Davis.

Police arrested Staley in his Red Oak home after executing a search warrant there on the afternoon of Oct. 11th. He remains in custody on a $100,000 bond.

The State Board of Education has approved new fine arts standards for all students in the state’s public schools. The new standards for music, theater, dance and other forms of artistic expression in Iowa public schools mirror standards used in 22 other states. Iowa school districts, however, have the option of ignoring these recommendations.

The standards, which focus on promoting the creativity and presentation skills of students from preschool through 12th grade. Advocates say these fine arts standards will promote a lifelong “appreciation for the arts.”

While schools may opt out of these new fine arts standards, the state’s ACADEMIC academic standards are NOT optional.

(Radio Iowa)

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Coins, photos and newspaper articles are among the contents of a century-old time capsule that has been removed from the cornerstone of the Woodbury County Courthouse. The Sioux City Journal reports that the time capsule was removed Tuesday in preparation for the landmark building’s centennial next year.

The iron box had to be drilled out of granite. The box, set in July 1916, contains foreign and U.S. coins, photos of then-President Woodrow Wilson and city street scenes and the results of an October 1875 local election. It also holds a souvenir from the 1916 Panama-California Exposition in San Diego and many articles from the Sioux City Journal in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The box will be opened Tuesday at the courthouse.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The National Indian Gaming Commission has again approved the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska’s plan to build a casino near Omaha, but after a decade of court hearings, the project’s future remains uncertain. The Commission ruling this week came nearly 10 years after it first approved the proposed casino in Carter Lake, Iowa.

Ponca Tribal Chairman Larry Wright Jr. celebrated the latest decision because building the casino would give the tribe significant new resources to help its members. The tribe wants to build a casino with 2,000 slot machines, 50 table games and a 150-room hotel.

Iowa Attorney General spokesman Geoff Greenwood says the office is still reviewing the decision and deciding whether to appeal. The Nebraska Attorney General’s office didn’t immediately respond to a message Wednesday.

The Cass County Library Association, represented by the representatives from the six city libraries in the county, met with the County Board of Supervisors this (Wednesday) morning, to present a report on services provided in FY2017 for each and all libraries.  The Association requested that the current county funding ($73,800) be increased by $2,000 for each library for FY2019.  Their request was taken under advisement.

The Board did however, approve contract payments for library services to Cass County residents residing outside of cities for FY2018.  [Anita-$13,100; Atlantic-$15,200; Cumberland-$10,900; Griswold-$12,600; Lewis-$10,900; Massena-$11,100].

The Supervisors’ next meeting is set for Thursday, Nov. 30th.