United Group Insurance

Arrest made in June 12th Underwood bank robbery

News

June 23rd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the FBI report an arrest was made Tuesday, in connection with the June 12th robbery of a bank in Pottawattamie County. Authorities said Thursday, 31-year old Davon Leander Williams was arrested Tuesday night, for his alleged role in the robbery of the Underwood branch of the US Bank.

Officials say they believe Williams and at least one other person who was armed, entered the bank and robbed it, taking an undisclosed amount of cash. A vehicle the suspects allegedly used in the robbery, had reportedly been carjacked at gunpoint, from a woman in Omaha a few hours prior to the robbery.

Court says verdict in Iowa lottery rigging case was flawed

News

June 23rd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court has overturned the conviction of a lottery security expert charged with attempting to claim a $16.5 million Iowa jackpot that he rigged. Friday’s ruling ordering a retrial for Eddie Tipton in the 2010 Hot Lotto jackpot is a victory for his defense but might have little practical impact.

Iowa prosecutors already agreed this month to vacate the conviction under a plea agreement, which requires Tipton to plead guilty to ongoing criminal conduct for his efforts to claim rigged jackpots in several states. Tipton signed the plea deal but has yet to plead guilty in Iowa. He faces up to 25 years.

The court ruled Friday that the statute of limitations expired on one of two counts in the first Iowa case, and the verdict on the other was flawed.

IA SUPCO affirms District Court ruling in Pott. County serious assault case

News

June 23rd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Supreme Court has nullified an Oct. 2016 Appeals Court ruling in the case of a Pottawattamie County man convicted of willful injury and criminal trespass, after the Appeals Court reversed the District Court’s verdict, based on an error in a speedy trial ruling.The Supreme Court (With two justices dissenting), affirmed the District Court ruling in the case of Christopher Clay McNeal, of Council Bluffs.

McNeal was initially charged with attempt to commit murder, first-degree burglary, willful injury, and two assaults, following an investigation into an incident that took place Feb. 22nd, 2015, at an auto repair shop in Council Bluffs. He was ultimately convicted of assault with intent to inflict serious injury on his victim, Matthew Browning, by striking him with a hammer. He was also convicted of criminal trespass and willful injury causing serious injury. He was sentenced to a total of 10-years in prison.

In short, the Appeals Court reviewed McNeal’s claim that the State failed to meet its burden to bring him to trial within ninety days for the correction of legal error, and ordered the case be dismissed. The Iowa Supreme Court, in over-ruling the Appeals Court, found the District Court was within reason to schedule McNeal’s trial when it did, and its discretion was not abused.

(For more detailed information: http://www.iowacourts.gov/About_the_Courts/Supreme_Court/Supreme_Court_Opinions/Recent_Opinions/20170623/15-1606.pdf)

Man accused of biting baby daughter to go on trial in August

News

June 23rd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — An August trial is scheduled for a Sioux City man accused of biting his baby daughter on the face. Court records say 23-year-old Edward Valdez has pleaded not guilty to child endangerment resulting in injury. His trial is set to begin Aug. 22.

A court document says the child was bitten on March 24, when Valdez was alone with her. He told an officer that the girl had been sick and wouldn’t stop crying. Valdez said he became frustrated and bit her right cheek. The document says the bite left a white mark that lasted several days.

Creston Police report (6/23)

News

June 23rd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Police in Creston report two arrests took place Thursday. At around 12:30-a.m., 55-year old Robert Edward McCrory, of Greenfield, was arrested at 210 N. Oak St, in Creston. He was taken into custody on a Probation Violation Warrant. McCrory was being held in the Union County Jail on a $1,000 and a $2,000 cash or surety
bond.

And, at around 845-p.m., Thursday, Creston Police arrested 29-year old Lisa Joanne Squibbs, at her home in Creston, for Disorderly Conduct and Public Intoxication. She was released from the Union County Jail upon paying a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

Heartbeat Today 6-23-2017

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

June 23rd, 2017 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with Lisa Steen Riggs for an update on the progress of the Danish Windmill restoration in Elk Horn.

Play

7:18 am Sportscast 6-23-2017

Podcasts, Sports

June 23rd, 2017 by Jim Field

w/Chris Parks.

Play

7:18 am Newscast 6-23-2017

News, Podcasts

June 23rd, 2017 by Jim Field

w/Chris Parks.

Play

Local 24-Hour Rainfall Totals ending at 7:00 am on Friday, June 23

Ag/Outdoor, Weather

June 23rd, 2017 by Jim Field

  • KJAN, Atlantic  .19″
  • 7 miles NNE of Atlantic  .1″
  • Massena  .47″
  • Emerson  .18″
  • Red Oak  .85″
  • Creston  .2″
  • Hastings  .32″
  • Corning  .07″

USDA halting import of fresh Brazilian Beef

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 23rd, 2017 by admin

(Washington, DC, June 22, 2017) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the suspension of all imports of fresh beef from Brazil because of recurring concerns about the safety of the products intended for the American market.  The suspension of shipments will remain in place until the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture takes corrective action which the USDA finds satisfactory.

Since March, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has been inspecting 100 percent of all meat products arriving in the United States from Brazil.  FSIS has refused entry to 11 percent of Brazilian fresh beef products.   That figure is substantially higher than the rejection rate of one percent of shipments from the rest of the world.  Since implementation of the increased inspection, FSIS has refused entry to 106 lots (approximately 1.9 million pounds) of Brazilian beef products due to public health concerns, sanitary conditions, and animal health issues. It is important to note that none of the rejected lots made it into the U.S. market.

The Brazilian government had pledged to address those concerns, including by self-suspending five facilities from shipping beef to the United States.  Today’s action to suspend all fresh beef shipments from Brazil supersedes the self-suspension.

Secretary Perdue issued the following statement:

“Ensuring the safety of our nation’s food supply is one of our critical missions, and it’s one we undertake with great seriousness.  Although international trade is an important part of what we do at USDA, and Brazil has long been one of our partners, my first priority is to protect American consumers. That’s what we’ve done by halting the import of Brazilian fresh beef.  I commend the work of USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service for painstakingly safeguarding the food we serve our families.”