MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (AP) — A handful of Iowa lawmakers have reiterated their support for keeping open a state mental health facility in Mount Pleasant. Democratic Sen. Rich Taylor and Republican Rep. Dave Heaton made remarks Tuesday at the Mount Pleasant Mental Health Institute in support of keeping the facility open with state dollars. The lawmakers, both of Mount Pleasant, were joined by Democratic Sen. Amanda Ragan, of Mason City, and local leaders.

The facility’s future became uncertain this year after Gov. Terry Branstad’s budget proposal removed funding for it and the state mental health facility in Clarinda. Lawmakers eventually approved legislation that would keep Mount Pleasant open and would seek a private provider to run Clarinda.

Lawmakers Tuesday urged Branstad to approve the legislation. Branstad’s spokesman says the governor will make a decision soon.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest Monday afternoon, of 23-year old Keaton Ray Osthoff, of Clarinda. The man was taken into custody in Clarinda, on a Page County warrant for Serious Assault. Osthoff was being held at the jail in Clarinda without bond, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

The warrant for his arrest was the result of a Page County Sheriff’s Office investigation where Osthoff allegedly assaulted 21-year old Lucas T. Jensen, of Kansas City, Mo., at a residence located about one-half mile west of Clarinda, at around 12:30-a.m., on May 10th.

Deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report this (Tuesday) morning of a nine-year old child bitten by a dog, in Anita. The call came in at around 10:50-a.m. Officials say an investigation determined the child was bitten at the residence of the owner of the dog, and suffered injuries requiring medical attention. The animal was on a leash on its property at the time of incident.

And, there were two arrests in Cass County last Saturday. Authorities say 24-year old Shane Michael Suhr, of Anita, was arrested on charges of Public Intoxication and Disorderly Conduct. Suhr was taken to the Cass County Jail where he pled not guilty later that day and was released. And, 27-year old Joseph Donald Fredericksen, of Atlantic, was arrested Saturday, on a charge of Driving While Revoked. Fredericksen was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on $1,000 bond.

A traffic stop late Monday night in Audubon County resulted in the arrest of a woman on a Driving While Suspended charge. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports 46-year old Connie Jae Emgarten, of Casey, was pulled over on Littlefield Drive near 350th Street at around 11:50-p.m., and subsequently taken into custody. She was brought to the Audubon County Jail and later posted a cash bond. Emgarten is set to appear before the magistrate on July 2nd.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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• 3 cans (12 oz. each) beer or 4 1/2 cups water
• 3 large onions, thinly sliced and separated into rings
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce
• 2 to 3 teaspoons celery salt
• 2 to 3 teaspoons pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 15 fresh bratwurst links (3 1/2 to 4 pounds)
• 5 hot dog buns or brat buns, split

In a large saucepan or dutch oven, combine the first seven ingredients.  Bring to a boil.  Add bratwurst.  Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes until bratwurst is firm and cooked.  Drain, reserving onions.  Broil or grill 5 bratwurst for 4-5 minutes or until browned, turning once.  Serve on buns with reserved onion.

YIELD:  5 servings

(Gunnard Stark, Engelwood, FL)

A woman from Union County was arrested Monday evening on outstanding warrants issued out of Polk County, and from Missouri. 24-year old Shari Lavon Lowe, of Creston, was taken into custody just before 5-p.m., and was being held without bond in the Ringgold County Jail.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The National Weather Service is sending a survey team to check damage and confirm a suspected tornado that ripped into a grocery store and nearby homes in southern Iowa.

An estimated 40 to 50 Hy-Vee store employees and customers in Albia took shelter in the store cooler when the storm struck Monday evening, shattering store windows and sending glass flying into a nearby neighborhood. Homes in the area lost roofs and windows as well.

Trees and power lines were knocked down around the city, but no injuries have been reported. In northwest Iowa, straight-line winds approaching 100 mph destroyed a hangar at Sheldon Regional Airport and disabled five aircraft. Assistant Sheldon fire chief Randy Harms says firefighters and a hazmat unit were called out to contain airplane fuel that spilled.

The 7:07-a.m. report w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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