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Adams County Sheriff’s report: 2 arrests, 2 stolen/recovered vehicles

News

December 19th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports the Adams County Sheriff’s Department K9 Unit conducted a traffic stop early Wednesday afternoon, on a vehicle traveling 80-mph in a 55-mph zone. Upon further investigation, Rashawn Larone Hardy and Mattek Daquan Scott, of Flint, MI., were arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Just before 3-p.m. Wednesday, a vehicle was reported to have been stolen from the area of 150th and Corning Carl Road. The vehicle was recovered and returned to its owner. On Tuesday, a separate vehicle was stolen from the same area. It was later recovered in the parking lot of the Greater Regional Hospital, in Creston.

Authorities say the incidents should serve as a reminder to citizens about removing items of value from their vehicles, and to keep their vehicles and homes LOCKED UP.

Iowa Democrats approve 99 ‘satellite’ caucus locations

News

December 19th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — If Iowa voters cannot make it to their neighborhood precinct meeting site on Caucus Night, the Iowa Democratic Party is sanctioning 99 “satellite” locations for caucusing on February 3rd — including three locations for Iowans who are in Europe. Registered Iowa voters who are overseas have the option of Caucusing in a student housing building in Paris, France or at homes in Scotland or the country of Georgia.

Seventy-one of the satellite caucus locations are in Iowa at places like college campuses, senior living facilities and churches and religious centers. All locations were evaluated and approved by a site selection committee. Iowa Democrats are establishing caucus sites in Arizona, California and Florida for Iowa voters who retreat to warmer states during the winter.

And Iowans around the nation’s capital will be able to Caucus at a Marriott hotel in Washington, D.C. Go to https://datastudio.google.com/reporting/1L0w7K9JSzkTZRgPDRsrLvGagJVq5oLU6/page/ZRd9 to find the list of satellite locations, plus information from the Iowa Democratic Party about “early bird” registration that will speed up the process of Caucusing on February 3rd.

As expected, party-line split in Iowa delegation on impeachment

News

December 19th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — The three Iowa Democrats serving in the U.S. House voted to impeach President Trump last (Wednesday) night. Congressman Steve King, the only Iowa Republican in the delegation, opposed it. He says Democrats are trying to undo the results of the 2016 election.  “They brought this case November 9th, the day after Trump was elected,” King said.

King gave a 90-second speech on the House floor Tuesday afternoon. He also accused Democrats of pushing impeachment to divert attention from Joe Biden AND Hillary Clinton’s actions. “And to go so far as to bring impeachment hearings to try and cover all of this up,” King said, “and I would take you back to October of 2015, when Barack Obama said Hillary Clinton would never intend to jeopardize our national security.”

Republicans immediately criticized the two first-term congresswomen from Iowa who voted to impeach the president for abuse of power, suggesting Abby Finkenauer of Dubuque and Cindy Axne of West Des Moines had destroyed their chance at re-election in 2020. Axne says she stands behind her vote.  “I never looked at the decision I had to make for this from a political perspective,” Axne said. “I wouldn’t be doing my job for the people in Iowa if that’s how I looked at my job. I looked at this from what’s best for our country and what my responsibilities are.”

Axne says her vote was about responding to the president’s abuse of power. “I think it’s the right thing to do,” Axne says. “I wouldn’t have done it if all the facts hadn’t led to that.” Finkenauer, in a written statement issued before the vote, said she had a duty to respond to an abuse of power at the highest level. Congressman Dave Loebsack, a Democrat from Iowa City who is not seeking re-election, is the other member of the Iowa delegation who voted for the two articles of impeachment.

In a written statement issued Tuesday, Loebsack said President Trump’s actions cannot be allowed to stand as an example for future leaders. Both of the Republicans who represent Iowa in the U.S. Senate are criticizing the House vote. Senator Joni Ernst tweeted last night that Democrats — in her words — “have been heck bent on impeaching Trump since day one.”

Senator Chuck Grassley issued a written statement. He accused Democrats of advancing the first “partisan impeachment” of a president in modern history. The Iowa Democratic Party’s chairman tweeted that he was proud of the three Iowa Democrats in the House for showing that no one, not even a president, is above the law.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:20 a.m. CST

News

December 19th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Court of Appeals has affirmed the murder and attempted murder convictions of a Coralville woman who in 2008 slashed the throats of her two young sons. Michelle Kehoe’s 2-year-old died but the 7-year-old survived and testified at her trial. Kehoe’s appeal alleges her attorney was ineffective in part because he didn’t claim she was mentally incompetent to stand trial. She says he also didn’t try to suppress incriminating statements made to investigators while she was hospitalized. The court ruled Wednesday she failed to prove her lawyer was ineffective. She’s serving a life sentence at the women’s prison in Mitchellville.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Court of Appeals has reversed the second-degree murder conviction for a Dubuque man and ordered a new trial. The court concluded Wednesday that Fontae Buelow should have been allowed to present evidence of his girlfriend Samantha Link’s history of suicide attempts and mental health issues. Buelow denied he stabbed her in 2017 and claims she committed suicide by stabbing herself. The court says he should get a new trial that includes the background evidence.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Billionaire former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been granted an extension that will allow him to avoid filing a mandatory financial disclosure until after Iowa’s presidential contest. Presidential candidates are required to reveal their investments, businesses and streams of income. Only Bloomberg and former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick have yet to do so.

Local law enforcement respond to perceived threat at Camp Dodge, Wednesday

News

December 18th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Iowa National Guard, Wednesday, said Camp Dodge in Johnston, was placed in a lock-down status Wednesday afternoon, following a perceived threat at a supply warehouse (building W12). The incident unfolded at around 1:39-p.m.

Guard spokesman, Col. Michael Wunn, said Camp Dodge employees were notified of a lockdown after a 911 call was placed. Within five minutes, the first local law enforcement officers were on the scene. Iowa State Patrol, Polk County deputies and the Johnston Police Department responded to the call. The origin of and circumstances surrounding the perceived threat remained under investigation. Col. Wunn said there are no injuries or arrests to report. Law enforcement agencies have said there is no ongoing threat.

During the Camp Dodge lock-down, Johnston Public Schools were also locked-down, as part of the investigation process. Camp Dodge functions as the state headquarters for the Iowa National Guard with approximately 700 full-time employees. Col. Wunn said “Iowa National Guard Soldiers, Airmen and civilian employees are routinely trained in emergency action responses to events such as inclement weather, active shooters and bomb threats. Physical security, anti-terrorism and emergency action plans are continually reviewed, revised and implemented throughout the organization. While Camp Dodge employees are trained in the appropriate response to such events, an armed civilian security force is responsible for Camp Dodge security.”

Atlantic City Council recognizes departing & new city officials

News

December 18th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, recognized several individuals who are leaving their current posts in City government, and three people who will be stepping into their new positions, effective Jan. 1st.

Ashley Hayes

First up, the Council recognized former City Councilperson Ashley Hayes, who represented the 3rd Ward for seven-years. Mayor Dave Jones noted Hayes has served as a Council liaison to the Parks and Rec Department Board and Landfill Committee, along with the Community Protection Committee. She was recently elected to a seat on the Parks Board, as well. Hayes was 27 years old when she was first appointed to the Council.

The Council also recognized Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees, who has served on the fire department for 29 1/2-years, with the last 13 as Chief. He received a wall clock for his years of service. McNees will remain on the fire department as a volunteer.

Fire Chief Mark McNees

He will be succeeded by Tom Cappel II, who was voted-in by the department as fire chief earlier this month, pending Council approval, which he received during Wednesday’s meeting.

Cappel, who joined the Atlantic Fire Dept. in 1998, currently serves as a Captain on the Department, a position he’s held for the past 14-years. Atlantic Children’s Librarian Julie Tjepkes was recognized by the Council, Wednesday, for her 32-years of service to the Library.

Tom Cappel II

Julie has worked through five circulation systems, seven directors, and many co-workers. Like McNees, she received a wall clock for her many years of dedicated service.

Atlantic City Councilmen Chris Jimerson and Dana Halder were recognized for their elected service to the City. Jimerson represents the Atlantic 1st Ward, and serves on four commissions and/or committees. He thanked the Council and employees at City Hall and all the departments, adding that “I think we’ve got a great town.”

Halder has served as an At-Large Councilman for the past nine-years. He too has served on several committees and/or commissions. He ran down a long list of accomplishments he’s seen over the past nine-years, and said “I believe the City Council has nothing but interests in Atlantic for making decisions.

Julie Tjepkes

At times we are accused of not listening. This is usually brought up when we have made a decision on ordinances unpopular with a certain amount of people.” He said he feels the Council is sometimes not listened to, when they ask residents to clean-up their property. Halder got a bit choked-up when he said in closing, that “Atlantic to me is a fantastic place and I have enjoyed making it the best place we can in the last nine-years.” Halder didn’t leave out the possibility he might run for office again in two-years.

Jim Behrens

Grace Garrett

Grace Garrett will take the place of Halder on Jan. 1st. She narrowly won an election for the At-Large seat, in November, and was sworn-in Wednesday evening. Jim Behrens will take Jimerson’s seat as 1st Ward representative, after having run unopposed in November. He too, was sworn-in Wednesday evening.

Councilman Chris Jimerson

Councilman Dana Halder

4 injured in Council Bluffs rollover accident, Wed. afternoon

News

December 18th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Four people were injured Wednesday afternoon, during a rollover accident in Council Bluffs. Authorities say the accident happened a little after 1:30-p.m., on southbound I-29 near the Avenue G Exit.

When Council Bluffs Fire Department paramedics and law enforcement arrived on the scene, they found a Chevy Trailblazer that had rolled off of the interstate. Four passengers were inside the vehicle at the time of the accident and all were transported to Nebraska Medicine in critical condition. As of the latest report, three of the passengers were still in critical condition, including the driver of the vehicle, Conrado Munoz, who is from Nebraska. The fourth passenger was an infant and is in stable condition.

The Traffic Unit is currently investigating the incident and do not believe alcohol was involved. They are working to determine if speed was a factor in the crash. I-29 southbound was closed for about two hours.

Court affirms woman’s conviction for attack on young sons

News

December 18th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Court of Appeals has affirmed the murder and attempted murder convictions of a Coralville woman who in 2008 slashed the throats of her two young sons. Michelle Kehoe’s 2-year-old died but the 7-year-old survived and testified at her trial. Kehoe’s appeal alleges her attorney was ineffective in part because he didn’t claim she was mentally incompetent to stand trial.

She says he also didn’t try to suppress incriminating statements made to investigators while she was hospitalized. The court ruled Wednesday she failed to prove her lawyer was ineffective. She’s serving a life sentence at the women’s prison in Mitchellville.

Ernst Nominates 40 Iowans for Admission to U.S. Service Academies

News

December 18th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, today (Wednesday) announced U.S. Service Academy nominations for 40 young Iowans.

“As a combat veteran, and mother of a West Point cadet, it’s truly an honor to nominate these qualified Iowa students for admittance to our U.S. Service Academies. Each of these students has exemplified strong leadership, dedication to academics and commitment to community service. This nomination is an important step in the admissions process, and I’m proud to assist these students in reaching their goal of serving our nation in uniform,” said Senator Ernst.

Each year, Senator Ernst nominates Iowa students to the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. To learn more about the service academy nomination process, click here.

Below is a list of AREA students nominated by Senator Ernst for the Class of 2024.

U.S. Air Force Academy

  • Anthony Cordes – Avoca
  • Jacob Hrasky – Treynor

U.S. Military Academy at West Point

  • Wynn Yeager – Winterset

*The admissions process to the service academies is highly competitive, and Senator Ernst encourages students to apply for more than one academy. This denotes students who are being nominated for both their first and second choice of service academy.

$1M Mega Millions ticket sold in central Iowa city of Clive

News

December 18th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

CLIVE, Iowa (AP) – A $1 million Mega Millions lottery ticket has been sold in central Iowa. The Iowa Lottery said Wednesday the ticket for Tuesday’s drawing was bought at a Casey’s store in Eldora. It matched the first five numbers drawn but missed on the jackpot. The $372 million jackpot was won by someone who purchased a ticket in Ohio. Prizes of $1 million or more must be claimed at Iowa Lottery headquarters in Clive.