The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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FAIRPORT, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a one person has died in a house fire in a community along the Mississippi River in eastern Iowa. The blaze was reported around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in Fairport, which sits about 7 miles east of Muscatine. The victim’s name, the fire cause and other details have not been released.

An Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Conference will be held January 3rd through the 5th, in Shelby County. Assistant Shelby County Emergency Manager Jason Wickizer reports the classes will be held: from 6-until 10-p.m., Jan. 3rd; 8-a.m. to 4-p.m., Jan. 4th, and 8-a.m. to 1-p.m. January 5th, at 706 Victoria Street, in Harlan. Topics to be covered include:

• Friday – A review of Multi-Casualty vs. Multi-Patient incidents, Incident Command, and EMS Documentation to set those incidents apart for legal considerations.
• Saturday – EMS Skills: 12 Lead; Automatic CPR Devices; King Airway; CPR Code/Mega Code (ALS); EMS Documentation off-scenario; Trauma/Medical Assessment; Tourniquet/Quick Clot/Trauma Dressing Station; C-Spine immobilization after traction splint application.
• Sunday – EMS & Law Enforcement Driving Policies, Driving Course.

The classes and meals are free. Vendors have been invited to attend. For more information, call Jason Wickizer at 712-755-2124.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – A Davenport man has been charged with murder months after the death of his wife. Court records say Casey Klemme is charged with second-degree murder and domestic abuse assault. The records don’t list an attorney for him. Officers sent to the home July 26 found Tiffany Klemme lying on a floor. Police say she had bruising on her left eye, a bloody nose and other injuries. Her husband acknowledged only grabbing and pushing her. She was found dead in the home the next day. Authorities say the wait for autopsy and toxicology results delayed the filing of the murder charge.

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.

(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.

(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.

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.

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.”

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