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New trial in gruesome 2017 stabbing not expected until fall

News

January 18th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A new trial likely won’t be held until late this year for a man whose murder conviction in the gruesome 2017 stabbing of his ex-girlfriend was overturned. The Gazette reports that attorneys for 30-year-old Gregory Davis and prosecutors agreed last week that a new trial won’t be possible until October or November. Davis’ new trial had been set to begin Feb. 1 after the Iowa Supreme Court tossed out his original murder conviction last November, ruling that he didn’t get a fair trial.

Davis was convicted in 2018 of first-degree murder and other counts in the death of 29-year-old Carrie Davis, whose body was found rolled in a blanket inside a trailer in Marion.

 

Posted in News |

Cass County Sheriff’s report: 3 accidents

News

January 18th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports three accidents occurred over the past two weeks. At around 5:30-p.m. on January 5th a single-vehicle accident occurred on I-80 at the 56 mile marker. Authorities say an eastbound 2012 Chevy Equinox owned and driven by 41-year old Tiffany Brown, of Papillion, NE, reportedly swerved to avoid something in the roadway, before her vehicle struck the cable barriers. A passenger in the vehicle, 25-year old Deszirick Ramone Hopskie, was transported to Cass County Memorial Hospital for treatment of suspected minor injuries. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $5,000.
On Wednesday, January 13th, at 11:13 a.m., Cass County deputies responded to a report of a single-vehicle accident on Glacier Road. Officials say a 2007 Kenworth T-800 with a trailer, driven by 56-year-old Jeffry Dean Leinen, of Panama,  was making an eastbound turn onto Glacier Road from Marne Road, when the vehicle overturned into the south ditch. The driver reported minor injuries but refused medical transport. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $35,000.
And, on Thursday, January 14th, at 7:49 p.m., deputies in Cass County responded to single-vehicle accident on Lincoln Drive, in Atlantic. Officials say a southbound 2003 Dodge Durango owned and driven by 41-year-old Misty Dawn Ross, of Atlantic, lost traction on the snow-covered road and left the roadway before striking a tree. No injuries were reported. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $3,500.

Posted in News |

Cass County Sheriff’s report: Numerous arrests

News

January 18th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports that on December 31st, Cass County deputies brought 53-year-old Rex Dean McDermott, of Atlantic, to the Cass County Jail on a court ordered hold. McDermott was released four-days later on $22,000 bond.  Two other people were arrested Dec. 31st, also: 24-year-old Aurelio Shawn Sempek, of Ames, was arrested on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for Assault Causing Injury. Sempek was brought to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on $2,000 bond; and, 24-year-old Brittany Marie Ruhr, of Griswold, was arrested on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Ruhr was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on her own recognizance.
On January 6th, Cass County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 48-year old Jason Edward Pierce, of Council Bluffs, on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Pierce was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $20,000 bond.And, as we previously reported, on January 6th, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle stolen from the well fields at 62180 Great River Road, Atlantic. The vehicle was later located and stopped in Anita. The driver, 32-year-old James David Geopfert, of Rockwell City, was arrested on a Class-D Felony count of Theft 2nd Degree. Goepfert was taken to the Cass County Jail and was transferred two days later to Calhoun County on their outstanding warrant.

Posted in News |

Glenwood Police report 3 arrests

News

January 18th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Glenwood Police Department, Monday (Today) said three people were arrested over the weekend. On Saturday, 48-year old Jennifer Wink, of Sierra Vista, AZ., as well as 29-year old Shialea Cozad, of Council Bluffs, was both arrested on separate charges of Driving While Barred. Their cash/surety bonds were set at $2,000. And, on Sunday, 40-year old Bryan Haas, of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, with his cash/surety bond set at $1,000.

Posted in News |

Taylor named to FWAA Freshman All-America Team

Sports

January 18th, 2021 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa freshman punter Tory Taylor­ was named to the 2020 Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America Team, the FWAA announced Monday.

Taylor, a 23-year-old from Melbourne, Australia, is Iowa’s fourth FWAA freshman All-American in school history and the fifth Australian to earn FWAA freshman All-America honors.

Taylor became the first Hawkeye and first freshman to be named Punter of the Year in the Big Ten. He led all FBS freshman in punting average (44.1) and ranked 19th in the country.

The first-team All-Big Ten selection booted nine punts of 50 yards or longer, downed 18 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, and had only one touchback in 40 attempts.

Iowa’s 42.9 net punting average was tops in the Big Ten and fourth in the nation. Opposing returners averaged only 4.7 yards on six punt returns and lost two fumbles while fielding punts.

Taylor was also named freshman All-America by 247Sports.com and second-team All-America by The Athletic.

Posted in Sports |

Consider a ‘float coat’ if you’re venturing out to ice fish

Sports

January 18th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who love to ice fish might consider adding a new piece of high-tech outerwear to their gear bag — what’s known as a float coat. Susan Stocker, the boating law administrator and education coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says float coats offer protection from hypothermia — and drowning. “It is U.S. Coast Guard approved and it’s actually a life jacket,” Stocker says. “What they’ve done is they’ve created the entire coat to be made up of floatation material.”

Donning a float coat is one more way to prevent a catastrophe, she says, if the worst should happen while you’re out on the ice. “They come in all shapes and sizes. They come in all colors so if you want to go duck hunting, they even have a camouflage one,” Stocker says. “It’s great for keeping a person warm and if, unfortunately, you find yourself in the water, it’s a way to protect yourself and-or save yourself.”

Besides providing an additional level of safety, she says having your coat serve as a floatation device also brings peace of mind. She reminds, no ice should ever be considered completely safe. “You want to make sure that you are going out and checking the local predictions for the area that you’re at,” Stocker says. “People also need to understand there’s been a lot of snow on top of the ice and that keeps it insulated and the thickness can vary.”

The DNR recommends a minimum of four inches of clear ice for fishing and at least five inches for snowmobiles and ATVs.

Posted in Sports |

Key Protection More Accessible as Organic Farms Grow in Numbers

Ag/Outdoor

January 18th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa is among the top states when it comes to the number of organic farms in operation, but producers have long struggled to obtain crop insurance that can better protect them from losses. A new initiative aims to help close these gaps. Last summer’s derecho storm left many Iowa farm fields flattened. Kate Hansen, policy assistant at the Center for Rural Affairs, said these situations can be especially devastating for small to mid-size producers who don’t have the right crop insurance that can soften the blow. She noted about a decade ago, when more organic farms came into existence, there weren’t many coverage plans that matched up with their products. But that’s changed.  “Now, there are over 80 certified organic crops that can be insured at higher organic prices,” Hansen explained. “And so, they’re just kind of more effectively insuring what they have out there in the field.”

Ripe carrots growing in soil, closeup with space for text. Organic farming

Despite the expansion of coverage, Hansen acknowledged there’s still a disconnect in getting these farmers and ranchers to navigate newer plans. That leaves many organic crops under-protected. Her group is out with a new resource guide that covers everything from contract prices to the claims process. The guide also features feedback from crop-insurance agents across the Midwest. Joshua Manske, an Iowa-based agent, said with the effects of climate change resulting in more extreme weather events, making connections with these producers can mitigate a lot of trouble. “You know, I can’t imagine somebody who’s dreamed of farming their whole life, and worked hard every single day of their life to be able to do what they love… and some sort of event comes along and wipes out your crop,” Manske remarked.

Hansen added helping these producers with the process not only reduces the effects they can feel from such an event, but can also benefit their communities.  “Small family operations are sort of the backbone of rural communities,” Hansen maintained. “And crop insurance is a way to help them continue farming next year if they have a really bad year.” According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Iowa had nearly 800 organic farms in 2019. That ranks the Hawkeye State sixth in the nation.

Meanwhile, the deadline to purchase insurance for most spring crops is March 15.

(Mike Moen/Iowa News Service)

Posted in Ag/Outdoor |

Council Bluffs woman arrested in Dec. for Prostitution, is wanted on a Mills County warrant

News

January 18th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a woman from Pottawattamie County is wanted for charges related to prostitution and delivery of methamphetamine. Authorities say 32-year old Jessica Lynn Pedrin, of Council Bluffs, was arrested during a prostitution sting in Glenwood, on December 3, 2020. She allegedly agreed to commit sexual acts with an undercover law enforcement official, in exchange for money.

Pedrin was arrested on that date and booked into the Mills County Jail on unrelated charges, and later released. If you have any information about her location, or a tip that may lead to her arrest, call the Mills County Sheriff’s Office at 712-527-4337.

(9-a.m. News)

Posted in News |

Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s report

News

January 18th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports 75-year-old Gary Lee James was arrested Friday night at his residence, after his vehicle was reported as driving erratically in the area of Three Bridge Road and Eastern Hills, in Council Bluffs. A Deputy located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, but the SUV continued up a driveway at 17567 235th Street, and it entered a garage. James closed the garage door behind his vehicle. When the deputy knocked on the garage door, James refused to answer. Later, his son appeared on the scene and entered the house to speak with Gary James. A short-time later, the deputy was allowed entry. Gary Lee James was taken into custody for OWI/1st offense, and Preventing the Apprehension of a Person.

Thursday morning, 23-year-old Andrew Deshong was arrested in Oakland, following an investigation into an assault at a business north of Oakland. Deshong was located at his residence and taken into custody for Assault causing injury/without intent. Also arrested Thursday morning, was 40-year-old Tina L. Shannon. She was taken into custody at the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office, after turning herself-in on a warrant for Fraudulent Practices/2nd offense by false pretenses/Swindle or Confidence game.

Last Tuesday, 49-year-old Jim Wayne Metzger was arrested in Crescent, on a US Marshal’s warrant for being a Fugitive from Justice. Four juveniles were charged Tuesday afternoon in Treynor, with Possession/Purchase of alcohol by a person under the age of 18, and Supplying Alcohol to persons under legal age. Three 15-year-old’s (two females and one male), along with a seven year old male, were arrested/cited following a juvenile problem that was reported at the Treynor High School.

On Jan. 11th, 30-year old Brittnie Ann Rhonda-Holz, of Council Bluffs, an inmate at the Pott. County Jail, was presented with a warrant for Violation of Parole. And, 38-year old Damien Joseph Keairns was arrested following a traffic stop on Highway 92, in Council Bluffs. He was taken into custody under the authority of another agency, and held.

Posted in News |

Creston Police report 2 arrests

News

January 18th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Creston Police Department reports two men were arrested on separate charges, Sunday. Authorities say 47-year-old Grant P. Ponder, of Cortez, CO., was arrested at around 1:25-a.m., for Public Intoxication. He was later released from the Union County Jail, on a Promise to Appear (in court). And, Sunday afternoon, 44-year-old Ian Stover, of Creston, was arrested at his residence, for Violation of a Protection Order. Stover was being held in the Union County Jail while awaiting a bond hearing.

(8-a.m. News)

Posted in News |