DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A longtime Davenport charity is closing after losing funding and struggling to resolve questions about mismanaging funds. The Quad-City Times reports that United Neighbors Inc.’s board announced Wednesday that the social service agency would close. United Neighbors has been struggling for more than a year since it fired its former executive director and three staff members.

Questions about spending prompted the Iowa Finance Authority to suspend funding and demand repayment of $235,600 in grants for rental assistance. United Neighbors traces its roots back to a related organization that started in Davenport in 1911.

FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa man who spent 48 years in prison for killing a 10-year-old girl has died in custody. The Iowa Department of Corrections says Robert Anthony Williams died Wednesday of natural causes at the State Penitentiary in Fort Madison. He was 73. Williams was convicted of killing Pamela Kay Powers, of Urbandale, Iowa, on Dec. 24, 1968.

The girl was abducted from the downtown Des Moines YMCA while attending her older brother’s wrestling tournament with her family. Williams led police to the girl’s frozen body along a gravel road near Mitchellville two days after she was killed.

While incarcerated, Williams filed several of his own appeals and his case went to the U.S. Supreme Court twice. But he failed to regain his freedom.

A man in Adams County was arrested on Threat of Terrorism and multiple, other charges, Wednesday. The Sheriff’s Office reports a call to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office came in, during which the caller threatened to shoot a sheriff’s deputy. The caller was identified as 41-year old Shawn Dale Kammerer, of Nodaway, who was found to be prohibited from possessing firearms. Authorities obtained a search warrant for his residence and located a firearm, ammunition, meth and drug paraphernalia.

Kammerer was arrested on Felony charges that include Threat of Terrorism, Child Endangerment, Possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and possession of ammunition by a prohibited person. He was also charged with 1st Degree Harassment, Possession of a Controlled Substance/Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Harassment of a Public Official, and Interference with Official Acts. Kammerer was being held without bond in the Adams County Jail until seen by a magistrate.

Also arrested at the scene was 45-year old Chantel Dewall, of Nodaway, on charges of felony Child Endangerment, Possession of Meth and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Her cash-only bond was set at $6,300. Additional charges are pending. The Adams County Sheriff’s office was assisted by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa State Patrol

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies stopped a vehicle Wednesday night in Villisca, and ended-up arresting two men on drug charges. Sheriff’s officials say the vehicle was pulled-over at around 8:30-p.m. at the intersection of N.4th Street and E. High Street, in Villisca. Deputies took 18-year old Charles Lee Shadbolt, of Villisca, into custody for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana. And, 18-year old Nathan Jess Simmons, of Villisca, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana, along with charges that include Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Failure to have SR-22 insurance. Simmons was also cited for registration violation and driving while suspended. Both men were transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where their bonds were set at $1,000 each.

Some Republicans in the legislature have said it’s time to end state payments to cities, counties and school districts that cover a decline in commercial property tax revenue, but Governor Kim Reynolds is reluctant to break a promise. “That’s not a priority of mine to do anything with that right now,” Reynolds says. “That is a promise that we made to them.”

The annual payments were set up in 2013 when the legislature and Governor Terry Branstad acted to cut commercial property tax rates by 10 percent. Reynolds is open to discussing changes in the future as part of a larger tax reform package, but she says local officials need to be part of the negotiations.

“I want them at the table. I want them to be a part of that discussion, but we’ve promised them that and I don’t think we should go back and take away something that we’ve promised midyear,” Reynolds says. “I just don’t think that’s fair to them.”

Reynolds made her comments during an interview with Radio Iowa. The state is scheduled this year to pay more than 150-million dollars to account for lower commercial property tax payments to local governments. Without that money from the state, local officials say cities, counties and school districts would be forced to make budget cuts or raise local property taxes.

(Radio Iowa)

Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports the Fremont County Reserve Deputy Association recently received a very generous donation to “Operation Santa.” Cooper Avey had a birthday party, and instead of presents for himself, he asked his friends to bring presents to donate to Operation Santa. Aistrope says Cooper’s very generous donation will never be forgotten.

From left to right: Tucker Wyant, Carter Rycroft, Blake, Schaaf, Andy Carter, Diesel Driskell, Noah Howe, Cooper Avey.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CST

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has commuted the prison sentence of an Iowa kosher meatpacking executive who received 27 years behind bars for money laundering. The commutation is Trump’s first in office and comes following the encouragement of members of Congress and other high-ranking officials who argued the sentence was too harsh. Sholom Rubashkin ran the Iowa headquarters of a family business that was the country’s largest kosher meat-processing company.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Citizens may be allowed to carry guns in some public areas of county courthouses after the Iowa Supreme Court revised an earlier order banning weapons from the public buildings. Chief Justice Mark Cady issued an order Tuesday revising the edict he’d written in June that banned guns from all courthouses in Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The husband of Iowa’s first female governor has unveiled a doll of himself at the state Capitol, adding a twist to a popular _ and some would say quirky_ tradition honoring the state’s first ladies. Kevin Reynolds, husband of Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, was on hand Wednesday as a doll with his likeness became the newest addition to a permanent display case at the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines. The case holds a doll of most Iowa first ladies in history, dating back to territorial governors.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — New U.S. Census Bureau data show Iowa and Nebraska’s populations grew slower than the national average. Iowa’s population increased to 3,145,711 as of July 1, up from 3,130,869 at the same time in 2016. That’s a growth rate of 0.47 percent. Nebraska’s population grew to 1,920,076 during that same window, compared to 1,907,603 the previous year. That’s an increase of 0.65 percent. The United States’ population increased by 0.71 percent, to 325,719,178.

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening (Dec. 20th), paid recognition to a couple of members of the AHS Trojans Cross Country team, Taylor McCreedy and Jalen Petersen. Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Somers asked Coach Dan Vargason to talk about their performances

He said McCreedy and Petersen were the two State qualifiers. There were 35 runners-up for the program. Petersen, a junior finished in 67th place on the boys side, while Taylor, who is a freshman, finished 20th on the girls side. He says they have a good program coming back next season.

In other business, the Council discussed with Snyder and Associates Engineers’ Dave Sturm, the Community Beautification Project, as proposed by ISU intern Matt Iekel. A Beautification Committee proposed Snyder’s handle the technical aspects of executing the project. Sturm said the agreement as proposed, would include “Way-finding” signage, a Clocktower, and a fountain at the northwest corner of 7th and Olive, along with corridor lighting pole modifications and banners.

Snyders’ services would include a preliminary design, Iowa DOT coordination and permits, final design, bid, and obtaining competitive quotes and construction services.
Altogether, the bill would come to $39,000. Councilman Dana Halder said he and Councilman Gerald Brink have been left out of the loop on the scope of the project, and were both on the Beautification Committee, and nothing has been pared down from the original plan or discussed to a consensus.

He said there’s no reason to spend $39,000 on some of the things City crews can do, and that the Clock Tower had been removed from the project. He said also there are some issues with the lot at 7th and Olive that need to be addressed, including the need for a survey team to come out and determine property lines. Halder said there needs to be some meetings on what really needs to take place and discussion on who will be responsible for the mowing, leaves and weeds.

Nick Harris, who is on the Beautification Committee, said he welcomes the Council to attend their meetings, and work with the Committee and Snyder’s Tim Teig, to revise the plans and clarify the action to be taken.

In other business, the Council approved, by a vote of 4-to 2 (with Councilperson Ashely Hayes absent), the awarding of a contract to Howery Construction in the amount of $98, 350 for work on the concrete 1,300-foot long, eight-foot wide AMU Wellfield Trail Head Project. AMU will utilize the City’s access to a Tranportation Alternatives Program Grant (TAP grant), to help fund the construction. Councilmen Jimerson and Casady voted against the award.

Michelle Andersen

The Council was also introduced to new Atlantic Library Director Michelle Andersen. She spoke about her background and plans and family. Andersen said she’s from north central Iowa, and was the library director most recently at SteamBoat Rock. Prior to that, she’s had experience at two academic libraries as well as serving on the Outreach Board for a community about the size of Atlantic, in UpState New York. She had extensive board and administrative experience. Her husband and three of their four children will move to Atlantic. Her oldest sign wishes to finish his academic activities at his current school.

And, the Oath of Office was administered to Mayor Dave Jones by City Clerk Barb Barrick. Jones then administered the Oath to Councilpersons Somers, Casady and Brink, all of whom won re-election this past November.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The husband of Iowa’s first female governor has unveiled a doll of himself at the state Capitol, adding a twist to a popular — and some would say strange — tradition honoring the state’s first ladies.

Kevin Reynolds, husband of Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, was on hand Wednesday as a doll with his likeness became the newest addition to a permanent display case at the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines.

The case holds dolls of most Iowa first ladies in history, dating back to territorial governors. Clad in tiny inaugural gowns, the dolls are from a mold based on former first lady Billie Ray, who started the tradition more than 40 years ago.

Officials say Kevin Reynolds’ doll, which is slightly taller than the others, was made in Colorado

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court has eased its ban on guns in county courthouses. Chief Justice Mark Cady says in an order signed Tuesday that county supervisors and other local officials may request guns to be allowed in areas of courthouses not totally occupied by the courts.

Cady’s order in June banned guns throughout all courthouses after the Iowa Legislature passed a law authorizing citizens to sue local officials who enact local gun bans in public buildings including courthouses. The law also allows guns to be carried into the Iowa Capitol.

Gun rights advocates say Iowans should not lose the right of self-defense when inside public buildings like courthouses. Opponents say emotions often run high in courthouses and it’s asking for trouble allowing guns inside.