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Creston students being disciplined over KKK-type social media pic

News

September 6th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

(Updated) —

CRESTON, Iowa (AP) — A southern Iowa high school said Wednesday it had disciplined several students who appeared in a photo on social media wearing white hoods and waving a Confederate flag next to a burning cross. At least one of the five people pictured is holding what appears to be a rifle.

Creston Community High School Assistant Principal Jeff Bevins first told the Creston News Advertiser that the school became aware of the photo early Wednesday morning.

In this screen shot image taken from Twitter, five men wearing white hoods wave a Confederate flag next to a burning cross. The principal of Creston Community High School in southern Iowa says the school has disciplined several students who appeared in the photo, which circulated on social media, after officials became aware of it on Wednesday morning, Sept. 6, 2017. (Twitter via AP)

Principal Bill Messerole told The Associated Press that the students involved have been disciplined, but would not say what that discipline entailed, citing the school’s student confidentiality policy. Messerole said school officials met with the students, but declined to comment on what was discussed. He declined to say whether he had spoken to the students’ parents or guardians.

“I’m new to this,” Messerole said when pressed for more information. “I haven’t had any situations like this before.” The photo, Messerole said, was not taken on school grounds. “Our investigation is ongoing,” Messerole said. “I would say that picture does not reflect the values of Creston High School, our school district or our community whatsoever.”

Posted in News |

A main water pump at popular Riverton Wildlife Area is down, cause unknown

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 6th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Iowa DNR report today (Wednesday), one of the main water pumps at the Riverton Wildlife Area, in Fremont County, experienced a mechanical failure and stopped pumping over Labor Day Weekend. The pump, on the West Nishnabotna River, pumps water at 32,000 gallons per minute to the more than 1,500 acres that provides a waterfowl refuge and duck hunting opportunities to hundreds of hunters. The water level is about 10 inches below full pool, making it difficult for boat hunters.

Matt Dollison, wildlife biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources covering the Riverton Wildlife Area, said he has been in contact with a crane operator to remove the pump from the housing, and a specialist to diagnose and hopefully fix the problem. The work could begin as early as this week.

Dollison said “It takes a while to fill the marsh. Every day it’s down means it will be that much longer before we get to full pool. While it’s not great news for boat hunters, this area will still offer some good walk in duck hunting opportunities.”

The Jensen Tract, south of the town of Riverton, is not affected by this pump and is available for boat hunters. The Riverton Wildlife Area is in the south duck and goose zone. The special September teal season is open through Sept. 10. Regular duck season opens Sept. 30.

The Iowa DNR has resources on its website for hunters looking for options to pursue ducks at www.iowadnr.gov/hunting then click on Migratory Game Birds in the left column.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Council Bluffs man arrested in Page County for OWI

News

September 6th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

An investigation into a single-vehicle accident last Friday night in Page County resulted in the arrest of a Pottawattamie County man. Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports a deputy responded at around 9:30-p.m. Friday, to an accident on Highway 2 near O Avenue, which is about 2 miles west of Clarinda. During the investigation, Deputies determined that 26-year old Jesse Warren Bozarth, of Council Bluffs, was driving a Dodge Durango westbound on Highway 2 east of the intersection with O Avenue.

Jesse Bozarth

Bozarth swerved into the eastbound lane, almost striking a vehicle that was eastbound on Highway 2.  He then corrected the vehicle, swerving back into the westbound lane and then into the north ditch.  Bozarth drove the SUV out of the ditch and parked it in the traveled portion of Highway 2, blocking traffic.

He was arrested for OWI/1st offense and transported to the Page County Jail, where he was unable to post a $1,000 bond, and was being held pending further court proceedings.

Posted in News |

Clarinda woman arrested Tuesday afternoon on drug & other charges

News

September 6th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A traffic stop Tuesday afternoon in Page County resulted in a woman being arrested on drug and other charges, along with the recovery of about 20 grams of Methamphetamine, numerous prescription pills, a scale and drug paraphernalia.

Kara Woodard

Sheriff Lyle Palmer says 27-year old Kara Dawn Woodard, of Clarinda, was arrested on: two charges of Unlawful possession of prescription drugs or devices (serious misdemeanors);  Conspiracy (a class D Felony); Prohibited acts, Manufacturers, possessors, counterfeit substances, simulated controlled substances –        Methamphetamine (a class B felony). She was also charged with Driving while license is suspended, disqualified, or revoked ; Possession of drug paraphernalia and a felony Drug tax stamp violation.  Woodard received traffic Citations for: Dark windows; Speeding; and Operating a vehicle without registration.

Palmer says at around 4:30-p.m., Tuesday, a Page County Deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop on Rose Avenue north of 280th (J-52) on a white 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse for traffic infractions.  The Mitsubishi continued south on Rose Avenue (gravel) and then eastbound on 280th Street.  The Mitsubishi then pulled into a residence in the 2800 block of 280th Street. During the investigation, Page County K-9 Lucas was deployed and alerted on the presence of illegal substances.

Woodard was taken into custody and was being held without bond, pending an Initial Appearance in Page County Magistrate Court. The investigation continues and additional arrests are expected.

Posted in News |

College Springs man arrested Monday night

News

September 6th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A search warrant executed Monday night at a residence in College Springs resulted in the arrest of 48-year old Steven William Wells, of College Springs. Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer said Wells was arrested on a Page County Warrant for Failure to appear on an original charge of Driving while barred.  The man was unable to post the $5000 cash only bond and was held pending further court proceedings.

Posted in News |

Clarinda man arrested on Union County warrant

News

September 6th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Union County report a man who was transported from the Page County Jail, to the Union County Law Enforcement Center, was arrested Tuesday night. 39-year old Lonny Ray Brown, of Clarinda, was taken into custody on a Union County warrant for probation violations.  Brown remained in the Union County Jail without bond until being seen by a judge.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office said also, a rural resident in the 1,300 block of Jaguar Ave., reported damage to his mailbox, Tuesday. The damage was estimated at $100.

And, there were two, non-injury accidents in Union County. Early Sunday morning, authorities investigated a rollover accident on County Road P-33/Pole Road, where a 1987 Dodge Dakota pickup had left the road, entered a ditch and rolled over before coming to rest on its wheels. No one was around or in the vehicle. Authorities contacted Sheriff’s officials in Ringgold and Taylor Counties to try and determine who the driver and register owner was. The pickup sustained about $2,000 damage.

The other accident happened at around 7:20-a.m. today (Wednesday) in Afton, as a 2014 Chrysler driven by 49-year old Kathryn Lea Johnson, of Afton, was backing out of a driveway. A 2012 Chevy Impala driven by 33-year old Laura Ann Stearns, of Afton, was traveling west on Filmore Street. Due to sun glare, Johnson didn’t see Stearns’ approaching vehicle. The Chrysler struck the Chevy on the passenger side, causing a total of $5,500 damage. There were no citations issued.

Posted in News |

Iowa officials consider options once ambulance service stops

News

September 6th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Officials in northwest Iowa are scrambling to line up an emergency ambulance service after a nonprofit announced it’ll cease service at the end of the year.  The Sioux City Journal reports that Siouxland Paramedics Inc. announced last month it’ll cease 911 services in Sioux City and North Sioux City as it tries moving toward a more sustainable model.

Sioux City Fire Rescue Chief Tom Everett says officials are considering absorbing future 911 services into the department or contracting with another private company. North Sioux City Fire Chief Bill Pappas says officials hope to form a partnership with Sioux City, but are also considering how to raise money to staff the city’s own service.

Outlying cities in nearby rural areas are also waiting to see how their service will be affected.

Posted in News |

Woman jailed in shooting death of trucker at Iowa rest stop

News

September 6th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

(Updated) —

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A woman shot and killed a male truck driver inside his cab early Wednesday at an Interstate 80 rest stop in Iowa and was quickly arrested and charged with murder, authorities said. The shooting happened at the westbound rest stop near Victor, about 40 miles west of Iowa City.

The Iowa County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting was reported shortly before 3 a.m. and that when officers arrived, they found the trucker dead from apparent gunshot wounds in the cab of his tractor-trailer.

This Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017 booking photo released by the Iowa County Sheriff’s Department shows Mariana Lesnic, in Marengo, Iowa, who is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting of a truck driver found dead in his cab at a rest stop early Wednesday, along Interstate 80 near Victor, Iowa. (Iowa County Sheriff’s Department via AP)

Mariana T. Lesnic, 43, was found at the scene and taken into custody. She was charged with first-degree murder and was being held at the Iowa County jail in Marengo on a $1 million cash-only bond.

In a criminal complaint, investigators allege that Lesnic killed the victim “willfully, deliberately and with premeditation by shooting him with a firearm” but provided no additional details. Authorities were withholding the victim’s name pending notification of his relatives.

The sheriff’s office said Lesnic’s address was unknown. The criminal complaint indicates that she has a Colorado driver’s license. A first-degree murder conviction in Iowa carries an automatic sentence of life in prison without parole.

Posted in News |

Shelby County BOS news: Beaver bounty renewed

News

September 6th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Shelby County Board of Supervisors met in a regular session Tuesday morning, in Harlan. According to the meeting minutes, the Board approved a motion to renew and set the beaver bounty this trapping season at $25, with a total payout limit of $5,000. Officials say the program used all budgeted funds last year, when the quota was set at 200 and met. Two-years ago, there were about 170 beavers turned in for bounty.

The Board also approved a request to resurface Shelby County Road M-47 from Highway 44 south, to the County line. The final plans and bid letting for the Hot Melt Asphalt (HMA) resurfacing project were also approved.

And, Shelby County Engineer Dan Ahart provided an update on County road projects. He noted that the Smith project in northern Shelby County was completed, and the Nielsen Bridge project is on schedule to be finished this calendar year. He said also, shoulders are being brought in on the pavements, in anticipation of the harvest season. Ahart said also, road rock sources for the County have been moved further away, as the Schildberg Rock Quarry in Atlantic has exhausted its supply of material for roads.

Posted in News |

Mills County Sheriff’s report (9/6/17)

News

September 6th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three recent arrests. Sunday afternoon, 50-year old Ricardo Moreno-Chavez, of Sioux City, was arrested for Driving While Barred, Operating a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock, and other Violations pertaining to Insurance. He was taken into custody following a traffic stop at around 1-p.m. on Interstate 29. Bond was set at $3,000.

Saturday afternoon, Mills County Deputies arrested 53-year old Andrew Klusaw, of Council Bluffs, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $300.

And, Friday afternoon, 45-year old Rafael Jean Petitphait, of Omaha, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, for Driving Under Suspension, the bond for which was set at $300.

Authorities said also, Kiara Billings, of Bellevue, NE., was cited last Thursday for failure to have a valid driver’s license and following too close. The citation followed a rear-end collision that occurred at around 1:45-p.m. Thursday, near the intersection of Highway 34 and 221st Street. No injuries were reported.

Posted in News |