Officials with the Cass County Conservation Board said today (Wednesday), the sponsors of the Trumpter  Swan arrival contest have determined the official arrival of the swans at the Schildberg Recreation Area/Quarry, as November 12th.  On that day, 10 Trumpeter Swans arrived there and stayed for more than twenty-four hours. The winners that picked the closest date were Carol, Macy and Nolan. They will receive a Trumpeter Swan 8×10 print from the Cass County Conservation Board. Cass County Conservation thanks to all who participated!

(Radio Iowa) — Iowa’s largest manufacturing employer is releasing its fiscal year end financial report. Quad Cities-based John Deere is reporting a net income of 785-million dollars for the fourth quarter and two-point-three billion for the year. The quarterly earnings rose 54-percent from a year ago, while the fiscal year earnings are up almost 209-million dollars. Despite an ongoing slump in the ag sector due to still-low commodity prices and trade troubles, Deere says farm machinery sales in the Americas made solid gains. The company’s forecast for 2019 calls for net income of nearly $3.6 billion on sales gains of about 7-percent.

(Radio Iowa) — Tens of thousands of Iowans will be traveling for Thanksgiving and they could face a challenge getting home a few days after the holiday. The immediate forecast calls for warmer temperatures for much of Iowa with highs in the 40s and even low 50s in some areas. The National Weather Service say that should last into midday Saturday.

A still-developing storm system may move in late Saturday, with the potential to drop temperatures into the 20s and drop several inches of snow into Sunday or Monday. Iowans are warned to pay close attention to the forecast, especially if they’ll be on the road later this weekend.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A federal jury has found two Des Moines police officers used excessive force and committed battery when they pepper sprayed and beat a man in February 2013. Jurors awarded Dustin Burnikel $200,000 on Tuesday for medical expenses, pain and suffering. Burnikel sued the city and officers Michael Fong and Greg Wessels.

Burnikel says they attacked him after he shouted at them thinking they were assaulting a woman on a city street. The officers in plain black coats were attempting to arrest the woman. They claim Burnikel appeared aggressive, so they subdued him. Burnikel sustained back injuries, bruises and broken teeth. City Attorney John Haraldson says the city settled its portion of the case alleging improper supervision and training for an amount to be disclosed at the next city council meeting.

The Audubon School District’s Board of Education met Monday evening, and approved the offering of early retirement to three employees of the district. Superintendent Brett Gibbs said those will be due the Friday before the Board’s December meeting, so they can take action on the matter during their meeting. The Board also set the date for the Superintendent Interviews as Monday, Dec. 3^rd, and Wednesday, December 5^th. Gibbs says they ended up with 13 applicants and are currently in the process of narrowing down who the finalists will be. Their goal is to narrow their selection down to four finalists.

During the Board’s meeting last month, Gibbs announced, and the Board accepted, his request to take early retirement at the end of the current contract year, June 30 2019. Gibbs has served the Audubon School District for 12 years. He and his wife will move back to northeastern South Dakota, where he grew up and has family living.

In other news, Gibbs said the Board Monday approved a coaches contract. The contract was approved for the last Junior High Girl’s Basketball position.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A parolee accused of two Iowa City killings has been has been convicted in the first of them. Johnson County court records say a jury found 42-year-old Curtis Jones guilty Tuesday of first-degree murder in the June 2017 slaying of a cab driver, 46-year-old Ricky Lillie. Jones is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 4 to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

He’s also accused of killing a 34-year-old bail bondsman, Jonathan Wieseler, in April 2017. His trial in that case is scheduled to begin Jan. 11. Both homicides occurred just months after Jones left prison in November 2016, years early on a robbery sentence. The parole board paroled Jones despite assessments that warned he was a high risk for committing additional violence.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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

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Sheriff’s officials in Taylor County report the arrest on numerous charges today (Wednesday), of 23-year old Edward Davis, of Lenox. Davis was taken into custody in the 400 block of West Temple St, in Lenox, for felony possession with intent to deliver/marijuana, felony possession of a controlled substance (3rd offense), carrying weapons while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and assault causing bodily injury. Davis’ possession charges were enhanced due to the offenses being within 1000 feet of a public park and using a weapon during the commission of the crime. His bond was set at $12,000. 

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — A January trial has been scheduled for a 28-year-old man accused of killing two brothers who lived in Fort Dodge. Webster County court records say Tanner King, of Fort Dodge, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and one of attempted murder. He’s accused of fatally shooting 37-year-old Marion and 34-year-old Eldominic Rhodes. A criminal complaint says the younger man’s body was found in an alley Oct. 22 and his older brother’s body was found in a nearby apartment parking lot.

Police say King fired a shot at another man but missed. King’s trial is set to begin Jan. 15.