One person suffered suspected minor/non-incapacitating injuries, following a collision in Creston, Monday afternoon. The Creston Police Department reports a 1998 Ford F-150 pickup driven by 33-year old Susan Lin Heslop, of Creston, was traveling north on Oak Street and had entered the intersection with Lucas Street, when she collided with a 1989 Ford Ranger pickup, driven by 46-year old Paula Marie Shimer, of Creston. The accident happened at around 2:15-p.m., as Shimer was traveling east on Lucas Street.

Authorities say Shimer had a yield sign on her side of the intersection, while there were no signs at the intersection for Heslop. The F-150 hit the Ranger on its passenger side door. Damage from the collision amounted to $2,500.

Both women were wearing their seat belts. Heslop was transported by ambulance to the Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston, to be checked and treated for injuries. Authorities say Shimer was to blame, for failing to yield, but no citations were issued.

Three people were arrested Monday on separate charges, in Creston. According to Creston Police, 52-year old Richard Beam, of Boonville,  was arrested at the Law Enforcement Center on a Union County Warrant for the charge of Failure to Appear on the original charge of Domestic Abuse Assault Impeding Flow of Air/Blood. He is being held in the Union County Jail on a $2000 bond. 30-year old  Christopher Woollums, of Creston, was arrested on the 100 block of S Stone on the charge of Driving While Suspended. He was released from the Union County Jail on a $300 bond. And, 50-year old Ricardo Hernandez Ortiz, of Sergeant Bluff,  was arrested Monday in the 800 block of W Taylor St., in Creston, on the charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance – 1st Offense. He was released from the Union County Jail on a $1000 bond.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (4.6MB)

Subscribe: RSS

The Panorama Community School District is hosting an Adult Career Fair on Thursday, March 8th from 4-until 7-p.m., in the High School Varsity Gym.   Students will be participating in the event that afternoon, and then it’s open to the public from 4-until 7-p.m.  If you, or anyone you know is looking for a local employment opportunity, organizers say this will be great resource! If you are a business owner/manager with current job openings, part time, full-time, or season positions coming available and would like a booth at the career fair at no cost, please register at https://midwestpartnershipedc.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/DLbMAYP7

The event is sponsored by: Iowa Works, of Carroll; Midwest Partnership of Stuart, and the Panorama Community Schools. To learn more, check out the website http://www.midwestpartnership.com/panorama-career-fair-registration.cfm

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A former Des Moines hospital pharmacy worker accused of stealing painkillers from hundreds of patients has pleaded guilty to product tampering. The Des Moines Register reports that 29-year-old Victor Van Cleave entered the plea Monday. In exchange, prosecutors will drop a charge of obtaining fentanyl by misrepresentation, fraud, deception and subterfuge. His sentencing is scheduled for July 10.

Officials say Van Cleave was a pharmacy technician at Iowa Methodist Medical Center who used a syringe to steal fentanyl and other powerful painkillers from vials, then replaced the painkillers with sterile water. Many of the painkillers were to be used for patients undergoing surgery or giving birth. Several lawsuits subsequently were filed against the hospital by former patients who say they suffered needless pain because of the theft of their medications.

Two people were arrested on separate charges Monday night, in Montgomery County. At around 10:15-p.m., Deputies arrested 27-year old Jeremy Todd Palmer, of Elliott, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Palmer was cited at the scene of his traffic stop, and released from custody. And, at around 11:20-p.m., 19-year old Markus Joshua Bothwell, of Griswold, was pulled over on Highway 48 at mile marker 33., in Montgomery County. Bothwell was subsequently cited for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and released at the scene.

Republicans in the Iowa Senate have given final legislative approval to a one percent increase “per pupil” state support of public schools in the next academic year. It amounts to an increase of about 32 million dollars. Due to DECLINING enrollment, not all districts will get more money. Some schools will be forced to CUT budgets. Another bill approved by the Senate last (Monday) night, provides 140 districts with more state money to cover transportation costs.

Senator Rob Hogg, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, ridiculed Senate Republicans for abandoning their long-term plan and embracing the HOUSE Republicans’ one-year proposal. “A measly little injection of money,” Hogg said. “…I think that is pathetic.”

Senator Amy Sinclair, a Republican from Allerton, responded. “I would much rather have this be a long-term solutions, but let me tell you, Senator Hogg, $14 million is not nothing,” Sinclair said.

Legislators say they hope to address school transportation costs and the glitch in the “per pupil” formula that distributes general state funding for schools next year.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department said late Monday evening, that they were notified at around 2-p.m. Monday, a student had threatened to bring a weapon to Lewis Central High School. The student had expressed his disdain for the school then made the threat, which was overheard by a staff member, who immediately reported the incident to school administration. The students name is not being released.

Lewis Central administrators contacted police regarding the threat. An investigation into the incident was started immediately. The student’s family has been contacted and they are cooperating with the on‐going investigation. Charges are pending at this time. Officials said that while they do not believe the threats made by the student are credible, officers will be present at Lewis Central today (Tuesday).

Authorities say “Anyone who hears or sees another person making threats to shoot up a school or other location should immediately report the event to someone in authority.  Notification of law enforcement is paramount in stopping these types of events before they become tragedies.” Officials said also, “The Council Bluffs Police Department takes any threat to shoot up a school or other location very seriously. [They/We] aggressively investigate each of these claims and work with [our] prosecutors to charge those responsible.”

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa mother accused of leaving her four children home alone to travel to Europe has taken a plea deal. Johnston resident Erin Macke entered Alford pleas Monday in Polk County District Court to four counts of child endangerment. In an Alford plea, a person doesn’t admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence for a likely conviction. Her sentencing is scheduled for April 19.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Investigators have seized a trove of electronic devices from a northeastern Iowa cabin owned by a youth basketball coach under investigation for allegedly making videos of naked boys. Greg Stephen, co-director of the Iowa Barnstormers, left the traveling youth organization Thursday after agents searched his Monticello home. Newly available documents show agents also searched a cabin in a recreation area near Lake Delhi and seized smartphones, tablets and flip phones.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police say a driver accused of hitting and killing a pedestrian provided a false name to officers. A news release Monday said officers expect more charges will be leveled against 22-year-old Oleaf Teoh, who provided a different name proved false by fingerprint examination. Police say a man walking west was struck from behind around 9 p.m. Sunday. He’s been identified as Des Moines resident Matthew Otto. It’s unclear whether Teoh has a lawyer.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Public Health Department says in its latest report that 157 Iowa residents have died of flu-related illnesses since Oct. 1 _ the worst flu season since the swine flu outbreak in 2009. The department says that at this point last flu season, just 50 confirmed flu deaths had been reported in Iowa.

Members of the Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will meet Wednesday afternoon in the High School Media Room, for collective bargaining sessions, and a Special meeting that includes a resignation.

The meeting begins at 4-p.m. with the Certified Staff Collective Bargaining Unit (Atlantic Education Association) Proposals. The Unit will present its initial contract proposal for the 2018-19 School Year, and, the Board of Education will present its initial proposal. Afterward, the Employees Association will present the Non-Certified Staff Bargaining Unit Proposals and the Board of Ed will present theirs. Both sessions are open to the public.

During the Special Meeting, the Board of Education will discuss upcoming dates, including: The End of the 3rd Quarter as March 2nd; March Regular Board Meeting date set for March 14th, and Spring Break March 19th-23rd.

Other discussion items include IASB Updated Board Policies and 400 Series Board Policies. The Action item on their agenda includes a Resignation, which is likely related to the hiring of Matt Alexander by the OA-BCIG School Board.