ANKENY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a baby whose parents have been charged with child endangerment died after becoming wedged between her bed and a wall. The Des Moines Register reports that the Polk County medical examiner says the 7-month-old from Ankeny likely died of “positional asphyxia” last August and that the infant tested positive for cocaine metabolite, a breakdown product of cocaine. Examiner Gregory Schmunk says cocaine can be transmitted between baby and mother via breast milk, but he could not confirm how the drug got into the child’s system or when.

Thirty-three-year-old Michelle Atwell has been charged with child endangerment causing substantial risk, and several drug counts. Forty-eight-year-old Matthew Cohara has been charged with child endangerment causing no injury, and drug counts. Cohara has said their daughter’s death was an accident.

The Creston Police Department reports four recent arrests and two incidents of theft. At around 12:45-a.m. Sunday, 36-year old Bobbie Flynn, of Creston, was arrested at 619 N Birch on a charge of Public
Intoxication. Flynn was later released from the Union County Jail on a Promise to Appear in Court. Last Friday, 22-year old Jacob Davis, of Shannon City, was arrested at 604 W Montgomery, in Creston. Davis was arrested on an Adams County Warrant for the charge of Failure to Appear in Court. He was released to the custody of Adams County Sheriff’s Office.

Also arrested Friday in Creston, was 49-year old Jack Davis, of Orient. Davis was arrested on a Union County Warrant for the charge of Failure to Appear on the original charges of Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drug and Driving While License Denied or Revoked. He remains held in the Union County Jail on a $2,000 bond. And, 53-year old Ronald Griffin II, of Creston, was arrested Friday for Possession of Paraphernalia and on two counts of Possession of Controlled Substance. He was later released from the Union County Jail on a $7,000 bond.

An Afton man reported to Creston Police Friday, that sometime between 1-pm Thursday and 10-a.m. Friday, someone stole several plumbing tools, mudding tools, painting supplies and cans of paint from a job site at 601 N. Walnut, in Creston. The loss was estimated at $600. On Saturday, a Creston man reported to Police that sometime between 7-p.m. Friday and 8-a.m. Saturday, someone stole  four, 100-foot extension cords,  six 50-foot extension cords, and one 25-foot extension cord. They were taken from his property at 100 Industrial Parkway. The loss was estimated at $350.

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

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Emergency personnel in Council Bluffs were called to the area of 180 Glen Avenue at around 2:35-a.m., today (Monday), where an SUV reportedly struck a home, and the driver was attempting to flee from the area. Upon arrival in the area officers were directed by witnesses to a man who left on foot north bound on Glen Ave. Officers stopped the suspect, 30-year old Joseph Hrbeck of Council Bluffs, at Pierce St and Glen Ave.

Hrbeck was transported by rescue squad to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. An investigation revealed the vehicle, a 2003 Trailblazer, went out of control and struck a concrete retaining wall and trash cans. No residential structures were damaged. Intoxication is suspected as a reason for the crash. Charges are currently pending.

Forecasters say it should be a relatively quiet weather week for Iowans, which is good news as it’s also one of the busiest travel weeks of the year. Meteorologist Dennis Todey, director of the U-S-D-A’s Midwest Climate Hub — based in Ames — says there are no major storm fronts brewing, but they’re staying vigilant. Todey says, “There are a couple of systems that could be coming through the region that we should keep an eye on, just because it is that time of year when we have enough cold around and if we get a system through, it can always could produce something.”

Since many tens of thousands of Iowans will be on the road to see loved ones for the Thanksgiving holiday, Todey says travelers should pay close attention to local forecasts, wherever they may end up. He says, “The indications are always go ahead and plan on doing what you’re going to do but always be looking a couple of days ahead to make sure you’re not going to be caught up in something.” The longer-range forecasts are trending toward mild temperatures and less rain or snow.

“We’re seeing from the six-to-ten-day and eight-to-14-day outlooks, especially in the Central and Western U.S., warmer and a little drier-than-average conditions are what people are leaning towards here,” Todey says. “So, that’s not a bad thing from a travel standpoint and from people still trying to get crops out of the fields.” Todey says the development of the La Nina weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean is confirmed and it likely will have an impact later in the winter.

(Radio Iowa)

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater is asking for your help with regard to the United States Marine Corps Reserve and the Adair County Sheriff’s Office mission to participate in the collection of toys for the Corps’ Reserve Toys for Tots program. Last year, through the generous giving of citizens, they were able to pack four giant boxes to the brim with toys for those in need. Vandewater says their ultimate goal is to become a distribution location for this year. Fortunately, he says, they have been able to obtain our goal of being a distribution site in partnership with Toys for Tots in 2017. The form is available for you to download, here:   Scan

Any child in need that is a resident of Adair County or attends an Adair County school district is welcome to have their parent or guardian sign them up, though they will gladly accept any child who is in need. The sign up rosters are vetted by Toys for Tots staff to make sure there are enough toys to go around for every child. Each child may only be signed up once through the Toys for Tots Foundation.

The Sheriff says “We have already started our collection process and new, unwrapped, still in the package toys can be brought to the Adair County Sheriff’s Office or Shopko in Greenfield where we have collection boxes set up. If a local group or organization have collected toys and are unable to bring them to one of the collection sites, we can be contacted and arrangements will be made to pick them up. Monetary donations are also accepted. The monies will go towards the purchase of additional toys. The final date to drop off donations will be December 13th.”

Sign up for those children in need by either the parent or guardian has also begun. We are accepting forms until December 6th. The form can be found on the link attached this story (above), on Sheriff’s Department Facebook page, and at the following locations:

Adair: Boys and Girls Club, Fay Pharmacy, City Hall;

Bridgewater: Bridgewater Café;

Casey: Rolling Hills Bank and Trust;

Fontanelle: City Hall;

Greenfield: Adair County Sheriff’s Office, Courthouse bulletin board, and Shopko;

Orient: Farmers and Merchants State Bank.

Menlo and Stuart were not included, the Sheriff says, “Because traditionally they have been taken care of through Sarah’s Holiday Caring program in Stuart. These residents may participate in either program.”

It is important to note that the forms must be filled out completely. Any forms not filled out in its entirety will sadly be discarded. This is a Toys for Tots rule so that the vetting process can be completed thoroughly. They ask that all forms either be dropped off at the Adair County Sheriff’s Office at any time, or emailed to toysfortots@adaircountyso.org.

Toys will be given away December 15th from 5-p.m. until 8-p.m. at the Sheriff’s Office. Identification will be required to complete the pickup process. Parents or Guardians are not required to bring their children. Some may choose to receive the toys alone in order to wrap them for a later date. They prefer if the parent or guardian who registered the form is the person coming to pick up the presents, as this will save on any confusion.

If in an extreme circumstance a parent or guardian is unable to attend the pick-up date of December 15th, please call the Adair County Sheriff’s Office so that arrangements can be made for a different pick up date. If there are any questions, please direct them to Deputy James Paup at the Adair County Sheriff’s Office. You may reach Sheriff Vandewater by phone at 641-743-2148 or by email, toysfortots@adaircountyso.org.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:30 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature could face pressure next session over its decision earlier this year to reduce a key Medicaid benefit for poor and disabled people. Some Republican lawmakers have begun to question whether the cut to so-called retroactive eligibility, which helps new patients with recently incurred medical costs, was larger than intended. They’ve indicated the issue will be revisited when lawmakers return in January. It’s still unclear what Republicans may do.

SERGEANT BLUFF, Iowa (AP) — Officials of a city in western Iowa are considering changing an ordinance on vicious animals to allow pit bulls within city limits. The Sioux City Journal reports that Sergeant Bluff’s city code currently prohibits residents from housing pit bulls in the city. The breed is banned in many cities because it’s believed to be predisposed to vicious behavior. The City Council is also considering requiring all dogs to undergo registration and microchipping.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Police have identified a 21-year-old Ames man who died after two masked men burst into his apartment. Ames police say Xavier Jordan Shepley was killed early Saturday morning when he was shot during an apparent robbery.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The federal Environmental Protection Agency is adding $12.3 million to a loan fund that will help pay for drinking water projects in Iowa. The money will help pay for projects across Iowa that will improve municipal drinking water supplies, protect water systems or improve efficiency.

Several area school district Boards of Education will hold their regular monthly meetings, Monday night. Among them, at 5:30-p.m., in the Griswold School Board.

On their agenda, is an update from KPE Architects and Estes Construction with regard to District facilities. They will also act on the repair or purchase of school signs, the sale of a vehicle and purchase of a van, and hold readings of various Board Policies.

The CAM School Board meeting gets underway in Anita at 6:30-p.m., with discussion and/or action on: Open enrollment; resignations; Contracts; Capital Projects; Board Polices, and a request to dispose of certain school vehicles.

The Audubon School Board meets at 7-p.m., Monday, at the High School. On their agenda is: the reading of various Board Policies; A report on the Math Textbook selection process; and Discussion with regard to the use of school facilities.

And, the Exira-EHK School Board meeting begins 7-p.m. Monday, as well. Discussion/Action items on the agenda include: A sick leave request; Financial service and dissemination agent agreements with Piper Jaffray; Approve continuation of Superintendent and Operational sharing; Approval of snow removal and a lighting bid, as well as personnel matters.

Members of the Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Board of Directors will meet in a regular session 5:15-p.m. Monday (Nov. 20th), in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. On their agenda, following the Nov. 7th City Elections, is nominations for Board Vice-Chairperson and a vote.

The Board will also receive a report on the Schildberg Rec Area Development Project, and updates on the Lake #3 Trail, Sports Complex, and Public Gardens. They will also receive a check from the “Bikers Helping Bikers” event held Oct. 14th.

In his report to the Board, Parks and Rec Director Seth Stasshelm will mention the Ice Rink will open after the first real cold snap. He’ll also discuss the Schildberg Campground, Trojan Locker, 10th Street Sunnyside entrance and mention the Sunnyside Park is open all Winter, and that the roads will remain open in the park, weather permitting.

SERGEANT BLUFF, Iowa (AP) — City Officials in western Iowa’s community of Sergeant Bluff considering changing an ordinance on vicious animals to allow pit bulls within city limits. The Sioux City Journal reports that Sergeant Bluff’s city code currently prohibits residents from housing pit bulls in the city. The breed is banned in many cities because it’s believed to be predisposed to vicious behavior.

Mayor Jon Winkel says he’d support the change if there are proper steps in place to keep residents safe. The City Council is also considering requiring all dogs to undergo registration and microchipping. The potential ordinance changes will be reviewed by staff and committee members over the next few weeks.

The changes are expected to be discussed again at the council’s next meeting on Nov. 28.