Iowa early News Headlines: Tuesday, 2/12/2019

February 12th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:45 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Democratic Party is proposing the biggest changes to the state’s famed caucuses in nearly 50 years. State party chairman Troy Price outlined a measure on Monday that would allow people to participate in the caucuses virtually by telephone or smart devices. The idea is to open the first 2020 presidential caucus to people who cannot attend the local political meetings.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A bill that would eliminate the requirement to obtain a permit to buy or carry a gun in Iowa has been moved out of a three-person Senate subcommittee. Two Republicans agreed to pass it on to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Democratic Sen. Tony Bisignano declined to recommend the bill. He disagrees with allowing the sale of handguns at gun shows and person-to-person with no permit or background check. Supporters say requiring permits and fees to own a gun contradicts the U.S. Constitution.

CENTERVILLE, Iowa (AP) — The father of a man charged with murder in the death of a deer hunter has testified that his son owned numerous guns and kept them “everywhere.” The Daily Iowegian reports Jamison Davis testified Monday in the first-degree murder trial of his son, Ethan Davis. Ethan Davis is charged with killing deer hunter Curtis Ross in November 2017 on public hunting ground near Rathbun Lake. Jamison Davis says his son owned shotguns, pistols, knives and more than one AR-15 style weapon.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Starting next year, those pork chops on a stick can be bought with a card. The Iowa State Fair says it will require all food and drink vendors to accept credit and debit cards beginning in 2020. Cash has long been the dominant form of payment for the fried cheese curds, corn dogs and other foods bought by fairgoers.

Posted in News |

Iowa Democrats propose ‘virtual’ caucus in 2020

February 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Democratic Party is proposing the biggest changes to the state’s famed caucuses in nearly 50 years. State party chairman Troy Price outlined a measure on Monday that would allow people to participate in the caucuses virtually by telephone or smart devices. The idea is to open the first 2020 presidential caucus to people who cannot attend the local political meetings.

The move is a response to criticism that the caucuses are difficult for evening workers and the elderly to attend. The six virtual sessions would begin in the days immediately before and on caucus night. The Iowa caucuses are scheduled for Feb. 3, 2020. The proposal won’t be finalized until the spring.

Posted in News |

Area high school basketball scores from Monday, 2/11/19

February 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

BOYS BASKETBALL

Class 1A District 1 Play-in

Westwood, Sloan 78, Whiting 26

Class 1A District 15 Play-in

West Harrison, Mondamin 64, West Monona 62

Class 2A District 15 Quarterfinal

Kuemper Catholic, Carroll 66, MVAO-CO-U 56

POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS

Alta-Aurelia vs. Missouri Valley, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Atlantic vs. Harlan, ccd.

Carroll vs. Humboldt, ppd.

Clarinda vs. Shenandoah, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Lenox vs. Diagonal, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Mount Ayr vs. AC/GC, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Orient-Macksburg vs. Iowa Christian Academy, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Panorama, Panora vs. West Central Valley, Stuart, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Tri-Center, Neola vs. Red Oak, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Winterset vs. Newton, ccd.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Sioux City, East 54, Spencer 31

Posted in Sports |

(Update) Bedford woman killed in Sunday, Union County crash

February 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(in an update to our earlier reports, the Iowa State Patrol has identified the victim of a crash in Union County, Sunday, as a woman from Taylor County. Authorities say 66-year old Merna Padilla-King, of Bedford, who was not wearing a seat belt died, when her 2017 Chrysler mini-van was struck by a pickup truck on Highway 34, at around 12:17-p.m., Sunday.

The 1998 Dodge pickup was driven by 21-year old Emily M. Haidsiak, of Creston. She was traveling west on the highway, when her vehicle went out of control on the snow and slush covered road. The pickup crossed the center line west of Creston and entered the eastbound lane, where it struck the eastbound minivan. Haidsiak, and an infant passenger in her vehicle – who were properly belted-in – were transported by ambulance to the Greater Regional Medical Center, in Creston, for treatment of multiple, but non-life threatening injuries.

The accident remains under investigation.

Posted in News |

JON HARLAN “JAKE” ROTE, 71, of Stuart (Svcs. 03/01/2019)

February 11th, 2019 by Jim Field

JON HARLAN “JAKE” ROTE, 71, of Stuart died Sunday, February 10th at University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation in Des Moines. A Gathering of family and friends/Memorial service for JON HARLAN “JAKE” ROTE will be held Friday, March 1st at 11:00am at the Johnson Family Funeral Home-Stuart Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Iowa VA or The Shriner’s Hospital and may be sent in care of the Johnson Family Funeral Home, PO Box 246, Stuart, IA 50250.

Online condolences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com

JON HARLAN “JAKE” ROTE is survived by:

Wife: Cheryl Rote of Stuart.

Son: Troy Templeman of Des Moines.

Sisters: Cozette Harris of Stuart. Mary (Bill) Sliger of Rosemead, CA.

Sisters-in-law: Cindy Rote-Crane of Dexter. Bonnie Rote of Redfield.

Brother-in-law: Marvin Templeman of Casey.

2 Granddaughters

Several Nieces, Nephews, Extended Family and Friends.

Posted in Obituaries |

Bill to end pistol, revolver permit requirements advances

February 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — A bill to get rid of permit requirements for buying and carrying a pistol or revolver in Iowa has cleared its first hurdle in the state senate. Scott Jones, a Virginia-based lobbyist for the National Rifle Association, was in Des Moines to speak at a hearing in the capitol today (Monday). “Self-defense situations are difficult, if not impossible to anticipate and law-abiding citizens should not be required to pay government-mandated fees and navigate a licensing system in order to exercise a fundamental individual right,” he said.

Jane Robinette of Urbandale wore a t-shirt to the hearing that the read, “America Needs Gun Safety.” “Is a permit really such an onerous thing to be able to carry something that can kill someone else?” Robinette asked. “I’m a law-abiding citizen. I have to get a driver’s license. I haven’t had…a speeding ticket ever in my life.” Jim Hirschberg of Lohrville argued the fee infringes on a constitutional right to protect life and property.

“Iowa’s permit system to carry is a hold-over from Jim Crow laws designed to discriminate,” Hirschberg said. “…What is a prevent a future legislature from raising the fee from $50 to $100 or $1000 or more? Nothing.” Tim Coonan, a lobbyist for Every Town for Gun Safety, says Iowa gun laws already are among the most permissive in the country. “At this point in our country’s history, given all the events known and unknown, it’s hard to imagine a scenario pulling back on systems that have most likely and in many cases have been proven reduce or prevent gun violence,” Coonan said.

Two Republicans on a subcommittee voted to make the bill eligible for debate in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Democrat on the subcommittee said he was concerned about giving Iowans considering suicide, especially veterans, quicker access to guns.

Posted in News |

Iowa officer charged with stealing opioids from vet clinic

February 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

FAIRFIELD, Iowa (AP) — A southeastern Iowa police officer has been charged with burglary after allegedly breaking into a veterinary clinic to steal powerful pain medications. The Iowa Department of Public Safety announced the arrest Monday of 31-year-old Ryan Mills, who lives in Washington, Iowa and works in Fairfield. A criminal complaint alleges Mills was caught stealing 57 tablets of Tramadol from the Veterinary Clinic in Fairfield before business hours on Jan. 1.

Later, he allegedly admitted to entering the clinic on multiple occasions to steal the opioids from a medicine cabinet. Tramadol is a controlled narcotic used to treat moderate to severe pain and is highly addictive.

The clinic began an internal investigation in November after noticing shortages of the drug in its inventory. An employee allegedly saw Mills commit the Jan. 1 theft and police were informed. The Division of Criminal Investigation and the Washington County Attorney’s Office are handling the case to avoid conflicts of interest. Mills was booked into jail Monday.

Posted in News |

Mills County Sheriff’s report (2/11)

February 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests. On Sunday, 31-year old Joshua Edward Witt, of Fremont, NE., was arrested for being a Fugitive from Justice. He was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.

On Friday, 23-year old Michael Quincy Combs, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance. His bond was set at $1,000. That same day, 53-year old James Patrick Hiatt, of Omaha, was arrested in Sarpy County, NE., on a Mills County warrant for Probation Violation. His bond was set at $2,000.

Posted in News |

AP Women’s College Basketball Top 25 02/11/2019

February 11th, 2019 by Jim Field

The top 25 teams in The Associated Press’ women’s college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Feb. 10, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and last week’s ranking:

	Record	Pts	Prv
1. Baylor (22)	21-1	694	1
2. Louisville (3)	23-1	664	2
3. Oregon (3)	23-1	653	3
4. UConn	21-2	607	5
5. Mississippi St.	22-1	596	6
6. Notre Dame	22-3	553	4
7. Maryland	22-2	522	10
8. Marquette	21-3	513	8
9. Oregon St.	20-4	436	7
10. Stanford	19-4	423	11
11. South Carolina	17-5	403	12
12. NC State	21-2	400	9
13. Gonzaga	22-2	363	13
14. Iowa	19-5	329	16
15. Texas	19-5	294	14
16. Syracuse	18-5	277	15
17. Kentucky	19-5	206	19
18. Iowa St.	18-5	205	22
19. Arizona St.	16-6	202	20
20. Miami	21-5	186	25
21. Florida St.	20-4	146	24
22. Texas A&M	18-5	126	18
23. Rutgers	17-6	105	20
24. Michigan St.	16-6	65	23
25. South Dakota	22-3	42	–

Others receiving votes: Utah 32, UCF 26, Drake 8, UCLA 8, Rice 6, Missouri 3, Boise St. 2, Minnesota 2, West Virginia 1, Ohio 1, South Dakota St. 1.

Posted in Sports |

State’s costs in gay discrimination lawsuit reaches $1.2M

February 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The state’s bill for defending a lawsuit against a former official who claims he was discriminated against because he’s gay has surpassed $1.27 million. Iowa Solicitor General Jeffrey Thompson updated the Iowa Executive Council on Monday in response to a request by Auditor Rob Sand. The council, which includes the governor and other state elected officials, approves state litigation expenses. Former Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey filed the case in 2012. It accuses former Gov. Terry Branstad , current Gov. Kim Reynolds and others of discrimination, retaliation and violation of Godfrey’s constitutional right to due process.

Branstad, a Republican, pressured Godfrey, a Democratic appointee, to resign in 2010. When Godfrey refused, Branstad cut his salary by $39,000 a year. Godfrey says he was targeted because of his sexual orientation. Branstad asserts he didn’t know Godfrey is gay. Des Moines attorney George LaMarca quit the case last September , saying he was retiring. His law firm has billed the state just over $1 million. The case is now handled by the Nyemaster Goode law firm, also based in Des Moines, which has so far billed just over $272,000.

A trial is scheduled for June 3 in Des Moines. If the state loses, taxpayers could be forced to pay any jury verdict in addition to the fees for civil rights attorney Roxanne Conlin, who is representing Godfrey.

Posted in News |

Community Hub

Jensen Builders

Griswold Communications

KJAN Social