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Thieves grab almost $10k worth of valuables during car break-ins

News

July 15th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Nearly $10,000 worth of goods has been reported stolen in a cluster of car break-ins over the last week in Council Bluffs – including one at a hotel – but police don’t believe the incidents are related. According to the Daily NonPareil, a Louisiana man lost an estimated $3,100 worth of items during a stay this past weekend in Council Bluffs. He reported Sunday that $200 in cash, $1,400 in computer equipment and $1,500 in clothing was taken from his vehicle while it was parked at AmericInn Hotel, 1000 Woodbury Ave.

The Council Bluffs Police Department does not have any suspects at this time. Police Sgt. Chad Meyers said thieves would often check vehicles in hotel parking lots, because people often leave their expensive items in their vehicles. While many people who stay at hotels and experience theft are residents of another community, so they don’t remain in town long, Meyers said police will keep looking for the items. If they relocate the stolen objects, they will do their best to get them back to the original owners, he said.

Other reports were from local residents, including a Council Bluffs woman who told police $2,000 worth of items were taken from her car while it was parked on the 2600 block of South 24th Street. Myers said the break-ins vary by method and location, so it’s possible more than one person is responsible for the thefts.

Jeb Bush slams Donald Trump for ‘rhetoric of divisiveness’

News

July 15th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Jeb Bush is criticizing fellow Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump for his “rhetoric of divisiveness.” During a campaign stop in Council Bluffs Tuesday, the former Florida governor and 2016 candidate said that the Republican party cannot win elections as a “grievance party” and must focus on giving people hope for a better life.

The reality television star has been critical of Bush recently. Last week Trump called Bush “a joke” for suggesting that Mexican immigrants cross the border illegally as “an act of love.” Bush said that Republicans must focus on hope and optimism. He said that Trump has a right to hold his beliefs, but said he does not want to be associated with the “vitriol that he’s spewing out these days.”

Iowa early News Headlines: Wed., July 15th 2015

News

July 15th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — A judge has dismissed harassment charges that were filed against a Burlington woman after she admitted sending cow manure to a neighbor. Des Moines County Attorney Amy Beavers filed a motion to dismiss criminal harassment charges against Kim Capdevilia. The charges were filed after Capdevilia acknowledged to Burlington police that she paid a company to send the manure to her neighbor in December. The action was prompted by a dispute over a barking dog.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A state audit shows an Iowa correctional district linked to improper spending has misspent nearly $1.2 million in additional money. State Auditor Mary Mosiman says the improper disbursements from the Sixth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services had a significant financial impact on the district over the years. The report says the bulk of improper disbursements came from payroll costs. More than $170,000 was spent on excess vacation and sick leave for some employees.

SIBLEY, Iowa (AP) — Investigators have identified the person killed in an apparent fall from a train in northwest Iowa as a 29-year-old man. The Department of Public Safety says a pedestrian found the body of Brandon Joseph Sage Gould on Monday near Sibley, just south of the Minnesota border. Investigators believe Gould fell and then was run over by the train. It’s unclear how or why he fell. Authorities haven’t determined Gould’s hometown.

WAVERLY, Iowa (AP) — A re-trial has begun for the former mayor of Oelwein, who is charged with second-degree sexual abuse of a girl. The trial of Jason Manus got underway Tuesday in Bremer County District Court. In May, a Chickasaw County jury found Manus not guilty of one count of third-degree sexual abuse involving a 14-year-old girl, but the jury deadlocked on a charge involving a younger girl. Judge Richard Stochl declared a mistrial and later agreed to move the trial to Bremer County.

Atlantic Police Department phone problems

News

July 14th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Police Department reports they are experiencing phone problems this (Tuesday) evening with their administrative, or Non-Emergency, line. All Calls after business hours normally route to the Cass County Communications Center. However, they are not switching over. Authorities are asking anyone needing to contact the Police Department to do so by calling (712) 243-2204.

Any 911 calls will be answered as normal. The issues only have to do with the non-emergency line. Please use 243-2204 until at least 8-a.m. Wednesday. If you have an emergency, call 9-1-1.

Atlantic City Council to meet Wednesday

News

July 14th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Members of the Atlantic City Council will hold a regularly scheduled meeting Wednesday evening, at City Hall. The meeting begins at 5:30-p.m. Among the few, scheduled action items on their agenda, is a Resolution “Approving [the] contract and bonds for [the] Pedestrian Bridge and Connector Trail” project.

The Council is also expected to approve a Change Order for the “Loop Detector for [the] Highway Six Project.” The system includes four Video Trak IQ traffic control cameras, for installation at the intersection of 7th and Olive and 7th and Plum Streets. The system costs $48,850, with the State’s share amounting to $18,800.

YPA to serve as guest Chefs Thursday at PiP

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 14th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Young Professionals of Atlantic (YPA) organization have announced the members will be guest chefs this Thursday (July 16th) at Produce in the Park, in the Atlantic City Park.

YPA logo

The YPA will be serving tasty double chocolate zucchini muffins. Zucchini is just coming into season at area farmers markets. Zucchini is low in calories, contains Potassium and Vitamin A.

YPA will also use this opportunity to share information about the organization and upcoming volunteer opportunities. Young Professionals of Atlantic are an Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce program and supported by Cass County Health System and McCurdy Investments.

YPA connects, engages, and attracts young leaders into our community while promoting Atlantic and the surrounding area. Visit the Young Professionals of Atlantic at Produce in the Park to learn more, and to get involved.

IA Transportation Commission approves RISE grant application for C. Bluffs

News

July 14th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Transportation Commission today (Tuesday), approved a RISE (Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy) Local Development grant application from the City of Council Bluffs, for slightly more than $1.9-million from the city share of the RISE Fund, to assist in construction of approximately 200 feet of North 40th Street, 965 feet of Avenue A, and 720 feet of North 42nd Street, in the River’s Edge development area located on the northwest side of town.
The project is necessary to provide improved access to two office buildings containing up to 200,000 square feet and a 750 stall parking garage for professional office purposes. The project is anticipated to be completed by November 2016.
The RISE program was established to promote economic development in Iowa through construction or improvement of roads and streets. Iowa cities and counties are eligible for funding in the form of a grant, loan, or combination thereof. Projects must involve construction or improvement of a public roadway.
There are two RISE project types: 1) Immediate Opportunity, and 2) Local Development. More information is available at: www.iowadot.gov/systems_planning/rise.htm.

Greenfield, Oakland & Manning receive IDCA grants

News

July 14th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs has announced it is awarding more than $2 million in grant funding to 159 organizations, people and projects that strengthen quality of life and cultural vitality in communities across Iowa. Overall, the Iowa
Department of Cultural Affairs approved $2,050,618 in grants through its Iowa Arts Council and State Historical Society of Iowa divisions during the current funding cycle.
Iowa Art Council’s Art Project Grant program creates opportunities for the arts to flourish in Iowa and invests in projects that positively impact vitality of the arts in the state, demonstrate public value and support Iowa Arts Council’s funding priorities, including collaboration & partnership, excellence & innovation, and impact & accessibility. Local grant recipients include:
  • City of Greenfield – EE Warren Opera House Association, Warren Cultural Center Performances. The Warren Cultural Center will present The Premier Performance series, which features nationally touring acts, and the Best of Iowa series, highlighting Iowa performers. Grant amount, $10,000.
  • City of Oakland – Oakland Historical Society, Nishna Heritage Garden Mural.The Nishna Heritage Garden Mural is a community-wide effort to revitalize Oakland’s historic main street through a mural designed by regional artist Zack Jones. Grant amount, $10,000.

The Iowa Great Places program challenges Iowans to create community development proposals that exemplify bold thought and innovation; encourage creativity and entrepreneurship; foster a sense of place and identity; and demonstrate a commitment to enhancing community vitality and quality of life. Local grant recipients include:

  • The City of Manning– Park and Hospital Trail Connector project. Grant amount,
    $15,000.

Iowa community drops plan to shock official for fundraiser

News

July 14th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

VAN METER, Iowa (AP) — A central Iowa community has changed its plan to raise money by offering a chance to shock a city official with a stun gun. The Des Moines Register reports that Van Meter city officials will let the winner of a raffle shoot a stun gun at a target, rather than shock the city administrator or a City Council member.

The idea of selling $5 raffle tickets for the right to shock an official was intended to raise money to help the police department buy a second squad car, add speed radar and potentially expand its six-member part-time and reserve force. Officials changed their plan after facing criticism from the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa and others. Some business agreed to donate money if officials changed their plans.

Drug and assault-related arrests, & a theft reported in Harlan

News

July 14th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Harlan Police Department report two arrests last Saturday. 25-year old Jeremy Bias, of Harlan, was arrested after officers were called to Myrtue Memorial Center’s E-R, for a male subject seen for injuries allegedly caused by Bias. Bias was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with assault. That same day, 25-year old Cody Lister, of Harlan, was taken into custody following a traffic stop. Lister was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with driving while revoked.

On July 8th, 29-year old Zachary Scheffler, of Harlan, was taken into custody when police were called to the 1000 block of Tarkington for a possible domestic assault. As a result of an investigation, Scheffler was arrested and taken to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of prescription drugs, and simple possession of a controlled substance.

And on July 10th, Harlan Police were called to the Peter Jones residence in the 700 block of 7th Street, where it was reported that someone had broken into the residence. Taken from the residence were a large amount of coins and other currency, firearms, and jewelry. The value of the stolen items is estimated to be over $10,000.00. The incident remains under investigation.

Authorities remind the public that there is CrimeStoppers reward money for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators of such crimes.