ANKENY, Iowa (AP) — A state oversight board has approved a Dubuque hospital’s request to buy $5.2 million worth of equipment for a new cancer center. The State Health Facilities Council voted 3-1 at its meeting Wednesday for the proposal from Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque. Mercy plans to start building its $25 million treatment center this year and open it in 2020.

In October the council rejected Mercy’s request. UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital argued at the time that its Wendt Cancer Center already provides the necessary services in Dubuque. The council is charged with preventing unnecessary duplication of medical services.

Ted Townsend is interim president and CEO of UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital, and he told the Telegraph Herald after Wednesday’s meeting in Ankeny that his organization is disappointed by the new decision. He says he expects Finley officials will appeal.

WAHOO, Neb. (AP) — A man who attacked a deputy during his escape in eastern Nebraska has pleaded no contest. Court records say 38-year-old Eric Scott entered the pleas Wednesday to charges of escape, assault on an officer, theft and use of a weapon. A second weapons count was dropped. Officials say Scott was being driven to court in Fremont Sept. 20 by a Dodge County sheriff’s deputy in an unmarked government car when he slipped his handcuffs and used his leg-iron chain to choke the deputy. Scott gained control of the car in Saunders County, forcing out the deputy.

Scott was arrested the next day after he was found walking near the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Officials found the Dodge County deputy’s service weapon on Scott when he was arrested.

CRESCO, Iowa (AP) — A northeast Iowa attorney has been accused of looting the estate of a woman who died in 2009. Howard County court records say 56-year-old Todd Kowalke (koh-WAHL’-kee) is charged with theft. He didn’t immediately return a call Thursday from The Associated Press. His next court hearing is set for Aug. 10.

The criminal complaint filed against him says he took more than $35,000 from the estate and used it for gambling and for business and personal expenses. The complaint also says he’s promised to repay all the money.

Activities begin in earnest today at the FREE Cass County Fair, in Atlantic. On the schedule is:

• Swine Weigh-in from 7:30-to 9:30-a.m.
• Rabbit Check-in, 8-to 9:30-a.m.
• Poultry Check-in, 10-until 11-a.m.
• Meat Goat Weigh-in, 10:30-a.m. Until Noon.
• Dairy Check-in, 10:30-a.m. Until Noon.
• Horse Check-in, from 4:30-to 5:30-p.m.
• Sheep Weigh-in from 4:30-to 6-p.m.
• 4-H exhibits open at the Community Center, beginning at 5-p.m.

And, don’t forget, the FFA Foodstand, located just south of the Indoor Show Ring and Sheep Barn, is open every day of the Fair, from 7:30-a.m. Until 8-p.m., serving Walking Tacos, Maidrites, Hot dogs, Nachos, various treats and more. The Noon Special at the Fair Foodstand located just east of the Commercial Building today, is hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork, and cold meat sandwiches. The Fair Foodstand is open daily during the Fair, from 6:30-a.m. Until 10-p.m. And, there’s food available at the Chuckwagon from 11-a.m. Until 10-p.m., located adjacent to the Commercial Building. They’ll serve up hot items, snow cones, cotton candy, funnel cakes, malts, popcorn and beverages.

Evening highlights include the Little Miss and Mister contest at 7-p.m., followed by the King and Queen Contest in the Garden at 7:30, Senior Recognition at 8-p.m., and a movie in the Outdoor Show ring, at 8:45-p.m.

KJAN will broadcast the King and Queen contest tonight, as we do each and every year of the Cass County Fair, which concludes Tuesday, July 31^st, with the Livestock Sale.