LE MARS, Iowa (AP) – A trial has been delayed for a 44-year-old northwest Iowa man accused of killing his mother. Court records say the trial of Jonathan Neunaber had been scheduled to begin Dec. 9. A new trial date hasn’t been set.

Neunaber has pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder in the July slaying of Esther Neunaber. Her body and that of her husband, 83-year-old Donald Neunaber, were found July 9 in the Akron home they shared with their son.

Authorities say Donald Neunaber died of natural causes. An autopsy determined that his wife died of blunt force injuries. Court documents say Jonathan Neunaber told investigators that he killed his mother on or about June 26.

With Ric Hanson.

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DES MOINES, Iowa – A new study shows a tax credit helping many low-income working families keep more of their earnings is proving to be especially important in rural areas and small towns across Iowa, and the country. Jon Bailey, rural public policy director at the Center for Rural Affairs, is the author of the just-released Earned Income Tax Credit and Rural Households study. He says the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is one of the most effective anti-poverty policy efforts the nation has produced.

“The Earned Income Tax Credit was used by more people in rural and small towns, and small city areas than in big urban areas in the country,” he says. Bailey adds the increased use of the tax credit tracks right along with the other economic indicators that point to many rural families still struggling financially.

Nationwide, the number of those who claim the credit is less than 19 percent in metropolitan areas, versus more than 21 percent in rural areas, small towns and small cities. Bailey predicts that divide will continue to widen.

“The gap between rural areas and urban areas has been growing,” he says. “So if that trend continues, I would suspect more people are going to need to use the Earned Income Tax Credit. It’s going to be even more important.” Bailey says the increasing importance of the EITC to working families should send a message to federal policy makers to strongly consider proposals to expand its reach, making more people eligible.

(Iowa News Service)

Veterans and their families are invited to watch the Iowa-versus-Illinois (away) football game this weekend at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City. The opportunity is being presented as part of a “Veterans Appreciation Tailgate” event sponsored by the Johnson County Commission of Veterans Affairs, along with the Cedar and Jefferson County Veterans Affairs offices.

Attendees will be able to enjoy the Nov. 15th game from the Kinnick Stadium Press Box on 24 TV’s. They’ll also get a tour of the Press Box, along with a free, tailgating lunch and refreshments. Veterans benefits information will be available, along with a tour of the Mobile Veterans Center.

Free parking is available on the west side of Kinnick Stadium. The facilities will be open 30-minutes before and after the game, with kick-off slated for 11-a.m., Saturday. If you have any questions, call Gary Boseneiler at 319-356-6049.

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Icy road conditions contributed to an injury accident this (Tuesday) morning on Interstate 80, in Adair County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2007 Ford Ranger pickup driven by 37-year old Daniel Arredondo-Sarmiento, of Des Moines, was traveling westbound in the right lane of I-80, when the vehicle went out of control. The pickup left the road to the right and came to rest on its top in the north ditch. The accident happened at around 3:50-a.m.

A passenger in the pickup, 69-year old Reinaldo Arrendondo-Bonilla, of Des Moines, suffered minor injuries and was transported by Adair Rescue to the Adair County Memorial Hospital, in Greenfield.

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT for the KJAN listening area
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
603 AM CST TUE NOV 11 2014

…ICY ROADS POSSIBLE THIS MORNING…

EXCEPT FOR A FEW FLURRIES…THE ACCUMULATING SNOW HAS ENDED ACROSS CENTRAL IOWA. A STRONG NORTHWEST WIND AT 15 TO 30 MPH WILL PERSIST ACROSS IOWA TODAY. THE WIND MAY PRODUCE SOME MINOR DRIFTING ACROSS ROADS ESPECIALLY IN OPEN AREAS FOR THE START OF THE MORNING COMMUTE.

VEHICLES DRIVING OVER ANY SNOW BLOWING ACROSS ROADS WILL PRODUCE A THIN GLAZE OF ICE ON ROAD SURFACES…ESPECIALLY ON BRIDGES…OVERPASSES AND UNTREATED ROADS. USE WINTER DRIVING RULES THIS MORNING AND SLOW DOWN. ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR
DESTINATION AND LEAVE EXTRA SPACE BETWEEN YOURSELF AND THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF YOU.

The party leaders who control the Iowa House and Senate will remain the same in the new session in January. Republicans control the Iowa House and have voted to keep Representative Kraig Paulsen of Hiawatha in the role of the Speaker of the House. Paulsen will be serving his seventh term. He is an attorney for a Cedar Rapids trucking company.

Representative Linda Upmeyer of Clear Lake was re-elected as the Republican House Majority Leader. She is a nurse who will also will be serving her seventh term. Democrats held onto their slim 26-24 margin in last week’s election to maintain control of the Iowa Senate. Senator Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs will continue as majority leader and Pam Jochum of Dubuque was re-elected Senate President.

Gronstal has been the Senate minority or majority leader since 2001, while Jochum will be in her second term as Senate president. The 2015 Legislature will convene in Des Moines on January 12th.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Red Oak arrested a Cass County man early this (Tuesday) morning. 23-year old Mark Allen Fredericksen, of Atlantic, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine, 2nd offense, and, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His arrest took place following a traffic stop at around 12:35-a.m. at east Linden and north Broadway Streets, in Red Oak.

Fredericksen was being held at the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center on a $2,000 cash bond.

Three teens from Montgomery County were arrested Monday evening, on burglary charges. Red Oak Police report 16-year old James McCauley, along with 13-year old’s Joey Lucky and Daniel Athay, all of Red Oak, were taken into custody at around 5:30-p.m. following an investigation into a residential break-in that took place November 3rd. All three of teens face felony Burglary in the 3rd degree charges.

They were cited into juvenile court and then released to their parents, while awaiting a juvenile court date.