Sheriff’s officials in Guthrie County said today (Thursday), that a man was arrested on a felony kidnapping and other charges this (Thursday) morning. An investigation determined Michael Mackenzie Taylor allegedly committed Kidnapping in the 1st Degree – a Class A Felony, Sexual Abuse 3rd Degree, Assault with Intent to Inflict Serious Injury, False Imprisonment, Harassment 1st Degree, Interference with Official Acts, and Obstruction of Emergency Communications. He was arrested at around 9-a.m. at Lake Panorama, near the scene of a disturbance that had been reported a little after 12-a.m. today (Thursday). Taylor was brought to the Guthrie County Jail, where his cash-only bond was set at $1-million (One-million dollars).

Michael M. Taylor (Photo courtesy Guthrie County S/O)

The incident resulting in his arrest happened when Deputies from the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office were called to a residence at Lake Panorama for a domestic disturbance.  Upon arrival, deputies located a female party who was the alleged victim of the domestic disturbance.

The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this matter by Lake Panorama Security, Panora Police Department, Iowa State Patrol, and Iowa Department of Transportation-Motor Vehicle Enforcement.

Iowans getting their insurance policies through the “ObamaCare” marketplace would have a new, cheaper option under a bill the Iowa Senate approved last (Wednesday) night. The bill would allow the Iowa Farm Bureau to sell “health benefit plans” offered by Wellmark that aren’t subject to the same coverage requirements as traditional insurance, making the premiums less expensive. Senator Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, says the bill will help Iowans who can no longer afford to buy an individual insurance policy. “This seems to be a good test model for us to try,” Feenstra says.

If the bill becomes law, independent insurance agents around the state would be able to sell these cheaper “health benefit plans,” but the plans would only be available to Farm Bureau members. “If there is success, maybe next year we can look at other organizations that Iowa citizens trust and then we can create, maybe, other plans as we move forward,” Feenstra says.  Senator Julian Garrett, a Republican from Indianola, says this option would solve a “big problem” for self-employed Iowans, including farmers. “There are thousands of people in that category and so I can’t overemphasize how big a deal this is for those people,” Garrett said. “This is just a lifesaver.”

Nine Democrats in the Senate voted against the bill. Senator Matt McCoy, a Democrat from Des Moines, was one of them. “The funny thing about health insurance is you don’t need it until you do,” McCoy said. “None of us know when the next heart attack’s going to come, when the next stroke’s going to come or when we’re going to be diagnosed with leukemia.” Senator Joe Bolkcom, a Democrat from Iowa City, says these are “buyer beware policies” that may lead to FINANCIAL shock when people discover their plan won’t the cover the costs of things like cancer drugs.”There are people ready to buy those policies,” Bolkcom said, “but I thing we should just be clear about that.”

Other Democrats argued Medica, the only company left selling individual insurance policies in Iowa, would be financially harmed as it loses customers who buy the Farm Bureau/Wellmark plansForty of the 50 state senators voted FOR the bill. Similar legislation is pending in the Iowa House.

(Radio Iowa)

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A union representing University of Iowa nurses is appealing to the state Supreme Court in an effort to secure a bargaining agreement made before lawmakers limited union bargaining powers. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that Service Employees International Union represents 3,500 workers at UI Hospitals and Clinics. It’s appealing a district judge’s ruling that the university’s Board of Regents doesn’t have to honor an employment agreement presented to the union early last year.

The December ruling says the contract wasn’t binding since the board didn’t vote to ratify the agreement. The union ratified the contract days before state legislators limited the bargaining power of public-sector labor unions. Union negotiator Jim Jacobson says lawmakers have rigged the system against workers. A board spokesperson declined to comment on the litigation.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Court records say a central Iowa man accused of killing his mother, father and sister intends to change his plea. The records say lawyers for 21-year-old Chase Nicholson had requested a plea hearing, which has been scheduled for April 30 in Polk County District Court.

The records don’t say how he’ll plead and to what charges. He’s already pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the April 6 shooting deaths of 58-year-old Mark Nicholson; 56-year-old Charla Nicholson and 24-year-old Tawni Nicholson.

Authorities say Nicholson used a shotgun that was recovered at the family home in Bondurant, where the bodies were found April 6.
Chase Nicholson surrendered April 7 in Neosho, Missouri. Police there have said Nicholson told an officer that he had killed three people the night before.

WAUKEE, Iowa (AP) — An attorney fired by the Iowa Association of School Boards for writing a partisan newspaper column defending Gov. Kim Reynolds has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit. Anna Bergman, a Republican running for the Iowa House, is suing the association and executive director Lisa Bartusek, claiming her free speech rights were violated. The 26-year-old was the association’s director of policy and legal services until last month, when she wrote a column for the Des Moines Register headlined, “Iowans are not buying Democrats’ hyperbole.” She suggested that Iowa is “in great shape” and defended Reynolds against criticism of her record on education. A disclaimer in the print version noted Bergman’s views “do not necessarily reflect those of” the association.

The association dismissed Bergman, saying her statements conflicted with its duty to remain nonpartisan. Bergman’s lawsuit claims other association employees made pro-Democratic and anti-Trump statements on social media without consequence.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office says a man from Arispe, reported on March 5th, that sometime over the past week, his house was entered and several electronic items were stolen. They include: 2 electric guitars; PS2 and PS3 games, a Toshiba 65” TV, and cash. The loss was estimated at $3,300.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The death of a Sioux City woman killed in a fire has been ruled a homicide. Sioux City police say the state report on the autopsy of 51-year-old Wanda Blake’s body will go to Woodbury County prosecutors for consideration of any new charges. The man suspected of setting the Feb. 4 fire, 51-year-old Robert Mahoney, has pleaded not guilty to arson. His trial is scheduled to begin April 17.

The blaze damaged several units at Central Apartments. Court documents say Mahoney told police he was bored and started lighting papers. He said he saturated a table full of papers with aerosol bug spray and lit it on fire, and the flames spread.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County report 39-year old Terrance James Brierly, of Carson, was arrested at around 8:20-p.m. Wednesday, on a valid warrant out of Nebraska, for being a Fugitive from Justice. Brierly was arrested at his home in Carson, and transported to the Pott. County Jail where he was being held while awaiting extradition to Nebraska.

A traffic stop at around 1-a.m. today (Thursday), in Pott. County resulted in the arrest of 21-year old Cody Loring Sindt, of Neola.  Sindt was taken into custody for OWI/1st offense, after a Deputy responded to a property damage, unknown injury accident, near 350th and Tamarack Road, in Pottawattamie County.

And, 33-year old Charlene Raedine Colton, of Underwood, was arrested Wednesday afternoon following a traffic Stop. She was taken into custody for Driving While Barred.

The City of Atlantic will host its first ever “Easter Dog Bone Hunt,” for dogs and their owners. The event takes place 2-p.m. March 31st , at the Buck Creek Dog Park. Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Director Seth Staashelm provided the City Council with the details during their meeting Wednesday evening. He said the event follows up on the Easter Egg hunt that will be at the Atlantic City Park at 10:30-a.m., March 31^st . Each dog will receive a special bandanna, homemade dog biscuits, a picture with the Easter Bunny, and a chance to hunt for eggs.

The Dog Bone event costs $3 per dog, with the proceeds going towards the Atlantic Animal Shelter. Registration will start at 1:30 pm with the event kicking off a little after 2 pm. There will also be a costume contest with prizes going towards the top 3 best costume dogs. The event requires dogs to be on leash and accompanied by their guardian.

For more information you can contact Atlantic Animal Shelter at 712-243-2287 or the Atlantic Parks and Rec Dept. at 712-243-3542.

2018 Easter Bone Hunt Flyer