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Iowa early News Headlines: Friday, Feb. 23rd 2018

News

February 23rd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CST

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa congressman has said in a sworn statement that a company he failed to disclose wasn’t “doing business” in 2016, despite evidence to the contrary. In an amended disclosure, Rep. Rod Blum lists himself as the majority shareholder and director of Tin Moon Corp. The Associated Press reported a day earlier that Blum violated House ethics rules by failing to list his ties to Tin Moon in his form submitted last August.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers’ concerns about the state’s privatized Medicaid program amid reports of problems haven’t translated into much legislation so far. Just a handful of bills that would make selective changes to the health care program for the poor and disabled advanced beyond a legislative deadline last week. The proposals don’t address key issues surrounding reports of reduced services and delayed reimbursements to health care providers.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa doctor has been ordered to pay a $5,000 penalty and has been placed on three years’ probation in an agreement with the Iowa Board of Medicine to settle sexual misconduct charges filed against him. The Sioux City Journal reports that Jeffrey Zoelle entered the agreement Feb. 15. The board ordered Zoelle to complete a board-approved sexual misconduct/sexual harassment evaluation, among other things.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Republican-led Iowa Senate panel has given preliminary approval to a bill that would make sweeping changes to the state’s tax system. Republicans in a five-member Senate subcommittee agreed Thursday morning to sign off on the legislation, which GOP lawmakers say would cut more than $1 billion annually in taxes. A tax writing committee is expected to approve the bill in the afternoon. A key Senate Republican says the bill could have a full vote in the chamber next week.

Boys District & Substate Basketball Scores from Thursday, Feb. 22nd

Sports

February 23rd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

1A District Championship

George-Little Rock 54, Gehlen Catholic, Le Mars 38

1A District 2 Championship

South O’Brien, Paullina 55, Newell-Fonda 46

1A District 4 Championship

Don Bosco, Gilbertville 60, Hudson 48

1A District 5 Championship

Dunkerton 71, Tripoli 32

1A District 7 Championship

Gladbrook-Reinbeck 52, Meskwaki Settlement School 48

1A District 8 Championship

North Linn, Troy Mills 85, Lisbon 31

1A District 9 Championship

Iowa Mennonite, Kalona 61, New London 54

1A District 16 Championship

St. Mary’s, Remsen 49, Kingsley-Pierson 23

3A Substate 1Semifinal

Sergeant Bluff-Luton 52, Spirit Lake 44

3A Substate 2 Semifinal

Charles City 65, Webster City 58

Waverly-Shell Rock 52, Crestwood, Cresco 41

3A Substate 3 Semifinal

Cedar Rapids Xavier 59, Benton Community 50

South Tama County, Tama 57, Independence 44

3A Substate 4 Semifinal

Assumption, Davenport 57, Mount Vernon 36

Marion 51, West Delaware, Manchester 41

3A Substate 5 Semifinal

Mount Pleasant 67, Fort Madison 25

Solon 57, Fairfield 48

Nebraska troopers find stolen gun, marijuana in traffic stop

News

February 22nd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

WOOD RIVER, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska State Patrol says troopers have recovered a stolen gun and seized several pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop on Interstate 80 near Wood River in central Nebraska. The patrol says the stop Wednesday afternoon also led to the arrest of four people from Des Moines, Iowa.

The patrol says the car was stopped on suspicion of failing to stop at a stop sign before turning onto a rural highway, then entering I-80. The trooper reported a strong smell of marijuana coming from the car during the stop and searched it. The patrol says four pounds of marijuana and the gun were found during the search. The patrol says the gun had been reported stolen from Des Moines.

Discrimination suit dismissed vs Drake coach Baranczyk

Sports

February 22nd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A discrimination lawsuit filed by a former assistant against Drake women’s basketball coach Jennie Baranczyk has been dismissed. Courtney Graham filed the suit in December 2016, claiming that Baranczyk forced her to resign in 2015 after learning she was gay. Graham alleged Baranczyk slowly decreased her duties as assistant head coach six months after she brought her girlfriend and now wife to a home game in November 2014.

The case was dismissed on Wednesday in U.S. District Court. Graham filed a charge of discrimination with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. But Baranczyk and Drake successfully argued Graham failed to do so in a timely manner, according to the court decision.

Drake says in a statement it is pleased the case was dismissed on a summary judgment. The school says the claims were untrue and it is “committed to a culture of respect and diversity.”

Graham, who played at Mississippi State, joined the Drake coaching staff in 2012.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23rd

Trading Post

February 22nd, 2018 by Jim Field

FOR SALE:  Lawnmower.  Asking $60.00, (Firm) self-propelled with a bag and big back tires. Works fine. Or will trade for a regular push mower just as nice as this one- not self-propelled. Contact # is 712-249-2603.  SOLD!

WANTED:  a Volkswagon van or truck from the 1950’s or 1960’s.  Condition is not important.  Will pay a finders fee of $250 if you can help locate one that is successfully purchased.  Call 620-910-7257.

WILLIAM HUPP, 67, of Panora (Svcs. 02/25/2018)

Obituaries

February 22nd, 2018 by admin

WILLIAM HUPP, 67, of Panora died Wednesday, February 21st at Pearl Valley Rehab and Healthcare in Perry. A Visitation for WILLIAM HUPP will be held Sunday, February 25th from 4:00pm-6:00pm at the Twigg Funeral Home in Panora.

Burial of his cremains will be at a later date.

WILLIAM HUPP is survived by:

Children: Joe Hupp of Panora. Jennifer (Matt) Jensen of Boone.

Siblings: Jan Fear of Panora. Jean Hupp of Osceola. Rick Hupp of Bagley. Julie Hidlebaugh of Woodward. Jon Hupp of Perry.

6 Grandchildren

12-year old Bluffs girl faces felony Terrorism charge

News

February 22nd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department said members of the Council Bluffs Police Department arrested a 12 year old girl this (Thursday) morning, for making terroristic threats, via a social media (Snapchat) account. The threats were directed toward the Kirn Middle School.

Prior to the start of the school day, the principal at Kirn was contacted by a parent of a student who had seen disturbing messages on Snapchat, making reference to firearms and killing people at the school. The principal and the CBPD Kirn School Resource Officer worked with detectives to identify the student responsible for posting the threatening messages. The girl is a student at Kirn Middle School and was in attendance this morning.

The police department kept a presence inside the school, monitoring the area, as the investigation proceeded. Further investigation revealed that the girl did not have access to any weapons. The girl was booked into the Southwest Iowa Juvenile Detention Center on one count of Threat of Terrorism (Iowa Code 708A.5), which is a class “D” felony.

Police are not releasing the name of the female student, due to her being a juvenile. They also will not be releasing the threatening postings that instigated the investigation, as they are evidence in a criminal case. Authorities say the incident was an example of how the “See Something, Say Something” campaign works, and that they “Encourage adults to have conversations with student age kids, stressing that these types of posts are not funny and will lead to very serious consequences. Law enforcement will treat every threat as being potentially credible, until proven otherwise.”

The Council Bluffs Police Department is not aware of any other threats within the school district at this time. Authorities say they will continue to work with school officials to provide a safe learning environment for the community’s children.

JOHN O. REICH, 74, of Panora (Svcs. 02/24/2018)

Obituaries

February 22nd, 2018 by admin

JOHN O. REICH, 74, of Panora died Friday, February 2nd at Guthrie County Hospital in Guthrie Center. A Remembrance Gathering for JOHN O. REICH will be held Saturday, February 24th at 11:00am at The Owl’s Nest in Panora. Twigg Funeral Home in Panora has the arrangements.

Visitation will be held Saturday, February 24th from 9:00am-11:00am at the Twigg Funeral Home in Panora.

JOHN O. REICH is survived by:

Sons: J. Bradley Reich of Tacoma, WA. Chad Reich of Crested Butte, CO.

Sister: Lynn (Jim) Loynachan of Adel.

Loyal Dog Companion Jack.

Many friends.

Iowa doctor fined, placed on probation in misconduct case

News

February 22nd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa doctor has been ordered to pay a $5,000 penalty and has been placed on three years’ probation in an agreement with the Iowa Board of Medicine to settle sexual misconduct charges filed against him.

The Sioux City Journal reports that Jeffrey Zoelle entered the agreement Feb. 15. The board ordered Zoelle to complete a board-approved sexual misconduct/sexual harassment evaluation, among other things.

The board has said Zoelle, who had practiced at clinics in Sioux City and Sergeant Bluff, made inappropriate sexual comments to a patient in 2015, and that from 2011 to January 2016, he rubbed female co-workers on the neck, shoulders and back, sent them inappropriate Facebook and text messages and tried to kiss one.

Zoelle is no longer employed at the clinics. A home phone number for him could not be found Thursday.

6 arrests in Cass County

News

February 22nd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports six arrests took place over the past week. On Tuesday, Feb. 20th: 28-year old Anthony Gerome Moore, of Tampa, FL, was arrested on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for Theft 2nd Degree. Moore was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $5,000 bond. And, 18-year old Timothy Dethlef Asmus, of Audubon, was arrested on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for Theft 4th Degree. Asmus was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on $1,000 bond.

Last Friday (February 16th), Deputies in Cass County arrested 20-year old Shelby Lynn Brusman, of Bagley, on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Brusman was taken to the Cass County Jail where she remains held on $25,000 bond.

And, there were three arrests in Cass County on Feb. 15th: 23-year old Samantha Kim Jensen, of Atlantic, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Jensen was taken to the Cass County Jail where she remains held on $25,000 bond; 33-year old Ehren Michael Mardesen, of Anita, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Mardesen was taken to the Cass County Jail where he also remains held on $25,000 bond; and, 33-year old Miles Blake Cooley, of Anita, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation and an additional charge of Possession of Marijuana 3rd/Subsequent (Aggravated). Cooley was taken to the Cass County Jail and was released the following day on $2,000 bond.