712 Digital Group - top

Police say resident shot man breaking into apartment

News

October 26th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Police in Sac City report a man who allegedly tried to break into an apartment was shot twice by a man who lives there. Authorities say Bendji Joseph, of Fort Dodge, was breaking into the apartment at 211 S. 5th Street, around 4 a.m. Wednesday when he was shot. Joseph, who allegedly intended to commit a serious or aggravated assault, was shot with a .9mm pistol by Miguel Alcantara.

Joseph was transported to Loring Hospital in Sac City, for treatment, and was later life-flighted to Mercy Hospital in Sioux City, where he is believed to be in stable condition. The man faces Felony charges of Burglary in the Third Degree, and Burglary in the First Degree. Assisting the Sac City Police Department during the incident, was the Lake View Police Department, the Sac County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sac County Attorney’s Office.

The investigation is ongoing.

Prosecutor says gender-fluid Iowa teen was kidnapped, killed

News

October 26th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

KEOKUK, Iowa (AP) — A prosecutor says a gender-fluid Iowa teenager was kidnapped, suffocated and executed by two cousins who believed the teen was a cute girl. Prosecutor Christopher Perras detailed the 2016 death of 16-year-old Kedarie Johnson in opening statements Thursday at the trial of Jorge Sanders-Galvez. Perras said Johnson “was a friendly high school student with a bright future” who sometimes dressed as a girl. Relatives say Johnson identified as both male and female.

Perras says Johnson was wearing a pink headband and hair extensions when Sanders-Galvez and his cousin saw the teen at a store. Perras says the men followed Johnson in their car, then took the teen to a Burlington home. He says a struggle ensued during a sexual encounter, and the men suffocated Johnson, shot the teen and dumped the body in an alley.

Iowa State faces lawsuit over sexual assault policies

News

October 26th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A former Iowa State University administrator is suing the school, saying it gives students accused of sexual assault more protection than victims. The lawsuit filed by Robinette Kelley alleges the university blocked her attempts to properly investigate sexual assault complaints and stopped her from ensuring the university was Title IX compliant.

The Des Moines Register reports Kelley was the university’s equal opportunity director and federal Title IX coordinator for more than two years. The lawsuit is requesting that the university be required to develop a strategic plan for sex discrimination-related cases and to allow the Title IX coordinator to act independently from other university officials. A university spokesman denies that Kelley was treated “in any way that was retaliatory, discriminatory, or otherwise illegal.”

Kelley was fired in October 2015. She now works at North Carolina State University.

Iowa rule limits use of restraints for juveniles in court

News

October 26th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court has adopted new rules to prohibit the use of handcuffs, chains and other restraints for juveniles appearing in court unless a judge approves in advance. Currently juvenile officers determine whether a child is restrained during court appearances. An order signed by Chief Justice Mark Cady on Wednesday says the rules will become effective Jan. 1 unless a legislative council objects. Cady’s order says the rule is flexible enough to deal with juveniles at risk of fleeing or endangering themselves or others.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa and a children’s rights group at the Drake Law School pushed for the changes last year. They say at least 28 states ban or limit the use of restraints on children in juvenile court hearings.

3 arrested in connection with CAM School Break-in

News

October 26th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports three men were arrested Monday in connection with a break-in and burglary at the CAM School in Anita, on Oct. 20th, during which tools, welders, and other industrial items were stolen. As the result of a search warrant, 18-year old Kane Melvin Cooley, of Anita, 33-year old Daniel Eugene Long, Sr., of Anita, and 19-year old Jacob Hoyt Way, of Guthrie Center, were arrested on Felony charges that include:Theft 1st Degree, Conspiring to Commit a Nonforcible Felony, and Burglary 3rd Degree.

Jacob Way

Daniel Long, Sr.

Kane Cooley

In addition, Long faces a felony charge of Theft 2nd Degree with regard to a reported burglary and theft in Anita on September 11th, 2017. He was also arrested on three previous District Court warrants for Failure to Appear. Cooley was additionally charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, which took place earlier in the day on October 23rd.

All three men were taken to the Cass County Jail. Cooley remains held on $23,000 bond; Long remains held on $31,000 bond; and Way remains held on $20,000 bond.

4 arrests in Page County, Wednesday

News

October 26th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports four people were arrested Wednesday on separate charges. At around 4:30-p.m., 28-year old Joseph Cody Foster, of Shambaugh, was arrested on an Adams County Warrant for (felony) Burglary 1st degree, and Eluding Law Enforcement. Foster was arrested at a residence in Shambaugh and later turned over to Adams County authorities.

A little after 10-p.m. Wednesday, Page County Deputies arrested 32-year old Laura Christine Hartman, of Coin, on a Page County warrant for Failure to Appear on a charge of Probation violation. Hartman was arrested at a residence in Coin and transported to the Page County Jail where she is currently being held on a $2,000 cash only bond, pending future court proceedings

Timothy Blank

Michael Rose

Laura Hartman

Joseph Cody Foster

Just after 8-p.m., Wednesday, Deputies from the Page County Sheriff’s Office arrested 42-year old Michael Lee Rose, of Hepburn, at his residence in Hepburn. Rose was arrested on a Page County Warrant for Probation violation. Rose was transported to the Page County Jail. Rose posted $1000.00 Cash bond and was released pending future court proceedings.

On October 25, 2017 at approximately 6:37 PM Deputies with the Page County Sheriff’s Office arrested 52-year old Timothy Jay Blank, of Coin, at his residence in Coin. Blank was arrested on a Page County Warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault display or use weapon 1st offense and Assault while displaying a dangerous weapon. The warrant stems from an incident at Blank’s residence in Coin on October 21st, 2017 where he allegedly assaulted his brothers with a weapon, causing injuries to them. Blank was transported to the Page County Jail where he was being held without bond pending appearance before a Magistrate Judge.

Shelby County Fire Danger remains HIGH through this weekend

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 26th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency says the FIRE DANGER index will remain HIGH through this weekend, due to anticipated high winds and dried crops remaining in the fields. Outdoor burning of vegetation and timber requires an open burning plan, which also needs the approval of your local Fire Chief. Open burning is strongly discouraged, especially where structures are nearby. Combine and other ag equipment operators should make sure their machine has a fire extinguisher handy in the event your machine starts to overheat or otherwise malfunction.

 

Cooler weather means it’s a good time for grain to cool for storage

Ag/Outdoor

October 26th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Agricultural experts say starting Friday morning, there will be great conditions to get grain cooled down from this falls harvest. With the average daily temps predicted to be in the mid 30s to low 40s for Friday well into next week, this will be a perfect time to get recently harvested corn and soybeans cooled to a temperature close to what is desired for winter storage. Allowable storage time for grain roughly doubles for every 10 degree drop in temperature. So, getting grain cooled down soon after harvest will significantly improve chances of keeping it in good condition while in storage

In order to determine how long it will take to cool a bin of grain, first determine how much fan horsepower you have per 1000 bushels. For example, if you have a 5 horsepower fan on a 20,000 bushel bin, you have one-quarter horsepower per 1,000 bushels. Divide that number into 15 and you get an estimate of the hours it will take to cool the full bin. In this case example, 15 / 0.25 = 60 hours.

Experts urge producers to get that great crop cooled down for the best storage this winter!

Ceremonial Tree Planting held in Atlantic Wednesday

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 26th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A Ceremonial Tree Planting was held in Atlantic, Wednesday, in honor of the City’s 25th year of working with Alliant Energy and Trees Forever’s “Branching Out” partnership. Dolly Bergmann, President of the local Trees Forever organization, and Brad Riphagen, Field Coordinator for Trees Forever in Marion, were on-hand for the event. Riphagen said his role is to help communities determine what species of trees are needed, and how to go about planting them. He said the local Trees Forever group is well acquainted with much of that information, having been here for 25-years, so he also helps them with guidance on being involved on a State-wide basis, and additional expertise.

Riphagen has been involved with the organization for over 25-years, and has seen many changes in how the program operates. That includes newer practices in methods of planting trees. Each community, he says, have different needs and wants with regard to what types of trees will be beneficial not only aesthetically, but in terms of saving energy for homes and businesses. He says Alliant Energy and AMU – Atlantic Municipal Utilities – both encourage trees to be planted in residential yards because of the multiple benefits they provide when fully grown. Other communities focus on larger projects, such as newly created green space and how trees fill the void.

He said the value of trees increases throughout the years by providing shade and energy savings. Dolly Bergmann says the local Trees Forever organization has works with many other organizations, government and civic, as well as volunteers, to plant trees at dozens of locations through the community. That includes trees planted in each of the City’s Parks.

Tree number 25, a Little Leaf Linden, was planted Wednesday in the downtown Atlantic City Park.

Atlantic Police report (10/26/17)

News

October 26th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Police Department reports 41-year old Ada Wilson, of Atlantic, was arrested Wednesday for Violation of a No Contact Order. 42-year old Levi Stroup, of Atlantic, was arrested the same day, on a Montgomery County warrant for Violation of a No Contact Order. Both subjects were booked into the Cass County Jail.

And, the Police Department says a bicyclist suffered minor (Non-life threatening) injuries, after he was struck by a vehicle in front of the Atlantic Middle School Wednesday, at around 1:50-p.m. Officials report a vehicle driven by Brenda Koch, of Atlantic, was traveling east on 11th Street in front of the Middle School, when her vehicle struck 12-year old Merrick O’Dette, of Atlantic, as he was in a painted crosswalk. Koch’s vehicle sustained $100 damage during the accident. She was cited for Failure to Yield the Right of Way.