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Cubs place closer Wade Davis on paternity leave

Sports

June 5th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have placed closer Wade Davis on paternity leave and recalled right-hander Dylan Floro from Triple-A Iowa. Davis and his wife, Katelyn, are expecting their second child. The 31-year-old Davis is 2-0 with a microscopic 0.89 ERA and 12 saves in his first season with Chicago after he was acquired in an offseason trade with Kansas City.

Floro made two appearances with the Cubs last month, allowing six runs in 6 1/3 innings. The team announced the moves before Monday night’s game against Miami.

Progress Made for Fireworks Sales in Iowa

News

June 5th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (June 5, 2017) — The State Fire Marshal is processing dozens of applications to permit the sale of consumer fireworks, and expects hundreds more in the next 10 days.

In the first five days, 7 retail licenses were issued, and 11 wholesalers were registered.  The State Fire Marshal reports that it has received 168 retail applications.  Of those, 7 licenses were issued, 77 are awaiting site-plan review, 21 have been approved and are awaiting payment, 10 have been required to resubmit their site plans, 3 site plans have been disapproved, and 45 applications have been started but have not yet been submitted.  Based on the filings, the State Fire Marshal expects to see nearly 1,000 sites where fireworks will be sold in Iowa.

“Our employees processed applications over the weekend, and we’ll continue to put in long hours in the upcoming weeks,” said State Fire Marshal Jeff Quigle.  Sales from permanent structures are allowed between June 1 and July 8 each year, by licensed businesses and community groups.

“We continue to add to our website,” Quigle said.  “Beginning this week, we will update the list of licensed sites every day, and post the list on our website.  We are also posting some Frequently Asked Questions, to answer many of the questions that we have received.  Some of the fireworks sellers with limited experience have struggled to understand the rules.  We are looking at options for helping them to demonstrate in their site plan that they can meet the baseline safety requirements needed to get a license.”

“Our number one goal is safety, and the licensing process is designed to add safety to the sales of consumer fireworks.  We want Iowans to have fun, and we also want them to be safe,” Quigle said.

The law requires every licensee to post their license at the specific location where they are selling consumer fireworks.  “When people are buying fireworks, we want them to know that the business is properly licensed.  They can check our website to see who is licensed and where, and they can look for that the physical license to be displayed when they go to the business to buy fireworks.”

The website includes a copy of sample licenses.  Every licensee is required to display a license at the place where the fireworks are sold.  Businesses and individuals who operate more than one location must get a license for each location.

Quigle reports that a number of applications have been rejected, because some applicants have provided a site plan that does not meet the safety requirements set out in the law.  “We are looking at the patterns in the failures,” Quigle said.  “We work with each individual whose plan did not meet the requirements, but we also will provide additional guidance on our website, to help other applicants better understand what they need to do to get a license.”

The licensing process also includes an on-site inspection, and the State Fire Marshal has coordinated on-site inspections, by local fire departments and by Department of Public Safety employees.  All inspectors have received training regarding the inspection process and the requirements for licensing under Iowa law.

Sales of consumer fireworks are allowed between June 1 and July 8 each year, and from December 10 to January 3.  Temporary stands can be used for consumer fireworks sales between June 13 and July 8.

The online portal allows fireworks wholesalers to register in Iowa, so that they can provide consumer fireworks to retail sellers.  Information about the licensing and registration appears online: http://www.dps.state.ia.us/fm/building/licensing/consumerfireworksindex.shtml

The online licensing and registration program implements Senate File 489, which was signed into law on May 9, 2017.  The new law allows for the sale of consumer fireworks by persons or companies licensed by the State Fire Marshal.  Any restrictions on the use of fireworks are determined by city and county officials.  Emergency Administrative Rules are available online: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/administrativeRules/emergencyDocs

Consumer fireworks include such things as roman candles, bottle rockets, firecrackers, and ground spinners.  Previously, the only fireworks that were legal in Iowa were novelties such as sparklers, caps and snakes. Iowa joins 43 other states and the District of Columbia in legalizing the sale of consumer fireworks.

Display fireworks are the pyrotechnics that municipalities and businesses use for large-scale public displays – require licensed operators to discharge the fireworks show.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms regulates the use of display fireworks.  City and county officials also may restrict or prohibit the use of display fireworks.

Glenwood man injured during motorcycle accident

News

June 5th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County said Monday (6/5), that the operator of a motorcycle was injured during a crash last week and flown to a hospital. 21-year old Caleb Barns, of Glenwood, was flown by LifeNet helicopter to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, after the 2003 motorcycle he was driving, for reasons unknown, left the south side of Kane Avenue and entered a ditch. Barns was ejected from the bike and landed about 10-feet from it.

The accident happened at around 11:38-p.m. Wednesday, May 31st, on Kane Avenue, near 210th Street. The accident remained under investigation.

DNR Conservation Officers investigating two Sunday incidents at Lake Manawa

News

June 5th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources said Monday they are investigating two separate incidents that took place Sunday at Lake Manawa, on the southern edge of Council Bluffs.

The first incident happened at around 3:20-p.m. Sunday, when a 9-year-old girl riding a tube either fell off or was thrown off into the lake. The girl was found face down in the water wearing a personal flotation device (Life jacket). Authorities at some point, the girl went into shock while she was in the water. She was transported to a hospital by the Council Bluffs Fire Department and  is expected to make a full recovery.

The second incident, a boat explosion, happened at around 6:50-p.m., Sunday.  Four individuals were on-board the boat when the explosion occurred. One victim, 33-year old Joshua Juranek, of Bellevue, Nebraska, was transported to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs and then transported to UNMC in Omaha, where he listed in critical but stable condition, suffering from second-degree burns.

A second victim, 33-year old Kimberly Red, also of Bellevue, Nebraska, was taken to UNMC in Omaha for treatment of second-degree burns, but was expected to be released soon. The incident happened on the northeast part of the lake. After the explosion, the boat was still floating and has been taken by the DNR for evidence processing.

The investigation into both incidents continues between the Council Bluffs Fire Department and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources law enforcement Conservation Officers.

Creston man arrested on Adair County warrant

News

June 5th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office says a Union County man was arrested June 1st on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. 28-year old Tyler James Hicks, of Creston, was brought to the Adair County Jail and later released on a $2,000 cash only bond. And, 18-year old Morgan Lawrence Powell, of Adair, was arrested May 31st, for Driving Under Suspension. Powell was cited and released from the scene of the traffic stop.

Albia man arrested last month for Violating a No Contact Order, faces additional charges in Adair County for contacting the protectant

News

June 5th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports a man already in custody since May 19th, faces additional charges that include two counts of Violating a No Contact Order. 25-year old Marcus Anthony Terrell, of Albia, allegedly made numerous calls a woman he was ordered to have no contact with.

A review of recordings at the Sheriff’s Office revealed Terrell allegedly used a third party to initiate the calls, or placed the calls himself. He also allegedly called a different phone number for his complainant that the Sheriff’s Office was unaware of. A total of 72 calls were placed to the woman from his original incarceration on May 19th, through May 28th. In addition Terrell allegedly sent the woman two text messages on May 31st, while he was out of his cell on phone privileges. His bond for both counts amounts to $600. Terrell remains in the Adair County Jail, with his arraignment set for June 9th.

Terrell was arrested May 16th after leading authorities on a high-speed chase through several counties, following an incident in Casey whereby he allegedly violated a no contact order with the same woman.

2017 Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Rankings

Sports

June 5th, 2017 by Jim Field

Week 3 Rankings (Released June 4, 2017)

Class 4-A (Record)

  1. Johnston (7-0)
  2. Dowling Catholic (8-1)
  3. Iowa City West (8-2)
  4. Waukee (8-0)
  5. Ankeny Centennial (8-2)
  6. Lewis Central (7-1)
  7. Cedar Falls (6-1)
  8. Urbandale (7-3)
  9. North Scott (5-1)
  10. Cedar Rapids Prairie (7-3)

Others: Indianola (9-3); Valley, West Des Moines (6-3); Iowa City, City High (6-4); Linn-Mar, Marion (6-4)

Class 3-A (Record)

  1. Harlan (9-0)
  2. Davenport Assumption (10-1)
  3. Vinton-Shellsburg (7-0)
  4. Dubuque Wahlert (7-2)
  5. Sergeant Bluff-Luton (9-2)
  6. Carlisle (5-2)
  7. LeMars (6-2)
  8. West Delaware (6-2)
  9. Saydel (6-2)
  10. Marion (6-3)

Others:  Fairfield (6-3); Pella (4-3); Boone (6-2); Oskaloosa (6-4); Grinnell (9-1); Solon (6-4); Bishop Heelan, Sioux City (3-5)

Class 2-A (Record)

  1. Wilton (10-0)
  2. New Hampton (12-1)
  3. Treynor (8-0)
  4. Dike- New Hartford (9-0)
  5. Western Dubuque (7-2)
  6. Clear Lake (5-3)
  7. Beckman (4-3)
  8. Kuemper Catholic (5-3)
  9. Estherville Lincoln Central (9-1)
  10. Iowa City Regina (7-2)

Others:  Alta/Aurelia (6-2);Northeast, Goose Lake (5-4); Roland-Story (8-3); Van Meter (6-0); Woodward-Granger (9-0)

Class 1-A (Record)

  1. Newman Catholic (11-0)
  2. North Linn (13-1)
  3. West Sioux (7-1)
  4. St. Mary’s Remsen (8-3)
  5. Don Bosco (8-0)
  6. CAM (7-0)
  7. Akron-Westfield (10-1)
  8. Martensdale-St. Mary’s (12-2)
  9. Lisbon (6-1)
  10. Highland (7-1)

Others:  Alburnett (6-0); AR-WE-VA (3-0); Audubon (4-2); Calamus-Wheatland (3-6); Moravia (5-3); New London (5-0); Saint Ansgar (8-1); St. Albert (7-3); West Fork (5-1)

Iowa agency seeks outside review amid deaths of 2 teen girls

News

June 5th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Department of Human Services says it’s seeking help from a nonprofit group to review the state’s child welfare system following the death of two teenage girls. The announcement today (Monday) that the Montgomery, Alabama-based Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group would evaluate the department was released shortly after a joint legislative committee began meeting at the Capitol to discuss the agency’s procedures.

The bipartisan committee has questioned the state’s process for removing foster children from homes and the workload of social workers who handle such cases.

The review will follow to the October death of Natalie Finn of West Des Moines and the May death of Sabrina Ray of Perry. The 16-year-old girls, who were both adopted from state care, were found dead in their homes.

Convicted felon arrested in Pott. County for carrying weapons

News

June 5th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A traffic stop at around 12:45-a.m. Sunday in Pottawattamie County, resulted in the arrest of a man who is prohibited from carrying weapons. A pickup driven by 50-year old Richard J. Zadina, Jr., of Council Bluffs, was pulled over on I-80 westbound near Council Bluffs, for improper use of lanes. During a search of the vehicle, a Taser, 2 shotgun shells, and 22 rounds of .22-caliber ammunition were found. Zadina was placed under arrest for Carrying a Concealed weapon without a permit.

Trials scheduled for mom, uncle of chained Iowa teenager

News

June 5th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

PEOSTA, Iowa (AP) – An eastern Iowa woman and her brother, who are accused of padlocking a weighted chain around her 14-year-old son’s waist, are facing trials next month. Court records say Jeffrey Merfeld is set for trial beginning July 18 and that a July 25 trial start is set for his sister, Cynthia Kobusch. The records don’t list a trial date for her husband, Michael Kobusch, who’s also pleaded not guilty.

All three live in Peosta, and are charged with child endangerment. Court documents say Cynthia Kobusch told an investigator that she wanted to attach a GPS tracker to her son – a frequent runaway – and had asked her brother to “make a chain” and fashion it so the boy couldn’t cut it off.