More area and State news from Ric Hanson.

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Officials in Council Bluffs report the City is expecting a rain and snow mixture during the morning and afternoon, today. That mix should change to all snow by 6-p.m. and continue until 11-p.m. Snow accumulation totals are expected to be between 2 to 3 inches.

Winds will be picking up this evening as the temperatures begin to drop, potentially causing slick road conditions into the evening. Council Bluffs Public Works will have crews out treating streets all day, however, as always, they ask that you drive with caution.

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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A Creston man was arrested Thursday evening on a firearms charge. Creston Police say 38-year old Jeremy King was taken into custody on four counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. King was being held in the Union County Jail on a $5,000 bond.

Two complaints against the Neola City Council were dismissed Thursday by the Iowa Public Information Board. The Daily NonPareil says members of the board accepted a recommendation finding no legal meeting was held when some members of the council met with city staff to discuss absentee ballots and political strategy in advance of the recent municipal elections.

The board went against a staff recommendation to accept a second complaint alleging the City Council should have involved its city attorney in a closed session following an audit finding by the state. The council instead had a special attorney for that issue involved in the closed portion of the meeting, during which the council discussed legal strategy.

Margaret Johnson, deputy director of the Iowa Public Information Board, said the state agency advanced a proposed administrative rule at Thursday’s meeting to clarify that when a governmental body cites a provision of Iowa Code to allow closed meetings “to discuss strategy with counsel,” the body’s legal council must attend either in person or electronically.

Johnson said the IPIB staff had asked the board to accept the complaint to further examine the definition of “counsel” for the purpose of a closed session. She said the board instead dismissed the complaint but asked for that background work to be done for an advisory opinion.

In a letter to the IPIB, the city had called the complaint “frivolous.” The complaint was filed by Teresa Ring, who said an audit finding alleging fraud by former City Clerk Deb Schierbrock was a “smear campaign,” and the audit prompted the closed session in question. Schierbrock, Ring’s sister-in-law, made an unsuccessful bid to become mayor of Neola. The audit was conducted by the state as part of an independent process from the city.

A judge in Pottawattamie County, Thursday, sentenced 20-year old John Harter, of Crescent, to two years of supervised probation one month after Harter plead guilty to a homicide by vehicle-reckless driving charge.

The Daily NonPareil says the felony charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. According to court documents, on July 2nd, 2013, witnesses told police that they saw Harter driving a motorcycle at speeds of 80 mph with 18-year old Joseph Goodwin as a passenger.

Police said as he drove around the vehicle, Harter saw three motorcycles in the southbound lane, and Harter tried to stop. He and Goodwin were thrown from the motorcycle. Goodwin died at the scene, and another victim suffered serious injuries. . After the crash, Harter was found to have cannabis and central nervous system depressants in his system. After a year-long investigation, Harter was arrested on July 11th, 2014.

According to the agreement, by pleading guilty to the Class C felony and spending the 30 days between the plea hearing and the sentencing hearing in Pottawattamie County Jail, Harter would then receive a deferred judgment. The court would also dismiss his other two charges, including homicide by vehicle-operating under the influence, a Class B felony.

In addition to obeying the terms of his probation, Harter will have to pay $150,000 to the estate of Joseph Goodwin and $2,681 to another victim in the accident. If he does not meet the conditions of his probation, he could still be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. If Harter successfully completes his probation, the charge will be dismissed, and the record of the case will be expunged.

A Pottawattamie County man who agreed to plead guilty to two, third-degree sexual abuse with a minor charges in exchange for five other, similar charges being dismissed, was sentenced this week to 20-years in prison. According to the Daily NonPareil, the charges against 48-year old Steven Cain, of Council Bluffs, stem from eight years of alleged sexual contact with a woman who is now 18 years old. The woman said the abuse started in the fall of 2006 and continued until October of 2014.

The 18-year-old told officers assigned to the Council Bluffs Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division about the incidents on July 14th. Cain turned himself in to authorities on Aug. 5th at the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office.

During a search of Cain’s apartment at Sherwood Apartments, police allegedly found naked pictures of the victim among Cain’s collection of pornography. Cain will have to register as sex offender for the rest of his life. When he’s released from prison, Cain also will remain on parole for the rest of his life.

Forecasters say a wide section of Iowa may get walloped by its first significant snowstorm later today (Friday), so motorists need to take a few precautions, pronto. Ann Avery, the Iowa spokeswoman for State Farm Insurance, says an emergency kit is a must for your vehicle’s trunk. “With the first snowfall of the season coming and Thanksgiving travel beginning for many families, now is a great time to think about looking in your trunk and taking out the things you’ve been using all summer that you won’t be using this winter and making sure you have emergency travel supplies,” Avery says, “so if you are on the road and something unexpected happens, you will be prepared.”

There are several staples that should be in everyone’s vehicle, before the winter winds start whipping. “Some of the things include: jumper cables and making sure you have an ice scraper back in the car,” Avery says. “Check the spare tire, make sure it’s in the car and that it’s at the proper inflation. Be sure you have blankets, extra warm clothing. A cell phone charger — we depend on that cell phone. If you get into an emergency, make sure you are able to charge it.”

Other helpful items to have handy include: road salt or cat litter to help with tire traction, a flashlight (with working batteries), matches or a lighter, duct tape, a small tool kit and a tow strap. Avery offers a few more suggestions. “A first aid kit, water, food that won’t expire in the trunk, and crucial medications,” Avery says. “If you should get caught and stuck on the side of the road, you want to make sure you have those medications.” If there’s a teenage driver under your roof, Avery says you should talk to them about the importance of this kit.

“Our information shows a lot of teens reported not having all the necessary supplies they need in their trunk,” Avery says. “Check the car the teen is using as well. Have them put the emergency kit together with you so they see what goes into it and understand why it’s all there.” Other items that you might consider for your emergency kit are: a hazard triangle with reflectors, flares, a brightly-colored flag or “HELP” sign, and a tarp for sitting or kneeling in the snow for doing exterior work like a tire change.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa officials say more than 12,000 Medicaid service providers have signed necessary paperwork to offer care under the state’s proposed privatization plan. Governor Terry Branstad’s office said Thursday the four private companies scheduled to oversee Medicaid services on January 1st signed the contracts since November 1st. The Iowa Department of Human Services says there are more than 17,200 active providers available to offer Medicaid services.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A former lottery security officer in Iowa convicted of rigging a Hot Lotto game to win a $14 million jackpot also allegedly fixed a lottery game in Oklahoma in 2011. Iowa Assistant Attorney General Rob Sand mentioned the Oklahoma allegation during a hearing Wednesday. It’s the fourth lottery game Eddie Tipton is alleged to have fixed. Tipton was convicted in July of fraud for a 2010 Iowa Hot Lotto game.

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is voicing support for creating a mandatory database to track Muslims in the United States following the Paris attacks by Islamic State militants. Trump told NBC News between campaign events in Newton, Iowa Thursday evening that he would “absolutely” implement such a system.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Fran McCaffrey won his 350th career game and Peter Jok scored 20 points to lead six players in double figures as Iowa cruised past Marquette 89-61 Thursday night. Jarrod Uthoff scored 15 points and several other players were in double digits for Iowa.