Officials with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation today (Wednesday) report 34-year old Brian Davis, of Shenandoah, was arrested and charged with 1st Degree Murder for the death of his girlfriend Holly Durben on July 18th, 2009.  Based on interviews of witnesses and crime scene evidence, investigators believe that Davis is responsible for Durben’s death.  Davis is currently being held at the Fremont County Jail on a 1-million dollar cash bond.

Brian Davis

Sheriff’s deputies in Fremont County responded to a 9-1-1 call on July 18 2009 at 9:36-a.m. The Call came from Brian Davis at 2492 Highway 59, south of Shenandoah.  When Deputy’s arrived they located 29 year old Holly Durben deceased in the bedroom of her residence, which she shared with her Davis.  The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance in the investigation from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

An autopsy was performed on Ms. Durben’s body at the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny, Iowa.  It was determined that Ms. Durben suffered a fatal gunshot to the head as well as other injuries.

Two people were arrested Tuesday on separate charges in Page County. The Sheriff’s Office says 42-year old Steven Dean Lundvall, of College Springs, was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear. The arrest was made at his residence in College Springs. Lundvall was transported to the Page County Jail, where he posted bond and was released.

And, 49-year old Robin Charisse Welsch, of Clarinda, on a warrant for aiding and abetting violation of a no contact order. She was arrested at the Page County Sheriff’s Office. Welsch posted bond and was released.

An elderly couple from Villisca have died following an accident involving a UTV, or Utility Terrain Vehicle. The Iowa State Patrol says 82-year-old Darrell Schrader and his wife, 80-year-old Delores Schrader were killed during the accident in rural Taylor County.

According to reports, the couple was found late Tuesday evening in a field at 1248 120th Street in Taylor County, southeast of Villisca, and about a quarter-mile from the couple’s residence. Authorities said the couple were ejected from the UTV as it rolled over, into a clover field.

The Polaris UTV was equipped with lap and shoulder belts, but they weren’t used. Authorities weren’t sure how long the couple had been in the field. The Patrol said family members had not been in contact with the Schraders since last week.

(RALSTON, Iowa) Oct. 29, 2014—West Central’s board of directors today announced their unanimous decision to name Milan Kucerak President and CEO-elect following Jeff Stroburg’s retirement at the end of the fiscal year.

Milan Kucerak President and CEO elect. West Central Cooperative.

Kucerak, who has served as the company’s Executive Vice President of Dairy and Animal Nutrition since 2006, will be the fourth President/CEO in the cooperative’s more than 80 year history.

“Kucerak has been a trusted manager and proven leader for the producers of this cooperative since he joined West Central in 2006,” said Chairwoman of the West Central board of directors, Sue Tronchetti. “He brings to the organization diverse management experience, a global perspective, and a strong accounting and financial background. “Kucerak is the right choice to lead West Central,” Tronchetti added. “We remain focused on serving our customers and stockholders and engaging our staff.”

She stated Kucerak’s introduction as President and CEO, effective Feb. 1, 2015, is the result of the board’s long-term approach for developing leadership from within the company. Beginning Nov. 1, Jeff Stroburg and Milan Kucerak will begin an operational transition and leadership hand-off. As part of that change, Stroburg will devote his time to the unification study between West Central and Key Cooperative. President/ CEO-elect Kucerak will oversee daily cooperative operations, including executive team management.

Jeff Stroburg President and CEO. West Central Cooperative.

Of Stroburg’s retirement, Tronchetti stated, “In his 15 year tenure, this cooperative has grown to 27 locations in twelve counties, become one of the country’s 15 largest grain companies, and established itself as an innovative leader in the biofuels industry. We thank Jeff for his service and wish him well in the future.”

West Central® is a farmer-owned cooperative connecting producers of agricultural products to a global network of processors and end-users. The company manages for success by deliberately pursuing fresh ideas and recognizing value opportunities at every turn. Headquartered in Ralston, Iowa, West Central’s agronomy, animal nutrition and grain businesses span 12 Iowa counties with 27 locations. In 2013, the company was ranked #41 on the USDA’s list for largest farmer-owned cooperatives nationwide based on revenues and assets.

(Press Release)

Nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes, and an additional 86 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. To raise awareness of the disease and its complications, November was named American Diabetes Month. In conjunction with American Diabetes Month, the Cass County Memorial Hospital’s Diabetes Education Center will host a program by Daphne Haselhuhn from the American Diabetes Association on Tuesday, November 11th.

“This is a free program for the public to attend,” says Barbara Petersen, RN, CDE. “We hope to provide the community with information they can use to manage their diabetes while creating and enjoying a healthy lifestyle.”

Haselhuhn will share information about managing diabetes, current statistics, and local ADA activities. The program is free, open to the public, and no pre-registration is necessary. The event will begin at 6 p.m. in Conference Room 2 at Cass County Memorial Hospital. “Anyone impacted by diabetes, whether they have it or are caring for someone with it, is encouraged to attend,” says Petersen. She also urges everyone to know their risk by taking the Diabetes Risk Test at www.diabetes.org.

The CCMH Diabetes Education Center is state certified and has received recognition from the American Diabetes Association for meeting the National Standards for Diabetes Education. Please contact this office for more information at 712-243-7833.

An Atlantic man was arrested Tuesday. 37-year old Cody Ewing was arrested for Driving While Barred. Ewing was booked into the Cass County Jail. And, Atlantic Police say no injuries were reported following an accident that took place at around 3:15-p.m., Tuesday.

Officials say Nathalee Gilleland, of Elliott, was issued a warning for Failure to Yield while making a left turn, after the vehicle he was driving struck a vehicle driven by Orest Lechnowsky, of Omaha. The accident happened at the intersection of 7th Street (Highway 6) and Hospital Drive, as Lechnowsky was traveling westbound, and Gilleland, who was traveling eastbound, attempted to turn into the Atlantic Shopping Center parking lot.

Damage from the collision amounted to $3,600.

With Ric Hanson.

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Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he’s looking into the federal government’s use of civil forfeiture laws after learning how the IRS seized the bank account of a restaurant owner in northwest Iowa. The Republican served on the IRS Restructuring Commission, which sought to end the agency’s “harassment” of small businesses back in 1998. “Well, here we are 15 years later and we’re still messing around with the same problems,” Grassley says.

In May 2013, the IRS seized almost $33,000 from Carole Hinders, who has operated Mrs. Lady’s Mexican Food in Arnolds Park for 38 years. The restaurant only accepts cash and the IRS used civil forfeiture to seize Hinders’ bank account, claiming by making small deposits, she was evading a federal law that requires banks to report cash deposits greater than $10,000. Officials with the IRS have responded to Grassley’s inquiry about the matter.

“They say that they’re going to reconsider their policy and maybe make some changes,” Grassley says. The Washington, DC-based Institute for Justice is helping Hinders with her case. The law firm reports federal law enforcement agencies — using civil forfeiture — can take cash, cars and other property without charging the property owner with a crime. Grassley says the IRS plays a role in fighting money laundering and other criminal activity, but it should treat business owners fairly.

“Maybe the IRS is smart enough to correct their own silly actions that they’re taking, but whatever the case is, we’ve got to be on top of the IRS once again,” Grassley says. The 67-year-old Hinders, who describes her last year as “Hell,” has borrowed money and used credit cards to pay bills and keep her restaurant in business. The New York Times recently featured a story about Hinders’ plight on its front page.

(Radio Iowa)

The Creston Police Department reports two arrests, Tuesday. 63-year old Donald Barnes, of Creston, was arrested at around 9:15-a.m. for Harassment in the 3rd degree. And, 36-year old Bobbie Jo Wilson, of Creston, was arrested at around 1:30-p.m. at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Both were released on a promise to appear later, in court.