Deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Department were involved in pursuit late this morning south of Atlantic. Cass County Chief Deputy Sheriff John Westering told KJAN News there no injuries were reported, but the lives of the public were in jeopardy. He said the incident began sometime after 11-a.m., when the Cass County Communications Center reported a resident at Willow Heights Residential Care Facility had taken off in a vehicle and was traveling south from facility on a gravel road. Cass County Deputy Corey Larsen was able to locate and follow the subject and made several attempts to get him to stop. Westering said chase became a “Huge public safety concern,” when the subject of the pursuit allegedly began to try and run other motorists off the road. He says the subject was stopped at one point when contact was made between a squad car and the stolen vehicle, but the chase didn’t end until the subject lost control of the vehicle on Highway 71, just south of Newport Road, where the vehicle went into a ditch. He was then taken into custody. No injuries were reported, and the vehicles involved sustained only minor damage. Westering said the incident ended “About as good as it could for the way it was looking there for a while.”)

Westering’s cruiser sustained some minor front end damage during the pursuit. He said the suspect had spun-out, and Westering tried to box him in, but didn’t want to disable his cruiser. The subject managed to get the vehicle he was driving going again, but lost control on Highway 71 and spun out on the road. Westering moved his vehicle into position to pin the driver’s side door shut to keep the subject from getting away, and to keep the vehicle from taking off again, because speeds during the chase were in excess of 80 miles per hour into oncoming traffic. The subject lost control when Westering placed his cruiser in front of the other vehicle and the subject attempted to make evasive maneuvers.

(12-p.m. News)

The Cass County Board of Supervisors have approved a three-percent increase in wages and benefits for Sheriff’s Deputies, Jailors and Sheriff’s Office Assistants as part of the bargaining unit agreement for FY2014, FY 2015 and FY2016. The action came during their meeting this (Tuesday) morning, in Atlantic.  

In other business, the Board approved the first amendment to the “Cooperative Reimbursement Agreement” between the Cass County (host) Political Subdivision and the Department of Human Services/Bureau of Collections, with regard to the incorporation of a Program Budget for State Fiscal Year 2014. 

They also approved a request for tax abatement of taxes collectible for Fiscal Year 2013-2014, on property used as a church by Glory Christian Fellowship at 511 Main Street in Griswold.

The search continues today (Tuesday) in Sioux City for a man who shot a police officer during a routine traffic stop Monday. The injured officer was shot in the head, but is listed in stable condition at a local hospital. While police continue searching for the shooting suspect, 22-year-old Jamal Dean, they arrested his brother, Levon Dean on past warrants for first-degree robbery and first-degree burglary. Police public information officer, Chad Sheehan says it has been years — possibly decades — since a Sioux City officer was shot in the line of duty.

“You know, it’s a reminder to us that it’s a dangerous world we live in and you never know what you’re getting out on when you get out on any kind of traffic stop or any calls, or anything,” Sheehan says. “And hopefully we can rely on the public’s help here to help us catch this guy.”

Sheehan says it’s important to let police know any information. “Somebody knows where this guy is at. Somebody knows where he’s hiding. We need you to call, call 9-1-1,” Sheehan says.

Sheehan says Jamal Dean is a black male, six-foot-one, 230 pounds and has a tattoo that says “Outlaw” on the right side of his neck. Anyone with information on Dean is asked to call the Crimestoppers Hotline at 712-258-TIPS (8477).

(Radio Iowa)

Eight area fire departments were called for a grass fire about 2 miles southwest of Manning Sunday afternoon. Lynn Gaskill, Irwin Fire Chief, said a nearby resident in the area started a fire on Saturday. He said somebody had been burning on Saturday and evidently there was a log or something still burning and the wind kicked up on Sunday afternoon.

The fire continued down the big river and went all the way up within a half mile of Highway 141 so it probably traveled for a mile. The eight fire departments including Dedham, Halbur, Manning, Manilla, Westside, Irwin, Defiance and one unknown, were called around 3:30pm Sunday. Gaskill says a few campers, who were staying at the Great Western Park south of Manning had to be evacuated.

The departments worked for 2 hours extinguishing the fire. No injuries were reported and no structures were damaged.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

w/ Ric Hanson

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May is “National Bike Month.” The Iowa Department of Transportation says with the weather finally warming up, more and more people will be pedaling down the streets on two wheels. The DOT is joining the League of American Bicyclists to promote May as National Bike Month. Officials say you can check around your workplace or community for activities related to these dates:

•   Bike to School Day – May 8 (Be sure to register at http://www.walkbiketoschool.org/)
•   Bike to work week May 13 – 17 
•   Bike to work day – May 17

If you are heading out on two wheels, here are a few safety tips from the Iowa DOT.

•          Always wear a helmet.
•          Wear bright colored clothing, rather than dark colors, especially at dusk and dawn.
•          Ride on the right. Ride in the right lane, except when passing another vehicle, preparing for a left turn, or avoiding hazards.
•          Never ride against traffic. Always ride with the flow of traffic.
•          Obey traffic signs and signals. Use hand signals to advise motorists you plan to turn, change lanes or stop.
•          Make eye contact with motorists. Never assume a motorist sees you or that you have the right of way. Expect the unexpected such as: parked vehicles pulling into traffic; vehicle doors opening into your path; and debris on the road.
•          At night use a headlight, taillight and reflectors.

For motorists, safely sharing the road with bicycles includes:

•          Not honking your horn at bicyclists. They may be startled and lose control.
•          Using extra caution when passing bicycles. Move entirely into the left lane; on a two-lane road, do not pass a bicycle if oncoming traffic is near.
•          Being aware that bicyclists might swerve to avoid road hazards. Common road hazards for bicyclists are potholes, debris, drainage grates, railroad tracks and narrow bridges.
•          Being careful when opening your vehicle door. Road widths often force bicyclists to ride close to parked vehicles where they may be injured by an opening door.
•          And, when in doubt, yield to bicycles. 

One person suffered knee and other possible injuries Monday evening in Atlantic, when the bicycle he was riding was hit by a car near 7th and Plum Street. The Atlantic Police Department reports the bicycle driven by an unidentified individual, was traveling westbound on the sidewalk near Great Western Bank at 1407 E. 7th Street at around 5:55-p.m., when a vehicle struck the bike’s rear tire, causing the bicyclist to fall off. The person was transported by Medivac Ambulance to the Cass County Memorial Hospital for treatment of possible injuries.

The accident happened as a vehicle driven by Pamela Skow, of Atlantic, was traveling north in the exit drive from the bank. Skow stopped, but then continued forward, striking the bike. Damage from the accident amounted to $800. No citations were issued.

w/ Ric Hanson

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Sioux City woman has been convicted of three charges stemming from a fatal collision between her pickup and a motorcycle.  The Sioux City Journal reports that 37-year-old Kimberly Pauley pleaded guilty last week to not having a valid driver’s license and not having insurance. She entered an Alford plea to a charge of failing to yield while making a left turn. Under the Alford plea, Pauley didn’t admit guilty but acknowledged the prosecution likely could prove the charge.

Police say that on Sept. 27, Pauley turned her truck left in front of the motorcycle being driven by 25-year-old Cody Harris on the east side of Sioux City. Harris was pronounced dead at the scene.  Pauley’s sentencing is set for June 27.

• 16 fresh large asparagus spears
• 3 tablespoons kosher salt or salt
• 4 cups ice cubes
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 4 eggs
• 6 radishes, sliced
• 2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
• toasted walnut vinaigrette
• salt and ground black pepper

Break off woody bases where asparagus spears snap easily; scrape off scales if you like.  Wash and set aside.

In a 3 to 4 quart Dutch oven, combine 8 cups water and the salt.  Bring to boiling.  Meanwhile, in a large, bowl, combine 8 cups cold water and the ice cubes.

To blanch, carefully add asparagus to boiling water; cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until just crisp-tender.  Cool quickly by plunging asparagus into ice water; drain.  Set aside.

For poached eggs; lightly grease a 10 inch skillet.  Fill the skillet halfway with water; add white vinegar.  Bring water to boiling; reduce heat to simmer (bubbles should begin to break the surface of the water).  Break one of the eggs into a one cup measuring cup with a handle.  Holding the lip of the cup as close to the water as possible, carefully slide egg into simmering water, taking care to not break the egg.  Repeat with remaining eggs, allowing each egg an equal amount of space.

Simmer eggs, uncovered, six minutes or until the yolks are just set.  Remove eggs with a slotted spoon and drain them on paper towels.  Season eggs with salt and ground black pepper.  Slice eggs lengthwise; set aside.

To serve, place four spears across four plates, divide radishes and egg slices among plates.  Top each with some crumbled cheese.  Drizzle with walnut vinaigrette.  Makes four servings.