Plymouth County Site Designated As National Historic Landmark
WESTFIELD, Iowa (AP) – A site in Plymouth County inhabited by Native Americans roughly 800 years ago is now designated a National Historic Landmark.
The designation announced Wednesday by the U.S. Department of the Interior highlights the location’s significance and offers some protection against development.
Historians believe the 1.9-acre Kimball Village Site near Westfield was inhabited between 1100 and 1250 by Prairie-Plains tribes living along the Big Sioux River. The site remains about 97 percent untouched despite several archaeological field investigations.
State archaeologist John Doershuk says the exact location of the site, which is in the middle of a farm field, will be kept confidential under the new designation due to private property rights. The site is marked by a mound that rises several feet above ground.
—
Schools Looking At Teacher Shortage
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa education officials expect the state to face a teacher shortage, and leaders are preparing to address the issue.
Iowa universities are graduating 400 fewer teachers, counselors and administrators annually than in 2013.
The Iowa Department of Education says about 2,100 graduates are earning education degrees a year.
Education leaders are hosting round-table discussions and increasing recruiting efforts, especially for jobs in special-education. The looming problem is also compounded by the number of teachers nearing retirement.
Some education officials are increasing incentives to lure applicants. Des Moines Public Schools is offering a $3,000 signing bonus to special education teachers.
Anne Sullivan, chief of human resources in Des Moines schools, says another incentive for teachers beginning their careers is a free master’s program.
—
Sioux City Man Sentenced 10 Years For Sexual Abuse Of Teen
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Sioux City man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for inappropriately touching a preteen girl over a five-year period.
The Sioux City Journal reports (https://bit.ly/2ihYcV4 ) that 38-year-old Bryan Barnhart was sentenced Tuesday in Woodbury County District county after pleading guilty to third-degree sexual abuse.
Court documents say that Barnhart babysat the girl from 2006 to 2011, starting when she was 5 years old. The girl told police that Barnhart touched her inappropriately many times during that period.
Authorities say Barnhart admitted the allegations were true and acknowledged sexually abusing other children.
—
Attorneys For Suspect Accused Of Killing Police Officers Asking For Change Of Venue
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Attorneys for an Iowa man accused of killing two Des Moines-area police officers are seeking to have his trial moved, citing pretrial publicity.
The Des Moines Register reports (https://dmreg.co/2j5Q0Ex ) that an attorney for 46-year-old Scott Michael Greene told a judge in a hearing Thursday that he plans to file the change-of-venue request within days.
Scott Greene has pleaded not guilty to two murder charges in the Nov. 2 ambush-style slayings of Urbandale Police Officer Justin Martin and Des Moines Police Sgt. Anthony Beminio.
The shootings took place about two miles apart within minutes of each other as both officers were sitting in their patrol cars. Authorities have said that Greene turned himself in hours later, and that a police dog later recovered a high-powered rifle used in the attacks.
—
