Home News Friday Afternoon News, February 15th

Friday Afternoon News, February 15th

“Praise Fest” Scheduled For Sunday Afternoon

(Le Mars) — Christian music will be heard on Sunday from the Calvin Christian Reformed Church of Le Mars as the church will present its 15th annual “Praise Band Fest.” Miriam Hector attends the host church and also serves as the church’s organist and pianist.  But, on Sunday afternoon, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Hector, and others, will participate in the celebration of singing and playing of music. She says three groups will perform as part of the “Praise Band Fest.”

Hector says the Praise Band Fest will feature contemporary Christian music from some well-known popular artists.

Hector says the event has free admission, but with a free-will offering. She says this year’s proceeds will go to help disabled citizens in other nations.

Hector says it will prove to be an enjoyable afternoon, and people will recognize many of the singers from Le Mars. Following the music, Hector says a light meal will then be
served.

Praise Band Fest will be held at the Calvin Christian Reformed Church located at the corner of 4th Avenue S.E. and 7th Street S.E.

 

 

Lawyer Has License Suspended Due To Over Billing Clients

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – One of four attorneys convicted of over billing the state of Iowa while serving as lawyers for the indigent has had his law license suspended for at least a year.
The Iowa Supreme Court on Friday indefinitely suspended the license of Clinton attorney Matthew Noel for at least a year. Noel pleaded guilty last year to two misdemeanor theft charges. Auditors say he repeatedly billed for meetings he did not attend and made false mileage claims resulting in nearly $15,000 in over payments. He received a suspended jail sentence, was fined
several hundred dollars and has repaid the money he overcharged.
The high court rejected Noel’s plea for a 90-day suspension, noting his misrepresentations were repeated over years. One dissenter, Justice David Wiggins, argued that he would have revoked Noel’s law license, meaning Noel would not have been able to practice for at least five years.

 

 

 

Cedar Falls State Senator Abruptly Resigns

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) – A state senator has resigned his legislative position and his job as a Cedar Falls firefighter.
Jeff Danielson, of Cedar Falls, submitted his state resignation
Thursday. A special election must be held to fill his District 30 seat, which covers Cedar Falls, Hudson and parts of Waterloo in Black Hawk County.
Station KWWL says Danielson cited the Cedar Falls public safety officer program as his reason for both resignations. Firefighters have been wrangling with the city over the use of Cedar Falls police officers being cross-trained to also work as Cedar Falls firefighters.
The Democrat was in his fourth Senate term and has been vice president of the Cedar Falls firefighters union.

 

 

 

 

Western Iowa Man Given Jail Sentence And Probation For Operating Inhumane Dog Kennel

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A man has been given probation and jail time for operating a western Iowa dog business where carcasses and dozens of malnourished dogs were found.
Pottawattamie County court records say 36-year-old Dustin Young was sentenced Wednesday in Council Bluffs to two years in jail with all but 30 days suspended. He also was given two years of probation. The judge barred Young from training, caring for or boarding animals while he’s on probation and to pay restitution.
He’d pleaded guilty in November to 12 counts of animal neglect after prosecutors dismissed 28 more.
The dogs and carcasses were discovered in May at Young Gunz Kennel, about 2 miles (3 kilometers) southeast of Hancock.
Officials said the inside of the business was covered in animal urine and feces, and there was no food or water for the dogs.

 

 

Jury Continues To Deliberate Hunter’s Death Trial

CENTERVILLE, Iowa (AP) – Jurors are expected to resume their deliberations Friday on the fate of a man accused of killing a hunter in south-central Iowa.
The Daily Iowegian reports that the case against Ethan Davis, of
Promise City, was turned over to the jury Thursday afternoon. He’s charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of 31-year-old Curtis Ross.
Authorities say Ross was shot 10 times with a high-powered rifle on Nov. 24, 2017, stabbed more than 26 times and his neck, abdomen and legs gashed open.
A sheriff’s deputy found Ross’ naked body in a creek on public hunting grounds in Appanoose County.
Davis’ attorney Ken Duker said during his closing arguments Thursday that there are too many unanswered questions in the case. He acknowledged that Davis’ rifle killed Ross but said, “The question is: Who pulled the trigger?”
Prosecutor Scott Brown dismissed the suggestion that Davis was framed.

 

 

Lawyers Demand Audio Recordings Of Civil Rights Commission

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – Lawyers for the city of Davenport have demanded audio recordings of several closed-door meetings of the city’s civil rights commission.
The Quad-City Times reports that letters given to the commissioners Tuesday say the commission held at least eight meetings since January 2017 in violation of Iowa’s open meetings laws.
Commission director Latrice Lacey says the commission holds closed meetings only as allowed under state law.
The letters ask the commission to turn over the information by Feb. 26 or explain the delay. Other information requested includes service contracts with outside legal counsel, which the letters suggest would be used by the commission against the city in court.
The city and the commission have been in a dispute about commission membership since three commissioners were replaced against their will late last year.