Suspected Bank Robbers Hearing Re-scheduled
(Sioux City) — A preliminary hearing for the two suspects accused of robbing the Iowa State Bank of Le Mars, back in December, has been rescheduled. Defendants Patrick White and Karen Merrick, both of Sioux City, were to appear in U-S Federal Court on Wednesday morning. However,
Judge Kelly Mahoney has set the preliminary examination and detention hearing for Friday, February 22nd at 11:00 a.m. in the Federal Courthouse in Sioux City. A grand jury has indicted the pair.
White Merrink
Bibler Sentencing Scheduled For Friday
(Le Mars) — Sentencing for Thomas Bibler, the Le Mars man found guilty of second degree murder for the fatal stabbing of his sister, Shannon Bogh, is scheduled for Friday, February 22nd. Judge Jeffrey Neary will hand down the sentence from the Plymouth County Courtroom at 1:00 p.m. Bibler had stabbed
to death his sister back in June of 2016.
Sioux City Man Arrested For Drug Possession
(Le Mars) — A Sioux City man was arrested by a Plymouth County Sheriff’s Deputy Wednesday afternoon on drug charges. 21-year old Jeffrey Vaneldik, was placed under arrest at approximately 1:11 pm. The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office received complaints from 2 businesses in Hinton of a male
acting strange and believed to be under the influence of a controlled substance. Officers with the Plymouth County Sheriff Office and the Hinton Police Department located Vaneldik at the Subway restaurant in Hinton.
Vaneldik was found to be under the influence of marijuana and
methamphetamine. Vaneldik was also found to be in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Vaneldik was arrested and jailed at the Plymouth County Jail. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance (serious misdemeanor), and drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor).
State Senate Subcommittee Approves Businesses To E-Verify Employees
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A bill that would require Iowa businesses to use a federal program to verify employees are allowed to work in the United States has advanced through a Senate subcommittee despite concerns from business
groups and county prosecutors.
The bill voted out of a subcommittee Wednesday prohibits businesses from knowingly employing workers with no legal residency status or citizenship.
It requires county attorneys to take action against employers, but a lobbyist for the prosecutors say they have no staff to pursue such cases.
Under the measure, employers found in violation would have to fire all those unauthorized to work or lose their business license. A second offense would bring a permanent business license suspension.
The bill requires businesses to use the E-Verify federal system to check worker documentation. Business groups say the system is unreliable.
Sen. Julian Garrett, a Republican, says more than 20 states have similar measures.
State Senate Passes “Logan’s Law” Organ Donation Bill
(Des Moines) — Wednesday was Organ Donor Awareness Day at the Iowa Capitol and Senators used the occasion to unanimously pass a proposal called “Logan’s Law.” It would let Iowans put a symbol on their hunting and fishing licenses indicating they wish to be an organ donor. It’s named after Logan Luft, a 15-year-old from Charles City who died in a an A-T-V accident.
Senator Waylon Brown says because Logan expressed his interest in organ donation, he ultimately gave the gift of life to others.
Senator Pam Jochum (YOH-kum) of Dubuque welcomed Logan’s family to the senate, and spoke of the death of her own daughter that was an organ donor.
Senator Craig Johnson of Independence talked about his 61-year-old uncle, Bob, who died of a massive heart attack just before Christmas. The family made the decision to donate his organs.
Wendy Luft and her husband were on the Senate floor as the bill was debated and passed unanimously.
Logan Luft’s siblings, other relatives and a couple of teenage friends from Charles City made the trip to Des Moines for the senate debate. Alex Staudt (STOWT, rhymes with “route”) says Logan’s legacy is helping spread the word about the importance of being an organ donor.
Linking organ donation intentions to hunting and fishing licenses is a great way to honor Logan according to Antwone (AN-twahn) Cooper.
The bill Logan Luft’s family and friends are lobbying for has been
introduced in the House, but no action has been scheduled on it there.
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Roofs With Snow Buildup Should Be Able To Endure Weight
(Ames) — Snow is now piled everywhere across the state and that includes on the top of our homes. An Iowa State University Extension mechanical engineer, Shawn Shouse says you shouldn’t have to worry now about that snow causing the roof to collapse.
Shouse says you have to take into consideration the amount of water weight in the snow to determine if it might collapse the roof. You can find that out by taking a core sample of the snow and melting it.
He says one thing to look for is an uneven distribution of the snow.
Icicles have formed along the rain gutters of many homes. Shouse says they’re nothing to worry about either.
When it comes to ice, you do want to be aware of ice that starts to form at the edge of the roof and expands upwards. These are known as ice dams.
Shouse says you are better off to wait and let mother nature melt the snow and ice off your roof than you are trying to fix it yourself.
He says there is one device that people use on snowy roofs.
He says the best thing to do is talk to a professional who knows how to deal with these issues and avoid injuring yourself.
State Auditor Finds Hospital Expenses As Being Questionable
MANCHESTER, Iowa (AP) – The state auditor found more than $250,000 in questionable travel-related expenses at a northeast Iowa hospital that prompted the CEO to resign two years ago.
State Auditor Rob Sand issued a report Wednesday about its
investigation into spending at the Regional Medical Center in Manchester, Iowa. The report detailed $256,675.52 in improper expenses and another $28,000 in charges that weren’t properly documented.
Hospital Board Chairman Mike Briggs says several additional checks and balances were put in place after these problems were discovered, and the hospital will follow any additional recommendations from the auditor.
The former hospital CEO Lon Butikofer didn’t immediately respond to a message from The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Defense Contractor Wanting To Expand Facilities
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A defense and aerospace manufacturer is seeking local and state aid to upgrade its Davenport facility.
Cobham, which is based in England, wants to add 150 high-paying jobs to its Davenport facility. The Quad-City Times reports that Cobham’s Kevin McKeown told Davenport council members Wednesday that the $67 million upgrade would
make room for as many as 1,300 employees and build up the company’s research and development operation.
Cobham is seeking a $400,000 grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority under a program that compensates businesses for creating high-paying jobs. Davenport economic development manager Susanne Knutsen says the
city is considering a property tax break for Cobham. The state-required incentive is meant to match the state grant the company is seeking.
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