Home News KLEM News AM Update October 22, 2010

KLEM News AM Update October 22, 2010

(LE MARS)–An investigation into bones found by a contractor working just north of Sioux City in rural Plymouth County is closed.

Plymouth County Sheriff Mike Van Otterloo Thursday afternoon issued written information about the investigation that began Tuesday morning at the Carlton and Kathy Smith residence at 32594 Fox Avenue.

A contractor’s employee contacted the sheriff’s office after a jaw bone and other bones were found while workers were digging to install water lines.

A forensic anthropologist , Dr. Michael Finnegan of Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, was asked by the State Medical Examiner’s office to assist with identifying the human remains.

The sheriff reports Dr. Finnegan told investigators Thursday the remains were those of a very old male and the remains have been at this site for a very long time. The Kansas State University Professor of Anthropology also determined the bones no longer have any forensic or criminal value and no further investigation is warranted.

The site has been turned back over to the owners.

The sheriff’s offices in Plymouth and Woodbury Counties, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the state Medical Examiners office assisted Dr. Finnegan in excavating the site.

Recycling options are as simple as tossing items in a tote

(LE MARS)–A table of items to toss into blue  recycling totes and blue recycling bags is displayed at the entrance to city offices in Le Mars.

City administrator  Scott Langel says the display was in front of the Council table for
Tuesday’s meeting.

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Langel says a flyer  that describes what can be recycled is at City Hall. Information is available from the
Plymouth County  Solid Waste Agency  at the rural Le Mars Landfill.

Details are also part of  the Le Mars web site www.lemarsiowa.com which has been updated to inform city residents of details of recycling and the change in weekly garbage collection January 1.

Le Mars Community Theatre offers spooktacular and spectacular looks  

(Le Mars)– Have you ever wanted to be a bride, or maybe royalty? A pioneer or clown? Kristy Pecks, lead costumer for the Le Mars Community Theater,  says they may have what you’re looking for this Halloween.

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Kristy explains her favorite costumes in the large collection.

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The costume department at the Postal Playhouse will be open to the public for the next 2 Saturdays: October 23rd and 30th from 9-11am. Rental prices for costumes start at $15, which includes shoes and accessories. Older and more elaborate costumes may cost a little more.

If you already have the perfect costume and just need a little help accessorizing, Kristy says the Community Theater can help with that too.

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If you would like to pick out a costume and can’t make it October 23rd or 30th from 9-11am, call Kristy Pecks to set up an appointment at 712-540-7093. (Angela Drake, KLEM News)

 

Brooks ordered to serve prison time for drug conviction

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) A 55-year-old Spencer man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to drugs charges.

Gary Lee Brooks pleaded guilty to charges including conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a public playground.

He was sentenced to federal prison this week in Cedar Rapids. He’s also been ordered to pay a special assessment of $200 and 10 years of supervised release.

Brooks admitted that he and others conspired to bring meth from Las Vegas to the Storm Lake area in 2008.

He is being held in the custody of the U.S. Marshals.

Brooks’ attorney declined to comment on Thursday.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Grassley, Conlin agree to TV debate

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley and Democratic challenger Roxanne Conlin have agreed to the details of a campaign debate next week that will be broadcast on radio and television.

The Tuesday night debate is being sponsored by Des Moines radio station WHO, but officials at Iowa Public Television offered to broadcast the event as well. Conlin quickly accepted that offer, and on Thursday Grassley spokesman Eric Woolson said the senator agreed to have the debate televised.

It will be broadcast live at 7 p.m. Tuesday on the radio station, and IPTV will air it at 9 p.m.

Judge: Waterloo school dress code too strict

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) An administrative law judge says a Waterloo school district went too far with its dress code.

The Des Moines Register reports Judge Carol Greta says she understood school officials’ attempt to create a positive school environment. But she recommends that the State Board of Election reverse the dress code.

In May, Waterloo Community Schools adopted a policy that banned T-shirts, jeans, hooded shirts and flip flops. It requires students to wear solid-color shirts with collars.

But parents say it’s illegal because it tells students what they can wear rather than prohibiting items they can’t wear.

The appeal was based on a state law that allows districts to ban “gang-related or other specific apparel” if the board determines that the policy is necessary for safety or “positive educational environment.”

Audit says center spent $26K in improper payments

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) An audit of a central Iowa nursing home shows around $26,000 in past improper payments and shoddy record keeping.

State Auditor David Vaudt released a report Thursday on the former Country Living Care Center in Toledo. The investigation generally covers July 1, 2007 through April 30, 2009.

The report says payments include about $14,600 in improper purchases incurred on the center’s credit cards. They include airfare, hotels, jewelry and tattoos.

State officials say the center has since undergone a management change because of the financial issues.

Genesis Development took over in 2009 and it’s now called Pheasant Ridge.

Genesis CEO Terry Johnson says employees mentioned in the report no longer work at the center and other issues have been resolved.

Patients testify at chiropractor’s sex abuse trial

OSKALOOSA, Iowa (AP) Several female patients have told a jury that an Oskaloosa chiropractor inappropriately touched them when they came in for appointments.

Jason Ebelsheiser is on trial for third-degree sexual abuse and tampering with records. He was arrested last year after being accused of sexually abusing women, ages 17 to 46.

On Thursday, a mother of four told the jury that she sought treatment for pain due to chronic back issues. KCCI-TV reports that Ebelsheiser fondled her genitals with his bare hands.

She says she came forward to police after she learned Ebelsheiser was under investigation.

Ebelsheiser has pleaded not guilty. His attorney, Leon Spies has said the contact was incidental or accidental.

Testimony started Wednesday.

Coggon man sentenced in Iowa child’s death

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) An eastern Iowa man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend’s 2-year-old daughter has been sentenced to prison.

Twenty-five-year-old Lee Muldoon received 10 years. He pleaded guilty in August to involuntary manslaughter and neglect of a child in the 2008 death of Skyler Inman. She died of blunt force injuries to the stomach.

The child’s mother, Brianna Volesky, was sentenced to 10 years for neglect and involuntary manslaughter charges. The Gazette reports that Volesky declined to comment on Thursday.

In court, Muldoon read a statement apologizing for his actions.

He says he’s guilty for not saving Skylar and that he loved her like his own daughter. 

Iowa’s Taylor to miss season with knee injury

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) Iowa women’s basketball player Theairra (THEE-ah-ra) Taylor is expected to be out for the season after tearing a ligament in her knee.

Hawkeyes coach Lisa Bluder says Taylor tore the anterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus in her left knee during preseason practice.

Taylor, a sophomore guard, tore her right ACL last December and missed the rest of the 2009-10 season.

Bluder also says guard Trisha Nesbitt ruptured the plantar fascia in her right foot and will be sidelined for at least a month.

Iowa, which is seeking its fourth straight trip to the NCAA tournament, opens against Southern on Nov. 12

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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