(Sioux City) — It’s 25 years in prison for 22 year old Jamal Dean. The Sioux City man was
sentenced Friday on a charge of attempted murder for the shooting of Sioux City Police
Officer Kevin McCormick on April 29th during a traffic stop. Dean must serve 70 percent of
his sentence, 17 and a half years, before he is eligible for parole. He must also pay over
$9400 in restitution to the city of Sioux City.
Dean made no statement during the sentencing by Judge Jeffrey Neary in Woodbury County
District Court.
Jamal Dean will be transferred from the Woodbury County Jail to the Iowa Prison
Classification facility at Oakdale.
The police officer wounded in the April shooting by Jamal Dean was in the courtroom Friday
for Dean’s sentencing. Kevin McCormick was shot in the forehead after he stopped the car
Dean was a passenger in. Dean fired several times at McCormick’s car, with one bullet
passing through the windshield and hitting the officer a couple of inches above the eye.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2013/McCormick.mp3{/audio}
McCormick says he is satisfied with the plea agreement where Dean was sentenced to 25 years
for attempted murder. McCormick says he suffers few physical side effects from the
shooting. Several of McCormick’s fellow officers including the Police Chief joined him at
the sentencing.
King on Immigration
(Le Mars) — Iowa 4th District Republican Congressman Steve King has been making news
lately for some controversial comments regarding immigration and foreign policy. King
visited KLEM on Thursday and explained his positions. Yesterday, King defended his
immigration comments. Today, he discusses the president’s decision to close 19 embassies
due to the possible threat from terrorists. The Republican representative believes the
United States should not close any embassies.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2013/Embassy King1.mp3{/audio}
King wonders if the United States pulls out from an embassy, when would you determine it to
be safe to again re-enter the embassy?
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2013/Embassy King2.mp3{/audio}
The Iowa Congressman says the United States needs to strengthen the military personnel that
protects our embassies. He says the U-S was able to hold off the Viet Cong during the Viet
Nam War, and especially during the Tet offensive. King says 19 members of the Viet Cong
were able to penetrate the embassy compound, but never made it inside the embassy itself.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2013/Embassy King3.mp3{/audio}
Hard Rock Casino Planners Expand Office Space
(Sioux City) — The organizers of a Hard Rock-themed casino in Sioux City have relocated their
downtown office to a bigger space.
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City moved into a 10,000 square foot office on Friday. Its previous
space was 1,000 square feet.
Sioux City Entertainment, the casino’s developer, says the new office is situated on the top floor of
the downtown MidAmerican building. The new office will house departments like the design and
construction team, as well as the career center, which opens in the winter.
Sioux City Entertainment was awarded a gambling license in April over several bids to replace the
Argosy riverboat casino. Penn National Gaming Co. has criticized the decision.
The new $120 million casino is expected to open next summer.
Cooler Temps May Mean Trouble for Iowa’s Soybean Crop
(Le Mars) — For the last few years soybean growers have had to deal with the infestation
of soybean aphids. But, this year has been different, at least for now. Up to this point,
farmers have not seen a large infestation of the yield-robbing pest. But, farmers are
wondering if the mild temperatures may make a difference for this year? Paul Kassel, a
crops specialist with Iowa State University extension services says the cooler temps could
spell trouble for soybean growers.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2013/Kassel aphids1.mp3{/audio}
At what threshold should soybean farmers consider applying a pesticide to rid the aphids?
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2013/Kassel aphids2.mp3{/audio}
The crops specialist says the fields within his area are dry and could use a measurable
rain.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2013/Kassel aphids3.mp3{/audio}
Western Iowa Motel Robbery Suspects Apprehended
ATLANTIC, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have arrested two Omaha men in connection with a motel
robbery in western Iowa.
The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says the men were arrested early Friday morning
following a car chase near Minden. Authorities were able to successfully deploy stop sticks
that disabled the men’s vehicle from entering Nebraska.
The car eventually lost control and crashed near Crescent. The men were extricated from the vehicle
and transported to area hospitals for treatment.
Authorities say one suspect is accused of displaying a firearm at the America’s Best
Value Inn near Atlantic. The suspects’ names have not been released.
—
Special Election for Vacant House Seat
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad says a special election will be held Oct. 22
to fill a vacant state House seat.
Branstad announced the plan Friday. Voters will pick a new representative for House
District 33, which covers part of Polk County. The seat will be open because Democratic
Rep. Kevin McCarthy is resigning.
McCarthy – who also serves as the House Democratic leader – announced last week that
he would resign from elected office to take a position with the state attorney general’s
office.
McCarthy’s final day in office will be Aug. 15.
