HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
Heavy Rains Reported In Plymouth County
(Le Mars) — Two inches of rain was recorded at the KLEM studios from Saturday evening’s storms. Fortunately, according to the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department, there were no reports of damage associated with the heavy rains that also produced winds from Saturday’s storms. However, there were some areas that saw some extensive erosion. Plymouth County remains under a flash flood warning until 1:30 p.m. Send storm related photos to klemnews@powellbroadcasting.com.
Argosy Casino Ask Judge To Block Order
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Operators of Sioux City’s embattled Argosy riverboat casino have asked a judge to temporarily block an order for it to shut down by July 1.
Lawyers for Argosy parent company Penn National Gaming Co. on Thursday filed a motion for an emergency stay of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission’s order. Penn National argued the casino should be allowed to remain open until other pending legal action taken against the commission can be resolved.
The Argosy’s pending closure stems from the commission’s decision to allow a land-based casino in downtown Sioux City to replace the Argosy. Penn National lost its bid to operate the land-based casino to Sioux City Entertainment, which is building and will operate a Hard Rock Casino.
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IRGC To Decide Whether Or Not To Grant Any More Casino Licenses
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa gambling regulators plan to consider whether it’s time to stop building more casinos in Iowa at a meeting next month after narrowly voting to approve one for Jefferson.
The five-member Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission approved Thursday on a 3-2 vote the $40 million casino in Jefferson.
It will be the 19th state-licensed casino. Iowa also has three American Indian casinos.
With 3.1 million people, Iowa has 18,000 slot machines and about 470 tables for poker and other games at the 18 state-run casinos.
Two consulting firms hired by the commission say Iowa’s modest population growth and increasing gambling competition from adjacent states limits future growth potential.
They recommended no more casinos, and commission chairman Jeff Lamberti says that will be discussed at the July 31 meeting in Johnston.
Des Moines Teen Sentenced To 50 Years For Car Jacking
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Des Moines teenager involved in a violent carjacking has been sentenced to 50 years in prison.
17-year-old Terrance Cheeks, who was tried as an adult and found guilty of two counts of first-degree robbery, was sentenced Friday in Polk County District Court.
Cheeks and two other teenagers are accused of accosting several drivers in Des Moines in an attempt to steal a car in February 2013. The last victim suffered permanent brain damage.
Cheeks’ defense attorney had argued that his client only played a minor role in the carjacking, but prosecutors said Cheeks was just as complicit in the plot as the others.
The other two, 17-year-old Kenneth Barry and 16-year-old Leshaun Murray, were also tried as adults and await sentencing.
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Two Chinese Students Arrested For Smuggling
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Federal authorities have arrested two Chinese nationals – one of them a former Iowa State student – accused of smuggling and other federal crimes.
Federal documents show that the former student, 29-year-old Wentong Cai, and an associate, 28-year-old Bo Cai, were arrested in February.
Arrest warrants say Wentong Cai had contact with an undercover federal agent posing as an international distributor of trade-protected technology. Court documents say Wentong told the agent he wanted to smuggle nearly two dozen ARS-14 sensors into China. The sensors helps gauge precise motion control in aerial and ground-based vehicles. The have civilian uses, but are mainly used by the military.
Court documents don’t indicate what the men planned to do with the sensors.
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Salvation Army Participates In Summer Food Service Program
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – The Salvation Army in Cedar Rapids is again participating in the Summer Food Service Program, offering free meals to children.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided Monday through Friday at The Salvation Army in Cedar Rapids from Monday through Aug. 22. Breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., and lunch will be served from noon to 1 p.m.
For safety reasons, The Salvation Army is asking that children not affiliated with a supervised program be accompanied by an adult to the meal site.
However, there are no eligibility requirements to receive the free meals at The Salvation Army. The site is open to anyone in need, no questions asked.
