One Neunaber Autopsy Complete
(LeMars)- The investigation into the deaths of Donald and Esther Neunaber continues. The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office continues to gather information into the circumstances surrounding their deaths. The state medical examiner has officially determined that Esther’s cause of death was a homicide. The final results of Donald’s autopsy has yet to be determined. Toxicology testing and additional processing is being done. the sheriff’s office has transported the vehicle that Jonathon Neunaber was driving when he was arrested in LaCrosse, Wisconsin to the DCI lab in Des Moines for processing yesterday and then to Plymouth County where it is being held. Jon Neunaber is still being held at the Plymouth County Correctional facility on a material witness warrant under no bond. He has still not been charged with a crime.
Akron Firefitghers resond to Haybales on fire
(Akron)- The Akron Fire Department respnded to a fire call half of a mile Noth of Highway 3 on Fawn Ave yesterday around 2:50 pm. The cause of the fire was when someone was burning trash it caught the grass around it on fire. The fire spread into 7 to 8 round hay bales. The fire department was on scene for approximently one hour. The Lemars Fire Department was called to assist with the fire but was called off while they were in route.
One Arrested On Bulgsra;y Charges
(LeMars)- On July 15 Plymouth County Sheriff’s arrested Richard Seger, 33 of Fort Dodge on a warrent issued from Plymouth County for burglary 3rd degree, a class D felony, and theft 3rd degree which is an aggravated misdemeanor. Seger was held on $5,000 bond.
No One Injuried In A One Vehicle Accident
(Rock Valley)-On July 16 at around 5:20 pm the Sioux County Sheriff’s office invetigated a one car accident 2 miles southeast of Rock Valley. Micah Kats, age 17 of Rock Valley, was deiving a 2002 Ford Explorer northbound on Fig Ave when he lost control, entered the west ditch and rolled his vehichle. Kats was not injured in the accident, but was however cited for failure to maintain control of his vehicle.
Supreme Court Ruling Expected Today
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Supreme Court is expected to rule on whether to reinstate a class-action lawsuit claiming the Iowa executive branch has systematically discriminated against black job applicants.
Current and former black applicants contend that state agencies have favored whites in decisions on who to interview and hire for decades. Their case is based on statistics that suggest blacks received fewer interviews and jobs than whites at some agencies and social science research contending that Americans subtly favor whites over blacks.
A judge dismissed the case two years ago, finding the plaintiffs didn’t prove their case.
The high court’s ruling is scheduled to be released Friday. Justices have taken 10 months to deliberate after oral arguments, which is unusually long and suggests there may be deep divisions on the court.
Casino Revenue Down Across The State
(DesMoines)- The report for the end of the latest fiscal year shows a drop in the revenue generated by the 18 state casinos. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission report shows a drop of almost 78 million dollars — marking the second year in a row that revenue was off — for a total of just under 1.4 BILLION dollars. Iowa Gaming Association president, Wes Ehrecke, says weather was one factor for the drop off.
{audio} images/stories/mp3/July 2014/Ehrecke1.mp3{/audio}
He says competition from outside the state also had an impact.
{audio} images/stories/mp3/July 2014/Ehrecke2.mp3{/audio}
He says the uncertainty has people spending less of their discretionary income on entertainment as they spend more on food, clothing, shelter and other priorities. Ehrecke says he is not concerned about the drop, as he says there are new facilities in the works that should give the industry a boost.
{audio} images/stories/mp3/July 2014/Ehrecke3.mp3{/audio}
He says the socioeconomic report conducted for the Racing and Gaming Commission and released earlier this year had positive news for the industry.
{audio} images/stories/mp3/July 2014/Ehrecke4.mp3{/audio}
Ehrecke says the casinos will still continue to be an important part of the state’s economy.
{audio} images/stories/mp3/July 2014/Ehrecke5.mp3{/audio}
Harrah’s Council Bluffs Casino and the Grand Falls Casino in Larchwood were the only two state—licensed facilities to see an increase in gross revenue.
Harkin Critical Of Branstad’s Comments
(Washington)-Iowa Senator Tom Harkin is chiding Iowa’s governor over the situation with thousands of Central American children entering the U-S illegally and unaccompanied via the border with Mexico. Republican Governor Branstad has said he has empathy for the children but he does not want any of them coming to Iowa. Harkin, a Democrat, says he’s disappointed with Branstad’s decision.
{audio} images/stories/mp3/July 2014/Harkin1.mp3{/audio}
The mayor of Davenport is offering to create a refuge for some of the children. Mayor Bill Gluba says he’s working with hospitals, churches and other groups to make a haven for the refuges in the Mississippi River town. Harkin applauds Gluba’s effort.
{audio} images/stories/mp3/July 2014/Harkin2.mp3{/audio}
The federal government has placed some 200 of the immigrant children with families in Nebraska, but that state’s governor says no one in state government was told where or with whom. Governor Branstad was trying to prevent a similar move in Iowa, but Harkin says that’s the wrong attitude.
{audio} images/stories/mp3/July 2014/Harkin3.mp3{/audio}
Harkin notes a contrast between Branstad and another Iowa Republican.
{audio} images/stories/mp3/July 2014/Harkin4.mp3{/audio}
Since October, some 57-thousand children have come across the U-S border with Mexico illegally from nations like Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. Harkin says Iowa should welcome the children, saying, “that’s in keeping with our history in Iowa.”
RAGBRAI Participants Adviced To Drink Up
(Des Moines)-Participants in next week’s annual bike ride across Iowa are being urged to drink up. Iowa Department of Public Health Medical Director Dr. Patricia Quinlisk says her agency conducted a study on hydration during RAGBRAI last year and found water isn’t always readily available, so bicyclists should carry their own.
{audio} images/stories/mp3/July 2014/Quinlisk1.mp3{/audio}
The study also found while most riders understood the importance of drinking plenty of water, they weren’t aware of the signs of dehydration.
{audio} images/stories/mp3/July 2014/Quinlisk2.mp3{/audio}
Quinlisk also notes that salt and minerals lost through sweating can be replaced with re-hydration fluids designed for athletes. Salt can also be replaced with foods like salted crackers and minerals like potassium can be replaced by eating fruits, especially bananas. RAGBRAI begins Sunday in Rock Valley and ends Saturday, July 26 in Guttenberg.
