The special prosecutor in the trial of Cass County Sheriff Larry Jones and County Attorney James Barry spoke with reporters late yesterday after Judge Robert Hutchison’s ruling that removed both men from office. Attorney Ron Feilmeyer said he was speaking on behalf of those who brought the civil trial. He says it was most unusual and to receive the results was gratifying. He says speaking for himself he says pursuing the removal of two public servants who he knew well was not easy. He says he concurs that the two should be commended for the services they provided in the past. Feilmeyer said despite personal reservations, he’s satisfied the judge made the right decision. He says he pleased with the decision, but feels for the individuals involved because he knows them personally and knows it’s a big impact on their lives. But he says he believes the right decision was made. He says he was confident the evidence against the men was there, but it bothered him that neither man felt compelled to resign once the State Auditor’s report was released. Feilmeyer said he’s not heard whether Barry will appeal the Judges’ decision. Both Barry and Jones cleared out their desks after the ruling and left the courthouse. With Barry’s removal from office comes the question of who will serve as County Attorney in the interim. As far as who will act as Sheriff, Feilmeyer says the County Board of Supervisors will appoint a successor to Jones. Until then, Chief Deputy Bill Sage will take command. Feilmeyer concluded the press conference by reflecting on the historical significance of the two cases, spawned by an obscure and rarely-used law on the books. Feilmeyer says while he’s pleased with the outcome of the trials, he’s by no means celebrating the verdict. He says it’s unfortunate Barry and Jones “crossed over the line” and the resulting impact media coverage and the trial has had on the community of Atlantic and Cass County.
Harkin overtime amendment passed by the Senate
The U.S. Senate appropriations committee Wednesday approved an amendment offered by Iowa Senator Tom Harkin to block the new overtime rules that took effect in August. The Senate move followed similar action by the House in what’s developed as an election year battle with the administration. Harkin, a democrat, says the two votes should send a message. He says bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress have sent a clear message, “instead of turning back the clock 60 years on workers’ right, you should turn back this ill-advised and unpopular rule.” Harkin says the president should turn back the rule before “damage is done.” Harkin says the rule hurts workers.He says it destroys the right to time-and-a-half overtime for some six million workers. He says time-and-a-half overtime accounts for about 25-percent of the total income of Americans who do work overtime. The issue is still up in the air as it must make it through a joint House-Senate committee which will draft the final version of the spending bill.
Conservation grants awarded to Iowa
The first-ever “conservation innovation” grants are being awarded in Iowa this week. Merlin Bartz, regional assistant chief of the U-S-D-A’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, says the grants were established by the 2002 farm bill as part of the environmental quality incentives program. The grants take research and apply it on the ground to make the air, water and ground cleaner. Bartz says programs already winning grants will improve farm irrigation in Arizona, reduce invasive species in Minnesota wetlands and improving air quality in California. Bartz says the grants are being doled out in the Hawkeye State too. Three were awarded exclusively to Iowa — the Iowa Soybean Association is getting a one-million dollar grant while the Iowa Cattleman’s Association is getting 415-thousand dollars. The third grant is being announced today in Mason City. Bartz explains more about the goal of the grants.The fund helps projects that develop innovative technology or approaches that enhance and protect the environment. Bartz says these grants will “make the possible into the practical” with the aid of federal investment. For more information, surf to “www.nrcs.usda.gov”.
Man falls 75 from grain bin and lives
A man from the eastern Iowa town of Shellsburg is hospitalized after falling 75 feet off a grain bin. 22-year-old Andrew Nederhoff had climbed onto the bin at about 1 A.M. today after being chased off the Wildcat Golf Course in Shellsburg. Benton County Sheriff’s deputies climbed to the top of the bin and found Nederhoff asleep on a catwalk. When deputies approached him, Nederhoff woke up and walked around the bin. He fell 45 feet onto another bin, then 30 feet from that bin, to the ground. Nederhoff was taken to University Hospitals in Iowa City, where he’s in fair condition.
Red Cross seeks blood donations in wake of Hurricanes
As the Gulf Coast deals with the impact of Hurricane Ivan, American Red Cross officials in Iowa are putting out an urgent call for blood donations.With many blood centers in Alabama evacuated and unable to distribute blood, officials with the Badger-Hawkeye Blood Center are lending a helping hand. The center, which serves northeast Iowa, is one of many Red Cross facilities in the upper midwest to initiate an emergency appeal for donations. Iowans are being asked to donate blood and platelets in the next few days. The emergency appeal will assist Red Cross officials in Alabama, Mississippi, and the Florida panhandle until blood collection efforts in that region are fully operational again. To make an appointment or to get information on area blood drives, the Red Cross’ toll-free Iowa number is 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.
Proposed adult bookstore in Menlo burns
A would-be adult bookstore on Interstate-80 near Menlo caught fire overnight.The former Iowa Harvest restaurant was heavily damaged. Some residents were upset about the plans to open the adult bookstore, which may also have included plans for live entertainment. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Man found dead after fire in Le Mars
Investigators are on the scene of a deadly fire in northwest Iowa. The State Fire Marshal, Plymouth County Sheriff and Le Mars Police are on the scene of a fatal garage fire. Deputy Fire Marshal Dave Schipper and Sheriff Mike Van Otterloo released information saying the body of a man was found after the fire was put out. An autopsy’s being conducted to determine the identity of the man and the cause of death. The fire was reported to the Le Mars Fire Department at the garage west of Le Mars shortly before two o’clock this morning.
