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Two arrested in Adair County after high-speed chase

January 11, 2010 By

Two Adair County residents are in custody following a break-in and a high-speed chase Sunday night. Twenty-one-year-old Kyle Ray and 19-year-old Jessica Barker, both of Greenfield, were arrested late last night in Atlantic, following a chase that began in Elk Horn.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s office says the incident began at around 11:45 p.m. when deputies responding to an intrusion alarm at the Elk Horn Pharmacy saw a vehicle leaving the store. When they attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver failed to pull-over, and led authorities on a chase that saw speeds top 100-miles per hour. The pursuit finally ended in Atlantic, with the suspects being taken into custody.

An investigation revealed the business had been entered and numerous controlled substances taken. Kyle Ray faces a felony charge of burglary in the third-degree, eluding and speeding. His bond was set at $10,000 dollars. Jessica Barker faces a felony charge of aiding and abetting a burglary. Her bond was set at $5,000. Both suspects were being held in the Shelby County Jail.

By Ric Hanson, KJAN, Atlantic

Filed Under: Crime & Courts

Corrections employees picket to protest job cuts

January 11, 2010 By

Some Department of Corrections employees spent part of their weekend holding picket signs to protest job cuts coming next week. Members of Iowa United Professionals marched outside the Anamosa State Penitentiary on Saturday.

Eleven members of the state employees union who work as counselors at the facility will be losing their jobs on January 21. That includes Ken Pirc of Cedar Rapids, a substance abuse counselor. He says the 10-percent across-the-board budget cut ordered by Governor Culver will eliminate half of the counselors in Anamosa.

“There won’t be any time for rehabilitation,” Pirc said. “Those that are left here will just be putting out fires to maintain the safety inside the walls.” Jason Hute of Maquoketa will keep his job as a counselor at Anamosa, but said the public should be more concerned about the situation happening at the correctional facility in Mount Pleasant, where 10 sex offender counselors will be laid off.

“So, we have substance abuse and now violent sexual offenders with no treatment, released,” Hute said. “If the substance abuse doesn’t bother you, the sex offender will, or should.” Several other social workers and counselors at facilities in Fort Madison and Fort Dodge will also be laid off on January 21.

A spokesman for the governor said the union declined to negotiate contract changes to avoid layoffs. Other unions accepted unpaid days off to preserve jobs.

By Justin Foss, KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids

Filed Under: Crime & Courts Tagged With:

Des Moines girl in national texting contest

January 11, 2010 By

While most parents scold their kids for too much texting, a central Iowa girl is finding her speedy thumbs may help pay for college. Sixteen-year-old Kate Moore of Des Moines won the U.S. National Texting Championships last summer.

In the finals, she had to type out and send the lyrics to the first verse of the song “Zippity Do Da” — accurately and first. This week, Moore is heading back to New York City for the World Cup of texting, sponsored by — who else? — a cell phone company. Thumb-typing competitors from 13 countries are taking part in this contest.

Moore and her teammate, from Georgia, will split $100,000 dollars if they win. After the national victory in June, she also pocketed $50,000 and a new phone.

Filed Under: Human Interest

Propane association asks customers to clear around tanks

January 11, 2010 By

The Iowa Propane Gas Association is asking customers to help clear away snow so that trucks can get in to deliver the fuel. Association executive director says customers should clear driveways and also the tank area. She says you should clear the walkway to the tank and the tank area so they can get to the tank.

Grooms says the cold weather has led to more propane use, so also check your fuel level. She says with the weather warming a bit, it’s a good time to be sure the snow hasn’t blown in where it shouldn’t be. Grooms says check appliance vents, and flues to be sure they are clear. She says this is especially important for mobile homes, and use a broom instead of a shovel to avoid any damage. Census Bureau estimates show approximately 14% of Iowans use propane for heat.

Propane has been in high demand for drying crops this fall and that led to some supply problems. Grooms says the supplies don’t seem to be an issue now. Grooms says the whole country has been cold, so the supply has gone down. But she says the supply problem they had was the pipelines couldn’t keep up with the demand.

A proclamation was issued to allow drivers to work longer hours to meet the demand, and she says that will be the case through January 17th. Grooms says if customers can help clear a path, that will alleviate the problems of getting the trucks in to deliver the fuel.

Filed Under: Business Tagged With:

Two rookies among 150 legislators in new session

January 11, 2010 By
Representative Mark Smith of Marshalltown, on right, gives Curt Hanson, on left, a tour.

Representative Mark Smith of Marshalltown, on right, gives Curt Hanson, on left, a tour.

Two of the 150 legislators who have gathered at the statehouse this morning are rookies.  Curt Hanson of Fairfield was elected to the Iowa House in a special election in September.

Kirsten Running-Marquardt of Cedar Rapids also won a special election, in November, for a House seat in Cedar Rapids. Hanson admits to a few butterflies on this opening day of the legislative session.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Politics & Government Tagged With: ,

UNI wins 5th, Drake 1st MVC game

January 11, 2010 By

The University of Northern Iowa men’s basketball team tallied a 59-44 road victory over Missouri Valley Conference foe Illinois State on Saturday in front of a national ESPN2 audience. The victory moved the Panthers’ win streak to 13 in a row and improved UNI’s season record to 14-1 overall.

UNI also moved to 5-0 in MVC play for the first time in school history. Illinois State fell to 12-4 overall and 3-2 in the MVC. UNI will return home to the McLeod Center to take on the Bradley Braves on Tuesday at 8 p.m. The game will be televised nationally on ESPNU.

Also in Valley play, Drake ended snapped a six-game losing streak with a 70-65 come-from behind victory at Southern Illinois Saturday. Drake scored the game’s last eight points to earn its first Missouri Valley Conference victory.

It was the first time Drake has ever won back-to-back games in Carbondale in the series between the schools that dates back to 1976. Drake is now 6-11 and opens a two-game homestand playing host to Missouri State Tuesday and Illinois State Jan. 17.

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: , ,

Iowa loses, ISU wins in weekend basketball

January 11, 2010 By

Iowa basketball coach Todd Lickliter is trying to stay positive but that may become more difficult as the Hawkeyes could be headed for the worst season in the program’s history. Iowa is now 0-4 in the Big Ten after a 71-53 loss at home to Michigan State.

Lickliter is confident there is no quit in his players. He says they go in and practice and he likes being around them and enjoys their approach. Iowa 5-11 and their final non conference game comes at the right time. The Hawkeyes host Tennessee State.

Iowa state coach Greg McDermott is looking for more consistency from his team as the Cyclones get set to open the Big-12 race at home against #2 Texas on Wednesday night.

The Cyclones are 11-4 after escaping am upset bid by North Dakota state for a 73-71 win on Saturday. Charles boozer had 19 points to lead ISU. Craig Brackins ended the game with his 23rd double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: , ,
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