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Des Moines man gives up after four-hour standoff

February 22, 2010 By

A domestic violence case escalated into a hostage situation in Des Moines on Sunday. Police say the daughter of a man called 9-1-1 to say her father was holding her mother against her will in their home. Before police arrived, 45-year-old James Taylor also called 9-1-1 to tell officers he was armed and had dumped gasoline inside the house.

Taylor’s wife and daughter were both able to get out with no reported injuries. After four hours, police convinced Taylor to surrender. He was taken to a hospital for a mental evaluation and police say he’ll likely face a charge of domestic assault with a weapon.

Filed Under: Crime & Courts

Fire damages Altoona amusement park

February 22, 2010 By

A weekend fire caused heavy damage at an amusement park in central Iowa. The flames swept through a series of adjoining shops on Saturday at Adventureland in Altoona, just northeast of Des Moines. The park was closed for the season and no injuries were reported. A toy store, arcade, restaurant and bingo parlor were all lost in the fire.

It’s thought a ceiling collapsed in the toy store and sparked an electrical fire. No dollar figure has been released on the damage, but Adventureland officials say they’re still planning to open in late April, as scheduled.

Filed Under: Fires/Accidents/Disasters

Rachel Proffitt

February 22, 2010 By

INS-superiorstudent-header

Rachel Proffitt is a senior at Solon High School. She was nominated by teacher Joel Foreman:

AUDIO: About Rachel Proffit

Rachel_Proffitt200Rachel is one of the most outstanding students with which I have had the pleasure of working. She is involved in our concert band, jazz band, auditioned choir, jazz choir, and chamber choir. Rachel also performs at State Solo/Ensemble Contest each year and State Large Group Contest in the Spring.

Groups in which she has been enrolled have received multiple superior ratings and consistently score at the top of their respective class. Rachel has also played principal roles in our musical every fall, been a member of our Varsity Volleyball team and is the drum major of our marching band.

Moreover, Rachel continually goes above and beyond the responsibilities of an ensemble member to ensure both her success and the success of others. She if frequently offering extra time to help with organizational needs, is the first person to arrive at rehearsal to help directors with setup, and always the last to leave.

Rachel brings a positive spirit to every group and every rehearsal and maintains a ready and willing attitude no matter what the circumstance. She is a privilege to have in class and I give her my strongest recommendation. If a student like Rachel comes along once every 15 years, I’d consider myself and our program lucky!

Filed Under: INS Superior Student

State releases info on appliance rebate program reservations

February 22, 2010 By

State officials are releasing more information today about a rebate program on purchases of large, energy-efficient appliances. The rebates on selected refrigerators, hot water heaters, furnaces, dishwashers and other appliances range from $100 to $500. Iowans will be able to reserve their rebate starting at 8 a.m. next Monday.

Today, the website and toll free phone number where rebate reservations will be accepted are being released. Linda King, with the Iowa Office of Energy Independence, says just over 9,000 rebates will be available. “This program is on a first come, first serve basis. So, we are encouraging people to call in the first week of the program, reserve their rebates and then they’ll have plenty of time to make decisions and make their purchases,” King said.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation, Politics & Government

Repubicans says Democrats have been slow to address job creation

February 22, 2010 By

State lawmakers return to the capitol today to resume work on the state budget and other priorities. Democrats who have the majority in both the House and Senate, promise to pass a jobs bill to help put thousands of Iowans back to work.

Republican leaders say they’ve been shut out of the discussions. Senate Republican Leader Paul McKinley of Chariton says lawmakers have wasted their time on less important bills. “We’re well into the midpoint of the session and we’ve yet to talk about jobs,” McKinely says. He says the new unemployment figures continue to show a downturn in the economy.

McKinley says job creation should have been their first priority. “Here we are midway through the session. That should have been one of the topics we discussed from day one. How many days have we sat our there on the floor and adjourned at 8:50? There’s been plenty of times to talk about those issues that are important top Iowans, and we haven’t done it,” McKinley says.

A democratic working group is considering new infrastructure projects using bond proceeds from last year’s jobs bill to create jobs. Democrats are also exploring the possibility of two-tiered unemployment insurance. While the recession continues, employers would pay a lower rate for new hires if they promise to keep them on the payroll for at least a year.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Shelby man dies in accident

February 22, 2010 By

One-person died in a single-vehicle crash in western Iowa’s Harrison County this weekend. Twenty-two-year old Nicholas Lee Buboltz, of Shelby died in the accident early Saturday morning south of Persia.

Buboltz was traveling on Highway 191 when the accident occurred. Details about the crash remained sketchy over the weekend. The Iowa State Patrol was handling the investigation and accident report.

By Ric Hanson,KJAN Atlantic

Filed Under: Fires/Accidents/Disasters

Woodbine man injured in hunting accident

February 22, 2010 By

A western Iowa man who had been hunting coyote north of Woodbine, in Harrison County, accidentally shot himself over the weekend. Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources say 40-year old Rex Baxter, of Woodbine, was putting his high-powered rifle in a vehicle, when the gun discharged.

A bullet passed through one of the man’s legs before becoming lodged in the other. The accident a little after seven A.M. Saturday. Baxter was taken to a hospital in Missouri Valley before being transferred to a trauma center in Omaha.

By Ric Hanson,KJAN Atlantic

Filed Under: Fires/Accidents/Disasters Tagged With:
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