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AREA NEWS MAHASKA COUNTY ROAD CLOSURES EVELAND ACCESS G71 FROM JAMES TRAIL TO KIRBY AVENUE CLOSED INDEFINITELY RIVER ROAD FROM OLD HIGHWAY 92 TO GALESTON AVENUE SMOKE VILLE NO ACCESS
THE MAHASKA THE BOARD RECEIVED A REQUEST FROM EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR JAMEY ROBINSON ON A VEHICLE. THE REQUEST WAS FOR A VEHICLE THAT WOULD BE GIVEN TO HIM FROM PAUL DEGEEST TO BE USED TO TRANSPORT HIM TO MEETINGS AND TRAININGS. THE BOARD DIDN’T HAVE ANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION ON THE REQUEST AND HELD OFF ON ACTION. THE BOARD APPROVED THE FINAL PLANS FOR THE EVELAND BRIDGE PROJECT. THE PROJECT WILL HAVE BID LETTING IN NOVEMBER AND THE PROJECT WILL BEGIN IN THE SUMMER OF 2009. THE PROJECT COULD TAKE AROUND 8 MONTHS TO COMPLETE AND THE OFFICIAL COMPLETION DATE WILL BE SET IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. THE BOARD DISCUSSED WITH FINALLY THE BOARD APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF A SNOW BLOWER. THE BOARD RECEIVED 4 BIDS AND CHOSE THE 1 STAGE BLOWER FROM FAIR FOR 89,425. MONDAY NIGHT THE CITY COUNCIL MET AT ITS REGULARLY SCHEDULED TIME. . FIRST SHERRY VAVRA FROM MCRF GAVE THE MCRF QUARTERLY REPORT; SHE BRIEFLY LISTED SOME OF THE EVENTS THAT WENT ON THIS SUMMER AT THE LACEY COMPLEX LIKE THE SUMMER LITTLE LEAGUES, SOCCER TOURNAMENT WHICH INCLUDED 33 TEAMS COMING TO THE LACEY COMPLEX TO PLAY,. THE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOFTBALL CLASSIC WHICH VAVRA SAID WAS THE BIGGEST IN THE STATE, WILLAM PENN SOCCER CAMP, AND THE LACEY ADVISORY BOARD SUPPORTED CANCER AWARENESS BY SELLING BRACELETS AT THE GAEMES. VAVRA ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE PARKING LOT BY THE BASEBALL DIAMONDS AT THE LACEY COMPLEX IS COMPLETE. A FEW OTHER ITEMS THAT VAVRA MENTIONED WAS THAT MAHASKA COUNTY CONSERVATION WAS PLAYED A ROLE AT THE COMPLEX BY BURNING ALONG THE TRAILS FOR PRAIRIE GRASS AND NOW MCRF IS LOOKING TO PUT TOGETHER A YOUTH CONSERVATION BOARD. AND FINALLY, VAVRA DISCUSSED THAT MCRF HAS HELPED THE BEACON COMMUNITY GET NEW PLAY GROUND EQUIPMENT. ANOTHER ITEM ON THE AGENDA WAS THE 2ND READING FOR THE ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2.64 AIRPORT COMMISSION TO ELMINATE SECTION 2.64.120 LOCAL COUNTROL OF MUNICPAL AIRPORT. THIS ITEM WAS VOTED WITH VOTES 4 TO 3 WITH THE 3 VOTES AGAINST COMING FROM JIMMY CARTER,WES WILLS AND JANET VANDERBEEK. A 2ND READING WAS APPROVED FOR ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH NO PARKING IN BIKE LANES ON SOUTH H STREET. JIMMY CARTER SAID THAT SOME OF THE PEOPLE ON THAT STREET WANTED PARKING DUE TO HOLIDAY SEASONS WHEN FAMILIES WOULD BE COMING OVER AND WOULD NEED A PLACE TO PARK AND ASKED IF BIKE LANES WERE NEEDED ON BOTH SIDES. LORI SMITH SAID THAT THERE JUST WASN’T ENOUGH ROOM FOR TWO BIKES ON ONE BIKE LANE. ANOTHER ITEM ON THE AGENDA WAS THE 2ND READING FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 8.20 WEEDS TO ADD APRIL 15 AS DATE BY WHICH GRASS AND WEEDS MUST BE CUT AFTER PROVIDING 7 DAYS NOTICE THIS ITEM WAS APPROVED. ALSO, A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD FOR A RESOLUTION LEVYING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT AGAINST PRIVATE PROPERTY FOR WEED CUTTING WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL LAST NIGHT. ALSO, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY CODE CHAPTER 10.48 PARKING REGULATIONS REGARDING SCHOOL LOADING AND UNLOADING ZONES AT WEBSTER SCHOOL WAS DISCUSSED. THE AMENDMEBT WILL PROHIBIT OTHER CAR PARKING SO THAT BUSES CAN PICK UP AND DROP OFF KIDS. THIS ITEM WAS APPROVED. AND FINALLY, A SECOND READING WAS APPROVED FOR THE VACATION AND SALE OF THE NORTH – SOUTH PORTION OF THE ALLEY ADJACENT TO 209 NORTH MARKET STREET BY THE CENTRAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.
STATE NEWS PROFESSOR-FONDLING Search continues for missing UI professor
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - The search continues for a missing University of Iowa professor accused offering better grades for sexual favors. Arthur Miller, of Iowa City, was reported missing Wednesday morning. Authorities used his cell phone to track his car to a local park, prompting a six-hour search, and lockdowns at nearby schools. The search for Miller was to resume Thursday morning. Also missing is Miller's high-powered rifle. Iowa City police Sgt. Troy Kelsay says Miller is not considered a threat to anyone but himself, but because he and the gun haven't been found, a public risk still exists. Miller made a phone call to The Gazette on Tuesday, saying he feared his reputation was ruined and that the university ignored his 23 years of service on the faculty in its investigation.
CHILD SLAYINGS Judge to review satanic bible in child slaying case
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) - A judge will review a satanic bible and an affidavit from a satanic high priest as he determines whether prosecutors can refer to satanism in the trial of a Sioux City man accused of killing his two stepdaughters. Lawrence Harris Sr. is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the January slayings of his 8- and 10-year-old stepdaughters. Prosecutors say he was practicing satanism and that the killings were part of a ritual from a satanic bible. Harris' attorney, assistant public defender Michael Williams, says prosecutors are seeking "shock value" and that they are trying to link what Harris says and does to satanism. Trial is set for Oct. 14.
FATAL FREEWAY CRASH West Des Moines man dies near Coulter in crash
COULTER, Iowa (AP) - A West Des Moines man has died in a northern Iowa hit-and-run crash on Interstate 35 near Coulter. The Iowa State Patrol says 64-year-old Thomas Barker stepped out of his car just after 11 p.m. Wednesday after a single-vehicle crash. Barker was then hit by a truck and killed. The state patrol says the truck, which was hauling chickens, continued south on I-35. Police later seized a tractor-trailer rig in West Des Moines. The truck was driven by Gordon Budt of Cook, Neb. The matter remains under investigation.
BUS STOP BEATING Arrest made in bus stop beating in Sioux City
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) - A Sioux City man accused of beating and robbing a high school student at a bus stop last year has been arrested. Justin Miller was charged Wednesday with first-degree robbery and assault while committing a felony. Police say a tip led to Miller's arrest. Police say Miller attacked Bryan Hill as he waited for the school bus last October and stole his Gameboy. Hill, a student at North High School, was punched and kicked to the point of losing consciousness. Hill, who was 14 at the time, suffered serious head injuries and spent several days in the hospital.
DEAD DOGS DUMPED Woman accused in dead dog case released from jail
GRAND ISLAND, Neb., (AP) - An Iowa woman accused of dumping dead or dying dogs in a cornfield near Grand Island is out of jail on bond. Denise Withee, of Mapleton, Iowa, is charged in Hall County Court with five counts of cruel neglect of animals. She was released from jail on Tuesday after posting bond, and ordered to live with her sister in Hastings. The five dogs were among animals left in the field in late July or taken from Withee when she was arrested at a motel. Authorities say the dogs died of dehydration, diseases and/or malnutrition. Withee's preliminary hearing is Oct. 30. She also faces charges of animal abuse and abandonment in Iowa.
AP-EARNS-HORMEL Hormel 3Q profit falls 9 pct on input costs
NEW YORK (AP) - Hormel Foods says its fiscal third-quarter profit fell 9 percent as higher meat, fuel and other input costs hurt the business. For the three months ended July 27, the Austin, Minn.-based maker of Spam and other food products says it earned $51.9 million, or 38 cents per share. That compares with a year-ago profit of $57.4 million, or 41 cents per share. Revenue is up 10 percent to $1.68 billion, up from $1.52 billion during the same period last year. Thomson Reuters says analysts expected earnings, excluding one-time items, of 39 cents per share on revenue of $1.62 billion. In Iowa, Hormel has production plants in Algona, Knoxville and Osceola.
AP-EARNS-HEINZ Heinz 1Q profit rises 11 percent
NEW YORK (AP) - H.J. Heinz says its fiscal first-quarter profit rose 11 percent, fueled by double-digit sales growth in North America and Europe. For the three months ending July 30, Pittsburgh-based maker of Heinz ketchup says it earned $229 million, or 72 cents per share. That compares with a year-ago profit of $205.3 million, or 63 cents per share. Revenue is up 14 percent to $2.58 billion, up from $2.25 billion during the same period last year. Thomson Reuters says analysts had expected earnings of 66 cents per share on revenue of $2.46 billion for the quarter. In Iowa, Heinz has factories in Cedar Rapids and Muscatine.
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