SEPT. 7, 12PM  RK  (MAN CHARGED WITH KILLING CAT)

A QUASQUETON MAN FACES CHARGES IN FAYETTE COUNTY, FOR ALLEGEDLY KILLING A FAMILY'S PET CAT.  THE INCIDENT HAPPENED SUNDAY, AUGUST 29TH, AT A RURAL WESTGATE RESIDENCE.  FAYETTE COUNTY AUTHORITIES WERE CALLED OUT ON THE REPORT OF A DISTURBANCE.  AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A VERBAL ALTERCATION HAPPENED BETWEEN 18 YEAR OLD DUANE FOWLKES OF QUASQUETON, AND THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE AT THE HOME.  AS FOWLKES WAS LEAVING, HE GRABBED A FAMILY CAT AND THREW IT ONTO THE CONCRETE DRIVEWAY, KILLING IT.  AUTHORITIES ISSUED A WARRANT FOR HIS ARREST.  FOWLKES WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY BUCHANAN COUNTY AUTHORITIES, THEN TRANSFERRED TO THE FAYETTE COUNTY JAIL, ON A CHARGE OF ANIMAL ABUSE.  HE WAS HELD ON A $2,500 BOND.

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SEPT. 7, 12PM  RK  (GOLF CART ACCIDENT)

A SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN MAN IS BEING CHARGED AFTER ANOTHER MAN WAS INJURED WHEN HE FELL OFF THE BACK OF HIS GOLF CART.  THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED AT ABOUT 9PM SUNDAY AT THE RIVER OF LAKES RESORT IN BAGLEY.  40 YEAR OLD ANTHONY SHECKLES OF FENNIMORE HAD BEEN STANDING ON THE REAR OF A GOLF CART DRIVEN BY 49 YEAR OLD GREGORY CORDTS, WHEN SHECKLES FELL OFF, STRIKING HIS HEAD ON THE BLACKTOP.  SHECKLES WAS TAKEN TO THE PRAIRIE DU CHIEN HOSPITAL, TREATED AND RELEASED.  CORDTS WAS CHARGED WITH NOT REGISTERING A MOTOR VEHICLE. 

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SEPT. 7, 12PM  RK  (CONTRACTOR TRIAL DATE)

A DUBUQUE CONTRACTOR WILL STAND TRIAL IN NOVEMBER, FOR ALLEGEDLY STEALING FROM THE CITY OF PLATTEVILLE, WISCONSIN.  39 YEAR OLD PETER ECK IS CHARGED WITH THEFT BY CONTRACTOR, IN CONNECTION TO A 2008 CASE, IN WHICH HE WAS HIRED BY THE CITY OF PLATTEVILLE TO BUILDING A HANGAR AT THE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.  ECK RECEIVED MONEY FROM THE CITY, BUT FAILED TO COMPLETE THE JOB, OR PAY FOR A SUBCONTRACTOR WHO DID SOME WORK AT THE SITE.  AT A PRELIMINARY HEARING ON FRIDAY, ECK WAS BOUND OVER FOR TRIAL, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER.

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SEPT. 7, 12PM  RK  (POTOSI ARSON)

THE GRANT COUNTY WISCONSIN SHERIFF IS ASKING FOR THE PUBLIC'S HELP IN SOLVING AN ATTEMPTED ARSON AT AN ELDERLY MAN'S HOME.  IT HAPPENED AT ABOUT 10AM FRIDAY IN POTOSI; THE OWNER OF THE HOME STEPPED OUTSIDE AND FOUND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER A SET OF WOODEN STEPS.  SOMEONE HAD ROLLED UP SOME PAPER, PLACED IT UNDER THE STEPS, AND SET IT ON FIRE.  THE HOMEOWNER WAS ABLE TO THROW WATER ON THE SMALL BLAZE AND PUT IT OUT BEFORE IT DID ANY DAMAGE.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON THE INCIDENT IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE GRANT COUNTY SHERIFF.

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SEPT. 7, 12PM  RK  (BOAT ACCIDENT)

THE FAYETTE COUNTY SHERIFF IS INVESTIGATING A BOAT ACCIDENT ON VOLGA LAKE.  AT ABOUT 1:30 FRIDAY AFTERNOON, AUTHORITIES RECEIVED A REPORT OF A BOAT THAT HAD CAPSIZED ON VOLGA LAKE, IN THE VOLGA STATE PARK NORTH OF FAYETTE.  22 YEAR OLD TROY MILLER OF RURAL OELWEIN WAS OPERATING A 16 FOOT BLAT BOTTOM FISHING BOAT ABOUT 200 FEET FROM SHORE, WHEN A COMBINATION OF HIGH WAVES AND STRONG WINDS FLIPPED THE BOAT UPSIDE DOWN, THROWING MILLER AND HIS PASSENGER, 24 YEAR OLD JOSHUA STEINBRONN OF RURAL WESTGATE, INTO THE WATER.  THE TWO WERE ABLE TO CLING TO THE BOAT UNTIL THE WIND PUSHED THEM TO SHORE.  NO ONE WAS INJURED.  NEITHER OF THE MEN WERE WEARING LIFE JACKETS, BUT THEY DID HAVE THEM ON BOARD THE BOAT.  THE DNR AND FAYETTE COUNTY SHERIFF ARE INVESTIGATING.

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SEPT. 7, 8:30AM  RK  (INDEPENDENCE TRACTOR FATAL)

A RURAL INDEPENDENCE MAN HAS DIED FROM INJURIES IN A TRACTOR ACCIDENT.  AT ABOUT 11AM FRIDAY, THE BUCHANAN COUNTY SHERIFF AND INDEPENDENCE EMERGENCY WORKERS WERE CALLED OUT ON THE REPORT OF A MAN PINNED UNDER A TRACTOR.  RESPONDERS FOUND 61 YEAR OLD RONALD O'BRIEN HAD BEEN OPERATING A SMALL TRACTOR WITH A REAR MOWER, WHEN IT ROLLED DOWN A CREEK EMBANKMENT.  O'BRIEN WAS FOUND PINNED UNDER THE TRACTOR, IN THE CREEK.  HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.

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SEPT. 7, 7:30AM  RK  (OELWEIN POLICE REPORT)

OELWEIN POLICE HAVE ARRESTED A LOCAL MAN ON AN OUTSTANDING WARRANT.  20 YEAR OLD ANTHONY GONZALEZ OF OELWEIN WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY SATURDAY EVENING IN THE TEN BLOCK OF 2ND AVENUE NW, ON A BREMER COUNTY WARRANT.

ON FRIDAY NIGHT, WHILE OUT ON ROUTINE PATROL, OELWEIN POLICE CAME UPON A VERBAL ALTERCATION IN THE 100 BLOCK OF SOUTH FREDERICK.  AFTER AN INVESTIGATION, 51 YEAR OLD CHARLES NEUBAUER OF OELWEIN WAS CHARGED WITH ENHANCED PUBLIC INTOXICATION.

OELWEIN POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A THEFT.  IT WAS REPORTED SATURDAY NIGHT FROM THE ONE BLOCK OF SOUTH FREDERICK. 
AND A VANDALISM IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.  THE CRIMINAL MISCHIEF INCIDENT WAS REPORTED SATURDAY MORNING IN THE 30 BLOCK OF 6TH AVENUE SE.

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SEPT. 7, 12PM  RK  (BRALEY IN OELWEIN)

 

U.S. CONGRESSMAN BRUCE BRALEY VISITED OELWEIN TODAY, TO TOUR ASHLEY MOLDING. 
BRALEY PLAYED A PART IN GETTING THREE LARGE PRESSES TO THE OELWEIN INDUSTRY.

 

BRALEY HELPED GET THROUGH THE RED TAPE TO GET CHINESE TECHNICIANS TO OELWEIN TO SET UP THREE PRESSES, GET THEM OPERATING, AND TRAIN NEW EMPLOYEES ON THE MACHINES.  AS A RESULT, OELWEIN IS HOME TO THE LARGEST SUCH PRESS SYSTEM IN NORTH AMERICA. 

RICH COREAS, PLANT MANAGER, SAYS ASHLEY CURRENTLY HAS OVER 100 EMPLOYEES.

 

 

 

SEPT. 8, 6:30AM  RK   (OELWEIN TRAFFIC STOP)

OELWEIN POLICE HAVE ARRESTED A BRANDON WOMAN AFTER A TRAFFIC STOP LAST NIGHT.  AT ABOUT 8:30PM TUESDAY, OFFICERS PULLED OVER A CAR IN THE 400 BLOCK OF SOUTH FREDERICK.  AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER, 44 YEAR OLD KIMBERLY WEST, ON A CHARGE OF OWI SECOND OFFENSE, AND CHILD ENDANGERMENT.

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   DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) - Shoppers in Dubuque may not have a choice
between paper or plastic anymore.
     The City Council is considering banning plastic shopping bags in
the city by 2014. The recommendation is from the Environmental
Stewardship Committee.
     The Telegraph Herald says the council on Tuesday voted 6-1 to
forward the issue to city staff for further review.
    
 

   CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) - Sentencing is delayed for a Cedar
Rapids woman accused in the 2008 death of her 2-year-old daughter.
     Brianna Volesky pleaded guilty in January to child neglect and
involuntary manslaughter in the death of her daughter, Skylar
Inman.
     KCRG-TV reports sentencing was continued Tuesday in Linn County
District Court until Oct. 21. Volesky faces up to 15 years in
prison.
     Volesky's former boyfriend, Lee Muldoon, of Coggon, was charged
with first-degree murder in the girl's death. He pleaded guilty
last month to involuntary manslaughter and child neglect.
    
     ---
      DECORAH, Iowa (AP) - Luther College is suspending its
Celebration Iowa summer music program for 2011 while the school
evaluates the program.
     The college made the announcement Tuesday. A Luther College
project for high school students, Celebration Iowa completed its
28th year this summer.
     Rob Larson, who oversees the program, says increased costs and
declining philanthropic support are among reasons why the college
decided to assess the program for the coming year.
     About three-dozen high school students are selected each year to
take part in Celebration Iowa. Since 1983, more than 700 students
from about 250 Iowa communities have participated.
     Celebration Iowa features an eight-week performing tour that
provides entertainment at festivals, fairs and concerts statewide.
 

 

 

SEPT. 2, 12PM  RK  (CEDAR FALLS DRUG BUST)

AUTHORITIES HAVE ARRESTED A CEDAR FALLS COUPLE ON ILLEGAL DRUG CHARGES THIS MORNING.  ACTING ON A TIP ABOUT APPARENT DRUG TRAFFICKING, BLACK HAWK COUNTY DEPUTIES EXECUTED A SEARCH WARRANT THIS MORNING, AT A HOME ON TREMONT STREET IN CEDAR FALLS.  OFFICERS FOUND WHAT WAS TERMED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF INDIVIDUALLY PACKAGED BAGS OF MARIJUANA.  AS A RESULT, 33 YEAR OLD WILLIAM WIDMANN WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER MARIJUANA AND A DRUG TAX STAMP VIOLATION.  32 YEAR OLD GAIL WIDMANN WAS ALSO ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA AND DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.  BOTH WERE BEING HELD IN THE BLACK HAWK COUNTY JAIL IN WATERLOO.

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SEPT. 2, 12PM  RK  (OELWEIN POLICE REPORT)

THE OELWEIN POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS A COUPLE OF RECENT ARRESTS.
LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT, POLICE WERE CALLED TO A DISTURBANCE IN THE 400 BLOCK OF EAST CHARLES.  THERE, THEY ARRESTED 28 YEAR OLD BRETT HOVATTER OF OELWEIN ON A CHARGE OF ASSAULT CAUSING BODILY INJURY. 
AND WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, 16 YEAR OLD MICHAEL LEWIS OF OELWEIN WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT, AFTER A DISTURBANCE IN THE 300 BLOCK OF 8TH AVENUE SE.

OELWEIN POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A THEFT AND SOME VANDALISM.  THE THEFT WAS REPORTED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON IN THE 300 BLOCK OF 12TH AVENUE SE, AND THE CRIMINAL MISCHIEF WAS CALLED IN TO POLICE WEDNESDAY MORNING, IN THE 600 BLOCK OF 1ST AVENUE SW.

AND OELWEIN POLICE WERE SUMMONED TO TWO TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.  THE FIRST HAPPENED TUESDAY IN THE 900 BLOCK OF SOUTH FREDERICK; A PICKUP DRIVEN BY TIMOTHY WIDMANN COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER PICKUP DRIVEN BY JAMES BUEHLER.  NO WORD ON DAMAGES, INJURIES OR CHARGES.
THE OTHER ACCIDENT HAPPENED WEDNESDAY MORNING IN THE 200 BLOCK OF 7TH STREET SE; A CAR DRIVEN BY WILLIAM HUXFORD STRUCK A CAR DRIVEN BY JEAN RECHKEMMER.  AGAIN, THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF INJURIES, DAMAGES OR CHARGES.

 

    CHARLES CITY, Iowa (AP) - A judge has suspended a 10-year prison
sentence of a Charles City man accused of locking his two toddlers
in their bedrooms for up to 14 hours a day for two years.
     Danial Onken pleaded guilty in April to two counts of
abandonment or neglect of a dependent. He began serving his
sentence in June.
     Judge James Drew last week granted Onken's request for a
reconsideration. The Globe Gazette reported Thursday that the judge
reviewed a report from the department of corrections indicating
Onken had been on good behavior and is making progress.
     Drew suspended the sentence and put Onken on probation for five
years.
     The children, who are twins, were 4 years old when the charges
were filed in May 2009.
     ---
 

   DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - An administrative law judge is expected
to rule by early October if a new dress code by Waterloo Community
Schools violates state law.
     Some parents say it's illegal because it tells students what
they can wear rather than prohibiting items they can't wear.
     A hearing was held this week in Des Moines.
     The appeal is based on a state law that allows districts to ban
"gang-related or other specific apparel" if the board determines
that the policy is necessary for health, safety or a "positive
educational environment."
     The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier says Superintendent Gary Norris
testified Wednesday that school officials were within their legal
authority.
     Parent Rick Peters says the policy restricts the decisions of
students and parents and is opposite of the law's intent.
 

SEPT. 2, 8:30AM  RK   (OELWEIN DRUG BUSTS)

OELWEIN POLICE HAVE MADE SOME ARRESTS IN REGARD TO AN ONGOING ILLEGAL DRUG INVESTIGATION. 

ON AUGUST 24TH, 44 YEAR OLD RICHARD SPOONER AND 31 YEAR OLD BRANDY ANGELL, BOTH OF WATERLOO, WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON CHARGES OF CONSPIRACY TO DELIVER METHAMPHETAMINE.  ANGELL WAS ALSO CHARGED WITH DRIVING WHILE REVOKED.

AND ON AUGUST 25TH, OELWEIN POLICE EXECUTED A SEARCH WARRANT IN THE 100 BLOCK OF WEST CHARLES.  AS A RESULT, 23 YEAR OLD GEORGE LAURIE JUNIOR OF OELWEIN WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH DELIVERY OF METH WITHIN 1,000 FEET OF SCHOOL PROPERTY.  MORE CHARGES ARE PENDING.  ALSO DURING THE SEARCH, 40 YEAR OLD KENNETH CROOK OF OELWEIN WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY FOR POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.  THE FAYETTE COUNTY SHERIFF AND IOWA STATE PATROL ASSISTED IN THE INVESTIGATION.