IA News
Sun, 11 May 2008 11:14:00 CDT

SCHOOL BUILDING SALE
Former Burlington school for sale on eBay
BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) - Bids are being taken on eBay for a
former Burlington school building until 10 p.m. tonight. The former
Apollo Middle School appears to be going for a small fraction of
what the owners paid for it just two years ago.
The 1908 building on a hill overlooking downtown Burlington and
the Mississippi River is going for about $29,000 according to
current bidding. The California owners bought it in 2006 for
$145,000.
The building has 90 rooms including a 700-seat auditorium
complete with wooden seats and a red velvet curtain.
But utility and repair costs have made it difficult for anyone
to afford it and do necessary repairs to make it usable again.
The building has had four different owners in four years.
HUNTERS DISPUTE
Turkey hunter and mushroom seekers clash lead to arrest
FAYETTE, Iowa (AP) - An Iowa City man faces an assault charge
after a confrontation with a group of mushroom hunters.
Duane Shawn, 46, was taken to the Fayette County Jail by
sheriff's deputies Friday after he allegedly threatened a group of
mushroom hunters with an ax.
The dispute began when Shawn crossed paths with the mushroom
hunters near the Volga Area State Park. Words were exchanged and
the parties went their separate ways. However, they ran into each
other again, which led to another confrontation during which the
mushroom hunters said he became angry and threatened them with an
ax he took out of a vehicle.
Shawn is charged with aggravated assault.
DAVENPORT FLOOD COSTS
Davenport flood cleanup costs reach $735,000
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) - Davenport officials say flooding this
spring has cost the city more than $700,000 so far. That includes
includes overtime for city workers to build an earthen dike, fill
sandbags and operate pumps. City Administrator Craig Malin says it
also includes materials and cleanup costs.
The figure is just an estimate and all costs aren't yet known.
Golf course fairways, basketball courts, baseball diamonds and
tennis courts are under water on Credit Island but Malin says
repairs can be made at a comparatively modest cost.
Businesses and individuals with flooded basements and other
property damage have incurred estimated costs of $510,000.
The city will attempt to get federal help to pay its share, but
if necessary can use reserve funds, which are set aside for
emergencies. Davenport has about $5.8 million in the fund.
SIOUX CITY SMOKING BAN
Sioux City proposed casino smoking ban appears dead
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) - A city proposal that would have banned
smoking at the Argosy Gaming Co. casino in Sioux City will be
dropped after the casino has agreed to monitor the air and set
aside nonsmoking areas.
Councilman Brent Hoffman says he will table his proposed
ordinance even though some business owners would likely not be
pleased. Hoffman complimented Argosy officials for their efforts to
set aside nonsmoking areas and monitor air quality.
Mayor Mike Hobart and two city councilmen say they planned to
oppose the ordinance. Hobart says he has concerns that it would not
have held up to a court challenge since the new state smoking ban
exempts casinos.
The Legislature passed a new law that goes into effect July 1
that prohibits smoking in bars and most workplaces. It does not
include casinos, however.
In a letter to the city, Argosy casino General Manager Kees Eder
says he will continue to monitor the air and make data on available
to the city, will set aside nonsmoking areas and will enhance the
current air filtering system.
OFFICE MANAGER SENTENCED
Trucking company office manager sentenced to 10 years
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) - A former Waterloo trucking company office
manager is going to prison after she and her husband pleaded guilty
to taking more than $1 million from the company over three years.
Kim Zuzich, 50, was sentenced yesterday (Friday) to 10 years in
prison. Prosecutors say she and her husband, Stephen Zuzich, took
about $1.2 million from Zehyr Transportation, a company started by
Stephen Zuzich's father, Gene Zuzich.
Stephen Zuzich, 53, who was president of the company, is serving
a 10-year prison sentence after he reached a plea deal with
prosecutors.
Police investigators say the couple used cash advances and other
financial instruments to take the money between January 2004 and
March 2007.
Court records indicated Kim Zuzich cashed several checks from
the company at a casino in Tama.
Zephyr Transportation, which had 53 employees, was shut down
after the thefts.
DRUG SENTENCING
Man gets 11 years on drug conviction after skipping trial
DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) - Skipping out on the second day of his drug
trial last fall has cost a Dubuque man an additional year in
prison.
Corey Lidell Woodard, 38, of Dubuque was sentenced to 11 years
in prison in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
He was charged with possession of crack cocaine with intent to
distribute near a playground.
Woodard had admitted to having cocaine and marijuana at his
home, which is within 1,000 feet of two city parks.
He went to trial in October 2007 but didn't show up for the
second day. He was arrested at a Dickeyville, Wisconsin motel on
the afternoon he went missing from trial.
In January he pleaded guilty to the charges.
On Thursday he was sentenced to 10 years on the drug charges.
Chief Judge Linda Reade tacked on another year for failing to
appear at trial.
The federal prison system has no parole.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-05-11-08 0631EDT

WebReady^TM Powered by WireReady®NSI