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Chairman Of Board Of Spencer Company Pleads Guilty To Misusing Hundreds Of Thousands Of Dollars From Investors

Spencer, Iowa — A 59-year-old Indiana man has pled guilty to misusing hundreds of thousands of dollars from investors.

His name is Lowell Gene Hancher. He goes by the name Bob Hancher and he was from Sheridan, Indiana. Hancher was chairman of the board for Cycle Country Accessories Corporation, with headquarters in Spencer. The firm makes accessories for golf carts and ATVs. Hancher admits in a plea agreement that he misappropriated “the vast majority” of the half a million dollars he was given to buy back stock so the company could be privately-held. Hancher admits to bilking investors in a similar scheme involving a company based in Colorado. Hancher faces up to 45 years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of securities fraud.

In early 2011 as the result of a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation, Hancher agreed to repay the Spencer company for the money he stole, plus interest, but it’s unclear how much the company can get because Hancher’s assets are tied up in bankruptcy proceedings.

Story from RadioIowa

Some NW Iowa Trick-Or-Treating On Tuesday, Some On Wednesday

Northwest Iowa — Due to Halloween falling on church night, different towns have different plans for their trick-or-treating and Halloween festivities this year.

In Sheldon, the festivities will take place on Tuesday instead. The Sheldon Library will have their Halloween from 3:30-5 PM. Trick-or-treating in downtown Sheldon will be from 4:30-5:30. Citywide residential door-to-door trick-or-treating will be from 5-7. Sanford Senior Care will see trick-or-treaters from 6-7, and the Fear and Fun All In One will be from 5:30-7. Again, all of that on Tuesday night in Sheldon.

Sibley will also have their trick or treating around town on Tuesday, October 30th. The trick or treating downtown will be on Tuesday evening from 4-5 PM.

The Sioux Center Chamber is not directing people when to trick-or-treat. The Annual Sioux Center “Hallelujah Party” is on the 31st at the Dordt Rec Center, sponsored by Bridge of Hope Church. It runs from 5:30 until 8. At the Centre Mall, children may trick or treat in mall stores from 5-7 Wednesday evening.

In Orange City, business trick or treating will be on Wednesday the 31st from noon to 8 PM. Participating businesses (with the Orange sign in their window) will be offering a trick or treat to anyone that comes in in costume. Orange City city-wide trick or treating will also be Wednesday evening.

In Rock Rapids, the downtown business Halloween Parade will be on Wednesday afternoon, the 31st, starting at 4 PM. Trick-or-treaters walk a downtown loop and visit downtown merchants. Merchants who are not located downtown are invited to set up along the route as well and meet trick-or-treaters. Kids and their parents are to meet at the Sunshine Foods Parking Lot. Citywide trick-or-treating will also be on the actual Halloween night — Wednesday night.

In George, due to Halloween falling on church night, the City Council has set trick-or-treat night for Tuesday, October 30th. Kids will be out from 5 to 7 Tuesday night. HOWEVER — as part of their Halloween party at George-Little Rock School, they bus the kids to the downtown for downtown trick-or-treating — and THAT will be on Halloween proper — on Wednesday afternoon.

The Iowa Department of Transportation reminds motorists that increased pedestrian traffic at twilight and throughout the evening means drivers need to be more mindful than ever to scan streets and intersections for pedestrians. There are on-average, four times more deaths of children in car accidents on Halloween than other nights of the year.

Excitement may overtake judgment for some trick-or-treaters. Young children may not understand they lack the physical ability to cross a street quickly; and their small size limits their visibility to drivers. Children are likely to choose the shortest, rather than the safest route, to cross streets, often darting out between parked cars. In addition, young children do not evaluate potential traffic threats effectively, cannot anticipate driver behavior and process sensory information slower than adults.

Safety tips for parents and children from the DOT:

  • Accompany young children. Children under age 12 should always be accompanied by an adult or older, responsible child.
  • See and be seen. Kids should carry glow sticks or flashlights to see better in the dark, as well as be seen by drivers. Costumes and bags should be decorated with retro-reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, made of light colors.
  • Cross streets safely. Cross at a corner, using traffic signals and crosswalks (where they exist). Look left, right and left again when crossing, and keep looking as you cross. Walk – don’t run – across the street.
  • Walk on sidewalks or pathways. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
  • Be a safe pedestrian around vehicles. Watch for vehicles that are turning or backing up. Never dart out into the street or cross in between parked cars. When exiting a vehicle, get out of the vehicle on the curb side – not on the traffic side.
  • Get painted! Face paint and makeup are a better choice for children because they do not hinder vision the way that masks can. Avoid wearing hats that may slide down and cover the eyes.
  • Prevent tripping and falls. Avoid wearing long, baggy or loose costumes or oversized shoes.

    • RISE Ministries, Echo Ministries Bringing Michael W. Smith To Sioux Center, November 15

    Sioux Center, Iowa — Echo Ministries, in partnership with RISE Ministries, is bringing well-known Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith to Sioux Center.

    Smith will perform his Wonder, Worship, & Glory show at the B.J. Haan Auditorium on Dordt College’s campus Thursday, November 15 at 7 pm.

    Tickets to Wonder, Worship, & Glory: A Night with Michael W. Smith are $34 for artist circle and $24 for general admission. For more information and to order tickets, visit www.echoconcerts.com or call 877-435-9849.

    Throughout his 29-year career as a recording artist, Michael W. Smith has amassed an impressive catalog of achievements. His 24 albums have garnered multiple honors including an American Music Award, three GRAMMY ® Awards (from 13 nominations), 44 GMA Dove Awards and 33 No. 1 radio hits. In addition, he holds 16 Gold, 7 Platinum and 2 Double-Platinum albums for career sales of 15 million. Most recently, Smith released GLORY, his second full-length instrumental album, on Nov. 21, 2011 and Decades of Worship, a collection of his most popular worship songs, Jan. 17, 2012.

    Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2009, Smith has scored film projects, written 12 books and been featured by media outlets including “Hannity,” NBC’s “Today,” ABC’s “Good Morning America,” “NBC Nightly News,” “Larry King Live,” “FOX & Friends,” The Associated Press, Billboard, USA Today, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Newsweek and more.

    Constantly giving back to the community, one of Smith’s current projects is Rocketown – a nightclub for teens in his hometown of Nashville, Tenn. – which serves as a safe place for young people to enjoy music and for artists to be discovered. He and wife of 30 years, Debbie, are the proud parents of five children.

    Orange City Firm Breaking Ground On $11.8 Million Expansion That Should Mean 100 Jobs

    Orange City, Iowa — An Orange City manufacturing firm is breaking ground on an expansion project that when finished should mean 100 new jobs.

    We talked to Frank Sloup with Quatro Composites.

    He says many dignitaries are scheduled to be there.

    A state grant has helped the company with their expansion plans.

    The total cost of the expansion is $11.8 million. The company makes plastic fittings for the medical and aeronautical industries, including stowage bin fittings for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

    Remsen Teen Dies In Farm Accident Saturday

    Remsen, Iowa — A Remsen teen has died as the result of a farm accident near Remsen on Saturday (10/27).

    The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office reports that just after 2 PM, their office received a 911 call of a subject that was trapped under a skid loader at 190th Street and Polk Avenue. Remsen Fire and Ambulance were dispatched and also Mercy Air Care advised.

    Firefighters were able the free the person from under the skid loader and emergency care was administered. However, the subject’s injuries were severe and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

    The victim was identified as 19-year-old Alexander Keith Renken of Remsen. His body was transported to Floyd Valley Hospital for examination.

    The report says that investigation shows that the skid loader was being operated by Andrew Vaske and that Renken was assisting him in putting fence posts into the ground. Renken would hold the posts while Vaske would push the posts into the ground with the skid loader. Vaske had put dirt into the bucket for added weight in pushing the posts. As Renken was holding a post, the skid loader began to tip forward, the weight in the bucket causing the skid loader to tip all the way forward. The bucket struck and pinned Renken.

    The Remsen Fire Department, Remsen Ambulance, Mercy Air Care, and the Plymouth County Medical Examiner assisted the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office.

    United Fund Over $14,500, But Still Behind

    Sheldon, Iowa — The 2012 Sheldon United Fund Drive is underway and will continue through the rest of the year. The goal is $33,000.

    The fund is up to $14,628.

    The fund-raiser is about 47% finished. The funds are at about 44% of goal. To finish on goal, the fund should average about $1,941 per week. This past week $1305 was donated.

    The United Fund will be assisting 23 different organizations in Sheldon and the surrounding communities. Contributions may be left at any of the four Sheldon banks, or you can also send them to PO Box 41, Sheldon. Essays explaining each organization are available at the banks. The United Fund thanks you for your contribution.