BRIEFLY Black Hawk County looks to replace jail security system

BRIEFLY

Black Hawk County looks to replace jail security system

WATERLOO (AP) — Officials say the control system for the Black Hawk County Jail’s lights, doors and intercom is failing.

The Waterloo-Cedar Rapids Courier reports that it could cost up to $2 million to replace the original security and master control system installed when the 272-bed detention center was built in 1995.

County officials on Tuesday gave Sheriff Tony Thompson and Building Maintenance Superintendent Rory Geving permission to solicit proposals for a replacement system.

Thompson says the current system is well past its prime. He it failed about three weeks ago and left jail officials wondering when it would become operational again.

State parties finalize Iowa precinct caucus locations

DES MOINES (AP) — The Republican Party of Iowa says it has confirmed all of its precinct locations for next year’s presidential caucuses.

The party announced Thursday that caucuses will take place in 1,681 locations throughout the state on Feb. 1. Party officials say they have opened three regional offices for the first time to help organize.

Party Chairman Jeff Kaufmann says he wants to ensure a smooth and successful caucus to help preserve Iowa’s first-in-thenation status.

Iowa Democratic Party Communication Director Sam Lau says Democrats have finalized more than 90 percent of their precinct locations and posted them on the party’s website.

Spectator in Waterloo case jailed after confronting juror

WATERLOO (AP) — A mistrial has been declared in a case of three men accused of robbing a pharmacy in February after authorities say a spectator made a comment to a juror in a courthouse hallway.

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that Judge George Stigler ordered the mistrial Wednesday after finding the 23-yearold spectator in contempt of court and sending him to jail for 180 days.

The man allegedly approached a juror during a break and told her to find the defendants not guilty.

Sheriff’s deputies brought the man into the courtroom after Stigler learned about the encounter. The man declined to comment and asked for an attorney.