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Thursday's High School Playoff Volleyball Scores Crawford and Weers Are District Champs; Panthers Girls & Boys Win XC District Meet in Corning Atlantic Faces Must-Win Game Against Carroll to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Bulldog Boys XC Qualify Are District Champs; Will Attempt to Defend State Title Class 1A XC State Qualifying Results From Panora; Wolverines Boys Go Back to State Class 2A XC State Qualifying Results From Treynor Cyclones Need a Win Over Rams To Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors Celebrate New EV Charging Stations Thrive Iowa Alliance Meeting: Building Financial Security After Domestic Violence Bears Make Long Trek to Visit Crusaders in 8 Man Playoffs Underwood and East Sac County Meet in Class 1A First-Round Playoff Game

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Trial set for man accused in step-sister’s death

By Mandy Billings Dec 22, 2020 | 10:20 AM

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa. (AP) — A jury trial is scheduled for February for a man accused of killing his step-sister in Iowa nearly 22 years ago. The Council Bluffs Nonpareil reports that an attorney for Matt W. Kennedy entered a not guilty plea on his behalf on Friday. Court records show the trial will begin Feb. 2. Kennedy remains jailed on $1 million bond. Kimberly Ratliff’s body was found inside her car on Jan. 12, 1999, in Council Bluffs. Police say Ratliff’s throat had been slashed. Kennedy, now 52, was arrested in October. An arrest affidavit says advancements in DNA technology enabled police to link him to the killing.

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