712 Digital Group - top

KJAN News

KJAN News can be heard at five minutes after every hour right after Fox News 24 hours a day!
Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa,  Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!

Clarinda woman arrested on a drug charge, Thursday

News

February 11th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Clarinda, Iowa) – Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer, Friday (today), reports his deputies on Thursday, arrested 40-year-old Crystal Cornett Messer, of Clarinda. The woman was taken into custody for Possession of Drug paraphernalia. Her arrest stems from another incident where the Sheriff’s Office was serving a court order at 1500 N 16th Street, in Clarinda. Messer was transported to the Page County Jail where she is being held on $300 bond.

A charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”

Too much Super Bowl cheer could lead to an OWI — or worse

News, Sports

February 11th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – For many Iowans, Super Bowl Sunday means camping out in front of the big screen, watching football, snacking on pizza and sipping a few adult beverages. That’s all fine, as long as you don’t plan to drive after too much imbibing. Trooper Paul Gardner of Fort Dodge says the Iowa State Patrol is partnering with local law enforcement agencies across the state in a two-day effort. “On Sunday afternoon and into the evening, we’re going to be looking out for drunk drivers,” Gardner says. “Then on Monday, we’re going to be back at it, focusing on the morning commute, watching for people who are speeding and also looking for distracted drivers out there as well.”

Gardner offers some advice to fans, motorists and Super Bowl party hosts. “We know a lot of these parties contain alcoholic beverages and we are strongly encouraging those who are watching the game and drinking, have a designated driver on hand. Don’t get behind the wheel,” Gardner says. “If you know of somebody who’s going to get behind the wheel and they’re intoxicated, don’t let them do so. Get them a cab or get them a ride home.” No matter who wins the big game, Gardner says he’ll consider it a win if there are no traffic fatalities statewide all weekend.

121 workers at wind turbine plant in Fort Madison are losing their jobs

News

February 11th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – One-hundred-21 (121) workers are being laid off at the Siemens Gamesa plant in Fort Madison that makes wind turbine blades. The C-E-O of the company’s operations in North America says the wind energy industry has been waiting to find out what climate-related legislation will emerge from congress and that temporarily slowed the renewable energy market. A second factor involved a competitor’s patent complaint. Siemens Gamesa declined new orders as it awaited a decision from federal regulators, who recently ruled in Siemens’ favor.

Some of the 121 workers who’s been laid off from the Fort Madison plant may find other jobs within the company. The rest will be offered a severance package. Two-hundred-54 (254) employees will remain on the job in Fort Madison.

Work release escape of Ronald Kelly

News

February 11th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

Des Moines, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Department of Corrections, Friday morning, said 28-year-old Ronald Kelly, who was convicted of Robbery 2nd Degree in Polk County, failed to report back to the Fort Des Moines Correctional facility as required, yesterday (Thursday). Kelly is a Black male, 5-feet 9-inches tall. He weighs about 228 pounds. Kelly was admitted to the work release facility on Dec. 28th, 2021.

Ronald Kelly

Persons with information on Kelly’s whereabouts should contact local police.

Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors Celebrate with Atlantic Parks & Recreation

Ag/Outdoor, News

February 11th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors met with Bryant Rasmussen & members of the Parks & Recreation Board on Thursday February 10th, 2022, to celebrate staff milestones and the departure of a long-time board member. Bryant Rasmussen, Atlantic Parks & Recreation Director, shared his endless gratitude for the many employees and volunteers behind the scenes of the department. Stuart Dusenberry has served on the Parks & Recreation Board for the past 12 years and was awarded a plaque for his dedicated service. Bryant also recognized four employees that have achieved milestones and make his job easier is many ways.

“They always tell me, “We don’t have a problem, we have an opportunity” stated Rasmussen. And it’s with that mentality, the Parks and Recreation Department have been able to tackle anything that comes their way. Don Prall, Steve Harrington, Mike Waters, and Tyler Christensen bring over a combined 25 years of Parks & Recreation experience and positivity to the department, and Bryant Rasmussen could not be more appreciative to have them on his team.

(Article & photo submitted by the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce)

Atlantic Parks & Recreation maintains 11 parks, 236 acres, and over 3,000 trees. The department also provides programming and special events for all ages. The department currently has 36 different types of recreation gear and activities for public use. Bryant Rasmussen shared that mental health resources was recognized as a top priority in the Cass County Health Needs Assessment, and the Parks & Recreation department is constantly thinking of new and innovative ways to gather people of all ages to share the endless benefits of getting outside and moving your body.

Atlantic Parks & Recreation Office is located at 1200 Sunnyside Lane in Atlantic. For more information about Parks & Recreation equipment rental please call, 712-243-3542. To keep up with Atlantic Parks & Recreation, follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/atlanticparksandrecreation or visit www.atlanticiowa.com/atlantic/city-departments/parks-recreation/

Central Iowa man arrested on Harassment charges in Creston

News

February 11th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

The Creston Police Department reports 34-year-old Jeffrey Michael Donald Drake, of Des Moines, was arrested at around 1-a.m. Friday, at N. Lincoln and W. Townline Streets, in Creston. Drake was charged with Harassment in the 1st Degree and two counts of Harassment in the 3rd Degree. He was being held in the Union County Jail on a $2,000 cash-only bond, and no bond, on the respective charges, until seen by Judge.

Afton man arrested on a drug charge in Adams County

News

February 11th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Corning, Iowa) – A man from Union County was arrested Feb. 5th on a drug charge. The Adams County Sheriff’s Office today (Friday) reports 18-year-old Caleb Comstock, of Afton, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 1st offense, following a traffic stop on Highway 34 at Sycamore Avenue in Adams County, at around 11:20-p.m. Feb. 5th. Comstock was transported to the Adams County Jail and held on a $1,000 bond. Taylor County Sheriff’s Deputies assisted in handling the incident.

Any potential charges identified above are merely allegations and any defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.”

Senate panel dismisses complaint against senator who spoke to DNR about son-in-law’s project

Ag/Outdoor, News

February 11th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A Senate panel has unanimously dismissed an ethics complaint alleging a state senator pressured officials to approve a state permit for his son-in-law’s cattle feedlot. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has approved the application for a company called Supreme Beef to feed up to 11-thousand-600 cattle in a lot near Marquette in northeast Iowa. The complaint against Republican Senator Dan Zumbach of Ryan was filed by the Committee to Save Bloody Run Creek — Bloody Run is the name of a trout stream that’s near the Supreme Beef site.

The group said Zumbach spoke with D-N-R staff at least twice about the project. The Republican chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee says Zumbach had every right to do what he did and legislators shouldn’t open the door to complaints like this. A Democrat on the committee says Zumbach’s actions were eyebrow-raising, but she joined with other members of the Senate Ethics Committee to dismiss the complaint.

Zumbach does not have a financial stake in the cattle lot. Zumbach has said his advocacy on his son-in-law’s behalf was the same as it’s been for any constituent trying to navigate the regulatory process.

Senate subcommittee approves bill targeting educators who distribute books deemed obscene

News

February 11th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A bill advanced by an Iowa Senate subcommittee would make it a serious misdemeanor for a teacher or school librarian to provide students with access to obscene material or hard-core pornography. A conviction could land an educator in prison for up to a year. Senate President Jake Chapman, a Republican from Adel who is the bill’s sponsor, held up a photocopied page from an illustrated novel during a hearing at the statehouse.

“We have fantastic teachers. That’s why my kids go to public education,” Chapman said, “but that does not negate those teachers that have advocated and distributed this type of material.” Several parents who support the bill read passages from books they want removed from schools. Opponents of the bill say obscenity law requires a book to be judged as a whole and Melissa Peterson of the Iowa State Education Association says the bill is unnecessary.

“We already have very clear definitions of what constitutes obscene materials,” Peterson says. “We already have severe penalties for our education professionals and employees should they happen to violate that existing standard.” The bill’s future is uncertain.

Governor Reynolds has proposed a bill that would send parents’ complaints about school materials to the State Board of Education if a local school board fails to respond within 30 days. The governor’s bill also requires all the titles of books in school libraries to be posted on the school district’s website.

Opponents of COVID vaccine mandates speak at Iowa Capitol hearing

News

February 11th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Critics of masking and COVID vaccine mandates testified at a subcommittee hearing at the Iowa Capitol that was livestreamed for three hours, then extended into the nighttime hours. Jason Crawford of Ames told legislators that after the Supreme Court overturned the federal vaccine requirement for large companies, his employer still required workers to be vaccinated before they could return to the office.

“Treat people as people, whether they’re vaccinated or not,” he said. “Do not discriminate. Do not segregate.” Crawford told legislators he was fired Monday for being unproductive to the company’s culture. A bill which would prevent employers from asking if their employees are vaccinated is tentatively scheduled for debate in the House State Government Committee next Wednesday.

The legislation also forbids businesses, educational institutions and government agencies from requiring face coverings.