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Presidential hopeful makes stops in southwest Iowa

News

August 9th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

A Democratic 2020 Presidential hopeful was in the process making stops across southwest and central Iowa today. Maryland Sixth-District Congressman John Delaney visited Corning earlier this (Thursday) morning, and was scheduled to stop in Atlantic and eventually to Des Moines, for an appearance on the Des Moines Register’s Soap Box at the Iowa State Fair. On his way to Atlantic, Delaney spoke with KJAN News about what he’s hearing from Iowans, as he makes his 14th trip to the State, encompassing over 80 counties and attending dozens of events. He says voters are focused on pocket book issues, the “terrible experiment” with Medicaid privatization in Iowa, and opportunities for their kids in the future.

MD-6 Democratic Pres. candidate John K. Delaney.

Delaney, a three-term Congressman, is also a businessman and an entrepreneur who built two business from scratch. He says he’s “A different kind of Democrat, and has a track record of “getting things done,” providing “real leadership,” which is something he says President Trump has failed at doing. He said Trump “Is a divider, not a unifier.” When asked if America is ready for another Democrat in the White House in 2020, he said yes, but with an exception. And that is “Provided the Democrats are actually committed to trying to bring the country together and get things done, because the American people are tired of the fighting and lack of progress. He says he offers the chance to focus on things that need to happen for the American people. He says “Bipartisanship is important, but it’s actually just a means to an end. What we really are doing with public service and leadership, is actually working to get real things done for people.”

He says “The country is totally ready for a Democrat, provided it’s the right type of Democrat. Someone who can actually not only capture [the Democratic vote] but also Independents and even Republicans who don’t support the President.” Delaney describes himself as a “Centrist,” who can unify. He says Americans are tired of the “extremes” in politics holding them hostage.The great American middle, which is most of the county, actually just wants them [Congress and the President] to get things done.”

Delaney says a President should add an additional oath to the office when he’s sworn-in: He said “The oath should be that they promise never to divide the country. That doesn’t mean they don’t stand up for hate and bad behavior when they see it, but as it relates to leadership in the country, I do think that the tone at the top matters, and I do think that a President that doesn’t talk about half the country as if they’re entirely wrong about everything they believe.”[A person] “Who is actually trying to appeal to the ‘better angels in all of us.” Delaney says Trump doesn’t believe in any of those things, and that he doesn’t have a “Moral compass.”

When asked if the American people are tired for people running for office in an election that just followed an election, but he says things are different right now, and in his opinion, the President is “undermining our democracy,” and having a conversation about the future of this country, “It’s not too early to do it.” Delaney thinks also his campaign can sustain its growing momentum leading up to and beyond the Presidential primaries in 2020.

Authorities ID victims of 2 fatal crashes at Sturgis Rally

News

August 9th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

STURGIS, S.D. (AP) — The Highway Patrol has identified victims of two fatal crashes related to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in western South Dakota. Fifty-six-year-old James Barbier, of Aurora, Colorado, died Saturday afternoon in a motorcycle crash on U.S. Highway 85 near Cheyenne Crossing. Fifty-three-year-old Craig Carrell, of Sioux City, Iowa, also died Saturday, in a utility terrain vehicle crash near Deadwood.

Another man died Tuesday after his motorcycle went off a road on a curve west of Piedmont, hit a pole and rolled. He wasn’t immediately identified. The annual event in South Dakota’s Black Hills draws hundreds of thousands of people from around the world. This year’s rally started last Friday and runs through Sunday.

Atlantic School Board session review

News

August 9th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education met Wednesday in the High School Media Center. Superintendent Steve Barber said they began with a Work Session, during which they had a good conversation about Self Assessment, and what they want to achieve with regard to their Strategic Plan. Afterward, the Board moved into a regular session, during which they heard a special presentation from students with the Spanish Club who traveled to Costa Rica earlier this summer.

The Board approved a contract with American Tower with regard to a Verizon Tower on District property. The original lease allows the lessee to contract with a third-party in a sublease. The Tri-Party Contract will provide the District an additional $300 per month income. Currently, the District receives about $1,200 per month for the lease of the cell tower. In other business, the Atlantic School Board approved resignations mentioned earlier this week on KJAN, as well as Contracts and/or Letters of Assignment, with a few more para-educators added to the original list.

And, Barber gave us an update on the District’s Summer Projects. He said they are “Doing really well on wrapping those projects up before the start of the school year August 23rd, including new bleachers installed for the Middle School starting August 22nd. He said they’ll be working out of the gymnasium the week before. Barber said also the HVAC system is in-place and online, and the LED lighting is installed as ready to go in the High School Gym. The lights make for much cleaner and brighter viewing, as opposed to the old lights, which cast a yellow glow over the area.

Brother: No signs of struggle in Iowa woman’s disappearance

News

August 9th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

BROOKLYN, Iowa (AP) — The brother of a missing University of Iowa student’s boyfriend says there were no signs of struggle at the home where she had been staying. The father of Mollie Tibbets last week suggested she might have been abducted from Dalton Jack’s home in Brooklyn, Iowa. The 20-year-old Tibbetts was seen jogging July 18 and her family reported her missing the next day. Jack’s brother, Blake Jack, told Fox News in an interview broadcast Thursday that Tibbetts is “small, but she would have done something” if she had been attacked in his brother’s home.

Dalton Jack has said he received a Snapchat message from Tibbetts July 18, after she would have returned from her run. Authorities haven’t found her Fitbit or cellphone. Her reward fund has grown past $300,000.

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 8/9/18

News, Podcasts

August 9th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The gates open today on the Iowa State Fair

News

August 9th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — With the rattle of rollercoasters and the scent of corn dogs, cotton candy and livestock, the Iowa State Fair starts its 11-day run today (Thursday) with the theme “Nothing Compares.” Fair manager Gary Slater says the fabled event has something to offer all visitors. “Every year we try to make it bigger and better than the year before,” Slater says. “Some of that is in construction and giving facilities a face-lift. Other parts of it are just new and exciting events that we are able to bring in or new exhibits.” Slater says there are also plenty of traditional exhibits that always pack in the crowds. “The Butter Cow is something that everybody needs to see when they come to the Iowa State Fair,” Slater says, “but, along with it, 100 years of John Deere Corporation being in existence and what better way than to display that than the Waterloo Boy tractor in butter?”

Several national magazines and newspapers, like the New York Times, list the Iowa State Fair as a top summer destination. Slater says it’s a special event that’s much more than just livestock shows, carnival rides, and concerts. “Some fairs, people would say, ‘Well, that used to be a good fair when it was livestock-orientated, but now it’s too urban,’ but I don’t think that’s happened to the Iowa State Fair and it certainly won’t happen while I’m here,” Slater says. “We have to honor those rural roots we have and know that agriculture is the largest industry in Iowa and one that we want to celebrate.”

One goal, he says, it to “make sure our urban cousins, as they come through the front gate, understand where their food and fiber come from.” The state fair runs through Sunday, August 19th.

(Podcast) KJAN Morning News & Funeral report, Thursday 8/9/2018

News, Podcasts

August 9th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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September trial set for Iowa woman in boy’s torture case

News

August 9th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

ACKLEY, Iowa (AP) — A trial has been scheduled for a woman accused of helping her boyfriend torture his 8-year-old son by locking him in a basement enclosure, withholding food and making him endure dog bites. Hardin County District Court records say 39-year-old Traci Tyler on Monday has entered a written plea of not guilty to a kidnapping charge. Her trial is set to begin Sept. 11. The boy’s father, 30-year-old Alex Shadlow, is scheduled to enter a plea Monday.

An arrest affidavit says the boy was locked for at least 9 hours a day last summer in an enclosed space under the basement stairs at the Ackley home, where he slept on concrete and had no access to a bathroom.
Police say Tyler also urged her dog to attack the boy, which left scars on his back and limbs.

SUV hits, drags motoryclist pinned under vehicle in Des Moines

News

August 9th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — A Des Moines man is being treated for serious injuries after he and his motorcycle were hit and pinned underneath an SUV. Police Sergeant Paul Parizek says it happened just before noon Wednesday on Fleur Drive, southwest of downtown Des Moines. The motorcycle and SUV were both southbound and shifting lanes to pass a Des Moines Waterworks vehicle that was stopped on the roadway for maintenance work. “We don’t why just yet, we’re looking at maybe mechanical error or operator error, but according to witnesses the SUV accelerated pretty rapidly as the motorcycle was slowing,” Parizek explained. “It struck the motorcycle from behind and it swept the motorcycle and the driver of the bike underneath the SUV. It continued on, dragging him, about 250 feet down this road.”

Rescue crews arrived to find the motorcyclist, 44-year-old Louis Kueh trapped underneath the Chevy Equinox. “Firefighters did some remarkable work…it was very impressive to watch,” Parizek said. “They were able to provide medical care while he was pinned underneath the car, while other firefighters were arranging the rescue. Eventually, after about 30 minutes, they were able to raise the car and pull him out from underneath.”  Seventy-year-old Shirley Kephart of Des Moines was driving the SUV. According to Parizek, impairment and excessive speed have been ruled out as factors in the crash. “My personal opinion, just having years of experience, I think she thought she was going to hit the brake and she hit the gas,” Parizek said.

Kuehl – who was not wearing a helmet – was being treating for serious injuries, but is expected to survive. “I really thought when I was watching this that we were eventually going to be talking about a fatality crash,” Parizek said. “I have never seen…mechanically what I saw, as far as him being completely underneath, trapped under the vehicle, and still alert and talking to us.”  Kephart was not injured in the crash.

1 dead & 2 injured in eastern IA when semi hits 2 motorcycles

News

August 9th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

One person died and two others were injured when a semi ran into two motorcycles Wednesday evening in eastern Iowa’s Johnson County. The Iowa State Patrol says a 2018 Harley Davidson motorcycle and and 2016 Harley, were traveling together on Interstate 80 eastbound at around 5:40-p.m., when they began to slow for traffic that was stopped up ahead for a previous accident. An eastbound 2000 Peterbilt semi was unable to stop in-time, and struck the rear of both motorcycles, which came to rest in the south ditch near mile marker 250.

One of the motorcyclists died at the scene. The other was transported by Johnson County Ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, in Iowa City. The driver of the semi was also transported to UIHC by ambulance. The Patrol did not immediately release the names of those involved in the crash, which remains under investigation.