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Winter Storm Update (11-a.m., 2/8/18)

News, Weather

February 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The National Weather Service has updated its list of counties in Iowa that under a Winter Weather Advisory. In the KJAN listening area, Carroll County (Which was under a Winter Weather Advisory), was upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning. The warning is in effect from 3-p.m. today until 9-a.m. Friday. Persons in the warned area can expect heavy snow, with accumulations for 4-to 7-inches, along with northerly winds of 15-to 25-miles per hour, which will create difficult driving conditions, including during the commute Friday morning.

Counties in purple are under a Winter Weather Advisory; Counties in Pink are in a Winter Storm Warning.

Counties that remain under a Winter Weather Advisory from 9-p.m. tonight until 9-a.m. Friday, include Audubon-Crawford-Guthrie and Dallas, in our listening area. Snow of 2-to 4-inches can be expected, along with northwest winds of 15-to 25-miles per hour, which can create blowing and drifting of snow. Plan on slippery road conditions and reduced visibilities at times.

Man pleads guilty, is fined for leaving dogs in hot car

News

February 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) — A dog handler accused of leaving four dogs inside a hot vehicle last year, killing three, has pleaded guilty to three counts of confining animals. The Ottumwa Courier reports that in exchange for Craig Eugene’s recent plea, a fourth count was dismissed. Eugene was fined $300.

Police say the dogs were found in Eugene’s car July 8 outside the American Kennel Club All Breeds Dog Show in Ottumwa. Two of the dogs were found dead in the car and a third died at a veterinary clinic. Police say Eugene, of Marengo, Illinois, told officers his vehicle was running when he put the dogs inside, but it wasn’t running when he returned. The National Weather Service says the Ottumwa temperature peaked at 89 degrees that day.

Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s report, 2/8/18

News

February 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office today (Thursday), reports a man already in the Pott. County jail, was served Wednesday, with a Felony warrant for Conspiracy to Deliver Methamphetamine. The warrant was served on 49-year old Dennis Earl Page, of Council Bluffs. Page was remanded to the custody of jail staff and returned to his cell, once the charge was read.

A report of marijuana found Wednesday afternoon on the Jack Links property on Magnolia Road, in Pott. County, resulted in a citation for 26-year old Jose J. Sandoval, of Omaha. Sandoval was cited for Possession of a Controlled Substance (7 grams of marijuana), after a green leafy substance was found in a plastic baggie.

A Deputy working to serve civil papers Wednesday afternoon in Council Bluffs arrested a man on a Felony warrant for Theft in the 2nd degree. Authorities say a deputy was following a pickup into Bluffs Acres ran the vehicles’ license plate, which came back showing the owner of the truck, 44-year old Stacey Lynn Hollingsworth, of Council Bluffs, was wanted on the warrant.

And, 26-year old Dalton Joel Behrens, of Treynor, was arrested at around 2:20-a.m. today (Thursday), for OWI/2nd offense. Behrens was taken into custody after a Deputy was called to investigate an unknown injury accident at Highway 6 and Eagle Lane, where a 1998 Dodge Ram pickup had gone into the ditch.  No injuries were reported.

 

Bill to ban abortions after fetal heartbeat detected advances

News

February 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

A bill that would ban abortions in Iowa after a fetal heartbeat can be detected cleared a senate subcommittee this (Thursday) morning after emotional and pointed testimony at a public hearing. Chuck Hurley is vice president of The Family Leader, an evangelical Christian group. “‘The Golden Rule’ is to treat others the way we want to be treated. Is there anybody in this room who honest to God wishes that they’d been aborted?” Hurley asked and some in the crowd reacted angrily. “That’s what we’re talking about.”

A doctor told lawmakers a fetal heartbeat may be detected as early as four weeks into a pregnancy. The Iowa Medical Society warned lawmakers the state’s only training program for O-B/G-Y-N doctors will be shut down if the bill becomes law. Scott Valencia, chairman of the Iowa Coalition of Pro-life Leaders, responded. “If a heartbeat exists, there is life…if all of them are going to leave because we stop finding better ways to take lives, we have a bigger problems to be looking at here,” Valencia said. Jamie Burch of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland says the bill “intentionally goes too far.” “The motivation behind this bill is clear: to create a vehicle to challenge Roe v Wade,” Burch said. “If this bill passes and is signed into law by our governor, it will open the door to endless litigation.”

Iowa Catholic Conference executive director Tom Chapman told lawmakers the church believes life begins at conception, but is “neutral” on the bill because it is “likely unconstitutional.” “We should consider the unintended, long-term consequences that could result from our court finding a robust right to an abortion in our state constitution,” Chapman said. “which could result in the elimination of some of the limitations we already have in Iowa.” A senator told Chapman to go back to the state’s four Catholic bishops and rethink their stance on the bill.

Leah Vanden Bosch wore a pink t-shirt to signal her support of Planned Parenthood. Vanden Bosch told legislators she would have killed herself if she hadn’t had an abortion. “I don’t want to be sharing my story…but I feel like I have to stick up and represent these women,” Vanden Bosch said. “I’m praying to the same God that you are right now this morning and he’s pushing me here to speak to you and show you a different side.”

At the conclusion of the public hearing, half dozen senators spoke about the bill — giving a preview of the debate to come in a senate committee next week.

(Radio Iowa)

Bill would mandate sale of ‘conventional’ eggs in Iowa stores

Ag/Outdoor, News

February 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Legislators are considering a bill that would force the state’s grocery stores to always have “conventional” eggs for sale. Republican Representative Lee Hein, of Monticello says the concern is stores may be pressured to only sell eggs that come from “cage free” operations.  “Which are $3 to $4 more expensive that the regular commodity egg that’s cheaper and more affordable,” Hein says.  Bill backers say it’s about ensuring consumer choice. Critics say it will require stores to sell a certain product. Hein admits to “struggling with” the idea of imposing a mandate. “But I also believe that we don’t need to bow down to the pressure of the animal rights groups, which are maybe growing, but are still a small segment of the population,” Hein says. “And I firmly believe that the regular Iowans wants a choice.”

The vast majority of the eggs laid in the U.S. each year come from “conventional” large-scale operations with thousands of hens. Some retailers, like Walmart, have committed to eventually buying eggs from hens that have a larger range of movement indoors — in so-called “cage free” operations. If this bill becomes STATE law, though, Walmart stores in Iowa would be required to keep selling eggs raised in large-scale conventional operations. The legislation has cleared initial review in both the House and Senate. It must pass a full committee by the end of next week to remain eligible for consideration in the 2018 Iowa legislature.

(Radio Iowa)

Mechanical records for Oakland School bus were allegedly altered after a fatal fire

News

February 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Des Moines Register reports an investigation into the Dec. 12th, 2017 fatal Riverside School District school bus fire, has revealed new information in the case. In the report, investigators found mechanical repair records for the bus involved in the fire that killed a student and the bus driver, were changed a week after the fatal fire. Following an inspection which occurred six days before the fire, the bus was ordered to stop transporting students. An exit lock signal and outside warning light were both not working at the time of the inspection.

The school district reported the fixes were made on a handwritten note the same day as the inspection. The state requires all bus repairs to be reported with the state before it can start transportation again, but the school failed to do so. Those same fixes weren’t reported to the state until at least seven days after the accident.

Federal investigators and the National Transportation Safety Board are still investigating.

Spring runoff in the Missouri River will be slightly higher than normal

News

February 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

With above-normal snowpack in the mountains of Montana and Wyoming, the U-S Army Corps of Engineers is getting the Missouri River reservoir system ready for expected runoff this spring. Kevin Stamm, with the Corps’ water management office in Omaha, says they expect runoff to be higher than normal, but only slightly.”The 2018 calendar year runoff forecast is 26.4-million acre feet which is 104% of average,” Stamm says. “Above average runoff is forecast to continue in February.

In March and April, the plains snowpack in Montana is forecast to cause above-average runoff, however, drought conditions in the Dakotas will likely cause below-average runoff in the lower region.” Corps engineer Joel Knofczynski says they have already hit their flood storage goals. “On January 15th, the reservoir system storage reached 56.1-million acre feet which is at the base of the annual flood control zone,” Knofczynski says. “This means that all of the stored 2017 flood waters have been evacuated from the system.”

The Corps says releases from Gavins Point Dam, the lowest on the system, will stay at about 18-thousand cubic feet per second for the rest of winter, but can be adjusted as needed.

(Radio Iowa)

Prosecutors: Iowa man suffocated baby daughter with pillows

News

February 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

NEVADA, Iowa (AP) — Prosecutors say a central Iowa man charged in the death of his 2-month-old daughter killed the baby by placing pillows on her face. The Des Moines Register reports that 29-year-old Calvin Curtis White, of Nevada, has been charged with first-degree murder and child endangerment causing death after his daughter was found not breathing Jan. 29 and later died. Police also say they found a recorded message on White’s phone in which he said he killed the infant by placing pillows on her face to keep from hearing her cry.

Police say White was the sole caregiver of his daughter at the time of her death. White remains in the Story County Jail on a $1 million bond.

Des Moines City Hall to be ready for workers by end of month

News

February 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Workers are set to move back into the newly-renovated Des Moines City Hall by the end of the month. The Des Moines Register reports that city clerk’s office will be the first to reopen at City Hall on Feb. 26. Other offices will return each week until the transition is completed on April 2.

City Hall has been closed since June 2016 as the 108-year-old building underwent a $5.5 million renovation to replace outdated heating and cooling systems and add fire sprinklers. A city spokeswoman says the Des Moines City Council will hold its first meeting in the historic council chambers on April 9 since moving out.

Atlantic City Council News

News

February 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, approved a Resolution authorizing bids for 2018 Street and Alley improvements. Snyder and Associates Engineer Dave Sturm listed the projects that will be underway once the weather improves. They include: Chestnut St., from 18th to 22nd;14th St., from Olive to Highway 71; Plum St. from 7th to 14th, with a widening of Plum St. from 10th to 14th; an alley between 10th and 13th Streets, Birch & Cedar, and a turnaround south of Palm Street. The bid date was set for Tuesday, March 6th, with Council action on accepting the bid(s) during the Council’s meeting on March 7th.

The Council agreed to close specific streets on Sunday, August 5th, from 8-a.m. To 5-p.m., for the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church 125th Anniversary Celebration. Theresa Hohenberger, from Saints Peter and Paul, explained the event is the conclusion to a two-year campaign they’ve been running to renovate the church.They’re also tying the event in with the City of Atlantic’s year-long 150th Celebration. She said there will be bounces, beef producers grilling, picnic tables, etc. They’re hoping for 300-to 500 people to be in attendance.

As previously mentioned, the temporary street closures would be:

West 6th, between Locust and Poplar
West 5th, between Locust and Poplar
Locust, between 5th and 6th Streets
West 6th, between Locust & the alley between Locust & Cedar.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, agreed to subscribe to a computer program put out by a local firm, that will enhance the experience of persons visiting the City website. The program, “Journity,” is a product of 5Q in Atlantic. Company owner Chad Williams said the program is designed to customize the experience individuals visiting the City’s website have, by identifying their location. Williams says a trial run of the program on the City’s website indicates 61-percent of visitors leave the site within 10-seconds, “Probably,” he says, because they “Probably haven’t found what they were looking for.” Journity will help new visitors to a site become more engaged in the process of finding what they need and remembers their choices. The program also helps with marketing the City to potential new residents and businesses, by showing what is available and other factors.

The Council tabled an Engineering agreement with Snyder and Associates, Wednesday, with regard to the Beautification Project, and they approved an engineering agreement with Snyder’s for the AMU Connector Trail Project. The project involves the construction of an eight-foot wide concrete pedestrian trail from the existing end of trail at KJAN, south and east to connect the end of the paved trail currently under contract with Howery Construction, located at the southeast corner of the Little League baseball/softball complex.