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(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 7/7/2016

News, Podcasts

July 7th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

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

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Panel searches for ways to help drug-endangered Iowa kids

News

July 7th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

A task force will soon meet in Des Moines looking for new protections for children living in homes where caregivers are involved with illegal drugs. The working group was authorized after legislators failed to pass a bill this year governing so-called “drug-endangered” children. Dale Woolery, spokesman for the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy, says the panel will include child welfare advocates, substance abuse experts and law enforcement officials.

Woolery says, “The concerns generally are for the welfare, what’s best for children, who may be exposed to drugs that wind up in their system or are living in an environment where drugs are used or sold or in some cases manufactured.”

Child welfare advocates say fewer children are being tested for drugs in their systems under a new child abuse investigation protocol at the Iowa Department of Human Services and a D-H-S spokeswoman says more families are taking advantage of services under the new system. Woolery says child welfare is at stake.

“Once someone knows that caregivers have been drug-involved is that child or are the children in that home are they safe, are they safe a month from now, six months from now?” Woolery says. “What’s happening to intervene in that situation?”

A bill which failed to pass the legislature this year would have required notifying law enforcement if investigators determine that a child is “drug-endangered,” which would be a new term in Iowa law. Now, law enforcement is notified if a child is in imminent danger.

(Radio Iowa)

Dog stolen from Creston property

News

July 7th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Police in Creston say a resident in the 400 block of N. Vine Street reported this (Thursday) morning, that sometime during the overnight hours Wednesday into this morning, someone opened a dog pen on his property and took his female Collie. The dog is wearing a pink/purple collar. The animal was valued at $400. If you have any information about the location of the dog, contact Creston Police. collie

(Podcast) KJAN Morning News & funeral report, 7/7/2016

News, Podcasts

July 7th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Ernst has reportedly ruled out being Trump’s running mate

News

July 7th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst told a reporter for the Washington, D.C. publication “Politico” that she can provide the best “assistance” to Donald Trump as a senator rather than as his running mate. Ernst spoke briefly with Radio Iowa early Wednesday afternoon, saying she was “very impressed” with Trump after meeting privately with him Sunday.

When asked directly if she could envision being Trump’s vice president, Ernst said “any number of Republicans” could fulfill that role. “That’s entirely his decision and he will most certainly pick the right person for his ticket and I look forward to supporting that ticket,” Ernst said. Ernst told the Politico reporter she is just getting started in the U.S. Senate and expects to be an “advocate” for Trump on the campaign trail.

The New York Times is reporting the Trump campaign will give Ernst a prime-time speaking slot at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland later this month.

(Radio Iowa)

Highway 34 blocked near Corning due to an accident

News

July 7th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

U-S Highway 34 in Adams County was reported to be blocked this morning in both directions west of Corning, due to an accident. The Iowa DOT says the road is blocked between County Road N-26 and Exit 62 (Highway 148). No other details are currently available.untitled

New business tax break expected to save manufacturers $29 million

News

July 7th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Revenue is fast-tracking the rules to implement a business tax break lawmakers approved this spring. Last fall, Governor Branstad directed the agency to erase the state sales tax on items that are used in the manufacturing process, but in March lawmakers stepped in, dumped the department’s plan and approved a similar, but slightly smaller tax break.

Victoria Daniels, Public Information Officer for the Iowa Department of Revenue, says “The department’s original rule was more broad than the law that passed.” This new tax policy went into effect July 1st. It means the state sales tax is no longer charged on “consumable supplies” like oils and lubricants that are “directly” used to manufacture something in an Iowa factory.

“This is going to save a lot of paperwork for companies out there, company accountants out there who have been tasked with keeping of those items separately,” Daniels says, “and, believe me, we are talking about thousands and thousands and thousands of items.”

State officials estimate that in the coming year Iowa businesses will save about 29 million dollars that will no longer be spent paying sales taxes on those supplies. The governor’s broader proposal would have saved businesses up to 10 million MORE dollars by erasing the state sales tax on other factory supplies that do not make contact with the product being manufactured.

(Radio Iowa)

Power plant roof damaged in Villisca during storms

News, Weather

July 7th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Severe thunderstorms that rolled through northwest and western Iowa overnight caused a substantial amount of damage. The Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency reports the roof was blown-off a power plant in Villisca today (Thursday) at around 3:45-a.m. There was also damage to a chicken plant southwest of Villisca, and large tree branches fell in the City.

Damage in Villisca (Photo's by Montgomery County Emergency Mgmt. Agency)

Damage in Villisca (Photo’s by Montgomery County Emergency Mgmt. Agency)

EMA1 EMA2In northwest Iowa’s Pocahontas County, extensive tree damage was reported to have occurred at around 12:50-a.m. today (Thursday), in Fonda. In Calhoun County, 12-inch diameter tree limbs succumbed to thunderstorm winds in Manson. Further north, in Palo Alto County, thunderstorm wind damage was reported to trees in Emmetsburg. Winds in Mallard gusted up to 65-mph.

In north central Iowa, extensive tree damage all across Kossuth County due to straight-line winds, with Algona, Swea City, Burt, Luverne and Bancroft specifically mentioned as hard hit areas. In Winnebago County, a large tree was uprooted near Lake Mills, with a few trees falling onto parked vehicles. Winds in the area were clocked at up to 70-mph. And, in Worth County, Highway 65 was blocked by downed power lines in both directions earlier this (Thursday) morning.

Work could begin anytime on Atlantic Street & alley projects

News

July 7th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Work on the City of Atlantic’s streets and alley improvement projects could begin anytime, now that City Council has approved a construction bid from Henningsen Construction. Snyder and Associates Engineer Dave Sturm told the Council during their meeting Wednesday evening, that the latest work on more than a dozen alleys and streets could begin under the contract, is September 15th, but it will likely begin much sooner.

Sturm said Henningsen’s bid was much less than what the City had budgeted for. The Engineers’ re-estimated costs was $1.18-million dollars, which was less than $1.59-million the City had budgeted for. Henningsen’s bid came in even lower than the re-estimate, at just under $1.14-million.

Sturm said Henningsen was able to bid lower than Western Engineering, because they have an asphalt plant near Atlantic due to the proximity of other area projects. A reduction in the price of oil (which is used in a Hot Asphalt Mix), was also a factor in the bid.

Traffic stop results in pursuit and accident in Fremont County

News

July 7th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

A traffic stop Wednesday in Fremont County resulted in a pursuit and arrest following an accident. Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports deputies tried to stop a vehicle driven by 18-year old Drew Minono, of Hamburg, as he was traveling on Highway 275,  north of Hamburg. Minino failed to stop but was eventually apprehended in the 2700 block of 286th Street, after he lost control of his vehicle, which slid off the roadway. No injuries were reported.

Minino was taken to the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, where he faces several traffic violations. He was subsequently released on bond.