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Permanent closure of southbound I-29 off-ramp to Nebraska Street (exit 147B) scheduled for May 23 in Sioux City

News

May 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Sioux City construction office reports the permanent closure of the southbound Interstate 29 off-ramp to Nebraska Street (exit 147B) in Sioux City, is scheduled for 8 a.m. Monday, May 23, weather permitting.

Motorists should use the Hamilton Boulevard off-ramp (exit 149) or the Floyd Boulevard off-ramp (exit 147) to access Nebraska Street.

Fontanelle man cited following weekend accident

News

May 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Union County Sheriff’s Office says a man from Adair County was cited following a non-injury accident that took place over the weekend. Authorities report 58-year old Charles Hurd, of Fontanelle, was cited for Driving Under Suspension and Operating a vehicle without registration. The citation was issued after pickups driven by Hurd, and 17-year old Maggie Mason, of Lorimor, sideswiped each other as they met at the crest of a hill in Union County.

The accident happened at around 4-p.m. Saturday, as Hurd was traveling south on Yellow Rose Avenue and Mason was traveling north. Both vehicles were traveling with their drivers’ sides in the middle of the road. Damage from the accident amounted to $10,000.

Ticks Are Out – Keep Them Off

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Warmer weather and timely rains mean tick-borne disease season is underway in Iowa. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reminds Iowans to protect themselves against tick bites. Ticks can carry the organisms that cause diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Ehrlichiosis.

IDPHThe best way to prevent tick bites is to avoid wooded and grassy areas, where ticks are usually found. If you do spend time in these areas:

  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and long, light-colored pants tucked into socks or boots.
  • Stay on trails when walking or hiking, and avoid high grass.
  • Use insect repellants that contain DEET. Read and follow the label directions for application. DEET is not recommended for use on children under 2 months of age. For more information on DEET, visit http://wiki.idph.iowa.gov/Portals/3/userfiles/5/Files/DEET%20Fact%20sheet.pdf.
  • Check yourself, your children and your pets for ticks. Ticks tend to prefer the back of the knee, armpit, scalp, groin, and back of the neck.

If you discover a tick on your body, remove it right away. Folk remedies, such as burning the tick with a match or covering it with petroleum jelly or nail polish, are not effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following instructions for removing a tick:

  • Carefully grasp the tick by using tweezers to grip the tick by its mouthparts which are close to the skin. Do not squeeze the tick’s body.
  • Pull steadily directly away from your skin. Because removing the tick’s body is your main goal, don’t worry if its mouthparts break off in the process.
  • Clean the wound and disinfect the site of the bite.

The most common tick-borne disease is Lyme disease; 319 cases of Lyme disease were reported to IDPH in 2015. Not everyone who gets Lyme disease will have the same symptoms, but the best and earliest sign of infection is a rash that may appear within a few days to a month, usually at the site of the tick bite. The rash will first look like a small, red bump, then expand until it begins to look like a bull’s eye, with a red center and a red ring surrounding a clear area. It is important to contact your healthcare provider immediately if you develop this type of rash or develop flu-like symptoms within a month of having a tick bite or being in an area where ticks are present.

For more information on Lyme disease, visit http://idph.iowa.gov/cade/disease-information/lyme-disease.

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 5/17/2016

News, Podcasts

May 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

Play

Griswold School Board approves A-D/M.S.-H.S. Principal contracts

News

May 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

(Corrected background information for Elwood)

The Griswold School District will have a new Athletic Director for the 2016-17 School Year. The School Board, Monday evening approved a contract for Katie Elwood. Elwood had previously served the Griswold District as a teacher from 2005-06 before going to work for the Stanton School District, where she serves as a Social Studies Teacher. In addition to being named Griswold’s A-D, Elwood will serve as the District’s Middle School/High School Principal, beginning July 1st, for the 2016-17 School Year.

Katie Elwood (Stanton School District website photo)

Katie Elwood (Stanton School District website photo)

Elwood is a graduate of the Tri-Center High School. She received her bachelors degree in secondary education and coaching endorsement at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she also played college basketball for the Huskers.

Pawn Shop Theft reported in Creston

News

May 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Creston Police say a pawn shop owner reported Monday, that someone had stolen a single-stack, .380-caliber compact pistol. The weapon was taken sometime during the afternoon of May 13th or Saturday morning, May 14th, from the Quik Pawn store at 101 W. Taylor Street, in Creston. The gun was valued at $550.

Creston Police said also, 52-year old David White, of Creston, was arrested Monday on a charge of Public Intoxication – 3rd or subsequent offense. White was being held in the Union County Jail on $2,000 bond.

Lenox School Board approves sharing agreement with Griswold

News

May 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Last week, the Griswold School Board unanimously approved a Superintendent Sharing Agreement with the Lenox School District, contingent upon the details being hashed out. Monday, the Lenox School Board followed suit. The vote was 5-to nothing.

Talks will now continue on refining the terms and definitions of a contract for Lenox Superintendent David Henrichs.

Atlantic Parks and Rec Board reluctantly accepts Director’s resignation

News

May 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board of Directors, Monday, reluctantly accepted the resignation of Parks Director Roger Herring. Board President Stuart Dusenberry even tried to (tongue-in-cheek) skip over the part of the agenda mentioning Herring’s resignation. Herring thanked the Board for its support over the past 5-years, and said he would love to be available as a consultant, if needed.

Asst. Parks Director Seth Staashelm (Left) & Parks Director Roger Herring (right).

Asst. Parks Director Seth Staashelm (Left) & Parks Director Roger Herring (right).

Herring said because he’s retiring, though, and because he has benefits coming at the end of his retirement, it brings into question whether he would still receive those benefits if he were to work part-time. It would also require the City Council’s approval. The bottom line is, according to Herring, that he cannot work for the City for at least 30-days following his last day of full-time employment, which is June 30th.

He said regardless of what his status is, he wants to “stay connected” and continue to serve the City, especially with regard to seeing projects that are on the table, through. Herring says he’ll be available to support current Parks Director Seth Staashelm, but not interfere with the way he runs the department. He said also, he’s willing to volunteer, but not “totally give away my time.”

Herring said that’s because he wants to spend time with his wife and family, watch his grandchildren grow-up and doing some fishing and golfing, but he still wants to do something that “Helps make a difference in Atlantic.” Board Chair Stuart Dusenberry thanked Roger Herring for his years of service to the community, prior to the Board officially accepting Herring’s letter of resignation.

Atlantic Police charge CCHS CEO with felony forgery

News

May 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green issued a press release this (Tuesday) morning, saying Cass County Health System CEO Todd Hudspeth was formally charged with felony Forgery, in connection to an incident where he allegedly deposited a check for his son’s education into his personal account at a bank in Atlantic. The check had the name of Hudspeth’s ex-wife allegedly signed by Hudspeth without her permission.

Green says the charges are the result of evidence gathered in a Forgery case previously filed by the Storm Lake Police Department.On May 4th, Hudspeth issued a written plea of Not Guilty to the charge in Buena Vista County. A pre-trial conference is set for June 2nd in that county, with a jury trial scheduled for July 12th.

Hudspeth was issued a citation by Atlantic Police, ordering him to appear in court locally, at a later date. In April, Hudspeth released a statement saying he had received an investment disbursement from a fund early this year and was in a hurry to put money into an account to pay his son’s college expenses. He admitted “In my haste I made a poor decision and endorsed the check with both my ex-wife’s name and my own to deposit the funds into a checking account,” he said, calling his actions “a foolish shortcut.”

12 year old arrested for incident exposure in Red Oak

News

May 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Red Oak Police say a juvenile was arrested Monday evening on a serious misdemeanor charge of Indecent Exposure. 12-year old Joseph Evinder Daniel, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 6-p.m. in the 2400 block of N. 8th Street. He was cited into Juvenile Court and then released to his parents.