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!

Gov. Reynolds orders flags at half-staff today (Saturday) in honor of WWII Sailor KIA at Pearl Harbor

News

September 25th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered that all flags be lowered to half-staff Saturday from sunrise to sunset in honor of an Iowan killed at Pearl Harbor who will be laid to rest. Eli Olsen, 23, was a Navy petty officer serving on board the USS Oklahoma when it was sunk by Japanese pilots during the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

Olsen’s remains were only recently identified. Services are being held today at the Exira Lutheran Church, beginning at 10:30 a.m. He will be buried at the Exira Cemetery.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Eli Olsen, of Exira. KIA Dec. 7, 1941 on the USS Oklahoma.

Iowa Latino Heritage Festival returns after year off during pandemic

News

September 25th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Latino Heritage Festival is back after being canceled in 2020 and enduring rain in 2019. Festival executive director, Joe Gonzalez, says he’s glad the weather forecast looks good for the weekend. And this year, there are even more sponsors to help make up for two years of lower earnings.

“We find that, you know, that it’s really, really special to us, you know, that there’s so much interest and people want to be a part of it,” Gonzalez says. There are fewer exhibitors at this year’s festival. Gonzalez attributes that to some hesitation with the pandemic. But, he says, that won’t take away from any of the fun and education.

“This time is going to be even a greater learning experience because of taking the time off. And then also because we’re, you know, a little bit smaller than usual.” Tickets for Latino Heritage Festival this weekend in downtown Des Moines are five dollars.

Iowa schools to host visits from Abe Lincoln reinactor

News

September 25th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – An actor who closely resembles the United States’ 16th president will be touring Iowa schools and libraries next month, hoping to inspire students to learn about history as well as the man known as the Great Emancipator. Kevin Wood has spent many years studying Abraham Lincoln, learning all there is to know about him so he can give an accurate portrayal.  “Growing up, I always loved history and I spent six years, my junior high and high school years, in Illinois which, as you probably know, is the Land of Lincoln,” Wood says. “I went to a high school in a town where the courthouse is still standing that Abraham Lincoln practiced law in. That all got me interested in history and Lincoln, in particular.”

As one who rose from obscurity to the highest office in the land, Wood says Lincoln can be an inspiration for students today to likewise dream. “It’s a first-person historical presentation, in character the whole time, even during Q-and-A,” Wood says. “Essentially, Mr. Lincoln will talk about his life and times and he’ll start with a little speech he made out at Gettysburg that you might’ve heard of.”

Wood’s first appearances as Lincoln are scheduled for October 4th in Milford and West Bend, with more scheduled during the month in: Fenton, Swea City, Ringsted, Webster City, Marcus, Manning and Glidden.

Iowa students will quiz astronauts aboard the orbiting space station

News

September 25th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Elementary and middle school students across Iowa will be tuning in to NASA-TV during “watch parties” this (Monday) morning to see if astronauts aboard the International Space Station answer their questions. Sara Nelson, an assistant director at the Iowa Space Grant Consortium, says it’s a very special event for young Iowans who took part in Astro Camps this past summer. “The youth prepared their questions, recorded them and they were sent to NASA,” Nelson says, “and NASA’s TV production company puts them together and then that video is played for the astronauts and they answer live on NASA-TV the questions that the students submitted.”

I-S-S astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur will answer the series of questions from the Iowa students, though the kids don’t know which ones are going to air. “It is a surprise for the students. We had about 30 students submit questions and they were mentored by adults to hopefully get a good question out there,” Nelson says. “We had one question that stumped them which was really interesting and they had to get a Nobel laureate to answer it.”

That student’s question involved how to measure and quantify unseen objects in space, a far better query, Nelson laughs, than the typical questions about the use of space toilets. America’s space program is going through an exciting transition in this post-shuttle era and Nelson says the enthusiasm is contagious. “There’s actually been a renewed interest in our Artemis program, the return to the Moon, and then thinking about going to Mars, and of course, some of the recent launches with more civilian-type astronauts being launched,” Nelson says. “We’ve actually had quite a few requests for information and ‘What kind of lessons can I do in my classrooms?’ from teachers.”

The Earth-to-space call will air live starting around 11 A-M Central. Anyone can watch for free via NASA-TV, the NASA app or the NASA channel on YouTube. There is an Iowan in the astronaut corps. Raja Chari is a Cedar Falls native who will command a mission to the ISS that’s scheduled for launch late next month.

Work week ends with fatal crashes in Iowa

News

September 24th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The next to last week of September has ended with at least three fatal accidents (As of Friday). According to the Iowa State Patrol, an accident in Hardin County at around 10:30-a.m. Friday, claimed one life and resulted in injuries to another person. Authorities say a 2011 Chevy Avalanche driven by 18-year-old Alexazander Purman, of Elkader, was traveling east on Highway 20, when it entered the median and continued into the westbound lanes, where the pickup collided head-on with a 2016 Ford Explorer.

Purman was flown by Aircare to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. He was not wearing a seat belt. The driver of the SUV, 61-year-old Bryan Harken, of Spencer, was wearing a seat belt but died from his injuries at the scene. The accident remains under investigation.

A collision Thursday evening in Jasper County claimed the life of a man on a bicycle. The State Patrol reports a 2017 Ford Escape driven by 19-year-old Halli Kay Versteegh, of Newton, was traveling south on S-74 near Newton at around 7:30-p.m., when it struck a bicyclist who was riding down the middle of the road. 58-year-old Mark Wayne Adkins, of Newton, died from his injuries after being flown to Mercy Hospital, in Des Moines by Mercy Air helicopter.

And, as we reported earlier, the Iowa State Patrol reports a woman was struck and killed by a school bus Thursday morning, in Guttenberg. The Patrol report says 66-year-old Judy Puls, of Guttenberg, was crossing a street when a school bus driven by 73-year-old Ronnie Moser was attempting to make a turn and struck her. Puls died at the scene. No charges have been filed as the State Patrol continues to investigate.

Accident blocks I-80 east in Adair County

News

September 24th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Menlo, Iowa) – An accident involving a semi-tractor trailer rollover had eastbound Interstate 80 in Adair County blocked in both lanes, and traffic being re-routed, Friday afternoon. According to the Iowa State Patrol, the accident happened near Greenfield exit (Exit 86).  Eastbound traffic was diverted to an alternate exit and around the crash scene. Additional information is not available as of the time of this report.

Flu Vaccine Appointments Now Available; Multiple Options for Patients

News

September 24th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

ATLANTIC- Atlantic, IA — Flu season is approaching soon, and Atlantic Medical Center, RHC is making it easy for patients to get their annual flu vaccine. This year, options include drive-thru appointments, immunizations at school, and satellite clinics in Anita, Griswold, and Massena. Drive-thru flu shots will begin this Monday, September 27th and continue through the end of October. Cass Health Chief Clinic Administrator Tammy Bireline says “Patients loved the convenience of the drive-thru appointments last year, and we’re happy to offer the service again.” Appointments can be made by calling 712-243-2850. Appointments are available on Monday and Friday mornings from 8 am to noon and on Wednesday afternoons from 2 to 6 pm. The drive-thru will be located in the curved driveway on 10th street, at the top of the staff parking lot (Lot D).

Flu Shots at School:

Students at Atlantic High School, Atlantic Middle School, CAM, and Griswold can receive their shots at school this year. Bireline says “Flu shots will be available at most of the schools this year, which is a great option for busy families.” Parents who want their student to receive the flu shot at school need to complete the required consent form (download at casshealth.org) and return it to the school by October 1.

Flu Shots in Anita, Griswold, Massena:

While drive-thru flu shots will not be available at Atlantic Medical Center’s satellite locations in Anita, Griswold, and Massena, people are still able to easily receive their flu shot in each clinic. “We encourage people to call ahead and make sure that we have the flu vaccine readily available at that location. Most of the time, we’re able to make same-day appointments for those folks to stop in and get their flu shot. We do our best to make it quick and easy, so calling ahead helps us be prepared for the patient,” said Bireline.

Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors Visit Heart of Hoye Photography

News

September 24th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Griswold, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Desiree Hoye, owner/photographer of Heart of Hoye Photography, on Thursday, September 23rd, 2021. The Ambassadors joined Desiree and her husband Anthony in celebrating the opening of the new photography studio located at 404 Main Street in Griswold.

Desiree Hoye has always had a natural eye for taking photos and designing, but it wasn’t until a friend asked if she would take engagement photos that she truly took hold of her gift for photography. Fast-forward to summer of this year when she officially opened a studio of her own. Desiree shared that the studio allows her to create a warm and welcoming environment for sessions in conjunction with her many outdoor settings.

Ambassadors Pictured Left to Right: Jessi Klever, Alden Harriman, Ruth Sears, Dawn Marnin, Anthony Hoye, Scott Bennett, Desiree Hoye, Dolly Bergmann, Megan Roberts, Mike Cook, Kathie Hockenberry.

Desiree takes pride in her ability to connect quickly with the individuals/ families which allows everyone to feel comfortable and at ease. This connection paired with a calm environment allows Desiree to catch true emotion and candid moments during any engagement, wedding, family, or newborn session. Heart of Hoye Photography is located at 404 Main Street in Griswold.

AHS Class of 1970 to plant a Ginko tree, Saturday

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 24th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A tree that can live as long as 3,000 years (according to ArborDay.org), will be planted by the Atlantic High School Class of 1970, Saturday afternoon, on the grounds of the High School. Dr. Tressa Wilcox, of Atlantic, say a Gingko Tree will planted at 2-p.m. Saturday by the east drive of the Atlantic High School. The “50-year plus 1” event was delayed due to the pandemic. The AHS Class of 1970 planted a Gingko Tree back in 1970, also.

The class planted their first tree on the grounds of the downtown Atlantic City Park. It can be found on the northeast side, and a little toward the central part of the park. Dr. Wilcox said that first tree “is doing very well.”

Gingko leaves in the Fall

Since they graduated, the AHS Class of 1970 has lost 35 of their classmates.

Dr. Wilcox says school officials have been very supportive of the tree planting.

The hole the tree will be located in, is deep enough for the 12-foot tall tree.

Iowans: Beware of text message saying you’re not registered to vote

News

September 24th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans may have recently received a text message that makes it look like they aren’t registered to vote, but county and state officials say the text isn’t from them. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate as well as many county auditors on Thursday posted social media messages that there’s a text message circulating throughout the state regarding voter registration and that it did not come from their office.

The text says “According to our records, you may not have registered to vote in Iowa.” It then tells the message recipient that you can secure your vote by clicking on a link to complete a voter registration form. Pate says that his office has talked to the entity that sent the text messages, which is a political party, and they assure that the website is secure.