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Oakland man arrested on Theft, burglary & forgery charges

News

May 30th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Oakland was arrested Monday afternoon on a warrant for 2nd Degree Theft, Burglary in the 3rd Degree, and a felony, Forgery charge. 31-year old Corey Andrew Stephens was arrested after a deputy on routine patrol saw Stephens walking in the 300 block of S. Gates Street, in Oakland. The deputy knew Stephens had an active warrant, which was confirmed through dispatch.

Atlantic man arrested Monday night on assault & other charges

News

May 30th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County report a Cass County man was arrested Monday evening on assault and other charges. A deputy was dispatched at around 7:45-p.m. to 412 Park Street in Oakland, to follow-up with a woman for Cass County, with regard to an earlier road rage incident on Highway 6, with several of those involved still having been in the Atlantic area.

After contact was made with the woman, it was determined a domestic assault had possibly occurred. Following an investigation, 19-year old Evan Matthew Smith, of Atlantic, was arrested for Simple Domestic Assault (of his ex-girlfriend), Theft in the 5th Degree (for an allegedly stolen cell phone), and Harassment by Personal Contact.

2 accidents in Creston

News

May 30th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Creston Police Department say no injuries were reported following two accidents last Thursday and Friday. One of the accidents happened at around 6:40-a.m. Thursday, when a 2000 Oldsmobile driven by 22-year old Paul Raymond Harpin, of Creston, failed to stop at the intersection of N. Birch and E. Prairie Streets. Harpin’s car collided with a 2007 Chevy SUV driven by 24-year old Jasmine Jaylene Ellis, of Creston, causing a total of $15,000 damage. Harpin was cited for Failure to Obey a stop Sign.

The second accident happened at around 12:50-p.m. Friday, at the intersection of Lincoln and Townline Streets. Creston Police say 19-year old Colette Marie Eggleston, of David City, NE., was traveling westbound on Townline Street and talking with her passenger, when the 2007 Ford 500 she was driving ran a red light and collided with a 1996 Toyota Corolla driven by 42-year old Velma Raedeanne Blazek, of Fontanelle. Damage from the crash amounted to $4,300.

(UPDATE) Candle causes Harlan mobile home fire

News

May 30th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

In an update to our earlier report, Harlan Fire Chief Roger Bissen confirms one person was injured, but did not require transport to the hospital, following a fire that destroyed a mobile home at around 4-a.m., today (Tuesday). Bissen said the blaze at the West Ridge Acres Mobile Home Park (3002 12th Street), Lot 15, started with an unattended candle.

Bissen told KJAN News the homeowner had a candle burning when he fell asleep. The candle caught a chair on fire. The resident tried to take the burning chair outside, but it became jammed in the door. The resident managed to get out of the home, but suffered a laceration to his hand in the process. He was treated at the scene.

Harlan Fire and Rescue was on the scene for about 2-hours. No other injuries were reported. The mobile home was a total loss.

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 5/30/2017

News, Podcasts

May 30th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

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

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Iowans warned to beware of summertime door-to-door scams

News

May 30th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Memorial Day marked the unofficial start of summer and the start of door-to-door summer scams. Jim Hegarty, with the Better Business Bureau in Omaha/Council Bluffs, says they’re already getting complaints about one group knocking on doors in the region.  “They claim to be raising money for veterans and active soldiers,” Hegarty says. “We’ve investigated the company they claim to be representing and they have an ‘F’ rating. They’ve been the subject of law enforcement investigations down south.”

Young people are sometimes recruited by crooks to take part in bogus fund-raising schemes. “There’s going to be kids showing up at our doors selling magazines or candy bars to fund mission trips or going to camp,” Hegarty says. “In some cases, it could be legitimate but it really is wise to just take some information from them and let them know that if you’re able to check them out and find out that it’s reputable and worthwhile, then you’d be happy to maybe make a contribution.”

Another door-to-door scam that’s bringing complaints in the region involves home security systems.  “They may say they’re with ADT or Protection One or another well-known company,” Hegarty says. “What we’re learning is, a lot of times, the bad actors use reputable names like ADT just to get a foothold, get in your door and get you to switch contracts and get you engaged in a deal that’s not going to be favorable to you.”

He says to also watch out for fly-by-night offers from traveling scam artists who offer to do home repairs, tree trimming or seal your driveway. Don’t make on-the-spot decisions. To make a contribution to real charities, he suggests donations can be made online at “give.org”, a service offered by the BBB.

(Radio Iowa)

Phone down, buckle up: tips for Iowa motorists as busy summer driving season arrives

News

May 30th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The number of people killed in traffic crashes in Iowa climbed over 100 earlier this month and now the busy summer driving season is here. Dennis Kleen tracks crash data for the Iowa Department of Transportation. “Once summer gets here, you’ve got people on vacation and a lot more people driving during the summer,” Kleen says. “Put the phone down and buckle up. Those are a couple of the best things you can do.”

There were 320 people killed in traffic crashes in Iowa in 2015. Last year, that number rose to just over 400. Kleen suspects distracted drivers, people who are texting or doing something else with their phone, are causing more crashes. “It’s hard to prove that someone was distracted in a fatal crash…unless there were actual witnesses and a lot of times, there aren’t (witnesses) in many of these crashes,” Kleen said. “But, we’ve all seen people using their phones as we’re driving, so we know distracted drivers are a big part of these crashes.”

The Iowa legislature this year passed and Governor Branstad signed a bill in to law that will allow police to pull over drivers who are looking at their cell phone rather than the road. The fine for a texting-while-driving ticket will be $30 when the new law takes effect on July 1.

(Radio Iowa)

Changes in credit scores may help students build credit

News

May 30th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Changes are coming in how credit scores are calculated, which a financial expert says should help college students and other young adults establish and build credit. Jonathan Fox, director of Iowa State University’s Financial Counseling Clinic, says it’s traditionally been a vicious cycle as you can’t get credit without already having a credit history, so the pending improvements in the system are a big plu

“It’s not as much a policy change that stands to help college students as alternate types of scores that will use other bills that college students and young people more typically have, like cell phone bills, cable bills or a utility bill,” Fox says. “If they can show credit responsibility in those ways, that could add to the score.”

Credit scores may not be so important while a young person is in college, but Fox says those scores will have a significant influence as they begin to make the transition into their adult, post-college lives. “A good credit score is going to impact, very possibly, their job prospects,” Fox says. “Employers look at credit scores as an indicator of general reliability. Whether that’s appropriate or not, is another whole topic.”

Fox, an I-S-U professor of Human Development and Family Studies, says some students may be responsible money managers, but without a credit card or a bank loan, they’re not establishing a credit history. “It’s going to impact even while they’re in college the insurance rates they’re paying if they’ve moved independent from parents or guardians, for example,” Fox says. “Of course, it’s going to impact them as soon as they seek any sort of structured loans, to buy a car, to buy a home.”

Attorneys general from Iowa and 30 other states reached a settlement with the three leading credit reporting agencies in 2015 to improve credit report accuracy and to enhance consumer protections. Experian, Equifax and TransUnion will implement the changes this summer. In addition to including the bill payment history when figuring a credit score, credit agencies also plan to remove tax liens and civil judgments from reports. Fox says those are the source of most inaccuracies on people’s credit reports.

(Radio Iowa)

Food, Family, Fun! – Elk Horn Farmers Market

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 30th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

You’re invited to be in Elk Horn every Saturday from 9-until 11-a.m. on the lawn of the Danish Windmill for locally grown food and good wholesome family fun! The market will open on Saturday, June 3rd and will run through the end of September.

Vendors will have eggs, produce, and baked goods for sale every Saturday and the first Saturday of each month will include kid’s activities and entertainment. Vendors at this year’s market will include Pace Poultry & Produce, Harrisdale Farmstead, Brun Ko Farm, Cali Kids Farm, Barb Goos, & Morris Family Farm.

Everything sold at the Elk Horn Farmers Market is grown, raised, and/or created by the vendors and their families. Opening day of market, Saturday, June 3rd, will include a kid’s market scavenger hunt and entertainment will be provided by piano students of Melissa Morris.

If you have questions about the market or are interested in vending, contact Emily Paulsen at 712-249-3187 or brunkofarm@gmail.com.

(Podcast) KJAN Morning News & funeral report, 5/30/2017

News, Podcasts

May 30th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

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

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