Officials with the Atlantic Fire Department say they lost a great leader, supporter, family man and father figure to the department, Monday, in the passing of 85-year old Eugene “Gene” Freese. It was just two months ago, the Department recognized Freese for 50-years of service to Atlantic Fire and the community. Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees said it’s a loss for himself personally, the Atlantic Volunteer Fire Department, and the community.

He says Gene was well known for his work as a firefighter, at Walnut Grove and the Skating Rink for many years. McNees says many of the firefighters grew up with Gene in their lives. He said Freese “Was a great leader and a great man.” Mark says Gene was Assistant Chief when McNees joined the fire department, and he’s learned a tremendous amount from him.

Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees (left) and Gene Freese (AFD photo)

It was a little over two-months ago the community and AFD came together to honor Gene Freese for his more than 50-years of service, something that McNees said is very rare in that occupation. McNees said no one can remember anyone else having put in 50 years with the AFD.  He said “What he showed in commitment and dedication to the department and to his community, and serving others, was a huge benefit to our younger guys that are on the department. Many of them looked up to him as a father figure, even a grandfather figure. He might be one of the oldest, active EMT’s in the State. He was still active on the department, making calls, attending training and keeping up on his EMT status.”

The Chief said times are changing, and it won’t be long before people are able to serve as long as Gene did, due to insurance, workman’s compensation and other regulations, so having a 50-year veteran of the force may never happen again. He said the hearts and prayers go out to Gene’s wife Carol and the family, and they will do what they can to serve them following his passing.

It’s been a tough week for the AFD. Former Firefighter Shawn Sarsfield lost his father Royce last weekend. McNees said anytime a firefighter loses a family member, the department shares their loss.

AMES, Iowa (AP) – Auditors say an agricultural law expert at Iowa State University collected $278,000 in speaking and consulting fees that should have been deposited with the school. A report issued Tuesday by the state auditor says Roger McEowen had a “clear conflict of interest” that university officials failed to recognize or manage for years.

McEowen was director of the ISU Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation until his resignation in January. He also owned a private company that provided many of the same educational and legal services as the center.

The report says McEowen received fees for dozens of seminars and speaking engagements in Kansas, North Dakota and elsewhere. It says that money should have gone to the center because he did them on university time, using the center’s staff and materials.

To help haul in this year’s harvest, Governor Terry Branstad, Monday, signed a proclamation granting a temporary 60-day weight limit exemption for trucks on Iowa roads, effective today (Tuesday). The proclamation specifically increases the weight allowable for shipment of corn, soybeans, hay, straw and stover, by 12.5 percent per axle (up to a maximum of 90,000 pounds) without the need for an oversize/overweight permit.

The 2016 proclamation again applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa, excluding the interstate system. Trucks cannot exceed the truck’s regular maximum by more than 12.5 percent per axle and must obey the posted limits on all roads and bridges.The proclamation directs the Iowa Department of Transportation to monitor the operation of the proclamation, assure the public’s safety and facilitate the movement of the trucks involved. Farmers who are transporting grain are also required to follow their vehicle safety standards on axle weights.

A traffic stop late Monday night in Pottawattamie County resulted in a brief pursuit and the arrest of a man from Carroll County. The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office reports at around 11:50-p.m., a deputy tried to stop a 1998 Jeep SUV driving erratically on Interstate 80 about a mile east of the Avoca exit. When the driver of the vehicle, later identified as 45-year old Chad Walter Bald, of Manning refused to yield, a short pursuit began.

After he stopped the SUV on North Vista Drive in Avoca, Bald attempted to run from law enforcement, but was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit. Bald allegedly admitted to authorities he was under the influence of Meth. He was also found to be in the possession of 2.6-grams of meth at the time of his arrest.

Bald faces charges that include felony Eluding, Possession of a Controlled Substance and OWI/1st offense. He was later booked into the Pott. County Jail.

DES MOINES, IOWA – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly to 4.2 percent in August from 4.1 percent in July. The state’s jobless rate was 3.6 percent one year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate remained at 4.9 percent in August. Beth Townsend, Director of Iowa Workforce Development, says “While the unemployment rate ticked up again in August, there were a few bright spots.”

Townsend says “The total number of working Iowans also increased by 1,700 from July and 3,600 higher than a year ago. Additionally, for the third consecutive month, Iowa businesses expanded their payrolls and added 4,900 jobs, raising the total number of working Iowans. Iowa’s unemployment rate also remains 0.7% lower than the national rate.”

The number of unemployed Iowans rose to 72,700 in August from 70,700 in July. The current estimate is 11,500 higher than the year ago level of 61,200. The total number of working Iowans increased to 1,642,300 in August. This figure was 1,700 higher than July and 3,600 higher than one year ago.

For the third consecutive month, Iowa businesses expanded their payrolls and added 4,900 jobs, raising the total to 1,590,600. Both goods-producing and service sectors gained jobs this month with private services adding the majority (2,900). Government added jobs at the local level and is 4,800 higher annually; however, this gain is partially due to seasonal staff being retained and brought back earlier than usual this year. Compared to last year, the state has added 31,200 jobs, a gain of 2.0 percent.

Leisure and hospitality added the most jobs in August (1,400), with the gains evenly split between arts and entertainment and accommodations and food services. Despite recent uncertainty within the economy, staffing patterns in these industries has been strong, a reassuring sign that consumers are still willing to part with disposable income on non-essentials. Elsewhere, trade and transportation was bolstered by retail trade hiring and added 1,300 jobs. Retail in Iowa has not fared well recently, adding jobs in only three months in 2016. Other gains this month included financial activities, construction, manufacturing, and other services. Losses were small by comparison and were led by professional and business services (-600). Despite a sizable gain last month, this sector has pared jobs in three of the last four months. The only other losses were small declines in education and health services and information.

Annually, construction continues to expand over last year’s level and is now up 14,400 jobs. Leisure and hospitality is a distant second with 5,800 jobs gained, then other services at 4,300. Manufacturing continues to lag due to durable goods layoffs (-5,000), and this stagnation may now be carrying over into professional and business services—down 2,900 jobs versus one year ago.

Members of the CAM School District’s Board of Education met Monday evening, in Anita. Board Secretary Linda Edwards said there was no change in leadership during the annual organizational portion of the meeting. Gary Dinkla was re-elected Board President, while Chuck Kinzie was nominated for Vice President. And, Linda Edwards was sworn-in for another year as Board Secretary.

The Board also heard from the Facilities Committee with regard to an addition to the south side of the Massena Elementary School. The school is cramped for space, and the committee is tasked with finding a resolution to the problem. They’re expected to meet again in the next couple of weeks to nail down a proposal to have a wing added to the building before classes start in the fall of 2017.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (5.8MB)

Subscribe: RSS

POCAHONTAS, Iowa (AP) – An assistant police chief in northwest Iowa has been accused of punching his girlfriend. Court records say 36-year-old Charles White, of Pocahontas, is charged with domestic assault causing injury. The woman told officers White punched her in a side of her face Wednesday while they argued over his cellphone, which she says she took to check for information while he was dozing.

Pocahontas Police Chief Al Hinrickson says White has been with the department for about eight years and has been assistant chief for about five years. White’s been placed on administrative leave.

Two women were arrested on Theft charges Monday, in Creston. Authorities say 23-year old Haley Vandel, of Creston, was arrested Monday afternoon for Theft in the 4th Degree. She was later released from the Union County Jail on $300 bond. And, late Monday night, 29-year old Amber Buchanan, of Creston, was arrested for Theft in the 4th degree. She was later released on $1,000 bond.