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Branstad/Reynolds hold town hall meetings ahead of IA Education Summit

News

July 14th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds have scheduled additional town hall meetings across the state, focusing on education. The pair want to hear what ideas Iowans have about improving the quality of education in the state. The town hall meetings will be held prior to the administration’s Iowa Education Summit, which will take place July 25-26, 2011 in Des Moines, Iowa.

The Iowa Education Summit will focus on increasing teacher and principal effectiveness, raising academic standards and putting in place strong matching assessments and innovation that increases learning.

In the KJAN listening area, Branstad and Reynolds will attend a town hall meeting on education in Corning on Friday, July 22nd. The meeting will be held at Noon, in the Corning Elementary School gymnasium. That’s same afternoon, the two republicans will be in Carroll, for a 2-p.m. town hall meeting, at the Carroll High School Auditorium.

For more information, visit www.governor.iowa.gov.

Backyard and Beyond 07-14-2011

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

July 14th, 2011 by admin

Lavon speaks about what to do with lots of green beans!

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Republicans find opponent to run against Gronstal

News

July 14th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Republicans have recruited a retired Air Force officer to challenge Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal in next year’s election. Pottawattamie County Republicans say they’ve picked Al Ringgenberg to run against Gronstal, saying Ringgenberg has impeccable credentials.

Gronstal, a Council Bluffs Democrat, was elected to the Iowa House in 1982, and won a Senate seat two years later. He used his power this year to block debate on a measure allowing voters to have their say on amending the constitution to ban same-sex marriage. He also was deeply involved in efforts to block a Nebraska doctor from opening a late-term abortion clinic in Council Bluffs.

The House and Senate could not agree on an abortion measure and nothing was passed.

State Individual Assistance Grant Program available for flood victims

News

July 14th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Governor Branstad today (Thursday) approved a proclamation to enact the State Individual Assistance Grant Program. The program will be made available to Iowa residents living in the flood affected counties of Woodbury, Monona, Harrison, Pottawattamie, Mills and Fremont.

The State Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants to families with household incomes at or below twice the federal poverty index. The maximum grant a family can receive is $5,000. The program is launched with a governor’s declaration and at the request of local officials. Applicants must be legal residents of the United States and need to provide all receipts for replacement items claimed.

For an application and instructions, see www.dhs.state.ia.us/Consumers/Assistance_Programs/CashAssistance/DisasterAssistance/StormHelp.html or visit the “Storm Help” link on the front page of the Department of Human Services Website, dhs.iowa.gov.

City of Lewis water is safe for infants

News

July 14th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the City of Lewis have announced it’s okay to serve tap water to infants. Late last week, the City issued a warning to parents and others who care for infants under six-months of age, about using City water to make infant formula, because test results on a sample taken indicated nitrate levels exceeded the acceptable nitrate standard. Nitrate in drinking water is a serious health concern for infants less than six-months of age.

Jon Martens, with the City of Lewis’ Water System says the raw water sample was taken from the wrong sample tap, and therefore the results of last week’s test are not valid. Martens says a confirmation sample of the water taken earlier this week shows the water is safe, and it is no longer necessary for residents of Lewis and those served by its water system, to take precautions about giving water to infants under 6-months of age.

The City is working to have the violation it incurred as a result of the first sample, invalidated. Officials apologize for any inconvenience, and thank residents for their patience while the water supply was being checked for nitrates.

If you have any questions or comments, contact Jon Martens at 712-243-1395.

Hawkeye Ten All Conference Softball 2011

Sports

July 14th, 2011 by Jim Field

1st Team:
Molly Bryan, Glenwood            11        P
Ana Vanscoy, Glenwood            12        SS
Cassie Kruse, Glenwood            10        1st
Madison Frain, Creston            11        P
Katlin Briley, Creston            11        SS
Carla Smith, Creston            12        C
Allie Martinez, Lewis Central        10        C
Morgan Means, Lewis Central        10        P
Kaylee Buch, Clarinda            11        SS
Mariah Bohlman, Kuemper            10        SS
Rachel Koch, Denison            10        SS
Alexa Beeck, Denison            11        RF
Brooke Schaben, Halan            12        P
Kelsey Croghan, Harlan            10        C
Jenna Hoch, Harlan            11        1st

2nd Team:
Rachel Martin, Glenwood            12        C
Grace Newman, Glenwood            10        3rd
Maddie Haines, Creston            11        2nd
Shelby Kramer, Creston            12        1st
Paige Issacson, Red Oak            12        CF
Reann Cappel, Atlantic            10        CF
Paige Kennon, Atlantic            11        SS
Madison Massey, Lewis Central        12        CF
Jourdan Perkins, Shenandoah        11        OF
Darcy Sunderman, Clarinda            9        3rd
Allison Lynch, Kuemper            10        CF
Shelby Pieper, Denison            10        1st
Sam Claussen, Denison            12        P
Carly Heese, Harlan            11        2nd
Abby Sonderman, Harlan            11        3rd

Honorable Mention:
McKenna Henze, Glenwood            10        CF
Mallory Griffith, Creston            11        3rd
Gabi French, Red Oak            11        C
Maddie Humgren, Red Oak            10        P
Mackenzie Holmes, Atlantic            10        3rd
Mallory Allen, Lewis Central        9        SS
Makenna Kenyon, Lewis Central        10        RF
Jordan Schubert, Shenandoah        12        OF
Jenny Bair, Clarinda            9        2nd
Marissa Anderson, Clarinda            10        P

9AM Newscast 07-14-2011

News, Podcasts

July 14th, 2011 by admin

w/ Ric Hanson

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8AM Sportscast 07-14-2011

Podcasts, Sports

July 14th, 2011 by admin

w/ Jim Field

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Mo. Valley man charged with DUI, after collision with cop car

News

July 14th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

LA VISTA, Neb. (AP) – La Vista, NE, police say a suspected drunken driver ran a red light and hit an unmarked police car that was in the intersection. Police Chief Bob Lausten says the detective involved in Wednesday evening’s crash was taken to a hospital as a precaution. His name has not been released.

The other vehicle rolled after the collision, but Lausten says no one inside was hurt. The driver, 38-year-old Jeff Gundersen of Missouri Valley, Iowa, was arrested on suspicion of DUI and careless driving. His passenger was arrested on an unrelated warrant out of Sarpy County, NE.

Griswold soldier expected to arrive home next week

News

July 14th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – About one-third of the nearly 3,000 Iowa Army National Guard soldiers deployed to Afghanistan are back in the United States and awaiting reunions with their families and friends. One of those soldiers is Griswold resident and Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Johnson.  Sgt. 1st Class Johnson just returned from his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.

The soldiers have returned to Fort McCoy, Wis., with homecoming ceremonies planned over the next month, including those planned for Thursday in Cedar Rapids, Boone and Johnston, where 185 soldiers will be welcomed home.

Guard spokesman Col. Greg Hapgood says about 1,000 soldiers arrived from Afghanistan on Tuesday and Wednesday. He says the rest will arrive over the next 10 days.

The soldiers are spending time at Fort McCoy for debriefing and to turn in weapons and equipment. Soldiers sent to the country comprised the largest single deployment of Iowa National Guard troops since World War II.