United Group Insurance

So how dry are we, and how will it affect the crops?

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

March 23rd, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Lewis, Iowa) – ISU Field Agronomist and Extension Outreach Aaron Saeugling, Wednesday (March 23rd), provided the latest answer to the questions of “How dry are we,” and “Is there a lack of subsoil moisture this spring?” Saeugling says he wants to put into perspective where we are, related to past and current conditions in southwest Iowa. (See the chart below for monthly precipitation dating back to 2014).

Saeugling says “If we look at last year 2020 as a record breaking crop year we notice a few things that spring was abnormally dry with just enough moisture in July to produce a crop. We also notice the October precipitation in 2020m was dramatically lower causing a poor sub soil moisture going into the 2021 crop year.”

“This current crop year,” he says, “We have adequate subsoil moisture based on good October rains in excess of 4 inches. While yes January and February were a record low levels of precipitation the amount so far in march will more than make up for the dry winter.” Saeugling said also, “No  knows what the future holds,  but we are in a better place now for subsoil moisture than in past springs.”

Another candidate files nomination papers in Cass County

News

March 23rd, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Auditor’s Office reports another candidate has filed nomination papers for the November General Election. Officials say Pat Erickson filed papers Wednesday, for the Edna Township Trustee’s position.

There remains one other slot open on the ballot for the same position.

DICK PROSS, 79, Atlantic (Svcs. 03/28/2022)

Obituaries

March 23rd, 2022 by Jim Field

DICK PROSS, 79, Atlantic died Tuesday, March 22nd at Atlantic Specialty Care. Funeral services for DICK PROSS will be held on Monday, March 28th at 11:00 a.m. at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

No visitation with the family present is planned.

Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Online condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com

DICK PROSS is survived by:

Wife: Sharon Pross.

Children: Jeffery L. Pross of Atlantic. Susan L. Meier of Griswold. Rich (Laura) Pross of Audubon.

Brother: Frank (Joanne) Pross of Atlantic. Mike (Cheri) Pross of Montana.

Sister: Judy (Daryl) Andersen of Atlantic.

5 Grandchildren

9 Great-Grandchildren

112th Drake Relays schedule of events announced

Sports

March 23rd, 2022 by admin

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Drake Relays presented by Xtream powered by Mediacom unveiled the 2022 schedule of events. The competition will welcome athletes and spectators from around the world during the 112th edition of America’s Athletic Classic, to be held April 27-30, 2022, at Drake Stadium.

After the cancellation in 2020 and an altered schedule in 2021, the 112th edition of the Drake Relays will return to the conventional format with competitors from university, college, high school and elite ranks all participating in an integrated schedule over four days in Drake Stadium.

Track and field competition will begin on Wednesday, April 27 with the men’s decathlon and women’s heptathlon, which will mark the first time in three years that either of these events will be contested. The combined events conclude on Thursday, April 28, followed by the Distance Carnival. Friday, April 29, will again be divided into two sessions, featuring the nation’s top collegiate athletes alongside Iowa’s finest high school athletes.

For an early look at the meet schedule and for the 2022 Drake Relays presented by Xtream powered by Mediacom, click here (PDF).

For high school meet information, click here (PDF).

For university and college meet information, click here (PDF).

All-session tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.draketix.com/drakerelays.

All-session reserved tickets are $100 and all-session general admission tickets are $75. Single-session tickets go on sale to the public on April 1.

ALEETA BICE, 92, of Kimballton (3-26-2022)

Obituaries

March 23rd, 2022 by Jim Field

ALEETA BICE, 92 of Kimballton died on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at Unity Point Health – Methodist Hospital in Des Moines.  Funeral services for ALEETA BICE will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 11 am at Elk Horn Lutheran Church.  Schmidt Family Funeral Home is assisting the family.

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Visitation with the family present will be on Friday, March 25, 2022 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the church.

Burial will take place on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 11:00 am at Mountain View Cemetery in Mesa, Arizona.

Winnebago sees quarterly revenues bound over last fiscal year

News

March 23rd, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Winnebago Industries saw second quarter revenues rise by almost 39-percent. The outdoor lifestyle products manufacturer with Iowa factories in Forest City, Lake Mills, Charles City and Waverly matched the record of one-point-two billion dollars set in the first quarter of the fiscal year, compared to almost 840-million for the same quarter of last fiscal year. Winnebago president and C-E-O Michael Happe says consumer demand for the company’s products continues to be strong.

“Through our interactions with our consumers and feedback we receive from our dealers, consumers clearly recognize our products as being differentiated,” Happe says. “This differentiation is a result of our relentless focus on our golden threads of quality, service and innovation. Robust consumer demand is a powerful undercurrent that we believe will continue to propel our company’s growth through the current fiscal year and beyond.” Happe says demand for the company’s products at recent trade shows proves people are continuing to buy recreational vehicles and boats.

“Strong attendance at the recent Tampa RV show and the Miami boat show resulted in retail sales that exceeded our expectations. In fact, most of our retail shows this spring are seeing record sales for our brands,” he says. “This foreshadows a solid spring selling season that is historically reflected in our second-half results.” Happe says market share gains across all segments are evidence of a deep affinity for the company’s brands.

“On a trailing three-month basis through January, our RV market share was 14.3%, up a full 100 basis points from 13.3% for the same period in 2021,” Happe says. “In our marine segment, Bartletta has now grown to be the fifth largest pontoon boat company by market share at 4.6% on a trailing three-month basis through December, and recent retail results show them approaching and breaking the 5% barrier.”

Gross profit for the company in the second quarter was $216.6 million, up almost 40% when compared to $156.6 million for the same period last year.

Treynor Man Sentenced for Investment Fraud Scheme

News

March 23rd, 2022 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa said Wednesday, 53-year-old Jeffrey M. Carley, who is formerly of Treynor, was sentenced Tuesday, March 22, 2022, to five-years in prison for investment fraud. Carley was a financial investment counselor and he owned or had an ownership interest in Carley Financial Group, Prosperity Partners, and Main Street Solutions. From as early as 2013, until December of 2020, Carley encouraged his clients to move money from their traditional IRA accounts to a “self-directed” IRA. Carley then advised his clients to move their money from the “self-directed” IRA to investment opportunities Carley owned or had ownership interest in and advised clients they would receive a financial return. Carley never told his clients that he owned or had an interest in the investments he represented to them as solid investments. Carley also failed to invest the clients’ money and instead used the funds for his personal expenses. Carley pleaded guilty to Wire Fraud on October 22, 2021.

Assistant United States Attorney Richard E. Rothrock in the government’s sentencing brief, said “The defendant…has destroyed the savings of people that trusted him and there is no way to quantify the damage the defendant did to the emotional security of those he stole from. Making this crime even more egregious, it appears, although one cannot be sure, that the defendant flitted away all the money he stole for personal purposes, leaving nothing available to repay the victims.” The sentencing judge noted the length of time the scheme lasted and the harm and age of the victims as some of the aggravating factors in this case she considered in determining the five-year sentence. Following his prison term, Carley will serve three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $1,364,163.02 in restitution to the victims.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Council Bluffs Nurse Sentenced for Fraudulently Obtaining Narcotics

News

March 23rd, 2022 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – A woman from Pottawattamie County was sentenced Tuesday to six-months in prison, for Acquiring a Controlled Substance by Misrepresentation, Fraud, Deception and Subterfuge. Officials say 39-year-old Jadelyn Marie Maher, of Council Bluffs, will also be required to serve one year of supervised release upon completion of her sentence. She must also ordered to pay a $3,000 fine. According to court documents, Maher pleaded guilty to the charge on November 4, 2021.

Maher was employed as a registered nurse at facilities where she falsified health care records and narcotics log sheets when she checked out narcotics/opioids for patients. Maher took the Hydrocodone and Oxycodone pills for her own use. Maher’s nursing license was forfeited by the Court.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Iowa Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.

Omaha Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Firearm Offense

News

March 23rd, 2022 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – A Judge in Pottawattamie County District Court, Tuesday, sentenced a Nebraska man to 3-years in prison, for being a Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm. In addition, 43-year-old Tiloe Cardel Williams, of Omaha, was have his term of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. According to court documents, Williams pleaded guilty to the charge on November 4, 2021.

On July 30, 2021, a police officer stopped Williams’ vehicle for overly dark window tint. The officer could smell marijuana and requested the assistance of a canine officer. Marijuana and a firearm were located under the cup holder of the center console. At the time of the offense, Williams was a convicted felon and drug user and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Council Bluffs Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.

Colorado Pair Sentenced for Drug and Firearm Charges

News

March 23rd, 2022 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – A man from Colorado was sentenced Tuesday, March 22nd in Council Bluffs U-S District Court, to serve 16-years in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. In addition, the Judge sentenced 43-year-old Jeremy Antonio Trujillo to 10-years in prison for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The sentences will run concurrently. His term of imprisonment will be followed by five years of supervised release. According to court documents, Trujillo pleaded guilty to the charges on November 4, 2021.

Trujillo’s co-defendant, 37-year-old Kristen Leigh Jarrard, also of Colorado, was sentenced on November 2, 2021, to 13-years in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and 120 months in prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Her sentences will also run concurrently. Jarrard’s term of imprisonment will also be followed by five years of supervised release. She plead guilty to the charges on March 18, 2021.

On October 28, 2020, the couple was stopped for a traffic violation on Interstate 29 and a law enforcement dog was run around the vehicle. Following a canine alert for the odor of narcotics on the car, officers recovered a backpack containing 817 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded Smith and Wesson .45 caliber revolver. Surveillance video from a motel showed Trujillo and Jarrard carrying bags from the motel to the vehicle and Trujillo carrying the backpack from the motel to the car and placing it inside. Both Jarrard and Trujillo are prior convicted felons.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Iowa State Patrol, Council Bluffs Police Department and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement investigated the case. The United States Marshals Service made the arrests. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.