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Interstate 29 remains open despite Missouri River flooding

News

September 19th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(Update 10:15-a.m.) — OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Missouri River continues to rise and flood mostly rural land in Nebraska and Iowa, but Interstate 29 remains open near Omaha. Iowa Transportation Department officials expect to have to close parts of I-29 at some point during this week’s flooding. The river is expected to crest Saturday near Omaha after overnight rains dropped 1-to-3 inches in the area.

The highway remained open Thursday morning although several on-ramps were closed in southwest Iowa. The lower Missouri River is flooding in Nebraska and Iowa this week because exceptionally heavy rains fell last week in Montana, North and South Dakota and Nebraska. Officials don’t expect the floodwaters to cause significant damage to communities. But many levees remain damaged from severe flooding in the spring.

The floodwaters broke through two levees Wednesday in a rural area northeast of Omaha.

Meetings set to discuss waterfowl season, zone structure for 2021-2025

Ag/Outdoor, Sports

September 19th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has scheduled five meetings across the state in October to present its proposed waterfowl season and zone structure for the 2021-2025 waterfowl hunting seasons. Staff will present information including the results from the statewide hunter survey, the federal rules and guidelines that govern waterfowl hunting and the proposed season and zone structure. All meetings are scheduled from 6-8 p.m.  in Southwest Iowa, the meeting will be held Oct. 14, at the Three Mile Lake Lodge, near Afton.

Feedback collected at these meetings will be reviewed before an official proposal is submitted to the Natural Resource Commission for consideration. If approved, the rule would have an open comment period before going in front of the commission again for a final vote. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allows states to make changes to their waterfowl zones and boundaries once every five years. Any changes will be reflected in the 2021-2025 waterfowl seasons.

Any person attending the public meeting and has special requirements such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments should contact the DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.

Ex-lover in corn rake killing: Woman was afraid of husband

News

September 19th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — The field manager of an Iowa hog farm has testified that a woman with whom he was having an affair told him last year she was deathly afraid of her husband — a man now accused of using a corn rake to kill her. Jerry Frasher testified Wednesday in the trial of Todd Mullis. Mullis is charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of Amy Mullis on Nov. 10 at the farm about 40 miles west of Dubuque.

Delaware County’s county attorney John Bernau, right, questions witness Delaware County Deputy Eric Holub as he hands back a corn rake during the first-degree murder trial for Todd Mullis at Dubuque County Courthouse in Dubuque, Iowa, on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019. Todd Mullis is accused of killing Amy L. Mullis by stabbing her with that rake on Nov. 10. (Nicki Kohl/Telegraph Herald via AP)

A prosecutor has said Todd Mullis was irate over the affair and fearful that he’d lose their farm if she divorced him. The Telegraph Herald reports that Frasher said he told Amy Mullis they had to cool things after Todd Mullis confronted him about text messages Frasher exchanged with Amy.

2 wanted persons turn themselves in the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office

News

September 19th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Two men wanted on separate warrants turned themselves-in to the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, Wednesday. 32-year old John Phillip Fry, of Council Bluffs, was wanted for Violation of Probation, and 22-year old Alexander Page McGinnis, also of Council Bluffs, was wanted for Harassment in the 2nd Degree/3rd offense. After their warrants were confirmed, both men were transported to the Pott. County Jail, and turned over to Corrections Staff.

(updated 12:50-p.m.) New candidate filings in Cass County, & reminder of filing deadline

News

September 19th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Auditor’s Office reports several candidates have filed nomination papers to run during the Nov. 5th City/School Elections. The deadline to submit nomination papers to the Cass County Auditor’s Office, for persons seeking City office, and School Board candidates (Submit papers to your School District Secretary), is 5-p.m.!

Those who have filed papers today (Thursday) include:

  • Jericho SchmittMark OpbroekWayne Preister and Angela Redler – for the Marne City Council
  • Ashley Hayes-Atlantic Park and Rec
  • Incumbents Jim Fisher and Steven R. Havens have filed to run for re-election to the Wiota City Council,
  • Duane Scott Anderson has filed to run for re-election to the Lewis City Council.
  • Russell Hansen has filed to run for Mayor of Lewis.

Candidates may submit nominations for both City and School Board positions. Today is the deadline!

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 9/19/19

News, Podcasts

September 19th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

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

Play

Heartbeat Today 9-19-2019

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

September 19th, 2019 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with Rhonda Stanley and Melanie Storural of the Cass County Child Abuse Prevention Council about the Family Table Talk Card program.

Play

(Podcast) KJAN Morning Sports report, 9/19/19

Podcasts, Sports

September 19th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast with Jim Field.

Play

Judge orders jury to resume work on 1992 murder case

News

September 19th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — A judge has ordered a jury to return to deliberations today (Thursday) in the case of an Iowa woman accused of killing of her former boyfriend in 1992. The Muscatine Journal reports that the jury leader told the judge Wednesday that the jury was having difficulty reaching a unanimous verdict in the murder case against Annette Cahill. Prosecutors say she used a baseball bat to kill 22-year-old Corey Lee Wieneke, whose body was found in October 1992 on his bedroom floor in rural West Liberty.

Judge Patrick McElyea sent the jury members back to the jury room, and he conferred with lawyers for both sides. He had the jury members returned to the courtroom and asked them to return Thursday morning and “continue to engage in open-minded discussion and persuasion.” A witness came forward in 2017, saying Cahill had implicated herself in the death in 1992, prompting authorities to re-examine the case. Cahill is now a mother of three adult children and a grandmother.

Cahill’s first trial ended in a mistrial in March 2019 when that jury couldn’t reach a verdict.

Creston man arrested Wednesday afternoon

News

September 19th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Police in Creston report the arrest Wednesday afternoon, of 60-year old Steven Nutt. The Creston man was arrested in the 500 block of W. Taylor, for Driving While Barred. He was later released from the Union County Jail, on a $2,000 bond.