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Red Oak woman arrested Wednesday evening

News

July 4th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Red Oak Police, Wednesday, arrested 19-year old Courtney Ann Hall, from Red Oak. Hall was taken into custody at around 8:12-p.m. in the 300 block of Prospect Street, for Driving While Suspended. Her bond at the Montgomery County Jail was set at slightly more than $566.

Midwest Sports Headlines: 7/4/2019

Sports

July 4th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) — Tommy Edman capped St. Louis’ big ninth inning with a two-out, three-run home run as the Cardinals rallied for five runs to beat the Seattle Mariners 5-2. St. Louis entered the ninth trailing 2-0 after a masterful performance from Seattle starter Mike Leake, who threw 7 2/3 shutout innings against his former team for the first time. But Seattle’s bullpen imploded and the Cardinals took full advantage of the meltdown.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Mike Clevinger pitched six innings of four-hit ball, Carlos Santana and Roberto Perez went deep and the Indians rolled to a 4-0 victory over the Royals. Clevinger struck out nine without a walk in his second start since a balky back forced him into a lengthy stay on the injured list. Danny Duffy took the loss for Kansas City despite allowing just two runs while pitching into the seventh inning.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Carlos Vela scored his 17th goal of the season, Diego Rossi added his ninth and Los Angeles FC beat Sporting Kansas City 5-1. Kansas City dropped its second straight following a three-game undefeated run.

Iowa early News Headlines: Thursday, July 4th, 2019

News

July 4th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says the federal government will give Iowa a $1.5 million grant to install wetlands in targeted locations to improve water quality. The Environmental Protection Agency grant will help install up to six wetlands in the Middle Cedar River watershed.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa parole officer has been fired after an investigation concluded that she abused her power by conspiring with a detective to conduct an illegal search of a drug suspect’s home. Kari White had worked for the Department of Correctional Services for 23 years. The department says she committed “egregious” unethical and unprofessional conduct in working with a Boone police officer to enter a suspect’s home without a warrant. White has appealed her firing and says she acted appropriately.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds is transforming the Iowa Supreme Court from one that leaned left to a solidly conservative body. The right turn has prompted concerns that it could erode past rulings on social issues. Reynolds already has made two appointments to the seven-member court, which now has a 5-2 Republican majority, and will get a third before here term ends in 2022 because of a mandatory retirement age of 72 for judges.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — An aid package for American farmers hurt by President Donald Trump’s trade war with China has meant big checks for some big operations. Payouts from the Department of Agriculture program included nearly $2.8 million to one Missouri soybean operation. An Associated Press analysis found many other big farms collected hundreds of thousands of dollars. The farms are filing legally, but some longtime critics say the program is the latest example of loopholes that make it easy to elude supposed caps.

No wake speed in place at Blue Lake

Ag/Outdoor, News, Sports

July 4th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Monona County, Iowa — Boaters on Blue Lake, in Onawa, will be restricted to operating their boat at no wake speed, which equates to roughly 5 mph, while the lake level is above flood stage.

The Blue Lake no wake restriction is effective immediately and will remain in place until the water level falls and allows the lake level to return to normal.

Due to the recent heavy rains, the water level on Blue Lake is 18 inches above normal levels and the potential exists for shoreline erosion and damage to docks as well as boater safety issues associated with flood related debris floating just under the water surface.

The DNR reminds boaters to use caution while on the waters this Fourth of July holiday and weekend due to the heavy boat traffic. Keep safety the number one priority and obey all posted rules as well as all boating laws.

Update on Harlan temporary Street closures

News

July 4th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Harlan Mayor Gene Gettys said Wednesday, that “Due to heavy rains 6th Street will be temporarily closed from Chatburn Avenue to Walnut Street. And, Exchange Street from Pine Street to the bridge will remain closed. He apologized for the inconvenience.

Truck into building in Council Bluffs – 1 w/possible injuries

News

July 4th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Police in Council Bluffs were called Wednesday to the Hub Trampoline Park at 7 S.4th Street, in reference to an accident where a vehicle struck a building. An investigation determined the vehicle was going east, hit a parking meter in the 400 block of 1st Ave and crossed 4th St hitting the building.

photo courtesy Council Bluffs P-D

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Mark Armstrong of Crescent, Iowa. He was transported to a local hospital by ambulance for observation. The vehicle had minor damage and the business sustained about $5000 in damage. There were children in the building at the time, however, no one was injured. Charges are pending against the driver.

Notice from CCHS, re: Main Entrance closed

News

July 3rd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The main entrance at Cass County Health System will be closed on Thursday, July 4th for maintenance work and repairs. Hospital officials say all visitors and patients should use the Emergency Department entrance.

The Atlantic Medical Center and most clinics will be closed in observance of the holiday. As always, the Emergency Department will remain open 24/7.

Some Pott. County residents could see home access cut-off by additional flooding

News

July 3rd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa –Weather forecasters have indicated the chance for widespread rainfall over the next five days in the Missouri River Basin. Current river forecasts estimate an additional 1.6’of river rise as a result. The crest of this latest rise is anticipated around 7a.m. on July 5th. Emergency Management and County Roads officials in Pottawattamie County are advising that some residents in the northwest portion of the county could have access to their homes cut off or limited during this rise, once again.

Residents south of Rosewood Road and 145thStreet could be impacted by this latest river level increase. Currently, the intersection of Rosewood and 145this inundated with water and will likely remain so until levees in northern Pottawattamie County are repaired, as well as areas at the southern portion of Meadowlark Loop. Sumac Road and 152ndStreet may also be over-topped during this upcoming river level increase.

Pott. County Emergency Management Director Doug Reed, says “We want people in the areas still impacted by ongoing flooding to be aware of the potential over the next few days and take appropriate action now, in case safe access to your property is hindered or completely shut-off from this next round of flooding.”

With the potential for additional flooding and isolated thunderstorm chances over the holiday week, all residents should remain weather-aware and take heed to warnings issued by the National Weather Service. Free alerts can be obtained by signing up for Pottawattamie Alert! at www.pottcounty-ia.gov.

Residents are also reminded that the deadline to file for FEMA assistance related to the flooding disaster has been extended to July 16th.

Fireworks damage can spark a sticky insurance situation between neighbors

News

July 3rd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Fireworks, love ’em or hate ’em, they’re a big part of how Iowans mark the 4th of July. Iowa’s largest home insurer is urging everyone who plans to celebrate the holiday with a bang to use extreme caution. James Walford, a State Farm agent in Des Moines, says in addition to the risk of injury, there’s also a significant fire hazard from fireworks — and it’s vital to have your policy up-to-date.

“If you were to cause damage to your own home, that would be covered under State Farm’s property damage on your homeowner’s policy,” Walford says. “If you were to cause damage to your neighbor’s property, they would actually use their own homeowner’s coverage to cover that damage.”

If the fire damage to a home is significant, the case may quickly evolve into a lawsuit based on negligence and other factors. As far as insurance, a house fire caused by fireworks may be considered much like any other disaster that’s the result of a storm or flood.

“If my tree falls on your property, you’re using your homeowner’s policy,” Walford says. “Sometimes it comes down to, what’s your relationship with your neighbor? Is this a lawsuit thing? Is this a ‘I’ll use my policy but pay my deductible?’ so, it can get interesting.” The way the fine print reads, the homeowner would have to pay a deductible — perhaps $500 or $1,000 — for damage to their own home that was caused by a neighbor’s fireworks.

“It can catch people by surprise,” Walford says. “I’m big on education. That’s the value of having a local agent is staying informed and understanding how your policy works.” State Farm says there are nearly 20,000 reports of fireworks-associated fires every year nationwide and another 13,000 injuries. Last year, a northeast Iowa teenager died after setting off fireworks that exploded on the ground instead of in the air in rural Waverly.

6th Street in Harlan temporarily closed from Chatburn to Walnut

News

July 3rd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Harlan Mayor Gene Gettys reports “Due to heavy rains 6th Street will be temporarily closed from Chatburn Avenue to Walnut Street,” today (Wednesday).