Iowa’s largest manufacturing employer, after a five decade absence, could soon be doing business again in Cuba. Deere and Company has announced an agreement to sell tractors to the Cuban government. Deere spokesman Ken Golden says shipments should begin later this month. “This equipment has to be tested and appraised by the Cuban Agricultural Ministry to ensure that it will work for their needs and their conditions,” Golden said. “If they agree that it’s equipment that would be appropriate for Cuba, then there will be shipments over the next four years.”

Most of the tractors will be from Deere’s 5,000 series, now made at a plant in Augusta, Georgia. But, there’ll also be a small number of the 7,000 series tractors, made in Waterloo, Iowa.  “It will mainly be smaller tractors and the implements that are used for farming pulled behind these tractors,” Golden said.  The cost of the contract between Deere and the Cuban government has not been disclosed. “Today, Cuba imports about 60-to-80-percent of its food and improvements in the agricultural sector there will help improve the availability and affordability of food for the Cuban population,” Golden said. John Deere is returning to Cuba after an absence of more than half a century. “Deere first entered the Cuban market in the 1800s and we were there until the early 1960s,” Golden said.

The machinery sent to Cuba will be mainly used in the dairy, row-crop and fruit and vegetable sectors. Deere’s announcement follows news that a Caterpillar dealer will open a distribution center in Cuba, becoming the first U.S. company to have a physical presence in the high-profile Mariel Special Development Zone. According to the Cuba Standard report, both companies seem to be racing to establish a foothold in Cuba before the Trump administration slams the door. In July, President Donald Trump announced he would prohibit sales to armed forces-controlled entities.

(Radio Iowa)

Iowa’s past few winters haven’t been terribly harsh and some of us might be able to use refreshers on our driving and survival skills before the snowdrifts and ice arrive. Today (Thursday) is Winter Weather Awareness Day in Iowa and meteorologist Rod Donavon, at the National Weather Service, says a few reminders for motorists wouldn’t hurt. “Brush up on your winter driving skills and have your survival kit in place,” Donavon says. “Winter weather travel is the most dangerous portion of the year. If you get stuck, are you prepared for that? Slow down, really take your time driving.”

Have that survival kit in your trunk filled with things like: blankets, warm clothes, water, snacks like energy bars, a flashlight with extra batteries, a snow shovel, a tow rope, jumper cables, flares, a knife and a first aid kit. If you log on to weather-dot-gov or follow the National Weather Service on Facebook, you will notice some changes in how warnings, watches and advisories are issued. “They are changing a bit, we are consolidating some things,” Donavon says. “It may be more winter weather advisories instead of freezing rain or blowing snow advisories. It’ll all be combined into one product to give us more consistency. Certainly, all of the important information will be within the headlines itself.”

Blizzard Watches will no longer be issued, for example, though Blizzard Warnings will continue as needed. Some long-range forecasts indicate Iowa has equal chances for a whopper winter with more snow and very cold temperatures versus a lighter winter. He says the picture could change very quickly, as could our landscape.”We’re seeing that right now with the really warm air to the south and Arctic air across southern Canada,” Donavon says. “Any little system that comes through could certainly drag something through. Overall, it only takes one to two big events to have a significant impact.”

Learn more about Winter Weather Awareness Day at www.weather.gov/dmx.

(Radio Iowa)

Atlantic Police late Wednesday night, arrested a man on numerous charges, after an incident in the 200 block on W. 3rd Street. Authorities say 18-year old Travis Osborn, of Atlantic, was the driver of a vehicle that was traveling west on 3rd Street at around 9:52-p.m.  After a passenger exited the vehicle and tried to stop Osborn, Osborn continued driving and struck the unidentified passenger before his vehicle struck a parked vehicle registered to Terry Madden, of Altoona, causing $3,500 damage altogether. The person who was hit by Osborn’s vehicle reported non-life threatening injuries.

Travis Osborn was arrested for Theft in the 2nd Degree (for Possession of a Stolen vehicle), Assault while participating in a Felony, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Driving While Suspended, and OWI/1st offense. He was subsequently booked into the Cass County Jail

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa (AP) — A northwest Iowa fifth-grade teacher already charged with lascivious acts with a child now faces 84 counts of sexual abuse and other charges. Police say 36-year-old Curtis Van Dam, of Sioux Center, also is charged with 14 counts of sexual exploitation by a teacher. Jail records say he remained in custody Thursday.

Police say the charges stem from incidents involving numerous children between August 2013 and last month. A news release says the crimes occurred at various locations, including Sioux Center Christian School, where Van Dam worked. Police began investigating after a complaint was filed alleging inappropriate conduct between Van Dam and a student at the school.

Officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce want you to “Get a kick start to your holiday shopping and purchase discounted AtlantiCash, presented by Hanson’s Fine Jewelry, this Saturday only at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, said “We wanted to think of something new and exciting to do for the community to encourage them to do their holiday shopping locally,”

From 8-a.m. until 11-a.m. Saturday, November 11th only, AtlantiCash will be available in packs of $100 for $80, a 20% discount. Community members can purchase up to three packs. For each pack purchased, merchants will be entered into a drawing for an additional $100 in AtlantiCash. Payment must be made at time of purchase in the form of cash or check only. There is a first-come, first-purchased basis with only a limited amount of AtlantiCash available. Smith says “The really awesome part about this promotion is the money goes directly back into Atlantic. By offering it at a discount, community members can purchase their AtlantiCash and spend it holiday shopping in Atlantic or give it as a gift.”

The Holiday Open House will also be taking place Saturday beginning at 9-a.m.  Businesses will be offering a holiday sneak peek as well as treats, giveaways and special promotions. Community members can receive double stamps on their Shop Local Passport, presented by First Whitney Bank & Trust, by shopping at participating businesses. You can find a complete list of Holiday Open House and Passport participating businesses at www.christmasinatlantic.com.

Pick up your Christmas Brochure from area retail businesses, like the Chamber on Facebook or follow on Twitter to find dates and details to celebrate Christmas in Atlantic. You can find a complete list of activities at www.christmasinatlantic.com. Capture the Christmas magic with #MyAtlanticIA and post to the Atlantic Area Chamber’s Facebook page or Instagram (AtlanticIowaFan). Contact the Atlantic Area Chamber with any questions at chamber@atlanticiowa.com or call 712.243.3017.

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

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A man from California was arrested Wednesday evening in Creston, for Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense. 57-year old Bret Jorgensen, of Galt, CA, was taken into custody at around 6-p.m. and later released on a $1,000 bond. And, at around 9:15-a.m. Wednesday, a woman from Cedar Rapids reported to Creston Police that sometime around 5:30-p.m. Tuesday, her purse was stolen from her vehicle. The incident happened while the vehicle was parked near the Southwestern Community College Nursing Building. The loss was estimated at $80.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Atlantic Fire & Rescue, Medivac Ambulance and Atlantic Police responded to a call about thick smoke coming from a home on Atlantic’s west side late Wednesday night. The call came in from a home at 511 Front Street at around 11:15-p.m.  Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees told KJAN News Atlantic Police Lt. Paul Wood (who is also a volunteer firefighter) was first on the scene and confirmed thick smoke was emitting from the structure, which had been evacuated prior to authorities’ arrival. One person was transported by Medivac to the Cass County Memorial Hospital, for treatment of smoke inhalation.

McNees said they thought at first the fire was in the basement, and perhaps from a dryer or furnace. But after they entered the home, it was discovered the smoke was coming from a pan of grease on the stove that registered 1,200 degrees on the thermal imaging device. He said it was a “miracle” the grease didn’t erupt into flames, because it was splattered around the pan, as well.

Crews were on the scene for about 45-to 60-minutes, ventilating the home, which sustained primarily smoke damage.

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — In a story Nov. 6 about people sickened by carbon monoxide exposure at a Marshalltown, Iowa, church, The Associated Press, relying on a city fire official, reported erroneously that one person had died. Fire Chief David Rierson now says officials were mistaken and no one died. A corrected version of the story is below:

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a number of people suffered breathing problems and some were hospitalized after breathing carbon monoxide at their church in Iowa, where a gasoline-powered generator was running in the unvented basement to provide heat and lighting. Medics and police officers found several people with headaches and breathing difficulties at about 2:45 p.m. Sunday at the Church of God in Marshalltown. First responders helped churchgoers get treatment at a Marshalltown hospital. Some of the victims later were taken to hospitals in Iowa City and Des Moines.

Marshalltown Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Cross couldn’t provide the name of those who were injured. Cross said the building didn’t have electric or gas service and lacked a city occupancy permit.