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Two arrested in Harlan, Saturday

News

February 5th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Harlan Police Department say two people were arrested on separate charges last Saturday. 24-year old Khadijah Meeks, of, Harlan, was arrested for Public Intoxication. And, 38-year old Dollie Bradley, of Manchester, was arrested in Harlan for criminal mischief in the 5th degree, and public intoxication. Both women were brought to the Shelby County Jail.

Man gets 20 years after making plea deal in Iowa slaying

News

February 5th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — One of the men charged in a southeast Iowa slaying has been sentenced to prison for 20 years. Des Moines County District Court records say 29-year-old Antoine Spann pleaded guilty Monday after making a deal with prosecutors. He’d been charged with first-degree murder. That charge was dropped, and Spann entered guilty pleas to murder conspiracy, aiding and abetting to commit willful injury, and criminal gang participation.

Spann’s trial was scheduled to begin March 12. His plea agreement says he must testify against any others charged in the slaying of 26-year-old Demarcus “Peanut” Chew. He was fatally shot in a car outside his mother’s Burlington home on Sept. 10, 2017. The court records say another Dalton, Illinois, man, Derrick Parker, also has been charged with murder and conspiracy.

Authorities release name of Ottumwa fire victim

News

February 5th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have released the name of a 74-year-old man who died at a burn center after a fire at his home in Ottumwa. The Ottumwa Fire Department identified him Monday as William Beall. The department says he died at 7:45 p.m. Sunday at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics Burn Treatment Center.

Firefighters report finding a man later identified as Beall just outside the house’s front door when they arrived Sunday afternoon. He was taken to an Ottumwa hospital before being transferred to the burn center in Iowa City. The fire cause is being investigated. The house is considered a total loss.

Family trout fishing event this Saturday in Council Bluffs

Ag/Outdoor

February 5th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS – A family friendly trout fishing event will be held at Big Lake this Saturday, Feb. 9 at 2:30 p.m. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will stock 1,000 rainbow trout in the lake. Previously scheduled for Jan. 19, the stocking was postponed due to unsafe ice conditions.  Anglers must have a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.  The daily limit is five trout per licensed angler with a possession limit of 10.  Children age 15 or younger can fish for trout with a properly licensed adult, but they must limit their catch to one daily limit.  The child can buy a trout fee which will allow them to catch their own limit of five trout.

This free event is sponsored by Woods Sporting Goods, Bass Pro Shops, Walmart, Council Bluffs Parks and Recreation and the Iowa DNR.

Atlantic City Council to discuss recommendation w/regard to the Senior Center; & hear Budget report

News

February 5th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The City Council in Atlantic will discuss the future of the Atlantic Senior Center during their meeting 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, at City Hall. As previously reported, the City’s Personnel and Finance Committee met Jan. 23rd to try and answer two questions: Is the City interested in selling the building located immediately south of City Hall? If so, should consideration be given to the Elks organization, which has expressed interest in purchasing the building “As is”?  One of the options the Committee discussed, was to sell the building, with protections given to the Senior’s group so they would not be kicked-out. The other was opposing the sale outright.

The Elks have offered to buy the Senior Center and make the necessary repairs to the roof, and share the facility with Senior Citizens during the day, as is currently the case. The fair market value of the building, as is, would be $59,000 to $63,000. If the City pays for the roof repair, that would up the value to between $86,000 and $88,000. The roof has been leaking since last August, and must be replaced. The cost of that project was estimated at $36,255. In addition to the roof factor, the City receives about $2,000 per year in revenue from the Senior Center. Operating costs range from $4,244 to $4,323. Officials say payback on the roof “Is not mathematically feasible from ongoing revenues. The Fund balance for the Senior Center Fund at the end of FY 2018, was $11,069. The City admits the building has not been  a high priority on physical updates, and while the structure itself is solid (minus the roof issue), it could use additional investment.

City Administrator John Lund said at the Committee meeting in January, that the City could retain ownership of the building and pay for the roof repair if the City Council activates a tax levy amounting to 13.5-cents per thousand dollars valuation. Accordingly, the City would lower the employee benefits levy by the same amount. Those funds ($30,000), combined with the remaining balance of the Senior Center Fund, would allow the roof to be repaired. And, the Council could allow the Elks to use the facility without charge in the evenings. It would no longer be rented out for other purposes. The option would still allow the Senior Center to be used from 10-a.m. to 3-p.m. as it is today. Some benefits of selling the building if the Council decides to do so, according to Lund, is that it would be brought onto the tax rolls, the City will receive compensation for the disposal of real estate, and the Elks have time to get approval from their hierarchy for the purchase.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council will receive a presentation from John Lund, with regard to the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget and 10-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The proposed budget for FY 2020 is $16,520,747, which is a decrease of $129,388 (-.78%), from the FY 2019 Revised estimate of $16,650,135. Lund will tell the Council that: the City’s combined property tax levy remains unchanged; The overall budget accomplishes key priorities of the Mayor and Council, however, it has resulted in a deficit in key funds that will require stricter fiscal policy in the following year’s budget in order to avoid a trend of deficit spending; and, that the City is now budgeting any excess cash growth beyond required minimum towards “inevitable liabilities in specialized funds, moving them away from operating budgets, and also to minimize future debt assumptions.

The budget also says there will be no increases for existing fees, and utility rates remain unchanged. He concludes by saying “Altogether, the FY 2020 Budget establishes a solid plan for the next decade of life in Atlantic. It positions our community to capitalize on its strengths, address its challenges and continue to build a community that is welcoming to families and business.”

 

Adair County Sheriff’s report (2/5/19)

News

February 5th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports just one arrest over the past week. On Saturday, 46-year old Bobby Glenn Agan III, of Stuart, was arrested for Violation of a No Contact Order. Agan was released the following day on a $300 bond.

Backyard & Beyond 2-5-2019

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

February 5th, 2019 by Jim Field

LaVon Eblen visits with Cass County Naturalist Lora Kanning about the Backyard Bird Count.

Play

ALLAN JUEL “AL” HANSEN, 66, of Ankeny, formerly of Exira (2-6-2019)

Obituaries

February 5th, 2019 by Jim Field

ALLAN JUEL “AL” HANSEN, 66, of Ankeny (formerly of Exira) died January 31st.  Mass of Christian Burial  for ALLAN JUEL “AL” HANSEN  will be held on Wednesday, February 6th at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Ankeny.  Ankney Funeral Home has the arrangements.

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Visitation will be at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Ankeny on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, from 5-7:00 p.m.

A luncheon will follow the funeral mass at the church on Wednesday.

ALLAN JUEL “AL” HANSEN is survived by

Wife:  Kathy

Children:  Greg (Brigette) Hansen; Amy (Jimmy) Martin, Todd (Rachel) Hansen

Sisters:  Gladys (Jack) Gray; Marilyn (Dennis) Roof

Brother:  Robert (Judi) Hansen

Sister-in-law: Carol Lenning

Mother-in-law: Avis Bintner

6 grandchildren,

and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Glenwood Police report (2/5/19)

News

February 5th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Glenwood Police Department said today (Tuesday), 35-year old Travis Long, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Monday, for Driving While Barred, and Violation of a No Contact Order. He was being held without bond on the latter charge until seen by a magistrate, and a $2,000 bond for the DWB charge.

Pott. County Sheriff’s report (2/5/19)

News

February 5th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County say a man being held in the Pott. County Jail on a $2,000 bond for Probation Violation, was presented with a warrant Monday, charging him with felony Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree. 22-year old Ramon James Scarpino, of Council Bluffs, was read the warrant and then returned to his cell. He was being held without bond on the latest charge. And, 36-year old Mark David Dahl, of Council Bluffs, turned himself-in to the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office Monday morning. Dahl was wanted on a warrant for Failure to Comply with the Iowa Sex Offender Registry, the bond for which was set at $5,000. He was transported to the Pott. County Jail and turned over to Corrections staff.