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Tank named “Beautiful Bulldog” in Iowa contest

News, Sports

April 19th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A 2-year-old dog from Des Moines named Tank won the Beautiful Bulldog contest at Drake University. The 36th annual tongue-in-cheek beauty pageant, which featured 50 dogs Sunday, is the kickoff event for the Drake Relays track meet.

Pageant organizers narrowed a pool of over 100 hopeful pups by a lottery held last month.  Judges weren’t looking for beauty though. They wanted to see the slobber, drool and bulging bloodshot eyes synonymous with English bulldogs. They got all that and more from Tank, a dog owner Duane Smith said he found by searching on Craigslist a year ago.

Iowa’s Medicaid privatization draws scrutiny

News

April 19th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad’s plan to privatize the state’s Medicaid program is moving forward, though critics are raising questions about how the shift will impact patients. Earlier this year, the state began an effort to shift Medicaid administration to two or more managed care organizations, to which Iowa will pay a fixed amount per enrollee to provide health coverage. State officials predict cost savings and say patients will still have access to quality health care.

But Democratic Senate President Pam Jochum, of Dubuque, said this week that she is not convinced, raising concerns about the quality of care for patients. Amy Lorentzen McCoy, spokeswoman for the Department of Human Services, said the new system would save the state money by avoiding duplication of services and by offering better preventative care.

Authorities: No charges to be filed in Pacific Junction following money snafu

News

April 19th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Mills County Sheriff Eugene Goos says no criminal charges will be filed against the former city clerk or the city maintenance supervisor in Pacific Junction, in the wake of a special investigation report by the Iowa state auditor. Goos told the Omaha World- he’s received no criminal complaint from the Mills County Attorney’s Office with regard to Kari Williams, the city clerk who has since resigned after it was discovered that the city owed the IRS more than $73,000. The State Auditor’s Office said almost $32,000 was spent in improper disbursements due to lack of oversight.

State Auditor Mary Mosiman said Williams received pay through public funds for work she did not do by submitting her hours on her time sheet by hand instead of using a clock-in system. The lack of oversight in 2013 led to a $65,000 shortfall in funding the Pacific Junction Fire and Rescue Department. The city had to use local-option sales tax revenue and other general operating funds to sustain the Fire Department.

The city is working with the IRS to resolve the problem, according to Mosiman. Eric Hansen, an attorney with Law Offices of Gallner & Pattermann, which represents the city, said city employees didn’t follow procedures as closely as they should have been doing, and that the State recommends better oversight and procedural changes by the City, but the report didn’t infer any criminal activity had occurred.

 

Essex woman arrested for OWI early Sun. morning near Elliott

News

April 19th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A woman was arrested early this (Sunday) morning in Montgomery County, following a traffic stop for speeding. Sheriff’s officials say deputies stopped a car driven by 44-year old Tracey Marie Kimmet, of Essex, at around 2:50-a.m. about two-miles west of Elliott, on Highway 48 near Ironwood Road.

Kimmet was subsequently charged with OWI/1st offense. The woman was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $1,000 bond.

Guthrie Center man injured while turkey hunting Saturday

Ag/Outdoor, News, Sports

April 19th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources report a man from Guthrie Center was injured while turkey hunting Saturday morning in rural Guthrie County. Authorities say 51-year old Richard Groom suffered a wound to his upper torso after being hit by shot fired from another hunter he was hunting with approximately 10 miles west of Panora. The incident happened at around 7:30 a.m., Saturday.

Groom was airlifted to Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. The incident is still under investigation by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Iowa early News Headlines: Sunday, April 19th 2015

News

April 19th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A jury has cleared the city of Davenport, its mayor and its public works director in a negligence case that was brought after residents complained of sewer backups. A lawsuit accused the officials of failing to address Davenport’s main sewer system despite years of complaints. Homeowners had sought compensation for damage from major rainfalls in April and May of 2013.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A pledge by local businesses to hire military veterans has Sioux City set to become the state’s second city to qualify as a Home Base Iowa Community. Governor Terry Branstad will bestow the honor Wednesday. Sioux City reached the program’s goal to have at least 10 percent of local employers pledge to hire at least one veteran before December 31st of 2018.

FOREST CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Forest City Police Department could move into its repaired police station by late June. The station was damaged in an October 2011 fire. Construction crews and city employees have been working on the building since February.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — People who commit a misdemeanor in Dubuque might not have to worry about bail money soon. Dubuque City Manager Mike Van Milligen and Assistant City Attorney Maureen Quann will ask the City Council on Monday to eliminate jail time as a penalty for misdemeanor city crimes. Quann says a recent Iowa Supreme Court opinion prompted the proposed change.

Glenwood woman goes shopping – comes home to find a tree has crushed her house

News

April 18th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A Glenwood woman who went shopping in Council Bluffs with her mother received some devastating news Saturday afternoon. The Omaha World-Herald reports Katie Davis received a call from Glenwood Mayor Kimberly Clark, who is also a Sergeant with the Mills County Sheriff’s Office. Clark told Davis a giant oak tree had fallen and crushed Davis’ home in the 500 block of North Vine Street. The house was a total loss.

The tree snapped just above the trunk, revealing a hollow section, and fell across the living room in the front of the house and on nearby vehicles. The tree came down as a thunderstorm moved through the area Saturday. The family was hoping their cat “Nala” made it out of the house, which will have to be torn down and rebuilt from scratch. The home was too dangerous to enter Saturday to look for the family pet.

Sioux City set to become second Home Base Iowa Community

News

April 18th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A pledge by local businesses to hire military veterans has Sioux City set to become the state’s second city to qualify as a Home Base Iowa Community. The Sioux City Journal reports that Gov. Terry Branstad will bestow the honor during a news conference Wednesday.

Sioux City reached the program’s goal to have at least 10 percent of local employers pledge to hire at least one veteran before Dec. 31, 2018. Communities also were required to put together incentive packages for veterans and their families. The program seeks to make the state a top destination for job-seeking veterans.

Marion in eastern Iowa was the first Home Base Iowa city. Thirteen counties have been designated.

Sleepy driver seriously injured after SUV crashes in Montgomery County

News

April 18th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A man who fell asleep at the wheel of an SUV suffered serious injuries and was transported to the Montgomery County Hospital by Red Oak Rescue, after the vehicle crashed into a field drive Saturday morning. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says 63-year old Jackie Kendrick, of New Market was driving west on 270th Street about seven-miles southeast of Red Oak, when he fell asleep at the wheel of his 2001 Chevy Equinox.

Kendrick woke up when the SUV crossed the center line of the road. He over-corrected, causing the vehicle to enter the westbound ditch before hitting a field drive. The SUV sustained about $13,000 damage during the crash that happened at around 7-a.m.

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 4/18/2015

News, Podcasts

April 18th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

More area, & State news, w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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