The latest forecast shows a large portion of the state could soon be buried under a half-foot or more of snow. National Weather Service meteorologist Allan Curtis says snow should start falling early tomorrow (Wed) morning in northwest Iowa and move diagonally across the state throughout the day. “The heaviest band of snow…we’re looking at northwest Iowa, coming across into central Iowa, even parts of south-central and southeastern Iowa…being in that 4 to 6 inch range,” Curtis said.

Other areas of the state may not get any new snow.  “For the most part, southwest Iowa will likely see something, probably up to an inch,” Curtis said. “The only parts of the state that are looking at possibly seeing nothing are the extreme eastern and northeastern sections.” The snow is expected to arrive in northwest Iowa around 2 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday) and exit southeast Iowa either late tomorrow or early Thursday. “This one is going to be a pretty long duration event,” Curtis said.

The snow will be followed by some bitterly cold temperatures to close out the month of February. “We’re looking at highs on Thursday and Friday in the single digits and lower teens,” Curtis said. Another round of snow is possible over the weekend. “Currently, it’s looking like the totals will be less than what we see Wednesday,” Curtis said. “Obviously, that can change, but the big difference with what’s coming through for the weekend…it looks like it’s going to be a more widespread event.”

(Radio Iowa)

An one-day conference for women from all walks of life will be held at the Shenandoah Historical Museum Building, next month.  on Saturday, March 21. The Mills County Extension Office reports the “Women Gaining Ground” conference, presented by Women, Land and Legacy, takes place 8-a.m. March 21st.

Officials say a series of six interesting and insightful sessions will be held throughout the day. Participants can attend three of the following sessions:
• Reducing Your Risk of Identity Theft: Identity is an asset—as valuable as cash in hand. Learn how to protect your assets by becoming more informed about which types of personal information thieves are stealing.
• Local Foods: Grow It Here, Eat It Here: Learn about the benefits of eating food grown close to home and get tips for becoming a successful ag entrepreneur.
• Creative Start-Ups: Hear the story of Joe Sweeney, a 5th generation cattle farmer who is now part of a new wave of agriculture with the establishment of Buckeye Fish Company.
• Travel Time Not Required: Find out more about some of the wonderful things close to home that Western Iowa has to offer.
• The Business of Bees: Interested in the intriguing lives of bees and their role in the environment? Two local beekeepers will share their expertise.
• Spring Decorating—With Junk: The Farmer’s Daughters will share some tips and tricks for freshening up your home, porch and yard, just in time for spring.

Keynote speaker for the event is Holly Hoffman, a former contestant on TV’s “Survivor” show, who is scheduled to make her presentation at 10:15-a.m.  Hoffman is an inspirational and motivational speaker who encourages others to take opportunities and focus on attitude, confidence, determination, desire, and faith.

The day will start with donuts and fresh fruit. Lunch will be feature a baked potato bar and desserts. To finish the day, participants will be sent home with locally prepared cookies.  All that good food may have some women worrying about their figures, so Bobbi Schaaf will be teaching some yoga moves after lunch that will help burn off a few calories and promote life-long fitness.

The conference features a variety of local merchants displaying some of their most popular products. Pre-registration is required, with registrations postmarked by March 10th eligible to win $100 cash. Details for the conference, including access to the registration form, are available on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/womenlandlegacywgg.

Any questions can be directed to Mills County ISU Extension at 712-624-8616; Fremont County ISU Extension at 712-374-2351; or Montgomery County ISU Extension at 712-623-2592.

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (AP) – A mental hospital that Gov. Terry Branstad wants to close has fired three workers and made changes after a patient’s attempted suicide revealed major safety gaps. Administrators at the Mental Health Institute in Mount Pleasant say three workers walked past a psychiatric patient who’d tied a bedsheet around his neck to a bathroom doorknob Oct. 19. They say all three should have stopped immediately to help the patient, who had a history of assaulting employees.

But the workers dispute that the patient, who ultimately wasn’t harmed, was in immediate danger or that they did anything wrong. They say they weren’t given training on responding to suicide attempts.
An investigation by the Department of Inspections and Appeals concluded that “systemic failures and deficient practices” led to an unsafe environment for patents.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports 30-year old Jessica Leigh Harryman, of Winterset, was arrested on two Union County warrants charging her with Failure to Appear on a Child Support matter, and a Probation Violation.

Harryman turned herself in to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Monday morning, and was transported to the Ringgold County Jail, to be held for Union County without bond,  until her initial appearance in court.

The Iowa Department of Public Health reports the Iowa Board of Chiropractic has suspended the license of a chiropractor in Pottawattamie County. The Board, on January 16th, ordered Melissa S. Sternberg, of Carson, to surrender her license. The order went into effect on Feb. 16th.

In December, 2014, the Board notified Sternberg her license to practice would be suspended unless a certificate of non-compliance filed by the Iowa Dept. of Revenue’s Centralized Collection Unit was withdrawn by Jan. 16, 2015. The certificate was not withdrawn by the deadline.

(delayed post due to technical difficulties) The 8-a.m. Newscast w/Ric Hanson.

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(delayed post due to technical difficulties) The 7:07-a.m. report from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Two people have been arrested in Creston, on drug charges. According to the Creston P-D, 18-year old Heather Marie Madison, of Creston, was arrested early Monday morning on a Possession of Marijuana charge. The woman was being held in the Ringgold County Jail on $1,000 bond. And, 27-year old Coty Allen Savage, of Creston, was arrested at around 6-a.m. today (Tuesday), for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Savage was being held in the Union County Jail on $1,000 bond.

Authorities in Creston said also, 26-year old Dusten Jacob Thrasher, of Creston, was arrested early Monday morning on a Polk County warrant for Failure to Appear in court. He was being held without bond in the Union County Jail while awaiting extradition to Polk County. 33-year old Jason Donald Willey, of Creston, was arrested last Friday night, on charges of Trespass, Burglary in the 2nd Degree, Forgery, and Motor Vehicle Theft. His bond was set at $10,000, plus a $300 cash or surety bond.

And the Creston P-D says a resident in the 300 block of South Walnut Street reported that sometime between 7:45-a.m. Sunday and 8:30 Monday, someone entered their home and took a vacuum cleaner, cleaning supplies, and a dresser. The loss was estimated at $205.

Deputies in Montgomery County have made another, drug-related arrest in Villisca. Authorities say 55-year old Kirk Alan Black, of Villisca, was arrested Monday evening on two counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine, following an incident in the 500 block of South 4th Avenue. Black was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $100,000 bond. Agents with the Iowa Dept. of Narcotics Enforcement assisted deputies in conducting the arrest. Monday’s arrest comes on the heels of the arrest last Friday also on drug charges, of six other Villisca residents, some of whom face an additional charge of Child Endangerment.

The Sheriff’s Dept. reports also, 20-year old Cody Benjamin Carrol Johnson, of Stanton, was arrested Monday evening on a Montgomery County warrant for Probation Violation. Johnson was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $2,500 bond.

Sexual assault charges have been dropped against a western Iowa man who ran to succeed Joni Ernst in the Iowa Senate. The charges against 69-year-old Donald Brantz of Mineola were originally filed following an incident in Bellevue, Nebraska on October 10, 2014. Brantz was accused of inappropriately touching a woman and allegedly threatened to choke her. Brantz maintained he was innocent of those charges.

Donald Brantz

Brantz, who was a candidate for Iowa’s 23rd District Senate Seat vacated by Joni Ernst, was charged back in October with sexual assault in the third-degree, third-degree assault, disturbing the peace and interference with a public utility company. Sarpy County District Court Judge Robert C. Wester dismissed all but the disturbing the peace charge against Brantz, who pled no contest to that charge and will be sentenced on April 3.

(Radio Iowa)