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(Podcast) 7-a.m. News/funeral announcements: 2/5/2014

News, Podcasts

February 5th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Branstad appoints western Iowans to Judicial Commission

News

February 5th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, Tuesday, announced his appointments to the Judicial Nominating Commissions and Iowa Parole Board. Three western Iowans were appointed to the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC). They include: in District 4, Mary Gunderson, of Glenwood; in District 5-B, Alec Turner, of Corning, and in District 5-A, David Van Ahn, of Panora.

The appointments to the JNC are not subject to Senate confirmation. Members of the JNC serve to select nominees for appointment to the Iowa Supreme Court and Iowa Court of Appeals.

Red Oak couple face Child Endangerment & other charges

News

February 5th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Police in Red Oak say two people have been charged with Child Endangerment following a domestic disturbance Tuesday evening.38-year-old Venus Maria Barr, of Red Oak, was arrested on Willful Injury, Aggravated Domestic Abuse Assault, and child endangerment charges.  42-year-old William Barr, also of Red Oak, faces charges of Child Endangerment and Interference with official acts. The pair were arrested at around 10:45 p.m. in connection with an incident which occured in the 2400 block of North 8th Street, in Red Oak.

Both suspects were taken to the Montgomery County Jail. Venus Barr was being held without bond, while William Barr’s bond amounts to $2,000.

Weather causes accidents in Montgomery County, Tuesday

News

February 5th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Wind, snow and blowing snow conditions contributed to two non-injury accidents Tuesday afternoon in Montgomery County. Authorities say an accident at around 1:35-p.m. on Highway 34 caused a total of $2,000 damage. Officials report 60-year-old Mryna Peterson, of Carson, was westbound on 200th Street when her 1978 Buick sedan went out of control on the icy road, crossed the center line, and collided with an eastbound semi driven by 50-year-old Bryan Huff, of rural Emerson. No citations were issued.

The second accident happened at around 2:50 p.m. one half mile west of Stanton on Highway 34.  Authorities say 24-year-old Cassie Phelps, of Red Oak was traveling east on Highway 34 in a 2001 Pontiac Montana, when she lost control of the vehicle, which went into the south ditch before hitting a fence and a guide wire. The collision caused the power pole to be snapped in- half. Damage to the vehicle, power pole and fence amounted to a little more than $7,000.

2 arrests in Montgomery County, Tuesday

News

February 5th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Montgomery County report two people were arrested Tuesday on separate charges. Red Oak Police arrested 38-year old Rachel Charise Kathleen Hadden, of Red Oak, for Interference with Official Acts. She was also wanted on a Page County warrant for Contempt of Court/Failure to Appear on an original charge of Theft in the 5th Degree. Hadden was taken into custody at around 9:12-p.m. in the 400 block of north Highland Avenue. Her bond was set at $600.

And, at around 12:30-p.m. Tuesday, deputies in Montgomery County arrested 22-year old Ty Andrew Chandler, of Red Oak, on a Red Oak Police Dept. warrant for Domestic Assault. Chandler was arrested in Villisca and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where he was being held on $2,000 cash bond.

NE man injured in Pott County crash, Tuesday

News

February 5th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A man from Grand Island, NE was injured during a collision between two semi’s Tuesday night, in Pottawattamie County. The Iowa State Patrol says 36-year old Jamie Henry was transported by Shelby Rescue to Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan, following the crash that took place at around 8:10-p.m. on Interstate 80 eastbound, about 1.5-miles east of the Shelby exit.Officials say his injuries were non-life threatening.

The Patrol say two semis, one driven by 24-year old Tavion Wilson, of Goodyear, AZ, the other by Jamie Henry, were traveling east, when the 2012 Volvo Wilson was driving came up too fast behind the other semi. When Wilson attempted to swerve into the left lane to avoid contact, his semi went out of control and jackknifed. The passenger side of his trailer struck the rear of Henry’s trailer, causing Henry’s semi to jackknife before it entered the south ditch. Wilson was subsequently cited for failure to maintain control.

Iowa early News Headlines: Wed., Feb. 5th 2014

News

February 5th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities are investigating the death of a Cedar Rapids man as a homicide. The Cedar Rapids Police Department says 31-year-old Clifton Sparks was found fatally wounded on a street shortly after midnight Tuesday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man suspected of stealing money from a Des Moines gas station thanked the cashier before heading out. Police say the robbery happened Monday night at a Git-N-Go store. Authorities are still looking for the suspect. The Des Moines Register reports the cashier told police the man approached the counter and demanded money. He then pointed a gun at her. The cashier says she handed over $100 in several bills. He then said, “Thank you” as he took the money and left the store.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Dubuque has declined to take up a proposal that would ban future home-based firearms businesses. The City Council on Monday declined to vote on a motion to move the issue forward. It had been tabled since September. The Telegraph Herald reports the proposal would have prohibited future conditional use permits for gun sales from residential homes.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Aaron Craft had 17 points with six assists and six steals to help Ohio State upset 17th-ranked Iowa 76-69 last night for its third win in four games. Mike Gesell had 16 points for lead Iowa, which shot just 3 of 20 from 3-point range and lost its second straight at home.

Atlantic City Council to act on engineering agreement for SIP’s

News

February 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic City Council will hold it’s regular meeting Wednesday at the Senior Citizen’s Center next to City Hall/the Police Station, instead of in their chambers at City Hall. The temporary move is necessary due to renovation projects underway at City Hall. During their session, which begins at 5:30-p.m., the Council will act on authorizing Mayor Dave Jones to execute an Engineering Services Agreement with Snyder and Associates Engineers of Atlantic, for the 2014 Street Improvement Projects (SIP).

City Administrator Doug Harris says the lump sum cost for the design and construction inspection services is $74,000, which he says reflects a reasonable 9.9% of the estimated project cost. The 2014 Street Improvement Projects include:

  • The reconstruction of 17th St. from Redwood Dr. to East Dead End.
  • Mill, patch & overlay 9th St. from Palm to Cedar, and Elm to Plum.
  • Mill, patch & overlay 13th St. from Cherry to the Dead End east of Plum.
  • Mill, patch & overlay Locust St. from 8th to 10th.
  • Mill, patch and overlay Maple St. from 7th to 10th.

Snyder’s Dave Sturm has said the contractor and subcontractor for the work, both of whom are willing to hold their current contract prices, and go with a change order, instead of taking competitive bids for those projects. Harris said the benefit of utilizing a change order is that it will lock-in last year’s prices and save the City money, not to mention time. The preliminary cost estimate for the work is $755,000.

In  other business, the Council will enter into a closed session prior adjournment (as allowed by Iowa Code Section 21.5 [c]), to discuss initiating litigation to take title of an abandoned property.

Atlantic man injured during accident Monday south of Brayton

News

February 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Audubon County say an Atlantic man was injured during a rollover accident south of Brayton Monday afternoon. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports 50-year-old Kenny Leroy Logemann was traveling south on Highway 71 at around 1:40-p.m, when he fell asleep at the wheel of his 1995 Dodge. The vehicle crossed the center line, and northbound lane before it came into contact with the gravel shoulder on the east side of the road.

The vehicle continued for a short distance before Logemann woke up and overcorrected. His actions cause the vehicle to cross northbound lane and make contact with the west side gravel shoulder. The vehicle then entered a driveway on the west side of the road where it flipped and rolled over, coming to rest on the driver’s side.

Logemann was transported to Cass County Memorial Hospital by Exira Fire and Rescue. He was later cited for having No Insurance and Failure to Maintain Control. Damage to  his vehicle amounted to $3,000.

Bill lets employers give preference to veterans

News

February 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Veterans could receive preferential treatment in the hiring and promotion decisions of private businesses under a bill moving through the Iowa Legislature. The House Veterans Affairs Committee approved a measure Tuesday that would allow private sector employers to grant preference to veterans when deciding who to hire or promote. The bill now goes to the House floor.

State government already can give hiring preference to veterans. The bill clarifies that it is legal for the private sector to do so as well. Jimmy Centers, a spokesman for Gov. Terry Branstad, says the bill is part of the governor’s plan to support veterans in Iowa.

Republican Rep. Dwayne Alons, who heads the committee, says this bill would also expand upon preferences allowed for veterans in federal positions.