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Fire damages a portion of a residence in Marne

News

January 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Authorities say no injuries were reported following a fire Wednesday afternoon, in Marne. Firefighters from Atlantic and Marne responded to a reported wood burning stove-related fire at 402 Franklin Street, just before 1:30-p.m.

Photo from the Atlantic Fire and Rescue' Facebook page.

Photo from the Atlantic Fire and Rescue’ Facebook page.

Officials said heat from a wood burning stove on the back porch of the residence apparently caused a nearby wood pile to ignite. The wood pile was apparently smoldering for quite some time before it erupted into flames. The pile and stove were fully involved in a fire when the first crews arrived on the scene. The blaze was contained to the porch and woodpile, both of which were said to have been a total loss.

Firefighters from Marne Fire Department and Atlantic fought to contain the blaze. They were assisted by deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, and Cass County Emergency Management Director Mike Kennon.

Atlantic City Council honors Library worker

News

January 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic City Council began their first session of the new year on Wednesday night with two new council members, and the recognition of a woman who has served for more than two decades at the City Library. Bob Cord and Lori Stuart joined the Council after having won the City Elections last November. Mayor Dave Jones’ first order of business after welcoming them to the Council, was to pay special recognition to Diane McFadden.

Jones read a proclamation recognizing McFadden for 25-years of service. She began her duties with the Atlantic Public Library on Jan. 1st 1989. On behalf of the City, Jones thanked for her “Dedication and service to the citizens of Atlantic.”

The Council then acted on approving a variety of administrative matters and a Resolution accepting work performed by KWS, Incorporated, with regard to the 7th Street traffic signalization project, which vastly reduced the amount of time motorists have to wait at the intersection of 7th and Olive for the traffic lights to change. Mayor Dave Jones was among those who was very happy about the long-overdue change, as the City has been battling with the DOT for years to resolve traffic control device problems at the intersection.

The project began and was completed last summer. Jones said it “Has never been any better,” and “it works perfect.” The final contract price on the project was $141,566. The Council also approved an Engineering Agreement with Snyder and Associates Engineers, for the mapping of the Atlantic Municipal Airport, in the lump sum amount of $2,300.

City Administrator Doug Harris said early last fall, the City contracted with SWIPCO – The Southwest Iowa Planning Council – to update the Ordinance, as required by the FAA so the City can continue to receive State and Federal funds. As part of the agreement, surveying and mapping of the airport was required. SWIPCO indicated that wasn’t part of their agreement with the City. The City contacted Snyder’s to handle the task, 90-percent of the cost for which will be reimbursed by the FAA. The City will end up paying about $200 after reimbursement.

Exira-EHK Super Board to meet Thursday evening

News

January 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Members of the Exira-Elk Horn Kimballton Super Board of Education will meet Thursday evening in the Media Room at the Exira-EHK Middle School. During their 7-p.m. session, the Board will hear the Teacher’s first proposal on Negotiations. In other business, they’ll discuss and possibly act on setting the date and time for Board meetings for the Super Board.

Prior to adjourning for the evening, the Board will move into a closed session pertaining to Negotiations, per Iowa Code Section 21.17 (3).

 

CCHS Open House set for Jan. 16th

News

January 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Cass County Memorial Hospital say the Cass County Health System will be hosting a community open house on Thursday, January 16, from 3 – 6 pm. Visitors will be able to tour the newly added and renovated areas of the facility. Tours will be self-guided, with staff on hand to give directions and answer questions about the changes.

The $22.5 million dollar addition and renovation project began with a groundbreaking in March 2011. The early phases of the project included relocating the helipad and then adding on a two-story addition. The addition opened in June 2012 and houses the Emergency Department and surgical services on the first floor. The second floor is the Inpatient Services Department – medical/surgical, special care and obstetrics.

After the addition was complete, an extensive remodeling of the existing building began. Some departments were relocated, a number of areas were expanded, and some received cosmetic updates. Major changes to patient areas included expanding the Outpatient Clinic, Cardiac Rehab, Diabetes Center and Atlantic Medical Center. Rehabilitation Services moved into the former OB and Surgery Departments, which allowed room for expanding existing therapy specialties and adding a hydrotherapy pool. Once all the departments were relocated, the original inpatient wings were demolished, due to the age of facility and the expense needed to bring it up to current standards and codes.

As the original project neared completion, the Board of Trustees felt the hospital’s strong financial position allowed for a few additional projects. Most significantly, an in-house MRI suite was developed, which was put into service in late December 2013. A new chapel area was designed near the patient rooms, surgery and emergency waiting areas. There are still a few areas left to receive new floor and wall coverings, primarily interior corridors and offices, and the cafeteria. Those projects are expected to be completed by late March.

Immigration foes dig in amid expectations

News

January 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

WASHINGTON (AP) — A chief Republican foe of immigration legislation says it would be a “colossal mistake” for the House to consider any measure this year and shift attention from President Barack Obama’s health care law. For months, Republicans have been focused on attacking the health care law, sensing a political boost in its problem-plagued rollout.

Wednesday’s comments by Rep. Steve King of Iowa underscore the difficulty for advocates who have raised expectations for congressional action on immigration. He spoke after a closed-door meeting of House Republicans in which Speaker John Boehner told GOP rank-and-file that he will soon outline party principles on immigration.

The Senate passed a comprehensive bipartisan bill last year with a path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the United States illegally. The bill stalled in the House where Boehner has said he prefers a piecemeal approach.

Iowa court keeps stay over gaming license

News

January 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court says an emergency stay will remain in place against orders to suspend a gaming license for a new Sioux City casino. Justice Brent Appel granted a stay Dec. 19 that halted an earlier stay by Polk County District Court Judge Robert Hanson. An order signed Wednesday means the stay will remain in place, and construction on the casino can continue.

The Sioux City Journal reports Hanson’s stay Dec. 10 suspended a gaming license for the Hard Rock-themed casino being developed by SCE Partners. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission issued it in April. The commission is entangled in litigation with Penn National Gaming, which owns the Argosy riverboat casino. Penn wanted the gaming license suspended until a lawsuit against the commission could be resolved.

Schultz Implements Precinct Map Feature For Iowans

News

January 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Voters can now see their county and precinct maps online for all of Iowa’s 99 counties. Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz says it’s the first time precinct maps have been available for all counties. The maps can be viewed at www.sos.iowa.gov/precinctmaps .

Schultz says compiling and posting the maps is part of his effort to make useful election information easy to find. Schultz says active duty military personnel serving outside the United States can now cast a ballot via fax or email. Previously only a restricted number of soldiers serving in specifically classified areas could do so.

In addition, the Iowa SOS application for smartphones allows voters to check registration information, fill out a voter registration form, find a polling place, and request and track an absentee ballot.

Sioux City expects damage from ash killer

Ag/Outdoor, News

January 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A city official says Sioux City can expect up to $11 million in damage when the insect killer of ash trees reaches the northwest Iowa city. The Sioux City Journal says parks maintenance field supervisor Kelly Bach told the City Council on Monday that it’s just a matter of time before the emerald ash borer beetle is found in Sioux City. Bach says ash trees account for nearly a third of Sioux City’s trees.

State officials said last month that an emerald ash borer had been found in a residential tree in Creston. It’s the fifth location in Iowa where the beetle has been found. The Creston sighting was the first in western Iowa.

Arrest and accident in Atlantic, Tuesday

News

January 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Police Department reports one person was arrested, and an accident was investigated, Tuesday. Officials say 39-year old Todd M. Andersen, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Failure to Appear at a Child Support hearing. Andersen was booked into the Cass County Jail and held, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

And, no citations were issued following an accident Tuesday afternoon, in the parking lot of the Atlantic Fareway Store. Officials say a vehicle driven by Daniel Schmeling, of Villisca, was traveling west in the parking lot, and had begun to turn left to head south, when she failed to see a car driven by Kathryn Bradfield, of Lewis, traveling north in the lane Schmeling was turning in to. Authorities say Schmeling’s visibility was obstructed by glare from the sun.

The vehicles collided, causing a total of $1, 500 damage.

Shelby County Recorder to retire

News

January 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Another County Recorder in western Iowa has announced her retirement. Last month, Cass County Recorder Joyce Jensen said she would be retiring at the end of the year, and now Shelby County Recorder Linda Fahn has made a similar announcement. Fahn told our sister station KNOD in Harlan, Wednesday, that she is retiring after 26 years serving as the Shelby County Recorder.

Fahn, formerly Linda Jacobsen, has worked at the Shelby County Courthouse since 1979. Under her leadership, the Recorder’s Office has been modernized from hand indexing and photocopying of legal documents to the current computer index and scanning system, as well as computer-generated DNR game licenses, registrations and titles.

Fahn has been an active member of the State Recorders’ Association for many years and served as president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary. She served on the Governor’s Golden Dome Award-winning DNR Kaizen committee which modernized snowmobile and ATV registrations. She also volunteered for many years with the St. Michael’s Church in Harlan and continues to help with her current home parish in Panama.

Fahn says after so many years at the courthouse, it was time to enjoy life. She said  “I appreciate the opportunity I was given to serve Shelby County and the wonderful support shown by voters over the years. I will miss the many friends I have made, both locally and throughout the state, but I am looking forward to spending more time with my family, including my two grandchildren and traveling with my husband Jay.”

Fahn will retire at the end of her term on December 31st, 2014.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)