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It’s Easter weekend & egg prices have cracked the $2 mark

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 30th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Whatever their religious beliefs, many thousands of Iowans enjoy coloring, decorating, hiding and eating eggs on the Easter holiday — but egg prices have cracked the two-dollar mark in recent weeks and it’s no yolk. Shayle Shagam is a livestock analyst for the U-S-D-A and says wholesale prices on eggs are up significantly. “They’re running about $2.27 a dozen compared to about 94-cents a dozen last year,” Shagam says. “Easter is coming a couple of weeks earlier this year so you’ve pushed that normal demand period forward somewhat.” Iowa is the nation’s top egg producer, with roughly 60-million laying hens producing nearly 15-billion eggs per year. Annemarie Kuhns, an economist with the U-S-D-A, says grocery store prices are reflecting the big rise in wholesale prices.

“The average price per dozen is now $1.76,” Kuhns says. Shagam says egg production has increased, but demand is coming sooner than usual, which is forcing producers to change up their schedules. “You would tend to bring on young chickens and you would tend to keep some of your older chickens,” Shagam says. “Both of those are are probably not going to be at their optimal rate of lay and to some extent, that could be providing a little bit of a constraint on the production of eggs.” Shagam says if you shop around, you’ll likely find egg specials. Also, he notes prices will likely fall after tomorrow (Sunday), once demand drops.

(Radio Iowa)

Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s report (3/30/18)

News

March 30th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County, Friday (today) report 41-year old Bret Hershel Ratliff, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at around 11:45-p.m. Thursday, for Domestic Assault, following a disturbance that involved his ex-girlfriend. 50-year old James Reilly Edwards, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at around 6-a.m. today (Friday) on a warrant for two counts of Indecent Contact with a Child. Edwards was taken into custody during a traffic stop on Interstate 29, after the warrants were confirmed. He was being held in the Pott. County Jail on a $5,000 bond.  And, Thursday afternoon, 36-year old Andrew Michael Hasbrouck, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for assault, as he was being served with a protective order.

Adair and Guthrie County Primary candidate lists released

News

March 30th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Adair and Guthrie County Auditor’s Offices have released the names and positions sought, by candidates for the June Primary.

In Adair County the candidates are:

  • Democrat Steven Shelley, of Stuart is the lone candidate for Supervisor, District 2 northeast
  • Democrat Jodie Hoadley, of Orient, is unopposed for Supervisor in District 4 southeast
  • Republican Clint Hight faces no challenger for Adair County Attorney
  • County Treasurer candidates include Republicans Brenda L. Wallace, and Kim Crosswhite Perkins, both of Greenfield.
  • And, Republican Janelle Schneider, of Greenfield, is unopposed for the County Recorder’s job during the June Primary.

In Guthrie County, the candidates include:

  • Republicans J.D. Kuster and Dana Tews – Supervisor District 4
  • Republicans Everett Grasty, Scott Calmer, Randy Sparks, Joel Hester, and Democrat Kevin Wirt –  Supervisor District 3
  • Republicans Rick Kness and Clifford Carney – Supervisor District 2
  • Republican Tristen Richard for Recorder
  • Republican Brenna Bird for Attorney
  • and Republican Marci Schreck for Treasurer.

Cass County ULED Resolution passes

News

March 30th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Friday (today), approved a Resolution to enter into a 28-E contract and agreement for law enforcement services with the Unified Law Enforcement District that includes the cities of Cumberland, Lewis, Marne, Massena and Wiota. Auditor Dale Sunderman said the 10-year agreement will begin July 1st, 2018.

The increased cost to each city has yet to be finalized, but the total dollar amount will be discussed with those cities, but is based on population. The Board also approved a Resolution to enter into agreement to abate the tax and assign a tax sale Certificate on a County-held parcel in Marne, as well as the abatement of tax for a parcel in the City of Cumberland.

And the Supervisors agreed to appoint Brenda Nelson, of Atlantic, to the Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority, to fill a vacancy term that expires April 9th, 2020.

Drawing nears for $502M Mega Millions estimated jackpot

News

March 30th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A giant lottery jackpot is awaiting players willing to shrug off miserable odds for a chance at immense wealth. The drawing for the estimated $502 million Mega Millions prize will be held Friday night. It’s the nation’s 10th largest lottery jackpot. No one has matched all six numbers drawn since January. It costs $2 to play the game and a willingness to ignore the fact that you’ll almost certainly lose.

The odds of winning the jackpot are one in 302 million, though odds of winning smaller prizes are better. The $502 million figure refers to the annuity option, in which payments are made over 29 years. The cash option would pay $301 million. Mega Millions is played in 44 states plus Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Iowa superintendent seeks funds for school security jobs

News

March 30th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — The Davenport schools superintendent is asking the Legislature to allow reserve funds to be spent on security enhancements and additional staff in the wake of a deadly school shooting in Florida. Art Tate is the superintendent of the Davenport Community School District. He tells the Quad-City Times that the hopes to add a district-level security and safety specialist, school resources officers, security guards and a permanent mental health coordinator. He estimates the additional positions will cost $1.5 million.

Tate has reached out to some lawmakers to tap into the district’s more than $30 million in reserve funds. Legislators hope to end the session April 17. The district is using money from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education fund to add cameras and swipe card entry access at school entries. The fund doesn’t cover the addition of personnel.

Prosecutor: Officer acted correctly in shooting armed man

News

March 30th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Scott County’s top prosecutor says a Davenport police officer acted correctly in shooting an armed man earlier this month. County Attorney Mike Walton said in a news release Thursday that Officer Brandon Askew’s use of force March 13 was “reasonable under the circumstances.” Authorities have said Askew shot 43-year-old John Hess approached Hess as Hess walked toward a home so he could confront a woman there who’d sought a restraining order on him. Police say Hess produced a gun, and Askew drew his service weapon and fired, striking Hess in an ankle.

Walton says Hess didn’t fire but has admitted pointing his handgun at the officer. Hess faces several charges, including assault on a police officer.

Backyard & Beyond 3-30-2018

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

March 30th, 2018 by Jim Field

LaVon Eblen visits with Frank & Kim Spillers about the legislative coffees and community conversations.

Play

2018 Council Bluffs Relays

Sports

March 30th, 2018 by Jim Field

The Council Bluffs City Relays were held on Thursday night at Gale Wickersham Stadium-Bob Nielsen Track in Council Bluffs. The Abraham Lincoln girls and St. Albert boys came away with city titles.

Girls Team Scoring

  1. CB Abraham Lincoln 216
  2. CB Thomas Jefferson 146
  3. Lewis Central 132
  4. CB St. Albert 66

Full results here.

Boys Team Scoring

  1. CB St. Albert 197
  2. Lewis Central 166
  3. CB Thomas Jefferson 120.50
  4. CB Abraham Lincoln 80.5
  5. Heartland Christian 2

Full results here.

Spring Sports Scoreboard 03/29/2018

Sports

March 30th, 2018 by admin

Girls Golf

Clarinda 216, Southwest Valley 276

Boys Golf

Southwest Valley 190, Clarinda 194

Boys Soccer

AHSTW 10, Nodaway Valley 0
Glenwood 10, Missouri Valley 0
Harlan 1, Treynor 0
Tri-Center 4, Panorama 0
Sioux City West 7, CB Thomas Jefferson 1