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KJAN News can be heard at five minutes after every hour right after Fox News 24 hours a day!
Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa, Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!
(Radio Iowa) – The woman who founded a website about missing Iowans and unsolved Iowa murders says three years into the project, her stepfather died in an explosion. Jodi Ewing says her stepfather — Earl Thelander of Onawa — was renovating a home when it exploded and he died in 2007 from severe burns. Ewing says the explosion was caused by thieves who stole 20-dollars-worth of copper from propane gas lines in the home.
“Our family lost the patriarch due to a crime that has not yet been solved,” Ewing says. “We still believe that there’s hope, that eventually justice will be served.” This case is among over 400 so-called cold cases in Iowa. Ewing’s website — Iowa Cold Cases dot org (www.iowacoldcases.org) — tells the victims’ stories. 
“Some people will say, ‘Well, it’s been 30 years. It’s never going to be solved,’ or something like that,” Ewing says, “but doesn’t matter if the perpetrator is dead or if they were executed in another state or what the circumstances are, just getting a name after years, decades it makes a huge difference for the families to know who is responsible for the death of their loved one.”
Ewing started the website 20 years ago while she was working for a newspaper in Sioux City and was getting calls from families asking her to write about their loved one’s case.
(Atlantic, Iowa) Four drivers were recognized for going above and beyond at the Southwest Iowa Transit Agency’s (SWITA) fall driver meeting on Saturday, September 28th at the Atlantic Golf and Country Club.
Wray Ludington
SWITA Driver Wray Ludington was recognized for helping to discover that a regular rider needed help at his home. Wray knows his riders well and became concerned when a daily user of the Atlantic taxi service had not been seen for a couple of days. Wray contacted the Atlantic Police, and they conducted a wellness check. It turns out this client was in need of medical attention. Wray’s knowledge of his riders made a major difference in this person’s well-being.
Another health-related situation arose during a SWITA trip that was being driven by Pete Menke. A commotion started in the back of a work route bus overnight and Pete had the quick-thinking reaction to pull over and assess the situation. A rider was suffering a seizure and Pete immediately called 911 to get help. Medical responders met the bus on Interstate 80 and tended to the rider. Pete is a regular night driver for work routes from Omaha to Oakland.
Pete Menke
Officials say two drivers were also recognized for going above and beyond to make RAGBRAI transportation a success in Glenwood, Red Oak, and Atlantic this summer. Lynn Baumbach wasn’t initially sure about shuttling large groups around with so many bikes and people in town, but she dominated the challenge. She covered extra time as needed and handled changes to the routes. She said she enjoyed the experience.
Mike Ames was also a standout driver during RAGBRAI week. Mike helped fill backlogged stops in each town and was instrumental in adjusting the setup in Red Oak on the fly. Many people have reached out to say how much they appreciated the SWITA shuttle service during the first three RAGBRAI overnight stops and commented how well it went compared to other locations.
Mike Ames
Lynn Baumbach
(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – A man from Nebraska died in a crash early this (Monday) morning, in Guthrie County. According to the sheriff’s office, Guthrie County dispatch received a 911 call at around 2:50-a.m. from a man who saw a vehicle in a field near Frontier Road, just north of White Pole Road. The caller said the vehicle’s airbags deployed, but he could not find anyone around the vehicle. Adair Fire and Rescue responded to the scene a short time later. When a deputy arrived on the scene at around 3:20-a.m., he was informed a person (presumably from the vehicle) was found deceased about 30-feet from the vehicle. The deceased was identified as 41-year-old Ross M. Ingalise, of Omaha. The man had been ejected from the vehicle, a KIA Optima. He was not wearing a seat belt.
An investigation determined the KIA was traveling north on White Pole Road when it left the roadway on a curve. The car entered a ditch and continued north through the ditch until it struck an embankment along the side of Frontier Road. The impact with the embankment caused the vehicle to go airborne for several yards before it struck the top half of a telephone pole, causing the pole to snap in-half. The vehicle continued airborne for several more yards until it landed in a fence row for a pasture.
The car continued through the fence at some point, ejecting Mr. Ingalise as the vehicle turned back to the southeast. His body was transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny. The crash remains under investigation. Damage to the Guthrie County REC telephone pole was estimated at $1,500. The car was a total loss.
(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department reports two arrests took place Sunday: 21-year-ol Mekhi Cooper, of Omaha, NE, was arrested for Possession of a controlled substance. Cooper posted a $1,000 bond and was released from custody.
And, 21-year-old Da’Lana Brazar-Blackwell, of Lincoln, NE, was arrested for OWI 1st offense. Bond was set at $1,000.
Atlantic, IA– Officials at Cass Health in Atlantic reported Monday (today), that the organization has been closely monitoring its IV fluid supplies in response to nationwide concerns regarding its continued availability.
Hurricane Helene flooding caused damage to Baxter, which is the country’s largest manufacturer of intravenous (IV) fluids used in the United States. Cass Health is one of the thousands of entities regularly supplied by Baxter. The company has reported that it may take several months for the business to fully recover.
Chief Operating Officer Amanda Bireline said “We are preparing for the fact that IV fluids have become increasingly difficult to secure. While the state and federal governments are working on larger remediation efforts, locally we have put plans into place to help us cope with this disruption. We immediately began discussing this issue and putting conservation practices into place.”
Conservation practices for IV fluids may include decreasing total fluid amounts during certain procedures where it is safe to do so or working with patients on alternative treatments and hydration strategies. Meanwhile, Cass Health’s Incident Command group is reviewing daily inventories of its IV supplies throughout the facility. 
Bireline says “We hold a safety huddle where all departments gather to discuss all safety concerns. A potential IV shortage is at the top of our priority list, and so it is part of our daily conversation. How much do we have? When and where are we planning to use it? Are there alternative options? Because at the end of the day, we are committed to providing the care our patients need in the safest, most efficient way possible, while also making sure we’re prepared for whatever lies ahead.”
(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Officials with the Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Agency say a ban on open burning is in effect immediately for all areas and jurisdictions in Pottawatamie County. The ban prohibits all open and controlled burning in Pottawatamie County, including all incorporated city limits within the County.
The current dry conditions throughout the region have increased the potential for wildland fire incidents. As dry conditions persist, dead and dying vegetation is the perfect fuel to spread fires rapidly. This type of fire behavior is difficult to control and is extremely dangerous to responders and the public.
During these dry conditions, citizens are reminded to not throw out cigarettes from moving vehicles, and discontinue burning yard waste, piled tree debris or other items during the ban. Violations of a burn ban can subject a person to criminal penalties as well as civil liabilities for any damages, losses, or injuries resulting from the fire.
Iowa counties with Burn Bans in effect (as of 10-14-24)
Visit the Emergency Management website at www.pottcounty-ia.gov/emergency_management for more information on burn bans and the law. All residents are also encouraged to sign up for AlertIowa at the website to receive alerts for fire danger, evacuation notices, severe weather threats, and community emergency notifications.
There are now 58 out of Iowa’s 99 counties that are in a ban on open burning. With the addition of Pott. County, other area counties include: Cass, Adair, Audubon, Guthrie, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, and Shelby.
(Radio Iowa) – A Waterloo dentist convicted of public intoxication after an arrest outside the state prison in Anamosa is no longer licensed to practice dentistry in Iowa. Fifty-nine-year-old Paymun Bayati was the prison dentist. The Iowa Capital Dispatch was first to report that in December of last year, Bayati performed a root canal on a inmate at the prison and was arrested by an Anamosa police officer after prison administrators called to report the dentist appeared to be intoxicated and was trying to drive away.
The Iowa Dental Board suspended his license a few weeks later. The dentist told the Iowa Capitol Dispatch he doesn’t drink and believes someone at the prison spiked his coffee. Bayati, who has also practiced dentistry in Sioux City, has voluntarily surrendered his license.
(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests took place over the past week. Saturday morning, 38-year-old Kyle William Gustin, of Cedar Rapids, was arrested on an Adair County warrant for Harassment in the 3rd Degree. The warrant was with regard to a Sept. 2024 incident in Fontanelle. Gustin turned himself-in to the Adair County Jail, and was released on his Own Recognizance about an hour later.
Friday morning, an Iowa State Patrol Trooper arrested 40-year-old Samoeun An, of Beltsville, MD, following an incident at the I-80 westbound rest area, in Adair County. An was taken into custody for Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree, with regard to the alleged damage of a cell phone owned by a woman who was a co-driver of the vehicle the pair were in. The phone was damaged occurred during an argument about one of the parties getting paid. An was released from the Adair County Jail on a $1,000 bond.
Last Wednesday, 40-year-old Luke Daniel Hommes, of Fontanelle, was arrested by police in Adair, for an alleged violation of a No Contact Order. He was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $5,000 cash-only bond. And, on Oct. 7th, 59-year-old Adam Duane Wright, of Boone, was arrested by Adair County Deputies at the Boone County Jail. He was wanted on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. Wright was being held without bond in the Adair County Jail pending an appearance in District Court.
JOHNSTON, Iowa – October 14, 2024 – Officials with Iowa Corn have announced the names of students selected to participate in the 2024-2025 school year’s Collegiate Advisory Team (CAT) program. The program focuses on increasing college students’ understanding of the corn industry. During the one-year program, students will visit the Capitol, tour industry leaders’ operations, and expand their network and knowledge outside of the classroom. 
2024 – 2025 Collegiate Advisory Team Students:
The Collegiate Advisory Team will meet four times over the course of the 2024 – 2025 school year, providing experience and training by Iowa Corn in areas such as leadership, effective communication, policy, and industry relations. For more information on the program, visit https://www.iowacorn.org/CAT
(Atlantic, Iowa) – The 2024 “Scrooge” Contest, sponsored by the Atlantic Chamber, benefits the Atlantic Food Pantry and those they serve. Food Pantry leader Brad Osborne says food insecurity in our community is on the rise and the need continues to be great-as the statistics illustrate. In 2019, Osborne says, the Pantry averaged 24 households per week and 53 individuals per week being served. Today they are averaging 72 households and 216 individuals.” Over a 400% increase in our community and support like the Scrooge campaign has never been more important, according to Osborne, who says “That is the plain and simple truth.”
The contest was started in 2001 and was organized yearly by Eleanor Hoover (“Big E”). Eleanor’s daughter, Jackie Sampson, says “It is a vital part of the yearly work our Food Pantry and their committee members do and helps them fill in some of the gaps they encounter in trying to help meet the rising needs.”Sampson says financial records for the last eight-years, show during that time, over $154,150 and 29,230 food items have been raised for the food pantry. “The need continues to be very great in our community to help combat food insecurity.”
2024-09-30 GRAPH – Households per Week
2024-09-30 GRAPH – Individuals per Week
In honor of their mother, her daughters (Billie, Lori, Jackie and honorary daughter Karen), have pledged $1,000 to kick-off the contest—with each Scrooge candidate getting a jump-start toward their total.
2024 candidates for the title of “Scrooge” include:
– Randy & Michelle Roy (Randy’s Computer)
– Graydon Schmidt (Schmidt Family Funeral Homes)
– Jeremiah Thompson (Landus/Atlantic Fire Dept)
– Ben Winford (New Life Church)
The campaign begins November 1st. The food barrel drop-off locations will be announced soon. The candidates will turn-in funds collected and non-perishable goods they have obtained, on November 26th at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce office on N. Chestnut Street. The results will be tabulated and the winner announced. The winner will serve as the Grand Marshall for the Lighted Christmas Parade in Atlantic, in December.
Atlantic Food Pantry Donated Food Suggestions for 2024:
*canned soup (chicken noodle, tomato, cream of chicken, cream of mushroom,
vegetable beef,….)
*canned fruit (peaches, pears, applesauce, cocktail)
*beef ravioli (cans) or SpaghettiOs
*cereal (boxes) or Quick Oats (no milk needed)
*crackers (saltine)
*tuna or chicken (cans)
*macaroni and cheese
*canned corn, green beans, peas (12-15 oz. cans)
*“complete” pancake & waffle mix (no milk)
*Pancake/waffle syrup
*spaghetti and pasta sauce
*Manwich or Sloppy Joe cans
Food Items to be collected will be limited to only what is on the Food Pantry list this year as storage space is limited and food distribution to families is different due to Post-Covid.
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