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Southwest Iowa should escape threat from latest snowstorm

News, Weather

March 3rd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Southwest and western Iowa look to have dodged a bullet where the latest snow storm is concerned. The National Weather Services says \aA band of moderate to locally heavy snow is forecast to develop late tonight and continue into Monday morning across northern Iowa before moving northeast into Wisconsin and Minnesota. Periods of light snow are expected from late Monday morning through the afternoon before another round of moderate snow develops Monday evening and continues into Tuesday. North central to northeast Iowa looks to receive the higher snowfall amounts through Tuesday.

A brief period of sleet is possible tonight across southwest Iowa, but little ice accumulation is anticipated. Dry conditions and warmer temperatures are forecast by the late work week.

Branstad keeps focus on IowaCare, not Medicaid

News

March 3rd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad is expected to soon reveal his plans for revamping the IowaCare health program for low-income adults, sticking to an approach he holds is better for the state than the Medicaid expansion Democrats are clamoring for.  IowaCare was designed to provide limited health benefits to low-income adults who don’t qualify for Medicaid. But the program, which now has about 70,000 enrollees, offers very limited services.

If Branstad agreed to expand Medicaid, the federal government would pay the full cost of the expansion for the first three years, then 10 percent of the cost would gradually be shifted to the state.  But Branstad says he’s not convinced the federal government will keep its promise to pay most costs.

ARC’s “Heroes in the Heartland” honors pair who warned of Thurman tornado

News

March 3rd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The American Red Cross’ Nebraska/Southwest Iowa Region “Heroes in the Heartland Awards Luncheon” scheduled to take place March 13th at the Embassy Suites in La Vista, NE., will honor individuals from Southwest Iowa and the Omaha metro who have saved another person’s life during the past year or who have positively impacted the quality of life in the Heartland in other ways. Among the honoree’s is a father and son who put the safety of others first, when they warned the Fremont County town of Thurman about an approaching tornado in April, 2012.

Rod Umphreys and his 16-year old son Mason, will receive an award and recognition. Mason alerted his father, the Mayor of Thurman, about the EF-2 twister, which packed winds of up to 125-miles per hour. Moments later, the mayor scrambled from his home to the fire station, where he sounded the tornado sirens that alerted the community. About 90-percent of the buildings in town were destroyed or sustained damage, but there were no reported fatalities and only a few, minor injuries.

The “Hereos in Heartland event, which is held each year on the second Wednesday in March, originates from the Red Cross’ belief that qualities of bravery, commitment, dedication and selfless behavior should be recognized and honored.

For more information, surf to: http://www.redcross.org/news/event/Heroes-in-the-Heartland

Iowa News Headlines: Sun., March 3rd 2013

News

March 3rd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

ACKLEY, Iowa (AP) — A central Iowa school superintendent has been put on administrative leave as law enforcement officials confirmed he is the subject of a criminal investigation. Fifty-one-year-old Robert Weber was placed on leave Tuesday from his job as superintendent of Ackley-Geneva-Wellsburg-Steamboat Rock public school district. Law enforcement officials declined to disclose the nature of the investigation.

IOWA FALLS, Iowa (AP) — Two school bus drivers in central Iowa have been fired after school officials say they engaged in a drag race while students were on the buses. Des Moines television station WHO-TV reports that the incident happened on February 14th, as buses were bringing young Iowa Falls students back from a Valentine’s Day field trip.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police plan to charge a 13-year-old Des Moines boy accused of shooting his friend with a simple misdemeanor. Police tell The Des Moines Register that the teenager will be charged tomorrow with discharging a firearm within city limits, as opposed to more serious assault or weapons charges. If convicted, the teen could face a maximum of 30 days in juvenile detention.

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Romero Osby had 22 points and nine rebounds and Oklahoma tied the NCAA record for free throws without a miss in an 86-69 victory over Iowa State yesterday. Tyrus McGee led ISU with 22 points. Babu Palo added 12 points and Melvin Ejim and Georges Niang scored 10 each for the Cyclones in Norman, Oklahoma.

Iowa health officials: Child dies of flu

News

March 2nd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — State health officials are reporting that an Iowa child has died of the flu, and the news comes as experts declare that cases of the viral infection are waning. The Des Moines Register reports that state health officials disclosed the death Friday, saying the victim was the first child to die from the disease in Iowa this winter. Officials did not reveal the child’s age, gender, residence in the state or the date of death, saying that information could disclose the child’s identity and violate privacy rules.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 81 children have died in the U.S. as of Feb. 23 since this flu season began last fall. That figure does not including Iowa’s death.

G&R Feed and Grain bankrupty case update: Sat., March 2nd 2013

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 2nd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Deborah L. Petersen, Trustee in the Bankruptcy case for G & R Feed and Grain Co., Inc., in
Portsmouth, reports the Meeting of Creditors was held last month (February), and the bankruptcy case is progressing. The deadline for filing claims in the Bankruptcy is May 20th, 2013. If you have a claim for a deferred price contract, or other amount due you, you should take action to timely file a claim with the Bankruptcy Court. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is processing the payments for producers who held warehouse receipts for stored grain. It is anticipated that checks will be mailed by April 1st, 2013.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture is processing claims for producers who sold grain to G & R for cash or who sold grain on an unsigned contract and were not paid. The first batch of claims has been processed. Confirmations have been sent to 19 claimants. Once the paperwork has been
returned by the claimants and processed, checks will be issued within 2 – 3 weeks thereafter.

The Trustee has been unable to obtain a bid for the contracts for future delivery of grain. According to the Bankruptcy Code, if the contracts are not accepted or rejected by March 2, 2013, they are deemed rejected. The Trustee is taking no action to extend this date, so in her opinion, the contracts are rejected effective March 5, 2013.

The Trustee is accepting bids for the entire facility and all equipment as a package deal. If an
acceptable bid is obtained, the Court’s approval will be sought. If not, then the Trustee will look at
scheduling an auction. Letters have been sent out to collect all accounts due G & R. The Trustee
is still seeking recovery of the proceeds for the grain delivered in December.

G & R Feed and Grain filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on January 1st, 2013, leaving some 60 families or businesses, most of whom are located in Shelby County, to taked stock of their losses. Court records show the company’s debts range from$1-million and $10-million, while its assets were up to $50,000.

(Podcast) 7:06-a.m. SW IA News

News, Podcasts

March 2nd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The latest news (podcast) from the KJAN listening area, with News Director Ric Hanson….

Play

Mystery tour planned for area young professionals

News

March 2nd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Young Professionals of Atlantic group is planning a March Mystery Tour on Thursday, March 14th.  Organizers say although the stops and activities cannot be revealed at this time, they promise an “adventurous experience for the brave riders who will partake in the tour. “

The tour participants will begin at the Rock Island Depot at 6 p.m. then travel to their first stop for dinner and an activity, then make their way on the journey. At least three destinations are planned.

Travelers will ride in style on their “tour bus” with Luxury Limobus out of Audubon. Ages 21 to 40 are welcome as with most YPA events. The Young Professionals of Atlantic March event is sponsored by Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center.

Cost for the event is $20 per rider with a limited capacity of 14. Tickets can be purchased online at AtlanticIowa.com/store or at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce in the Rock Island Depot at 102 Chestnut Street.

For more information contact the Chamber at 712.243.3017 or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com.

NWS: Long duration snow event to start the work week

News, Weather

March 2nd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

An upper level area of low pressure is forecast to push across the Northern Plains through the weekend and enter the Midwest by late Sunday night. The low will continue to track eastward throughout the day Monday and clear the area by Tuesday. Snow is forecast to develop late Sunday night in northwest Iowa and spread south and east during the day Monday. Snow is likely to continue, especially across northern Iowa Monday night into Tuesday. Moderate to locally heavy snowfall is possible across northern Iowa late Sunday night through Tuesday and lighter amounts are forecast further south. However, uncertainties still remain with the exact track of the low pressure and may lead to a significant change in the location of the heaviest snow. An upper level ridge of high pressure is expected to build into the Central U.S. by mid week and will provide a gradual warming trend beginning Thursday.

Hamburg man arrested in recent arson case

News

March 2nd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Fremont County say a Hamburg man was arrested on a charge of 1st degree arson, following an investigation into a fire that occurred late Wednesday night. Sheriff’s officials say 34-year old Kevin Lewis Cully was being held in the Fremont County Jail on $25,000 bond. The fire that lead to his arrest took place at 1107 Washington Street in Hamburg, at around 11:50-p.m., Wednesday. The Hamburg Fire Department assisted the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Marshal in conducting the investigation.

An investigator with the State Fire Marshal’s office determined the fire was intentionally set by someone outside the home breaking a window and then spraying or pouring a liquid accelerant inside the home. Damage to the house was minimal..at around $8,000 at the most…because the fire didn’t burn for very long, and was limited to a single room deprived of oxygen thanks to a closed door.

No one was home when the fire broke out. Anyone with information pertaining to the incident should contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office at 712-308-3977 or the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office at 712-374-2424.