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Midwest economic survey index drops slightly

News

March 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A monthly economic index for nine Midwestern and Plains states has dropped slightly but still suggests growth over the next three to six months. The overall Mid-America Business Conditions Index fell to 57.4 in February from 57.7 in January.

Looking six months ahead, the business confidence portion of the overall index also dropped last month. It hit a still strong 59.7 from January’s 62.2. The survey results from supply managers are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth, while a score below that suggests decline.

The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Ag Dept. energy analyst predicts days of cheap propane are gone

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

An energy analyst with the Iowa Department of Agriculture is predicting higher prices for propane are here to stay. Harold Hommes says prices in Iowa have dropped dramatically since hitting the $5 a gallon level in late January, but Iowans should expect to pay more than they did last summer when the average price was around a dollar. “We’re not going to return to the prices we saw this past winter, we’re far from that, but I believe higher prices are here to stay in that market,” Hommes says.

Traditionally, domestic customers have held down values, according to Hommes, but the marketplace is evolving and producers now send the propane to places like Asia where they can make the most profit. “We now export about 400,000 barrels a day and that demand is likely going to continue for the foreseeable future. I don’t see that situation changing,” Hommes says.

This week’s survey places the average price per gallon of propane at two dollars and 59 cents ($2.59). About 15-percent of Iowa homes are heated with propane, mainly in rural areas.

(Radio Iowa)

Pott. Co. residents to vote on $1.5-million bond issue Tuesday

News

March 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Voters in Pottawattamie County will be heading to the polls Tuesday to decide on a $1.5-million bond issue proposal for the building of a new veterans center. The Omaha World-Herald reports the Pott. County Board decided in January to present a proposal to the voters during a special election. 60 percent approval is required for the measure to pass. County officials held an informational meeting Saturday on the proposal.

The new building would be located on what is now a county parking lot at Sixth Avenue and Sixth Street. The 6,300-square-feet building would include meeting rooms, a computer lab and handicapped-accessible restrooms.

The current 1,600-square-foot veterans affairs office is located in a former Sunday school at 223 S. Sixth St. The agency helps the 8,000 or so Pottawattamie County veterans apply for federal benefits, navigate government paperwork, arrange food, shelter and utilities if needed and receive other services. It also helps surviving family members of deceased veterans. The staff handles about 300 veteran visits and fields about 670 phone calls per month.

A current lack of space means that donated clothing for veterans has been moved to the hallway outside of the office.There is also no computer lab, meaning it’s difficult to provide veterans privacy when filling out the government paperwork that must be done online. Many of the elderly veterans don’t understand computers, but even the younger and computer-savvy may need the staff’s help. There is also no private place for veterans to meet with outside counselors.

County officials estimate that if the bond issue passes, someone with a house valued at $100,000 will pay an additional $5.92 per year in property taxes for the next three years, assuming that the bonds are sold for a three-year period.

Iowa early News Headlines: Mon., March 3rd 2014

News

March 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Another round of snow blanketed Iowa this weekend with parts of the state receiving as much as five inches, and bitter cold temperatures have returned. The National Weather Service says wind chills as cold as 40 degrees below zero were likely in northern Iowa overnight. Central Iowa was forecast to see wind chills ranging from 20-to-35 degrees below zero.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — With six women running in House and Senate primaries in Iowa this year, some are starting to wonder if 2014 might be the year that the state finally sends a woman to Washington. Women’s groups have long bemoaned the fact that Iowa is one of just two states that has never elected a woman governor or member of Congress.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa has only two inspectors to make sure thousands of asbestos-removal projects each year are being done properly in the state. The Des Moines Register reports the lack of inspections at asbestos removal projects was highlighted by problems at a downtown Des Moines renovation project. A contractor who had worked on renovations to a former Younkers department store in Des Moines complained to the state in January about improper asbestos removal.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Roy Devyn Marble scored 21 points and Number 20 Iowa snapped a three-game losing streak by beating Purdue 83-76 yesterday. Aaron White and Mike Gesell added 15 points each for the Hawkeyes, who have recorded consecutive 20-win seasons.

Iowa man injured while target shooting Sunday

News

March 2nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

VAN METER, Iowa (AP) — A 29-year-old Iowa man is recovering after accidentally shooting his own finger during target practice. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating the incident that happened Sunday afternoon at Badger Creek State Recreation Area in Madison County. Authorities say Zach Sainz inadvertently let one of his fingers get in front of the 9mm handgun he was firing.

Sainz was taken to a Des Moines hospital for treatment of a non-life threatening injury. His condition wasn’t immediately available Sunday evening.

Red Oak man arrested Sunday

News

March 2nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Police in Red Oak report the arrest at around Noon, Sunday, of 43-year old Clinton Joe Hans England, of Red Oak. England was taken into custody in the 200 block of E. Walnut Street, and charged with Driving While Suspended. His bond was set at $300.

Judge orders 2 SW IA care centers closed

News

March 2nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A judge in Des Moines agreed Friday to a state request to “wind down” and eventually close two southwest Iowa care centers. According to the Omaha World-Herald Faith Ridge Life Center of Malvern,  a 51-bed nursing home, and Kevington Lane, of Sidney, a 21-bed residential care facility, allegedly owe the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) hundreds of thousands of dollars in Medicaid funds. The facilities serve people who need a lower level of care than in a nursing home.

The DHS has suspended further payment of Medicaid funds to the businesses, which are owned by Mary Morse-Bolton of Plattsmouth, Neb. District Court Judge Mary Pat Gunderson, who issued Friday’s order, earlier granted a state request to appoint a receiver for the two facilities so the government gets money that it says it’s owed.

Morse-Bolton could not be reached for comment, but family members laid the blame for the centers’ financial troubles on the state.

Stolen car slams into Red Oak home Sat. night, suspect flees

News

March 2nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A car reported stolen out of Sugar Creek, Missouri a few days ago was found Saturday night…after it slammed into a residence in Red Oak. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says their 9-1-1 Center received a call from a resident at 107 E. Market Street at around 10:55-p.m., saying a vehicle had just struck the rear of his home and whomever was driving had taken off on foot.

Authorities arrived on the scene and found a green 2001 Honda Accord with Missouri license plates resting against the rear exterior wall of the home. The driver of the vehicle was not located. A check of the vehicles’ registration determined it had been stolen out of Missouri.

The residence sustained about $2,500 damage during the incident, while damage to the car was estimated at $1,000. The Red Oak Police Department is asking anyone with information about the incident to call Mongtomery County Crimestoppers at 1-800-432-1001, or Red Oak Police at 623-6500.

Wind Chill Advisories & warnings remain in effect Sunday

News, Weather

March 2nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

COUNTIES: DALLAS-CASS-ADAIR-MADISON-POTTAWATTAMIE-MILLS-MONTGOMERY-FREMONT-PAGE-ADAMS-TAYLOR-UNION & RINGGOLD; 330 AM CST SUN MAR 2 2014

WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAY

* WINDS…NORTH WINDS OF 10 TO 20 MPH WITH A FEW HIGHER GUSTS.

* TEMPERATURES/WIND CHILL VALUES…TEMPERATURES WELL BELOW ZERO ARE EXPECTED THIS MORNING. THE COMBINATION OF THESE COLD TEMPERATURES AND WINDS WILL PRODUCE BITTER COLD WIND CHILLS OF 20 TO 30 BELOW ZERO THROUGH THIS MORNING.

AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-MONONA-HARRISON-SHELBY-CRAWFORD & CARROLL COUNTIES: WIND CHILL WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON TODAY…

* WIND CHILL VALUES….WILL RANGE FROM 25 TO 32 BELOW ZERO THIS MORNING. BITTER COLD WIND CHILLS FROM 25 TO 30 BELOW ARE EXPECTED AGAIN SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY MORNING.

* IMPACTS…THESE COLD WIND CHILL VALUES COULD CAUSE FROST BITE ON UNPROTECTED SKIN IN A MATTER OF MINUTES.

Iowa News Headlines: Sun., March 2nd 2014

News

March 2nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowans hoping that March would usher in warmer spring-like weather following what has been a brutal winter will no doubt be disappointed today. Parts of the state were expected to get about half-a-foot of snow this weekend, along with bitter cold temperatures below zero Sunday.

FOREST CITY, Iowa (AP) — Winnebago County voters will decide the fate of a $5.25 million bond proposal that would fund a proposed 20,000-square-foot jail and law enforcement office center. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that voters go to the polls on Tuesday to decide whether to approve the bond. The center would be built in Forest City and would house a 22-bed jail and offices for the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department.

BELMOND, Iowa (AP) — The police chief in the northern Iowa town of Belmond has announced his plans to retire this month. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that Chief Frank Beminio will retire at the end of March. Mayor Al Mattison said he hopes to appoint someone from within the police department as the new chief soon.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Minors who head into tanning salons to bronze their skin could no longer use the facilities under a plan being considered by Iowa lawmakers. A bill would order tanning salons to ban anyone under age 18 from using commercial tanning devices and would require salons to post and hand out written warnings to customers. Democratic Senator Herman Quirmbach, who sponsored the bill, says reducing the risk of skin cancer in any way is crucial.But pro-tanning groups worry that the benefits associated with indoor tanning, such as vitamin D development, are being ignored.