Governor Terry Branstad says he is open to looking at changes in the state law that would make it easier for parents of to get ahold of cannabis oil used to treat sick children. The people who pushed for the law allowing them to possess the oil in Iowa, say it is too tough to get and bring in from other states and they would like to see Iowa manufacture the marijuana oil here. “There might be a possibility that we could work something out with a neighboring state in dealing with this, but I want to be careful that we avoid unintended consequences,” Branstad says. “…We want this to be available for the children with epilepsy that it could help, but we also don’t want it to get into the hands of other people who are not authorized to have it.”

Branstad says approving the manufacture of marijuana brings a whole lot of things with it. He says the governor of Colorado has said there are a lot of unintended consequences and he wished the legalization of medical marijuana hadn’t happened in his state. “When you get into the manufacture and distribution, which they are now doing in his state, there are a lot of issues that they really weren’t prepared for.” Branstad says Iowa could possibly work something out with Illinois, which passed a law which allows for the production of medical marijuana. He says Illinois is still working through the process.

“There is a firm in the Quad Cities that is intending to bid on this, so I guess we have to see what happens there. Obviously the Quad Cities is right across the river from Iowa, so I thought if Governor (Bruce) Ruaner approves this and they go forward with this, maybe that is a possibility of something we could do,” according to Branstad. Branstad says the state has to be cautious in whatever changes are made to the law.

“And again, as I said, this is an area that I think we need to be very thoughtful and very careful about. We want to do what we can to try to help the families, but we don’t want to create a lot of unintended consequences like what they are facing in Colorado,” Branstad says. Branstad says he’s not sure if anything will get done in this session, but says the possibility is there to work with a neighboring state.

(Radio Iowa)

Authorities in Fremont County responding to the scene of a single-vehicle accident Sunday afternoon east of Randolph, found an 82-year old woman who was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials identified the woman as Donna Jean Pierce, of Malvern.

An investigation determined Pierce’ vehicle was traveling north on 330th Avenue when it left the road and entered the west ditch, before crashing through a set of closed gates and coming to rest in a creek. The accident happened in the 1100 block of 330th Avenue.

The woman was not wearing a seat belt. Her body was sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny, for autopsy. Fremont County Sheriff’s deputies were assisted at the scene by Tabor Police Department, Randolph Fire and Rescue, Tabor Fire and Rescue and the Iowa State Patrol.

1 cup main ingredient*
1 cup second ingredient**
1 – 2 cups starch ingredient***
1 1/2 cups binder****
1/4 cup “goodie”+
seasoning to suit your taste
topping++
Cook any uncooked ingredients. Stir all together to heat stove top or in microwave until heated through, or pour into a casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
*Main: ground beef, pork or turkey, cubed chicken, turkey, ham, seafood, etc.
**Second: peas, mushrooms, other veggies
***Starch: cooked noodles, macaroni, rice, potatoes
****Binder: cream sauce, sour cream, canned soup, etc.
+”Goodie”: olives, almonds, water chestnuts, cubed cheese
++Topping: bread crumbs, grated cheese, crushed potato chips or crackers, etc..

Police in Creston report a hit-and-run accident took place early Sunday morning. Officials say a pickup legally parked on Spruce Street was struck on the left front side by an unknown vehicle traveling northbound. The incident happened at around 4-a.m., Sunday. The unknown vehicle…believed to be a white colored truck… left the scene. Damage to the 1996 Chevy C-25 was estimated at $4,000.

With Ric Hanson.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (6.0MB)

Subscribe: RSS

The 7:06-a.m. Newscast with KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (4.9MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Iowa is playing host to a national event focused on bird hunting, wildlife conservation and dog training. Mick Klemesrud is a spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, a sponsor of the 2015 National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic — this Friday through Sunday at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. Klemesrud notes two days coincide with the State Wrestling Tournament.  “We’ll get a lot of the different vendors from the across the country that are involved in pheasant and dog training. They expect about 25,000 (people to attend) so it would be nice if we had a little bit more than that with the additional people in town,” Klemesrud says.

The annual Pheasants Forever event began in 2005 and was previously hosted by Iowa in 2007 and 2010. Klemesrud says pheasants may not be as plentiful in Iowa as decades ago, but they’re making a comeback. “We are not to the glory years that we were in the 1990s, but we’ve had a few upticks in our pheasant numbers and we expect to have good survival into next year,” Klemesrud says. “So, we’re going build on year-over-year pheasant numbers and if we have a good spring, we’re going to have more pheasants than even last year.”

At this weekend’s event, landowners can meet with DNR conservation officers to discuss ways they can help improve upland bird habitat. Klemesrud says the event will also include a Youth Village.  “In the Youth Village, we’ll have a lot of different entertainment and games for the kids. Our officers will have some air rifle ranges, some 3D archery and we’ll have a snowmobile simulator,” Klemesrud says.

Daily admission to Pheasant Fest is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-16, while children 5 and under get in free. For a complete schedule of events visit www.pheasantfest.org.

(Radio Iowa)

Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County report one person arrested on a drug-related charge, Sunday night. 23-year old Jesse Allen Luft, of Villisca, was taken into custody just before 8-p.m., on a charge of Distributing a controlled substance to a person under the age of 18. Luft was arrested in the 100 block of west 2nd Street in Villisca, and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where he was being held on $25,000 bond.

The freeze-thaw cycle we’re in is making some monster potholes in Iowa’s streets. The road craters can ruin tires and rims, damage suspension and alignment and they can even knock the exhaust system off your vehicle. Ann Avery, a spokeswoman for State Farm Insurance in Iowa, says if there’s a lot of damage from a pothole, you may be able to file a claim. “The damage done to your car would generally be covered under the collision portion of your insurance,” Avery says. “These kinds of repairs from damage caused by a pothole can cost on average anywhere from $300 to $700. My best advice would be, if you have questions about the damage and whether it would be covered, consult your insurance professional and find out what your coverage is in this circumstance.”

Avery says you can’t prevent potholes but you can help protect your vehicle by driving carefully. “One suggestion would be taking roads that you know well because that familiarity can help you avoid the potholes,” she says. “Another thought would be when driving at night, travel on well-lit roads so you can see the surface and see them coming a little bit better.” If you spot a chuckhole, Avery says to brake before impact, as there’s less damage when the tire is rolling, rather than skidding over a hole during braking. She offers another tip:

“Slow down, give yourself a chance to see the pothole and that way you can avoid it before you’re in it,” she says. “If you do hit a pothole, carefully inspect your tires and your wheels for possible damage. Think about how your car is handling, if it’s pulling one way or the other, if the steering feels wobbly, you might want to have your car checked by a professional.” She reminds, always check with your agent first to see what is — and what is not — covered.

(Radio Iowa)

In an update to our report Sunday morning, Police in Council Bluffs have released more information about a three-vehicle, head-on crash Friday evening that happened when the driver of a mini-van blacked-out, causing the van to cross lanes and strike a vehicle that spun-out and hit another. The crash resulted in numerous injuries. According to the Police report, officers, along with the Council Bluffs Fire Department to the crash in the 1600 block of West Broadway at 10:16-p.m., Friday.

Officials say 77-year old Meredith Robinson, of Omaha, was driving a Chrysler Town and Country mini-van when he passed out at the wheel, as he was traveling eastbound on west Broadway. The vehicle crossed into the westbound lanes of traffic and struck a Hyundai Elantra, driven by 51-year old Cassondra McCaune, of Des Moines. Her car spun around and hit a westbound Honda CRV, driven by 59-year old Mary Horan-Cummings, of Council Bluffs.

Horan-Cummings, who was wearing her seat belt, was not injured. Cassondra McCaune suffered critical injuries in the crash. Three other people in the car, all from Des Moines, were injured, as well. 29-year old Heather McCaune and 16-year old Kala McCaune, both suffered minor injuries. 63-year old Robert McCaune, suffered critical injuries. All four were transported to Creighton CHI in Omaha for treatment. Cassondra and Robert McCaune were wearing their seatbelts.

Robinson suffered minor injuries also. His passenger, 84-year old Bertha Weinfurtner, of Carter Lake, was critically injured. Both were transported to Nebraska Medicine for treatment. Authorities say the pair was wearing their seatbelts.

Witnesses indicated that speed may be a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation.