Monday’s U-S-D-A crop report showed only eight-percent of the corn crop has been planted in Iowa, the slowest start to the planting season since 1995. The wet, cold weather has not only impacted the state’s major crop, but it is also hitting farmers who plant one of the state’s summer favorites — sweet corn. Dean Rebal  grows sweet corn on a farm in eastern Iowa between Solon and Iowa City.  He says he just got his sweet corn into the ground, while last year he had it planted on the 28th of March. Rebal likes to stagger the planting so he has sweet corn maturing throughout the season. The slow planting is causing trouble with the schedule.

“Usually I plant in every week to week and a half intervals…so I am gonna be cut a little short, I probably won’t get quite as many acres in as I normally do,” Rebal says. Last year’s early planting resulted in a longer season and more corn to sell. “Last year we were right at nine-thousand dozen here, right on Highway one,” Rebal says. He is not expecting the sweet corn season to last as long this year. “We’re going to be cut on this sweet corn season by, I would says two to three weeks,” according to Rebal.

The means sweet corn lovers will have less time to enjoy the golden ears compared to last year.

(Radio Iowa)

An investigation into an incident which allegedly occurred April 26th in Lenox, has resulted in an arrest.

Jeff Brown

According to the Lenox Police Department, 49-year old Jeff Brown, of Lenox, was taken into custody at around 6-p.m. Monday, on a warrant for Domestic Assault. Brown was transported to jail where he was being held pending an appearance in front of the magistrate.

A traffic stop for an equipment violation Monday night in Lenox resulted in the arrest of an alleged drunken driver.

Jeffrey Luft

According to the Lenox Police Department, a vehicle driven by 33-year old Jeffrey Luft, of Sharpsburg, was pulled over a little after 9-p.m. Monday, on Van Buren Street.

The officer determined Luft had been drinking and performed sobriety tests. The man was subsequently arrested and transported to the Taylor County Sheriffs office where a breath test indicated a Blood Alcohol Content of .195, or more than twice the legal limit. Luft was charged with OWI-2nd offense and transported to the Ringgold county jail.

The Atlantic Airport Commission and Cass County Board of Supervisors will hold separate meetings Wednesday. Both sessions begin at 9-a.m. At the airport, the Airport Commission is set to discuss a request from the Atlantic Jaycees for a fireworks show. The Atlantic City Council approved the request during its meeting, on May 1st.

The Commission will also act on a resolution setting the bid date and public hearing for the Parallel Taxiway Paving Project, and approval of the Sponsor Certification for the project plans and specifications.

At the courthouse, the Cass County Board of Supervisors will act Wednesday, on authorizing an application through the Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program of the USDA, and approval of matching funds amounting to $2,500, if the grant is received. The Board will also act on appointing someone to fill a vacancy position on the Cass County Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad has ordered all flags on the Capitol Complex be flown at half-staff from 8-a.m. to 5-p.m. on Friday, May 10th, 2013, in observance of the Iowa Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony which is to be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 10, 2013, at the Oran State Office Building of the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

The governor’s directive applies to all U.S. and state flags on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays on the capitol Complex. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.

The 30-minute memorial ceremony is open to the public.

w/ Ric Hanson

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Two men from Oakland were arrested Monday night in connection with a shooting incident that arose from a confrontation between two groups of outdoor enthusiasts. Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker told KJAN News 21-year old Newberry Winfield Wright and 23-year old Alex Kinser, both of Oakland, were taken into custody at around 8:50-p.m., Monday. Wright and Kinser were arrested after the vehicle they and two other men occupied, was pulled over following an investigation into an incident at the Farm Creek Wildlife area, about five-miles east of Carson.

Danker said the incident began following a confrontation between a couple of men who were fishing, and another group of men who were target shooting. The Sheriff said one of the weapons was a Smith and Wesson .500 magnum…a very large and powerful handgun. The fishermen yelled at the shooters that they were scaring the fish. Danker said there were probably “Some unkind words said back and forth, and one group said “Hey, we’re going to call the cops.”  At that point, the target shooters loaded up their boat and proceeded to leave.

Danker says as they were leaving, two shots were allegedly fired. The fishermen claim the shots went in their direction. A Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s deputy stopped the GMC pickup the men were in, and charged Wright, who was the driver of the vehicle, with OWI, Reckless Use of Firearms and Operating While Revoked. Kinser was charged with Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon, Reckless Use of A Firearm, and Shooting over Water, and Manner of Conveyance.

Both men were brought to the Pott. County Jail. Wright was later released on $2,000 bond, while Kinser remained in the jail this (Tuesday) morning. His bond was set at $10,000.

The Harlan Community School District’s Board of Education has approved the purchase of 40 teacher laptops for the next school year. In a regular board meeting held Monday, the computer request was made by technologies coordinator Lisa Swanson. The local bid from Heartland Technologies was approved by the district at a price of $35,120. The bid submitted for the purchase of laptop computers will be used to replace teacher/staff machines at the elementary, middle and high school buildings that are 4 years old or older.

This year, the Harlan Community School District has a need to refresh 27 teacher machines, and seven teacher machines for new positions or newly identified needs, while the rest of the laptops will be overstock. Funds used for the computers will come from the the PPEL (Physical Plant and Equipment) Levy.

In other business, the board accepted the resignation of Bob Hesman, who was recently hired by the district as the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) instructor. Superintendent Justin Wagner said Hesman  had a change of heart. Following the action items, Wagner reported to the board the school district will receive 60 STEM grants. The grants will help meet the Iowa Core requirements. Wagner said more details will emerge on the grants, once everything is finalized. 

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

(8-a.m. News)

w/ Ric Hanson

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• 1/2 stick butter or oleo
• 8 ounce can sliced mushrooms, drained
• 1/2 small onion, chopped
• 1 cup Uncle Ben’s long grain white rice (raw)
• 1 can beef broth (or 1 can chicken broth if serving with chicken)
• Also, may add grated onions & carrots

Brown onion and mushrooms in butter.  Add rice and let brown five minutes.  While browning, bring one cup water (or liquid off mushrooms) and broth to a boil.  Place all ingredients in casserole.  Seal with lid or foil.  Bake at 275 degrees for one hour.  Remove cover, fluff and serve.

(Gwen Hayes)