712 Digital Group - top

NWS forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area, 5/21/15

Weather

May 21st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Early this morning: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. West wind around 6 mph.
Today: Sunny, with a high near 68. West northwest wind 7 to 11 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. West wind 6 to 9 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. South southwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming southeast in the evening. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 69. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 71. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Iowa State fans nervous about losing Hoiberg

Sports

May 21st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

HUMBOLDT, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State’s Fred Hoiberg is more than just a successful coach to Cyclones fans. He’s the local boy made good. That’s why the rumors that Hoiberg might finally jump to the NBA are bumming out many Iowa State fans. Hoiberg has been the subject of all kinds of speculation regarding his future in recent weeks.

Hoiberg hasn’t said anything publicly in weeks. That’s likely because he is still recovering from open heart surgery and has yet to return to work full time. But Hoiberg’s silence, combined with his expressed desire to coach in the NBA and the sheer number of possible vacancies he’s been linked to, have some Cyclones supporters fearing the worst.

 

Mills County landfill to dispose of birds w/Avian Influenza

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 21st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The remains of chickens killed by the avian flu will be buried in a Mills County landfill as soon as next week, weather permitting. The Daily Non Pareil reports the United States Department of Agriculture has reached a deal with Iowa Waste Systems, owner of the Loess Hills Sanitary Landfill near Malvern to serve as one of several statewide sites to received the dead birds.

Robert Glebs, CEO of Iowa Waste Systems said they have told the USDA they would like to accept 10 loads of dead chickens as a ‘test run’ for the first burial, which amounts to about 200 tons in weight. The test run was supposed to have taken place Wednesday, but Glebs says rain, which could have allowed excess water into the ground as a leachate, prevented it from taking place. He said the landfill will try to bury the chickens next week, weather permitting.

The plastic bags with chickens inside are placed deep in the ground before being covered with waste and soil within five minutes.State Senator Mark Costello, a Republican from Imogene, says hehas received more than a few grievances from people in the area with worries about diseased animal remains coming to their neck of the woods. However, Costello said the protocols and regulations to keep the diseased remains safe and contained are stringent and detailed. The Iowa Department of Transportation will figure out a safe route for the trucks, which are purified after carrying the remains to the site, he said.

According to Costello, the remains are placed in bags, which are heated to destroy the flu germs, before being buried and do not leak. He said he was unsure how many trucks carrying remains could be coming to Mills County, but he heard recent estimates put 25 million birds have died from the flu. The outbreak in the upper Midwest could cost producers nearly $1 billion, according to the Associated Press.

Dustin Vande Hoef, public information director for the Iowa Department of Agriculture, said the landfill will follow special waste-handling criteria. Vande Hoef said previous animal disease outbreaks have been handled in similar fashion in the past.

Day’s blast sends #15 Iowa past Ohio State

Sports

May 21st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Senior Nick Day slammed a dramatic two out homer to left field in the bottom of the ninth as the 15th ranked Iowa Hawkeyes edged Ohio State 3-2 in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament in Target Field. It was a huge hit for the Solon native who sat out a portion of the season with an injury. And it was Iowa’s 39th win of the season as they advance to play Michigan on this (Thursday) afternoon. Iowa coach Rick Heller says he will send junior Blake Hickman to the mound against the Wolverines.

(Learfield Sports)

Iowa House passes bill to legalize fireworks

News

May 21st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

It would be legal to sell and set off fireworks in Iowa if a bill that cleared the Iowa House last night (Wednesday) becomes law. Representative John Wills, a Republican from Spirit Lake, was among the 53 House members who voted “yes.” “We need to have people understand that what they do and how they do it is their responsibility,” Wills said. “This bill gives freedom back to the people and I’m in favor.”

Representative Kirsten Running-Marquardt, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, was among the 43 who voted “no.” “This bill does not make Iowa a safer place to live,” she said. “In fact, it does the opposite.” Critics cited concerns about fires started by the sparks of fireworks, as well as complaints that veterans with post traumatic stress disorder suffer from the sounds of fireworks. Representative David Maxwell, a Republican from Gibson, says he doesn’t have P-T-S-D, but couldn’t watch fireworks for several years after he got out of the military.

“I still don’t enjoy them,” Gibson said. “And I’m not a kill joy, believe it or not, but I know a number of people that really do not look forward to summertime and the 4th of July because what happened to them 40 or 50 years ago or even longer. I think we’re being a little bit shortsighted for a few bucks here.” That would be because the bill legalizes the sale of commercial fireworks in Iowa. Representative Matt Winschitl (WIND-shit-ull), a Republican from Missouri Valley, says he didn’t support the bill because of the tax revenue the state might collect.

“It’s about letting Iowans make the choice for themselves,” Windschitl says. “You’ve got 43 other states out there that allow one degree of fireworks or another beyond what Iowa does.” If the bill becomes law, it would be legal to set off fireworks between the hours of 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. every day. Representative Dave Heaton, a Democrat from Mount Pleasant, says his dog, Molly, isn’t a fan of the fireworks that go off in his community over the 4th of July holiday.

“She gets through that, but I’ll be darned if I want to vote for a bill that makes the 4th of July year round,” Heaton said. Representative Walt Rogers, a Republican from Cedar Falls who voted for the bill, says he has “nothing but good memories” of setting off fireworks. “I can remember lots of 4th of July where we had a lot of fun with fireworks,” Rogers said. “And I remember doing the same thing with my own kids, in Cedar Falls.” A few legislators like Representative Mary Gaskill of Ottumwa admitted they were conflicted on the issue.

“I have young people in my district who really want me to vote yes on this bill,” Gaskill said. “And then I listen to the veterans and the fire fighters and those people who would be directly affected with the bill and I have changed my mind and I have decided I’m a no on this.” Representative Mike Sexton, a Republican from Rockwell City who voted for the bill, says far more Americans are injured by dog bites than by fireworks.”Folks, whatever happened to apple pie and baseball and Chevrolet and hot dogs and fireworks?” Sexton asked. “We are not talking about blowing up the state of Iowa.”

If the bill becomes law, cities and counties would be allowed to pass local ordinances restricting fireworks, plus the bill calls for a 250-dollar fine for improper use of fireworks. It would also be illegal to sell fireworks to a minor. A similar bill cleared a senate committee earlier this month and is eligible for senate debate.

(Radio Iowa)

Agreement should make it easier to correct errors on your credit report

News

May 21st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A spokesman for Iowa’s Attorney General says getting errors removed from your credit report is going to get easier under an agreement reached with the top three credit reporting agencies. Spokesman Geoff Greenwood says 31 states are a part of the agreement to improve the accuracy of the reports. “For years we’ve been getting complaints about all of the credit reporting agencies — Experian, Equifax and Trans Union — so for the last couple of years, attorneys general have tried to address this problem,” Greenwood says.

Credit reports assign credit scores based on a variety of factors, including how well you pay your bills, how much money you’ve borrowed. Under this agreement the credit reporting agencies must implement an escalated process for handling complicated disputes, such as those involving identity theft, fraud, or cases where one consumer’s information is mixed with anothers’.

A credit report is really important, in some respects it’s a life story of your finances,” Greenwood says. “And others read those reports when they are thinking about extending you credit for a car, or a house, or maybe even hiring you.” Greenwood says this agreement also addresses one particular area of concern — the payment of medical bills. “In some cases consumers were still working things our with their insurance company, didn’t get enough time and it ends up being a blemish on their credit report. This institute some changes that we think will reduce those types of reports on people’s credit reports,” Greenwood says.

The credit reporting agencies now cannot place medical debt on a credit report until 180 days after the account is reported to the credit reporting agency to gives consumers time to work out issues with their insurance companies. Greenwood says you can get a free credit report from each of the three agencies by going to the website www.annualcreditreport.com. Then you can act to clear up any wrong information.

“If you see an error, contact the credit reporting agency and let them know about the error,” Greenwood says. “As part of this agreement, they are going to make it easier for consumers.” The agreement is sending six million dollars to the states, with 106-thousand dollars coming to Iowa for Iowa’s consumer education and litigation fund. Greenwood says credit reporting agencies will implement the changes in three phases to allow them to update their I-T systems and procedures with data furnishers. All changes must be completed by three years and 90 days following the settlement’s effective date.

(Radio Iowa)

Cardinals tag Colon, knock Mets out of 1st with 9-0 rout

Sports

May 21st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

NEW YORK (AP) — Matt Adams hit a long three-run homer, Jason Heyward also connected and the St. Louis Cardinals enjoyed their second consecutive offensive outburst, roughing up Bartolo Colon in a 9-0 rout of the New York Mets on Wednesday night. Matt Holliday and Kolten Wong both had three hits to back Carlos Martinez (4-2), who pitched 6 1-3 innings of four-hit ball in ending his two-game skid. Following a 10-2 victory Tuesday night, the Cardinals improved the best record in the majors to 27-13.

Pitching four days before his 42nd birthday, Colon (6-3) finally began to show his age. Trying again to become baseball’s first seven-game winner, he was hit hard all game and even walked two batters — one more than he had all season. And coupled with Washington’s victory over the New York Yankees, the Mets’ loss dropped them out of first place in the NL East for the first time since April 14.

 

CHARLES LUTHER HICKS, 58, of Glenwood [Formerly of Oakland & Council Bluffs] (Svcs. 5/26/15)

Obituaries

May 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

CHARLES LUTHER HICKS, 58, of Glenwood (& formerly of Oakland and Council Bluffs), died Wed., May 20th, at the Glenwood Hospice House, in Glenwood. Funeral services for CHARLES HICKS will be 11-a.m. Tuesday, May 26th, at the Oakland Christian Church in Oakland. Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be on Monday from 5-until 7-pm,  at the Oakland Christian Church.

Interment will be at the Oaklawn Cemetery at Oakland.

CHARLES HICKS is survived by:

His children – Daisy Fichter and husband Nick ,of Oakland, and Justin Hicks and wife Emily of Minot, ND.

The mother of his children: Janet Wilcox.

His brothers – Jeff Hicks and Andrea, of Harlan, IA, Jay Hicks and Paula Meyers, of Harlan, and John Hicks of Omaha.

His sisters – Sheryl Hicks Martinez of Hamburg; Janet Hicks and Ray Campbell of Ehrenberg, AZ; and Donna Hicks Fink of Council Bluffs.

5 grandchildren

Omaha Police Officer killed in the line of duty was a 2004 Walnut HS Grad

News

May 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

An Omaha police officer and a suspect involved in a shootout Wednesday afternoon have died. A statement from Omaha Police said 29-year old Kerrie Orozco, a gang unit officer, was serving a warrant on the Metro Area Fugitive Task Force when she was shot. The Daily NonPareil reports Kerrie Orozco (Kerrie Holtz) was the daughter of Ellen, and the late Kevin Holtz of Walnut. Kerrie attended Walnut High School, where she played basketball and volleyball. She graduated from Walnut in 2004.

Officer Kerrie Orozco (Omaha P-D Facebook page image)

Officer Kerrie Orozco (Omaha P-D Facebook page image)

Orozco is the 25th officer – and first female – in the department killed in the line of duty. She had been taken to Creighton University Medical Center in extremely critical condition after being shot about 1 p.m. near Read Street and Martin Avenue. Omaha police had responded to a “Help an officer” call at 30th Street and Martin Avenue.

Deputy Police Chief Dave Baker said officers were serving a felony arrest warrant about 12:55 p.m. During the process of serving the warrant, shots were fired. Orozco and the suspect, 26-year old Marcus D. Wheeler, were taken to the Creighton hospital in extremely critical condition, with CPR in progress. Despite the efforts of doctors at the hospital, the officer and suspect died.

Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said Orozco was a seven-year veteran of the department and had worked in the gang unit since March 2012.She had coached baseball since 2009 at the North Omaha Boys and Girls Club, volunteered with the Special Olympics, took in rescue dogs, mentored Girl Scouts and frequently spoke at Girls Inc.

Orozco was sworn in as an Omaha police officer in May 2008 in a class of 36. The former Kerrie Holtz married Hector Orozco Lopez in April 2011. Kerrie Orozco had two stepchildren, 8-year-old Natalia and a stepson, Santiago, who is 6. Kerrie had a newborn baby who was born Feb. 17, Olivia Ruth. She was set to be released Thursday from the neonatal intensive care unit at the Nebraska Medical Center.

BBB warns of paving scams

News

May 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Iowa homeowners are warned to be wary of road construction crews that pull up unannounced and offer to spread a new asphalt driveway for you on the cheap. Jim Hegarty, with the Better Business Bureau, says folks in the region are already reporting cases of this familiar scam and he says, don’t be fooled.

“They’ve got trucks that look sort of legitimate,” Hegarty says. “They’ll claim they have leftover asphalt from a state job and they need to have cash and they’ll get it done for you before day’s end. Sometimes, they’ll actually start tearing out the driveway. They’ll take the cash, or if you give them a check before banking hours close, they’ll hit the local bank, cash the check and you’ll never see them again.” It’s always a risk when someone comes to your door offering a deal, Hegarty says, and if you’re not careful, you could get taken by one of these fast-talking crooks.

“These are travelers, sort of like gypsies, and they have encampments all over the South,” he says. “Whenever the weather breaks, they start to move up towards our area.” The best bet, Hegarty says, is to just say “no” and to contact a reputable, local company if your driveway needs repairs.

(Radio Iowa)