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Special Weather Statement: Bitterly cold temps tonight N. of I-80

Weather

February 26th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

AREA COUNTIES: CARROLL-AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-DALLAS-

319 PM CST THU FEB 26 2015

BITTER COLD TEMPS AND WIND CHILLS LATE TONIGHT AND FRIDAY MORNING. TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO FALL INTO THE TEENS BELOW ZERO OVERNIGHT,WITH LIGHT WINDS AROUND 5 MPH OR LESS. THE COMBINATION OF BITTERLY COLD TEMPERATURES AND LIGHT WINDS WILL CREATE WIND CHILL VALUES…IN THE 20 BELOW TO 30 BELOW RANGE ACROSS PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND NORTH CENTRAL IOWA AROUND SUNRISE FRIDAY. PLEASE EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN OUTDOORS WITH THESE BITTERLY COLD TEMPERATURES AND WIND CHILLS.

Cards’ Adam Wainwright diagnosed with abdominal strain

Sports

February 26th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Adam Wainwright has been diagnosed with an abdominal strain but the St. Louis ace could be available to pitch the Cardinals’ opener at Wrigley Field on April 5. Wainwright strained the muscle on Monday while putting a 45-pound weight back on a rack. General manager John Mozeliak said Thursday the strain is about belt high.

Wainwright said the pain originally felt like a twinge when it first occurred and the injury bothered him when he ran or lunged but did not affect his pitching. He walked off a practice field Tuesday following the team’s stretch, returned to St. Louis on Wednesday and was examined by Dr. Michael Brunt on Thursday.

Chiefs waive tight end Fasano to free up salary cap space

Sports

February 26th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs waived veteran tight end Anthony Fasano on Thursday, freeing up about $2 million in salary cap space that they could use to keep All-Pro linebacker Justin Houston. The Chiefs have been unable to come to a long-term deal with Houston, making it likely that they will place the franchise tag on him. But the deadline for that designation is Monday, and the Chiefs needed to free up salary cap space to do it.

If franchised, Houston would play next season on a one-year deal worth about $13 million. Fasano, who turns 31 this year, caught 25 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns last season. He had two years left on his four-year contract.

Council Bluffs school placed on lockdown Thu. morning

News

February 26th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A school in Council Bluffs was placed on temporary lock down late Thursday morning as a precaution, after an incident involving an unruly student. According to Bluffs Police, officers were called to Lewis Central High School at around 11:35-a.m. to assist staff members with an unruly student inside the school. Prior to the arrival of officers the unruly 14 year old male was detained by staff members for his own safety as well as the safety of other students and staff members. The school was placed in lock down as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all students. The situation with the student was quickly resolved and activities at the school returned to normal very quickly. The student was charged with Disorderly Conduct and removed from the school. No weapons were involved and no students or staff members were injured as result of this incident.

Lawmakers try to find compromise on education funding

News

February 26th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — At odds over education funding, Iowa lawmakers have established a negotiating committee to attempt to reach compromise. A joint conference committee with lawmakers from both chambers met Thursday. The Republican-majority House and Democratic-controlled Senate must determine a funding level for K-12 education for the upcoming academic year.

House Republicans have advanced a plan that would provide about $100 million in additional funding, while Senate Democrats want to give schools over $200 million in additional funding. Both proposals include money dedicated to teacher leadership training. Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, a Council Bluffs Democrat, calls education a priority because it’s a “ticket to a better life.”

But Rep. Chuck Soderberg, a Republican from Le Mars who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, says the House proposal is what the state can afford.

USDA grants nearly $1.5 million to Iowa for flood recovery

News

February 26th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to grant nearly $1.5 million in disaster funding to Iowa to aid with flood recovery projects. The USDA on Thursday announced that it will give $1,495,000 million to Iowa to help recuperation efforts after rainstorms in 2013 caused severe flood damage in five counties. The funding is part of the USDA’s distribution of $84 million to help 13 states.

According to the USDA, the investment in the Emergency Watershed Protection Program is slated to aid with 150 projects across the country. Restoration projects in Iowa include reshaping and stabilizing stream banks, improving water quality and reducing the potential impact of future floods.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the program aims to address damage to the nation’s watersheds from natural disasters.

Beef Feedlot Facilities Workshop Set for March 18 in Lewis

Ag/Outdoor

February 26th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A workshop focused on comparison of feedlot facility investments, production benefits, cattle comfort and environmental stewardship will be held at the Wallace Foundation Learning Center/Armstrong Research Farm near Lewis, IA on March 18th from 9:45- 3:00 pm.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Beef Center will conduct the workshops. The workshops are supported by a North Central Region Risk Management Education grant. Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and the Coalition to support Iowa Farmers are cooperating partners. A revised feedlot systems manual and decision tool will be available to workshop participants.

Workshop participants will work with several scenarios to make decisions regarding feedlot facility investments and learn how different facility types may work for each scenario. A $20 registration fee will be payable at the door but those interested in participating need to contact Chris Clark, ISUEO Beef Specialist to pre- register and reserve a noon meal. Clark can be reached at caclark@iastate.edu or by phone at 712-250-0070.

This meeting is part of a state-wide program with a complete listing of meeting dates and locations described below. Additional information on the upcoming series can be found on the Iowa Beef Center Website: http://www.iowabeefcenter.org/news/FeedlotFacilitiesWorkshops2015.html

Feb. 18 Nashua – Borlaug Center meeting room Northeast Research Farm

Feb. 24 Manchester – Delaware County Extension office

Feb. 25 Dewitt – Clinton County Extension office

Feb. 26 Ames – Hansen Ag Student Learning Center Iowa State University

March 3 Emmetsburg – Iowa Lakes Community College

March 4 Cherokee – Western Iowa Tech

March 4 Osceola – Clarke County fairgrounds

March 6 Oskaloosa – Mahaska County Extension office

March 9 Tama – Tama County Extension office

March 18 Lewis – Wallace Foundation Learning Center Armstrong Farm

March 25 Carroll – Carroll County Extension office

Iowa House panel OKs bill that would legalize more fireworks

News

February 26th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A House panel has approved a bill that would legalize the sale of more fireworks in Iowa, a move that echoes action in the Senate. Members of a ways and means subcommittee approved the bill Thursday. It now heads to a full committee for consideration. The bill would require retailers to obtain a license to legally sell firecrackers, roman candles and other fireworks. Currently, state law allows only sales of sparklers or certain “novelty fireworks.”

Several groups spoke in opposition to the bill and argued it would lead to more injuries. Rep. Matt Windschitl, a Republican from Missouri Valley and chairman of the subcommittee, says it’s important to give consumers the right to buy fireworks. A similar bill is advancing in the Senate.

Mechanical problem forces team plane to return to Waterloo

Sports

February 26th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – A mechanical problem forced a charter plane carrying the Evansville University men’s basketball team to turn around and land in Waterloo. Waterloo television station KWWL reports that the team spent Wednesday night at a hotel after an uneventful landing at Waterloo airport. The team was headed home to Indiana after losing to Northern Iowa 68-57 in nearby Cedar Falls. On board were three crew members and 22 passengers.

The turboprop was chartered from Corporate Flight Management, of Smyrna, Tennessee. Spokesman Matt Chaifetz told The Associated Press on Thursday that the plane had gotten blowing snow inside the mechanism that spins the blades. The pilots noticed a vibration they couldn’t identify after takeoff, so they returned to Waterloo.

Chaifetz says the plane will be back in the air later today (Thursday).

Backyard and Beyond 02-26-2015

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

February 26th, 2015 by admin

Lavon Eblen speaks with Laverne Deist of Audubon about the Lions’ Toy Show in Audubon this Saturday, February 28th from 9am-3pm.

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