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Winter Weather Statement updates (2/25/15)

News, Weather

February 25th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

CARROLL-GREENE-BOONE-GUTHRIE-DALLAS-COUNTIES
1019 AM CST WED FEB 25

WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM.

* SHORT TERM TRENDS…MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW WILL PERSIST OVER
NORTHERN IOWA AND SPREAD SOUTH INTO CENTRAL IOWA LATER IN THE MORNING. THE SNOW WILL LAST THROUGH THE AFTERNOON INTO THE EARLY EVENING HOURS.

* STORM TOTAL SNOW…4 TO 8 INCHES.

* WINDS/VISIBILITY…WINDS WILL INITIALLY BE EAST AT AROUND 10 MPH THIS MORNING BUT INCREASE TO 15 TO 25 MPH BY AFTERNOON AS THEY BECOME MORE NORTHERLY. VISIBILITIES WILL OFTEN BE A MILE OR LESS DURING PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOW.

* IMPACTS…SNOWFALL RATES MAY REACH AN INCH OR MORE PER HOUR AT TIMES LEADING TO SNOW COVERED ROADS AND HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW MAY ALSO LEAD TO DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS THIS EVENING EVEN AFTER THE HEAVIEST SNOW HAS ENDED.

CRAWFORD-AUDUBON-CASS-ADAIR-ADAMS-UNION-TAYLOR-RINGGOLD

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM UNTIL 9 PM

* STORM TOTAL SNOW…2 TO 4 INCHES.

* WINDS/VISIBILITY…WINDS WILL INITIALLY BE EAST AT AROUND 10 MPH THIS MORNING BUT INCREASE TO 15 TO 25 MPH BY AFTERNOON AS THEY BECOME MORE NORTHERLY. VISIBILITIES WILL DROP TO A MILE OR SO DURING PERIODS OF HEAVIER SNOW.

* IMPACTS…MODERATE SNOWFALL IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE SNOW COVERED ROADS AND HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW MAY ALSO LEAD TO DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS THIS EVENING EVEN AFTER THE HEAVIEST SNOW HAS ENDED.

POTTAWATTAMIE

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM UNTIL 8 PM…

HARRISON-SHELBY

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM.

* TIMING…A MIX OF RAIN…SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN WILL DEVELOP BY MID MORNING CHANGING TO ALL SNOW BY MID AFTERNOON ENDING BY THIS EVENING.

* IMPACT…1 TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE IN FAR NORTHEAST HARRISON AND SHELBY COUNTIES…OTHERWISE AMOUNTS WILL BE AN INCH OR LESS.

* TIMING…NORTH OF I-80 SNOW WILL MOVE IN DURING THE AFTERNOON HOURS BEFORE DIMINISHING IN THE EARLY EVENING HOURS. SOME LOCATIONS SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 80 WILL SEE A WINTERY MIX OF RAIN…SLEET AND SNOW INITIALLY BEFORE CHANGING OVER TO ALL SNOW LATE IN THE AFTERNOON.

HSBB: Griswold vs. Nodaway Valley Boys 02-24-2015

Podcasts, Sports

February 25th, 2015 by admin

Jim Field and Chris Parks have the call of the Class 1A District Semifinal played at Guthrie Center High School.

Play

HSBB: Adair-Casey vs. Paton-Churdan 02-24-2015

Podcasts, Sports

February 25th, 2015 by admin

Jim Field and Chris Parks have the call of the Class 1A District Semifinal played at Guthrie Center High School.

Play

Branstad intends to sign gas tax hike into law this week

News

February 25th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Governor Terry Branstad says unless there is a glaring technical error, he intends to approve the bill that would raise the state gas tax by a dime a gallon on Sunday. “It is very likely I’m going to sign it and you’ll know very soon,” Branstad told reporters this morning. That’s because once an Iowa governor receives the formal copy of a bill, he or she must sign or veto it within the following three days.  “I do intend to sign it this week,” Branstad said.

Branstad got the formal copy of the gas tax bill this morning (Wednesday), shortly after nine o’clock, so he has a Saturday deadline for action. Branstad says he has a responsibility as governor to carefully review the final copy, but he doesn’t expect to find a problem that would prevent him from signing the bill into law. “What’s in this bill is not a surprise because we have worked and looked at all the different options and worked with the legislative leaders as they developed this,” Branstad said, “and then worked through the committee processes in the House and Senate.”

In a span of less than two-and-a-half hours the bill cleared both the House and the Senate yesterday (Tuesday) with bipartisan support.  “This is a great example, on a difficult and controversial issue, of the kind of bipartisan cooperation that really makes Iowa stand out as a state where we work together and we get things done,” Branstad said this morning.

Critics of the gas tax hike say Iowa retailers will now be selling the most expensive fuel in the region. Many legislators who opposed the bill said they agree there’s a need for more money to fix Iowa’s transportation system, but they favored cutting other areas of the state budget and diverting that money to road and bridge projects.

(Radio Iowa)

Much of Iowa soon to be buried under 6+ inches of snow

News, Weather

February 25th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A major winter weather storm is rolling through Iowa as snow started flying this morning in the northwest and is moving southeast through the state. Jim Lee is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.  “The accumulations will vary widely across the state. The southwest corner will see very, very little (snow). Whereas, in a band from about the northern to southeastern part of the state we’re looking at six plus inches,” Lee said.

Parts of Iowa may receive eight or more inches of snow. Some cities in the area projected to get the most snow include Webster City, Marshalltown, Newton, and Oskaloosa. Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories cover nearly the entire state. The heaviest snowfall may occur over sections of central during the afternoon commute.  “We’re looking for snowfall rates probably close to an inch an hour at times within that heaviest band,” Lee said.

As the snow is moving out of the state later tonight, winds are expected to increase and usher in some very cold conditions. High temperatures on Thursday and Friday will be in the single digits to teens across the state. Another smaller snow event is possible for parts of Iowa Saturday night into Sunday.

(Radio Iowa)

Cass County Master Gardeners Grant Money Available for Local Garden Projects

Ag/Outdoor, News

February 25th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The cold weather of winter is the time to plan for future gardens. The Cass County Master Gardeners group is again offering grant money to be used in the 2015 growing season, to encourage gardening to grow food and/or beautify local communities. The money may also be used for gardening education purposes. The David Williams Master Gardener Grants are offered to honor the many years of service Master Gardener David Williams provided as a long-time volunteer, with the Master Gardener program and other community organizations, including a term as Cass County Master Gardener president in 2012.

Any Cass County not-for-profit group or individual may apply. Schools, churches, libraries, 4-H clubs, Scouts, and individuals working to improving their communities can use the money to begin or improve gardens or landscaping, or to provide education for their members or the public. To ensure the money is helping a wide variety of community organizations, groups who were funded by 2014 grants will not be eligible to apply in 2015. Each grant has a maximum value of $300. The application must also include plans for teamwork and sustainability. Consideration for the environment is also an important selection factor.

Applications must be received by Monday, March 30th for consideration. They may be submitted by mail or email. Grant recipients will be informed of their selection by the end of April. For more information, or with questions, call the Cass County Extension office at 712-243-1132, email keolson@iastate.edu, or stop by the Extension Office at 805 W. 10th St in Atlantic. You may also contact committee members Judy Kennedy, Marla Anstey or Linda Edelman. Application forms can be picked up at the Extension Office, or printed from the Cass County Extension website- www.extension.iastate.edu/cass.

The Master Gardener program trains volunteers to develop their knowledge and skills in horticulture. These volunteers then give back to their communities through gardening service and education. The program is available in all 50 states and Canada through land grant university Extension programs such as Iowa State University. Education courses are available throughout Iowa on a regular basis. Contact Cass County Extension Program Coordinator Kate Olson, at 712-243-1132 or keolson@iastate.edufor more information.

Meeting on Hunting, Trapping Canceled Due to Weather

Ag/Outdoor, News

February 25th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has cancelled its public meeting on hunting and trapping regulations tonight (Wednesday), due to National Weather Service issuing a winter storm warning for much of the state closing many of the meeting locations. Meetings were scheduled over the Iowa Communication Network (ICN) in Atlantic, Boone, Chariton, Clear Lake, Council Bluffs, Creston, Davenport, Decorah, Dubuque, Johnston, Marshalltown, Monroe, Ottumwa, Sac City, Sergeant Bluff, Sheldon, Spencer, Tiffin, Waverly and West Burlington.

The DNR will attempt to reschedule the meeting, if possible, to receive the public’s thoughts on the hunting and trapping regulations for this fall. The decision was made in the interest of public safety; however, the public is encouraged to send comments about what went well last fall, what didn’t, and what changes hunters and trappers would like to see for this fall to wildlife@dnr.iowa.gov.

Those comments, along with the data that the DNR Wildlife Bureau collects on harvest and population numbers, will be used to develop recommendations for any rule changes for this fall.

BERNICE BASS, 85, of Fontanelle (Svcs. 3/2/15)

Obituaries

February 25th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

BERNICE BASS, 85, of Fontanelle, died Wed. February 25th at the Greater Regional Hospice Home in Creston. Funeral services for BERNICE BASS will be held 10-a.m. Monday, March 2nd, at the Fontanelle United Methodist Church, with a luncheon to follow. Steen Funeral Home in Fontanelle has the arrangements.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 1, at the Steen Funeral Home in Fontanelle from Noon until 5-p.m., with the family greeting friends from 3-until 5-p.m. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the Scranton Cemetery north of Scranton, Iowa.

Memorials may be directed to the Bernice Bass memorial fund to be established by the family at a later date.

BERNICE BASS is survived by:

Her children – Diane (Darwin) Rice, of Jefferson; Charlene (Dean) Wood, of Coralville, and Jim (Kathy) Bass, of Fontanelle

Her brother – Wayne (Phyllis) Brown, of Bayard.

Her sisters – Elaine (Robert) Seaman, of Carroll, and Lois (Merlin) Taylor, of Cedar Falls.

6 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Backyard and Beyond 02-25-2015

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

February 25th, 2015 by admin

Lavon Eblen speaks with Tova Brandt, Albert Ravenholt Curator of Danish American Culture at the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, about “Skol!”  an exhibit and book.  They also talk about how you can help out the project on Kickstarter. 3 more days to contribute.

Play

Creston man arrested Tuesday

News

February 25th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Police in Creston report the arrest Tuesday afternoon, of 27-year old Joshua James Merboth, of Creston. Merboth was charged with Driving While Suspended. He has since posted a $300 bond and was released from custody.