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Iowa lawmakers to introduce bill to make gun permits secret

News

March 2nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Two Iowa lawmakers plan to introduce a bill that would change state law and keep confidential the identities of those who own permits to carry firearms. The Des Moines Register reports that the proposal is aimed at preventing the release of any information that could link a person to his or her gun permit, including names, addresses and dates of birth. Current Iowa law allows public access to such permit records.

Sen. Steve Sodders, a State Center Democrat, says it’s unnecessary for people to know if others have guns in their homes. He says the public would still have access to general statistics, like the number of firearms purchased each month. Rep. Matt Windschitl, a Republican from Missouri Valley, says lawmakers are still working out the legislation’s details.

NORMA GENAVE STECKELBERG, 81, of OK & formerly of Menlo (Svcs. 3/6/15)

Obituaries

March 2nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

NORMA GENAVE STECKELBERG, 81, of Tuttle, OK (& formerly of Menlo), died Feb. 23rd, at her daughter’s home in Oklahoma. Funeral services for NORMA STECKELBERG will be held 11-a.m. Fri., March 6th, at the Stuart-Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church. Johnson Family Funeral Home in Stuart has the arrangements.

Visitation at the Stuart-Mt. Vernon Church will be from 10-until 11-am, Friday (Prior to the service).

NORMA STECKELBERG is survived by:

Her sons – Joseph (Nancy Jo) Steckelberg; Jason (Dana) Steckelberg, and Jonathan Steckelberg & wife Michaelle Johnson.

Her daughter – Jill Jones (& Scott Clayton).

16 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, her sister-in-law, other relatives & friends.

Adams County woman arrested on Union County warrant; hit & run accident in Afton

News

March 2nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Union County report an Adams County woman was arrested Friday, on a warrant. The Sheriff’s Office says 48-year old Carolyn R. Cook, of Prescott, was arrested on a Union County warrant for theft in the fourth degree. Cook was booked into the jail and later released on $1000 bond.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office also reports a hit-and-run, property damage accident happened Saturday afternoon, in Afton. Authorities say a 2014 Lincoln Navigator was legally parked on Kansas Street and was backing out of a parking stall at around 3:15-p.m., when an eastbound pickup truck made contact with the left rear side of the SUV. The pickup left the scene.

Damage to the SUV, driven by 61-year old Judy Hoakison, of Creston, was estimated at $2,000. Hoakison was not injured during the accident.

3 arrests in Atlantic

News

March 2nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Police Department reports three, recent arrests. On Sunday, 49-year old Tracy Auerbach, of Chariton, was arrested on an OWI/1st offense charge. Auerbach was booked into the Cass County Jail.

On Saturday, officers with the A-PD arrested 28-year old Christopher Castillo, of Atlantic, on a Cass County warrant for Violation of Probation. And, 26-year old Jeremy Blagdon, of Atlantic, was arrested Saturday for Disorderly Conduct, and Assault on a Police Officer. Both men were booked into the Cass County Jail.

AP Source: Chiefs place franchise tag on All-Pro Houston

Sports

March 2nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Kansas City Chiefs have placed the franchise tag on All-Pro pass rusher Justin Houston, a person familiar with the decision tells The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because the Chiefs have not announced the move. It was widely expected given the relatively little progress that Kansas City has made with Houston and his representatives on a long-term deal.

The two sides still have until July 15 to negotiate a contract, and it is not certain whether Houston will immediately sign his tender. As an outside linebacker, the one-year deal would earn him about $13.1 million for the upcoming season.

The Chiefs likely will need to make additional moves soon to free up salary cap space.

Backyard and Beyond 03-02-2015

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

March 2nd, 2015 by admin

Lavon Eblen speaks with Susan Williams, Speaker at the Spring Garden Seminar in Atlantic March 14th, about lilies and Easter garden chores.

Play

Cass County launches Mass Notification System

News

March 2nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Emergency Management Agency has officially rolled-out a county wide mass notification system. Last month, we told you the County was in the final stages of preparing for the launch of the system, which uses Inspiron Logistics’ Wireless Emergency Notification System (WENS). Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon says Cass County now has the ability to send residents important updates during emergencies. The Cass County Emergency Notification System will allow County officials to provide residents with critical emergency notifications and instruction in an efficient and timely manner.

Cass County EMC Mike Kennon talks about the Mass Notification System at the Board of Supervisor's mtg. Feb. 11, 2015.

Cass County EMC Mike Kennon talks about the Mass Notification System at the Board of Supervisor’s mtg. Feb. 11, 2015.

Kennon says “This is an opportunity for our residents to receive critical information and instruction during an emergency. This new tool allows us to augment other notification systems through which emergency information can be shared with our residents. This system can provide communication at a time when it is most needed, allowing emergency responders to focus on aiding a well-informed community.”

While all land line phones have been entered automatically into the system, registration will be required for residents wanting to receive emergency alerts via cell phone, email or pager. At registration, residents will be allowed to customize how they will receive messaging and what types of messages they would like to receive. As of now, Cass County Emergency Management, Communications Center, Sheriff’s Office and Atlantic Police Department can disseminate messaging. There is also a potential to expand the system to include other towns, groups or organizations with a Public Safety justification.

The system is fully integrated with NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). This allows for automated weather notifications to all subscribers; including tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, flash flooding and other notifications issued through NOAA. Officials can target each message to an unlimited number of groups – everything from notification of all residents of a specific town to mobilizing volunteers throughout the County. Officials can also contact residents based on specific geographical locations using a mapping feature, sending messages to those within select neighborhoods when needed.

To register, residents can go to http://entry.inspironlogistics.com/cass_ia/wens.cfm and sign up by entering their cell phone, e-mail and/or pager number, city and zip code. There are also links located on the Cass County homepage (http://www.casscountyiowa.us/) or the Cass County EMA Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/CassCoEMA). For more information, contact Mike Kennon, Coordinator, Cass County Emergency Management Agency at 712-254-1500.

Kennon said also there are some upcoming Emergency Management events in Cass County, including a Storm Spotter Training Class 7-p.m. March 11th, at the Cass County Courthouse. And, the Statewide Tornado Drill takes place at about 10-a.m., on March 25th. It’s a chance for you to plan or review what action you should take at your home or place of business if a tornado is spotted in Cass County.

Harlan’s Mackenzie Swanson Recipient of E. Wayne Cooley Scholarship

Sports

March 2nd, 2015 by Jim Field

swansonMackenzie Swanson, a senior from Harlan High School, has been named the 2015 recipient of the E. Wayne Cooley Scholarship Award. Mackenzie was selected from 111 applicants from high schools across Iowa. She will be honored at halftime of the Class 2A state championship game Friday, March 6.

The scholarship, in the name of longtime Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union Executive Secretary E. Wayne Cooley, is worth $15,000 over four years to assist the recipient as she attends the Iowa college or university of her choice. Mackenzie plans to attend the University of Iowa or Northern Iowa.

Miss Swanson was one of six finalists for the award. Other finalists included: Emily Knuth, Bondurant-Farrar; Meredith Cunningham, Knoxville; Evan Hundley, North Scott; Jaycie Owens, Norwalk and Alexandra Petersen, Ballard. The five runners-up all receive $1,000 scholarships.

Mackenzie is very active at Harlan. She ranks first in her class of 114 with a 4.00 GPA and is president of her senior class. She is a two-year member of the National Honor Society and is president of the Harlan chapter of Business Professionals of America while staying busy with drama and choir. Off the court, she has spearheaded several cancer fundraisers and volunteers at the Little Cyclones youth basketball and volleyball programs.
Mackenzie has enjoyed success in her athletic endeavors. She was an all-tournament team selection on the Cyclones back-to-back state volleyball teams and is a key reserve on Harlan’s state championship basketball squad.

 

Des Moines alley body ID’d

News

March 2nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Police in Des Moines have released the identity the body of a woman found Sunday morning in an alley near 14th Street and 14th Place, just north of Enos Avenue. According to KCCI, the victim was 35-year-old Shannon Prothero, of Des Moines. Her body was discovered face down, at around 8:30-a.m. Sunday.

The man who found the woman said he checked her vital signs and noticed an abrasion on her forehead. Des Moines police said the circumstances are suspicious. Investigators have not confirmed the case as a homicide, but they are investigating it as such.

Authorities said they hope to know more information about the death after an autopsy this (Monday).

MARLYS JOY MARTENS, 82, of Harlan (Svcs. 3/5/15)

Obituaries

March 2nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

MARLYS JOY MARTENS, 82, of Harlan, died Mon. March 2nd, at the Elm Crest Retirement Home, in Harlan. Funeral services for MARLYS MARTENS will be held 2-p.m. Thu., March 5th, at the 1st United Methodist Church in Harlan. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home, in Harlan has the arrangements.

Visitation at the funeral home is from 2-until 4-pm on Wednesday, with the family greeting friends from 5-until 7-pm.

Inurnment will be held at a later date.

MARLYS MARTENS is survived by:

Her children – Gary (Betty) Martens, of Walnut; Hal (Deborah) Martens, of Eagle River, AK, and Lisa Thomas, of Soldotna, AK.

6 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren and a 3rd great-grandson due in May.