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Montgomery County authorities warn of utility payment scam

News

October 1st, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Montgomery County are warning area residents about a possible telephone scam. The Sheriff’s Department says a woman called to report someone claiming to be from Mid-American Energy phoned them to say the resident had not paid her electric bill. The caller said the woman’s power would be shut-off unless she paid her bill. The caller then asked for the woman’s bank information, which she refused to give out.

The woman said she called Mid-America direct immediately afterward. Company officials said the call was in-fact a scam. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office wants area residents to be aware of the scam, and use caution with your bank account information.

If someone calls threatening to cut-off your power or gas, hang-up and call the utility company directly to get information on your account status.

Posted in News |

Rainfall report: 10/1/14

News, Weather

October 1st, 2014 by Ric Hanson

(updated 9:20-a.m.)

24-hour rainfall in Atlantic at the KJAN studios (the Official National Weather Service site for Atlantic) was 2.08″ as of 7-a.m., Wednesday (10/1) . At the Atlantic Airport, the Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) measured 2.26″.  Seven-miles n/ne of Atlantic, a spotter observed 2.06″ of rain in their gauge. KJAN’s Lavon Eblen reported 2.5″ of rain at her home north of Atlantic.

If you have a rainfall total to report, e-mail kjannews@metc.net. Please include your location or proximity to the nearest town, the amount of rain that has fallen, and the time your measurement was taken. Feel free to update the total as the day wears on. Thank You!

Other 24-hour rainfall reports we’ve received this morning:

3.90″ 3 miles west of Pacific Junction in Mills County; 3.40″ 3 miles east of Manning; 3.10 in Anita near the golf course (reported by Rosalie Kopp); 3.10″ in Shenandoah (updated total); 3.00″ in Audubon (also, 3.10″ n of the Audubon Airport as of 7:30-a.m.); 2.80″ in Oakland and in Marne; 2.62″ west of Bagley, in Guthrie County; 2.60″ 1.5 miles s. of Avoca; 2.32″ 1 mi. S. of Guthrie Center in Guthrie County; 2.28″ 4 miles e/se of Carroll; 2.20″ south of Bedford (2.4″ reported N of Bedford); 2.18″ in Massena (Ardelle McCunn); 2.04″ 3 miles NE of Yale in Guthrie County; 1.92″ in Harlan; 1.85″ in Emerson; 1.81″ 4-miles north of New Market, in Taylor County; 1.74″ in Clarinda; 1.62″ at Jefferson (as of 5:15-a.m.) – from an NWS Cooperative Observer; 1.61″ northeast of Creston; 1.58″ 2 miles NE of Denison.

Posted in News, Weather |

Iowa will play both QBs

Sports

October 1st, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Hawkeyes will play two quarterbacks when they host Indiana on October 11th. Sophomore CJ Beatherd replaced the injured Jake Rudock at halftime of the game at Pitt two weeks ago and has led the Hawks to consecutive victories. Offensive coordinator Greg Davis says there will not be a set amount on how much they will play.

Davis says it will all depend upon how much Rudock’s leg injury improves with the off week. He says both quarterbacks deserve to play and he is confident they will be able to handle the situation. The offense could use a spark. The Hawkeyes have struggled with inconsistent play, an anemic running game as well as a lack of big plays.

(Learfield Sports)

Posted in Sports |

September enter weather record books as cooler, wetter than normal

News, Weather

October 1st, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Despite the recent warm temperatures across Iowa, the month of September was slightly cooler than normal, according to state climatologist Harry Hillaker. The month was highlighted by freezing conditions on September 13. That marked the earliest freeze in the state since 1976. Hillaker says the temperature hit 31-degrees in Mason City, Estherville, Sheldon, Elkader, and Sioux Center. He notes it “wasn’t cold enough, long enough” to do much widespread damage to crops.

The hottest temperature during the month was recorded on September 4. “The highest reading was 94-degrees, which happened in Glenwood, Shenandoah, Sidney, and Donnellson,” Hillaker says. Fall officially arrived on September 22 and Hillaker says the temperature failed to reach triple-digits anywhere in Iowa the entire summer. “In fact, we have a few places in northeastern and far northern Iowa that (haven’t) reached the 90s this year,” Hillaker says. The wetter than normal weather this year continued through the month of September.

It was especially rainy over the first half of the month in parts of southern Iowa. Areas of Warren County received up to 9 inches of rain over the month. “On the other extreme, Estherville was the dry spot in the state with just 1.2 inches of rain during the month,” Hillaker says. The statewide average rainfall total in September was 4.5 inches, about one-inch above normal for the month, according to Hillaker. The statewide average temperature for the month was 62.2 degrees, about one-degree cooler than normal.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in News, Weather |

NWS forecast for the KJAN listening area: Wed., 10/1/2014

Weather

October 1st, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Today Periods of showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 11am, then scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 11am and 1pm. High near 75. South wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. South southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Showers and thunderstorms before 1pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers after 4pm. High near 68. North northeast wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Thursday Night A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 7pm. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 44. Breezy, with a west northwest wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Windy, with a west northwest wind 16 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.
Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Windy.

Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.

Posted in Weather |

More information expected today on the death of a Bluffs teen involved in a fight

News

October 1st, 2014 by Ric Hanson

An announcement from authorities related to the death of an Abraham Lincoln High School junior is expected today. The Daily NonPareil says Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber and Council Bluffs Police Chief Tim Carmody will hold a joint press conference at 3 p.m. today to release the results of the investigation into the death of 17-year old Dakota Escritt, who died over the weekend from severe head injuries he suffered during a fight last Thursday morning Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln High School.

16-year old Gregary Teer is accused of punching Escritt in the face, which caused him to fall and hit his head. Teer is currently charged with felony assault causing serious injury. He has also been suspended from school. Authorities are expected to announce today whether or not additional charges will be filed.

Posted in News |

Bluffs man involved in numerous robberies faces 7-to 25-years in prison

News

October 1st, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A Council Bluffs man authorities say was involved in three robberies and at least two attempted robberies this past summer in Council Bluffs, along with a pair of robberies in Carter Lake and Omaha, faces a minimum of seven-years in prison.The Daily NonPareil reports in an agreement with prosecutors, 24-year old Matthew T. Koval will plead guilty to second-degree robbery, first-degree theft and ongoing criminal conduct. The first two charges carry a 10-year maximum prison sentence, while ongoing criminal conduct carries at 25-year sentence.

Jon Jacobmeier with the Pottawattamie County Attorney’s Office said that, as part of an agreement, the theft and robbery charges will run consecutively, with a mandatory minimum to be served of seven years. The 25 years for ongoing criminal conduct will be served concurrently – at the same time. Koval must serve a minimum of seven-years in prison before he is eligible for parole.

Police said they’ve also linked Koval to robberies that occurred in late May at area gas stations and hotels. Koval was arrested on June 26 at the Walgreens store on east Broadway in Council Bluffs. He told the court he committed the crimes because of financial trouble.

Posted in News |

Bluffs’ Bayliss Park recognized as 1 of 10 “Great Public Spaces” for 2014

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 1st, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Officials with  The American Planning Association (APA), Tuesday, announced that Bayliss Park in Council Bluffs, has earned the designation as one of the “10 Great Public Spaces” for 2014.   Each October during National Community Planning Month, APA’s Great Places in America program names 30 exemplary streets, neighborhoods and public spaces that add value to communities and foster economic growth and jobs.

Bayliss Park is the geographic and symbolic “town square” for the community. Using four corner entrances, Bayliss Park connects visitors with the surrounding commercial and residential areas of downtown as well as the bike trails that extend 40 miles throughout the community. The park also serves as the preferred site for many arts events, outdoor concert series, outdoor movies, weddings and major annual community events like “Celebrate CB,” and the “Winterfest” lighting display. Over the past 10 years, a citizen steering committee for Bayliss Park has raised nearly $750,000 with the help of over 1,500 community members. The monies will be directed to the park’s rehabilitation and renovation, including the creation of a master plan.

APA’s Great Streets, Great Neighborhoods and Great Public Spaces feature unique and authentic characteristics that have evolved from years of thoughtful and deliberate planning by residents, community leaders and planners. Since Great Places in America was launched in 2007, APA has designated 230 neighborhoods, streets and public spaces. Places are announced annually and represent the gold standard in terms of having a true sense of place, cultural and historical interest, community involvement, and a vision for tomorrow.

New this year, APA is seeking input from the public for the “31st Great Place Designee.” Interested citizens can nominate their Great Place by commenting on APA’s Facebook page or via Twitter using hashtag #mygreatplace.  The “31st Great Place Designee” will be announced on Friday, October 31, 2014.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Tuesday Volleyball Scores

Sports

October 1st, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Hawkeye 10:

  • (3-0) Lewis Central 25-25-25, Atlantic 12-14-12
  • (3-0) CB Abraham Lincoln 25-25-25, Glenwood 15-22-12
  • (3-0) Harlan 25-25-25, Red Oak 22-16-20
  • (3-0) Kuemper Catholic 25-25-25, Shenandoah 13-18-14
  • (3-1) Lewis Central 20-26-25-25, Creston 25-24-20-14
  • (3-2) Denison 25-21-22-25-15, Clarinda 23-25-25-18-12

Western Iowa:

  • (3-0) Griswold 25-25-25, Audubon 16-22-18
  • (3-2) IKM-Manning 25-23-25-18-16, Treynor 18-25-16-25-14
  • (3-0) Logan-Magnolia 25-25-25, A-H-S-T-W 18-19-12
  • (3-2) Missouri Valley 24-22-25-25-15, Underwood 26-25-17-19-4
  • (3-0) Tri-Center 25-25-25, Riverside 10-9-10

Rolling Valley:

  • (3-1) Exira/EHK 23-25-25-25, CAM 25-10-23-20
  • (3-2) Glidden-Ralston 25-15-25-13-15, Adair-Casey 18-25-20-25-10
  • (3-0) Coon Rapids-Bayard 25-25-25, Woodbine 14-12-20
  • (3-1) Paton-Churdan 25-25-21-25, Charter Oak-Ute 21-22-21-13

Others:

  • (3-0) Bedford 25-25-25, Lenox 23-22-15
  • (3-0) Carroll 25-26-25, Perry 10-24-21
  • (3-0) Des Moines Christian 25-25-25, Guthrie Center 14-19-21
  • (3-0) East Mills 25-25-25, South Page 10-16-9
  • (3-2) Nodaway Valley 25-23-31-22-15, Mount Ayr 15-25-29-25-12
  • (2-1) Orient-Macksburg 22-26-15, Diagonal 25-24-2
  • (3-1) Panorama 23-25-26-26, Van Meter 25-11-24-24
  • (3-0) Sidney 25-25-25, Clarinda Academy 6-9-5
  • (3-0) Southwest Valley 25-25-25, East Union 14-14-16
  • (3-1) Stanton 10-25-25-25, Essex 25-15-23-18
  • (2-0) Twin Cedars 25-25, Orient-Macksburg 17-22

Posted in Sports |

Chiefs place RB McKnight on injured reserve

Sports

October 1st, 2014 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have created space on their roster for the return of right tackle Donald Stephenson by placing running back Joe McKnight on injured reserve. McKnight became the third Chiefs player to tear his Achilles tendon when he was hurt in practice last week. He was coming off a two-touchdown game in a win in Miami.

Stephenson was suspended for the first four games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. That suspension ended with Monday night’s 41-14 victory over the New England Patriots.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said earlier Tuesday that he would wait to see Stephenson practice on Wednesday before he begins to decide whether he’ll go back in the starting lineup.

Posted in Sports |