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Cass County Supervisors approve two items on their agenda

News

September 17th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Board of Supervisors had a light agenda for their meeting Wednesday morning. The Board approved the Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Urban Renewal Report. Auditor Dale Sunderman said local governments are required to complete and submit an annual report showing all TIF activity within each of their urban renewal areas during the preceding fiscal year.

Cass County had one active area: the Amaizing Energy Urban Renewal Area. $303,000 of the original $520,000 bond was outstanding 07/01/2013; $26,000 of bond was paid by TIF funds in FY14 to leave bond balance of $277,000. In addition, interest expense of $9,473.80 was paid.
TIF revenues for FY14 were $29,359.65. Ending TIF fund balance was $12,038. The Board approved the Urban Renewal Report as presented.

They also set the number of deputies in the Recorder’s Office at one. In the June 2014 Primary, Mary Ward won the Republican nomination for Cass County Recorder. Joyce Jensen had earlier announced she would not be running for re-election. No one is running against Ward in the November General election, therefore it’s assumed that she will officially take over the office on November 14th.

Former Deputy Recorder Linn Headlee retired from office last Friday. Recorder Joyce Jensen reported that Mary Ward is now the chief deputy and certified a base salary of 80% of recorder’s salary. The motion was made by Wedemeyer and seconded by Schelling, to set the number of deputies in the recorder’s office at one and to certify an annual base salary of $42,604.80/year for chief deputy county recorder Mary Ward.

Jensen said Ward has a stack of more than 100 applications to weed through in selecting the person who will become her deputy. The interviewing process is expected to begin next week.

Iowa board OKs hog facilities despite opposition

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 17th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa officials cleared the way for two hog facilities in Adair County to expand their operations even though local leaders twice rejected the projects. The Iowa Environmental Protection Commission on Tuesday backed a state Department of Natural Resources ruling on the facilities, The Des Moines Register reported.

That means Circle G and Geidel Pork, operated by the same family, can double the number of pigs to nearly 5,000 at each site even though Adair County supervisors twice voted no. Local leaders asked the commission to deny the expansions because of concerns about air and water pollution, farming practices, and the impact of the operations on nearby properties.

State leaders said they can’t require more distance between hog facilities and neighbors than the one mile currently required by law.

Sisters Ann Hatfield Merritt and Jane Anchustegui, who operate a 1,500-acre outdoor retreat called Hatfield Lakes near Creston, said they would consider shutting down their resort. Merritt said the family has invested at least $2.5 million, provided jobs for about a dozen people and is considering an expansion.

“We’re done. We will not invest another dime,” Merritt said. “Why would anyone want to visit a recreational lakefront when they’re forced to smell hog odors?”

Dean Anderson, who has chronic pulmonary disease and uses oxygen full-time, sent the commission a video saying the expansions would make him “a prisoner in his own home.” He said the hog facilities deny him and his neighbors their “God-given right to fresh, clean air.”

Backyard and Beyond 09-17-2014

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

September 17th, 2014 by admin

Lavon Eblen speaks with Bob Nelson whom is a volunteer for the Greenridge Steam and Gas Engine Antique Show this weekend.

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Adair man arrested on Theft warrant in Cass County

News

September 17th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Police Dept. reports the arrest today (Wednesday) of a man from Adair. 18-year old Matthew Paulsen was taken into custody on a warrant out of Audubon County for Theft in the 5th degree. Paulsen was brought to the Cass County Jail and later turned over to authorities in Audubon County.

On Tuesday, Atlantic Police arrested 33-year old Ameli William, of  Atlantic, for Driving While Barred. That same day, 44-year old Carl Kemp, of Atlantic, was arrested on a warrant for violating a No Contact Order. William and Kemp were booked into the Cass County Jail.

8AM Newscast 09-17-2014

News, Podcasts

September 17th, 2014 by admin

w/ Ric Hanson

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Heartbeat Today 09-17-2014

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

September 17th, 2014 by admin

Jim Field speaks with Sue Pitts about the Extreme Entrepeneurship Tour with Iowa Western Community College.

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Iowa youngsters set to take first aim at deer

News, Sports

September 17th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Around 10,000 young Iowans, 15 and under, are expected to take part in the state’s youth deer hunting season, which opens Saturday. Jim Coffey, with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says participation in the season has been growing, even though only one-third of those young hunters are forecast to harvest a deer. An adult “mentor” must accompany the child, who can continue to hunt in future deer seasons if they don’t fill their tag in the youth season.Youth deer season

“A youth hunter’s tag is valid for all other deer (gun) seasons if it’s not filled during the youth season,” Coffey says. “So, we’re seeing more hunters shift to buying a youth tag for those youngsters because they can continue to go out and use that license until it’s filled.” The deer must be harvested by the youth with the tag. Coffey encourages the mentors, often the child’s parent, to focus on teaching hunting ethics, sportsmanship, and safety.

“And, realize that success is not harvesting the animal. Success is being out there, watching the woods, learning the animals, and really just starting to build that base of a good sportsman,” Coffey says. The September 20 to October 5 period allows youngsters to be the first Iowans to take a shot at deer.

Coffey says the early season usually features slightly warmer temperatures, so the experience is less stressful for a young hunter. The youth season coincides with the disabled hunter deer season. Last year, nearly 300 disabled hunters reported harvesting 120 deer.

(Radio Iowa)

Creston Police report

News

September 17th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Police in Creston report the arrest Tuesday afternoon of 30-year old Stephanie Baatz, of Creston. Baatz was taken into custody following a traffic stop, for Driving While Barred. She was released from the Union County Jail after posting a $2,000 bond.

And a resident in the 300 block of west Adams Street in Creston, reported to authorities someone broke into his apartment sometime between 1:30-pm and midnight, Monday. Approximately $1,080 in coins was stolen during the incident, which remains under investigation.

(Podcast) 7:20-a.m. Sports, 9/17/2014

Podcasts, Sports

September 17th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

With KJAN’s Jim Field.

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(Podcast) 7:07-a.m. News & funeral announcements, 9/17/2014

News, Podcasts

September 17th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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