United Group Insurance

KJAN listening area forecast: Fri., 5/23/2014 – NWS/Des Moines

Weather

May 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

316 AM CDT FRI MAY 23 2014

EARLY THIS MORNING…PARTLY CLOUDY. EAST WIND NEAR 5 MPH.

TODAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGH IN THE UPPER 70S. EAST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH.

TONIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY UNTIL EARLY MORNING THEN BECOMING MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOW IN THE MID 50S. SOUTHEAST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH.

SATURDAY…PARTLY SUNNY WITH A 40 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. HIGH IN THE UPPER 70S. SOUTHEAST WIND 5 TO 15 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 50 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. LOW IN THE LOWER 60S. HIGH IN THE UPPER 70S. SOUTH WIND 10 TO 15 MPH.

SUNDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. LOW IN THE MID 60S.

MEMORIAL DAY THROUGH TUESDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 40 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. HIGH IN THE LOWER 80S. LOW IN THE MID 60S.

Cardinals sweep Diamondbacks with 4-2 win

Sports

May 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Allen Craig drove in the go-ahead run with a two-out double in the seventh inning and the St. Louis Cardinals completed a three-game sweep of Arizona by beating the Diamondbacks 4-2 Thursday. The sweep was the first of a three-game series this season for St. Louis, which has won seven of eight.

Shane Robinson had a two-run double as part of a three-hit night. Pat Neshek pitched scoreless seventh and eighth innings to pick up his first win as a Cardinal. Trevor Rosenthal retired Arizona in order in the ninth for his 14th save in 16 chances.

Iowa early News Headlines: Fri., May 23rd 2014

News

May 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines man has been arrested in connection to the April shooting death of his 4-year-old daughter. Police say 24-year-old Adam Mead turned himself in Thursday. The Des Moines Register reports Mead faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, neglect of a dependent person and two counts of making firearms available to minors.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is sending the White House a $12 billion-plus bill authorizing new flood control projects in Iowa, North Dakota and other states. The Senate passed the bill on a 91-7 vote yesterday after the House approved it Tuesday.

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) — Environmental groups have sued the Army Corps of Engineers over the agency’s use of man-made structures meant to keep the Mississippi River navigable. The federal lawsuit was filed Thursday in East St. Louis, Illinois. Plaintiffs including the National Wildlife Federation claim the techniques provoke flooding as seen during historic inundations four times in the past two decades.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A trombone serenade and the antics of a self-proclaimed “Certified Lunatic and Master of the Impossible” were the featured entertainment at an Iowa City construction site celebration this week. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports University of Iowa officials on Wednesday celebrated construction workers’ progress on the new Hancher Auditorium with a picnic lunch, complete with performances from artists Wycliffe Gordon and Tomas Kubinek.

2014 Primary Election info. for Cass County, IA

News

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The 2014 PRIMARY ELECTION will be Tuesday, June 3, 2014. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Those unable to go to the polls on the day of election, may vote early by mail or by going to and voting at the county auditor’s office. In addition to regular office hours, the office of Cass County Auditor will be open Saturday, May 31, 2014 from 8 a.m. thru 4 p.m. Last day to request an absentee ballot to be voted by mail is May 30. On May 30 the auditor’s office is open until 5 p.m.

The PRIMARY ELECTION is the electoral process used to choose who will run as EACH party’s (Republican or Democratic) candidate for a given office to be voted upon in the GENERAL ELECTION in November. A voter must choose and may vote only one party’s ballot (Republican or Democratic). In order to vote in Iowa a person must be registered in the person’s current county of residence,
under the person’s present name, and at the person’s current address.

ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION
A person may register to vote at the auditor’s office and vote an absentee ballot on the same visit. A similar process is available at the precinct voting center on election day. The voter must show ID (The ID must include a photo and an expiration date. Acceptable forms of ID are: Iowa driver’s license; Iowa non-operator’s ID; United States passport; United States military ID; ID card from an employer; Iowa student ID; Out-of-state driver’s license; or out-of-state non-operator’s ID. If the photo ID presented does not contain the voter’s current address in the precinct, one of the following documents that includes the voter’s name and current address in the precinct must be presented: residential lease; utility bill; paycheck; property tax statement; bank statement; government issued check; or other government issued document.

Voters with no ID may establish identity and residence in the precinct by written oath of a person who is registered to vote in the precinct. The process to register on election day (same day registration) is: 1- provide proof of IDENTITY (photo ID); 2- provide proof of RESIDENCY (current address in the precinct); and 3- SIGN AN OATH attesting that the info given is true.)

NOTES ON VOTING PROCEDURE and POLLS:
In Cass County voters will mark and cast paper ballots. The voter will feed the marked ballot through an optical scan unit which will immediately tabulate the information. In addition each precinct will have available an electronic unit of equipment which has the capability of marking the ballot for a disabled person. The ballot marked by the equipment’s ‘printer’ will be fed through the same optical scan unit as those ballots directly marked by a voter.

FOR THE 2014 PRIMARY ELECTION THERE WILL BE 13 VOTING CENTERS:
1 Atlantic 1st Ward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . Zion Lutheran Church (811 Oak St)
2 Atlantic 2nd Ward. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . Atlantic Public Library (507 Poplar)
3 Atlantic 3rd Ward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cass County Community Center (805 W 10th)
4 Atlantic 4th Ward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . United Church of Christ (1607 Hazel)
5 Atlantic 5th Ward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heritage House (1200 Brookridge Circle)
6 Bear Grove,Cass Twp/Lewis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . Lewis Public Library (412 West Main St, Lewis)
7 Benton, Franklin Twp/Wiota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Wiota City Hall (311 Center St)
8 Brighton,Grove,Pymosa,Washington Twp/Marne . . . . Cass County Community Center (805 W 10th)
9 Edna, Victoria Twp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Massena Public Library (122 Main St, Massena)
10 Grant, Lincoln Twp /Anita. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .. . . . Anita Community Center (805 Main St)
11 Noble, Pleasant Twp/Griswold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Griswold Community Bldg. (601 2nd St)
12 Massena Twp/City of Massena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Massena Public Library (122 Main St, Massena)
13 Union Twp/City of Cumberland . . . . . . . . . . …………….Cumberland Community Bldg. (200 W 2nd)

USDA: Fewer farm workers hired, pay slightly more

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the number of workers hired directly by farms in Iowa and Missouri during the reference week of April 6-12, was down 25 percent from a year ago. The USDA collects Farm Labor Survey data for January, April, July and October for 15 geographic regions. Iowa and Missouri make up the Cornbelt Two Region. In April this year 21,000 workers were hired in the two-state area compared with 28,000 a year ago.

The report says farm operators in the two-state area paid workers an average wage of $15.25 this year up $1.18 from a year ago. Nationally farm operators paid hired workers an average of $12 per hour during this year’s reference week, up 1 percent from the previous year.

Oversized load hits disabled car, spins it into the ditch

News

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A truck driver hauling an oversized load struck a disabled car legally parked on the shoulder of Interstate 80 in Pottawattamie County, Wednesday morning, totaling the disabled car and sending it into the ditch. The Iowa State Patrol reports the accident happened at around 8-a.m. on I-80 eastbound, about two-miles east of the Shelby exit.

Officials say driver of the semi, driven by 54-year old Clement J. Smith III,  of Marrero, Louisiana, was unable to move into the left lane because another vehicle was approaching in that lane. A corner of the large punch press the semi was hauling sideswiped the parked and unoccupied 2000 Toyota, sending spinning it around and sending it into the south ditch. The semi pulled off onto the shoulder of the road.

The punch press sustained $1,000 damage. No injuries were reported.

Atlantic couple arrested Tues. on drug & other charges

News

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Tuesday of a man and woman from Atlantic on drug and numerous other charges. Officials say deputies arrested 56-year old Keith Allen Jespersen, and 53-year old Vickie Sue Jespersen, on charges that include: Possession with Intent to Deliver (Hashish); Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp; Child Endangerment, and, Sponsoring a Gathering Where Illegal Drugs are Used.

Keith Jespersen was also charged with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and two additional charges of Possession with Intent to Deliver and Sponsoring a Gathering. Both were taken to the Cass County Jail where they were released Wednesday on $5000 bond each.

Also arrested Tuesday, on unrelated charges, was 36-year old Rose Ann Peters, of Atlantic. She was taken into custody on a charge of OWI/1st Offense. Peters was booked into the Cass County Jail and later released on $1,000 bond.

And, taken into custody on Monday, was 28-year old Joshua Lawrence Batenhorst, of Atlantic. He was taken into custody on a District Court warrant for Failure to Appear. Batenhorst was brought to the Cass County Jail and held on $5,000 bond.

Class 2-A/3-A Girls Thursday State Track Results (Complete)

Sports

May 22nd, 2014 by Jim Field

3000 Final:

Class 2-A:

  • 13.  Alexis Cook, MoValley 11:23.16
  • 18.  Megan Hart, Shenandoah 11:34.08
  • 20.  Hannah Appleseth, Panorama 11:36.31

Class 3-A:

  • 11.  Tiffany Williams, Atlantic 11:11.54

100 Prelims:

Class 2-A:

  • 17.  Jaedra Moses, Clarinda :13.0
  • 21.  Karlee Johnk, Panorama :13.13

Class 3-A:

  • 10.  Courtney Magnussen, Glenwood :13.01
  • 20.  Megan Ellerbeck, Denison :13.25
  • 22.  Kristin Honold, Carroll :13.44

4 x 800 Final:

Class 2-A:

  • 7.  Treynor – Madison Paulsen, Alyssa Carley, Anna Tiegland, Tracy Purdy 9:59.83
  • 23.  Shenandoah – Erica Munsinger, Sydney Nielsen, Angela Ray, Megan Hart 10:22.01

Class 3-A:

  • 4.  Creston – Maria Mostek, Lexie Little, Taylor Briley, Natalie Mostek 9:40.57
  • 12.  Harlan – Bailey Kuhl, Payten Hoegh, Bailey Hansen, Marissa Klindt 10:06.52

200 Prelims:

Class 2-A:

  • Karlee Johnk, Panorama :26.7 DNQ
  • Jenny Bair, Clarinda :27.48 DNQ
  • Sydney Maynes, Southwest Valley :27.74 DNQ

Class 3-A:

  • Megan Ellerbeck, Denison :26.92 DNQ
  • Kecia Caudill, Glenwood :27.47 DNQ

400 Final:

Class 2-A:

  • 10.  Kate Walker, Red Oak 1:00.61
  • 23.  Nikki Graber, Red Oak 1:03.88

Class 3-A:

  • 10.  Asia Kloewer, Harlan :59.68

Shuttle Hurdle Prelims:

Class 2-A:

  • Shenandoah – Delaney Kinghorn, Brianna Holmes, Sydney Nielsen, Peyton Sickler 1:12.11 DNQ
  • Treynor – Taylor Sudmann, Morgan Showalter, Sarah Duysen, Laura Hempel 1:13.72 DNQ

Class 3-A:

  • Glenwood – Miranda Ruth, Molly Dean, Ashley Konfrst, Olivia Scarborough 1:08.9 DNQ
  • Harlan – Allison Bruck, Hannah Havick, Courtney Scheffler, Whitney Redler
  • Carroll – Ashtyn Perrin, Bianca Irlbeck, Madison Stenbo, Katey Trecker 1:09.61 DNQ

Class 2-A Shot Put Final:

  • 6.  Serena Parker, Shenandoah 38′-9.75″
  • 22.  Cristyn Eischeid, IKM-Manning 33′-7.75″

Class 3-A Discus Final:

  • 8.  Lauren Janning, Carroll 112′-10″
  • 10.  Linnaea Konfrst, Glenwood 112′-0″
  • 12.  Bailey Starner, Glenwood 110′-08″
  • 19.  Valerie Johnson, Denison 104′-5″
  • Ashton Weyer, Harlan Foul

Class 2-A Long Jump Final:

  • 5.  Callie Calfee, Treynor 16′-3.5″
  • 8.  Brooke Beckman, Panorama 16′-0.75″
  • 12.  Kaitlyn Pearce, St. Albert 15′-10″
  • 14.  Cynthia Best, Clarinda 15′-9.75″
  • 15.  Katie Tigges, Kuemper Catholic 15′-9.5″
  • 19.  Abby Derner, Kuemper Catholic 14′-10″
  • Sydney Nielsen, Shenandoah FOUL

Class 3-A High Jump Final:

  • 3.  Morgan Cullen , Carroll 5′-2″
  • 8.  Molly Dean, Glenwood 5′-0″
  • 10.  Brenda Hopkins, Harlan 5′-0″

Class 2-A/3-A Boys Thursday State Track Results (Complete)

Sports

May 22nd, 2014 by Jim Field

Shuttle Hurdle Prelims:

Class 2-A:

  • Panorama – Luke Webner, Gabe Richey, Chase Hennen, Josiah Moulds :58.56 (Qualified)
  • Clarinda – Kyle Holmes, Jacob Carlson, JJ Clark, Noah Bix DQ

Class 3-A:

  • Glenwood – Tyler Moore, Carter Von Essen, Blaine Clark, Dane Kruse :59.11 (Qualified)
  • Carroll – Colton Thompson, Trent Lux, Nate O’Brien, Peyton Renning :59.43 (Qualified)
  • Denison – Jade Pauley, Blake Beymer, Destry Beeck, Nathan Promes 1:02.16 DNQ
  • Harlan – Will Lansman, Jacob Wingert, Lucas Kesterson, Connor Clayton DQ

3200 Final:

Class 2-A:

  • 16.  Josh Sunberg, Red Oak 10:12.88
  • 23.  Freddie Hug, St. Albert 10:52.68

Class 3-A:

  • 22.  Josef Rogers, Denison 10:51.09
  • 24.  Chandler Hagen, Carroll 10:59.76

100 Prelims:

Class 2-A:

  • Eric Johnson, St. Albert :11.35 DNQ
  • Dane Livengood, Treynor :11.41 DNQ
  • Sage Lloyd, MoValley :11.44 DNQ

Class 3-A:

  • Blake Beymer, Denison :11.5 DNQ
  • Mavrick Decker, Glenwood :11.75 DNQ

4 x 800 Final:

Class 2-A:

  • 9.  St. Albert – Gus Doll, Ryan Hansen, Mason Beezley, Tucker Culjat 8:09.52
  • 22.  Treynor – Trey Castle, Michael Wesley, Matt Deitchler, Nick Paulsen 8:31.17

Class 3-A:

  • 5.  Creston – Bryce Briley, Cooper McDermott, Brandon Phipps, Jay Wolfe 8:10.12
  • 7.  Harlan – Nick Hough, Philip Sciranko, Jacob Feldman, Levi Preston 8:10.7

200 Prelims:

Class 2-A:

  • Sage Lloyd, MoValley :23.16 DNQ
  • Sam Wegner, IKM-Manning :23.48 DNQ

Class 3-A:

  • Mavrick Decker, Glenwood :23.15 DNQ
  • Blake Beymer, Denison :23.38 DNQ

400 Final:

Class 2-A:

  • 2.  Chase Hennen, Panorama :49.49
  • 5.  Kyle Lorenzen, MoValley :50.07

Class 3-A:

  • 19.  Marcus Klein, Harlan :51.95
  • 23.  Brady Wheeler, Glenwood :54.2

Class 2-A Long Jump Final:

  • 10.  Chase Rupiper, Kuemper Catholic 20′-0″
  • 18.  Brett Daley, Treynor 19′-1.25″
  • 21.  Josiah Moulds, Panorama 18′-9.25″
  • 23.  Jett Kettwick, Clarinda 17′-1.25″

Class 3-A High Jump Final:

  • 4.  Cooper LaRue, Carroll 6′-2″
  • 6.  Joey Walker, Atlantic 6′-0″

Class 2-A Shot Put Final:

  • 2.  Marcus Boldy, Panorama 54′-6.25″
  • 24.  Keegan Longabaugh, Southwest Valley 42′-4″

Class 3-A Discus Final:

  • 15.  Alex Stenbo, Carroll 138′-3″

DNR DERELICT BUILDING PROGRAM AWARDS GRANTS TO 20 RURAL COMMUNITIES

News

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says the “DNR Derelict Building Grant Program” will award grants to 20 small, rural Iowa communities to help deconstruct or renovate abandoned structures and limit construction and demolition materials going to the landfill.
Among the Cities receiving a total of $630,900 as reimbursement grants for their projects, is:

  • The City of Bridgewater — $16,200 to deconstruct the old school building and develop a new green/park space.
  • The City of Imogene— $21,000 to inspect for and abate asbestos, complete a phase I and phase II site assessment, structural analysis and renovate the abandoned commercial bank building. Renovated building will be sold for commercial development.
  • The City of Mapleton — $21,000 to renovate an abandoned commercial building. The site will then be marketed for commercial purposes.
  • The City of Shelby — $49,075 to renovate an abandoned commercial building. The city plans on using the renovated structure to house the city council chambers and as a public meeting space.

The DNR Derelict Building Grant Program was instituted by statute to help rural communities with populations of 5,000 or less. DBGP funding is awarded annually on a competitive basis with cash matches required. Applications for the next funding round will be due in spring 2015.