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Erosion may cost Iowa farmers $1 billion each year

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Rain and wind is washing away enough of Iowa’s fertile topsoil to potentially reduce crop yields by $1 billion, so researchers are working to develop a better way to measure erosion. The Des Moines Register reports researchers think parts of Iowa could be losing up to 12 times more soil that government reports suggest.

Iowa State University professor Rick Cruse is leading a team developing a new method to measure erosion’s impact that could paint a grim picture. Some of the most severe erosion happens in western and southeastern parts of Iowa.

State Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey says erosion may be getting worse because conservation programs have been scaled back.

Officials postpone controlled burn on Iowa school

News

May 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

EXIRA, Iowa (AP) – Officials in Exira have once again postponed a controlled burn on a nearly century-old elementary school building. Fire officials canceled the Sunday morning fire in Exira because of strong winds in the area. It has been pushed back to June 1. It’s the second Sunday in a row the controlled burn was cancelled due to the weather.

About 100 firefighters from a dozen or so departments in the region were expected to participate in the burn as part of training. The Exira Elk Horn-Kimballton Community School District says it will save up to $60,000 in demolition costs by doing the burn.

The large brick building near the center of town was closed in 2011. It was originally scheduled to be burned down at the end of April, but poor weather conditions canceled it.

Exira is a small community about 60 miles west of Des Moines.

HENRY SCHNEIDER, 94, of rural Templeton (Svcs. 5/7/14)

Obituaries

May 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

HENRY SCHNEIDER, 94, of rural Templeton, died Sun., May 4th, at the Manning Plaza Nursing Home. A Mass of Christian Burial service for HENRY SCHNEIDER will be held 10:30-a.m. Wed., May 7th, at the Sacred Heart Church in Templeton. Ohde Funeral Home in Manning has the arrangements.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 3:30-p.m. Tues., May 6th, with a Rosary at 4-p.m.; Visitation will resume 9:30-a.m. until the time of service at the Sacred Heart Church.

Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery.

HENRY SCHNEIDER is survived by:

His son – Gerald (Lavonne) Schneider, of Carroll.

His brothers – Andrew (Rosalyn) Schneider, of St. Charles, MO.; Paul Schneider, of MO., & Arthur (Frieda) Schneider, of Warrenton, MO.

6 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

NWS Forecast for Cass & areas Counties: Sun. evening update

Weather

May 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

331 PM CDT SUN MAY 4 2014

THIS EVENING: CLEAR TO P/CLDY. EAST WIND AROUND 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 30 MPH.

TONIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. BREEZY. LOW IN THE MID 40S. EAST WIND 15 TO 20 MPH.

MONDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGH AROUND 70. NORTHEAST WIND 10 TO 15 MPH.

MONDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOW IN THE UPPER 40S. EAST WIND 10 TO 15 MPH.

TUESDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. BREEZY. HIGH IN THE MID 70S. EAST WIND 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 30 MPH.

TUESDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH MIDNIGHT. WARMER. LOW IN THE LOWER 60S. SOUTHEAST WIND 10 TO 15 MPH. GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH THROUGH MIDNIGHT.

WEDNESDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. BREEZY…WARMER. HIGH IN THE UPPER 80S.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 40 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. BREEZY. LOW IN THE MID 60S.

THURSDAY…THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY. BREEZY. NOT AS WARM. HIGH IN THE MID 70S. CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS 60 PERCENT. THE HIGHEST PROBABILITY OF THUNDERSTORMS AND GREATEST CHANCE FOR SEVERE WEATHER WILL COME ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING WHEN THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR LARGE HAIL…DAMAGING WINDS…AND TORNADOES.

2 killed, 1 injured in Madison County rollover accident

News

May 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Two people were killed, another was injured, during a single vehicle accident early Sunday morning in Madison County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2006 Ford 500 driven by 20-year old Mari Silliman, of Winterset, went out of control and rolled at around 2:15-a.m.  Silliman was injured during the crash and taken by ambulance to the Madison County Hospital. Two passengers in the car, 21-year old Taylor M. Aleman, of West Des Moines, and 20-year old Logan M. Waltz, of Winterset, died at the scene. None of the victims were wearing seat belts.

Officials say the car was traveling west on 260th Street when it went out of control after it crested a hill. The vehicle entered the north ditch and came to rest partially on its top. The accident remains under investigation.

Serious injuries reported following motorcycle accident Sunday morning

News

May 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

One person was seriously injured following a motorcycle accident late this (Sunday) morning in Pottawattamie County. According to dispatch reports, the accident took place on Interstate 29 northbound near the 71-mile marker, or I-680 interchange.

A man riding the cycle suffered head, neck and hip injuries, and was reported to be in serious condition. LifeNet helicopter was called to the scene just before Noon, and was expected to land on the Interstate near the crash scene. The accident victim was wearing a helmet. Crescent Rescue, the Iowa State Patrol and Pott. County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the scene.

No other details are currently available.

Corning man arrested on OWI charge

News

May 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Adams County Sheriff’s Department reports a Corning man was arrested  late Friday night on an alcohol-related charge. 41-year old Christopher Avila was charged with OWI 1st offense, following an  accident that occurred just after 11-p.m., Friday. Avila was being held in the Adams County Jail on $1,000 bond.

Red Oak residents arrested early Sunday morning

News

May 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Two Red Oak residents were arrested early this (Sunday) morning. Authorities say 21-year old Bradina Sky Gary was arrested in the 1800 block of E. Summit Street at around 12:40-a.m., on a charge of simple assault. Her bond was set at $300. And, at around 1:25-a.m., 51 year old David Lawrence Howe, of Red Oak, was arrested at a residence in the 300 block of E. Linden Street, for being an Accessory After the Fact. His bond was set at $1000.

2 arrests in Montgomery County Sat. night

News

May 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County report two arrests took place Saturday night. An investigation into a reported disturbance at a residence in the 200 block of E. 4th Street in Villisca, resulted in the arrest of Eric T. Waldron and Chad W. Perkins, both of Villisca. Both men were charged with 4th degree criminal mischief, a serious misdemeanor. Waldron and Perkins were being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 bond, each.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Red Oak Police, Villisca Rescue and Red Oak Rescue.

Oversight panel ready for testimony under oath

News

May 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — With the legislative session, members of the Senate Government Oversight Committee are poised to renew an investigation into state employment issues aided by the authority to subpoena witnesses, place them under oath and fine or imprison them if they fail to comply. The committee gained that authority through a resolution passed as the last Senate action of the 2014 session on Friday.

The oversight committee wants to know who authorized payments for silence to former workers who signed settlement agreements. It’s also investigating hiring and employment practices and bidding, purchasing, and contracting policies. Senate Government Oversight Chairwoman Janet Petersen says she hopes to have the first hearing this month.

Petersen says the panel needs to question current and former officials and will see if they come willingly before issuing subpoenas.