United Group Insurance

Officials announces plan for Microsoft data center

News

April 18th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – State and local officials announced that Microsoft will begin construction on a new data center in West Des Moines, increasing the company’s investment in Iowa to nearly $2 billion and becoming the largest investment in the state to date.

Gov. Terry Branstad joined with local officials Friday to announce Microsoft’s investment in so-called “Project Alluvion,” which is expected to total more than $1.1 billion. A data center completed in 2010 resulted in about a $900 million investment from the company.

Branstad says Iowa’s central location makes it an attractive location for Microsoft and other companies that have recently opened data centers.  Google opened a data center in Council Bluffs in 2009, and Facebook is building a data center in Altoona that should open early next year.

Iowa officials suspect escaped prisoner left area

News

April 18th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

CLIVE, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a prisoner who escaped in suburban Des Moines may no longer be in the area.  The Urbandale Police Department said Friday it has suspended an active search of the immediate area for 37-year-old Kenny Bevard. They believe he has received aid from others following his escape Thursday in Clive.

Authorities say Bevard was being driven to Adel in adjacent Dallas County for a court hearing in a burglary case. He was handcuffed when he got out and ran as the Dallas County sheriff’s vehicle stopped in traffic. He reached a nearby wooded area.

Dallas and Polk County sheriff’s offices will continue the investigation and search for Bevard.   Authorities say Bevard has served prison time for burglary and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

FRIDAY, APRIL 18th

Trading Post

April 18th, 2014 by Jim Field

WANTED: someone with a tiller to till small spot in Atlantic, so I can reseed some grass. Hopefully Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. thanks call David at 641-745-0133.

FOR SALE:  Whirlpool glass top electric stove.  Light cream color, has 5th small warming burner, self cleaning, very good condition.  Asking $150.  Also have a glass top table with four black leather chairs.  The table has two ends that extend out.  This is very modern and new.  Also heavy and beautiful, in perfect shape.  Cost over $1000 new, asking $200.  Phone 641-743-2969.

FOR SALE: I have for sale a leather Lane action recliner in good condition comes with matching ottoman $100 in Anita 712-250-0315.  SOLD!

Lane Recliner 002

FOR SALE: A cedar potting bench, never used, never assembled. $130. Also geraniums and succulents ready to plant. 712- 243-4376 or 256-656-5518.

CHRISTOPHER LONG, 26, of rural Stuart & formerly of Panora (Svcs. 4/22/14)

Obituaries

April 18th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

CHRISTOPHER LONG, 26, of rural Stuart (& formerly of Panora), died Wed., April 16th, in Stuart. Memorial services for CHRISTOPHER LONG will be held 10:30-a.m. Tue., April 22nd, at the 1st Christian Church in Panora. Twigg Funeral Home in Panora has the arrangements.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 5 until 7-pm on Monday (4/21).

Burial will be in the Morrisburg Cemetery in rural Stuart.

USDA orders farms to report pig virus infections

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 18th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

MILWAUKEE (AP) – The federal government is starting a new program to help monitor and possibly control the spread of a virus that has killed millions of pigs since showing up in the U.S. last year. The porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, believed to be from China, causes severe diarrhea in newborn piglets, who die from dehydration.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Friday it is stepping up efforts by requiring farmers to report infections and labs where farmers send tissue and fecal samples to report positive tests. Farms that suffer an outbreak also will have to participate in a program to help control the spread of the disease

Previously, the USDA and the nation’s pork industry tracked the disease with voluntary reports from the labs.

Iowa’s unemployment rate climbs to 4.5 percent

News

April 18th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa’s unemployment rate climbed to 4.5 percent in March as more people entered the labor force. Iowa Workforce Development announced Friday the rate was up from 4.4 percent in February. It compared to a 4.8 percent unemployment rate in March 2013.    Despite the higher rate, agency director Teresa Wahlert says total employment reached a record high of 1.6 million people.

The number of unemployed people also increased, from 74,200 in February to 76,000 in March. Just over 7,000 additional people joined the labor force. Iowa’s rate compares to a national unemployment rate of 6.7 percent.

“Freedom Flight” date set…veterans still needed!

News

April 18th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

In a follow-up to our story last month about efforts to organize a “Freedom Flight” for veterans to Washington, D-C., event coordinator Steve Livengood, a retired veteran, says the date for the flight has been set, and there are still plenty of seats available. The event begins at 5:30-p.m. Mon., June 16th with an Honor Dinner at the Atlantic Community Center. A bus will leave Atlantic at around 7:30-p.m. and arrive in Des Moines for an overnight stay in a motel.

Wake-up is bright and early Tuesday June 17th at 0300 hours (3-a.m.), followed by a continental breakfast and a trip to the Des Moines International Airport with the Boeing 737 flight becoming airborne at around 6-a.m.  The flight will land in Washington, D-C at around 9-a.m., local time. Veterans will tour all of the monuments during the day.

Wheels-up for the flight home is at around 7:30-p.m. Eastern Time, with arrival in Des Moines at 10:30-p.m. Central Time. A bus will then bring the vet’s straight home to Atlantic. Two successful businessmen Roger Underwood and Jeff Becker, both of whom are natives of Atlantic, are funding the entire trip for up to 150 veterans of southwest Iowa. The Freedom Flight is open to any veteran, not just World War Two or Korean War Vet’s as is the case with the “Honor Flights.”                                                               

He says Afghanistan War Vet’s in the 20’s will be alongside World War 2 Vet’s in their 80’s and veterans of all ages in-between. About a dozen “Guardians” with special skills will be on the trip to help veterans get around once the plane lands in D-C. Some of the guardians will be younger veterans who are taking the trip and serving as a helper to their older comrades.              

Livengood says the Vet’s “Will do what they do best, which is take care of each other.” Veterans interested in taking the trip and/or those interested in helping prepare for the event, should contact Steve Livengood at 712-243-5445.

Backyard and Beyond 04-18-2014

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

April 18th, 2014 by admin

Lavon Eblen speaks with Museum of Danish America Intern Sofia Nielsen about her experiences and work with the museum.

Play

8AM Sportscast 04-18-2014

Podcasts, Sports

April 18th, 2014 by admin

w/ Chris Parks

Play

8AM Newscast 04-18-2014

News, Podcasts

April 18th, 2014 by admin

w/ Ric Hanson

Play