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IRS changed the rules on automatic tips for large restaurant groups

News

April 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A tip that’s required is no longer considered a tip under new I-R-S rules — and that has caused a change for restaurants. Restaurants have had policies for years where they add an automatic “gratuity” or tip when they serve large groups. Iowa Restaurant Association President, Jessica Dunker, says the I-R-S changes things at the start of the new year. “You can have an automatic gratuity — but then that has to be treated as a service charge,” Dunker explains.

The I-R-S now treats a service change as worker wages from the employer. “And that means as an example, if you have worked more than 40-hours this week, what’s included in your wage is part of that service charge,” Dunker says. “So that the calculations for an employer become very difficult. In addition to that, a service charge. an employer has no obligation to give to the employee.”

While restaurants used to include an automatic gratuity of 20-percent or more for large parities, most now list a suggested but not mandatory tip for larger groups.

(Radio Iowa)

BBB warns of Facebook scam involving missing jet

News

April 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Iowans who use a popular social media website are being warned about a new scam that involves that missing passenger airliner, according to Jim Hegarty at the Better Business Bureau. Hegarty says, “If you’re on Facebook and a post catches your attention with the headline, ‘Video of Malaysia 370 plane found in Bermuda Triangle, Passengers Alive,’ it’s designed to trick you into clicking on the link that would lead you to the video that doesn’t exist or it’s a phony one.”

He says it would be a mistake to click on that link, even if it appears to be from a friend you trust.  “A pop-up may appear, prompting you to update your video player but when you click on that, what you’re doing is downloading malware into your computer that can do all sorts of bad things,” he says.

That malware may record your keystrokes to obtain passwords and access to your personal financial information. Hegarty says while you can trust your friends, you many not be able to trust their Facebook accounts as they can be hacked.  “Don’t click on these because lots of times people’s Facebook can get highjacked and folks will send you things that appear to be coming from them when in fact they’re coming from scammers,” Hegarty says. “These guys are trying to do whatever they can to get unsuspecting consumers to click on these links.”

Hegarty says stay away from links to video footage that claims to be “exclusive,” and he suggests you just hover your cursor over the link to see if it’s really going to the address it claims.

(Radio Iowa)

(Update 8:50-A.M.) Victim of Oakland shooting was from rural Cass County

News

April 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A 64-year old woman from rural Cass County is dead following a shooting stemming from a domestic situation early this morning in eastern Pottawattamie County. Sheriff Jeff Danker says authorities responded to 303 Brown Street in Oakland shortly after they received a 9-1-1 call at around 3-a.m. He says initially the suspect was uncooperative but they were able to take him into custody without further incident.

The 63-year old suspect owns the home and resides there with his wife. The Pottawattamie County Assessor’s Office says the home is owned by Robert A. Reynolds Jr. Two other people were in the home in addition to the victim. Danker said he believes the witnesses included an adult female and her daughter. The victim, he says, appears to have been a family friend or acquaintance.  A reason for the shooting remains under investigation.

The weapon used during the incident was said to have been a semi-automatic handgun.The suspect was taken to Council Bluffs to be interviewed. Danker says charges are pending completion of the investigation. The victim’s body remained in the home as of 8:30-a.m., while authorities were waiting for a search warrant to conduct a further investigation of the crime scene. No names have been released.

8AM Sportscast 04-08-2014

Podcasts, Sports

April 8th, 2014 by admin

w/ Jim Field

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8AM Newscast 04-08-2014

News, Podcasts

April 8th, 2014 by admin

w/ Ric Hanson

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Iowa judge releases bar shooting suspect

News

April 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A judge has released from state custody a 25-year-old man suspected of shooting a foreign exchange student outside a Sioux City bar in 2012.  The Sioux City Journal says  Solomon Harris left jail on Monday. Judge Mary Sokolovske had said the state has no authority to civilly commit Harris, so it can’t keep holding him although it’s been determined that he’s a threat to public safety.

In October Harris was ruled mentally incompetent to stand trial in the shooting of 20-year-old Natacha Butera, who is from Rwanda. Police say Harris fired the gun while arguing with another man on Nov. 18, 2012.

Sokolovske says the U.S. Supreme Court has said that mentally incompetent defendants who aren’t expected to regain competency must be released if they cannot be committed civilly.

Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake (4-8-14)

Mom's Tips

April 8th, 2014 by Jim Field

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour a 9 x 13 pan.

Cinnamon Streusel layer/topping:

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup butter

Mix the cinnamon, sugar and flour.  Cut in the butter until fine.  Set aside.

Batter:

  • 3 cups flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 cup shortening

Mix the dry ingredients then cut in the shortening.

  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla

Beat the eggs.  Mix the milk, sour cream and vanilla and add to the eggs.  Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture in parts until just mixed.  Layer half of the batter in the prepared pan, followed by half of the topping then repeat.  Bake in oven 50 to 60 minutes, testing for doneness.

(Bessie Rohwer)

 

 

Heartbeat Today 04-08-2014

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

April 8th, 2014 by admin

Jim Field speaks with Bob Everhart about Springfest this weekend at the Oak Tree Opry in Anita.  If you are looking for tickets in advance call Bob at 712-762-4363.

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DON LYNAM, 92, of Indianola & formerly of Greenfield (Svcs. 4/19/14)

Obituaries

April 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DON LYNAM, 92, of Indianola (& formerly of Greenfield), died Sun., April 6th,  at The Village in Indianola. Memorial services for DON LYNAM will be held 2-p.m. Sat., April 19th, at The Village, in Indianola. Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield has the arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to The Village Good Shepherd Fund, 1203 North E Street, Indianola, IA 50125. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.

DON LYNAM is survived by:

His children: Deborah (John) Franke, of Raleigh, NC; Don Lynam, Jr. of Hickory Creek, TX, and Rebecah (Shane) Roberts, of Jameson, MO.

6 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren & 5 step great- grandchildren.

(Podcast) Skyscan Forecast: Tue., 4/8/2014

Podcasts, Weather

April 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Freese-Notis weather forecast for the KJAN listening area and weather information for Atlantic.

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