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Wind Advisory for parts of western Iowa today

Weather

April 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

353 AM CDT WED APR 23 2014

STRONG WINDS EXPECTED OVER PORTIONS OF WESTERN IOWA TODAY. LOW PRESSURE DEVELOPING OVER THE WESTERN PLAINS IN COMBINATION OF A SLOWLY RETREATING HIGH TO THE EAST WILL CAUSE INCREASINGLY STRONG WINDS FROM LATE MORNING INTO THE LATE AFTERNOON HOURS.

AREA COUNTIES: SAC-CRAWFORD-CARROLL

WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM CDT THIS EVENING.

* TIMING…WINDS WILL INCREASE AND BECOME STRONG BY LATE MORNING AND CONTINUE THROUGH LATE AFTERNOON TODAY.

* WINDS…SUSTAINED SOUTHEAST WINDS OF 25 TO OVER 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH WILL OCCUR FOR MOST OF THE AFTERNOON.

* IMPACTS…LOOSE OBJECTS WILL LIKELY BLOW AROUND AND MAY CAUSE DAMAGE. TRAVEL ON AREA ROADS WILL BE IMPACTED BY THE STRONG WINDS AND MAY BE DIFFICULT AT TIMES…ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS OF 30 MPH ARE EXPECTED. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT…ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.

Posted in Weather |

Red Oak woman arrested on drug charges, Tuesday

News

April 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Police in Red Oak say a 52-year old woman was arrested Tuesday afternoon, on drug charges. Michelle Renee Solt, of Red Oak, was taken into custody just before 3-p.m. in the 1200 block of Broadway. She was booked into the Montgomery County Jail on charges that include Possession of a Controlled Substance/marijuana, Possession of a Controlled Substance/methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Possession of Prescription Medication, Driving While Suspended, failure to give notice of an address change, and failure to display a registration plate.

Solt’s bond was set at $1,000.

Posted in News |

Earth Day groundbreaking on new trail system near Coon Rapids

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday for a new back-country trail system for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders at the Whiterock Conservancy near Coon Rapids. Conrad Kramer, the conservancy’s executive director, says construction of the new trail system should take much of the summer and into the fall, following a five-year effort to raise four-point-eight million dollars. Kramer says, “We’ve got five miles of really nice trail here and about nine miles of old farm lanes and basically what we’re doing is trading in our nine miles of old farm lanes for 35 miles of new trail.”

The five-thousand acre non-profit land trust is Iowa’s fourth largest park. Kramer says he couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Earth Day than starting construction for a trail system that will allow many more Iowans to experience the beautiful natural landscape the conservancy was created to protect. “We believe it’ll be the best destination trail system in the state,” Kramer says, “and also the best destination mountain bike trail within 400 miles.” When complete, the 40-mile trail system will give visitors the opportunity to experience being surrounded by nature.

Winding through seven square miles of the Whiterock Conservancy, visitors will see oak savanna and prairie restoration areas, forests, ponds, stunning vistas, pastures and sustainably-farmed land in the Middle Raccoon River Valley. “We will have 16 miles of single track specifically designed for mountain bikers,” Kramer says. “We will also have six miles of single track specifically designed for equestrians to enjoy, and then we’ll have 12 miles which we’re calling our main track, a double track. Everyone can use it, mountain bikers, horseback riders and pedestrians.”

Low-powered “Gator” vehicles will be available to rent for anyone with mobility issues, senior citizens and families with young children, who would still like to see the sights. The groundbreaking was followed by the planting of at least 100 trees at the Bur Oak Visitor Center.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

NWS forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: Wed., 4/23/2014

Weather

April 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

EARLY THIS MORNING…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS. NOT AS COOL. SOUTHEAST WIND 10 TO 15 MPH.

TODAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS UNTIL LATE AFTERNOON… THEN A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS LATE IN THE AFTERNOON. WINDY. HIGH IN THE MID 60S. SOUTHEAST WIND 15 TO 25 MPH INCREASING TO 25 TO 30 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON. CHANCE OF SHOWERS 50 PERCENT.

TONIGHT…A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH MIDNIGHT…THEN THUNDERSTORMS AFTER MIDNIGHT. BREEZY. LOW IN THE MID 50S. SOUTHEAST WIND 15 TO 25 MPH. CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS NEAR 100 PERCENT.

THURSDAY...CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING…THEN MOSTLY SUNNY WITH A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS EARLY IN THE AFTERNOON. SUNNY LATE IN THE AFTERNOON. BREEZY. HIGH IN THE UPPER 60S. NORTHWEST WIND 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 30 MPH. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 40 PERCENT.

THURSDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. COLDER. LOW IN THE MID 40S. WEST WIND 5 TO 15 MPH. GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH THROUGH MIDNIGHT.

FRIDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGH IN THE MID 70S. WEST WIND 5 TO 15 MPH.

SATURDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. BREEZY. HIGH IN THE MID 60S.

Posted in Weather |

Wainwright injures knee, Cardinals blank Mets 3-0

Sports

April 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

NEW YORK (AP) — Adam Wainwright threw seven neat innings before leaving with a knee injury, and Jon Jay hit a two-run single that sent the St. Louis Cardinals to a 3-0 victory over the New York Mets on Tuesday night.

Left fielder Matt Holliday robbed Chris Young of a tying homer, one night after the Mets played some dazzling defense of their own to post a shutout in the series opener.

Wainwright faced the minimum through four innings and outpitched Dillon Gee. It was the second consecutive scoreless start for Wainwright, who tossed a two-hit shutout last Thursday at Washington.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa early News Headlines: Wed., April 23rd 2014

News

April 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — The interim police chief in Council Bluffs has been given a unique opportunity to formally welcome his son as an officer. Capt. Ray Mabbitt swore in his son, Christopher Mabbitt, on Monday as the newest member of the Council Bluffs Police Department. The elder Mabbitt, who took the interim role in March, called the situation one of his most memorable on the job.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A bill that would make sweeping changes in some state government practices has been backed by a legislative panel. The bill would make personnel settlement agreements subject to review by the attorney general, prohibit confidentiality provisions, and post all agreements on a state website. The legislation that also would revise state hiring and firing practices goes to full committee Wednesday.

MANCHESTER, Iowa (AP) — A Manchester woman has been arrested after her toddler fell from a second-story apartment window. The Manchester Police Department says 27-year-old Stacy Neuhaus was arrested Monday in Iowa City. She faces charges of child endangerment.

MADRID, Iowa (AP) — A boil advisory has been issued for the central Iowa city of Madrid. The state Department of Natural Resources says the water’s level of cloudiness, also known as turbidity, is currently above the standard. That can interfere with disinfection and increase the chances for disease. The boil advisory is expected to last several days. Residents are encouraged to boil their water. Tap water can be used for bathing and similar uses.

Posted in News |

Out of control grass fire south of Wiota

News

April 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Firefighters from Wiota, Atlantic, Cumberland and Anita have been called to a grass fire that got out of control. The blaze was reported at around 7:11-p.m. in the vicinity of 670th and Lansing Road, or about 3-miles south/southwest of Wiota. Some structures were said to be nearby the location of the fire. No other details are currently available.

Posted in News |

Spring corn planting still sputters in key states

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Efforts by the nation’s corn growers to get their crops planted in key grain states continue to sputter. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says just 6 percent of this year’s corn crop is in the ground. That compares to the average of 14 percent over the previous five years and 4 percent a year ago, when one of the wettest springs on record got farmers in many states off to the slowest start in decades.

The sluggish start to corn season is especially pronounced in key farming states. Illinois growers have planted just 5 percent, while Iowa is at just 2 percent and Nebraska is at 4 percent. The USDA says corn planting traditionally is in full swing from this time through May 23.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Interim Council Bluffs police chief swears in son

News

April 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — The interim police chief in Council Bluffs has been given a unique opportunity to formally welcome his son as an officer. Capt. Ray Mabbitt swore in his son, Christopher Mabbitt, on Monday as the newest member of the Council Bluffs Police Department. The elder Mabbitt, who took the interim role in March, called the situation one of his most memorable on the job.

Christopher Mabbitt is a third-generation officer, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. He is a former corrections officer for the Pottawattamie County Jail. The Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil reports a 14-week stint at the state police academy is up next for the younger Mabbitt, followed by 17 weeks of on-the-job training.

Posted in News |

Bridgewater cattle producers are nominees for environmental award

Ag/Outdoor

April 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Nichols Farms LTD of Bridgewater is the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association’s nomination for the national Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). This family farm operation is managed by Dave Nichols, Phyllis Nichols and Lillian Nichols, and covers Adair, Adams and Cass counties. As Iowa’s ESAP representative, Nichols Farms has been nominated for recognition at the regional level, which includes four other states. If it is successful in the regional competition, Nichols Farms will move on to the national level.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association initiated the environmental award program in 1991 to highlight exceptional work done by cattle producers to protect and enhance the environment. Since its inception, Iowa cattle producers have won 15 regional awards and three national ones. Nichols Farms is known internationally for its innovative techniques in using genetic and production data from cattle to produce beef more efficiently. However, the farm operation has always been conservation minded since Dave Nichols’ parents purchased land in Adair County in the late 1930s.

It won’t be known until August whether Nichols Farms was selected as the ESAP Region 3 winner. If it is selected, it will compete for the national ESAP title with six other regional winners. The national winner will be announced during the Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show in San Antonio, TX, in February 2015.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor |