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GRACE HANSEN, 91, of Anita (Svcs. 2/10/14)

Obituaries

February 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

GRACE HANSEN, 91, a resident of Caring Acres in Anita, died Sun., Feb. 2nd. Funeral services for GRACE HANSEN will be held 10:30-a.m. Mon., Feb. 10th, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Adair. Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic has the arrangements.

Visitation with the family will be held from 4-to 6-pm Sun., Feb. 9th, at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Burial will be in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.

GRACE HANSEN is survived by:

Her sons – David (Linda) Hansen, of Omaha; Dean (Kay) Hansen, of Anita, & Mark (Jill) Hansen, of Fremont.

7 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Another Council Bluffs convenience store robbed

News

February 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Police in Council Bluffs are investigating yet another armed robbery of a convenience store. Sgt. Dave Dawson says just before midnight, Monday, a white male in his 20’s entered the Kum- & Go store at 2024 5th Avenue, in Council Bluffs. The man grabbed a bottle of pop and approached the clerk at the counter. The suspect then reached into his right pocket and pulled out a hand gun, pointed it at the clerk and told him to open the cash drawer and give him all the money.

The suspect told the clerk he had quote “10 seconds to open the drawer, ” or he was going to kill him. The robber then took off with an undetermined amount of cash. It was the second time in the past 3 days the store was robbed. In this most recent incident, the suspect had brown hair, wore a gray hooded sweatshirt, black gloves, and a scarf over his face.

An investigation into the incident continues. Sgt. Dawson it’s not known if the suspect(s) in the robberies are connected. Anyone with information about the crimes is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 712-328-7867.

NWS forecast for Cass & area Counties: Tue, 2/4/14

Weather

February 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

346 AM CST TUE FEB 4 2014

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 AM CST WEDNESDAY

EARLY THIS MORNING…LIGHT SNOW. NOT AS COLD. LITTLE OR NO NEW SNOW ACCUMULATION. NORTHEAST WIND NEAR 5 MPH. CHANCE OF SNOW NEAR 100 PERCENT.

TODAY…A CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW THROUGH MID MORNING…THEN LIGHT SNOW LIKELY BEFORE NOON. SNOW IN THE AFTERNOON. SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 2 TO 3 INCHES. HIGH IN THE LOWER 20S. NORTHEAST WIND 5 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 25 MPH. CHANCE OF SNOW NEAR 100 PERCENT.

TONIGHT…VERY COLD. BREEZY. AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW THROUGH THE NIGHT. SNOW THROUGH MIDNIGHT. LIGHT SNOW LIKELY AFTER MIDNIGHT…THEN A CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW EARLY IN THE MORNING. SNOW ACCUMULATION AROUND 2 INCHES. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATION 4 TO 5 INCHES. LOW ZERO TO 5 ABOVE. NORTH WIND 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 30 MPH. CHANCE OF SNOW NEAR 100 PERCENT.

WEDNESDAY…CLOUDY. VERY COLD. BREEZY. HIGH 5 TO 10 ABOVE. NORTH WIND 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 30 MPH. WIND CHILL READINGS AROUND 15 BELOW.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THURSDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOW AROUND 15 BELOW. HIGH 5 TO 10 ABOVE. WEST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH. WIND CHILL READINGS 20 BELOW TO 30 BELOW ZERO.

THURSDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOW 5 TO 10 BELOW.

FRIDAY…CLOUDY. HIGH 10 TO 15.

Winter Storm Warning continues for western/central/southern IA

Weather

February 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

COUNTIES: ADAMS-UNION-TAYLOR-RINGGOLD

337 AM CST TUE FEB 4 2014

WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 AM CST WEDNESDAY

* TIMING…LIGHT SNOW WILL FALL AT TIMES THIS MORNING…THEN ACCUMULATE MORE HEAVILY BY THIS AFTERNOON AND THROUGH THE EVENING…FINALLY TAPERING OFF BY EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING.

* STORM TOTAL SNOW…6 TO 8 INCHES BY LATE TONIGHT…WITH THE HIGHEST AMOUNTS TOWARD THE MISSOURI BORDER.

COUNTIES: GUTHRIE-DALLAS-CASS-ADAIR-MADISON

337 AM CST TUE FEB 4 2014

WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 AM CST WEDNESDAY

* TIMING…LIGHT SNOW WILL FALL AT TIMES THIS MORNING…THEN ACCUMULATE MORE HEAVILY THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING…FINALLY TAPERING OFF BY EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING.

* STORM TOTAL SNOW…5 TO 7 INCHES BY LATE TONIGHT.

* WINDS/VISIBILITY…A NORTHEAST WIND OF 10 TO 15 MPH THIS MORNING WILL BECOME NORTH 15 TO 25 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS BY TONIGHT. VISIBILITIES MAY BE REDUCED A HALF MILE OR LESS AT TIMES IN FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW.

* IMPACTS…BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW IS EXPECTED BY TONIGHT AS THE WIND INCREASES. ROADS WILL BECOME SNOW COVERED MAKING TRAVEL HAZARDOUS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL…KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT…FOOD…AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

Iowa News Headlines: Tue., Feb. 4, 2014

News

February 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press …

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Forecasters are predicting several inches of snow to fall across southern Iowa, creating hazardous driving conditions. The National Weather Service says a winter storm warning will be in effect between 9 a.m. Tuesday and 6 a.m. Wednesday. Meteorologist Roger Vachalek says officials predict between 5 and 8 inches of snow, especially in areas closest to the Missouri state line.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — State officials say the destructive emerald ash borer has been found in a sixth location in Iowa. The finding in Waterloo means a statewide quarantine restricting the transfer of some wood materials out of the state will be issued Tuesday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa Senate subcommittee has approved extra money to help low-income families pay their utility bills. The proposal would appropriate $2 million to Iowa’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The legislation comes amid a propane shortage and resulting price spike.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Years after a 2008 flood exposed flaws in emergency communications, first responders in Iowa’s second-largest county are using a new radio system to talk to each other. Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner says his office and police departments in Hiawatha, Mount Vernon, Lisbon and Robins started using the new digital system Monday. Marion started using it last week, and Cedar Rapids is scheduled to make the switch Feb. 11.

Winter Storm Warning continues for SW IA counties

Weather

February 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

COUNTIES: MONTGOMERY-FREMONT-PAGE..WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST WEDNESDAY…

* TIMING…AREAS OF VERY LIGHT SNOW THIS MORNING WILL INCREASE IN INTENSITY BY MID TO LATE MORNING. THE HEAVIEST SNOW IS LIKELY DURING THE AFTERNOON…WITH LIGHT SNOW CONTINUING INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES ARE LIKELY…WITH THE HIGHEST ACCUMULATIONS NEAR THE KANSAS AND MISSOURI BORDER.

IMPACTS…VISIBILITIES WILL BE REDUCE WITHIN ANY AREAS OF MODERATE SNOW…AND THEN ESPECIALLY BY LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING AS NORTHWEST WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW INCREASE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL…KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT…FOOD…AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

 

Winter Weather and Wind Chill Advisory for the western counties

Weather

February 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

COUNTIES: MONONA-HARRISON-SHELBY-POTTAWATTAMIE

313 AM CST TUE FEB 4 2014

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST WEDNESDAY……WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 11 AM CST WEDNESDAY

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN OMAHA/VALLEY HAS ISSUED A WIND CHILL ADVISORY…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 11 AM CST WEDNESDAY.

* TIMING…AREAS OF VERY LIGHT SNOW THIS MORNING WILL INCREASE IN COVERAGE AND INTENSITY THIS AFTERNOON. THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL IS EXPECTED DURING THE MID TO LATE AFTERNOON. LIGHT SNOW WILL CONTINUE INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS.

* WIND CHILL VALUES…THE COLDEST WIND CHILL VALUES OF 20 TO 25 BELOW WILL OCCUR WEDNESDAY MORNING.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS…TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 5 INCHES ARE LIKELY.

* IMPACTS…VISIBILITIES WILL BE REDUCED WITHIN ANY AREAS OF SNOW…ESPECIALLY BY THIS EVENING AS WINDS AND AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW INCREASE.

Atlantic CC work sessions precede Budget hearing

News

February 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, will hold the first of two work sessions on the Fiscal Year 2015 Budget. The first session will come on the heels of Wednesday’s regular council meeting, which takes place at the Atlantic Senior Center, beginning at 5:30-p.m. The next budget work session will be held Feb. 11th. The Council is slated to adopt the preliminary budget during their meeting on Feb. 19th, and hold a Public Hearing prior to adoption of the Budget during their regular session, on March 12th.003

In a nearly one-inch thick FY 2015 Budget Report, City Administrator Doug Harris said the proposed budgets for all operating funds amounts to $9.373-million, which is a decrease of $481,863 or 4.9%, from the total estimated expenditures in FY 2014. Even though the budget is lower than last year, the tax rate for the City is going up. Harris said the rate would be $18 per $1,000 of assessed taxable value, which is an increase of 32-cents or 1.8%, over the last Fiscal Year. Of the six tax-levying funds available to the City, only two are responsible for the increase in taxes: The Employee Benefit Fund (EBF) and Debt Service Fund (DSF).

Harris says the EBF is up 18-cents per thousand, or 4.36%, while the DSF is up nearly 14-cents per thousand, or 2.9%. The biggest dollar increase in the EBF is for Health Insurance Premiums, which Harris says are up 14.9%. Fewer Workers Compensation claims have brought the City a $4,00 savings, and brought all other non-health insurance costs down to a net increase of just one-half percent.In increase in the DSF according to Harris, reflects a change in accounting for equipment purchases, the expenses for which were double-counted under the old system when debt payments and capital expenses for capital equipment purchases were charged to the fund. The current Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) does not call for issuing any more general obligation bonds in 2014.

The largest tax levy fund is capped by the State at 8.1-mils, or $8.10 per $1,000 taxable value. Property tax assessment legislation passed by the State last year will continue to contribute upward pressure on property tax rates, according to Harris, and the resulting gradual shift of the tax burden onto residential tax payers.

The new legislation rolls back the assessed values of commercial and industrial properties, and reclassifies multiplex apartment buildings from commercial to residential. The change in assessment practices, Harris says, will constrict tax revenue in the City’s General Operating Fund, and increase taxes on residential tax payers for the five other funds supported by property taxes.

Rollover accident near Walnut Tue. morning

News

February 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

One person suffered minor injuries during a rollover accident early this (Tuesday) morning on Interstate 80, in Cass County. According to dispatch reports from the Cass County Communications Center, the accident happened at around 2:14-a.m. on I-80 eastbound, about a mile east of the Walnut exit (Exit 47). One person in the vehicle suffered a head laceration. Medivac Ambulance tiered with Walnut Rescue in response to the accident.

Roads in the area were partially-to-completely covered with snow at the time. No other information is currently available.

Trailer home fire in Hancock Mon. night

News

February 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Three southwest Iowa fire departments were called to combat a trailer home fire Monday night in Hancock. The Daily NonPareil reports the Hancock, Oakland and Avoca volunteer fire departments were called about 5:42 p.m. to 126 N. Scott for a report of a furnace fire.

Various photos taken at the scene showed thick grey smoke emitting from the home as firefighters worked to contain the blaze. The damage was extensive. No other details, including a cause of the fire, are currently available.