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Iowa early News Headlines: Tue., Nov. 12th 2013

News

November 12th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — More than 800 Iowa county officials are gathering in Des Moines for an educational conference. The Iowa State Association of Counties will meet Wednesday to begin discussing legislative priorities they want to lobby in the future. The group’s board of directors has recommended issues like road funding, mental health and disability services and user fees. The legislative priorities are debated and approved at the conference.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Former First Lady Christie Vilsack is returning to Iowa as part of her new federal job promoting international education. Vilsack has worked since March as a senior adviser at the U.S. Agency for International Development in Washington. Kirkwood Community College says Vilsack will visit its main campus in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday to meet with students from Central America who are studying agricultural business under a USAID scholarship program.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa Farm Bureau program designed to teach children about agriculture is opening the process for teachers to apply for grant money. The Teacher Supplement Grant program was established in 2003 and this year will award $200 to teachers in language arts and science who develop classroom programs that help students learn about agriculture. Farm Bureau has awarded nearly $100,000 to teachers in the last three years of the grant program.

BONDURANT, Iowa (AP) — Authorities are investigating a rollover crash in central Iowa that injured two of 10 van passengers. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says the single-vehicle crash happened Monday afternoon on a roadway near Bondurant. Emergency personnel found the full-size van in the center median off of the roadway. Two of the 10 passengers onboard were taken to hospitals in Des Moines for minor injuries. Authorities say the weather may have contributed to the accident.

Red Oak man wanted for kidnapping & attempted murder

News

November 12th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in southwest Iowa are on the lookout for a Montgomery County man who allegedly kidnapped and tried to murder a woman in Red Oak.

William Wayne Elliott

William Wayne Elliott

Investigators say the incident occurred at the home of 57-year-old William Wayne Elliott, of Red Oak22-year old Shelby Mae Schmitz, of Red Oak, told authorities after she went to Elliott’s home in the 200 block of East Maple Street Monday afternoon, he allegedly forced her into the basement, splashed her with gasoline and threatened to set her on fire. Schmitz fought back, broke loose and managed to escape before walking into the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center at around 3:55-p.m. , and asking for help.

The woman was hospitalized for evaluation and treatment as authorities got a search warrant for Elliott’s home. He was not there but authorities say they located evidence in the home, including narcotics. William Elliot is wanted on felony charges of kidnapping and attempted murder. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Red Oak Police at 712-623-6500, or Montgomery County Crimestoppers at 1-800-432-1001.

Northern Iowa stakes 86-52 victory over Coe

Sports

November 12th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — Chip Rank scored 18 points to lead UNI to an 86-52 blowout over Coe College on Monday night. Rank set the pace with three 3-pointers in the first half. But the game remained close until 8:06 in the first half, when Northern Iowa (1-1) pulled away on a 12-0 burst to go ahead 34-21. Marvin Singleton had 13 rebounds off the bench for the Panthers.

J.T. Vonderhaar was the leading scorer for Coe (0-1) with 10 points. UNI has the longest active win streak in the Missouri Valley Conference with five consecutive 20-win seasons.

Rohach still No. 1 at QB for ISU

Sports

November 11th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Grant Rohach will remain Iowa State’s starting quarterback despite a shaky debut and probably will keep the job the rest of the season. Rohach made his first start in the Cyclones’ 21-17 loss to TCU last Saturday and played better in the second half after struggling early. He’s healthier at this point than previous starter Sam Richardson, so he’ll take the first snap again in next Saturday’s game at No. 22 Oklahoma.

Richardson has been slowed by an assortment of injuries and now has a sore thumb that hampers his passing. But he’s a better runner than Rohach, and coach Paul Rhoads alternated the two quarterbacks against TCU. Rhoads says he hasn’t decided if he’ll use the same rotation this week, but Rohach said he expects it to continue.

ISU’s Christofferson Awarded Season’s First Player of the Week Honors

Sports

November 11th, 2013 by Jim Field

IRVING, Texas – Iowa State senior forward Hallie Christofferson was named this season’s first Big 12 Player of the Week, the league announced today. This is her second-career weekly honor, as she garnered Freshman of the Week honors in 2010.

Christofferson tallied a career-high 32 points and 11 rebounds in Iowa State’s 84-55 win over North Dakota. Her 32 points is tied for the 10th-most scored in ISU history. It also marked her 12th-career double-double. Christofferson was one of 10 Big 12 players to record a double-double in the first week of play (including teammate Kidd Blaskowsky), and her 32 points led all Big 12 scorers.

Christofferson went 11-for-18 from the field at a .611 clip, tying a career high in field goals made and setting a career-high with 18 field goal attempts. She also went 7-of-8 (.875) from the free-throw line.

Christofferson and the No. 20/22 Iowa State Cyclones return to the court on Wednesday at 7 p.m. to take on the South Dakota Lady Coyotes in their second game of the season.

Tax Preparation Volunteers Needed to Continue Local Program

News

November 11th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

For several years, ISU Extension in Cass County and surrounding counties has served as a host site for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. Now, organizers are looking for local volunteers to keep the program going strong. VITA is an IRS-sponsored program that certifies community volunteers to prepare and e-file basic tax returns at no cost for low to moderate income individuals and families. Approximately 70 individuals benefitted from the program for the 2012 tax year, bringing over $150,000 in tax refunds back into the county.

Volunteers are needed in Cass County, as well as other locations across southwest Iowa, to prepare 2013 taxes. Volunteers can work weekdays, weekends or evenings, giving as much time as their schedule allows, and would be needed in late winter/early spring 2014. Interested individuals do not need to be full-time tax preparers to qualify, but should have a basic understanding of income tax laws, an interest in helping others and basic computer skills.

VITA volunteers are provided free training, self study materials, and software necessary to prepare basic income tax returns including Forms 1040EZ, 1040A, and 1040. Volunteers must complete a certification exam and the IRS waives liability for volunteers if they prepare returns within the scope of their certification.

For more information on volunteering with the VITA program, contact the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132 , or Mary Beth Kaufman, Extension Family Program Specialist at 712-755-3104 (or e-mail: mbkaufma@iastate.edu.) Interested persons will need to complete a one page application.

The VITA program provides free tax preparation to low and moderate income families so they can claim the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Care Tax Credits. In Southwest Iowa, the program is coordinated by Iowa State University Extension with funding and support from the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Human Services, and Iowans for Social and Economic Development (ISED).

1st snowfall reminds drivers of winter driving skills

News, Weather

November 11th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The season’s first snowfall in the KJAN listening area has brought some quick reminders to motorists that they need to slow down and allow extra time for traveling. Early this (Monday) afternoon, there have been several reports of accidents along Interstate 80 in Cass County, none of which have resulted in injuries (as of 3-p.m.).

According to scanner traffic, semi’s were jackknifed into the median and/or partially blocking the road between the 60 and 72 mile markers. And a pickup truck rolled into the median at around 2:50-p.m. just east of the Olive Street exit, but no injuries were reported.

Remember, when driving in winter weather conditions, slow down, turn off your cruise control, turn on your headlights and know that road conditions can change very quickly.

GILBERT BERNARD BERNINGHAUS, 81, of Harlan (Svcs. 11/15/13)

Obituaries

November 11th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

GILBERT BERNARD BERNINGHAUS, 81, of Harlan, died Sun., Nov. 10th, at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan. Funeral services for GILBERT BERNINGHAUS will be held 11-a.m. Fri., Nov. 15th, at Peace Lutheran Church in Harlan. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

There will be no visitation or burial.

GILBERT BERNINGHAUS is survived by:

His daughters – Gwen (Gene) Ott, of Connersville, IN; Gisele Berninghaus & husband Tim Van Eyck, of Appleton, WI. & Gloria Music, of Gillette, WY.

His son – Garth (Cheryl) Berninghaus, of Poulsbo, WA.

His brother – Delbert Berninghaus, of Emmettsburg.

8 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

Backyard and Beyond 11-11-2013

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

November 11th, 2013 by admin

Lavon Eblen speaks with Mary Steinlicht, GIS Coordinator for Cass County, getting to know her and her job duties.

Play

Nebraska authorities ID body found along river

News

November 11th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

PERU, Neb. (AP) – Authorities in southeast Nebraska have identified the body of a man found on a bank of the Missouri River.  The Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office says the body was that of 43-year-old Mark Miller, of Omaha. People fishing by the river north of Peru found the body Oct. 27.

Miller was presumed missing Oct. 2 after a boat he’d borrowed was found unoccupied floating down the river. Miller had been camping near the river in Fremont County, Iowa. A crime is not suspected.