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Hunters may not see many pheasants as season opens this weekend

Ag/Outdoor, News, Sports

October 26th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Pheasant hunting season opens today (Saturday) in Iowa, but hunters may not see many birds. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reports pheasant numbers could be down 18-percent compared to last year. Todd Bogenschutz, a wildlife biologist with the DNR, says the population decline isn’t surprising. “We had the wettest April and May in state history and hens don’t do very well when it’s wet in the spring, certainly not when it’s record setting,” Bogenschutz says. Five consecutive harsh winters followed by wet springs previously led to a drop in pheasant numbers between 2007-2011. Bogenschutz expects the forecast for another decline this year could lead to fewer pheasant hunting licenses being purchased.

“We finally had an increase in the pheasant population last year for the first time in about five years and we saw a little bump up in hunter numbers. Now, things drop down a bit…so, I expect we’ll see fewer hunters,” Bogenschutz says. “I still think we’ll be similar, we’ll probably have around 40,000 to 50,000 pheasant hunters this year.” The pheasant hunting season runs from October 26 through January 10. Bogenschutz predicts hunters will harvest between 100,000 to 150,000 pheasants this season. He notes hunters will likely have better luck later in the season as nearly half of the state’s corn crop has yet to be harvested. “Standing corn on opening weekend…there’s going to be quite a bit of it and that’s going to make hunting challenging because the birds figure out pretty quick that they’re safe in that standing corn,” Bogenschutz says.

The best pheasant numbers, according to Bogenschutz, can be found in areas of northwest, north-central, and central Iowa. Hunters shot roughly 158,000 pheasants last year. That compares to 109,000 pheasants harvested in 2011 – which was the lowest number since the state began keeping track in 1962.

(Radio Iowa)

Branstad/Reynolds to be in western IA next week

News

October 26th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds will be in western Iowa this coming week. Next Friday (Nov. 1st), Reynolds will take a tour of Molded Products, in Harlan. The event begins at 10-a.m.  Reynolds will move on to take a tour of Sullivan Supply in Dunlap, at 11:30 that same day, and from there it’s on to Sioux City, where she will visit the Sioux Community Schools. Governor Branstad will appear at the Mapleton Community Center at 4-p.m. Friday, to learn about the communities’ tornado recovery efforts. Mapleton was hit by a massive EF-3 tornado on April 9, 2011. The twister wiped out most of the western half of town, and the community is still working to rebuild.

Iowa library turns to people for history project

News

October 26th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The public library in Council Bluffs has turned to everyday people to help link pieces of the city’s past.  Organizers of the Council Bluffs: Proud Past… Bright Future project want residents to look in attics, basements and other corners of their homes for old pictures, letters and other mementos that could be used to tell Council Bluffs’ history.

The project launched in 2010 and has been collecting historical information from local participating museums. Now it’s seeking help from residents, who are being encouraged to bring in personal items to an upcoming event so they can be scanned onto the project’s website. Project director Chad Nation says it’s a unique endeavor that will benefit the community and help local schools teach Council Bluffs’ history.

$1-k+ worth of brassieres stolen from Bluffs mall

News

October 26th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Council Bluffs are trying to find a man who allegedly stole more than $1,000 worth of bras. The Daily NonPareil reports the theft occurred Wednesday, at a Victoria’s Secret store at the Mall of the Bluffs. The suspect was described as a black man with a mohawk wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and aviator-style sunglasses.

Police say the man, who was in his early to mid-20s, walked into the store at around 11-a.m., and took 22 bras valued at $1,250. The investigation is ongoing.

World Series shifts to St. Louis

Sports

October 26th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The World Series has shifted to St. Louis. So has momentum following the Cardinals 4-2 victory over Boston that evened the Fall Classic at a game apiece Thursday night.

The Cardinals did little right in losing the opener 8-1 and found themselves trailing 2-1 in Game 2 following a two-run homer by David Ortiz in the sixth inning. But the Redbirds took advantage of two Red Sox errors on the same sacrifice fly in the seventh. The miscues by catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and reliever Craig Breslow led to the tying and go-ahead runs. Carlos Beltran followed with an RBI single and finished with two hits after being questionable for the game because of a rib injury.

The pitching matchup for Game 3 tonight (Saturday) has Jake Peavy going for Boston against Joe Kelly. You can hear the game on KJAN, with the pregame beginning at 6-p.m., and the first pitch at 7:07.

Iowa early News headlines: Sat., Oct. 26 2013

News

October 26th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police have arrested a couple after finding them living with a baby in a garage without heat, electricity, or a bathroom. Police say 23-year old Danae Haynes and 22-year-old Justin Sorter are charged with child endangerment causing bodily injury, possession of drug paraphernalia and probation violations. The child, estimated to be about nine months old, is healthy but was not dressed to withstand near freezing temperatures.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Two Maquoketa natives have given their second $10 million gift in three years to the University of Iowa. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports Jerre and Mary Joy Stead of Scottsdale, Arizona want to advance children’s medicine at the university. The donation includes $8 million to endow one faculty chair each in the areas of pulmonology, nephrology, neurology and general pediatrics.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A 20-year-old eastern Iowa man charged in the 2011 traffic death of a friend has been sentenced to two years in prison for involuntary manslaughter. Iowa City Press-Citizen reports Zachary Swenka of North Liberty apologized at a Thursday court hearing to the friends and family of 14-year-old Mackenzie Lown, who died in the crash.

SPILLVILLE, Iowa (AP) — Supporters of the Inwood Ballroom in Spillville are hoping to get public support to replace the floor of one of a few vintage ballrooms left in Iowa. KWWL television reports the managers of the Inwood Ballroom say they must replace the 5,000-square-foot dining room floor for $50,000.

NWS Forecast for the KJAN listening area: Sat., Oct. 26 2013

Weather

October 26th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

EARLY THIS MORNING…MOSTLY CLEAR. NOT AS COOL. WEST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH.

TODAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. BREEZY. HIGH AROUND 50. NORTHWEST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 30 MPH.

TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOW IN THE UPPER 20S. NORTHWEST WIND NEAR 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE SOUTHWEST AFTER MIDNIGHT.

SUNDAY…SUNNY…BREEZY…WARMER. HIGH IN THE LOWER 60S. SOUTHWEST WIND 5 TO 15 MPH SHIFTING TO THE SOUTH 15 TO 20 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON. GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH.

SUNDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOW IN THE MID 30S. SOUTH WIND 5 TO 10 MPH SHIFTING TO THE EAST AFTER MIDNIGHT.

MONDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. BREEZY. HIGH IN THE MID 50S. NORTHEAST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH.

MONDAY NIGHT…RAIN LIKELY. LOW IN THE LOWER 40S. CHANCE OF RAIN 70 PERCENT.

TUESDAY…RAIN LIKELY. HIGH IN THE UPPER 40S. CHANCE OF RAIN 60 PERCENT.

Corrections Department reports escaped inmate

News

October 26th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — The Department of Corrections says an inmate has been put on escape status after he left a work release center in DavenportMC Lewis. The agency says 26-year-old Michael Christopher Lewis was listed as being an escape after failing to return to the center Thursday.

He was serving a 19-year sentence for intimidation with a dangerous weapon, going armed with intent, criminal mischief and operating a vehicle without owner consent. He began the sentence in March 2008.

He was transferred to the work release center Sept. 6.

BETTY J. HANSEN, 86, of Elk Horn (Svcs. 10/29/13)

Obituaries

October 26th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

BETTY J. HANSEN, 86, of Elk Horn, (the wife of Ranald  Hansen) died Fri., Oct. 25th, at the Salem Lutheran Home. Funeral services for BETTY HANSEN will be held 11-a.m. Tue., Oct. 29th, at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church. Ohde Funeral Home in Kimballton has the arrangements.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 5-to 7-pm Monday, Oct. 28th, and at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church from 10-a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday.

Burial will be in the Elk Horn Lutheran Cemetery.

BETTY J. HANSEN is survived by:

Her daughters – Jo Christoffersen, of Elk Horn & Connie Doonan, of Newell.

Her brother – Arnold  Gude, of Elk Horn & sister-in-law Donna Gude, of Elk Horn.

6 grandchildren & 9 great-grandchildren.

DORIS SCOTT, 87, of Atlantic (Svcs. 10/29/13)

Obituaries

October 26th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DORIS SCOTT, 87, of Atlantic, died Fri., Oct, 25th, in Council Bluffs. Funeral services for DORIS SCOTT will be held 2-p.m. Tue., Oct. 29th, at the Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Visitation is open at the funeral home from 8am to 5pm Monday, Oct. 28th, with the family present from 5-to 7pm. Online condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.

DORIS SCOTT is survived by:

Her daughters – Sue Gaines, of Atlantic; Tracie (Cliff) Evans, of Elk Horn; Amy Lett, of Atlantic and one “honorary” daughter, Dory Schrader, of Atlantic.

11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.