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Greenfield airport to receive $171k for taxiway extension

News

June 13th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Senator Tom Harkin has announced that the Greenfield Municipal Airport will receive $171,000 from the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration to extend the airport’s taxiway. Harkin is a senior member of the Appropriations subcommittee that funds these initiatives.

Harkin says extending Greenfield Municipal Airport’s taxiway to allow for aircraft turnaround is an important investment. The Greenfield airport contributes more than a quarter of a million dollars in goods and services to the surrounding community every year.

In addition, Harkin says these funds will better equip the Greenfield Municipal Airport with the resources to continue to reach their goal of providing safe, accessible and effective air travel in southwest Iowa, promoting economic development in Greenfield and the surrounding area.

Posted in News |

Dillon Gee shuts down Cardinals as Mets win 5-1

Sports

June 13th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

NEW YORK (AP) — Dillon Gee had his third straight stellar start, Lucas Duda hit one of three Mets homers and New York scored the most runs allowed by Shelby Miller in his young career for a 5-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night. David Wright and Marlon Byrd also connected for the Mets, who snapped a three-game skid and improved to 2-6 in June. Duda drove in two runs, including a first-inning single that scored Daniel Murphy from first base.

With prized pitching prospect Zack Wheeler nearing his promotion to the big leagues, Gee (5-6) has done everything possible to protect his spot in the rotation. The right-hander has yielded only three earned runs over 21 innings in his past three starts — all wins.

Posted in Sports |

USDA reduces corn crop to reflect wet spring

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 13th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Corn farmers are feeling the impact of a cool, wet spring but are still expected to bring in a record crop this year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says in its monthly report released Wednesday that farmers are expected to bring in 14 billion bushels of corn this year. That’s 135 million bushels less than last month’s estimate, reflecting the impact of the cooler spring. But that’d still beat 2009’s 13.1 billion bushel record. Last year, farmers harvested only about 11 billion bushels because of the drought.

The changes are not expected to significantly affect food prices for consumers. The UDSA says the amount of corn expected to be harvested per acre will be reduced to 156.5 bushels per acre down from 158 bushels estimated a month ago.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Iowa early News Headlines: Thu., June 13th 2013

News

June 13th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

BELMOND, Iowa (AP) — Weather officials say multiple tornadoes have touched ground in northern Iowa, causing damage to homes and businesses. The National Weather Service says spotters reported yesterday at least two tornados on the ground alongside one another near Hampton in Franklin County. Another tornado was reported near Belmond in nearby Wright County.

BELMOND, Iowa (AP) — The owner of a restaurant in northern Iowa says a tornado has “demolished” part of his business. Duwayne Abel, owner of Cattleman’s Steaks and Provisions in Belmond, says a tornado swooped in yesterday through his business’ parking lot. He says the south side of the building is “pretty much demolished.” Abel says no one was in the restaurant when the tornado hit.

BELMOND, Iowa (AP) — Alliant Energy says more than 1,200 customers in northern Iowa are without power due to severe weather affecting the region. The company says crews are working to restore power in the Belmond area in Wright County after severe weather damaged transmission and distribution lines. Alliant spokesman Justin Foss says it may take several hours for power to be restored.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Police say a suspicious package that was destroyed in Iowa City was an electronic art piece. Iowa City officials said yesterday that the package that was destroyed by a bomb squad Sunday evening was a piece created by artist Russell Jaffe. The Johnson County bomb squad used a water cannon to destroy the item.

Posted in News |

Stadium officials warn fans to stay off CWS field

Sports

June 12th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Fed up with fans interrupting the College World Series games by running onto the field, officials are warning of full prosecution for anyone who pulls such a stunt. Omaha city prosecutor David Smalheiser (SMALL-hy-zer) said Wednesday he didn’t know how many people have been ticketed in recent years. According to media reports, six people were cited last year alone, including a 17-year-old girl who patted the backsides of two players while security personnel chased her.

Smalheiser said trespassers face six months in jail and a $500 fine. Dennis Poppe (Pope) of the NCAA said “idiots” who run onto the field are spoiling what for most players is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play for a national championship.

Posted in Sports |

Bluffs man arrested on Audubon County warrant

News

June 12th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

A Pottawattamie County man was arrested today (Wednesday) on an outstanding Audubon County warrant. According to the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office, 25 year old Zachary Alan White, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at the Pottawattamie County Jail and transported to the Audubon County Jail. White was charged with eluding and driving while barred.

The charges stem from a pursuit by law enforcement in Audubon County on March 20th, 2013. The pursuit continued through Cass County and ended in Pottawattamie County where he was taken into custody. White is being held in the Audubon County Jail and will appear before the magistrate on Thursday, June 13th.

Posted in News |

BOB ROGERS, 89, of Cumberland (Svcs. 6/22/13)

Obituaries

June 12th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

BOB ROGERS, 89, of Cumberland, died Tue., June 11th, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, in Des Moines. A Celebration of Life fellowship and luncheon for BOB ROGERS will be held beginning at noon on Saturday, June 22nd, at the Cumberland Community Center, for his family and friends. Steen Funeral Home in Massena has the arrangements.

Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.

Private family memorial services and burial will be held prior to the Celebration of Life Fellowship. Full military graveside rites will be held at the Greenwood Cemetery, by the Anita American Legion Post No. 210.

Memorials may be directed to your favorite charity.

BOB ROGERS is survived by:

His daughter – Diane and husband Kenney, of Anita.

5 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, his daughter- brother- and sister-in laws, other relatives, and friends.

Posted in Obituaries |

DENNIS C. KROGH, 59,of Exira (Svcs. 6/14/13)

Obituaries

June 12th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DENNIS C. KROGH, 59,of Exira, died Mon., June 10th, at St. Mary’s Hospital, in Rochester, MN. Funeral services for DENNIS KROGH will be held 10:30-a.m. Fri., June 14th, in the Exira Lutheran Church. Kessler Funeral Home in Exira has the arrangements.

Friends may call at the funeral home, where the family visitation takes place beginning at 6-p.m. Thu., June 13th.

Burial will be in the Exira Cemetery.

DENNIS KROGH is survived by:

His mother – Charlotte Krogh, of Exira.

His brothers – Terry (Charlene) Krogh, of New Providence, IA, & Randall (Dottie) Krogh, of Atlantic.

other relatives, and many friends.

Posted in Obituaries |

Iowa’s season opener to start at 2:30 p.m.

Sports

June 12th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa will open the season at home against Northern Illinois at 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 31.  Hawkeyes officials announced the start time for the opening game and the Sept. 7 matchup with Missouri State on Wednesday. Iowa’s game against the Bears will kick off at 11 a.m.     Both games will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.

Posted in Sports |

Severe thunderstorms to hit Iowa, but a derecho is not likely

News, Weather

June 12th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Much of the country will see severe thunderstorms today and parts could even see a storm called a derecho (Dur-ray-shoh). But National Weather Service meteorologist, Frank Boksa, says don’t expect to see it here. “It would not be in Iowa, or if it was, it would probably initiate in very far eastern Iowa, but it would be more in the Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana area,” Boksa says. Iowa saw a derecho back in July of 2011 that did a lot of damage to homes, trees and power lines.

A derecho is basically a very widespread, long-lived line of thunderstorms. And they are very fast moving and they produce extreme damaging wind. By they I mean 65-70-75-miles-an-hour or more,” according to Boksa. Iowa won’t see anything like that, but will see some heavy thunderstorms. “Thunderstorms will develop kind of over northeastern and far eastern Iowa and then push off into Illinois and Indiana this afternoon,” Boksa says. “We should see some strong storms out of this, but it should be fairly short lived. We should pretty much be done with it in central Iowa by seven p-m and in eastern Iowa certainly by 10.” The weather is expected to continue a pattern of a few dry days followed by thunderstorms and rain through the next week. Boksa says that’s pretty much the norm.

“This is the time of year for thunderstorms. We do get a fair amount of rain and thunderstorms in May and June, so it’s not atypical by any stretch,” he says, “in fact I think the peak of severe weather in June is about the 15th.” The rains are not quite as welcome this June after a record wet spring that’s kept farmers out of the fields and led to flooding in many parts of the state.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in News, Weather |