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NWS Forecast for Cass & area Counties in Iowa

Weather

March 14th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

341 AM CDT THU MAR 14 2013

TODAY…PARTLY SUNNY. WARMER. HIGH IN THE MID 40S. SOUTHWEST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH SHIFTING TO THE NORTHWEST IN THE AFTERNOON.

TONIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOW IN THE UPPER 20S. TEMPERATURE STEADY OR SLOWLY RISING AFTER MIDNIGHT. WEST WIND NEAR 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE SOUTH AFTER MIDNIGHT.

FRIDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. HIGH IN THE MID 50S. SOUTH WIND 5 TO 10 MPH SHIFTING TO THE WEST IN THE AFTERNOON.

FRIDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY THROUGH MIDNIGHT THEN BECOMING MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOW AROUND 30. NORTH WIND 5 TO 15 MPH.

SATURDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. COLDER. HIGH AROUND 40. NORTH WIND 10 TO 15 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOW IN THE MID 20S.

SUNDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF LIGHT RAIN AND SNOW IN THE MORNING…THEN A SLIGHT CHANCE OF LIGHT RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON. HIGH IN THE LOWER 40S. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 20 PERCENT.

SUNDAY NIGHT…RAIN LIKELY THROUGH MIDNIGHT…THEN RAIN AND SNOW LIKELY AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOW AROUND 30. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 60 PERCENT.

Posted in Weather |

MARK HECKMAN, SR., 65, of Cumberland (Svcs. 3/19/13)

Obituaries

March 14th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

MARK HECKMAN, SR., 65, of Cumberland, died Thu., March 14th, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic. Celebration of Life services for MARK HECKMAN, SR., will be held 10:30-a.m. Tue., March 19th, at the Cumberland Community Building, in Cumberland. Steen Funeral Home in Massena has the arrangements.

An open visitation will be held on Monday, March 18th from Noon to 7:00 p.m. at the Steen Funeral Home in Massena. The family visitation is from 5-to 7-pm, Monday, at the funeral home. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.

Memorials may be directed do the Mark Heckman, Sr. Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date.

A luncheon will immediately follow services, Tuesday at the Cumberland Community Building. Burial will be held after the luncheon at the Canby Cemetery, rural Fontanelle with full military graveside rites by the Fontanelle American Legion Carlson Post No. 247.

MARK HECKMAN, SR., is survived by:

His wife – Rae Heckman, of Cumberland.

His children –  Mark A. Heckman, Jr. of Cumberland, Karen Stine (Scott) of Garland, TX, Chery (Kevin) Fuoss, of Cumberland, and Tanya (Jebidiah) Marshall, of Brayton.

His brother- Max Wayne Heckman of Creston.

10 grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Posted in Obituaries |

Smith introduced as new quarterback of Chiefs

Sports

March 14th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alex Smith wanted to be with the Kansas City Chiefs. He ultimately got his wish. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback was introduced at a news conference at the Chiefs’ training facility on Wednesday, capping a whirlwind day of physicals and meetings. Smith was traded to Kansas City for a pair of draft picks in a deal that was reached two weeks ago, but could not become official until the start of the league year on Tuesday.

Smith had turned around his career the past two years in San Francisco, but lost his job to Colin Kaepernick when he sustained a concussion. Kaepernick ultimately led the 49ers to the Super Bowl, and Smith let the team know that he wanted to be traded or released rather than be a backup quarterback.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid made it clear that Smith will be the starter in Kansas City.

Posted in Sports |

Chiefs add CB Robinson on busy day

Sports

March 14th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have reached a deal with cornerback Dunta Robinson. Robinson has played in 131 games over nine NFL seasons with the Houston Texans and Atlanta Falcons. His career numbers include 580 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 17 interceptions and 87 pass breakups. The Chiefs are overhauling a team that went 2-14 last season, and will have the No. 1 pick in the draft.

They’ve signed wide receiver Dwayne Bowe and punter Dustin Colquitt to long-term deals, franchised left tackle Branden Albert, and agreed to contracts with free-agent tight end Anthony Fasano, defensive tackle Mike DeVito and backup quarterback Chase Daniel.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa early News Headlines: Thu., March 14th 2013

News

March 14th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Catholic leaders from Iowa are welcoming newly elected Pope Francis. Bishop Martin Amos from the Diocese of Davenport says in an online post that he’s sure cardinals considered many factors in their selection of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who has chosen the papal name Francis. Archbishop Jerome Hanus of Dubuque called the election historic.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A proposal to give taxpayers the option of paying a flat income tax has the support of the Republican-controlled Iowa House. The legislation approved yesterday in a 53 to 46 party-line vote says taxpayers could pay a 4.5 percent tax on income instead of the current progressive tax. Most deductions and credits wouldn’t be available to those paying the flat tax.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Des Moines school board has approved a $300,000 contract for new superintendent Thomas Ahart. He’s being promoted from interim superintendent. The vote was 4-3, with some board members complaining that no other candidates were seriously considered for the job even though the district paid for a national search.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Finance Authority is giving over $70 million in federal tax credits to 12 affordable housing projects in Iowa. The projects will help build and preserve hundreds of affordable homes and apartments in Des Moines, Newton, Waukee and Storm Lake.

Posted in News |

MICHAEL “MICK” DENNING, 86, of Avoca (Svcs. 3-16-2013)

Obituaries

March 13th, 2013 by admin

MICHAEL “MICK” DENNING, 86, of Avoca died Wed., Mar., 13th at his home. A Mass of Christian Burial Service for MICK DENNING will be held at 10:00 AM Sat., Mar., 16th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Avoca. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Avoca is in charge of arrangements.

Burial will be in the St. Patrick Cemetery in Neola.

A visitation will be held from 2:00 to 8:00 PM on Fri., Mar., 15th with family greeting friends from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 5:00 PM and a vigil service at 7:00 PM at Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Avoca.

MICK DENNING is survived by:

Wife, Eileen Denning of Avoca

Daughters, Julie (Vaughn) Babbitt of Emerson, Jennifer (Steve) Kock (pron. Cook) and Maureen (Conrad) Meis of Algona

Sons, Tony (Kathy) Denning of Avoca, Ted (Stacie) Denning of Neola, J. Denning, and Kelly Denning of Kansas City, MO.

Sisters, Mary Corrine Sweeney of Denver, CO, JoAnn (Wallace) Corrin of Neola, Leone McCarthy of Omaha, NE, Pauline Fischer of Neola, Angela McDonald of New Cambria, MO and Kathleen (Mike) Dermody of Saint Louis, MO.

Brothers, Eugene (Carolyn) Denning of Neola and Bernard (Martha) Denning of Neola.

19 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

 

 

Posted in Obituaries |

Griswold house fire

News

March 13th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

No injuries were reported following a house fire in Griswold Wednesday evening.

Photo courtesy Mike Kennon, Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator

According to Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon, the fire at 201 Harrison Street was reported at around 5:35-p.m. Griswold Fire Chief Jim Wyman told KJAN News  the damage was primarily contained to the second story bedroom in the 100-year old home, owned by Ryan and Sarah Askeland, the owner’s of Dusty’s Place in Griswold. The family was not home when the fire started.

Wyman said the fire is believed to be related to an electrical problem, but he could not pin-down an exact cause. Damage to the home was said to be minimal.

Posted in News |

Two Men Awaiting Preliminary Hearings in Mills County

News

March 13th, 2013 by admin

(Update: Radford was acquitted of the charges during his trial in July of 2013. His case was summarily dismissed.)

Authorities in Mills County reports that two former Glenwood firefighters have been arrested on pandering, pimping and/or sexual abuse charges, in connection with an incident that reportedly occurred on September 9th, 2012 in rural Pacific Junction. According to a complaint filed by the Mills County Attorney’s Office, 23-year old Colton David Radford and 31-year old Brandt David Hopp allegedly solicited an intoxicated female friend to have sex for money with another person.

According to the complaint, after an agreement was made, a third person arrived and allegedly attempted to have sex with the victim. Due to her intoxication, the victim lost consciousness at which point Hopp then allegedly engaged in sexual acts with her. The victim regained consciousness, pushed Hopp away and left with the money paid to her by Hopp and Radford.

Hopp faces felony charges of Sex Abuse in the Third Degree, and Pandering. If convicted, he faces up to 15-years in prison and fines totaling $17,500.  He was being held in the Mills County jail on $15,000 bond. Radford is facing felony charges of Pandering and Pimping. If convicted, he could be held up to 10-years in jail and face fines of up to $15,000. His bond was set at $5,000.

Both men hare scheduled to appear in court for their preliminary hearings, on March 27th. The case against them was investigated by the Glenwood Police Department, Mills County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Posted in News |

Former Clarinda, Iowa Resident Sentenced to 48 Months for Possession of Child Pornography

News

March 13th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa reports a former Page County man was sentenced to four-years in prison for possessing child pornography. 49-year old John R. Clark, of Clarinda, will serve the 48 month term consecutively with a sentence Clark is currently serving in Florida, for Lewd and Lascivious Act on a Child. The 48 month sentence was imposed by United States District Judge John Jarvey, who also ordered Clark to serve a ten year term of supervised release following incarceration.

 On November 1, 2012, Clark pled guilty to a charge of Possession of Child Pornography. The investigation showed that he was receiving images of child pornography over the internet. At the time of his guilty plea, Clark admitted that, on May 7th, 2009, he had images on his home computer that depicted minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
The investigation was conducted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Posted in News |

Iowa man granted excuse from material during trial

News

March 13th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A man in western Iowa accused of beating his girlfriend wants to be excused from his trial when he feels uncomfortable with material. Judge James Heckerman granted Darion Love’s request Tuesday in Pottawattamie County. Love said he didn’t want to see evidence showing photos of the victim, Jennifer Pruett. Heckerman said Love’s right to confront his accusers would be diminished if he wasn’t in the room when evidence was presented.

The Daily Nonpareil reports Love is charged with first-degree kidnapping, attempted murder and willful injury in connection with the alleged seven-hour beating of Pruett in May 2012. He later said the couple was attacked in Omaha. Love’s attorney says he has schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and he was defending himself from Pruett’s attacks. Testimony is expected to continue Thursday.

Posted in News |