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ISU Extension official: full recovery from drought could take three years

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

October 22nd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

An expert with Iowa State University Extension is warning that this year’s drought is so severe, recovery may be years away. Cathann Kress is calling the drought a “super slow-motion disaster.” Kress says Iowa crops pulled what little moisture there was out of the ground this year and that moisture won’t come back anytime soon. “It takes so long for the subsoil moisture to rebuild, so if we look at the other droughts like this – there’s been three others in this century…they all took three years to fully recover from,” Kress said.

As much as 18 inches of precipitation is needed to fully recharge Iowa subsoils, according to Kress. That’s not likely to before next Spring. “The average (precipitation) between October and April is about 12 inches, so even if we hit average – which most models show we won’t – but even if we hit average, we’d be below what it is we’re predicting that we need,” Kress said.

Kress was at the statehouse last week and warned lawmakers it’s hard to estimate the economic impact of the drought, as well as the effects on state tax receipts.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather |

Atlantic man arrested Sunday in Red Oak

News

October 22nd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest early Sunday morning of an Atlantic man.  29-year-old Bradley Edward Williams was taken into custody on four counts relating to an original charge of driving while suspended. Williams was charged with failure to appear, failure to pay, contempt of court and illegal resistance to order or process. He was  being held in Montgomery County Jail on $5,000 bond.

Posted in News |

NWS Forecast for Cass & area Counties in Iowa

Weather

October 22nd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

352 AM CDT MON OCT 22 2012/Nat’l. Weather Service – Des Moines

EARLY THIS MORNING…PERIODS OF THUNDERSTORMS. WARMER. SOUTHEAST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH. CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS NEAR 100 PERCENT.

TODAY…CLOUDY. ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING. HIGH IN THE MID 70S. SOUTH WIND 5 TO 10 MPH. CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS 20 PERCENT.

TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. AREAS OF FOG AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOW IN THE UPPER 50S. SOUTHWEST WIND NEAR 10 MPH.

TUESDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. HIGH IN THE UPPER 70S. SOUTH WIND 5 TO 15 MPH.

TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. BREEZY. LOW IN THE LOWER 60S. HIGH AROUND 80. SOUTH WIND 5 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 30 MPH. NEAR RECORD HIGH TEMPS POSSIBLE ON WEDNESDAY.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 40 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. LOW IN THE MID 50S.

THURSDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 40 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS. MUCH COOLER. HIGH IN THE UPPER 50S.

Posted in Weather |

Harkin jokes about Romney, Ryan, Steve King with Halloween theme

News

October 22nd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Senator Tom Harkin used a weekend speech to Iowa Democrats to argue for President Obama’s reelection, where he said the country is better off now, than it was four-years ago. But Harkin also used humor — with a Halloween theme — to suggest Republicans offer a “scary” agenda for the country. “Paul Ryan is Eddie Munster. Mitt Romney is Freddy Krueger, slashing Big Bird and Planned Parenthood. Steve King dressed up as,” Harkin paused for effect, before adding, “Steve King.” The crowd laughed at Harkin’s jokes about Romney and Ryan, but they laughed and cheered Harkin’s blast at Steve King, the Republican congressman from northwest Iowa. Paul Ryan campaigned in Council Bluffs and Sioux City, Sunday. President Obama is scheduled to visit the Quad Cities on Wednesday.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in News |

Giants beat Cardinals 6-1 to force NLCS Game 7

Sports

October 22nd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Ryan Vogelsong struck out a career-best nine in another postseason gem and the San Francisco Giants forced a decisive Game 7 in the NL championship series with a 6-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday night. Marco Scutaro hit a two-run double and Buster Posey drove in his first run of the series with a groundout in the first inning as San Francisco struck early to support Vogelsong. Matt Cain will start for the Giants against Kyle Lohse in Game 7 tonight (Monday night). Lohse won their Game 3 matchup.

Allen Craig hit an RBI single in the sixth for the Cardinals. Craig shifted from first base to left field in place of injured Matt Holliday, a late scratch with lower back tightness. The Giants have won five straight games this postseason when facing elimination.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa early News Headlines: Mon., Oct. 22nd, 2012

News

October 22nd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan is in western Iowa to urge people to vote for Mitt Romney, saying another four years of President Barack Obama will lead to higher national debt and continued economic struggles. Ryan’s remarks came Sunday before an enthusiastic crowd of about 500 people at a campaign rally in the parking lot of an outdoor outfitter store in Council Bluffs. Later in the day, he repeated his message at a slightly smaller rally in Sioux City on the banks of the Missouri River.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Police are investigating a shooting in Dubuque, Iowa that left one teen dead and another hospitalized. The shooting happened around 11:50 p.m. Saturday. Dubuque police say officers found two wounded teenage boys when they responded to a call.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Redistricting has created four competitive congressional races pitting two incumbents against one another and giving a House veteran his toughest challenge yet. Iowa lost one district in redistricting, creating much of the upheaval. It prompted nine-term Republican Representative Tom Latham to move into the 3rd district to avoid running against GOP Representative Steve King. In the 2nd district, Democratic Representative Dave Loebsack moved to avoid opposing Democrat Bruce Braley.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa woman has pleaded guilty to charges that she attacked her ex-boyfriend and tried to light his house on fire in March. Twenty-six-year-old Thorsha Gary pleaded guilty Friday to reduced charges of second-degree arson and second-degree burglary.

Posted in News |

VP nominee Ryan urges Iowa voters to back GOP

News

October 21st, 2012 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan was in western Iowa, Sunday, to urge people to vote for Mitt Romney, saying another four years of President Barack Obama will lead to higher national debt and continued economic struggle.  Ryan’s remarks came before an enthusiastic crowd of about 500 people at a campaign rally in the parking lot of an outdoor outfitter store in Council Bluffs. Later in the day, he repeated his message at a slightly smaller rally in Sioux City on the banks of the Missouri River.  Ryan says he and Romney “can get this country back on track.”

Ryan’s visit to western Iowa happened a little more than two weeks before the Nov. 6 election. The presidential campaign is focusing on Iowa and eight other battleground states.

Posted in News |

FRANKLIN DUANE EVANS, 69, of Shelby (Svcs. 10-24-12)

Obituaries

October 21st, 2012 by Ric Hanson

FRANKLIN DUANE EVANS, 69, of Shelby, died Sun., Oct. 21st, at his home near Shelby. Memorial services for FRANKLIN EVANS will be held 7-p.m. Wed., Oct. 24th, at the Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Avoca.

The family will visit with friends at the funeral home, from 5-7pm Wednesday, prior to the service.

A private burial of cremains will be held in the Shelby Cemetery.

FRANKLIN EVANS is survived by:

His wife – Marilyn Evans, of Shelby.

His sons – Andy Evans, of Dunlap, and Joel (Erin) Evans, of Shelby.

His daughter – Allison (Richard) Maassen, of Persia.

His brothers – John (Doris) Evans, of Fargo, ND; Gerald (Jeanette) Evans, of Shelby; Richard Evans, of Bloomfield; & Steven (Christy) Evans, of Shelby.

Sister:  Nancy (Ken) Collins of Shelby.

4 grandchildren, other relatives & friends.

Posted in Obituaries |

SW IA man arrested for speeding and drugs, Saturday

News

October 21st, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Fremont County say a traffic stop for speeding early Saturday morning in Hamburg, resulted in a Farragut man being arrested on numerous drug-related charges. A deputy stopped 18-year old Ryan Michael Casey, of Farragut,  at around 3:40-a.m. Upon further investigation, Casey was taken into custody for OWI/1st Offense, Speeding, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Amphetamines, Possession of Diazepam, Possession of Alprazolam, Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Drug, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Casey was brought to the Fremont County Jail and held over the weekend on $15,000 bond.

Posted in News |

Nittany Lions Roll Hawkeyes

Sports

October 20th, 2012 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Bill Belton ran for 103 yards and three touchdowns and surging Penn State throttled Iowa 38-14 on Saturday night for its fifth straight win.

Matt McGloin threw for 289 yards and a pair of TDs for the Nittany Lions, who beat the Hawkeyes in Iowa City for the first time in 13 years.

Penn State (5-2, 3-0) took the suspense of this matchup between previously-unbeaten Big Ten teams by storming out to a 24-0 lead at halftime. The Nittany Lions scored again just 27 seconds into the second half to go ahead 31-0.

James Vandenberg threw for 189 yards for Iowa (4-3, 2-1). The Hawkeyes were held to just 209 yards of offense and tacked on a pair of late touchdowns that made the final score seem much closer than the game ever really was.

Posted in Sports |