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Drought could impact upcoming Iowa pheasant population survey

Ag/Outdoor

July 30th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will begin conducting a roadside survey this week to determine what the pheasant population looks like across the state. DNR wildlife biologist Todd Bogenschutz is predicting a significant increase in pheasant numbers for the first time in six years. But, because of the drought, Bogenschutz is warning the roadside survey may not accurately reflect the bird population. “To get a really good count of the birds, we’re dependent on good dew conditions. For good dew, you need moisture in the soil and right now, we don’t have any,” Bogenschutz said. “We don’t get very good counts of birds if we don’t have good dew.”

Last week, the DNR reported hunters in Iowa shot a record low number of pheasants last year. Around 109-thousand (109,000) pheasants were harvested in 2011 — the fewest since record keeping began in 1962. Bogenschutz is expecting hunters will see more pheasants this year because of the recent mild winter. “We need about two more years just like this and we’ll probably get back to bird numbers that people expect in Iowa, but it’s going take more than just one year,” Bogenschutz said. Iowa’s pheasant population dropped to record low territory in 2011 following five winters with above average snowfall and five wetter than normal springs. The DNR’s annual roadside survey is scheduled for August 1-15. The 2012 pheasant hunting season will open October 27.

(Radio Iowa)

(Podcast) Skyscan Forecast: Mon., July 30th 2012

Podcasts, Weather

July 30th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Here’s the Freese-Notis (Podcast) forecast for Atlantic, and the KJAN listening area….

Play

Burglary and vandalism reported in Villisca & Stanton

News

July 30th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is investigating separate incidents of burglary and vandalism, which were reported Sunday in Villisca and Stanton. A Villisca resident reported to authorities Sunday afternoon, that someone entered his garage in the 500 block of East 3rd Street, and stole numerous tools. The loss was estimated at $2,000. The incident occurred sometime between July 14th and 19th.

And, a Stanton couple reported to authorities Sunday night, that the south window of their shop located in the 2400 block of 225th Street had been broken sometime between 8:50 and 9:05-p.m., Sunday. When deputies arrived, they determined a rock had penetrated the window, causing $100 damage.

Anyone with information about either of the incidents is asked to call the Montgomery County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-432-1001, or the Sheriff’s Office at 712-623-5107.

Weather forecast for Cass & area counties: Mon., July 30th 2012

Weather

July 30th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

320 AM CDT MON JUL 30 2012 – NWS/Des Moines

TODAY…HOT. PATCHY FOG THROUGH MID MORNING. PARTLY SUNNY WITH ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS. HIGH IN THE MID 90S. NORTHWEST WIND NEAR 5 MPH. CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS 20 PERCENT.

TONIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. LOW IN THE UPPER 60S. WEST WIND NEAR 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE NORTH AFTER MIDNIGHT.

TUESDAY…SUNNY…HOT. HIGH IN THE MID 90S. NORTH WIND NEAR 5 MPH.

TUESDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOW AROUND 70. EAST WIND NEAR 5 MPH.

WEDNESDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGH IN THE MID 90S. SOUTH WIND 5 TO 10 MPH.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. LOW IN THE LOWER 70S.

THURSDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. HIGH IN THE LOWER 90S.

THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOW IN THE LOWER 70S. HIGH IN THE MID 90S.

Des Moines area drive-by shooting suspects arrested in Pottawattamie County

News

July 30th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

(Updated 9:58-a.m.)…

Three people were taken into custody early this morning in connection with a recent drive-by shooting which occurred in Des Moines. Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker told KJAN News the incident became known to authorities in western Iowa very early this morning. Danker says at 1:39-a.m there was an all-points bulletin to law enforcement about a silver sedan with Nebraska plates that was possibly involved in a shooting in Des Moines. Authorities were able to track the suspects by “pinging” a cell phone as they traveled across the state heading back to Nebraska.

The Sheriff says Cass County Deputy Ben Bartholomew was traveling west on I-80 next to a silver Oldsmobile Alero. As the car passed the deputies’ cruiser, Bartholomew pulled in behind the car and began to follow it.  The deputy ran the car’s license plates, which came back as a white Dodge van. Several other law enforcement agencies, including deputies with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department, Iowa State Patrol and a DOT Enforcement officer assisted in conducting a felony traffic stop of the suspect’s vehicle at around 2:15-a.m..  near the Shelby exit.

The suspects, 24-year old Kendra Akins, 24-year old Ivory Goodwin and 26-year old Shera Goodwin, all of whom are from Nebraska, were taken into custody without incident. The vehicle was impounded at the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department. Officials with the Des Moines Police Department traveled to Pottawattamie County to bring the individuals back to Polk County. Danker could not say for certain if a weapon was found in the vehicle. Additional information about the incident in Des Moines which resulted in the suspect’s arrests, is still not available.

Red Oak residents arrested for Child Endangerment

News

July 29th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Two Red Oak residents have been arrested on Child Endangerment charges. According to Red Oak Police, officers and officials with the Department of Human Services conducted a welfare check at a residence on Reed Street in Red Oak. 

As a result, 28-year-old Johna Christine Dolph of Red Oak, and 30-year-old Paul Earl Lemburg II, of Red Oak were each arrested on two-counts of Child Endangerment. Lemburg also faces a drug possession charge.

The pair were being held in the Montgomery County Jail. Dolph’s bond was set at $5,000, while Lemburg was being held on $6,000 bond.

Rizzo hits 2-run HR in 10th, Cubs beat Cardinals

Sports

July 29th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

CHICAGO (AP) – Anthony Rizzo hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning Sunday that lifted the Chicago Cubs over the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2. Starlin Castro led off the 10th with a single against Trevor Rosenthal (0-1) and Rizzo followed with his seventh homer.  James Russell (5-0) worked an inning for the win. Carlos Beltran hit his 23rd homer for St. Louis, connecting against Shawn Camp in the eighth to make it 2-all.  Cubs starter Paul Maholm allowed one run and four hits over 6 2-3 innings. Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright gave up two runs in six innings.

Atlantic P& Z to meet Monday

News

July 29th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The City of Atlantic’s Planning and Zoning Commission will meet Monday evening, at City Hall. During their 5:30-p.m. session, the P&Z will review the site plans for the Iowa Interstate Railroad Office Building, and, the site plans for the Masker Plumbing and Heating Storage Building. 

The Commission will also review and discuss the first drafts of the Zoning Ordinance, which includes: An Overview and Reference Coding; General Provisions; Definitions, and R-1 (Residential/Agricultural/Open Space) definitions and descriptions.

Guthrie County 9-1-1 service disruption under investigation

News

July 29th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Guthrie County are continuing to investigate the reason behind a 9-1-1 service outage that occurred Saturday morning. The emergency line went down for about two-hours. In the interim, calls were being taken only at the Sheriff’s Office. It was the second time over the course of the past three-months 9-1-1 service was disrupted in Guthrie County. In May, a severed fiber-optic line was to blame for a similar disruption in service.

Iowa RB Johnson suspended after 2 police run-ins

Sports

July 29th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa running back De’Andre Johnson has been suspended after two run-ins with police in the past week. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said Sunday that he suspended Johnson from all team activities after learning about the sophomore’s latest encounter with police. Johnson was ticketed for speeding and eluding arrest on Saturday. A University Heights police report says Johnson drove his motorcycle 60 mph in a 25 mph zone and didn’t immediately pull over. Two days earlier, Johnson was ticketed by Iowa City police for maintaining a disorderly house after neighbors complained of a loud party at his house. Ferentz did not say how long Johnson’s suspension might last.