United Group Insurance

Spearmon, Suhr nab Drake Relays honors

Sports

April 30th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES (AP) — Sprinter Wallace Spearmon, Jr. and pole vaulter Jenn Suhr have been named the Most Outstanding Performers for this year’s Drake Relays. Spearmon won the men’s 200 meters in 20.02 seconds on Saturday, breaking Michael Johnson’s 15-year-old meet record. Suhr set a new meet record with a winning effort of 15 feet, 3 inches on Saturday after winning an indoor exhibition at a nearby mall earlier in the week. James Harrington of Cedar Falls High and Erin Hawkins of Des Moines Roosevelt High earned the honors for the prep divisions. Fifteen Drake Relays records fell during this year’s meet, which was plagued by chilly and windy conditions during the final two days of competition.

Iowa makes good progress on corn planting

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 30th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa farmers are making good progress on getting the corn crop in the ground. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says farmers took advantage of dry weather early last week and now have planted 50 percent of the crop. That’s up from just nine percent the previous week. The five-year average is 32 percent. The USDA says in Monday’s weekly report that five percent of the corn has emerged, which is 10 days ahead of normal. Farmers have planted three percent of the soybean crop. The week ended with rain and cooler weather from Friday afternoon to Sunday, which put planting on hold. The statewide average rainfall for last week was .83 inch. The rain helped soil moisture, with topsoil at 92 percent adequate or surplus.

Iowa evening News Headlines: April 30, 2012

News

April 30th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Governor Terry Branstad is pushing lawmakers to approve changes to Iowa’s property tax system, saying that adjourning without passing a property tax bill would be a “tragic disservice” to Iowans. The governor has proposed an across-the-board cut of 40 percent in business property taxes over eight years, while Senate Democrats wanted a much smaller reduction aimed at small businesses. Lawmakers were scheduled to end the session on April 17.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa is one of three states in which the conservative political group Tea Party Express is holding rallies this week with a program of speeches opposing the re-election of President Barack Obama. In Des Moines, about 40 people gathered near the Capitol today for an hour of speeches and a performance by a rap artist advocating a “campaign against the current culture destroying the fabric of freedom.” Rallies are also scheduled for Nebraska and Missouri.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Federal prosecutors are defending their use of an obscure law to indict two recreational Iowa pilots whose low flying may have disturbed thousands of resting migratory birds. Paul Austin and Craig Martin are charged with violating the Airborne Hunting Act. Prosecutors say they flew separate small planes 20 feet above Saylorville Lake last November, causing a large group of waterfowl and white pelicans to take flight. Prosecutors say they violated the law, which prohibits using an aircraft to harass animals. Austin and Martin have asked a judge to dismiss the indictment, saying the law is unconstitutional.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Two Lisbon High school wrestlers charged as adults in an investigation of inappropriate behavior against other members of the team will not be tried. The Linn County attorney’s office had filed simple misdemeanor assault charges against two 18-year-old students in March. But one will have the charge removed if he completes probation and the other wrestler’s charges were dropped.

Griswold School Board to hold special meeting Tuesday evening

News

April 30th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Griswold School Board will hold a special session at 5-p.m. Tuesday, in the Central Office Middle School/High School Building. Superintendent Dana Kunze says the Board will review with Piper-Jaffrey, the results of the bond sale. The board will then act on directing the sale of bonds to the low bidder, and discuss the parking lot project along with providing direction to the project engineer.

 

Lenox man arrested on a sex abuse charge

News

April 30th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Adams County said Monday, a Lenox man was arrested Friday on a sex abuse charge. 33-year old Peter Davidson was taken into custody on a charge of 3rd Degree Sexual Abuse, following an investigation conducted by the Sheriff’s Department and the Department of Human Services. No other details concerning the allegations were released. Davidson was subsequently released on $10,000 cash bond. The case remains under investigation.

Bluffs teacher arrested after allegedly providing Rx meds to a student

News

April 30th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

An investigation into text messages allegedly sent by a Council Bluffs school teacher to a student, has resulted in the teacher’s arrest. According to the Omaha World-Herald, 40-year old Adam Jones, a science teacher at Council Bluffs/Thomas Jefferson High School, was taken into custody Friday, on a misdemeanor charge of distributing a controlled substance. Authorities say Jones allegedly provided Xanax…a drug used to treat anxiety and panic disorders…to an 18-year old female student. The drug was allegedly given to the girl when she visited Jones at his residence.

Authorities were investigating text messages allegedly sent by Jones to the girl, when they became aware of Xanax transaction. Police and school officials began their investigation last April 23rd, after receiving reports of an improper relationship between Jones, and the unnamed student. According to the paper, both individuals told authorities their physical relationship advanced no further than hugging.

Jones was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of his case in the court system. His preliminary hearing is expected to be held in about two-to-three weeks. The maximum penalty for distributing a controlled substance, is two years in prison with possible probation time.

Two women injured during Shelby County crash Monday

News

April 30th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Two people were injured during an accident this (Monday) morning, in Shelby County. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 61-year old Kathy Block, of Harlan, and 39-year old Renee Parrott, of Kirkman, were injured, when their vehicles collided on Highway 59, at the intersection with 1600th Street. Officials say both women were transported by ambulance to the hospital in Harlan. Parrott, who was trapped in her vehicle and had to be extricated by rescue crews, was later transferred to Creighton University Hospital in Omaha, for additional treatment. Sources told KJAN News Parrott, who is a member of the Kirkman Volunteer Fire Department, suffered from broken ribs and other injuries.

According to the accident report, a 2012 Buick Enclave driven by Block, was northbound on Highway 59 when Parrott, who was traveling west on 1600th Street, failed to yield. Her 2005 Dodge Caravan collided with the SUV at the intersection. The vehicles then came to rest in the west ditch. Both were considered to be a total loss. Officials say Parrott was cited for Failure to Yield Upon Entering a Through Highway. The Harlan Fire Department and Westphalia Fire Department assisted the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at the scene.

 

 

 

KJAN Big Deals Debuts Today!

News

April 30th, 2012 by Jim Field

KJAN Big Deals is the best way to save money at local stores at your convenience!  How does it work?  All you do is click box to enter the KJAN Big Deals online marketplace on the top of just about any page on www.kjan.com.  We have more than 50 area businesses who are offering gift certificates.  The best part…..they are all at discounted prices!  It’s like giving us $20 and we give you $25 back!  Start an account with KJAN Big Deals today and start saving money!

Montgomery County Emergency Management launches Facebook Page

News

April 30th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Montgomery County Emergency Management Coordinator Brian Hamman has launched a new Facebook page for residents, the media and others to follow. Hamman says the page is a work in progress and something he’s wanted to do for a while but hasn’t had the chance to complete. 

The MCEMA Facebook page will include information and pictures as events happen in Montgomery County, as well as any information that would help out surrounding counties and southwest Iowa. 

Here’s the link to the page:

http://www.facebook.com/MontgomeryEMA

MABEL L. HOBBS, 89, of Atlantic, formerly of Anita (Svcs. 5-3-12)

Obituaries

April 30th, 2012 by Jim Field

MABEL L. HOBBS, 89, of Atlantic (formerly of Anita) died Monday, April 30th at the Heritage House in Atlantic.  Memorial services for Mabel L. Hobbs will be held 10:30-a.m. Thu., May 3rd, at the Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic.

There is no visitation. Online condolences may be left at www.hockenberryfamilycare.com.

A private family burial of cremated remains will be held in the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita, at a later date.

MABEL HOBBS is survived by:

Her husband – Delbert Hobbs, of Atlantic.

Her daughter – Carol (Jerald) Hanson, of Yorkville, IL.

2 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.