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Corning woman falls asleep, crashes car

News

May 2nd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

An Adams County woman received a rude awakening after she fell asleep at the wheel of her car, which then entered a ditch and came to an abrupt stop against a concrete culvert. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office the accident happened at around 10:40-a.m. Tuesday, on Highway 34. Officials say 66-year old Carolyn Ann Fritz, of Corning,  was traveling west on the highway in a 1999 Dodge Neon, when she fell asleep. The car traveled about 120-yards while in the north ditch, before hitting a concrete culvert, and sustaining disabling damage. No citations were issued at the time of the crash.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued until 1-a.m. Wednesday

Weather

May 1st, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Severe Storms Predication Center in Norman, OK, has issued a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH (#224) until 1-a.m. CDT for the Following Counties in the KJAN listening area:

ADAIR-AUDUBON- CARROLL-CASS- CRAWFORD- FREMONT-GREENE-GUTHRIE- HARRISON-MILLS-MONONA-MONTGOMERY  POTTAWATTAMIE-SAC and SHELBY.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. A severe thunderstorm by definition is a thunderstorm that produces one inch hail or larger in diameter and/or winds equal or exceed 58 miles an hour.

During the watch, people should review severe thunderstorm safety rules and be prepared to move a place of safety if threatening weather approaches.

Cardinals to Retire La Russa’s No. 10

Sports

May 1st, 2012 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals are wasting no time honoring Tony La Russa, announcing they will retire their former manager’s No. 10 later this month. La Russa retired last fall after leading the franchise to a second World Series title in his 16 seasons. He left the game ranked third all time in managerial victories, trailing Connie Mack and John McGraw. The jersey will be retired May 11 prior to the Cardinals’ game against the Atlanta Braves. La Russa’s number will become the 12th retired by the Cardinals and first since Whitey Herzog’s No. 24 in 2010, and they’re the only managers who did not play for the team to have their uniform numbers retired.

Atlantic City Council to vote on deer control & speed limit ordinances

News

May 1st, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic City Council will discuss and vote on the first readings of two ordinances Wednesday evening. One of the ordinances pertains to Urban Deer Control. The Council tabled action on the ordinance last month, because the Community Protection Committee learned City Attorney Dave Weidersteen had included some language in the proposed ordinance that was not in their original draft. The committee has since reviewed the ordinance, and have worked with Weidersteen to make some modifications. The CPC recommends the Council approve the ordinance as amended.

The second ordinance is with regard to reducing the speed limit on East 22nd Street, from Whitney Street (Highway 71) to Olive Street, from 45- to 35-miles per hour. After receiving some negative feedback from the public last month, the Council voted down a proposal to lower the speed limit on both the east and west sections of 22nd Street from 45-to 35-mph.

Snyder and Associates Engineer Dave Sturm shared with the CPC at a recent meeting, the findings and recommendations of Snyder’s Traffic Engineer Todd Knox, who recommends, based on a study of actual speed of traffic on the road, to leave the speed limit where it is. Knox said “There could be some sight issues, both horizontal and vertical, that could justify changing the speed limits.”

City Administrator Doug Harris says the CPC discussed the findings with Police Chief Steve Green, and concurred with his findings, to lower the speed limit on the east section of 22nd Street, from 45- to 35-miles per hour. Factors figuring into that recommendation include driveways that are obscured from motorists’ view, the prospect of future development in the area, and the amount of pedestrian traffic on that stretch of road.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council will act on setting May 16th as the date for a public hearing on any proposed amendments to the Fiscal Year 2012 budget. Wednesday’s meeting begins at 5:30-p.m., in the Council’s Chambers at the Atlantic City Hall.

New Design for CyHawk Trophy Wins Online Vote

Sports

May 1st, 2012 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The new trophy for the winner of the Iowa-Iowa State football game will depict the team’s mascots after a public vote. Fans had been asked to submit ideas for a new trophy after the original — which depicted a farm family huddled around a bushel of corn — was derided locally and nationally after being unveiled last summer. The Iowa Corn Growers Association, which sponsors the rivalry, worked with a local design firm to come up with six concepts. A 10-person panel with ties to the two schools selected three finalists to be put to an online vote that ended late Monday. The winning design finished with 8,002 votes, while the other two designs combined for just 2,280.

Hornick residents urged to evacuate after fire

News

May 1st, 2012 by Ric Hanson

HORNICK, Iowa (AP) — Residents in the western Iowa town of Hornick are being urged to evacuate because a fertilizer fire. The fire at the Western Iowa Cooperative broke out Tuesday afternoon. The Woodbury County sheriff’s office is concerned about air quality and residents’ safety and is urging the evacuation as a precaution. No injuries have been reported. Hornick, which has about 220 residents, is about 30 miles southeast of Sioux City.

AHST Schools evacuated Tuesday following written threat

News

May 1st, 2012 by Ric Hanson

A vague note found in a bathroom at the AHST High School in Avoca Tuesday morning, prompted the evacuation of students in all of the districts building for a little over an hour an a half. Superintendent Mark Hopkins issued a statement Tuesday on the District’s website saying: 

The A­‐H­‐S­‐T Community School buildings were evacuated late (Tuesday) morning (May 1st) due to a bomb threat. At that time, law enforcement was called to ensure that the building was safe. It was determined that the buildings were completely safe and that the incident was a hoax. At no time was any student in harm’s way, and any future incidents of this nature will be handled with consultation and advice from law enforcement.” Hopkins went on to say “Unfortunately, incidents of this nature do occur,” but he commended the A‐H-­S-­T staff and students “for handling the situation extremely well.” Hopkins said classes will resume Wednesday, as usual.  The Superindendent said that “The A-­H-­S-­T Community School thanks all the parents and community members for their cooperation and understanding.”

According to authorities, a note indicating bombs were placed in a lunch room was found in a bathroom at around 11:4o-a.m., but the note didn’t specify which lunchroom. As a precaution, authorities evacuated both the high school and elementary school. A bomb squad with the the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office searched the buildings, but nothing was found. Students were allowed to return to their classrooms at around 1:30 p.m. The incident remains under investigation, and authorities say while there are suspects, they declined to release any further information at this time. It’s the first reported bomb threat in the AHST District, in at least nine-years.

CLIFFORD BAX, 79, of Greenfield (Svcs. 5-4-12)

Obituaries

May 1st, 2012 by Ric Hanson

CLIFFORD BAX, 79, of Greenfield, died Tue., May 1st, at the Good Samaritan Society in Fontanelle. Funeral Services for CLIFFORD BAX will be held 10:30-a.m. Friday, May 4th, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Greenfield. Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield has the arrangements. 

Visitation will be held on Thursday at the Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Burial will be in the Greenfield Cemetery, with full military graveside rites by the Greenfield American Legion Head-Endres Post No. 265, and V.F.W. Post No. 5357.  

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

Memorials may be made to the Clifford Bax memorial fund to be established by the family. 

CLIFFORD BAX is survived by:

His wife -Phyllis Bax of Greenfield. 

His sons – Phil Bax and wife Marsha of Johnston, and Brad Bax and wife Kaye of Greenfield. 

His sister – Lois Hoadley, of Greenfield. 

5 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

LARRY CHILDRESS, 70, of Elk Horn (Svcs. 5-3-12)

Obituaries

May 1st, 2012 by Jim Field

LARRY CHILDRESS, 70, of Elk Horn died Tuesday, May 1st at the Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn.  Funeral services for Larry Childress will be held 2-p.m. Thu., May 3rd, at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church. Ohde Funeral Home in Kimballton has the arrangements.

There is no visitation.

Larry Childress is survived by: His sister, Patsy Gorka, of Elk Horn.

Iowa State Duals Tourney to Keep New Date in 2013

Sports

May 1st, 2012 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa High School Athletic Association says the state duals wrestling tournament will again be held the day before the start of the individual tournament in 2013.  The state duals used to be held after the individual tournament in Cedar Rapids. But the duals were moved to Des Moines and up by one week this past winter.  Assistant executive director Alan Beste tells the Des Moines Register that the duals meet needs to be part of the popular state individuals meet if it’s to become a marquee event.  The state duals drew a record crowd of more than 7,400 in February. But some schools chose to rest their top wrestlers so they’d be fresh for their matches in the individual tournament.