United Group Insurance

BEVERLY OLSON, 87, of Manilla (Svcs. 4-14-12)

Obituaries

April 12th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

BEVERLY OLSON, 87, of Manilla, died Wed., April 11th, at the Manilla Manor. Funeral services for BEVERLY OLSON will be held 10-a.m. Sat., April 14th, at the Ohde Funeral Home in Manilla.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 5:30-7:30pm Fri., April 13th.

Burial will be in the Nishnabotna Cemetery near Manilla.

BEVERLY OLSON is survived by:

Her children – Harold Olson, Jr., of Denison, & Sharon Sass, of West Palm Beach, FL.

Her sister – Mary Grage, of Rockwell City.

2 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren & 1 great-great grandchild.

EHK School Board Special Meeting this evening

News

April 12th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Elk Horn-Kimballton Community School District’s Board of Education will hold a Special Board meeting this evening at the High School in Elk Horn. The board will hold a work session with the Iowa School Finance Information Services, to look at the future forecast for the EHK School District. No action will be taken during the meeting, which begins at 6:30-p.m.

Red Oak woman arrested Wed. night

News

April 12th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 21-year old Tiffany Nicole Studey, of Red Oak, was arrested late Wednesday night, on a Red Oak Police Department warrant for Harassment in the 3rd degree. Studey was taken into custody at around 11:30-p.m. and booked into the Montgomery County Jail. She was subsequently released on $300 cash bond.

(update): 2 arrests following theft of ATM from Bank in Earling

News

April 12th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Two people were arrested this morning in connection with the theft of a cash machine from a bank in Earling. Authorities in western Iowa were put on alert about the theft early this morning. Officials broadcast the alert at around 4:30-a.m., about a grey SUV which reportedly tore an ATM away from a bank building or stanchion.

Additional details are expected later this morning.

Forecast for Cass & area Counties: Thu., April 12 2012

Weather

April 12th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

352 AM CDT THU APR 12 2012 National Weather Service/Des Moines

FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM CDT THIS MORNING FOR PARTS OF SW/S/WESTERN IA...

TODAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. PATCHY FROST THROUGH MID MORNING. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF LIGHT RAIN SHOWERS BEFORE NOON. A CHANCE OF LIGHT RAIN SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON. BREEZY. HIGH IN THE UPPER 50S. SOUTHEAST WIND 5 TO 15 MPH INCREASING TO 15 TO 20 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON. CHANCE OF SHOWERS 50 PERCENT.

TONIGHT…SHOWERS LIKELY AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH MIDNIGHT…THEN SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS AFTER MIDNIGHT. BREEZY…WARMER. LOW AROUND 50. SOUTHEAST WIND 15 TO 20 MPH. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 80 PERCENT.

FRIDAY…CLOUDY. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING…THEN A SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON. WARMER. HIGH IN THE UPPER 60S. SOUTH WIND 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 25 MPH. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 40 PERCENT.

FRIDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 50 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. LOW IN THE MID 50S. SOUTH WIND 10 TO 15 MPH.

SATURDAY…CLOUDY WITH A 50 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. HIGH IN THE LOWER 70S. SOUTHEAST WIND 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 25 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT…THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY. LOW IN THE UPPER 50S. CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS 70 PERCENT.

SUNDAY…SHOWERS LIKELY AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS. HIGH IN THE UPPER 60S. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 60 PERCENT.

SUNDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS. LOW IN THE UPPER 40S. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 50 PERCENT.

Freeze damages fruit crops in Iowa

Ag/Outdoor

April 12th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) — The cold snap may have taken a toll on some of Iowa’s fruit crops. Plant experts at Iowa State University say two nights of freezing temperatures damaged fruit blossoms at the Horticulture Research State near Gilbert. Superintendent Nick Howell says he’ doesn’t expect much of an apple crop, and there’s damage to the station’s vineyards and strawberries. Experts say the early spring sped up blooming, which is a sensitive stage for the plants. Fruit specialist Paul Domoto says it’s too early to tell the extent of the damage until growers can assess the conditions in their areas. He says site conditions and development stage will affect the outcome. Another freeze warning was posted into this (Thursday) morning, with temperatures in the 20s in northern and eastern Iowa.

House passes new restrictions on special city taxing districts

News

April 12th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Most of the Republicans in the Iowa House have voted to limit the authority cities and counties now have to set up special districts where tax growth is used to finance improvements like roads, sewers and, in some cases, swimming pools. Representative Chuck Soderberg, a Republican from Le Mars, says a few local governments have abused these “tax increment financing” districts. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a responsibility to the taxpayers of Iowa to address the issues; to clarify, but to strengthen…and bring more accountability to the hard-earned dollars that our taxpayers provide in this program,” Soderberg says. Representative Dan Muhlbauer, a Democrat from Manilla, says his rural area has used this financing tool to pay for improvements to roads, to lure a wind turbine farm to the area. “You’re trying to micromanage what it is we want to do out in our small communities,” Muhlbauer said. “…We need just to leave it like it is. It’s a great tool.”

Representative Dave Jacoby, a Democrat from Coralville, railed against provisions in the bill which he argues would give school districts “veto power” to nix some of the special projects cities devise.
“Why is this the state’s business?” Jacoby asked. “Does this make us smaller and smarter? No, it’s big government and it’s slapping local governments in the face.” Representative Tom Sands, a Republican from Wapello, says school districts “should have a voice” to raise objections when property tax dollars are diverted forever, as is the case in tax increment financing districts in some Iowa cities. “This takes…what we have, it tries to build on what is working right and going forward with that,” Sands says. Senator Mary Gaskill, a Democrat from Ottumwa, says the bill’s new requirements would hamper the ability of city officials to quickly put together deals that lure businesses to town.

“Remember, these are businesses who are wanting to come to our districts and we’re putting all of these steps in place that’s doing to slow the process down, tremendously,” Gaskill says. “It’s going to slow it down.” After nearly two hours of debate, Representative Soderberg responded to the critics, arguing the bill would not “kill” cities’ ability to create these special taxing districts. “Puts some parameters around it, but does not restrict it as a tool,” Soderberg said. The bill passed on a 54 to 43 vote. It now goes to the Senate. The Iowa League of Cities, the Professional Developers of Iowa and the Iowa Chamber Alliance are all opposed to the bill, but groups like the Iowa Farm Bureau and the Iowa Association of School Boards support it.

(O. Kay Henderson/Radio Iowa)

Vision Iowa Board awards project in Stanton $514,000

News

April 12th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Vision Iowa Board has awarded grants to build new attractions in three Iowa cities. Vision Iowa spokesperson Jessica O’Riley says the largest award granted Wednesday is worth one-million dollars ($1 million) and will help with several expansion projects at Des Moines’ Blank Park Zoo. Those include a filtration system for the seal and sea lion pool, a new camel exhibit near the zoo’s entrance and more space for new animals in an Africa exhibit. All of the improvements at Blank Park Zoo carry a total price tag of over $9.3 million. The southwest Iowa town of Stanton will receive just under $514,000 in Vision Iowa funding toward the construction of a building that will serve as a public library, a community center, a wellness center and a storm shelter.

“This is a fabulous project,” O’Riley said. “The residents of Stanton have really supported this. For a town of about 700, I believe they have raised 800-thousand dollars. So, there’s obviously broad community support.” The third Vision Iowa award is for a wellness facility in Indianola. The board granted just over $483,000 toward the $15 million project.

The 55,000 square foot facility will include a gymnasium, a swimming pool and racquetball court. Wednesday’s meeting of the Vision Iowa Board took place in Mason City (at the Park Inn Hotel).

(Pat Curtis/Radio Iowa)

Iowa News Headlines: Thu., April 12th 2012

News

April 12th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

STORM LAKE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say three teenage girls have been charged with sending nude pictures of themselves to an Iowa man who’s been charged for possessing the photos. The girls are ages 16 and 17 and have been charged as adults with felony exploitation of a minor — in this case, the exploited minors are themselves. Nineteen-year-old Alex Case is charged with sexual exploitation of a minor.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An arbitrator says the University of Northern Iowa improperly fired a professor and should pay him lost wages. Arbitrator Ruth Weatherly ruled that finance professor Gordon Klein’s termination was at least partially based on inappropriate reasons and violated his academic freedom. A spokeswoman said yesterday that UNI acted appropriately and the decision is non-binding.

NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa businesswoman accused of misusing the company’s money is suing her partner, claiming he went to police to cover up his own criminal behavior. Melissa Frost of North Liberty was arrested last week on suspicion of fraudulent practices. She’s suspected of taking money from Iowa City-based C & M Tax Services to cover $22,000 in personal credit card purchases. Her male partner hasn’t been charged with any crime.

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — A Le Mars man accused of breaking into a house and assaulting an 11-year-old girl is scheduled to go on trial next month. KTIV-TV in Sioux City reports a May 15th trial is set for 19-year-old Matthew Jandreau in Plymouth County District Court.

Freeze Warning until 8-a.m. Thursday for parts of western/sw Iowa

Weather

April 12th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

342 AM CDT THU APR 12 2012

FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM CDT THIS MORNING FOR:

CRAWFORD-CARROLL-GREENE-BOONE-STORY-MARSHALL-TAMA-AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-DALLAS-POLK-JASPER-POWESHIEK-CASS-ADAIR-MADISON-WARREN-MARION-MAHASKA-ADAMS-UNION-CLARKE-LUCAS-MONROE-WAPELLO-TAYLOR-RINGGOLD-AND DECATUR COUNTIES.

TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN NEAR OR BELOW FREEZING UNTIL SHORTLY AFTER SUNRISE. TEMPERATURES IN MOST AREAS WILL BE IN THE MID 20S TO LOW 30S. THE SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES…THOUGH WIDESPREAD…ARE NOT AS EXTENSIVE AS THEY WERE YESTERDAY. NEAR TO BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL HOURS.

A HARD FREEZE IS LIKELY ACROSS THE NORTHEAST…WITH A LIGHTER FREEZE LIKELY ELSEWHERE. RIVER VALLEYS AND LOW AREA ARE LIKELY TO SEE A HARD FREEZE. YOUNG TENDER VEGETATION WILL BE DAMAGED OR KILLED UNLESS PROTECTED IN MANY OF THESE AREAS.