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Council Bluffs mayor counts city’s blessings

News

February 8th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The city of Council Bluffs is sitting in a very unique position, according to Mayor Tom Hanafan.  Mayor Hanafan says, “We live in the largest metropolitan area in the state of Iowa and the largest metropolitan area in the state of Nebraska.” While Omaha continues to draw conventions, Hanafan says the same thing is happening in Council Bluffs. He says the reason some groups choose Council Bluffs instead of Omaha is because they are strictly Iowa-based, like the State Bowling Tournament. 

 “It’s 15 weeks,” the mayor says, “and that brings people from all over the state of Iowa that will come to our community and you wouldn’t have that in Omaha.” A long-term expansion of the Council Bluffs freeway system is in the works. Hanafan says the upgrade is needed as the current interstate system was drawn up many years ago and can’t handle the significant upturn in traffic.  “The design of our interstate system is for about 60-thousand cars a day on I-80 and 29,” Hanafan says. “The new build-out is for 145-thousand cars.” Hanafan says the roadways are now taking about 100-thousand cars a day. He says they will need 175-thousand dollars per year for six years to complete the project. Hanafan is starting his second-quarter century as mayor of Council Bluffs.

(Matt Kelley/Radio Iowa)

Dog racing days could be numbered in Iowa

News, Sports

February 8th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Bills that would end greyhound racing in Iowa are moving on two tracks at the statehouse. Early this morning (Wednesday), a three-member panel in the Iowa House reviewed a plan that would let the Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs and the Mystique Casino in Dubuque stop subsidizing the prizes for dog races, effectively ending greyhound racing at those two facilities. Representative Kevin Koester, a Republican from Ankeny, says there are “clear signals” nationally that the days of dog racing are numbered.  “Having spent time listening to both sides, the issue comes down to not if the dog racing by greyhounds will last forever…it’s a matter of when…it clearly is going to end,” Koester says.

Representative Brian Moore, a Democrat from Zwingle, says this proposal violates the “integrity” of the agreement state officials struck in 1983 when they legalized greyhound racing. “I think we need to honor this business,” Moore says. “There’s too many times that a particular side isn’t making out as well as the other side and then we think we have to yank the rug out from under them.” 

Early this month another bill on the subject cleared an initial hurdle in the Iowa Senate. That legislation would have the casinos in Council Bluffs and Dubuque pay the state 70-million dollars over seven years in exchange for ending greyhound racing in their facilities. Casino representatives suggest there are often more dogs than people at the greyhound parks in Iowa, while a lobbyist for the greyhound industry says the casinos have stopped promoting the races, making it difficult for patrons to follow the action. According to a casino lobbyist, 27 greyhound tracks around the country have closed in the past five years, leaving just 23 operating today.

(O.Kay Henderson/Radio Iowa)

Name of Iowa casino fall victim is released

News

February 8th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have released the name of a Nebraska man who was fatally injured in a fall at a Council Bluffs casino.  He was identified as 62-year-old Robert McIntyre, of Omaha, Neb.  Council Bluffs officials say McIntyre was going from the second floor to the third floor of the Ameristar Casino-Hotel casino on an escalator Friday evening. He stumbled and fell over a railing, dropping 20 to 25 feet to the first floor.  Authorities say McIntyre was taken to an Omaha hospital, where he died.

Backyard and Beyond 02-08-2012

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

February 8th, 2012 by admin

Lavon Eblen speaks with Lora Schwendinger, Naturalist for Cass County Conservation, about the Backyard Bird Count and Sandhill Crane bus tour!

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8th

Trading Post

February 8th, 2012 by Jim Field

WANTED: a ½ pickup load of hardwood for an inside fireplace. Need it to be delivered this week.  Leave message on cell phone 712-249-4105.

FOR SALE: Firewood, split, ready to burn, hard wood. 243-5652.

WANTED:  A small older camper from the 1970’s that is about 12 feet.  Would use it for restoration.  712-304-4262.

FOR SALE: Two sets of tractor tires:  1)  16-9-26’s for $650.  2)  12-4-24’s (one is brand new, one is 50-60% there).  $500.  712-304-4262.

FOR SALE: Alpine heavy duty air cleaner.  It uses o-zone to clean the air and removes odors.  Retails for $799 but would take much less for it.  779-3760.

FOR SALE: Like new, oversized beige couch.  Its about 5 years old and the size of a twin bed.  Currently its too big for her residence.  $100-150.  779-3760.

FOR SALE: Mushroom canisters that range from big to small sizes.  $25.  779-3760.

WANTED: World War II German or Japanese bayonets and World War II binoculars (must have date).  Cal 243-4131.

WANTED: 2004-2006 Star Wars Model Imperial Ship in mint condition (must have date).  Cal 243-4131.

8AM Sportscast 02-08-2012

Podcasts, Sports

February 8th, 2012 by admin

w/ Jim Field

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8AM Newscast 02-08-2012

News, Podcasts

February 8th, 2012 by admin

w/ Ric Hanson

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Heartbeat Today 02-08-2012

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

February 8th, 2012 by admin

Jim Field speaks with CAM Schools Superintendent Steve Pelzer about the Iowa Connections Academy.

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7AM Newscast 02-08-2012

News, Podcasts

February 8th, 2012 by admin

w/ Ric Hanson

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HSBB: Denison at Atlantic Boys 02-07-2012

Podcasts, Sports

February 8th, 2012 by admin

Jim Field and Chris Parks have the call of the game played Tuesday, February 7th at the Atlantic High School.

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