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Update 7:29-a.m.: 2 injured in Cass County crash Sunday were illegal immigrants

News

January 23rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa State Patrol has released additional details about an accident that occurred Sunday morning on Interstate 80, in Cass County. Officials said this (Monday) morning, that at around 8:40-a.m., Trooper R. Boyd Burn responded to a report of a van rollover on I-80 near exit 60 (Hwy 71). Witnesses said after the vehicle came to rest, 8 persons fled the scene on foot, while two people who suffered serious injuries, one of them was determined to have suffered critical injuries, including a head trauma and paralysis. Both were transported to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.

Following a search of the area, six of the eight persons in the van were located and transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, for treatment of their injuries. Two other persons were able to acquire taxi service, and were taken to Council Bluffs. The Patrol says agents with ICE (The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency), were contacted. The agents interviewed the  subjects at CCMH and determined they were illegal immigrants en-route to New Jersey.

The persons who went to Council Bluffs were allegedly transporting the eight individuals to New Jersey to secure employment. All six subjects were turned over to ICE agents and transported to Omaha, NE. ICE agents were able to get a ping on the cell phones used by the two persons who went to Council Bluffs, but those individuals remain at large. An investigation into the incident continues.

The State Patrol was assisted in its investigation by deputies with the Cass and Audubon County Sheriff’s Office, Atlantic Fire and Rescue, and ICE agents.

Update 7:18-a.m.: 2 western IA men killed in Greene County crash

News

January 23rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa State Patrol has identified the victims of Sunday’s two-vehicle crash in Greene County. Officials said this (Monday) morning 19-year old Andrew Gordan Jackson, of Orient, 54-year old Dwight Lee Snogren, of Jamaica, and 42-year old David James Muir, of Rippey, died at the scene of the crash on Greene County Road E-57, about a mile west of Rippey.

Officials say a 2002 Pontiac Firebird driven by Muir was traveling east at a high rate of speed at around 1:30-p.m., when the car went out of control, spun around and crossed the centerline of the road, where it was struck on the passenger side, by Snogren’s 2011 Ford F-150 pickup. After the impact, both vehicles entered a ditch and rolled onto their sides.

Neither Muir nor Snogren were wearing their seatbelts. Jackson, who was a passenger in the Firebird was wearing his seatbelt. The accident remains under investigation.

Majority of Iowa roads completely covered with ice and snow

News, Weather

January 23rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa – Jan. 23, 2012: 7 a.m. – All roadways in Iowa, except those in the far southeast corner of the state, are currently reported as completely covered with ice and snow. High winds are causing drifting, reducing visibility and producing periods of whiteout conditions. 
 
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory that covers a large part of the state: extending north of Interstate 80 to the Minnesota state line, east to the Wisconsin/Illinois state lines and west U.S. 59. The advisory remains in effect until noon today. The snow is expected to diminish to flurries this morning from southwest to northeast and end tonight. Gusty northwest winds (up to 36 mph) will cause blowing snow over central and northern Iowa throughout the day. Visibility at times may be reduced to one-half mile or less. 
 

For the latest road conditions, visit www.511ia.org, call 511 (in Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide), or follow Twitter @statewideia511.

(Update): Riedemann sentenced to 5-years probation

News

January 23rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

A Griswold woman who plead guilty last November to a Class C felony charge of Vehicle Homicide by Operating While under the Influence (OWI) in connection with the 2010 death of 44-year old Katrina Christensen, was sentenced today (Monday) in Cass County District Court. Judge James C. Richardson announced his decision after he heard from witnesses who attested to 46-year old Christine Riedemann’s character, and written statements from Christensen’s daughters. Richardson sentenced Riedemann to 10-years in prison, but ordered the sentence suspended. He then placed her on probation for a period of 5-years, and ordered her to pay fines amounting to $1,000 plus surcharges.

Riedemann will be required to reside at the Women’s Correctional Facility in Council Bluffs for the duration of her probation. She’ll begin serving her term at the facility when space becomes available, which the court said will likely be in about 7-to 10-days. She must also meet several conditions while on probation, including: completing a substance abuse evaluation; submitting a DNA sample; making restitution Christensen’s estate in the amount of $150,000 and maintaining full employment or becoming a student in a vocational or academic institution. Her lawyer said Riedemann’s insurance has already paid out $100,000 to Christense’s family, as part of a settlement.

Riedemann was the driver of an SUV that went out of control on June 4th, 2010. The vehicle entered the ditch, and hit a utility pole west of Atlantic. Christensen, who was a passenger in the vehicle, died in the accident. Two separate blood-alcohol tests each indicated Riedemann was above the legal limit to drive. She was also found to have been in possession of marijuana.

Prior to pronouncing the sentence, the judge heard testimony from Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones, former Councilman Kern Miller, and realtor Dale Gross, who served as character witnesses. All three men asked for the lenient sentence, in observance of the fact Riedemann had no prior criminal history, and was extremely remorseful about the death of her friend. Riedemann herself said there was no greater punishment she could receive than living with the tragedy that took place on that June day in 2010. She said she was willing to accept the court’s decision in the matter.

The judge also heard written statements from Christensen’s two daughters. One of the statements read by the victims’ family Attorney Andrew J. Knuth, was from  Ashley Wedemeyer.   Wedemeyer said she hoped her mother would be proud of her accomplishments, but was saddened by the fact she’ll never be around to help her through the tough spots in life, nor will she be able to know her grandson, who was born about two-months ago. She said she knows what happened was not intentional, but she said “even accidents have consequences.”

This is Your Nishna Valley 01-21-2012

Podcasts, This is Your Nishna Valley

January 23rd, 2012 by admin

w/ Jim Field and guest host Don Hoover.

Play

(Podcast) Skyscan Forecast for Mon., Jan. 23rd, 2012

Podcasts, Weather

January 23rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Here’s the forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area…

Play

MERLIN “BUTCH” VONESH, 78, of Audubon (Svcs 1-25-12)

Obituaries

January 23rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

MERLIN “BUTCH” VONESH, 78, of Audubon, died Sat., Jan. 21st, at the Mercy Hospice in Johnston. Funeral services for MERLIN “BUTCH” VONESH will be held 10-a.m. Wed., Jan. 25th, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Audubon. Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon has the arrangements.

Friends may call at the funeral home, where family visitation is at 6-p.m Tue., Jan. 24th.

Burial will be in the Exira Cemetery.

“BUTCH” VONESH is survived by:

His wife – Sharon, of Audubon.

His children – Alan Poulsen, of Audubon; Roger (Michelle) Poulsen, of Atlantic; Mary Maier & her significant other, Dave Andersen & Barbara (Chris) Danner, all of Templeton.

His sister – Margaret Stoberl, of Audubon.

7 grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, his in-laws, other relatives, and friends.

Winter Weather Advisory continues until Noon today (Monday)….

Weather

January 23rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

357 AM CST MON JAN 23 2012 NWS /Des Moines

…PRECIPITATION WILL TRANSITION TO SNOW TONIGHT…

LOW PRESSURE OVER NORTHWEST ILLINOIS WILL LIFT NORTHEAST THIS MORNING AND BE OVER NORTHERN LAKE MICHIGAN BY MID DAY TODAY. COLDER AIR FILTERING IN BEHIND THE LOW WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY GUSTY NORTHWEST WINDS…SNOW…AND SOME BLOWING SNOW.

Counties in the Advisory area include….EMMET-KOSSUTH-WINNEBAGO-WORTH-PALO ALTO-HANCOCK-CERRO GORDO-POCAHONTAS-HUMBOLDT-WRIGHT-FRANKLIN-BUTLER-BREMER-SAC-CALHOUN-WEBSTER-HAMILTON-HARDIN-GRUNDY-BLACK HAWK-CRAWFORD-CARROLL-GREENE-BOONE-STORY-MARSHALL-TAMA-GUTHRIE-DALLAS-POLK-JASPER-POWESHIEK

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAY...

* SHORT TERM TRENDS…SNOW OVER THE AREA WILL TAPER OFF GRADUALLY FROM THE SOUTHWEST. ACCUMULATING SNOW WILL END WEST OF AN OTTUMWA…DES MOINES…ESTHERVILLE LINE BY 7 AM AND OVER ALL OF CENTRAL IOWA BY 10 AM.

* STORM TOTAL SNOW/ICE ACCUMULATIONS…SOME ADDITIONAL MINOR GLAZING IS POSSIBLE EARLY THIS MORNING. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL RANGE FROM 1 TO 2 INCHES SOUTH…WITH 2 TO 3 INCHES NORTH BY MID MORNING.

* WINDS/VISIBILITY…WINDS WILL BECOME NORTHWEST AND INCREASE TONIGHT WITH SPEEDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH THIS MORNING WILL RESULT IN CONSIDERABLE DRIFTING OF SNOW AND AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW.

* IMPACTS…ICY ROADS AND VISIBILITY RESTRICTIONS ARE EXPECTED THROUGH MID MORNING. LOCAL VISIBILITY WILL FALL TO ONE HALF MILE OR LESS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW…SLEET…OR FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITY. BLOWING SNOW MEANS THAT VISIBILITY WILL BE LIMITED DUE TO STRONG WINDS BLOWING SNOW AROUND. USE CAUTION WHEN TRAVELING…ESPECIALLY IN OPEN AREAS.

Forecast for Cass & area counties Mon., Jan. 23rd 2012

Weather

January 23rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

313 AM CST MON JAN 23 2012 National Weather Service/Des Moines

EARLY THIS MORNING…CLOUDY WITH A 50 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW. BREEZY. NORTHWEST WIND AROUND 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 30 MPH.

TODAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY UNTIL LATE AFTERNOON THEN BECOMING MOSTLY SUNNY. A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW THROUGH MID MORNING. BREEZY…COLDER. HIGH IN THE UPPER 20S. NORTHWEST WIND 20 TO 25 MPH DECREASING TO 10 TO 20 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.

TONIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. COLDER. LOW 5 TO 10 ABOVE. NORTHWEST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH.

TUESDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGH IN THE LOWER 30S. NORTHWEST WIND NEAR 5 MPH IN THE MORNING BECOMING LIGHT.

TUESDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. NOT AS COLD. SCATTERED FLURRIES. LOW IN THE LOWER 20S. LIGHT WIND BECOMING SOUTHEAST UP TO 5 MPH AFTER MIDNIGHT.

WEDNESDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGH IN THE UPPER 30S. SOUTH WIND NEAR 5 MPH.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOW IN THE MID 20S.

THURSDAY…SUNNY. HIGH IN THE LOWER 40S.

Find your local forecast here: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/dmx/

For Road Condition reports: http://lb.511ia.org/ialb/

3 killed in Greene County high speed crash Sunday

News

January 23rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Three people died Sunday afternoon during a crash between a car and a pickup in Greene County. The accident happened at around 1:30-p.m., one-mile east of Rippey, on Greene County Road E-57. The Iowa State Patrol had not identified the victims as of early this (Monday) morning. Officials say a 2002 Pontiac Firebird was traveling east at a high rate of speed, when it went out of control, spun around on the road, crossed the center line, and was hit on the right side by an oncoming Ford F-150 pickup.

Both vehicles then entered the ditch and rolled over, coming to rest on their sides. Both drivers, and a passenger in the Firebird died at the scene of the crash, which remains under investigation.