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Iowa approves Wellmark’s rate increase

News

January 3rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Iowa has approved a 9.3 percent rate increase by Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield for individual health insurance premiums. The Gazette says Iowa Insurance Commissioner Susan Voss approved the request last week. The decision means rate increases of up to $45 a month beginning April 1 for 86,000 individual Wellmark policyholders ages 65 and under.

Wellmark insures about 1.8 million Iowa residents, most through employers. The Des Moines-based company proposed the increase, citing rising health care costs. The increase follows an 8.5 percent rise last April and an 18 percent increase in 2010. In the decision, Voss says the “balancing” of the needs of consumers and the solvency of an insurance carrier must be weighed carefully. She says there’s no evidence the increase is discriminatory or excessive.

WANDA LEE BERG, 78 of Cumberland (SVCS 1-5-12)

Obituaries

January 3rd, 2012 by admin

Wanda Lee Berg, 78 of Cumberland, died on Monday, January 2nd at the Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center.  Funeral services for Wanda Lee Berg will be held on Thursday, January 5th at 10:30 AM at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wiota.  Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic is in charge of the arrangements.

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Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 4th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic. 

Burial will be at First Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Wiota.

Memorials may be directed to Wiota First Evangelical Lutheran Ladies Aid. 

Wanda Lee Berg is survived by:

Her husband Delmax Berg of Cumberland

Her children Rex Berg of Atlantic and Lin (Kurt) Briley of Omaha

Her sister Norma (Jerry) Anderson of Denver, CO

Two grandchildren

ISU’s Schroll leaves program

Sports

January 3rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly says starting guard Jessica Schroll has abruptly left the team. Fennelly tells the Ames Tribune that Schroll, a junior, informed him she was seeking to transfer on Saturday. The university released a statement shortly after last Friday’s win over New Hampshire that Schroll was taking a leave of absence for personal reasons. Schroll averaged 6.9 points a game and had 10 starts for the Cyclones this season. Iowa State (9-2) opens Big 12 play at Oklahoma on Wednesday night.

Perry man received 3 citations after rollover accident in Guthrie County

News

January 3rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa State Patrol says a Perry man was cited Monday, following a non-injury rollover accident in Guthrie County. 36-year old Jose Fuster Rodriguez was cited for Failure to Maintain Control, Failure to Have a Valid License, and for having no proof of insurance. Officials say Rodriguez was traveling west on 180th Street about 2-miles east of Yale, when the 1995 Ford Aerostar van he was driving went onto the north shoulder of the road. Rodriguez over-corrected, causing the van to roll into the north ditch. The vehicle was declared a total loss. The accident happened at around 4:15-p.m., Monday.

Iowa to revisit ban on lead shot for dove hunting

Ag/Outdoor, Sports

January 3rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers are expected to take up the issue of using lead shot in dove hunting this year. The issue surfaced in 2011 ahead of the state’s first dove season in 90 years. The Natural Resources Commission banned lead shot over concerns that it has been linked to the poisoning of birds and other animals. But hunters say lead shot is less expensive and more effective than alternatives. A legislative panel voted in August against the commission’s ban, saying it’s a decision the Legislature should make. If lawmakers don’t act on the issue, the ban will go into effect. The Des Moines Register says Sen. Dick Dearden says he’ll seek a vote this year. The Des Moines Democrat introduced the original dove hunting bill.

Court to review conviction in Iowa coach’s death

News, Sports

January 3rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court has agreed to review the case of a man who was convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting of an Iowa high school football coach. Twenty-six-year-old Mark Becker argued he was legally insane when he killed Aplington-Parkersburg coach Ed Thomas in June 2009. A jury rejected his insanity defense and found him guilty of first-degree murder in 2010. Becker was sentenced to life in prison.

In September, the Iowa Court of Appeals upheld Becker’s conviction, rejecting arguments that jurors were given improper instructions about his insanity defense. Becker appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court. The court, in an order released Tuesday, agreed to review his case.

NW IA man arrested on drug charges in Audubon County

News

January 3rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports a northwest Iowa man was arrested on drug charges this (Tuesday) morning, following an incident which occurred at 260th Street and Falcon Avenue. Officials say 34-year old Nathan Allen Hines, of Mallard, was taken into custody at around 9-a.m.

Hines was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine/3rd offense, Possession of Marijuna/3rd offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was also cited for Failure to Have a Valid Driver’s license. Hines was brought to the Audubon County Jail and held on a $5,000 bond.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3rd

Trading Post

January 3rd, 2012 by Jim Field

FOR SALE: 62 Inch Toshiba DLP TV (Model 62HM95) with matching stand. Purchased new in 2006, excellent condition. Asking $375.00 OBO. Call or text 712-249-7004.

WANTED: a portable air compressor.  Pancake style or on wheels suitable for nail guns.  712-249-6835.

FOR SALE: 2 tractor tires – 18-4-42 ‘s for $700. …also 16-9-26 tractor tires for $1,000…and 12-4-24 tractor tires (one is 60% there, the other is like brand new) for $700.  304-4262 in Audubon.

Traffic stop in Pottawattamie County nets 45 lbs of pot & 2 arrests

News

January 3rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Two men were arrested on drug charges Sunday, following a traffic stop on Interstate 80 near Council Bluffs.  Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker told KJAN News Deputy Brian Miller stopped a Nissan for traveling over the speed limit on I-80 eastbound at the 5-mile marker at around 4:30-p.m., Sunday. After issuing the driver a warning citation, Miller spoke with the driver, but based upon what he saw in the vehicle, suspected the occupants could be involved in the trafficking of drugs.  Miller requested, but was denied permission to search the vehicle. He then used his K-9 partner “Francisco” to conduct a perimeter search of the vehicle. The dog reacted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle, which provided reasonable suspicion and probable cause for Miller to search the vehicle. During the search, the Deputy discovered two garbage bags full of packaged marijuana, amounting to about 45-pounds, in the trunk of the vehicle.

The driver, 43-year old Tou Thao, of Eureka, CA, and his passenger, 32-year old Doua Thao, of Brooklyn Park, MN, were taken into custody. Tou Thao was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver/Marijuana, a Drug Tax Stamp violation, Prohibited Acts, and Excessive Speed. Doua Thao also faces a charge of PCS with the Intent to Deliver, Prohibited Acts, and a Tax Stamp violation. Both men were being held this (Tuesday) morning in the Pottawattamie County Jail, on $100,000 bond each.

Danker said Deputy Miller and his K-9 partner have been “Very Successful” in detecting suspicious drug activity along the Interstate, and “Francisco” has certainly “Earned his keep.”

Backyard and Beyond 01-03-2012

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

January 3rd, 2012 by admin

Lavon Eblen talks about looking at the date…of food in your fridge and cupboard.

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