United Group Insurance

IA DOT to remove 5,500 flood-damaged trees along I-29

News

November 17th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Thousands of trees damaged or killed by floodwater from the Missouri River will be removed in the next few months along Interstate 29. Most of the trees are between U.S. Highway 30 and the north side of Council Bluffs. The Iowa DOT says the removal of the trees will cost about $150,000. Nebraska Forest Service expert Graham Herbst says debris in the floodwater caused damage to trees that led to decay. In other cases, floodwater choked off oxygen to tree roots. The Iowa DOT says it will wait for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to determine how it will manage the Missouri River in the future before deciding when to replant trees.

Omaha-based grain handler fined by EPA for violations in Mason City

Ag/Outdoor, News

November 17th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – Federal regulators have fined an Iowa grain processor more than $96,000 for its failure to develop a facility response plan as required by the federal Clean Water Act. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday that Omaha-Neb.-based Ag Processing Inc. agreed to pay the fine for its failure to develop and implement a response plan for its soybean processing facility in Mason City.

The EPA says the Mason City facility is near a stream which flows into two small lakes and eventually into the Winnebago River and that without a response plan the facility was not prepared for a worst-case discharge into nearby waters and the potential impact to wetland and wildlife habitats.

Union official from C. Bluffs gets 3 years of probation for theft

News

November 17th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A former federal union official has been sentenced to three years of probation, including six months of being confined to her home, for embezzling $33,000. U.S. District Judge John Jarvey issued the sentence Wednesday to Ann Kelly, the former treasurer-secretary of the American Federation of Government Employees in Council Bluffs. The retired federal railroad inspector had pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud for using union funds between 2002 and 2007 to make payments to personal credit cards and write checks to family members.

Kelly had asked Jarvey to show leniency and let her avoid prison. She had argued the theft was motivated to help her family out of a series of financial crises and that she’d already cashed out her retirement savings to pay the money back.

Atlantic Library sees increased usage and offers new technology

News

November 17th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The increasing popularity of electronic book readers such as the Amazon Kindle, has not had an adverse effect on the use of libraries. Carole Stanger, Director of the Atlantic Public Library, says the trends they’ve seen at the library over the past 5-years have been amazing, especially with regard to the “technology explosion.” That includes e-books.

Stanger held up a Kindle e-book reader during her periodic report at the City Council meeting Wednesday evening, The device had 23 different books in it, including a dictionary, but it can hold hundreds of books. She says those who have e-book readers can download books from the Atlantic Library. She says up until a few weeks ago, you couldn’t download books for free, but now you can. The result, is a massive increase in the amount of reading material available through the local library. Another technology feature available at the library in Atlantic, is free Wi-Fi. She says it extends into the parking lot, and on more than one occasion, she’s seen people in their vehicles at night, using the service.

Stanger says the facility is in the process of changing over their telephone system, so it’s tied-into their computer network. That will enable patrons to better utilize the many services available from the library, including the genealogy department. Carole says they typically have 300 visits per day from patrons, to the library. Much of those visits are from people who use the internet to look for work, and those looking to experience e-books for the first time. She says more people from different countries are coming to use the library, as well.

Stanger says some of the financial aspects which will affect the 108-year old library in the near future, include government mandates, such as taking care of hidden, lead-based paint. She says they are also making sure the facility is “going green.” That means being energy-efficient, and environmentally aware. Stanger says they’re doing their best to try and meet those requirements.

Minor injuries result from accident in Atlantic

News

November 17th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Police Department says some minor injuries were reported following an accident Wednesday afternoon at 7th and Walnut Streets. Offcials say vehicles driven by Dillon Cox and Laura Champlin, both of Atlantic, collided at around 2:40-p.m.  The accident happened as both vehicle were traveling south on Walnut Street.  According to the police report, Champlin had stopped to wait for traffic before making a left-hand turn. Cox failed to stop in-time, and rear-ended Champlin’s vehicle. Cox was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries, and subsquently cited for Following too close. Damage from the mishap totaled $4,500.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17th

Trading Post

November 17th, 2011 by Jim Field

FOR SALE: Troybilt Snowblower 7.5 hp  24 inch  Electric Start  Excellent condition.  $425.00.  Can email busymom72@live.com or Call or text Brandi at 712-249-1470.

FOR SALE: Pro-Form 500i treadmill, $150, excellent condition, call 549-2236.

WANTED: Willing to cut down trees if you cannot afford a tree service.  The work would be done to help people out, as he would not use the wood for personal use.  He would not be able to do anything more than 2 feet across…also could only cut down trees in more open areas.  Also has firewood for sale…freshly cut red elm – burns hot and some oak available for $75 per load.  778-4672.

FREE: About 125 trophies from car shows that he’s won over the years.  Range from 1 to 4 feet high…would like to donate them to a group/organization.  Call Bill in Avoca from 8-4 at 343-6336.

FOR SALE: Solid oak dining table and 6 chairs.  42″ x 60″ plus 2 self-storing leaves.  Excellent condition and very sturdy.  Priced at $550.  Call 712-249-3051.

8AM Sportscast 11-17-2011

Podcasts, Sports

November 17th, 2011 by admin

w/ Jim Field

Play

8AM Newscast 11-17-2011

News, Podcasts

November 17th, 2011 by admin

w/ Ric Hanson

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Iowa Hosts Northern Illinois Tonight on KJAN

Sports

November 17th, 2011 by Jim Field

N Illinois-Iowa Capsule
By The Associated Press
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Northern Illinois (0-2) at Iowa (2-0);
Thursday, 7 p.m.; Carver-Hawkeye Arena
On The Air: No TV, KJAN Radio

Northern Illinois-Iowa Probable Starters:

Iowa Hawkeyes:
G- Bryce Cartwright: 7 ppg., 5 apg.
G- Matt Gatens: 17 ppg., 3.5 rpg.
F- Eric May: 16 ppg. 5 rpg.
F- Melsahn Basabe: 14.5 ppg. 7.5 rpg.
C- Devon Archie: 2 ppg. 4 rpg.

Northern Illinois Huskies
G- Antone Christian: 2 ppg., 4.5 rpg.
G- Marquavese Ford: 1 ppg., 1 rpg.
G/F – Aksel Bolin: 7.5 ppg., 6 rpg.
G/F – Abdel Nader: 7.5 ppg., 5 rpg.
F- Tim Toler: 11 ppg., 4.5 rpg.

Notes:
Iowa looks to move to 3-0 when it hosts Northern Illinois on
Thursday night. The Hawkeyes pounded North Carolina A&T 95-79 on
Monday night…Northern Illinois is 0-2 under first-year coach Mark
Montgomery. The Huskies lost to Purdue 96-34 in their opener and
59-57 to UW-Milwaukee…Melsahn Basabe, Eric May and Zach McCabe
have scored in double figures in both games for the Hawkeyes so
far.

MICHAEL “MIKE” LYNN WHITAKER, 70, of Carroll (Svcs Monday 11-21-2011)

Obituaries

November 17th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

MICHAEL “MIKE” LYNN WHITAKER, 70, of Carroll, died Wed., Nov. 16th, at the Carroll Health Center, in Carroll. Funeral services for MIKE WHITAKER will be held 10:30am Monday, November 21st at the Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan.

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Visitation will be held Sunday, November 20th from Noon-9:00pm with family greeting friends from 3:00-6:00pm at the funeral home.

Burial will be in the Harlan Cemetery.

MIKE WHITAKER is survived by:

His wife Mary, and son Chris Whitaker, both of Carroll.

Step-Daughters: Janet Renze of Mitchellville, MD.  Denise Boring of Urbandale.

Step-Sons: John Nieland of Urbandale.  Dr. James Nieland of North Wilksboro, NC.

Sisters: Sharon Frazier of Georgetown, TX.  Susan Smith of Yuma, AZ.

7 Step-Grandchildren