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3 dead in crash near Harlan

News

October 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

(1:05-p.m.) Authorities in western Iowa are investigating a crash in Shelby County that left three people dead this (Wednesday) morning. The crash, near the Harlan Airport, resulted in the closure of Highway 59, about 2 1/2 miles north of County Road F58.   According to the Iowa State Patrol, a trooper was conducting a traffic stop on Highway 59 southbound, when a southbound Cadillac with two occupants moved to the northbound lane to pass the cruiser and the stopped vehicle. 
 
As the car was in the northbound lane, it hit a northbound SUV nearly head-on. The driver of the SUV and both people in the Cadillac died on impact. Officials say the force of the impact caused the Cadillac to spin around and hit the trooper’s car. The trooper was not in his cruiser at the time and was not injured. The vehicle which had been pulled over, was not a part of the crash.

 No names have been released.

House Fire reported in Walnut (update)

News

October 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

(update 12:25-p.m.) An overheated motor in a furnace apparently caused a small fire at a residence in Walnut, this morning.  Firefighters from Walnut and Hancock were paged out to a reported fire at 500 Highland Street, in Walnut. The call came in at around 11:18-a.m. 

Firefighters weren’t on the scene very long. No injuries were reported. It’s not clear what the extent of the damage was.

Fatal accident near Harlan this morning

News

October 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

(Updated 12:35-.m.) Three people have reportedly died in a three-vehicle crash this morning south of the Harlan airport. Harlan Medivac and Avoca Rescue were called to the scene, along with Lifenet helicopter. The acccident happened at around 10:30-a.m., as the Iowa State Patrol was making a routine traffic stop. One of the vehicles involved in the crash was an SUV.

No other details are currently available. We’ll post more on this story, as it becomes known.

Who’s Gonna Win? – Playoff Edition 10/26/2011

Podcasts, Trojan Preview/Who’s Gonna Win?

October 26th, 2011 by admin

Games:

  • CAM (7-3) @ Moravia (8-1)
  • Earlham (6-4) @ AHST (4-5)
  • Martensdale-St. Mary’s (4-5) @ Exira-EHK (7-1)
  • Tri-Center (6-3) @ Panorama (9-0)
  • Spencer (4-6) @ Creston (8-1)
  • MOC-Floyd Valley (5-4) @ Carroll (7-2)
  • Harlan (6-3) @ Bishop Heelan Catholic (8-1)
  • Atlantic (4-5) @ Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley (9-0)

Our Picks:

  • CAM (Chris, Matt, Jim, Doug)
  • AHST (Chris, Matt, Jim, Doug)
  • Exira-EHK (Chris, Matt, Jim, Doug)
  • Tri-Center (Doug), Panorama (Chris, Matt, Jim)
  • Creston (Chris, Matt, Jim, Doug)
  • Carroll (Chris, Matt, Jim, Doug)
  • Harlan (Doug), Bishop Heelan Catholic (Chris, Matt, Jim)
  • Atlantic (Chris, Matt, Jim, Doug)

Results:

  • Chris 61-19 (4-4) — Who’s-man Trophy Winner
  • Matt 51-29 (4-4)
  • Jim 48-32 (4-4)
  • Doug 47-33 (4-4)
Play

Crawford County soldier injured in combat

News

October 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A Marine from western Iowa is recovering from wounds he suffered during combat in Afghanistan on October 18th.  The father of Pfc. Kirk A. Salmon of Denison, told the Omaha World-Herald his son, who had been stationed  in Nawa Province, Afghanistan, was involved in a battle and suffered an injury to his shoulder as a result of rifle fire.  He was airlifted to Camp Dwyer in northern Afghanistan, where he underwent surgery. George Salmon said his son was transferred to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, and underwent a second surgery to remove bullet fragments. 

Last Friday, the soldier was transferred to the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center in Virginia, where he is currently recooperating from his wounds.  A decision will be made soon whether to transfer Salmon closer to home, likely to a medical facility in Omaha. George Salmon said he and his wife Susan have been in daily contact with their son. He says the young man in stable condition, good spirits and able to enjoy his meals.

Kirk Salmon, who serves with the 1st Battalion 9th Marines, is a 2008 graduate of Denison High School where he participated in baseball, wrestling and football.

Coon Rapids man to be sentenced in roommate’s death

News

October 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A Carroll County man is scheduled to be sentenced next month in connection with the death in September of his roommate, following an assault. 24-year old Travis Jeffrey Barker, of Coon Rapids, pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter, in the death of 28-year old William Smith.  Smith died September 4th at a hospital in Des Moines, following an altercation  the previous day, at the residence the men shared.

Authorities had initially charged Barker with 1st-degree murder, but Carroll County Attorney John Werden says the charge was reduced, because evidence in the case indicated Smith’s death was not premeditated. As part of the plea deal, both the prosecution and defense requested Barker serve a 5-year prison sentence.

Barker is scheduled to be sentenced on November 14th.

Mayor of Atlantic pleads guilty to dumping debris into Mo. River

News

October 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones has plead guilty to dumping refuse into Missouri River floodwaters. According to the Omaha World-Herald, Jones accepted responsibility for polluting the water, and was fined $150 plus court costs. Another misdemeanor charge of violating an open-burning ban was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

The charges stemmed from an incident near Tekamah, Nebraska in late September, when Jones, his friends, and family members removed and burned flood damaged furniture and mattresses from a cabin he owns near Tekamah. On September 24th, some debris from the fire, including charred parts of furniture, slid off into an a slough (slew), or inlet, about 250-feet from the river. Jones said the debris most likely entered the inlet when the remains of the fire were doused. He claimed it was unsafe to retrieve those items that fell into the river.

The incident was reported to authorities in Burt County, NE, by a neighbor.

Ornamental and Turfgrass Applicators Course Offered November 9th in Cass Co.

Ag/Outdoor

October 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Cass County ISU/Extension office say an Ornamental and Turfgrass Applicators Continuing Instructional Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators will be offered on Wednesday, November 9th. The program can be seen at locations across Iowa through the Iowa State University Extension Pest Management and the Environment (PME) program. The local attendance site is Cass County Extension Office. Registration begins at 1 p.m., and the course runs from 1:30 to 4 p.m. The registration fee is $35 on or before Nov. 2nd,  and $45 after Nov. 2nd.  To register or to obtain additional information about the CIC, contact Stephanie Garber at the ISU Extension office in Cass County by phoning 712-243-1132. 

The course will provide continuing instructional credit for commercial pesticide applicators certified in categories 2, 3O, 3T, 3OT and 10. Topics to be covered include effects of pesticides on groundwater and other nontarget sites; phytotoxicity; pesticide stewardship; Iowa forest health update; and turfgrass herbicide research updates. Additional information and registration forms for this and other courses being offered by the PME program can be accessed at www.extension.iastate.edu/PME.

Backyard and Beyond 10-26-2011

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

October 26th, 2011 by admin

Lavon speaks with Donna Snyder of the Eagles Club and Sherry Petty of the Jaycees Club talking about the Bloody Barn at the Cass County Fairgrounds.

Play

Reward offered for arrest of Harlan robbery suspects

News

October 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Suveillance video still frame of robbery suspects (photo courtesy Harlan P.D.)

Police in Harlan say a Crimestoppers reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two individuals allegedly involved in the armed robbery Monday morning, of a convenience store in Harlan.

As we first reported during our Noon News on Monday,  at around 11:30-a.m. that day, a white male and female entered  the Fast Stop Convenience  Store at 2401 12th Street, in Harlan.  The couple brandished a handgun, demanded money, and left the store with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The male was described as being about 6-feet, or 6-feet 4-inches tall. He had dark hair, wore blue jeans and a dark hoodie.  The female he was accompanied by had long dark hair. She wore a hot pink hoodie and blue denim capris.  Both subjects are believed to be in their mid-20’s.  The pair left the area possibly driving a black, or dark colored four door sedan. 

another still frame from surveillance video (from Harlan P.D.)

Both are considered armed and dangerous. Police caution the public not to approach them.  If you have any information on the crime,  call 911 or the Harlan PD at 712-755-5151. Again, a Crimestoppers reward is being offered for any information leading to the suspect’s arrest and conviction.