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Community big band dance in Atlantic July 23rd

News

July 14th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Free music and dancing will once again be featured at the Elks Lodge in Atlantic, on Saturday, July 23rd, with a full stage of local talent performing big band hits. The “Let Freedom Swing” event takes in the Lodge, located at 501 Poplar Street, beginning at 7- p.m.

Event organizer Curtis Ullerich says members of “Popcorn Button” are rested-up from their Winter performances, and ready to entertain the masses. The twenty piece band is comprised of musicians from the Atlantic community and southwest Iowa at-large, with students from Atlantic High School, Iowa State University, and the University of Iowa.

In addition to their standard fare of classic big band hits, Popcorn Button plan to unveil
fresh charts, such as “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Moon River Waltz,” and “Too Fat Polka.” And, local ballroom aficionados Pam and Jake Auerbach will again grace the dance floor with their swinging styling’s and share their gift of smooth moves with any dancers present during the event, in the form of free ballroom lessons from 8- to 8:30-p.m.  The couple will teach interested individuals the waltz, polka, lindy hop, and two step.

Again, “Let Freedom Swing” is a free public event. A free will donation will be accepted at the door to help defray costs of the event. All ages and dancing abilities are invited and encouraged to attend on Saturday, July 23rd at the Elks Lodge in Atlantic.

Popcorn Button recently appeared at the Atlantic All-Class Reunion and will be performing at the First United Presbyterian Church in Atlantic on July 24th as pre-dinner entertainment for RAGBRAI riders. For more information on any of these events, contact Curtis Ullerich at curtisullerich@gmail.com or at 424-242-2878.

King, Bachmann tout bill about national debt

News

July 14th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Western Iowa Congressman Steve King and Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann, his best friend in congress, have unveiled a bill they say will ensure the government would pay the interest on the debt and pay the nation’s active and retired soldiers first if there’s an impasse over the so-called debt ceiling.

“We want to make sure that we keep our promises,” King says. Bachmann has repeatedly vowed to vote against raising the debt ceiling and she accuses President Obama of using “scare tactics” by suggesting there’s no guarantee Social Security checks will be issued in August if congress doesn’t raise the nation’s debt limit.

“We were all shocked and appalled that President Obama dangled out in front of the cameras that senior citizens may not get their checks. That’s a very dangerous statement to make,” Bachmann said. “We don’t believe that for a moment.” The legislation Bachmann and King propose would put institutions that hold U.S. government debt and individuals who hold U.S. Treasury notes at the front of the line to get paid if the government gets in deep financial problems.

“It ensures that we keep our credit and our bond rating by paying and servicing our debts first,” King says. King and Bachmann argue the Social Security Trust Fund has enough money to pay Social Security benefits in August. The two Republicans made their comments Wednesday during a news conference in Washington, D.C.

(O.Kay Henderson/Radio Iowa)

Two SW Iowans among 7 injured in Boone County crash

News

July 13th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Two western Iowa women were among seven people injured during a two-vehicle crash today (Wednesday), in Boone County. The Iowa State Patrol says 20-year olds Sarah Conry, of Harlan, and Jacqueline Carlson, of Red Oak, were hurt when the car Conry was driving hit a vehicle that failed to yield from a stop sign and pulled into Conry’s path. The accident happened at around 1:20-p.m., just south of the Boone Municipal Airport.

Officials say the vehicles collided as Conrys 2003 Ford Taurus station wagon was traveling west on Highway 30, and a 1998 Toyota Avalon driven by 26-year old Ashley Sabatka, of Omaha, was traveling south on Snedden Drive.

Sabatka was flown by helicopter to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines following the crash. A passenger in her car, 5-year old Nathan Sabatka, of Omaha, was injured and transported by Boone County Ambulance to Children’s Hospital in Des Moines. Also injured in the crash, was 21-year old Monica Madsen, of Melbourne, 20-year old Rose Koester, of Gladbrook, and 26-year old Amanda Valentin, of Ames.

Madsen was transported by ambulance to Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, while Koester, Valentin and Conry were taken to the Boone County Hospital. Jacqueline Carlson was transported to Mary Greely Hospital in Ames.

All of the crash victims were wearing their seatbelts.

Former Adair city employees charged with theft

News

July 13th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

GREENFIELD, Iowa (AP) — A former Adair city clerk and her son have been charged with stealing city funds.

The Iowa attorney general’s office says 63-year-old Linda Nichols and her son, 41-year-old Terry Nichols, a city street department employee, were each charged Monday with first-degree theft and felonious misconduct in office.

There is no attorney listed for them in court records. They appeared in court Monday and were released.

A state auditor’s report in May found $119,000 in questionable spending for the city of Adair from 2007 through 2010.

Prosecutors say the Nichols accepted inflated or unwarranted payments, failed to pay municipal utility bills, used city funds to buy goods for their personal use and falsified public records.

If convicted, they each could face up to 15 years in prison.

Cardinals and Garcia Strike a Four Year Deal

Sports

July 13th, 2011 by Jim Field

ST. LOUIS, MO July 13, 2011 – St. Louis Cardinals Sr. Vice President &
General Manager John Mozeliak announced today that the Cardinals have
agreed to terms with pitcher Jaime Garcia on a four year contract with
two club options.  The Cardinals made the announcement this afternoon at
a press conference at Busch Stadium.

“Jaime is one the best young arms in baseball today,” said Mozeliak.
“We are excited to have him as part of the core of our pitching staff
for years to come.”

Garcia, 25, is 9-3 with a 3.23 ERA during the first half of this season,
which comes on the heels of one of the best rookie campaigns in 2010
where he was 13 – 8 with a 2.70 ERA (4th N.L.), ranking not only among
top rookie pitchers, but also the top Major League pitchers in several
categories.

Garcia’s career mark is 23 – 12, with a 3.06 ERA in 57 games, with 240
career strike outs.  In 2010, Garcia’s 2.70 ERA was the lowest by a
Cardinals’ left handed starter since John Tudor recorded a 2.40 ERA in
22 starts (25 games) during 1990.

Garcia was named both Rookie of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year
for 2010 by the St. Louis Chapter of the Baseball Writers of America
Association.

Garcia was selected by Baltimore in the 20th round (899th overall) of
the 2004 draft, but did not sign.  The 6-2, 215-pounder was born in
Reynosa, Mexico and currently makes his home in Mission, Texas, where he
attended Sharyland High School.

(Cardinals Press Release)

4 SW IA Airports receive safety improvement & rehab funds

News

July 13th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Four southwest Iowa airports are receiving a total of $306, 300 from the Iowa Transportation Commission, as part of $5.3-million approved for the 2012 State Aviation Program. The ITC says among them, is the Atlantic Municipal Airport, which will receive $29,750 to Rehabilitate a shop hangar.

Also, the Corning Municipal Airport will receive $48,000 to replace runway lights.  The Creston Municipal Airport is set to  receive $199,750 for Phase Two of their plans to improve the fuel system, and, the Shenandoah Municipal Airport is the recipient of $28,800 for constructing an access taxiway for the four unit T-hangar, as well as $150,000 for the construction of a four-unit T-hangar.

A total of nearly 3 million dollars will be used for aviation safety programs and planning a development program, while the remaining  2.3 million is being devoted to the aviation vertical infrastructure programs. The State’s Aviation Program supplements local, and federal funding sources.

Area Students Take Part in FFA Field Day

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 13th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

More than 40 area FFA students gathered at Monsanto Company’s Atlantic Research Farm last Thursday for a hands-on learning opportunity. This is the second year a handful of the company’s employees have invited students to enjoy the facility as a 50-acre classroom. “The only bad thing about the growing season is that it takes place while we’re out of school, so it’s great to be able to get together and experience this part of the year as a class,” said Kevin Blair, Griswold FFA Advisor. “A lot of what we do with FFA is based on horticulture in the present rather than in production so it’s great that the kids can still have opportunities to learn about and grasp those concepts.” Griswold is one of eight FFA chapters who took part in the 2nd annual field day. Students and advisers from the Adair-Casey, Corning, Creston, Guthrie Center, Harlan, IKM-Manning and Shenandoah FFA chapters also participated. To kick things off, students attended sessions addressing some of the main factors of crop productivity: weeds, insects, crop development and soils. They examined actual samples of common crop-stressing species, learned about their life-cycles, how to identify them and methods used for preventing or removing them. Students also focused on the attributes that contribute to plant health and productivity. Following the sessions, students toured the Atlantic facility to learn how the company develops plants to produce higher yields and tests the effects of variable cropping systems and environmental conditions. The hands-on lessons offer students a chance to actively engage with their studies and provide a real-world view as chapters prepare for agronomy and soil judging contests later this year. “This was a great hands-on experience. A volunteer who helps with the Iowa soil judging contests spoke to them about plant development and showed them how they could actually see the nodes on the corn plant itself,” Blair said. “Something like this sparks their interest. I can talk about these concepts, but if they see people who work with them every day, they see a real career opportunity for a job beyond being in the office every day.” Bill Backhaus, a Monsanto territory sales manager who helped organize the event, said this time the team tried to tighten its focus on practical and hands-on activities with the aim of developing students’ interest in agriculture and encouraging them to ultimately pursue ag careers. “These kids come from a variety of backgrounds and knowledge levels, but most of them are really focused. Their minds are like sponges, ready to be filled with information,” Backhaus said. “The experiences they have now will help them find where their passion is and what they want to do.” (Monsanto Press Release)

Branstad urged to overhaul teacher pay

News

July 13th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Business leaders say it’s time to overhaul the way teachers are paid in Iowa. They told Gov. Terry Branstad on Wednesday that teachers need to be paid like their workers – based on performance, not just on how long they’ve been on the job. Branstad says he’s open to the idea, noting he pushed the issue during his initial tenure as governor.

Business leaders joined Branstad during an education roundtable in Des Moines. The governor is holding a series of meetings to build toward an education summit later this month that includes U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

Glenwood man injured in cycle accident

News

July 13th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa State Patrol reports a Glenwood man was seriously injured during a motorcycle crash Tuesday evening in Mills County. 51-year old Eric Harris, of Glenwood, was transported to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, following the crash which occurred on the on-ramp to Interstate 29 northbound, off of Highway 34.

The Patrol says Harris was traveling to fast too make the curve. The 2007 Harley Davidson he was riding went out of control and entered the west ditch, where it fell onto its right side and slid into some fence posts before entering standing water in the ditch.

The accident happened at around 6:30-p.m., Tuesday.

Chrysler recalls 242,000 Ram pickup trucks

News

July 13th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

DETROIT (AP) – Chrysler is recalling more than 242,000 Ram pickup trucks because of a problem in the steering system. The recall affects certain Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups from the 2008 to 2011 model years. The Ram is Chrysler’s best-selling vehicle.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that a part near the left wheel can fracture and cause loss of steering control, leading to crashes. The problem happens mainly at low speeds when drivers are making tight turns. Chrysler says only a few minor crashes and one minor injury have been reported.

The problem also can affect 2003 to 2008 Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty models in which the same part was replaced by mechanics. Chrysler dealers will inspect the trucks and fix the defect for free if necessary.