United Group Insurance

Grant UMC holds annual dinner

News

May 17th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Grant, Ia. –The Grant United Methodist Church will hold its annual Memorial Day Dinner from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Monday, May 30 with a free-will offering. The menu includes: sloppy joe or ham sandwich, baked beans, assorted salads, pies and desserts, and coffee, tea or lemonade. All money raised by the dinner supports the Grant United Methodist Women and their work for mission projects and the Grant church.

In addition to the dinner, students in Time to Create, the church’s after-school program, will have a fundraising sale of homemade snack mix in decorative tins. Proceeds will benefit the program and its mission projects.

The Grant United Methodist Church, founded in 1855, is a multigenerational church focusing on concern for its neighbors and providing a center of worship for all ages. Worship services are celebrated at 9:30 a.m. each Sunday.

GCP sponsors music jam and quilt auction….

Following the church dinner from 1-4 p.m., Grant Community Preservationists (GCP) will sponsor a country-bluegrass jam session in the Grant City Park. Jim and Kathy Wymore of New Market will host the jam session, and interested musicians can sign up at the event. Everyone is welcome to attend.

In addition at about 2:30 p.m., Steve Bergren will auction a full size Circle of Stars quilt on a brocaded white ground. The stars are pieced in patterns of blue and green with snail-patterned quilting. The quilt was made locally and donated by GCP member Jacky Adams.

A concession stand will also be open, serving coffee, iced tea and desserts. Attendees should bring lawn chairs; a porty-potty will be on site. In case of rain, the event will be held at the Grant United Methodist Church. Proceeds from this event will benefit GCP and its work on the Grant Masonic Lodge and Grant Park.

The Grant Community Preservationists was formed to help maintain Grant and its unique historic character. Designated in October 2003, the Grant Commercial Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places.

EHK School Board approves sharing of business manager w/Exira

News

May 17th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Members of the Elk Horn-Kimballton Board of Education have approved the sharing of a Business Manager with Exira for the 2011-2012 school year. EHK-Exira Superintendent Dean Schnoes said Cindy Paulsen, who has the experience necessary to allow for a smooth transition as the districts lean closer toward a possible consolidation.

The beginning of the new school year marks the start of Whole Grade Sharing between the two districts. And, while Exira and E-H-K will operate as one educational district, they will still be two different entities in the eyes of the Department of Education and Management. In his May 2011 newsletter the “Den Dane Dialogue,“ Schnoes said he’s currently focused on keeping the two districts separate until 2014, due to the sharing money both districts receive from the state department. 2014 would be the last year for sharing money for whole grade sharing, and that is when both districts need to decide if they would like to consolidate into one new district.

In other business, Schnoes said the EHK School Board discussed, but did not approve, a donation to the Danish Immigrant Museum, for the “Heritage Path.” The museum is building a walk-way and had sent out information for those who might be interested in purchasing a brick along the path. Schnoes said the board declined to contribute funds toward the project because public funds cannot be used for such purposes. The board members can purchase bricks individually, but not as a whole.

The board approved a bid from Specialty Concrete, L-L-C in Exira, for improvements to the EHK parking lot. The bids, according to Schnoes, were very close. In fact, they were within $100. They also approved contracts for certified staff and support staff, who will be receiving a 1.5-percent salary increase during the coming year.

And, even though the Seniors graduated this past weekend, Schnoes said there’s no break for the administrators, because now they have to prepare for the big move over the Summer. The Elementary Building will close over the Summer in Exira, so everything has to be moved out, and into the new 2.1-million dollar Exira Middle School addition to the existing Exira Jr/Sr High School building. The Elementary School building is closing after 97-years, as part of the Whole Grade Sharing agreement with the Elk Horn-Kimballton District.

Schnoes said the Board also discussed, but did not act on changes to the baseball field, such as expanding the concession stand, restroom, and other improvements.

05-17-2011 Backyard and Beyond

Podcasts

May 17th, 2011 by admin

Lavon speaks with Wendy Wittrock, Manager of the Cass County Landfill, about a new recycling opportunity for CFL bulbs and other programs!

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05-17-2011 Across Oceans Across Time

Podcasts

May 17th, 2011 by admin

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Adams County chase/shooting update

News

May 17th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Trenton Jenkins

Eric Jenkins

Logan Jenkins

In an update to a story we brought you last week about a vehicle chase and shooting incident in Adams County, the Sheriff’s Department reported this (Tuesday) morning the names of the victims involved in the incident.

Officials say persons in the car being chased and allegedly shot at by Logan Jenkins, of Prescott, were identified as: 18-year old Andrew K. Davis, of Orient; 19-year old Alex Pellman, 18-year old Cole Gutschenritter and 18-year old Taylor Chapman, all from Creston, and 18-year old Kayla Hoskins, of Prescott.

According to the Sheriff’s Department, on May 13th, emergency dispatchers received a 9-1-1 call just before 1-a.m from Andrew Davis, indicating he was being chased by three vehicles on Union Avenue, in Adams County. Davis then reported he was being shot at by one of the vehicles.

The chase wound through Adams County and into Union County on Highway 34. Union County Sheriff’s Deputies were able to locate Davis’ vehicle along with two other vehicles that were allegedly chasing him. Three people were taken into custody as a result of the chase. They were identified as Logan Jenkins, his 22-year old brother Trenton, and 55-year old father, Eric, all from Prescott.

An investigation revealed several bullet holes in Davis’ pickup. A firearm and rounds were also recovered from one of the suspect’s vehicles, which was located on Highway 34, around 205th Street, in Union County. That vehicle was wrecked and found abandoned by one of the suspects, during the chase.

Logan Jenkins was subsequently charged with 5 Felony counts of attempted murder, and 1 Felony County of going armed with intent. He was being held in jail on $500,000 bond. Trenton and Eric Jenkins were each charged with 5 Felony counts of Assault while participating in a Felony. Their bonds were set at $150,000 each.

Girls Hawkeye 10 Tennis Meet

Sports

May 17th, 2011 by Jim Field

Girls Hawkeye 10 Tennis Meet at Glenwood

Final Team Standings:
1. Red Oak             28
2. Shenandoah         24
3. Atlantic             18
4. Denison-Schleswig     17
T5. Glenwood         15
T5. Harlan             15
7. Clarinda             14
8. Kuemper Catholic     8
9. Lewis Central         4
10. Creston-OM         1

#1 Singles Championship:
Emily Pierson, Red Oak over Chelsy Petersen, Harlan 6-1, 6-0
3rd Place:
MacKenzie Johnson, Shenandoah over Shelby Svoboda, Atlantic 8-6

#1 Doubles Championship:
Rachel Pierson/Zoey Baker, Red Oak over Kristen Alesch/Rachael Ingram, Denison 6-2, 6-0
3rd Place:
Beth Reiter/Teal Driscoll, Clarinda over Ana Van Scoy/Grace Newman, Glenwood 8-6

#2 Singles Championship:
Sarina Mohrhardt, Shenandoah over Morgan Allen, Atlantic 6-0, 6-2
3rd Place:
Carly Heese, Harlan over Liz Perez, Denison 8-2

#2 Doubles Championship:
Britt Walker/Paige Vannausdle, Red Oak over Rachel Tucker/Shelby Cronk, Glenwood 6-1, 2-6, 6-3
3rd Place:
Tarynne Kinghorn/Ashton Matheny, Shenandoah over Whitney Gustafson/Leslie Bielenberg 9-8(3)

Atlantic Results in Doubles —

#1 Doubles Liz Metheny/Carli Thornton #4 Seed, lost in quarterfinals to Van Scoy/Newman, Glenwood 8-3
beat Phipps/Bakerink, Creston 8-1, lost to Kroepel/Johnson, Shenandoah 8-5 for 6th Place

#2 Doubles Sarah Schreiner/Tierney Kamies won preliminary match over Schmidtz/Daringer, Kuemper Catholic 9-8(2); lost in quarterfinals to Tucker/Cronk, Glenwood 8-2; beat Lamplot/Epperson, LC 8-3, lost to Clement/Dean, Clarinda 8-4 for 6th Place.

Hit and run investigation – no charges filed

News

May 17th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Montgomery County say no citations will be issued or charges filed in connection with an accident which occurred last Tuesday night (May 10th). After reports aired about a hit and run incident involving a semi-tractor trailer and an unknown item being pulled by a pickup truck, 58-year old Stanley Peterman, of Villisca noticed the following day, his Patriot Brand Seed tender had damage, and that he had been the other driver involved in the incident.

Peterman contacted the Sheriff’s Office and provided his information. In addition, he located a piece of the seed tender at the scene of the accident. Sheriff’s officials say Peterman did not realize the auger had struck the semi on Highway 71 at around 10:20-p.m., a few miles south of Mortons Mill, which is why he did not report his involvement in the accident earlier.

The Sheriff’s Department had reported a tractor-trailer driven by 29-year old James M. Hecker, of Trimont, MN, was traveling north on Highway 71 just south of the 36 mile-marker, when a southbound diesel pickup truck pulling an unknown item, hit the left front of the semi’s trailer. The collision resulted in damage to the left top corner of the trailer and the transfer of red paint from the item being towed by the other vehicle.

At the time the report was filed, officials said the driver of the unknown vehicle — which was later identified as Peterman’s 2010 Ford F-350 pickup — continued south to 170th Street before turning west at a high rate of speed. A check of the collision scene resulted in the recovery of a broken antenna from the semi’s cab. Damage from the incident amounted to just over $6,000.

Sheriff’s officials say the accident investigation is now complete, and no citations will be issued.

Senate passes bill aimed at Nebraska abortion doctor

News

May 17th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Senate has passed a bill that would keep a Nebraska doctor from opening a late-term abortion clinic in Council Bluffs. The Republican-led Iowa House already passed a bill to prohibit abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy. A similar law in Nebraska took effect October 15 and Dr. LeRoy Carhart announced he’d open a late-term abortion clinic across the border in Council Bluffs. Yesterday (MONDAY), the Democratically-led Iowa Senate passed a bill that would require Carhart and others who want to open that kind of a clinic apply to the State of Iowa for permit. And the clinic would have to be located near a hospital with a neonatal unit for premature babies. There is no such hospital in Council Bluffs. Senator Joe Bolkcom, a Democrat from Iowa City, suggests the proposal keeps Carhart out of Council Bluffs while still allowing late-term abortions when necessary.

“We need to be honest about the circumstances under which a woman pursues an abortion after 20 weeks,” Bolkcom said. “Not every pregnancy ends the way a family hopes it will. A woman with a wanted pregnancy that goes terribly wrong must face an awful decision that none of us ever want to face.” Critics of the plan say Carhart would be able to open a clinic in four other Iowa cities which do have hospital units for premature babies. Senator Nancy Boettger, a Republican from Harlan, was blunt.

“I’m sick that this bill actually sets up a pathway for late-term abortionists to set up work here in Iowa,” Boettger said. “…I call it the Late Term Abortionists Invitation Bill.” Senator Brad Zaun, a Republican from Urbandale, suggested the bill’s merely cover for Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal who is from Council Bluffs. “We’re going to pass this bill just to save face, but not save a life,” Zaun said. “This bill is a sham. We should be ashamed of ourselves and it disgusts me.” Gronstal spoke near the end of debate, saying he “generally” votes in favor of abortion rights. “But at times I, too, have reeled at the suggestion of something like late-term abortion,” Gronstal said.Gronstal characterized the bill as a compromise that will answer the fears of his constituents in Council Bluffs without banning all late-term abortions in the state.

“I reel at the thought of abortion, but I also reel at the thought of telling a woman she must take to term a baby that cannot survive,” Gronstal said. “That’s got to be the most gut-wrenching decision anybody has ever made.” Senator Mark Chelgren, a Republican from Ottumwa, says the Senate bill won’t see the light of day in the Republican-led House.

“You know the challenge that we have in front of us right now is Senate File 534 might feel good, but it’s not going to do a darn thing,” Chelgren said. “…Even if we passed it unanimously, it — like a ship in the night — would pass to the House and nothing would happen.” Bolkcom argues the House-passed ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy would be challenged in court on constitutional grounds.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate, given our budget constraints, to pass things that are unconstitutional that will require the state to defend and spend money to try and address,” Bolkcom said during debate. Republicans tried several different tactics to try to sideline the Democratic proposal and substitute their own plan. With shouts of “point of order” ringing through the senate, Senate President Jack Kibbie asked for a bit of a time out from both sides.

“Would the senators have a little patience here and cool your heels here a little bit?” Kibbie asked. After two hours of debate, the bill passed on a 26 to 23 vote, with Democrats on the “yes” side and Republicans voting “no.”

(Kay Henderson/Radio Iowa)

Girls District Golf Results

Sports

May 17th, 2011 by Jim Field

Class 3-A District at Nishna Hills Golf Course

ADM – 366 – Regional Qualifier

Atlantic – 376 – Regional Qualifier

Harlan – 414

Creston – 448

Shenandoah – 473

Dallas Center-Grimes – 510

Glenwood – 547

Red Oak – 602

Individual Qualifiers:

Stacie Goodale, ADM – 87

Lauren Bever, ADM – 87

Taylor Hance Creston – 87

Brooke Fletcher, Atlantic – 90

Megan Ticknor, ADM – 93

 

Class 3-A District  at Carroll Municipal Golf Course

Spirit Lake – 351 – Regional Qualifier

Carroll – 378 – Regional Qualifier

Nevada – 386

Algona – 391

Humboldt – 413

Perry – 438

Webster City – 445

Jefferson-Scranton/Paton-Churdan – 502

Individual Qualifiers:

Maureen Owens, Spirit Lake – 81

Katelyn Prignitz, Nevada – 84

Sara Pettitt, Carroll – 84

Shelby Townsend, Perry – 86

Emily Ayres, Spirit Lake – 86

 

Class 2-A District at Quail Run Golf Course

Clarinda – 348 – Regional Qualifier

Logan-Magnolia – 382 – Regional Qualifier

IKM-Manning – 383

Missouri Valley – 386

Audubon – 406

Underwood – 420

Nodaway Valley – 445

Tri-Center – 517

Individual Qualifiers:

Jennifer Geer, Clarinda – 75

Macey Cohrs, Logan-Magnolia – 80

Lindsay Hight, Nodaway Valley – 85

Sarah Steinauer, Clarinda – 85

Meagan Gochenour, Missouri Valley – 87

 

Class 1-A District at Griswold Golf and Country Club

Van Meter – 432 – Regional Qualifier

Mt. Ayr – 447 – Regional Qualifier

Lamoni – 455

Guthrie Center – 479

Griswold – 488

Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton – 496

Earlham – 509

CAM – 515

Corning – 516

Lenox – did not participate in team competition

Individual Qualifiers:

Molly Budach, Mt. Ayr – 87

Sam Quelland, Van Meter – 95

Sidnee Smith, Lamoni – 100

Keeley Brunner, Lamoni – 103

Cassie Forsyth, Griswold – 103

 

Class 1-A District at Treynor Recreation Area Golf Course

Treynor – 401 – Regional Qualifier

Bedford – 443 – Regional Qualifier

Sidney/Hamburg – 579

Villisca – 586

East Mills – 615

Council Bluffs St. Albert – did not participate in team competition

Riverside – did not participate in team competition

Individual Qualifiers:

Taylor Hill, Treynor – 79

Morgan Jacobsen, Treynor – 91

Anna Hildebrand, Riverside – 93

Danielle Rowe, Bedford – 102

Gracie Myers, Treynor – 102

Trojanns Kick Riverside

Sports

May 17th, 2011 by Jim Field

Atlantic exploded for three second half goals in a 4-0 win over Riverside in girls soccer Monday night in Atlantic.  Kari Sandage scored on a penalty kick to give Atlantic a 1-0 halftime edge.  Sandage scored again in the second half, as did Michelle Buboltz and Emily Hixson to lead the Trojanns.