United Group Insurance

Smaller towns along may face biggest flood risk

News

June 13th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Smaller communities along the Missouri River may face the greatest flood risk this summer as the water rises. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says this summer’s Missouri River flooding could rival the record years of 1952 and 1993 in places.

Officials will increase releases to 150,000 cubic feet per second of water from five of the river’s dams on Tuesday. As a result, the river will rise 5 to 7 feet above flood stage in most of Nebraska and Iowa before continuing into Missouri where it may rise 10 feet above flood stage in several places.

The places in most danger of flooding include the small towns of Hamburg, Blencoe and Pacific Junction in Iowa; South Sioux  City, Rulo and Plattsmouth in Nebraska; and St. Joseph, Mo.

DONALD RIVERS (svcs. set for Sat. June 18)

Obituaries

June 13th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

DONALD RIVERS, 75, of Fontanelle, died Sun., June 12th, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. Funeral services for DONALD RIVERS will be held 11-a.m. Sat., June 18th, at the United Methodist Church in Fontanelle. Steen Funeral Home in Fontanelle has the arrangements.

Visitation is open at the funeral home from 2-8pm Fri., June 17th, with the family present from 6-8pm.

Burial, with full military graveside rite performed by the Fontanelle Am. Legion Carlson Post No. 247, will be in the Fontanelle Cemetery.

Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.

Memorials may be directed to the Donald Rivers memorial fund to be established by the family.

DONALD RIVERS is survived by:

His twin sisters – Della Luman and Doris (Ralph) Stevens, of Michigan

Two daughters – Keri (Mike) Sickles, of Fontanelle, and Kris Rhoads of Greenfield.

4 grandchildren

8 great grandchildren

his sister-in-law, other relatives, and friends.

Saturday H.S. Baseball Scores

Sports

June 13th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Carroll Tournament

  • Algona 10, Denison 2
  • Denison 5, Sgt. Bluff/Luton 4

Elsewhere:

  • Griswold 2, Villisca 1
  • Ogden 10, Griswold 0
  • Orient-Macksburg 11, Bedford 5
  • Corning 10, Bedford 0 (6 inn)
  • Corning 12, Orient-Macksburg 2
  • Carroll 7, Estherville Lincoln Central 1
  • St. Edmond, Fort Dodge 5, St. Albert 3

 

Monday meetings in the KJAN listening area

News

June 12th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A few regularly schedule meetings are scheduled for Monday evening in Massena and Audubon. In Massena, the C-and-M Board of Education will hold it’s meeting at 4-p.m., in the CAM Middle School Library. Among the items on their light agenda, is action on a board policy with regard to Governmental Accounting Practices and Regulations.

The Massena City Council will gather at 6:30-p.m. to review and pay the bills. At 6:45, a Public Hearing will be held on Emergency Brake Ordinance 2011-02. During the start of the regular session at 7-p.m., the Council will hold the 1st reading of the E-brake ordinance, and the second reading of an ordinance pertaining to Holiday Leave. Later on in the meeting, discussion and possible action will take place with regard to: proposed parking and/or street closings, in preparation for Massena’s 125th Celebration; a cable TV franchise; and, nuisance properties & junkyards.

The Audubon City Council will also meet at 7-p.m. Monday, when they will hear: from ISU Extension’s Kate Hargens, with regard to the Wellness Walk; an update from the Fire Department Chief John Ballou; a presentation from Oscar Arras, with Utility Service Partners.  The Council will also act on: a resolution re-appointing Bob Sornson to the Landfill Commission, a resolution hiring a custodian, and a request from Audubon County Traveler’s, with regard to cable in the campground.

Eberly, Clarinda A’s G.M. dies after long battle with cancer

Sports

June 12th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A man who managed the Clarinda A’s summer collegiate program for more than 57-years died over the weekend, following a lengthy battle with cancer. According to the Eichemeyer Funeral Chapel in Clarinda, 76-year old Merl J. Eberly died Saturday.

Eberly was serving as the General Manager of the team at the time of his death. Notable alumnus  of the A’s include Ozzie Smith, Von Hayes, Buddy Black, and Jose Alvarez. They were among more than 30 former players who went on to have major league careers.

Eberly’s association with athletics began early in his life, as he was a four-sport athlete at the Clarinda High School, playing basketball at Clarinda Junior College and minor league baseball with the White Sox, in Holdrege, NE.

While he was a journalist for more than 30-years in Clarinda, his love of sports and working with young people led him to coach the Clarinda A’s, and the Clarinda Lancers basketball team until 1981. Eberly also served as coach at Iowa Western Community College’ Clarinda campus in the late 1960’s and early ‘70’s.

Merl Eberly was also active in the Clarinda Booster Club from the time of his graduation, as well as many other community groups and activities. A Celebration of Life service for Eberly will be held Thursday, in Clarinda.

Public Intox arrests in Adams County

News

June 12th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Adams County report two Union County men were arrested recently on Public Intoxication charges. 47-year old Roger Austin, of Creston, was arrested at around 8:45-Friday night while walking along Highway 34.  He served a 24-hour jail sentence and was released Saturday.

And, 24-year old Anthony Keeler, of Creston,  was arrested at around 11:10-p.m. Saturday at the Adams County Speedway. Keeler is required to appear before the magistrate. No bond was set for him over the weekend.

MERL J. EBERLY (svcs. set for June 16th)

Obituaries

June 12th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

MERL J. EBERLY, 76, of Clarinda (Manager of the Clarinda A’s summer collegiate program from 1961-1997), died Sat., June 11th. Celebration of Life services for MERL EBERLY will be held 10:30-a.m. Thu., June 16th, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Clarinda. Eichemeyer Funeral Chapel in Clarinda has the arrangements. (www.efc.com)

Visitation, with the family present, will be held from 6-8pm Wed., June 15th, at the Eichemeyer Funeral Chapel.

Memorials may be directed to the Merl Eberly Memorial Fund.

MERL EBERLY is survived by:

His wife: Pat

6 children

11 grandchildren & 6 great-grandchildren

LOIS J. KNESS (svcs. set for June 15th)

Obituaries

June 12th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

LOIS J. KNESS, 85, of Audubon, died Sat., June 11th, at the Friendship Home in Audubon. Funeral services for LOIS KNESS will be held 2-p.m. Wed., June 15th, at the 1st Presbyterian Church in Audubon. Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon has the arrangements.

Visitation is open at the funeral home, where the family will be present 6-p.m, Tue.

Burial is in the Maple Grove Cemetery at Audubon.

LOIS KNESS is survived by:

Her children: Peggy (Wayne) Rasmussen, of Cedar Rapids; Stephen (Dana) Kness, of Holdridge, NE; Nancy Peters, & Bill (Lori) Kness, all of Urbandale.

Her sister and brothers: Charlotte (Larry) Fett, of Vinton; Clark “Sam” (Lois) Kauffman, & Charles (Linda) Kauffman, all of Audubon; & Douglas Kauffman, of Estherville.

9 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, in-laws, other relatives, & friends.

Weekend News 6-11-2011

News, Podcasts

June 12th, 2011 by admin

w/ Afternoon Announcer Brett Johnson

Play

Iowa DOT provides Saturday update on flooded road conditions

News

June 12th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa – June 11, 2011 – 7:15 p.m. – Flooding from the Missouri River is
expected to impact additional roads in western Iowa as water levels continue to
rise. Roads impacted by flooding are expected to be closed for an extended period of
time. 

Iowans are urged to closely monitor conditions and never enter a water-covered
roadway. Flood waters can force a vehicle off the roadway. In addition, it is not
uncommon for roadways and shoulders to be damaged when flooded, presenting unsafe
conditions for motorists.

The flooding situation is dynamic, ever-changing throughout the day. Take extra
precautions at night when it is difficult to see a flooded road ahead. Avoid travel
in areas threatened by flood waters.  

If you must travel on roadways where water is nearby, give your full attention to
the driving task and expect vehicles ahead to slow down or make sudden stops. Keep
your focus on the road ahead, not on the water around you and adjust your speed for
conditions.

Current road closures/restrictions
I-29 Hamilton Boulevard interchange in Woodbury County: The southbound I-29
interchange ramps at Hamilton Boulevard in Sioux City are closed. The northbound on-
and off-ramps remain open. An alternative ramp has been constructed from southbound
I-29 to Wesley Parkway/U.S. 77.
I-29 in Pottawattamie County: The south- and northbound lanes of I-29 between
milepost 55 (N. 25th Street in Council Bluffs) and the I-29/I-680 interchange at
milepost 71 (near Loveland) are closed.
I-680 in Pottawattamie County: I-680 is closed from the I-29/680 interchange (exit
61 near Crescent) in Iowa to North 30th Street in Omaha, Nebr. (exit 13). This
closure includes the Mormon Bridge across the Missouri River. The Iowa detour route
for interstate roadways closed in this vicinity is: I-680 east from the I-29/I-680
interchange near Loveland to I-80, and then take I-80 southwest to Council Bluffs.
Eastbound travelers on I-680 in Omaha that are intending to travel to Iowa must exit
at North 30th Street (exit 13), continue south on North 30th Street to U.S.
75/I-480, and then continue south on I-480 to I-80 eastbound.
Iowa 2 in Fremont County: The right lane of eastbound Iowa 2 is closed west of I-29.
The westbound lanes remain open. The speed limit will be reduced on this highway to
assist travelers safely navigate through the area. 

Highway segments at high risk of being closed due to flooding
I-29 near Blencoe: Two segments of I-29 are at risk of being impacted by flood
waters in this area: (1) near milepost 103.5 south of Blencoe; and (2) near milepost
107 north of Blencoe. 
I-29 and U.S. 30 near Missouri Valley: Locally sponsored agricultural levees provide
some measure of protection for this area. Three highway segments are at most risk in
this area: (1) U.S. 30 west of I-29 between mileposts 7 and 8; (2) U.S. 30 east of
I-29 between mileposts 9 and 10; and (3) I-29 between mileposts 77 and 78.
I-29/I-680 interchange between mileposts 71-72 near Loveland: This interchange is
presently part of the I-29 detour. It is expected to be covered with flood waters. A
loss of this interchange will significantly impact I-29 travel along the entire
highway corridor because it currently serves as a connector between the northern and
southern portions of the route. The extent of the traffic impact on the multistate
region is yet to be determined. It is dependent on what other Missouri River bridges
and roadway segments along the corridor are eventually closed due to flooding.     
I-29, U.S. 275 and Iowa 333 at Hamburg in Fremont County: Temporary repairs have
been made to the levee in Atchison County, Mo., to delay a full breach. The timing
of the closure of these roadways hinges on a full breach.
Iowa 127 near Mondamin: The segments most at risk of flooding are located east and
west of Mondamin, near mileposts 0.8 and 1.5.
Iowa 175 near Onawa: The segment most at risk of flooding is west of I-29 near the
Missouri River. This route serves as the river crossing between Onawa, Iowa, and
Decatur, Nebr.

Undergoing further evaluation or being monitored 
I-29 northbound off-ramp to Dace Avenue in Sioux City (exit 147B or commonly known
as the Downtown/Tyson Events Center): Flood mitigation efforts will be deployed to
try to keep this ramp open.
I-29 northbound and southbound lanes in Sioux City at the U.S. 77/Wesley Parkway
underpass (between exits 148 and 149): Flood mitigation efforts will be deployed to
try to prevent this low area from being flooded. 
I-29, from south of Bellevue (milepost 39) to Hamburg (milepost 1): This area is at
a lesser risk, but would be inundated if the levee is breached or overtopped.
Iowa 376 (U.S. 75 Business): The roadway from Gordon Drive to Third Street in Sioux
City may be closed if current pumping efforts are not sustainable.