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$19-million program to help struggling farmers announced

Ag/Outdoor

April 20th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Friday, his administration is launching a $19 billion program to help farmers struggling from the coronavirus pandemic. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says the program includes $16 billion in direct payments to farmers, ranchers, and producers who experienced “unprecedented losses” during the pandemic.

Perdue says the Department of Agriculture will spend another $3 billion to purchase fresh produce, dairy, and meat products that will be distributed through food bank networks.

He said also, the USDA will use six-and-a-half billion in existing Commodity Credit Corporation funds along with nineteen-point-five billion of COVID money rather than wait for the replenishment of CCC funds in July.

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 4/20/20

News, Podcasts

April 20th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Iowa sheriff investigating death of woman found in house

News

April 20th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

GRIMES, Iowa (AP) — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says it’s investigating the death of a woman whose body was found inside a house near Grimes over the weekend. The sheriff’s office says in a news release that deputies, firefighters and medics were called to the house Sunday morning for a report of a death. Officials say arriving deputies and medics found a 35-year-old woman unresponsive in the home, along with her 46-year-old fiance.

Authorities have not released the name of the woman or given details on how she died. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal of Investigation are investigating the death and interviewing possible witnesses.

Heartbeat Today 4-20-2020

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

April 20th, 2020 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bailey Smith about the outlook and some financial assistance options for local businesses due to the pandemic-related shut downs.

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2 from Red Oak arrested Monday morning on assault charges

News

April 20th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Two people were arrested at around 4:25-a.m. today (Monday), in Red Oak, following a reported physical altercation in the 400 block of E. Market Street, in Red Oak. Authorities say upon further investigation, 30-year old Sara Ann Billie, of Red Oak, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Domestic Assault causing bodily injury. 27-year old Cody Dean Johnson, also of Red Oak, was arrested for Domestic Assault by impeding the flow of air/and-or blood.

Both subjects were booked into the Montgomery County Jail, and held without bond.

(Podcast) KJAN Morning Sports report, 4/20/20

Podcasts, Sports

April 20th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast with Jim Field.

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Event sponsors needed for Take Back Bridgewater entertainment

News

April 20th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

“Take Back Bridgewater” founder Doug Miller says he’s looking for interest from several local area businesses, companies and/or individuals to help sponsor an entertainment event in Bridgewater, in accordance to all social distancing practices, and in conjunction with “Take Back Bridgewater, Iowa”. Miller says “At this time the idea and key components have been worked through but we are in need financial support to make this event (and possible subsequent events) happen. With additional supporters, we would then make a presentation to community leaders for their approval.”

Contact Doug Miller for additional information, by phone or text at 641-745-5108, or by e-mail at dmmiller0412@gmail.com.  “Take Back Bridgewater” was founded in 2017. It’s mission is to work in partnership with citizens to address criminal activity and improve the quality of life in and around Bridgewater.

(Podcast) KJAN Morning News & Funeral report,  4/20/20

News, Podcasts

April 20th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:05-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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I-80 Mississippi bridge plan to be discussed in webinar

News

April 20th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

DIXON, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Department of Transportation will hold a virtual public meeting Wednesday on plans for replacing a more than 50-year-old Mississippi River bridge in the Quad Cities area. The meeting is being held online because of social distancing restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic. The public can participate via an online link. IDOT officials will discuss a study of Interstate 80 over the Mississippi River.

The plan is to replace the I-80 bridge in the Quad Cities, which opened in 1966. The meeting is at 2 p.m. Register to participate in the webinar at www.I80MississippiBridge.com.

First National Bank in Creston completes merger of Century Bank in Shenandoah

News

April 20th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

CRESTON – First National Bank in Creston has completed its merger of Century Bank in Shenandoah, Iowa, and with all the necessary regulatory approvals met, the bank will now be known as First National Bank and will continue to serve Shenandoah and the surrounding communities. Randy Huewe, president of First National Bank, reminds customers and the community that the same staff that has always given great customer service in Shenandoah in the past have all been retained during this merger.

Randy Huewe, FNB President

“We’re beyond excited about completing this merger,” Huewe said. “The staff there, which we’ve gotten to know personally now, share our core values of commitment to you, our customers, and to exceeding your expectations. To our new customers, we want you to know we’re committed to making this continued transition as smooth as possible for you in the coming months. We feel privileged to have you as our customers and in expanding our presence to Shenandoah. We look forward to being a strong supporter in Shenandoah and the surrounding community.” With this merger completed, the bank’s longtime president in Shenandoah, Greg Ritchey, will retire after 17 years with Century Bank. Greg will join the Board of Directors at First National Bank. Mike Bauer, the bank’s longtime senior vice president, will fill the role as president of the Shenandoah location.

First National Bank in Creston was chartered in 1871 and is a family-owned, full service community bank that specializes in commercial, ag and personal banking. First National Bank is part of Northwest Financial Corporation, a two bank, privately-owned financial services holding company.   The banks include Northwest Bank of Spencer, Iowa and First National Bank in Creston. The two banks collectively hold close to $2.0 billion in assets and have 23 offices throughout western Iowa and eastern Nebraska.  Other entities within Northwest Financial Corp. include Northwest Wealth Management, LLC and Northwest Insurance Services. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.