OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – The Salvation Army and Omaha television station KETV are distributing new school supplies to needy kids this weekend. Since 1998, the Back to School backpack program has helped thousands of children in Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa, by providing them with backpacks and school supplies at locations across the metro.

New backpacks and school supplies were distributed on Friday, and teams will do so again on Saturday at the Omaha Kroc Center, the Omaha North Corps Community Center and the Millard Public Library. Those seeking to receive a backpack are required to bring a Social Security card or birth certificate or proof of school enrollment for each qualifying child, as well as identification for the parent.

Monetary donations for the drive can be made online at www.GiveSalvationArmy.org .

AMES, Iowa (AP) – Mosquitoes from traps at central Iowa parks have tested positive for the West Nile virus. The testing was recently conducted at parks in Ames by Iowa State University and the University Hygienic Lab.

While there is a lag time between collecting the samples and the testing, the results suggest mosquitoes with the potential to carry the virus are likely still present in the community. ISU entomologist Ryan Smith says late summer is the peak season for transmission of the virus.

Experts say most people who are infected have no symptoms or experience only mild, flu-like symptoms. The most vulnerable people are those who are at least 50 or have weakened immune systems. The virus is transmitted to humans through mosquitoes, which acquire the virus by feeding on infected birds.

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (5.5MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Today, residents of Atlantic celebrate the spirit of the community, civic organizations, volunteers and businesses, during the Annual AtlanticFest event. The day begins with a Road Race sponsored by Connect-A-Dock, at 8-a.m. (Registration is at 7-a.m.), and it includes a 5-mile run, 2-mile run, and a 2-mile walk. Chip timing is available, as well as giveaways like a free pair of running shoes, running swag, and more.

The 3rd Annual Bags Tournament begins at Noon at the Beer Garden, presented by Megan Roberts/State Farm, and Weirich Welding. Registration is from 11-a.m. until Noon. The Local Beer Tent will be open from Noon until 3, presented by Doll Distributing, and offers free samples of beer made in Iowa, to persons of legal age.

The 19th Annual AtlanticFest Car Show, presented by Atlantic Motor Supply/NAPA, starts off with registration from 8-a.m. to 11-a.m., with awards at 4-p.m. A Bike Show presented by Olsen’s Outdoor Power and Plastic Professionals, has registration from 8-a.m. until Noon, with awards at 3:30-p.m.

There’s also a Pedal Pull sponsored by Weirich Welding, TS Bank, Grain & Livestock Hedging, and ADM Grain Co., beginning with registration at Noon, and the pedal pulls right around 1-p.m.  11 food vendors will be in the downtown area and City Park, along with 35 crafters on Chestnut Street, beginning at 10-a.m.

Live, local entertainment is available for you to enjoy on the A.M. Cohron Stage in the City Park, beginning at 11-a.m. There’s performances by Villa Dance Company, Salute Gymnastics, Dance Atlantic, Susan Tridle, Sarah Selders, Jessica Jacobsen, Samantha Kirchoff, Monica Boos, Troy Boos, and Mary Young. Local favorite Sheltered Reality will perform at 4-p.m.

AtlanticFest serves as a fundraiser for the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. The funds are used to grow the event each year and improve other, upcoming events. It also supports business-based programs, while supporting Shop Local.

Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Friday, reported that on Thursday, August 10th, law enforcement safely located one of two women in a missing persons case. 26-year old MacKenzie Knigge and a vehicle associated with the disappearance, 2006 silver Pontiac Montana with Indiana license plate 193 ETI, were located in Lafayette, Indiana.

Jessica Gomez

26-year old Jessica Gomez remains missing. Authorities say there is a heightened concern for her safety. Gomez, who is from Fort Dodge, was last seen there on August 4th, 2017.  Gomez’s vehicle, a 2008 black Toyota Yaris, was located west of the intersection of Fairbanks Avenue and 150th Street in Webster County.

Anyone with recent information about Gomez or her vehicle is asked to immediately contact law enforcement. Call the Webster County Law Enforcement Center at 515-573-1410.  Webster County Crime Stoppers can be contacted anonymously by calling 515-573-1444 (STOP), online at www.wccrimestoppers.com, or by texting the word “LEC” and your tip, to 274637.

The former Iowa Senate G-O-P staffer who won more than two million dollars after a jury heard descriptions of sexual harassment in her workplace was offered a fraction of that amount to settle her lawsuit before the trial started. Kirsten Anderson was the communications director for Republicans in the Iowa Senate. She was fired in May of 2013, about seven hours after she gave her manager a memo outlining complaints about a “toxic” workplace.

Before the trial on her lawsuit started last month, though, Anderson’s lawyer indicated she’d settle out of court for one-and-a-quarter million dollars. Attorneys for the state would only offer 100-thousand dollars, so the case went to trial and Anderson won two-point-two million. Last week, lawyers in the Iowa attorney general’s office filed documents seeking a new trial. They contend Anderson’s lawyer inappropriately asked the jury to “send a message” with their verdict. Anderson’s lawyer counters that the opposing legal team could have objected to his statement during the trial, but didn’t.

Senate Republican Leader Bill Dix says Anderson was fired because of her poor work, not for complaining about harassment. Dix has directed a senate staffer to investigate the instances of harassment that were brought up during the trial. Republican Senator Rick Bertrand of Sioux City has called on Dix to speed things up, since the complaints sat unaddressed for four years. Bertrand says: “like garbage, the longer this issue sits unaddressed, the more it stinks.” Bertrand is also the only Republican member in the senate who has called on Dix to resign.

(Radio Iowa)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Omaha-area health officials have confirmed Douglas County, Nebraska’s first human case this year of West Nile virus. The Douglas County Health Department says the infected person is a woman under 40. Officials say she was not hospitalized and is recovering. State health officials say it’s the ninth human case confirmed in Nebraska so far this year.

Experts say most people who are infected have no symptoms or experience only mild, flu-like symptoms. The most vulnerable people are those who are at least 50 or have weakened immune systems. The virus is transmitted to humans through mosquitoes, which acquire the virus by feeding on infected birds.

Nebraska reported 95 human cases of West Nile virus last year, including one death.

Police in Red Oak say an 11-year old male faces a Reckless use of Fire charge, following an investigation into a garage/house fire that took place Wednesday evening. The youth’s name was not released because of his age. The blaze, which was reported at around 7:15-p.m., Wednesday, destroyed a residence at 211 West Reed Street. Authorities filed charges upon completion of a joint investigation by officials with Red Oak Police, Red Oak Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Red Oak Fire Chief John Bruce told KJAN News Thursday, that the blaze appeared to have started in a garage next to the home, which had been converted into three apartments.  The Chief says the first crews on the scene saw flames shooting out of the garage, which extended into the two-story residence. Two people resided in one of the apartments, but they were able to safely escape, despite having no working smoke detectors to alert them to the danger.

He said because the building had gone through numerous renovations, there were three voids, or spaces between the apartments, that made the fire hard to fight. Mutual aid was requested from the Elliott, Villisca, and Essex Fire & EMS, Emerson and Stanton Fire, and assistance from several emergency agencies, such as the Red Oak Police, Montgomery County Communications, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery County EMA, and the American Red Cross.

Crews were on the scene for about five-hours. No injuries were reported. The home was a total loss.

Sheriff’s deputies in Montgomery County, Friday afternoon, arrested a woman from Adams County. 49-year old Donna Marie Hansen, of Corning, was arrested at around 1:45-p.m. on a warrant for Harassment in the 2nd Degree. Hansen was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:45 a.m. CDT

RED OAK, Iowa (AP) — The Democrats’ national bus tour is motoring through Iowa, targeting vulnerable House Republicans who voted to repeal Obamacare. The ultimate goal for the party is upending the GOP majority in next year’s midterm elections. The vote against the Obama health care law looms large for 21 GOP lawmakers, including Iowa congressmen David Young and Rod Blum. It was politically tough vote with no payoff, as health care collapsed in the Senate.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines woman has been sentenced to prison for embezzling thousands of dollars while working for Bankers Trust. Station KCCI reports that 34-year-old Lacey Nicolino was sentenced Thursday in federal court to five months in prison for embezzlement. She also was ordered to pay nearly $70,000 in restitution to Bankers Trust. Nicolino pleaded guilty in March.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A disbarred Iowa attorney has been sentenced to prison for mail fraud. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa says 52-year-old Dennis Bjorklund, of Coralville, was sentenced Friday to 30 months in federal prison. He had pleaded guilty in March to 11 counts of mail fraud in a scheme to bilk his own clients charged with drunken driving by having them donate to a phony substance abuse charity he had set up.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The FBI has raided a Catholic Worker House in Des Moines looking for property of two women accused of damaging an oil pipeline that crosses Iowa and three other states. The Des Moines Register reports that about 30 armed agents and other officers entered the Catholic Workers’ Berrigan House around 6 a.m. Friday and left hours later with about 20 bags and boxes.