712 Digital Group - top

(Podcast) KJAN Morning Sports report, 1/13/20

Podcasts, Sports

January 13th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast with Chris Parks.

Play

(Podcast) KJAN Morning News & Funeral report, 1/13/2020

News, Podcasts

January 13th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

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

Play

Creston man & Greenfield woman arrested on drug & other charges, Sunday night

News

January 13th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Creston Police Department says two people were arrested on drug charges late Sunday night.  21-year old Brianna M. Lawson, of Greenfield, and 52-year old Michael Spare, of Creston, were arrested at around 11:44-p.m. in the vicinity of Elm and Page Streets, in Creston. Officers, assisted by Creston Police K-9 “Jax,” arrested the pair for Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st Offense. Lawson was also charged with Possession of drug paraphernalia. She was being held in the Adams County Jail on a $1,300 bond.

Spare was also arrested for: Possession/Control of a Firearm in a Controlled Substance Violation; Dominion/Control of a Firearm/Offensive Weapon by a Felon;  and Possession of Firearm Suppressor (a silencer). He was being held in the Union County Jail on a $ 11,300 bond.

U of Iowa administrator charged with drunken driving

News

January 13th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A new associate dean at the University of Iowa was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving the day of a public interview for his job. The Gazette reports that the arrest of Roland Racevskis occurred two weeks before he was chosen for his post. He told the newspaper Friday that he’s informed his supervisor. He’s charged with child endangerment and operating while under the influence. He was pulled over Nov. 19 while driving his 13-year-old and 9-year-old children to music lessons. University officials say they were not aware of Racevskis’ arrest at the time of his appointment.

CAM School Board to meet tonight

News

January 13th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The CAM School District’s Board of Education will meet 6:30-p.m. today in the CAM High School Superintendent’s Office. On their agenda, is discussion and/or action with regard to approval of:

  • A Modified Supplemental amount of $161,038 for the At-Risk/Drop-out Prevention Program.
  • A Copier Lease.
  • An Iowa Western Community College Education Service agreement
  • An out-of-state trip for the Speech/Debate team (re: All State)
  • and a 2021 Washington D.C. trip.

The Board will also discuss/act on Board Policy Revisions, and a recommendation from SIAC (the School Improvement Advisory Committee).

Adair County Supervisors to receive more budget requests today

News

January 13th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Adair County Board of Supervisors are set to receive several additional FY 2021 Budget requests today (Monday), from County Department Heads. During their meeting at the Courthouse in Greenfield, the Board is set to hear from:

  • County Attorney Melissa Larson, at 9:15-a.m.
  • Veteran’s Affairs Director Duane Avey, at 9:45-a.m.
  • Recorder Janelle Schneider, at 10-a.m.
  • Treasurer Brenda Wallace (Budget Request & Semi-annual report), at 10:20-a.m.
  • Custodian Rich Wallace (General services, E-911), at 10:40-a.m.
  • and DHS’ Pauline Rutherford, at 11-a.m.

Child care access, quality to be key issue in 2020 Iowa legislature

News

January 13th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — The 2020 Iowa Legislature convenes this (Monday) morning, with lawmakers from both political parties pledging action to ease the child care concerns of Iowa parents. Republican Governor Kim Reynolds signalled this past summer she’s exploring a number of options, like tax credits for businesses that provide on-site child care to workers or state grants to help establish new child care centers. There’s also been discussion among Republicans and Democrats about state child care assistance for low-income Iowans. The idea? Implement a gradually diminishing level of child care support as workers get raises, work more hours or take a better job.

Senate President Charles Schneider, a Republican from West Des Moines, says current policy creates a child care cliff. “Right now, if you’re at 144% of the federal poverty level you get child care benefits and if you’re at 145%, they’re completely cut off,” Schneider says, “and that does not incent anyone to work harder or take a promotion.” Senate Minority Leader Janet Petersen, a Democrat from Des Moines, says legislators tried in 2015 to begin addressing this issue, but then-Governor Terry Branstad vetoed the additional money. “I’m hopeful with Governor Reynolds calling attention to this issue that we may be able to make some progress on child care,” Petersen says. Senator Schneider is expressing optimism about action.

Republican House Speaker-select Pat Grassley of New Hartford says helping ALL Iowa parents find affordable, quality child care fits with another goal of increasing the number of Iowans in the workforce. Grassley says legislators are also discussing how to address the shortage of child care workers. House Minority Leader Todd Prichard, a Democrat from Charles City, says communities need help in establishing new child care centers.

Senator Petersen says legislators need to provide more money for state oversight of child care operations, to address safety concerns. The legislative leaders made their comments during a forum organized by The Associated Press.

Arlington man arrested for kidnapping, attempted murder

News

January 13th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — An Arlington man was arrested Friday after allegedly kidnapping a victim, leading police on a chase and trying to run over officers attempting to put stop sticks on a roadway.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office says 20-year-old Maxwell Liebe was arrested and charged three counts of attempted murder of a peace officer, first degree kidnapping, first degree burglary, possession of a firearm as a felon and eluding a pursuing law enforcement officer.

Authorities say Liebe led officers on a chase and attempted to run over officers at a high speed. Stop sticks eventually slowed and stopped the vehicle. Authorities say Liebe was taken into custody. The Sheriff’s office says the victim was found in Liebe’s vehicle bound with zip ties but safe. Authorities say the victim was taken to Palmer Hospital in West Union to be checked for injuries.

Majority of Iowa Caucus-goers still mulling their candidate choices

News

January 13th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Caucuses are three weeks away and a new poll suggests many Iowa Democrats are still evaluating their field of candidates. Daniel Schoenfelder of Newton is like a lot of Iowans who’re planning to attend a Caucus on February 3rd. He hasn’t picked a candidate yet. “Really undecided, so really like to keep all the options open,” he says. For Tom Moburg of Altoona, it’s a coin flip between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. “Probably the one that can take down Trump,” Moberg says. The Des Moines Register/C-N-N Iowa Poll released Friday night showed 13 percent of likley caucus-goers are undecided plus another 45 percent who said they were supporting a candidate indicated they might be persuaded to support someone else Caucus Night.

Sixty-seven-year-old Mary Jane Spies of Ankeny has ruled a couple of older candidates. “Partly because of the age thing and partly because of what they’re suggesting is wonderful, but I don’t see that it can be paid for,” Spies says. “Everybody else that isn’t in that realm they’re so close that I haven’t decided.” Bindy Brown of Des Moines has narrowed her choice down to Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar. So when will she decide? “Caucus Night,” she said, laughing.

Hundreds turned out this weekend to see some of the candidates campaign in Iowa. Tomorrow (Tuesday) night, six candidates will debate on C-N-N. The Des Moines Register is co-host of the event, which will be staged at Drake University.

BRUCE A. THYSEN, 60, of rural Elk Horn (Celebration of Life 1/17/20)

Obituaries

January 13th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

BRUCE A. THYSEN, 60, of rural Elk Horn, died Friday, Jan. 10th, at home. A Celebration of Life for BRUCE A. THYSEN will be held 11-a.m. Friday, Jan. 17th, at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church. Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon has the arrangements.

Friends may call at the funeral home, where the family visitation is from 5-until 9-p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16th.

Burial will be held at a later date.

BRUCE A. THYSEN is survived by:

His Mother – Mary Ann Thysen, of Elk Horn.

His brother – Jay (Karen) Thysen, of Atlantic.

His sisters – Shelli (Curtis) Swensen, of rural Audubon, & Renee’ (Shawn) Gessert, of Harlan.

Other relatives, and friends.