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Bluffs man arrested for striking Police motorcycle and an SUV

News

September 4th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Police in Council Bluffs, Monday, arrested a man for Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer, warrants and other charges. Officials say at around 11:45-a.m., Officer Mark Archibald from the Council Bluffs Police Department had initiated a traffic stop in the parking lot of the Bucky’s Gas station at 16th and Broadway in Council Bluffs. The Officer was on a department motorcycle and was in the process of dismounting the motorcycle when he noticed the driver looking at him. The driver – later identified as 30-year old Jesse Baker, of Council Bluffs — put the vehicle into reverse and accelerated.

Officer Archibald jump out of the way and the vehicle struck the motorcycle, pushing the motorcycle onto its side for about 30 feet. Baker then fled the scene at a high rate of speed. As officers were responding to the area, witnesses and bystanders were directing officers in the direction of the suspect vehicle. A short time later, Baker ran the stop sign at N. 25th and Ave H striking a 1999 Chevy Tahoe that was being driven by Brianna Johnson of Council Bluffs. Johnson suffered minor injuries and advised officers she would drive herself to the hospital later if needed.

Baker fled the scene after the accident on foot. As officers arrived at the scene, they were directed by neighbors of the location of the suspect. Baker was taken into custody without incident. Baker was taken to the hospital for evaluation as he complained of a previous injury and injuries related to the crash. After evaluation Baker was booked into corrections without incident.

Jesse Baker was charged with Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer and Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree. He also had warrants for Probation Violation and Escape from Custody as he had walked away from the Residential Correction Facility. The Iowa State Patrol is investigating the accident at 25th and Ave H and after review with the County Attorney’s Office and will pursue charges if necessary.

‘Fight for 15’ rallies in Iowa; workers on strike at Burger King near capitol

News

September 4th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Pickets and walk-outs are being held in nearly 350 cities across the country, including a few in Iowa, on this Labor Day to show support for raising the minimum wage. Workers at a Burger King that’s a couple of blocks from the state capitol in Des Moines went on strike at midnight, a crowd of over 200 was there at sunrise and the store is closed.

Cathy Glasson, a Democrat who formed an exploratory committee for governor in May, posted video of this morning’s (Monday’s) rally on Twitter. Glasson also rallied with workers at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. She’s a nurse who has been president of her local union at the University of Iowa Hospitals. Other Democratic candidates for governor have been traveling the state yesterday and today (Monday), to attend Labor Day weekend parades, picnics and other events.

(Radio Iowa)

ISU study: detection of a concealed weapon or threat isn’t easy

News

September 4th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A study conducted at Iowa State University suggests a police officer’s ability to identify someone carrying a gun or bomb is only slightly better than chance. Lead author Dawn Sweet directs ISU’s Body Language and Facial Expressions Lab. She says police need more tools and evidence based training to identify someone might may be concealing a weapon.

“It’s an inherently difficult task and we’re not giving it enough attention,” Sweet said. Reading nonverbal communication is “context dependent,” according to Sweet. She’s now work to develop a standardized approach to evaluating behaviors that predict if someone is concealing a weapon or dangerous device, and therein poses a threat.

“It’s our hope as we continue this line of research we’ll be able to ultimately deliver systematic, evidence-based training to law enforcement officers,” Sweet said. “Because ultimately, it’s not just the law enforcement officers who are going to benefit from that, but it’s us as a society.” Sweet’s study is published in the journal Law and Human Behavior.

(Radio Iowa, w/Thanks to Sarah Boden, Iowa Public Radio)

Cities not yet paying Sioux City’s overlooked service charge

News

September 4th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Three neighboring cities are resisting paying Sioux City’s long-overlooked wastewater service charge. The Sioux City Journal reports that the city discovered the neglected charge during an audit and notified officials in Sergeant Bluff, in North Sioux City, South Dakota; and South Sioux City, Nebraska, that it would begin imposing the 7 percent charge on July 1.

Those cities’ officials worry about having to pass along the cost to their residents, so the officials want to talk over the charge with Sioux City officials.

The agreements with each city for sewage treatment at the Sioux City plant have been overlooked for at least the past two years and potentially longer. Sioux City utilities director Mark Simms says the charge essentially covers administrative costs, and he isn’t sure why it’s been overlooked.

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 9/4/2017

News, Podcasts

September 4th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

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

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Pott. County Reserve Deputy dies after being hit on I-70 near KC, MO

News

September 4th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A man from Iowa died late Saturday night southeast of Kansas City after being struck by numerous vehicles. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 39-year old Jeffrey M. Koontz, of Council Bluffs, a Reserve Deputy with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, died at the scene.

The incident happened at around 10:55 p.m. on I-70 eastbound, just east of Woods Chapel Road. Authorities said the man was walking on the roadway along I-70 when he was struck by an unknown tractor-trailer. That vehicle fled the scene. Koontz was subsequently struck by an SUV and a sedan. Both of those drivers remained at the scene to speak with police.

The incident remains under investigation. Police are working to identify the driver of the semi that fled the scene.

(Podcast) KJAN Morning News & funeral report, 9/4/2017

News, Podcasts

September 4th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

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

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Grant Writing Workshop set for Sept. 13th, registration needed by 9/11

News

September 4th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A grant writing workshop is scheduled to be presented in Red Oak September 13th for representatives of nonprofits, local government, and schools. Participants across Southwest Iowa are encouraged to attend.

Grant Writing 101, a workshop sponsored by ISU Extension and Outreach – Montgomery County, will provide hands-on training in seeking and writing successful grant applications. The workshop will be presented from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 13, at Wilson Performing Arts Center, 300 Commerce Drive, Red Oak.

The cost of the workshop is $15, which includes a light meal that will be served at the start of the program. Registration is required by noon, September 11; call the Montgomery County Extension office at 623-2592 to register.

Participants are asked to bring a laptop computer or iPad/tablet device, if possible, to use to search online for grants and other resources during the workshop. The training will be presented by Jane Nolan Goeken, a Community and Economic Development program specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Goeken has more than 29 years of experience working with federal, state, local and foundation grant programs. In addition to writing successful grant applications, she has served as a grant application reviewer and administrator, and has helped set up grant award and review programs.

Goeken will assist workshop participants in exploring various public and private funding sources, and provide instruction and tips on planning projects and writing successful grant applications. For more information about the workshop, contact Jane Goeken at jngoeken@iastate.edu or 712/240-2504; or Rachel Bergren, Montgomery County Extension Program Coordinator, at rbergren@iastate.edu or 623-2592.

Deere exec says consumers worldwide growing dependent on food exports

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 4th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A John Deere executive says expanding U.S. trade is not just important for manufacturers, it’s important for consumers around the globe. “Today, about 15 or 16 percent of the world population relies on trade to solve their food needs. By 2050, that’s estimated to be north of 50 percent.”

Jim Field is president of John Deere’s Agriculture and Turf Division. He says it’s “vital” to enhance trade relationships. “If you look at the U.S. and you say there’s about 325 million acres of stable cropland and you project forward what is going to be the productivity enhancements and improvements that we would suggest we should see over the next 40 years and then you project forward what’s going to happen with domestic consumption here in the U.S., export has got to be part of the game,” Field says, “because we’re going to overproduce.”

Field says expanding exports of U.S. ag commodities is a security issue as well, since hunger and famine spawn instability. The U.S. currently has “free trade” agreements with 20 of the world’s 195 counties.

(Radio Iowa)

(Update to earlier posted report) Anamosa policeman killed in off-duty crash

News

September 4th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

An Anamosa police officer was killed in a crash this weekend. 40-year old Mitchell Kelchen, of Bellevue, died when the SUV he was riding in was struck head-on by a mini-van.The accident happened Saturday morning around 7:30 am on Highway 62 in Jackson County. The Iowa State Patrol says Kelchen’s wife, 40-year old Tina Kelchen, was driving their SUV southbound when the northbound mini-van, driven by 60-year old Marjorie Hendrickson of Bellevue, crossed the centerline and struck them head-on. Officer Kelchen was killed.

Tina Kelchen and Hendrickson were both injured and airlifted to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Mitchell Kelchen had been with the Anamosa Police Department for about a year, having served with the Dyersville Police Department prior to that. He was a 1994 graduate of Western Dubuque High School. Numerous law enforcement agencies across the state have expressed their sympathy.

The Anamosa Police Department posted a Facebook photo Saturday of a police squad vehicle with a blue stripe on the windshield parked in front of the police station, where the community has been laying flowers in honor of their fallen officer.

(Radio Iowa)