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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (5.9MB)

Subscribe: RSS

It won’t officially be summer for a few weeks yet, but many Iowans are already taking their summer road trips — and some of them will be riding on under-inflated tires. Anne Forristall-Lake, president of the Rubber Manufacturers Association, says only 17-percent of drivers surveyed know how to properly check their tire pressure. “Open the door and look on the inside of the driver’s side door for the little sticker,” Forristall-Lake says. “It also has the proper tire pressure for the tires on that particular car. It’s in the owner’s manual as well.”

When you check a tire’s pressure, the temperature of the tire is key. “Check your tires cold,” she says. “When you drive a tire, heat builds up and that causes inflation. If your tires are warm when you check them, you might get a false reading.” Every year, she says there are 11-thousand accidents nationwide that are tire-related. If you have a blow-out, you’ll need to change out the damaged tire for a spare, but some new vehicles don’t come equipped with a spare.

“Sixty-percent of people never check the pressure in their spare,” Forristall-Lake says. “If you’re lucky enough to still have an actual spare tire in your trunk, it’s important to make sure that you check the tire pressure and the condition of that tire as often as you’re checking your other tires.”

About one in three drivers don’t know how to tell if their tires are bald. To see if the tires are road-worthy, turn a penny upside down and stick it in the tire tread. If you can see the top of President Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace the tire.

(Radio Iowa)

The U-S Small Business Administration is offering a “Boots to Business Reboot” entrepreneurship training program for veterans and their spouses, Tuesday, June 28th, from 8:30-a.m. to 4:30-p.m., at the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce (149 W. Broadway), in Council Bluffs. Officials say “Boots to Business Reboot” introduces veterans to the fundamentals of business ownership, and leads participants through the key steps for evaluating business concepts and developing a business plan. It’s available for free to veterans, National Guard, Reservists, and their spouses.

Part one of the course is a one-day Introduction to Entrepreneurship program. Part two is an eight-week, online course “Foundations of Entrepreneurship,” led by instructors from the Institute for Veteran and Military Families at Syracuse University. It offers in-depth instruction on the elements of a business plan, techniques and tips for starting a business. Applicants must complete the one-day course to be eligible for the eight-week course.

The SBA says after completing “Boots to Business Reboot,” participants will have the tools and knowledge they need to identify a business opportunity, draft a business plan, connect with local resources, and launch their own small business.

The training program is free, but you’re responsible for the cost of your own lunch. To register, or for more information, call Vicky Corbin at 712-325-1000, or e-mail vcorbin@councilbluffsiowa.com.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (4.8MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Two men were arrested on drug charges in Creston this (Friday) morning. Creston Police say 18-year old Dyrrel Malik Thornton Culbertson, and 20-year old Fransisco Martinez, both of Creston, were arrested at 3-a.m. Culbertson was charged with Possession of Marijuana – 1st offense. Martinez was arrested for Possession of Marijuana – 2nd offense. Both men were later released from the Union County Jail on $1,000 bond, each.

After decades of planning and construction, the final pieces are being assembled to make Highway 20 a four-lane thoroughfare all the way across Iowa, from Sioux City to Dubuque. The U-S 20 Corridor Association is celebrating by unveiling a list of honorees and “heroes” of the project. Association president Shirley Phillips says the 85 people played a role in the development and construction of the key highway.

Hwy 20

“This wasn’t a one-person mission, it took a whole village to get this project done,” Phillips says. “We want to make sure that everybody was at least acknowledged.” Phillips says it’s been a very long journey, but the border-to-border four-lane highway is nearly finished. “We can’t wait until the end,” she says. “It’s supposed to be completed by the end of 2018 and they are moving on almost every mile of the gap right now with some type of construction, either surveying, moving utilities or dirt work.”

The first miles of four-lane U-S 20 in Iowa were built in Woodbury County and opened in 1958. Since then, individuals, organizations, businesses, and legislators have advocated for completion of a statewide four-lane. www.4lane20.com

(Radio Iowa)

Red Oak Police say a woman was arrested Thursday night on Theft, Assault and drug charges. 32-year old Natosha Myree Cralley, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 8:10-p.m. on a valid Red Oak P-D warrant for Theft in the 4th Degree, and Assault Causing Bodily Injury. Cralley was also found to allegedly be in possession of drug paraphernalia. She was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set at $1,000.

Sheriff’s deputies in Adams County, Thursday morning, arrested a man on alcohol and drug charges, after they were called to the scene of an argument in front of the Adams County Courthouse at around 11:30-a.m. Following an investigation, 26-year old Jose Manuel Huerta, of Prescott, was arrested for OWI/1st (after authorities determined he had allegedly driven to town for court in an impaired condition). Huerta was also charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

More jobs are being cut at a plant in northwest Iowa that manufactures hydraulic pumps and motors. The Eaton Corporation plans to eliminate 70 jobs at its plant in Spencer. Plant Manager Tony Niese says 23 employees will be out of work within 60 days, while the others will be let go over the next year. “We met with all of our employees and talked about the continued market decline and things that Eaton has seen since 2015 and continue into this year,” Niese said.

Just under a year ago, Eaton cut 49 workers at the Spencer facility and forced all employees to take a week off without pay. There are currently 180 workers at the plant. Those who are losing their jobs will receive a severance package and help finding other work. “They’re eligible to explore opportunities within Eaton at other locations if that’s what they want to do, but we also want to assist anybody wanting to find new (jobs) here in the region as well,” Niese said.

The Ohio-based Eaton Corporation opened the Spencer plant in 1974. At one time, it was the largest employer in Spencer.

(Radio Iowa)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The mother of a 2-year-old Omaha girl who had part of her right leg severed in a lawn mower accident says the girl faces another surgery this weekend. Tonya Streck said in a news conference Thursday that her daughter is expected to recover, but that her right leg was amputated below her knee following the Tuesday evening accident.

Streck says the girl was with family friends when she fell off a motorized child’s vehicle, rolled down a ditch embankment and under a riding mower in Council Bluffs.

Streck, who is six months’ pregnant, said her daughter is still on a pain medication and a ventilator and is unaware that part of her leg is missing. The girl turns 3 on Saturday. Streck says she faces another surgery on Sunday.