Cass County (IA) Supervisors to hold Public Hearing on a zoning change for LANDUS, 12/3/24

December 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A Public Hearing will take place Tuesday morning (Dec. 3rd, 2024) in Atlantic, with regard to an application for a Zoning Change by LANDUS Cooperative, from General Ag District to Heavy Industrial. The meeting begins at 9-a.m in the Supervisors Board Room at the courthouse. The change pertains to property in the Pymosa Township, which was previously approved by the Cass County Zoning Commission.

At their meeting on November 19th, Cass County Zoning Commissioner Mike Kennon explained LANDUS is moving their operations to the former Wickman Chemical site just off Highway 71, northeast of Atlantic. LANDUS purchased the company this past summer. Assuming the change is approved, one of the features of the site will be a 72-thousand gallon anhydrous ammonia tank. Following the public hearing, the Board will act to approve the application as presented.

The Cass County Supervisors will also act on passing the Second Reading of an ordinance “Imposing a Local Option Surtax for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at a rate of One-percent on the State Individual Income Tax for 15-years” (in accordance with the Iowa Code), following the measure’s approval by voters in the General Election on November 5th, 2024. On a related note, the Board will acknowledge the receipt of the EMS Advisory Council Annual Recommendation of an EMS Levy, as required by Iowa law. Public input on the matter will be allowed during the Supervisor’s meeting on Dec. 17th.

The Board is expected to act during their meeting Tuesday morning, on a resolution “Amending the Secondary Roads Five-Year Program,” by moving a bridge project from 2027 to 2025, a the result of a funding change from Highway Bridge Program (HBP) to Farm-to-Market (FM). They’re also expected to act on approving the hire of an Equipment Operator 1 position for the Anita District (Secondary Roads Dept.)

Weekly reports are scheduled to be heard or otherwise received, from Engineer Trent Wolken, Debbie Schuler (County Community Services/Mental Health Advocate), and a special presentation from Ryan Berven, with regard to County Employee Health Insurance renewal for FY 2025-26.

Posted in News |

WEEK OF DECEMBER 2, 2024

December 2nd, 2024 by Jim Field

FOR SALE: Gravel bucket. 3point hook-up. Like new $700. obo. JD manure spreader for $500. John Deere Chassey for a wagon $400. Call 712-355-1566.

WANTED: 15″ flotation tire for trailer. Wing nuts for valve covers…any shape or size. Call 712-355-1566.

FOR SALE: 2008 Chrysler Sebring convertible. Very clean car with 128,000 miles. Has new tires. Price reduced to $3000 obo. Call 712-249-9083

FOR SALE: Dolomite Legacy Walker. A great and very sturdy walker with a seat, removable basket, a good brakes. Folds down for easy transport. The seat is 16 1\2 inches by 8 inches. $175. 712-243-5652.

FOR SALE: 3 female purebred miniature Dachshunds, 5-weeks old. They have their papers and shots up-to-date. $800 each. Call 712-309-6964 for more information.

FOR SALE: A polar blue & pearl white 1999 Yamaha Roadster motorcycle w/6,700 miles. Showroom condition. New tires & battery, recent oil change. All accessories. $6000; 11-cubic foot pearl color Quick Change trailer/camper to compliment the motorcycle w/52-quart cooler, spare 16″ tire, and luggage rack. $1,000; 2023 Cub Cadet lawn mower w/46-inch cut. Zero hours (Never used). No longer needed since the seller has a lawn service now. $2,800. Call for more information on any of those items, 7-a.m. to 7-p.m. only: 712-254-1111.

FOR SALE: Four used Cooper Discover Light Truck Tires LT 265/R70 16. Approximately 20,000 miles. $300 for the set. (712) 249-1512.

FOR SALE: 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab SLT 4WD $8,500 or best offer. 187,000 miles, 5.3L V8, DVD Entertainment System, remote start, heated seats, newer tires. 641-512-6117 – Located in Avoca.

FOR SALE: Brand new in the box pair of men’s boots. Size 8.5, nylon upper, steel-toed boots. Paid $199.99 new. Asking $45. Call 712-250-1769

FOR SALE: Mountain King artificial Christmas tree, 7’ tall. Very good condition. $30. 712-250-1537. SOLD!

Posted in Trading Post |

Deer hunters asked to help with monitoring chronic wasting disease

Ag/Outdoor, News

December 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Wild deer with chronic wasting disease have been detected in 25 counties, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, which is seeking help from Iowans to spot the disease and limit its spread. The DNR is hosting a public meeting this Thursday, Dec. 5th on statewide management and surveillance efforts. Chronic wasting disease was first detected in Iowa in 2013 and is fatal to infected deer, though it has not been shown to infect humans. The DNR has tested more than 100,000 deer for the disease to monitor its spread through the state. Rachel Ruden, state wildlife veterinarian with the DNR, said it will be a “generational challenge.”

Iowans can register for the virtual webinar on this LINK. The public meeting, which will be held virtually, will allow Iowans to ask questions and learn about the role they play in managing the spread of the disease. Chronic wasting disease affects the animal’s brain, but is present in all tissues. It causes deer to lose weight, act abnormally and is “always fatal,” according to the DNR. The public information meeting takes place just before the start of gun season for deer, which the DNR said roughly 100,000 people participate in each year.

The DNR is partnering with deer hunters to test for chronic wasting disease and has county-specific sample collection goals, depending on the presence of CWD. Interested hunters are asked to contact their local wildlife staff, who can be found on the department’s website. DNR aims to collect samples from each county, and reach 5,000 samples statewide, according to a press release. CWD is tested via a sample from a lymph node found behind a deer’s jaw.

And while humans have yet to be infected by the disease, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges hunters to “avoid” eating meat from an animal with CWD, to wear gloves while field dressing the animals and to “minimize” contact with brain or spinal cord tissues. Even if a hunter’s particular county has reached its testing quota, or the deer doesn’t qualify for the collection, hunters are encouraged to submit samples to the DNR for testing, especially if they plan to eat the meat.

According to the DNR, most deer that test positive for CWD don’t have visible symptoms, which is why testing is important. Hunters can seek assistance from their local wildlife staff, and from an instructional video, on how to remove the lymph node and send it in for testing. Tyler Harms, a wildlife biologist with the Iowa DNR, urges Iowans to help stop the spread of chronic wasting disease and avoid putting out grain or mineral blocks that will cause the deer to gather. Hunters should also refrain from transporting carcasses across counties, as this can also spread the disease.

DNR is also offering some additional tags and licenses for hunters in deer management and incentive zones.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

The influx of lithium batteries causing disposal problems

December 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Everything from computers to power tools now contain lithium batteries and that has created a sometimes explosive situation for waste haulers. Ames Resource Recovery Plant assistant superintendent Mark Peebler says it is very dangerous to throw lithium batteries into the regular garbage. “There’s several different cells in there, and each cell is separate. When those cells get exposed and exposed to each other, we’ll say if it gets broken or cut in the center, that causes that to create a thermal reaction,” he says. Peebler says the batteries get cut by the compactors in garbage trucks and the thermal reaction sets the trucks on fire. He says the batteries may no longer run your weed wacker, but they aren’t out of power when you toss them.

“I think a lot of people, when they throw those batteries away, they think that the battery is just dead. That’s not generally the case,” he says. “Generally, there’s still 80 percent of the original energy still stored in that battery. It’s just on and it’s just not enough to power that device that you’re using.” He says the batteries have been developed to deliver more juice, which makes them more dangerous if properly recycled. “Everybody wants them to be more powerful and to last longer, and by doing that, it increases the thermal reaction and the energy that’s stored in a smaller space,” Peebler says. “So then that, it makes it harder, harder to recycle them. And technology is constantly changing. So that’s one of those things on the recycling side that we have to make sure that we keep up with and that they get disposed of the right way.”

Peebler says they keep containers at their plant where people can drop off the lithium ion batteries for recycling. The Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency was just awarded up to four million dollars in federal funds to construct a new battery recycling and collection hub at its planned customer convenience center. Agency Administrator Ken Miller says lithium batteries have caused expensive fires in their garbage haulers’ trucks. He says the batteries can also cause dangerous fires in the landfill. “When our heavy equipment runs over the battery, not knowing it’s in there, then that causes the same reaction as it would if it came inside, into contact with the mechanized system within the garbage truck,” he says. He says all the garbage in the trucks and landfill provides fuel so the battery fire can quickly grow. Miller says employees sorting the batteries can also be injured if one starts on fire. The new facility gives them a warm safe place to separate and sort the lithium batteries. The batteries are then sent off to be recycled.

“There are specifically designed battery recycling facilities that will then recycle those materials to recapture the metals and stuff. This is a lithium so they can be reused again. It just depends on how the battery comes into us. Loose batteries we ship to one processor. Battery containing devices go to our electronics recycler.” Miller says. He says some agencies are developing high-tech systems to battle the fires that start from lithium batteries, but prevention is a better idea. “Using A-I camera technology and water cannons to be able to suppress, detect and suppress the fires as they begin, rather than, you know, waiting until the whole building is engulfed,” he says. “But the idea is to not have to utilize those systems by keeping them out of the waste and recycling, you know, the curbside waste and recycling streams altogether.”

Peebler and Miller says you can help by keeping lithium batteries out of the garbage and checking with your local waste hauler for lithium battery recycling options.

Posted in News |

Iowans who make an effort to be grateful could live longer, happier lives

December 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – With Thanksgiving behind us now and a whole month of holiday happenings ahead, Iowans are hearing a lot about the importance of being mindful and practicing gratitude, but what does that really mean? Christie Harris, a wellness education specialist at Gundersen Health, says it may sound like touchy-feely rhetoric, but there’s a lot of science behind trying to have a more optimistic outlook on life. “We’re learning about the role that emotions play, and what we’re finding is that when gratitude is such a powerful emotion, that when we can practice that more, it has a lot of wonderful mental, physical and emotional benefits for us.”

The November election is in the rear view mirror, but there’s still a lot of division, disagreements and bickering, especially on social media. Harris suggests if you make a concerted effort to rise above the arguments, it can have real health benefits. “There’s so many things in life that it’s easy for us to get caught up in the negative things that are happening,” she says, “however, usually even in bad situations, there’s things that we can find some sort of spark or some sort of ray of hope from, and those are the things that we’re grateful for.” That could include being grateful for friends, for having a roof over our heads, or just being alive. Harris suggests taking a simple notebook and creating a gratitude journal to write in before going to sleep. Some of us wake up in the middle of the night and have all sorts of foul thoughts.

“If we can change that around, and we stop and we think about a few things that we’re grateful for, we write them down in our journal,” Harris says. “That’s getting the biochemicals in our bodies to be released. That is going to help us to be able to allow that autonomic nervous system to calm down, and allow us to be able to hopefully get a good night’s sleep.” The journal can also be something to look back on to cheer up when having a bad day. Harris says research is finding that being grateful can boost the immune system, and may increase life expectancy.

Gundersen Health System has clinics in Calmar, Decorah, Fayette, Lansing, Postville and Waukon, and a hospital in West Union.

Posted in News |

Elk Horn (IA) restaurant closes after just a few years in business

December 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Elk Horn, Iowa) – A restaurant that opened just a few years ago in Elk Horn, has closed its doors permanently. According to a social media post, the Muller family, which owns and runs Grace on Main (formerly known as The Danish Table: Hygge Kitchen) announced Sunday that “After much consideration and prayer [we[ have made the choice to permanently close our doors.”

The notice said also, “We would like to thank everyone who passed through our doors and supported us over the past four + years.” The Mullers said “As we close our doors, we are excited for the opportunities the Lord has put before us.”

Owners Ilee and Michael Muller moved to Iowa from California, where Michael had worked and gained extensive experience in fine dining and bartending. Their restaurant featured many unique offerings and hosted intimate dining experiences for 20 people at different times during the year, called the “Gathering Table,” which featured a select five-course meal.

The family weathered through the pandemic, and health issues before deciding to close their business. The lot where the restaurant resides was formerly home for many years to the Danish Inn Restaurant, before that business closed in 2015, and the building was demolished three-years later.

A new building was constructed on the site that became an instant hit loved by food critics, residents and visitors.

Posted in News |

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: Monday, 12/2/24

December 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a steady temperature around 21. Winds North @ 10-20 mph. Wind chill values as low as 5.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 11.
Tomorrow: Sunny & breezy, with a high near 34. S/SW winds 10-25 mph. Wind chill values as low as zero.
Tom. Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 24.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny & windy, with a high near 43.
Wed. Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 8. Windy.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 22.

Sunday’s High in Atlantic was 30. Our Low was 12. We had received slightly more than .2″ of snow overnight at KJAN. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 37 & the Low was 28. The Record High here on Dec. 2nd, was 65 in 2021, & the Record Low was -10, in 1985.

Posted in Weather |

Iowa adds hundreds of higher-wage child care providers

December 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Iowa News Service) – A new report says Iowa has created more than 200 new child-care providers in the state, which is among the nation’s leaders in working parents who need it. The jobs were created with pandemic relief funds, and bolstered by money from local businesses. Iowa set aside $3 million in COVID relief aid to create the Child Care Solutions Fund, which established more providers and is making money available to pay them.

Businesses in the seven Iowa communities that took part in the program kicked in another $1.4 million, to increase the notoriously low wages and improve health benefits. A Program Manager at Common Good Iowa, Sheila Hansen, said the investments will make a big difference on the ground. “It created around 275 child-care slots and about 105 child-care providers,” said Hansen. “And then it impacted around 1,200 child-care personnel.”

The Iowa Women’s Foundation and the Common Sense Institute of Iowa released the report. The state recently launched a website that shows parents in real-time who has child-care openings, so they can see what’s available when they need it. While the pilot program was created with pandemic relief money, the report says expanding it statewide would cost Iowa about $28 million a year. Hansen said she thinks it would be a wise investment, in a state that desperately needs more child-care services.

“Iowa leads the nation with both available parents in the workforce,” said Hansen. “The need for child care is really immense. And if they’re not in the workforce and they want to be, you know, and they struggle to find child care, then they’re not really contributing.”

The report estimates if every mother with kids had access to child care and wanted to work, at least 150,000 more women would join the Iowa labor force.

Posted in News |

2025 District Wrestling Sites revealed by IHSAA

December 1st, 2024 by Asa Lucas

District tournaments for all three classes are currently scheduled for Saturday, February 15, 2025. The state traditional tournament features 24 qualifiers per weight class in each classification. District tournaments in Class 2A and Class 1A feature 12 sites, with the top two place-winners at each weight advancing to state. The top three place-winners from each of eight sites will advance in Class 3A.

Class 1A:

District #4: At I-35

AHSTW
Central Decatur
Earlham
I-35, Truro
Logan-Magnolia
Martensdale-St. Marys
Panorama
Southeast Warren-MD-LC
Wayne
Woodbine

District #8: At Riverside

Bedford
East Union
Essex
Lenox
Mt. Ayr
Nodaway Valley
Riverside
Shenandoah
Southwest Iowa
Southwest Valley
Treynor

District #10: At Underwood

CAM
Coon Rapids-Bayard
Griswold Missouri Valley
St. Albert
Tri-Center
Underwood
West Central Valley
West Monona
Woodbury Central

Class 2A:

District #3: At Bishop Heelan Catholic

Bishop, Heelan
Carroll
Cherokee
Kuemper, Catholic
OABCIG
Sergeant Bluff-Luton
Sheldon-S. O’Brien
Western Christian

District #4: At Centerville

Albia
Burlington, Notre Dame
Centerville
Columbus Community
Creston
Davis County
Fairfield
Keokuk

District #6: At Glenwood

Atlantic
Audubon
Clarinda
Clarke
Glenwood
Harlan
Red Oak
Winterset

Class 3A:

District #4: At Fort Dodge

Ankeny Centennial
Fort Dodge
LeMars
Lewis Central
Sioux City, East
Sioux City, North
Sioux City, West
Spencer

District #7: Waukee Northwest

Ames
Council Bluffs, Abraham Lincoln
Council Bluffs, Thomas Jefferson
Dallas Center-Grimes
Denison-Schleswig
Storm Lake
Urbandale
Waukee, Northwest

Posted in Sports |

Iowa waits for bowl destination after 8-4 finish

December 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa will wait to see where it will be headed for a bowl game. The Hawkeyes are 8-4 after surviving an atrocious offensive effort in a 13-10 win over Nebraska. Drew Stevens connected on a 53-yard field goal as time expired and Iowa only managed five first downs in the game.

That’s Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz. The Hawkeyes won despite having only 164 yards of total offense.

The Hawkeyes finished conference play with a record of 6-3 and finished toed for fifth in the new 18-team Big Ten.

Posted in Sports |

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