712 Digital Group - top

Iowa Pork Producers spokesman discusses overturn of ‘ag gag’ law

Ag/Outdoor

January 14th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — The public policy director for the Iowa Pork Producers Association says they’re evaluating a possible appeal of a federal court ruling that overturned the state’s so-called “ag gag” law. Drew Mogler says it’s hard to know how much impact the measure really had in discouraging undercover investigations of livestock facilities, although there have been fewer of them since it was signed into law by former Governor Terry Branstad in 2012. “So, you could give credit to this legislation for that,” Mogler said.

But Mogler also believes producers have also become more vigilant when it comes to hiring employees on their farms. “Making sure that the folks they’ve got providing care and comfort for the animals are there with the best intentions, want to be working with animals, and working productively on their farm,” Mogler said.

A federal court last week ruled Iowa’s “ag gag” law unconstitutional. The law set up a penalty for people who get a job on a farm or in a livestock confinement in order to go undercover to release details of the operation or free the animals. Federal courts have struck down similar laws in Idaho, Utah and Wyoming.

Creston woman injured in a collision Saturday morning

News

January 14th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Snow covered roads are being blamed for a collision Saturday morning, in Union County. The Sheriff’s report says a 1994 Ford Dump truck driven by 41-year old Kyle Jame Krantz, of Creston, was traveling too fast for conditions. Krantz tried to stop at the intersection of E. Mills and N. Cedar Street in Creston, but lost traction due to the road conditions. The truck slid through the intersection and was struck on the passenger side by a 2001 Chevy Tahoe driven by 60-year old Pamela McKee, of Creston.  The accident happened at around 10:20-a.m.

McKee complained of pain following the collision, and was transported by private vehicle to the Creston hospital. No citations were issued.

3 from Glenwood arrested on separate charges

News

January 14th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The Glenwood Police Department reports three, separate arrests. On Sunday, 26-year old Jacob Rost, of Glenwood, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. Rost was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail until seen by a Magistrate. Last Friday, 52-year old Sherry Harvey, of Glenwood, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault and Child Endangerment. She was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail also, until appearing before the Magistrate. And, 60-year old Lori Erickson, of Glenwood, was arrested Friday for OWI/2nd offense. She posted a $2,000 cash or surety bond, and was released.

Atlantic/CAM finishes 2nd at Lloyd Shaffer Invitational at Marion

Sports

January 14th, 2019 by admin

The Atlantic/CAM wrestling team finished 2nd behind WIlliamsburg at the Lloyd Shaffer Invitational at Marion on Saturday. The Trojans had one champion with Chase McLaren taking the title at 138 pounds. Aybren Moore at 113 and Cale Roller at 220 were both runners-up. Full results below.

Team Scores
1 Williamsburg 219.5
2 Atlantic 211.5
3 Mount Vernon 178.0
4 Monticello 148.0
5 Grinnell 123.0
6 Maquoketa 122.0
7 Marion 95.0
8 Louisa-Muscatine 94.0
9 North Linn 88.5
10 Overland Park-Blue Valley Northwest 85.0
11 Benton Community 80.0
12 Wilton 64.5
13 Xavier, Cedar Rapids 60.0

106- 3rd Place – Garrett McLaren of Atlantic
113- 2nd Place – Aybren Moore of Atlantic
120- 3rd Place – Joe Weaver of Atlantic
126- 4th Place – Steele McLaren of Atlantic
138- 1st Place – Chase McLaren of Atlantic
145- 3rd Place – Kadin Stutzman of Atlantic
152- 3rd Place – Connor Pellett of Atlantic
160- 5th Place – Kenny Jimerson of Atlantic
170- 4th Place – Chase Mullenix of Atlantic
195- 4th Place – Devin McKay of Atlantic
220- 2nd Place – Cale Roller of Atlantic

Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s report (1/14/19)

News

January 14th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County report the arrest Saturday afternoon of 25-year old Kyle Robert Smith, of Council Bluffs. Smith was pulled over at around 3:20-p.m. in the Casey’s parking lot in Crescent, after he allegedly ran a stop sign at Morman Bridge and Old Lincoln Highway. Upon further investigation, Smith was arrested for Driving Under Suspension. He was also cited for having  no insurance, expired plates and Failure to Stop. A passenger in the car, 22-year old Kay Lou Marie Dilley, of Pisgah, was arrested on warrants out of Council Bluffs for (4 counts of) Felony Forgery, and Theft in the 5th Degree, and for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $50,500 altogether.

Friday afternoon, authorities in Pott. County arrested 19-year old Colin Edward Peterson, of Griswold, for Driving While Barred. He was taken into custody following a traffic stop at 430th and Highway 92. Peterson was also cited for no front license plate. His bond was set at $2,000.

And, at around 4:20-p.m. Friday, 24-year old Kylee Lynn Anderson, of Bellevue, NE., who was already serving time in the Pott. County Jail for Eluding, was served with a warrant out of Nebraska, for being a Fugitive from Justice. She was read the warrants and returned to the custody of Corrections Staff. Bond was set at $5,000.

Atlantic City Council to recognize a Police Officer & Library Staff for their many years of service.

News

January 14th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

When the Atlantic City Council gathers for their 5:30-p.m. meeting Wednesday, at City Hall, they’ll start off their session by recognizing three City employees for their ongoing years of service. Atlantic Police Sergeant Spencer Walton will be recognized for his 10-years of outstanding service and in keeping the community safe. Youth Services Librarian Julie Tjepkes has served the Atlantic Public Library for 32-years, and, even though she’s past her 30th Anniversary, the Mayor, Library Director Michelle Andersen, and Library Board, feel she should be recognized for the 30-year milestone, and to thank Tjepkes for helping Atlantic Youth pursue the joy of reading, and multi-media. And, Adult Services Librarian Diane McFadden is being honored, Wednesday, for 30-years of service in helping adults enjoy the many varied materials available at the Library.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council will act on passing a Resolution “Approving the Transfer of Funds for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2018-2019.” City Administrator John Lund says the City has routinely transferred money between its 62 separate funds, in accordance with rules established by State Statute. The transfers are always outlined directly in the City’s Annual Budget approved by the Council each year, however, the auditors are requesting that a separate resolution occur, as the transfers take place. Lund says the transfers are a critical component of making the City’s budget work effectively, in addition to creating transparency on what is actually being spent in each of the line items in each fund.

Cass County Supervisors to act on resignation of the County Attorney

News

January 14th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will act, Tuesday, on the resignation of County Attorney Michael Hooper. On Friday, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced she had appointed Hooper as a District Judge for the Fourth Judicial District, which covers Audubon, Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby Counties. He was appointed as the Cass County Attorney last year, succeeding David Wiederstein, who announced in August 2017 that he would no longer serve as part-time Attorney, effective Jan. 1st, 2018.

Hooper was unopposed in the November General Election. The Supervisors will receive his resignation, and discuss/act on a procedure to fill the future vacancy in the Attorney’s Office.  View his letter of resignation here: Letter of resignation

The two procedures are:

  • By appointment of the board of supervisors, or,
  • By special election to fill the office for the remaining balance of the unexpired term.

In other business, the Board will act on appointing a Lincoln Township Trustee to fill a vacancy position, and on approving a permit for the Dollar General Store in rural Griswold, to sell cigarettes, tobacco, alternative nicotine or vapor products.

They will also begin work on the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 County Budget. Their meeting begins at 9-a.m., in their Boardroom at the Cass County Courthouse.

 

Woman pleads guilty to stealing from elderly relative

News

January 14th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A Dubuque woman has pleaded guilty to stealing from the same relative her mother is accused of victimizing. The Telegraph Herald reports that 18-year-old Anna Billmeyer pleaded guilty last week to theft. Her sentencing is scheduled for March 4. Her mother, Kathryn Billmeyer, has pleaded not guilty to theft and abuse of a dependent adult. Kathryn Billmeyer’s trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 12.

Prosecutors say Kathryn Billmeyer is accused using her aunt’s money to make more than $48,000 in purchases from November 2016 to May 2018. Billmeyer held a power of attorney and had control of her aunt’s accounts. Prosecutors say Anna Billmeyer used the woman’s credit card to buy nearly $1,600 worth of items.

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 1/14/2019

News, Podcasts

January 14th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

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

Play

Heartbeat Today 1-14-2019

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

January 14th, 2019 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with author Linda Betsinger McCann about her newest book, “Prisoners of War in Iowa.”  Her 12th book about Iowa history documents stories of World War II prisoner of war camps in Iowa.  Her next projects, “Rosie the Riveters’s from Iowa,” and stories about the Civilian Conservation Corps in western Iowa are in the works.  Those with information to share on these topics should call Linda at 319-239-7071.

Play