712 Digital Group - top

Emerald ash borer confirmed in 3 more Iowa counties

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — State agricultural officials say an insect that’s killed millions of ash trees has been found in three more Iowa counties. Officials said in a news release Wednesday that the emerald ash borer has been confirmed in Crawford, Delaware and Page counties. That brings Iowa’s total to 64 counties.

People are urged to report any suspected infestation. Mike Kintner with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship says tracking the whereabouts of emerald ash borers across the state helps in formulating treatment recommendations. Infected trees usually lose leaves at the top of the canopy and the die-off spreads downward. The trees usually die within four years.

The bugs are native to Asia and were first reported in the U.S. in Michigan in 2002 and in Iowa in 2010.

Vice president plans Des Moines visit to talk taxes

News

August 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence has scheduled a Des Moines visit to promote tax cuts. He is scheduled to appear at 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center’s grand ballroom. The doors open at 11 a.m. The event is being promoted by America First Policies, a nonprofit group established to support Trump’s policies.

The speech is open to the public. Reservations can be made at the American First website. Pence talked about taxes and other topics on July 11 when he visited Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids.

Atlantic Men’s Slow Pitch Softball Championship

Sports

August 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Last night (Tuesday night) at the Trevor Frederickson Memorial Field in Sunnyside Park, two teams, the defending Champions A-Plus Designs and the contenders, Dusty’s Bar and Grill, competed for the championship. The contest being apart of a double elimination tournament with A-Plus coming back from the losers bracket to play for the trophy. The first game was a close battle with back and forth lead changes throughout the contest. The final inning you saw A-Plus stopping Dusty’s to a 3 and out to send the game into extra innings. Dusty’s continued to battle in the 8th and 9th inning but with a grand slam from A-plus’s Nick Harris put the game out of reach with a final score of 23-26.

Championship team Dusty’s Bar and Grill

Game 2 with both teams having to suffer only one loss in the tourney, started out as a close battle, but with hot bats from Dusty’s and a few crucial errors proved to be too much for A-Plus Designs, even after they battle back. The Championship game was won by a score of 23 to 13 with Dusty’s Bar and Grill coming out on top.

Men’s slow pitch will be back again next season with games beginning in June going through the end of July. If interested in playing or for questions about league play contact Atlantic Parks and Recreation at 712-243-3542.

Decorah teens charged with attempted murder in ‘brutal’ beating

News

August 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Two Decorah teens are now accused of attempted murder for what authorities called a “brutal” beating. Eighteen-year-old Dalton Adam and 17-year-old Jacob Taylor Seelinger are both charged with willful injury causing serious injury and attempted murder. The charges are in connection to a July 12th incident in rural Decorah. Seelinger’s trial is scheduled to begin on December 12th. Adam has requested his trial be moved out of Winneshiek County. No start date has been scheduled.

Police have released no information on the victim or a possible motive.

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 8/8/2018

News, Podcasts

August 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

More area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

Play

Warren County voters OK bonds for new courthouse, jail

News

August 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

INDIANOLA, Iowa (AP) — Voters have approved a bond measure to finance construction of a replacement courthouse and jail in southern Iowa’s Warren County. The measure was passed with nearly 70 percent of the votes Tuesday. The $29.9 million facility will be more than twice as big as the old facility. Voters rejected a similar proposal two years ago.

The state had ordered the county to close the jail earlier this year. Among its problems: failing a state fire marshal’s inspection, inadequate water supplies, inmate escapes, mold, inadequate food storage, cleanliness. The jail is on the third floor of the courthouse in Indianola.

(Podcast) KJAN Morning Sports report, 8/8/2018

Podcasts, Sports

August 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast with Jim Field.

Play

Iowa State pays $125K to settle ex-administrator’s lawsuits

News

August 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State University has paid $125,000 to settle two lawsuits brought by a former university administrator who accused the school of blocking her efforts to investigate sexual assault reports. The university says the State Appeal Board approved the settlement with Robinette Kelley on Monday. The settlement resolves two lawsuits Kelley filed. She was the university’s equal opportunity and Title IX director who was fired in October 2015. She now works for North Carolina State University.

She alleged in the lawsuits that she knew Iowa State was not complying with Title IX, the federal law that requires public schools to provide equal opportunities to students regardless of sex. Kelley alleges the university tried to intimidate her and coerce her into ignoring her compliance concerns. The university denied her allegations.

1 arrest in Creston

News

August 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Creston Police say one person was arrested, Tuesday. 49-year old Victor Thatcher, of Creston, was taken into custody at around 4:06-p.m., on a charge of Public Intoxication/2nd offense. Thatcher was being held in the Union County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

(Podcast) KJAN Morning News & Funeral report, Wed., 8/8/2018

News, Podcasts

August 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

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

Play