The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson
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The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (5.1MB)
Subscribe: RSS
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new survey suggests the economy remains strong in nine Midwest and Plains states, but business leaders are concerned about the ongoing trade disputes. The overall economic index for the region slipped to 57.5 in September from August’s 61.1, but it remained in positive territory. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says he expects business will slow down but continue growing in the next few months because of the trade concerns and rising interest rates.
The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth. A score below that suggests decline. The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
Tree stand accidents can happen to deer hunters regardless of skill level or experience and result in serious injury or even death. Unfortunately, in nearly every case, these incidents were preventable. To help prevent injuries, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with Tree Stand Safety Awareness, is encouraging hunters to practice the ABC’s of Tree Stand Safety:
“Hunters should take tree stand safety seriously, every time you hunt from, hang, or move a tree stand. By performing these three simple steps, tree stand users can virtually eliminate their risk of falling to the ground as the majority of falls occur outside the stand,” said Megan Wisecup, hunter education administrator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Nationally, the estimated number of falls from tree stands requiring emergency room visits decreased by 28 percent in 2017. In Iowa last year, there were four tree stand incidents and all resulted in injury. “That’s a significant, positive move on the tree stand injury prevention front but we still have room for improvement,” Wisecup said.
An estimated 60,000 hunters will be heading to the timber in the next few weeks as Iowa’s archery deer season gets underway today (Oct. 1st). Forest wildlife research biologist Jim Coffey with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources said hunters who spend time on preseason scouting should improve their chance for success later this fall. “Deer are habitual animals – their traditional trails now will be traditional trails later this fall and with all the rain over much of the state hunters have the opportunity to see the deer trails in the mud,” he said. “Even though food is plentiful now, hunters should still pattern the food sources and bedding areas.”
One food source deer will likely key on is acorns from white oak trees and Coffey said the white oaks in southern Iowa had an excellent crop this year. “Once you identify hunting areas, take advantage of the leaves being on the trees, knowing that once the leaves fall it will look a lot different to both hunters and the deer. It’s that time in the stand observing nature, seeing what makes the squirrels start barking or what it means when blue jays are calling that improves your skills as a hunter,” Coffey said. “Check your shooting lanes from both the ground and from the tree stand because it will look a lot different depending your angle.”
Coffey also advised hunters to inspect their tree stand and safety harness before heading out. “Make sure to check the straps and tighten the bolts on the tree stand and try on the safety harness to make sure it still fits. If it’s worn out or no longer fits, get it replaced. No one wants their hunt to end because they fell out of a tree stand,” he said. Part of preseason scouting includes preparing for a successful harvest. If planning to hunt in early October, or anytime the temperature is warm, hunters should bring large chunks of ice to put in the deer cavity to cool the meat. Freezing gallon milk jugs with water is a method often used by hunters. Then, get it to the locker as soon as possible.
Bow hunters harvested an estimated 23,000 deer in 2017. Iowa’s archery deer season is Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 and Dec. 17 to Jan. 10, 2019. Hunters who harvest a deer are required by law to report it by midnight of the day after the deer is recovered. Harvest may be reported online at www.iowadnr.gov, by phone at the toll-free number printed on the harvest report tag or through a license vendor during their regular business hours.
Members of a family in Walnut escaped a fire at their home, Sunday evening. According to reports, Walnut firefighters were called 710 Highland Street at around 5-p.m., Sunday. Smoke coming from an upstairs bedroom was visible upon firefighters’ approach. The small blaze was quickly extinguished, and no injuries were reported. The cause was not immediately clear.
A camper trailer exploded Sunday afternoon in Crawford County, seriously injuring a man. According to KETV in Omaha, Deputies were called to the scene near Cedar Street and Oak Avenue in Schlewsig. At around 2-p.m., Sunday. Officials said 28-year old Brett Nuzu, of Kiron, had just opened the door to his camper to go outside to light a cigarette when the camper exploded. Nuzu was transported to Crawford County Hospital for treatment of burns to his face and hands. Authorities said he was later flown by medical helicopter to another medical facility for additional treatments.
Officials said the camper was parked behind three buildings, all of which had minor damage to their exterior walls. The camper was destroyed in the blast.
Iowa is expected to be without linebacker Nick Niemann when the Hawkeyes return from their bye week with a visit to Minnesota. Niemann suffered a leg injury late in a loss to Wisconsin and defensive coordinator Phil Parker says sophomore Barrington Wade and junior Kristian Welch are expected to fill in.
Parker has been pleased with the play of the linebackers after losing all three starters from a year ago.
Offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz says the tweaked their practice schedule heading into the Minnesota game. The Iowa offense has struggled the past few years coming off a bye week.
Ferentz says the improvement on offense the past few weeks can be traced to better production on first down.
(Learfield Sports) — Iowa State coach Matt Campbell is not sure about running back David Montgomery’s status for this week’s game at Oklahoma State. Montgomery rushed for 101 yards in a 17-14 loss at TCU but left the game in the fourth quarter with an injury and did not return.
The Horned Frogs won the game with a field goal with 37 seconds remaining. Campbell remains confident in his team despite a 1-3 start.
It was another stellar effort by the Iowa State defense though Campbell says they had trouble getting the TCU offense off the field on third down. The Horned Frogs lone second half touchdown was scored by the defense on a 53 yard return of a Zeb Noland fumble.
BROOKLYN, Iowa (AP) — Several hundred runners gathered in the hometown of slain Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts over the weekend to honor her memory with a run. The Des Moines Register reports the run on Sunday in the east-central Iowa town of Brooklyn helped raise more than $20,000 for the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. Mollie Tibbett’s older brother, Jake Tibbetts, encouraged participants to enjoy the run the way his sister would have.
Twenty-year-old Mollie Tibbettts vanished while out for a run in Brooklyn on July 18. Her body was found in a cornfield more than a month later. A 24-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in Tibbetts’ stabbing death.