712 Digital Group - top

KJAN News

KJAN News can be heard at five minutes after every hour right after Fox News 24 hours a day!
Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa,  Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!

Iowa early News Headlines: Mon., July 7th 2014

News

July 7th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

REINBECK, Iowa (AP) — Several tornadoes were reported and at least two homes were damaged after a line of severe storms passed through central Iowa. Meteorologist Kurt Kotenberg says the National Weather Service received reports of tornadoes Sunday night in Grundy, Tama and Jasper counties. No injuries were reported.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — A 3-year-old Iowa boy is in critical condition after falling out of a second-story window at home. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports Carter McOmber fell Saturday morning after leaning against a window screen in an upstairs bedroom. Cedar Falls police say Carter suffered life-threatening injuries in the fall.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Eastern Iowa officials continue to watch the swollen rivers and lakes closely. A number of low-lying areas along the Mississippi River have already been flooded, but reservoirs and levees are generally containing the water. Emergency management officials say the main threat over the next several days will be rain.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — The flooded Mississippi River became something of a tourist attraction over the weekend in eastern Iowa. The Quad-City Times reports crowds of people visited Davenport’s skybridge Saturday to get a view of the floodwaters. The river crested this weekend at nearly 21 feet at Davenport.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — The recent heavy rains and flooding in Iowa created prime breeding areas for mosquitoes. Experts say it’s not clear whether the increase in mosquitoes will lead to more cases of West Nile virus. Ames Parks and Recreation Director Keith Abraham says the city takes steps to control the mosquito population at Brookside Park and several other locations.

Update: Central Iowa woman dies in Cass County Crash

News

July 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A Polk County woman died during a crash in a construction zone on Interstate 80 Sunday afternoon, in Cass County. The accident happened at around 3:40-p.m. near the Marne exit. Iowa State Patrol says 26-year old Christina Franz, of Bondurant, who was the driver of the car, died at the scene. Her brother, 24-year old Trevor Franz, also of Bondurant, was a passenger in the car. He was injured and transported by ambulance to the Cass County Memorial Hospital, in Atlantic. Both occupants were wearing their seat belts.

Authorities say the pair was traveling westbound in the left lane on I-80 in a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am, when they came upon a 2000 Kenworth semi driven by 36-year old Jody Baker, of Buho, ID, that was stopped in the left lane due to traffic merging in the lane in a construction zone.The car rear-ended the trailer of the semi before veering off and hitting a 2000 Chrysler mini-van van that was stopped in the right lane. The driver of the van was identified as 41-year old Derrick Burbul, of Kearney, NE. Following the collision, the Pontiac came to rest in the right lane, on the interstate. Neither of the other two drivers was injured.

Following the accident, traffic was backed up for miles along I-80 westbound. The DOT began re-routing vehicles north on Highway 71 to Highway 44 west to Harlan before bringing them south on Highway 59 to I-80. The westbound lanes were re-opened at around 6-p.m.

The crash was one of three that occurred on I-80 Sunday afternoon. In one accident, two women were sent to Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan following a collision between two SUV’s on I-80 eastbound near the Avoca exit. Sheriff Jeff Danker said their injuries appeared to be minor. The third accident took place just a couple of hundred yards away from the SUV collision. Additional details on those two crashes are currently not available.

Numerous accidents reported on I-80 in Cass & Pott. Counties Sunday

News

July 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

(Update 6-p.m.: Westbound traffic lanes re-opened)

Rescue crews from Atlantic and Marne Fire and Rescue, Medivac Ambulance and law enforcement are on the scene of a semi-versus-passenger car rear-end collision of Interstate 80 westbound at the 52-mile marker (2 miles west of the Elk Horn exit) in Cass County. The crash occurred in the construction zone at around 3:45-p.m, and may have been the result of an earlier crash that had traffic slowed to a crawl. Traffic is currently backed up to the 54 miles marker westbound. Westbound traffic was being re-routed from Highway 71 north to Highway 44 and then west to Highway 59 and south to I-80.

Traffic is blocked in both westbound lanes. At least one person was injured, another person has died. Two other, separate accidents were reported just west of the Walnut exit on I-80 eastbound near mile marker 46 in Pottawattamie County. An SUV rear-ended another SUV. At least two female accident victims were transported to Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan. No other details are available on the second accident which happened about 200-yards away. Avoca and Walnut Rescue were called to the scene.

Additional details will be updated as soon as they become available.

Accident on I-80 near the Marne Exit

News

July 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Rescue crews from Atlantic and Marne Fire and Rescue, Medivac Ambulance and law enforcement are on the scene of a semi-versus-passenger car rear-end collision of Interstate 80 westbound at the 52-mile marker (2 miles west of the Elk Horn exit) in Cass County. The crash occurred in the construction zone at around 3:45-p.m, and may have been the result of an earlier crash that had traffic slowed to a crawl. Traffic is currently backed up to the 54 miles marker westbound. Westbound traffic was being re-routed from Highway 71 north to Highway 44 and then west to Highway 59.

Traffic is blocked in both westbound lanes. At least one person was injured, another person has died. LifeNet was called to the scene. Two other, separate accidents were reported just west of the Walnut exit on I-80 eastbound near mile marker 46 in Pottawattamie County. An SUV rear-ended another SUV. No other details are available on the second accident which happened about 200-yards away. Injuries are reported.

Additional details will be updated as soon as they become available.

Heavy rains will mean more mosquitoes in the area

News

July 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) — The recent heavy rains and flooding in Iowa and Nebraska created prime breeding areas for mosquitoes, so more bug bites are likely in the next few weeks. Experts say it’s not clear whether the increase in mosquitoes will lead to more cases of West Nile virus. The types of mosquitoes common now generally don’t carry diseases.

But many cities across the area will be working to minimize bug populations. Ames Parks and Recreation Director Keith Abraham says the city takes steps to control the mosquito population at Brookside Park and several other locations.

Using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants can help reduce bug bites. Experts say it’s also good to avoid being outside at dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

Illinois couple injured in Adair County cycle crash

News

July 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A man and woman from Illinois were injured Saturday afternoon during a motorcycle crash on Interstate 80 in Adair County. In their report released this (Sunday) morning, the Iowa State Patrol said 60-year old Alan Armes, and 58-year old Connie Armes, both of Somonak, IL, were transported by Stuart Rescue to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, after the rear tire blew out, as they were traveling west on 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle being driven by Alan Armes. The cycle went out of control and came to rest on its side in the left lane of travel. The accident happened at around 12:45-p.m., Saturday, about 2 1/2 miles east of the Stuart exit.

Atlantic School Board regular meeting set for Monday

News

July 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will gather in the Media Room at the high school for a regular session Monday, beginning at 7:30-p.m. On their agenda is approval of: General Education/Special Ed contracts; other contracts and/or Letters of Assignment; Volunteer coaches positions; and Resignations.

The Board will also act on approving: The contract with Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein for the 2014-15 school year; The 1st reading of a new policy with regard to Honorary Diplomas; and approving new teacher employment, among other administrative matters.

During the discussion portion of their meeting, the Atlantic School Board will talk about their financial planning program assumptions for Fiscal Year 2015. Prior to adjourning for the night, the Board will enter into a closed session for a formal evaluation of Superintendent Amstein.

2 arrests in Montgomery County Sunday morning

News

July 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Montgomery County report two people were arrested early this (Sunday) morning. At around 1:15-a.m., Jeffrey A. Runyan, of of Villisca, was arrested on charges of OWI/2nd offense, and Assault on a Peace Officer. Runyan was located in a vehicle on the roadway on N Avenue, north of 270th Street. During the course of an investigation into a complaint about a suspicious vehicle in the roadway, Runyan allegedly attempted to spray a deputy in the face with a can of Ether.

Runyan was arrested without further incident and brought to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center, where he was being held on $2,000 cash bond.

And, at around 1:30-a.m., Police in Red Oak arrested Sabas Tafolla Hernandez, of Shenandoah. Hernandez was taken into custody in the 1500 block of North 4th Street on a charge of OWI/1st Offense. He was also cited for Open Container and Failure to Provide Proof of Security (Failure to have car insurance). Hernandez was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 cash bond.

Iowa early News Headlines: Sun., July 6th 2014

News

July 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

KEOKUK, Iowa (AP) — A former Lee County maintenance worker who sued under Iowa’s whistleblower law is asking the state Supreme Court to reverse a lower court’s ruling setting aside the $186,000 that a jury awarded him. Rick Carter has appealed the judge’s ruling from 2013. Carter’s lawsuit claims he was fired in 2010 because he reported problems with the Lee County Jail and accused the county board of malfeasance.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines man has filed a federal lawsuit accusing officials of violating his constitutional free speech rights when they ordered him to stop preaching on public sidewalks outside the Iowa State Fair. Jason Powell hopes the lawsuit will deter officials from trying to keep him from preaching outside this year’s state fair. Powell’s lawsuit says he was on a public sidewalk last August when a security guard told him to go to the other side of the street or be arrested.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Police have identified a man stabbed to death Friday as 52-year-old Douglas Richt of Council Bluffs. Officers responding to a disturbance report found Richt with a stab wound to his neck on the front porch of a Council Bluffs home. Police believe 45-year-old Jodie Sherman stabbed Richt during an argument. She was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Sioux City officials have extended a survey of consumers and retailers as the city considers ways to restrict businesses’ use of plastic bags. In June, the city launched a monthlong survey asking people and businesses how they use plastic bags. City environmental services analyst Melissa Campbell says the survey was scheduled to end yesterday, but will be extended at least two more weeks.

Heavy rain causes flooding & building collapse in Elliott

News

July 5th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Montgomery County Emergency Management Director Brian Hamman reports heavy rain overnight through early Saturday morning, caused several streets to flood in Red Oak and throughout Montgomery County.

Photo's courtesy Brian Hamman.

Photo’s courtesy Brian Hamman.

In addition, Hamman says heavy rain (about 5- to 6-inches worth) in Elliott resulted in the collapse of a vacant building on Main Street near the intersection with Linden.

Vacant bldg collapses in Elliott.

Vacant bldg collapses in Elliott.