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Iowa man says he shot paintballs at boy in retaliation

News

August 29th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say they arrested an Iowa City man who told officers he shot paintballs at a boy who trespassed on the man’s property. Court records say 47-year-old Anthony Williams has been charged with burglary.  Johnson County Court records say Williams is defending himself. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 5.

The boy told officers Friday afternoon that Williams had pounded on his trailer doors and windows around 1 a.m., demanding the boy open a door. The boy says Williams shot paintballs at him when he opened the door and then shot more after Williams entered the trailer.

Williams denies entering the trailer but says he fired the paintballs in retaliation because the boy had gone onto Williams’ property.

(Podcast) KJAN Morning Sports report, 8/29/2017

Podcasts, Sports

August 29th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast w/Jim Field.

Play

Man charged with stealing from Scouts during Jesup event

News

August 29th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

JESUP, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say an Oelwein man suspected of several crimes in northeast Iowa has been accused of stealing more than $13,000 from Cub and Boy Scouts who operated a food booth during Jesup Farmers Days.

Jesup police say 21-year-old Jason Cole is charged with theft and burglary. He’s suspected of breaking into the food booth early on July 9 and taking money the Scouts had raised serving meals. His attorney in a Fayette County case didn’t immediately respond to a message left Tuesday by The Associated Press.

Cole also has been accused of burglarizing a church in Oelwein and of several break-ins in Bremer County.

Creston woman reports stolen vehicle

News

August 29th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Creston Police Department today (Tuesday), said a resident of the 300 block of N. Jarvis Street in Creston reported early this morning, that sometime between 4:30-p.m. Monday and 1:30-a.m. today (Monday), her Maroon 1987 Chrysler New Yorker bearing the license plate BFX 888, was stolen while it was parked at her residence.

No arrests have been made.

(Podcast) KJAN Morning News & funeral report, 8/29/2017

News, Podcasts

August 29th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Atlantic Mayor announces bid for re-election

News

August 29th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Following a failed bid last year in his run for the Cass County Board of Supervisors in District 1, Atlantic’s Mayor has announced his bid for re-election. Dave Jones confirmed the Cass County Auditor’s report that he filed his nomination papers Monday, and intends to seek a third term in office. Jones has spent eight-years as Mayor, and is pleased that many goals have been accomplished under his watch.

His main focus, according to Jones, continues to be making the Schildberg Recreation Area “An icon” for Atlantic. That includes a sustainable income for the area, and more bike paths. Voters in Atlantic will determine in November, whether or not the Hotel-Motel Tax, which funds the future development of the Schildberg Area, bike path and walking paths, is increased from 4% to 7%.

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones (8/28/17)

Jones said that tax is very important to the future of the parks and recreation system in Atlantic, and keep property taxes manageable. Other issues that are important to him, include keeping up conditions of the City’s streets, and improving the City’s bond/credit rating.

Jones was elected to the City Council At Large in 1996, and later was elected Mayor.

Atlantic Cemetery may receive City-funded support beginning next January

News

August 29th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Cemetery Association, which is run by a private board of directors, is near insolvency. That was the word during a meeting Monday evening, of the City of Atlantic’s Personnel and Finance Committee, at City Hall. Councilman Dick Casady and Gerald Brink are on the Cemetery Board.

Brink explained the Cemetery Association’s financial situation in more details, and why they have a good deal of red ink on their books. He said “The way things look right now, basically, probably around the first of the year we’re probably gonna run out of money. We probably will need in the vicinity of $25,000 a year just to sustain this thing.”  Brink said one of the reasons they’ve run into financial issues, is that there used to be well over 100 burials per year. The last several years, however, the average has been around 60 burials per year. More cremations also mean less funds for the Cemetery, because urns cost less to bury.

The cost of burials and interments were raised back in April to help compensate for the loss of funds. Brink said the cost of repairing equipment for burials and grounds maintenance for the 44 acres is another expense they’re dealing with. There is only one full-time employee and a couple of part-time employees working for the Cemetery Association, who are in charge of burials and grounds maintenance.

The City will submit a letter to the Iowa Insurance Commissioner requesting a draw-down of funds from the Perpetual Care Trust, but according to Brink, they can’t touch that. About $200,000 is in the Trust. Brink says the best they could hope for is to gain some funds from interest on the Trust. He said also, that if they run out of money and have to shut down, according to law, the City of Atlantic will have to assume full operation of the Cemetery. Brink suggested it would be better for the City to subsidize the Cemetery, than it would be for the City assuming the sale of burial plots.

After much discussion, the Personnel and Finance Committee agreed to recommend to the Atlantic City Council, that the City pay $2,000 per month from January 1st through June 30th, 2018, to keep the Cemetery Association afloat, and find explore other options during that time frame.

Man sought for questioning in Iowa slaying found in N Dakota

News

August 29th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa authorities say a man believed to have key information about a Des Moines slaying has been found in North Dakota. Des Moines police said Monday night that Randy Miles Jr. has been detained in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Des Moines detectives will be traveling there to interview Miles. No criminal charges have been filed.

The detectives are investigating the slaying of 26-year-old Christopher Lenhart, who was set on fire Friday afternoon. Police say Lenhart died Sunday at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.  Police say Lenhart’s death is Des Moines’ 23rd homicide so far this year.

Atlantic Animal Shelter to receive large donation from Griswold woman’s estate

News

August 29th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Animal Shelter is set to receive a large donation from the estate of a woman who recently passed away. Animal Control Officer Kris Erickson announced the news during Monday’s meeting of the City of Atlantic’s Personnel and Finance Committee.

Erickson said last week, she received a legal notice that a woman who lived in Griswold had passed away, and that the woman has a considerable amount of money left over after paying-off her estate. She left 20-percent of what’s remaining to the Atlantic Animal Shelter. The woman’s name was not released.

Kris Erickson talks with the Personnel & Finance Committee about the donation

On September 4th, the Executor of the estate will appear in court to get approval for release of the money. If no one comes forward to contest the move (such as someone who may still be owed money), the funds will be divided among the woman’s designated recipients, which includes the Atlantic Animal Shelter.

Erickson says she’s not familiar with the woman who passed away, but is grateful for the bequeath. Councilman Gerald Brink let the cat out of the bag during the meeting Monday, by saying the Shelter is likely to receive more than $100,000. Erickson said the figure was actually $135,000.

Bad accident east of Logan this morning

News

August 29th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Persons traveling on Highway 30 early this morning near Logan should expect a delay. A faithful KJAN listener reported that Highway 30 at Overton Avenue, was slow moving due a serious accident. The crash happened just east of the Boyer River Bridge. Dense fog is thought to have contributed to the crash, where a vehicle apparently missed an intersection and collided with a utility pole.

No other details are currently available.