United Group Insurance

Atlantic man arrested on sex abuse warrant

News

July 27th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office say an Atlantic man was arrested today (Thursday), on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for Sexual Abuse 3rd Degree. 29-year old Ryan Charles Juhl was brought to the jail from Clarinda Corrections, pending a hearing and will be taken back to Clarinda Corrections after the hearing. And, 25-year old Morgan Barbara Dvorak, of Atlantic, turned herself in at  the Cass County Jail Wednesday, on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Dvorak was booked and then released on $2,000 bond.

Worsening drought conditions in parts of US stressing crops

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 27th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Drought conditions are getting worse in several states, and extreme heat and weeks with little rain have begun to stress corn, soybeans, wheat and livestock in some areas. The weekly U.S. Drought Monitor released Thursday by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln says nearly 11 percent of the continental United States is in moderate drought or worse. The most severe drought area is centered on portions of Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.

The United States Department of Agriculture has designated several counties in those states as areas of natural disaster, paving the way for emergency loans for producers.  Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas also are seeing stressed crops and farm animals. About half of U.S. spring wheat, 15 percent of corn and 14 percent of soybeans are in drought.

Defensive tactics for women to be taught in Shelby County

News

July 27th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office says a Defensive Tactics class open to women is set to take place August 7th, 2017 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Harlan High School Wrestling room. Any female over the age of 14 is invited to join in this event. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver prior to the start of the class, and any participants under the age of 18 will need a guardian to sign the waiver upon arrival. Pre-registration is not required.     

Iowa Sales Tax Holiday to be held August 4 – 5

News

July 27th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The 18th annual Iowa Sales Tax Holiday will be held Friday and Saturday, August 4 and 5, 2017. Qualifying clothing or footwear with a selling price of less than $100 will be exempt from sales and local option tax. Lists of taxable and exempt items are available on the Iowa Department of Revenue website: https://tax.iowa.gov/iowas-annual-sales-tax-holiday. Information on how to apply the tax to layaway and mail order items, rain checks, gift certificates, coupons, and exchanges is also available on our website.

Some tax exempt items include:
* Clothing and footwear for everyday wear such as shirts, pants, caps/hats, socks, shoes, sandals, underclothing
* Uniforms for work and school
* Coats
* Bathing suits
* Leotards and tights
* Costumes
* Diapers

Some items remain taxable on these two days, such as:
* Computers
* Backpacks
* School supplies
* Jewelry
* Fabric
* Special clothing or footwear designed primarily for athletic activity or protective use and not usually considered appropriate for everyday wear

Businesses that are open on these days and sell qualifying items are required to participate. The holiday does not include Sunday.

Report: Nebraska worst performing economy in country

News

July 27th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A report from a federal commerce bureau says the economies of Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota logged the worst performance in the U.S. in the beginning of 2017, with economic output declining in all three states. Data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that from January through March this year, Nebraska’s economic output declined by 4 percent when compared to the final quarter of the previous year, making it the worst of any state. South Dakota ranked second-worst with a 3.8 percent decline, followed by Iowa with a 3.2 percent decline.

The Omaha World-Herald reports that the bureau is a federal agency from the U.S. Department of Commerce. It measures a state’s “real” gross domestic product, which is the market value of goods and services produced in-state.

Iowa Senior Wellness and Security Expo In Council Bluffs Saturday

News

July 27th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Iowa Congressman David Young has announced that the Second Annual Iowa Senior Wellness and Security Expo will take place this Saturday, July 29th at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs (2700 College Road). The Expo, which runs from 9-a.m. to 1-p.m.,  connects Iowa seniors, their families and caretakers with a variety of services and resources available to them. The event features a one-stop-shop with representatives from over 30 local, regional, state and federal organizations and agencies dedicated to serving seniors.

In addition to the representatives from agencies and organizations, attendees will also have access to programs and resources at each of the Expos, including:

  • Free health screenings from health care professionals
  • Free and safe disposal of unwanted or expired prescription drugs by pharmaceutical professionals
  • Caseworkers with federal, state and local agencies and organizations to answer questions and help seniors and their loved ones cut through government agency and program red tape
  • Presentations by professionals on how seniors can protect themselves and their savings from ever-growing identity and financial threats from scammers and frauds
  • Presentations on steps seniors can take to ensure continued independent living in their homes and communities.

The event is free and open Iowa seniors and the public. Iowans with questions regarding the Expo should contact Congressman Young’s Council Bluffs Constituent Services Office at: (712) 325-1404.

Cass County Extension to Host Annual Farm Leasing Meeting August 9

Ag/Outdoor

July 27th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A question Tim Eggers, Field Ag Economist for Iowa State University Extension, was asked in his first year on the job was, “What’s a fair lease rate?” Over 20 years later that question continues to be relevant. Given the competitiveness for access to farm land and changing economic pressures on farm operators, the number for one farm and one year is not the same for that farm the next year or another farm in the same year.

ISU Extension will be holding Farm Leasing Arrangements meetings across southwest Iowa August 1-10. The meeting in Atlantic is set for August 9 at 6:30 pm. at the Cass County Community Center on the fairgrounds. Contact the Cass County ISU Extension office at 712-243-1132 to pre-register. There is a $20 registration fee. Participants receive a copy of the presentation and a booklet with ISU Extension leasing publications.

In addition to the methods to find fair rents and provisions, legal issues related to farmland leases will be addressed. ISU Extension leasing survey results will be shared, and through discussion participants will put those results in context. Hands-on activities will help participants become active learners as they use the “size of the pie” notion to help illustrate the changes landowners and tenants are each managing.

In preparation for this year’s leasing meeting, ag lenders across southwest Iowa have been visited by Tim Eggers and the southwest Iowa Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Intern Haley Carlson. “Every lender has mentioned flexible cash leases this year, so we’ll spend time visiting about setting an appropriate base,” says Eggers. Carlson will cover boundary by acquiescence using materials from the Iowa State University Center for Ag Law and Taxation.

If you are a landowner, tenant, or agricultural professional concerned about the fairness of your lease, consider registering for the August 9 Farm Leasing Arrangements meeting in Atlantic. Cass County ISU Extension staff would be glad to take your registration information via email at lander@iastate.edu or over the phone at 712-243-1132. For a list of all meeting across the state, visit the ISU Ag Decision Maker Website at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/info/meetings.html.

Field Day event in Cass County Aug. 17th

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 27th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Iowa State University’s Armstrong Research and Demonstration farm will feature a variety of agricultural topics at a field day August 17th. The field day will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon, with lunch following. Registration begins at 9 a.m. There is no charge for attending the field day.

Mark Licht, ISU Extension assistant professor and cropping systems specialist, will begin the program speaking about yield response to delayed corn and soybean planting dates. Tim Youngquist, ISU STRIPS project farmer liaison, will feature the soil, water and wildlife benefits of row crops integrated with prairie strips. A high-tech cattle feed bunk that measures individual feed intake will be demonstrated by Garland Dahlke, ISU assistant scientist.    

The Armstrong Research Farm is located 13 miles southwest of Atlantic on Highway 6, one-half mile south on 525th Street, and three-quarters of a mile east on Hitchcock Avenue.

Atlantic man arrested on warrant for Probation Violation

News

July 27th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson reports 19-year old Jerry Carr, III, of Atlantic, was arrested Wednesday on a Cass County warrant. Carr was taken into custody for Probation Violation, and booked into the Cass County Jail.

Plea change expected in Iowa trash can baby case

News

July 27th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Court records say an Iowa woman accused of trying to flush her newborn down a toilet and then leaving it for dead in a trash can intends to change her plea. The records say a plea hearing is scheduled Aug. 11 in a Johnson County courtroom in Iowa City for 24-year-old Ashley Hautzenrader. She’s already pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and child endangerment. The records don’t say how she’ll plead and to what charges.

Authorities have said Hautzenrader gave birth May 8 last year in a bathroom at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Police say Hautzenrader tried to flush the baby down a toilet and then put it in a pillowcase and left it in the trash. The child was soon found alive.