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OTTO HENRY BEHNKEN, 86, of Atlantic (Svcs. 6/30/17)

Obituaries

June 26th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

OTTO HENRY BEHNKEN, 86, of Atlantic, died Monday, June 26th, at Caring Acres in Anita. Funeral services for OTTO BEHNKEN will be held 10-a.m. Friday, June 30th, at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic. Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic has the arrangements.

Visitation will be held from 9-a.m. until 5-p.m. Thursday, June 29th, in the Chapel at the funeral home.

Burial will be in the First Lutheran Church Cemetery, south of Wiota.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

OTTO HENRY BEHNKEN is survived by:

His daughters – Linda Marxen, and Kris (Jeff) Schuler, all of Atlantic.

His son – Steve Behnken, of Anita.

13 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

Harlan Police remind residents of fireworks regulations

News

June 26th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Harlan Police Department remind residents that while the State of Iowa allow fireworks to be purchased, the City of Harlan has adopted a policy on the USE of fireworks. They are as follows:

-No person under the age of 18 shall discharge a DOT 1.4 class firework without adult supervision.

-A person shall only discharge a firework device on real property they own or property where consent has been given.

-Fireworks shall not be discharged by persons showing visible signs of, or determined to be, intoxicated or under the influence of a drug or narcotic.

-Any person discharging fireworks assumes all responsibility for its operation, flight and the consequences thereof.

-No person shall discharge a firework in a reckless manner or manner likely to cause death, injury, fire or property damage.

No person shall discharge fireworks outside the following dates and hours:
1) July 1 through July 8 from 12:00pm (noon) until 10:00pm, except for July 4 the hours shall be from 12:00pm (noon) until 11:00pm.
2) December 29 through January 1 from 12:00pm (noon) until 10:00pm, except December 31 the hours shall be from 12:00pm (noon) until January 1 at 12:30am.

– It shall be unlawful to alter, remove or discharge components of a firework from its intended method of discharging.

-Sky lantern open flame devices are not permitted to be released within the city limits, except if tethered by a retrievable rope so long as the person discharging has control over the lantern.

-It shall be unlawful to discharge fireworks, firework devices or firework components within 200 feet of a licensed firework vendor’s location.

Harlan P-D report (6/26)

News

June 26th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Harlan Police Department issued their regular activities report, Monday afternoon. Authorities said on June 18th, 60-year old Cindy Jo Cassidy, of Harlan, was arrested following a call for service about a possible shop lifter. Cassidy was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with Theft in the 4th degree.

And, on June 15th, 41-year old Joshua Urena, of Harlan, was cited for driving while suspended, and violation of financial liability coverage following a traffic stop near 12th Street and Industrial Ave.

Iowa and Illinois partner to build bridge across Mississippi

News

June 26th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

BETTENDORF, Iowa (AP) — Iowa and Illinois have partnered to build a bridge across the Mississippi River that will connect the neighboring states. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner attended a groundbreaking ceremony Monday in the Iowa city of Bettendorf to discuss the future Interstate 74 Mississippi River bridge. The $1.2 billion construction project is expected to begin this summer and be completed in 2021.

The project will replace two aging bridges and include a new pedestrian and bike path. Transportation agencies in both states will coordinate construction work. Rauner attended the event in the middle of a special legislative session he’s called in Illinois to try and force a budget deal. If lawmakers don’t reach an agreement by Saturday, Illinois will enter its third straight year without a spending plan.

Special Election to fill House District 22, Tuesday

News

June 26th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Voters in a large part of Pottawattamie County will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in a Special Election to fill an Iowa House of Representatives seat in District 22 that had been held by Greg Forristall, of Macedonia. Forristall died of cancer in May.

Four candidates are seeking the seat, including: Forristall’s widow, Carol, who is running as an Independent; Republican Jon Jacobsen; Libertarian Bryan “Jack” Holder, and Democrat Write-in Ray Stevens.

House District 22

The polls are open from 7-a.m. until 9-p.m.  For specific information on where to vote, see the Iowa Secretary of State’s website: https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/electioninfo/sh22special.html

Voters in 2 school districts to vote on bond issues, Tuesday

News

June 26th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Patrons of two area school districts will head to the polls Tuesday, to decide the fate of separate bond referendums. In Cass County, voters in the Griswold School District will determine whether or not a $9.9-million General Obligation bond issue will pass or fail. If approved, it will mean the district’s facilities will be combined to one campus in Griswold.

The district’s facilities in Elliott and Lewis would be closed and bonds issued to build a new, 33-thousand square foot elementary building onto the south side of the Griswold Middle School/High School campus. It would allow for two classrooms per grade level, an area for Special Education and Preschool, as well as a multipurpose area which would serve as an auditorium, gym and cafeteria. The administrative offices would be moved into the new building and the old offices turned into classrooms. The polls are open from Noon until 8-p.m. at the Lewis Library, along with the Elliott and Griswold Community Buildings.

In Montgomery County, the polling place for patrons of the Red Oak School District, is at the Gold Building on the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. The hours to cast ballots are the same as those in the Griswold District. Absentee voting is available at the Montgomery County Auditor’s Office until 11-a.m., Tuesday. Voters will decide on a $19.9-million dollar General Obligation bond issue designed to reduce the number of school campuses from four, to three.  A 60-percent super majority of votes need to be cast in favor of the referendum, in order for it to pass.

If the bond is approved, the District’s pre-K and kindergarten students will be at Washington Elementary School, the 1st through 6th graders at the Inman Primary School, and 7th through 12th grade students at the Red Oak High School. All three buildings would be renovated accordingly. The move is designed to save the District about $400,000 per year. The total project cost is estimated at $29.16-million, with the State penny sales tax making up the difference between the $19.9 and 29.16-million.

The district tax levy, if the bond passes, would become $15.60 per $1,000 of taxable property value. The current levy is $14.28 and the levy approved for fiscal year 2017-2018 is $14.49, according to the district.

Adair County Sheriff’s report (6/26)

News

June 26th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater, Monday, released a report on recent activity. Vandewater said 27-year old Joseph Dean White, of Exira, was arrested June 20th an an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. He was brought to the Adair County Jail and released the following day on $1,000 bond.

And, an Adair County Deputy arrested 27-year old Adam James Magill, of Casey, on June 23rd. Magill was arrested in Casey on Guthrie County charges that include Driving While License Denied or Revoked for OWI, Interference with Official Acts, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Magill was turned over to Guthrie County authorities to faces charges in that County.

World Food Prize goes to African Development Bank president

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 26th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The son of a Nigerian farm laborer who rose out of poverty to earn graduate degrees in agricultural economics and spent his career improving the availability of seed, fertilizer and financing for African farmers is this year’s World Food Prize winner.

Akinwumi Adesina, president of African Development Bank, says the future of global food security relies on making farming in Africa a profitable business to help move farmers out of poverty. An official announcement for the $250,000 World Food Prize was expected in a ceremony Monday at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington. Adesina will receive the prize Oct. 19 at the Iowa Capitol.

The prize was created by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Norman Borlaug in 1986 to recognize scientists and others who have improved food quality and availability.

BEVERLY KAY STRINGER, 74, of Guthrie Center (Svcs. 6/28/17)

Obituaries

June 26th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

BEVERLY KAY STRINGER, 74, of Guthrie Center, died Sunday, June 25th, at home. Funeral services for BEVERLY STRINGER will be held 10:30-a.m. Wed., June 28th, at the 1st United Methodist Church in Guthrie Center. Twigg Funeral Home in Guthrie Center has the arrangements.

Visitation at the new community building at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds, will be held on Tuesday, June 27th, from 4-until 8-p.m.

Burial will be in the Monteith Cemetery in rural Guthrie Center.

BEVERLY KAY STRINGER is survived by:

Her husband – Jack.

Her sons – John Stringer, and Jimmy (Laurie) Stringer.

Her daughter – Brenda (Michael) Esdohr.

Her Greek daughter – Elizabeth Xanthapoulou, from Larissa, Greece.

Her brother – Larry (Mary) Railsback.

10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Anita woman arrested on Atlantic P-D warrant

News

June 26th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports a woman from Anita was arrested this (Monday) morning, on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for Violation of a No Contact Order. 55-year old Katherine Anne Lange was brought to the Cass County Jail and later released on a $300 bond.