United Group Insurance

Aetna leaving Affordable Care Act market in Nebraska

News

May 11th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Aetna Health says it will be leaving the individual health plan market in Nebraska. Aetna had sold policies in only four states this year after quitting 11 states last year, and last month it announced it was pulling out of Iowa and Virginia.

Aetna’s decision leaves only Medica Health in Nebraska’s Affordable Care Act market, and Medica officials said Wednesday that the company had not yet decided whether to remain in the Nebraska market.

Nebraska Insurance Department director Bruce Ramge has said that if no companies participate in the Nebraska exchange next year, it could mean that people who qualify for tax credits don’t get them, although they would still have to find insurance to fulfill the individual mandate should it still be in effect.

Atlantic School Board pays tribute to Boys Basketball Team

Sports

May 11th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Seven members of the Atlantic boy’s basketball team were honored Wednesday evening during an appearance before the Atlantic School Board. Head Coach Alan Jenkins spoke about his team and the community support of they received.

The Trojans made it to the Class 3A state basketball Tournament this year. Jenkins said the team “Is pretty young. We’ve got a lot of guys coming back next year.”

Boys basketball Coach Alan Jenkins (standing, far right) and some members of the Trojan Basketball Team. (Ric Hanson/photo)

Senior standout Garrett Franken won’t be returning next year, but the Coach says he’s confident his young team will be ready to take on the next season.

Atlantic Superintendent Mike Amstein thanked the team for how they represented themselves and the District, wherever they went. During their season, the Trojans won 13-out-of their last 16 games and finished with a 19-6 record and a seed in the Class 3A State Basketball Tournament for the first time since 2002.

Skyscan forecast & weather data for Atlantic: 5/11/17

Weather

May 11th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Today: Areas of fog this morning; P/Cldy to Cldy. High near 70. N @ 10.

Tonight: P/Cldy. Low 42.Winds light and variable.

Tomorrow: Areas of morning fog; Mostly Sunny. High 72. Variable @ 5-10.

Saturday: Mostly sunny. High 78.

Sunday: P/Cldy. High 82.

Wednesday’s High in Atlantic was 71. Our Low this morning (as of 5-a.m) was 52. Rainfall in Atlantic yesterday amounted to just under ¾ of an inch (.73”). Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 77 and the low was 48. The Record High in Atlantic on this date was 95 in 2000. The Record Low was 27 in 1891, 1946 & 1981.

MARY A. SCHWINDERMAN, 92, of Omaha & formerly of Harlan (Svcs. 5/15/17)

Obituaries

May 11th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

MARY A. SCHWINDERMAN, 92, of Omaha (& formerly of Harlan), died Wed., May 10th, in Omaha. A Mass of Christian Burial for MARY SCHWINDERMAN will be held 11-a.m. Monday, May 15th, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan. Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

There will be no visitation prior to the service. Online condolences may be left at www.burmeisterjohannsen.com

Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Cemetery at Portsmouth.

MARY SCHWINDERMAN is survived by:

Her sons – John Jurschak, of Seattle, WA; James (Faith) Jurschak, of Reno, NV; Jerome (Alexia) Jurschak, of Katonah, NY; and Jay (Darci) Jurschak, of Sacramento, CA.

Her daughters – Jean Jurschak, of La Jolla, CA; Joan Jurschak, of San Diego, CA; and Julia Jurschak, of Sacramento, CA.

Her brother – Don (Kay) Kirschbaum, of Omaha.

3 grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Fowler again helps Cardinals rally to beat Marlins, 7-5

Sports

May 11th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

MIAMI (AP) — Dexter Fowler hit a pinch-hit, go-ahead triple and the St. Louis Cardinals overcame a four-run deficit for the second game in a row, rallying past Miami 7-5 on Wednesday night to complete a trip that by one measure ranked as the franchise’s best ever.

The Cardinals went 6-0 on their swing through Atlanta and Miami. It’s the first time they’ve gone undefeated on a trip of at least six games in their 126-year history, the team said, citing information from Elias.

Lance Lynn gave up four runs in the first inning on homers by Christian Yelich and Justin Bour, but for the second consecutive game, Fowler came off the bench to give the Cardinals the lead. His two-run triple in the sixth put them ahead to stay, 5-4.

Fowler, out of the starting lineup for the past six games because of a sore lat, drove in the winning run in the ninth inning Tuesday after St. Louis rallied from a 5-1 eighth-inning deficit.

Iowa early News Headlines: Thursday, May 11th 2017

News

May 11th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A man accused of shooting two sheriff’s deputies, one fatally, in a western Iowa jail escape has been taken back to Iowa to face charges. Officials say 24-year-old Wesley Correa-Carmenaty was picked up from an Omaha, Nebraska, jail Wednesday morning and taken to the Pottawattamie County Courthouse. He was denied bail as he awaits prosecution on murder, attempted murder and other counts.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A group that feeds the homeless and others in need will reopen its doors Monday after the city of Davenport agreed not to cite it for zoning violations. The Quad-City Times reported Wednesday that an attorney for the pastor and church that operate Timothy’s House of Hope confirmed the development. Last month, the city had issued a cease-and-desist order to the nonprofit, saying current zoning regulations prohibit the organization from using its new location to feed the homeless.

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (AP) — Officials say a tornado has touched down south of Mount Pleasant in the southeastern corner of Iowa, but no reports of injuries or damage has been made. Mount Pleasant City Administrator Brent Schleisman says the tornado was confirmed around 3 p.m. Wednesday. It hit as the National Weather Service placed parts of Henry and Des Moines counties under a tornado warning until later Wednesday afternoon.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A spokeswoman says University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld mistakenly reported receiving income for corporate consulting work on a legally-required disclosure form. Harreld reported last month that he received more than $1,000 in income in 2016 from General Motors and West Ed, a nonprofit education group. But a spokeswoman says Harreld filled out the form incorrectly and that he hasn’t done any paid consulting since becoming president in November 2015.

Tornado confirmed in southeast corner of Iowa

News, Weather

May 10th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (AP) — Officials say a tornado has touched down south of Mount Pleasant in the southeastern corner of Iowa, but no reports of injuries or damage has been made.

Mount Pleasant City Administrator Brent Schleisman says the tornado was confirmed around 3 p.m. Wednesday. It hit as the National Weather Service placed parts of Henry and Des Moines counties under a tornado warning until later Wednesday afternoon.

Schleisman said he believed the tornado skirted south of Mount Pleasant, but had not had much of a chance to check in with residents. Schleisman said he and other City Hall employees “just got out of the basement ourselves.”

RICHARD ANDERSON, 75, of Fontanelle (Svcs. 5/16/17)

Obituaries

May 10th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

RICHARD ANDERSON, 75, of Fontanelle, died Wed., May 10th, at the Adair County Memorial Hospital in Greenfield. Mass of Christian Burial for RICHARD ANDERSON will be held on 1:30-p.m. Tuesday, May 16th at St. John’s Catholic Church in Greenfield. Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield has the arrangements.

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 15th, at the Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with the family greeting friends from 6-to 8-p.m., and a Prayer service at 6-p.m.; Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.

Burial will be in the Fontanelle Cemetery. A luncheon will be held at the church following the committal services at the cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the Fontanelle Fire and Rescue Department.

RICHARD ANDERSON is survived by:

His brothers – Jerry (Susan) Anderson, of St. Paul, MN and David (Beth) Anderson, of Wiley, Texas

His sister – Kay (William) Witter, of Des Moines.

Other relatives, his brother-in-law, and friends.

Atlantic School Board news

News

May 10th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic School Board met Wednesday evening at the Schuler Elementary Building for their regular monthly meeting. During their session, the Board approved an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2017 Certified Budget in the amount of $545, 373. Board Secretary/Business Manager Mary Beth Fast explained the increase was necessary due to the purchase of the Cass, Incorporated building that wasn’t “Even on the radar,” when the Board was putting together its budget for 2017.

The Board agree late last March to purchase the building for $925,000, for the purpose of using it as a place to house the grades 6 thru 12 Behavioral Program students, Central Office staff and future, trades/technology programs, to name but a few of the options.

Jerry Purdy w/Design Alliance Architects

Jerry Purdy, with the Design Alliance architectural firm, told the Board Wednesday that the latest projections on the renovating costs are expected to be around $410- to $420,000, which is considerably higher than the original estimate of $360,000, but is based on new State Fire Marshal requirements and the uncertainty over bid estimate.

A Request for Bid Proposals is expected to be published by May 26th, with the deadline for bids June 1st. Purdy said the RFP must also be placed on a state website for contractors. In other business, the Atlantic School Board tabled until their next meeting, an Operational Sharing Agreement for Transportation with the Griswold School District, due to questions about how useful the service actually is to Griswold, based on the $32,500 cost they are paying to Atlantic for the service of Transportation Director Dave Eckles. Eckles said his time isn’t being well spent for that District.

He said he told Atlantic Superintendent Mike Amstein and Griswold Superintendent Dave Henrichs, that “He’s done about as much as [he] can do,” and helped them out with a few things. He said also it takes a lot of extra time and effort to travel to Griswold, and he doesn’t have anyone ready to step in to his position in Atlantic, while he’s gone.

The Board did approve the ratification of a Contract Agreement for 2017-2019 for the District’s Non-Certified Employees, but the Certified Employees contract remains up in the air. As part of the agreement with the Non-Certified Employees, the second year of the contract allows wages open for negotiations. The NCE’s Union has already approved the agreement as written.

And, the Atlantic School Board approved various Contracts, Letters of Assignment and resignations, the latter of which includes Ginger Bechtold, Middle School Student Council Sponsor; Katrina Hames, Para Educator; Emma Walker, Asst. Varsity Girl’s Basketball Coach; and Jessica Fincel, Technology Resource Integrationist.

In addition, Brian Ihnken’s transfer from Middle School Maintenance and Groundskeeper to the High School was approved, along with Jeremy Blake as Special Education Teacher at the High School. Lori Namanny and Angela Behrens were approved to serve the Summer Lunch Program, and Brielle Cervan as Homebound Instructor.

Steve Andersen was approved as Substitute Bus Driver, and Bryce Casey as Summer Grounds Worker.

LARRY LEE MADDEN, 82, of Atlantic (Svcs. 05/15/2017)

Obituaries

May 10th, 2017 by admin

LARRY LEE MADDEN, 82, of Atlantic died Wednesday, May 10th at his home in Atlantic. Graveside services for LARRY LEE MADDEN will be held Monday, May 15th at 3:00pm in the Atlantic Cemetery. Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic has the arrangements.

Visitation with family will be held Monday, May 15th from 2:00pm-3:00pm at Hockeberry Family Care Funeral Home prior to services.

Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the family’s wishes.

LARRY LEE MADDEN is survived by:

Wife: Judy Madden of Atlantic.

Children: Larry Lee Madden of Texas. Amy Lett of Atlantic. Ronnie Madden of Red Oak.

Brothers: Bert (Bev) Madden of Carroll. Tom (Bonnie) Madden of Exira.

Several Grandchildren.

Several Great-Grandchildren