OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A monthly survey of bankers in 10 Midwest and Great Plains states shows the rural economy slowing down, but reflects strong gains in hiring and farmland prices. The Rural Mainstreet Index released Thursday dropped slightly from 59.8 last month to 59.6 in February. Anytime the index, which ranges from 1 to 100, is above 50, it suggests the economy will grow. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who oversees the survey, says he expects to see slower growth in farm income as a result of softer agriculture commodity prices and higher overhead costs. The economic confidence index, which reflects expectations for the economy six months out, rose to 60.3 from January’s 56.1. The survey covers Iowa, Nebraska, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Colorado and Wyoming.

(DES MOINES) – Secretary of State Matt Schultz announced today that the redistricting and reprecincting based on the 2010 Census changes will impact the 2012 Primary and General elections for the Iowa Senate.

Iowa has 50 senate districts, and each senator is elected to a 4-year term at a General election.  Senators that live and serve in an even-numbered district are on the ballot during presidential election years, and senators that serve in an odd-numbered district are on the ballot during the gubernatorial election years.

The 2012 Primary and General election ballot will include all the even-numbered senate districts.  Due to the redistricting that took place based on the 2010 Census, this year’s ballots will also include an odd-numbered senate district.  No incumbent senator currently resides in senate district 49, so this office must be placed on the 2012 Primary and General ballots for a 2-year term.

Every incumbent state senator filed a declaration of residency by a statutory deadline of February 1st. Maps effective for the 2012 elections are available on the Secretary of State’s web page http://sos.iowa.gov/elections/maps/index.html or by calling 515-281-0145.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Police say one of two women suspected of abducting a 3-year-old Des Moines boy has been found, and she provided information that led officers to the child. An Amber Alert was issued early Thursday for Nicolas Jimmerson when he was not returned to his custodial guardian. The alert was canceled several hours later after he was found. Police were looking for 22-year-old Melanie Stout, the boy’s biological mother, and her friend, 25-year-old Amber Johnson.
Police say Johnson contacted the boy’s guardian about a visit on Wednesday. When Johnson didn’t return the child, the guardian called authorities.  Johnson showed up at an emergency room at 5 a.m. Thursday. She provided information that led to the boy, who was in good condition.  Police are still looking for Stout, who escaped from prison.

Two separate traffic stops this week in Pottawattamie County have resulted in four arrests and the confiscation of 209-pounds of marijuana. Pott. County Chief Deputy Sheriff John Reynolds told KJAN News Deputy Brian Miller stopped a 2011 Toyota for speeding just before 1-p.m. Sunday, on Interstate 80 eastbound north of Council Bluffs. The vehicle was occupied by the driver 35-year old Odilia Pena, of Mendota, CA, and her passenger, 24-year old Lorena Gonzalez, of Fresno, CA.

Reynolds said Deputy Miller believed there was “Criminal Activity afoot,” so he deployed his K-9 partner “Francisco.” The dog alerted to the presence of illegal substances, and a search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of 180-pounds of marijuana in two locked suitcases. Both women were charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver, Prohibited Acts, and a Tax Stamp violation. Pena also received citations for other moving violations.

And, on Wednesday, Deputy Miller stopped a 2012 GMC Yukon for speeding at around 11:15-a.m. just a few miles north of where he stopped the Toyota on Sunday. The vehicle was driven by 25-year old Beau Hanson, of Clear Lake Oaks, CA. Hanson, and his passenger, 27-year old William Woods, of McKinleyville, CA, were charged with PCS with the Intent to Deliver, Prohibited Acts and a Drug Tax Violation. Woods was also wanted on a warrant out of Indiana for being a Fugitive from Justice.

Inside the vehicle, Deputy Miller located in a glass jar and vacuum-sealed bags, 29-pounds of marijuana in two suitcases, along with drug paraphernalia. All four suspects were brought to the Pottawattamie County Jail in Council Bluffs. Pena, Gonzalez and Hanson were released from custody on $10,000 bond each. Woods remained in the Pott. County Jail today (Thursday) on $10,000 bond.

Another, close-up view of the fire

Greenfield Fire 107 W. Iowa St.

An early morning fire has destroyed a tire, repair and recycling business in Greenfield. Charlie Abell, owner of Charlie’s Tire Plus at 107 West Iowa Street, told KJAN News when he got the call just after 4-a.m., he thought it was a joke. He said a buddy on his way to work called to say “Your building is on fire.” Abell, who lives 20-miles away said he could see the flames on approach, about 5-miles east of town. Abell, who opened the business last August 2011 and but has been in the repair business for nearly 20-years, said the loss is a setback, but he’ll try bounce back. He says his entire life savings was invested in the business. He has insurance, but it won’t cover all of the damage.

A vacant, adjacent structure formerly occupied by the Cornerstone Fellowship church sustained roof damage from the flames and firefighting efforts.  Firefighters from Greenfield and three area departments were called-in to fight the blaze, the cause of which remains under investigation.  Abell says no one was injured, but there was a close call. He says firefighters were going to cut the door open when an LP tank on a forklift exploded and blew the door out. Fortunately, none of the firefighters were nearby when the explosion occurred.

The Clarinda Police Department reports an arrest has been made in connection with an attempted burglary early this (Thursday) morning. Police Chief Keith Brothers says 30-year old Kyle Bahn, of Clarinda, was charged with Attempted Burglary in the 3rd degree, Possession of burglary tools, Trespassing, and 4th degree Criminal Mischief. His arrest stems from an investigation into an incident which was reported to have occured at around 2-a.m.

Brother says officers responding to a reported burlgary in progress at 300 East Logan Street, discovered entry had been made into the home after an exterior glass door was broken. Following an immediate search of the area, the officers were able to track a set of footprints to the vicinity of 14th & Clark Streets, where they encountered Bahn. The man was detained for questioning and then taken into custody.

Bahn was booked into the Page County Jail, where he was being held on $5,000 bond, pending an appearance before a Magistrate. It’s not clear if Bahn was the same person responsible for two, early morning home invasions that occurred in Clarinda over the past week. Today’s incident remains under investigation.

 Women who own or manage farmland in and around Shelby County (IA), are invited to a free discussion and field tour on Wednesday, Feb. 29, at the Therkildsen Activity Center in Harlan. The focus of this meeting is making informed decisions about hunting and managing wildlife on your farmland. Coffee and registration begin at 8:30 a.m. A free lunch is provided, followed by an optional field tour of area habitat sites. The event is sponsored by Women, Food and Agriculture Network as part of its Women Caring for the Land^SM series, in collaboration with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and Iowa State University Extension. 

Women Caring for the Land^SM meetings bring together women landowners in an informal, discussion-based learning format for a morning discussion, followed by a more in-depth look at the two or three topics of most interest. Female conservation professionals are on hand to answer questions and share resources. Following lunch, area NRCS staff lead a field tour to view conservation practices on the ground. For information about the program, visit www.wfan.org. To RSVP for this meeting, contact Lynn Heuss at 515.201.9405 by 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27. Space is limited to 15; please reserve your space early!

w/ Ric Hanson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (9.0MB)

Subscribe: RSS

An Amber Alert issued earlier this morning for a 3-year old boy allegedly abducted by his biological, non-custodial mother and another woman, has been cancelled. State Radio reports the child has been found unharmed.  Police say Nicholas Jimmerson had been abductedfrom a Des Moines home on Wednesday night. The alert was issued at 3:15 a.m. Thursday. He was found just after 5 a.m.  The alert said authorities were looking for 22-year-old Melanie Stout and 25-year-old Amber Johnson.  Police have not provided details yet on the recovery of Nicholas or whether anyone has been arrested in the case.