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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3rd

Trading Post

February 3rd, 2017 by Jim Field

FOR SALE:  Black/white slip on Go Walk Skechers, size 6 ½ like new, asking $20.  Call 712-789-0479.

Creston residential break-in reported

News

February 3rd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A Creston man reported to Police late Thursday morning, that sometime earlier that same day, someone had broken into his home located in the 2200 block of S. Cherry Street. No items were reported missing.  Authorities say damage to a door was estimated at $350.

Denison man charged with motor vehicle homicide in teens death

News

February 3rd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The driver of a vehicle that ended-up in the Boyer River last month now faces a felony charge of Motor Vehicle Homicide/OWI, and four serious misdemeanor counts of providing alcohol to a person under age. Authorities say 25-year old Ramon Hernandez, of Denison, drove through a farm field with four teenagers in his car before it plunged into the Boyer River during the early morning hours of Jan. 19th.

Hernandez was originally arrested January 23rd and charged with three counts of distributing a controlled substance to a minor, and one count of distributing a controlled substance to an adult, in connection to the crash. Each of the prior charges were felony offenses. Hernandez also faces charges of reckless driving, driving while suspended and failure to maintain control.

A passenger in the car, 15-year old Yoana Acosta, of Denison, was found in the Boyer River after a week-long search by numerous agencies and volunteers. Three other passengers, along with Hernandez, were able to escape to safety.

Crawford County Attorney Roger Sailer filed the new charges in district court yesterday (Thursday). The county attorney also formalized the charges for which Hernandez was arrested on January 23rd.

2 arrests in Cass County Feb. 1st

News

February 3rd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two separate arrests took place Wednesday. 56-year old Raymond Linn Knutsen, of Atlantic, was arrested on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Knutsen was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on his own recognizance. And, 64-year old Patrick Emile Clark, of Elliott, was arrested Wednesday, on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Clark was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on his own recognizance.

Car-vs-horse accident north of Atlantic Thursday night

News

February 3rd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

An Atlantic woman was injured when the vehicle she was driving struck a horse on the road north of Atlantic, Thursday night. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports 59-year old Pamra Charlene Pennington, of Atlantic, was southbound on Olive Street approaching Fair River Road at around 7-p.m., when two horses entered the roadway, causing the 2005 Buick LeSabre to strike one of the horses. Pennington was transported to the Cass County Memorial hospital by Medivac Ambulance. The injured horse, owned by Bob Bebensee, had to be put down. Damage to Pennington’s vehicle is estimated at $3,000.

Livestock Master Matrix adopted in 88 counties

Ag/Outdoor

February 3rd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources reports 88 out of 99 Iowa’s counties notified the DNR in January that they plan to evaluate construction permit applications and proposed locations for animal confinements by using the master matrix. With 11 exceptions, all counties will use the matrix during the next 12 months. None of the counties who decided against using the Master Matrix are located in southwest Iowa.

Animal producers in the counties choosing to implement the Master Matrix must meet higher standards than other confinement producers who also need a construction permit. They qualify by choosing a site and using practices that reduce impacts on air, water and the community.

Counties that adopt the master matrix can provide more input to producers on site selection, and proposed structures and facility management. Participating counties score each master matrix submitted in their county and can recommend to approve or deny the construction permit. They can also join in DNR visits to a proposed confinement site.

While all counties may submit comments to DNR during the permitting process, counties that adopt the master matrix can also appeal a preliminary permit to the state Environmental Protection Commission. The deadline for enrolling in the program is Jan. 31 of each year.

Find more information, including a map of participating counties by searching for Master Matrix at www.iowadnr.gov/afo.

Atlantic Fire called to Casey’s east for a gas spill

News

February 3rd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

(Update 10:15-a.m.) The Atlantic Fire Department was called to what was initially described as a large gas spill this (Friday) morning, at the Casey’s General Store on east 7th Street. The call came in at around 8:39-a.m.  Firefighter Gene Schmeling told KJAN News the spill was actually only a couple of quarts at best. It occurred as a motorist was filling up their vehicle and wasn’t paying attention.

Crews put down peat moss to absorb the spill, and cleaned-up the mess.

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 2/3/2017

News, Podcasts

February 3rd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

Play

Deadly synthetic opioid ‘pink’ prompts central Iowa warnings

News

February 3rd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) – The increasing presence of a deadly synthetic opioid called “pink” or “U4” has prompted warnings from Iowa authorities. Ames police spokesman Geoff Huff told The Des Moines Register that the drug, also called “pinky,” has been identified in a handful of Ames cases since June. But he says there are other cases that police don’t know about.

In June a joint statement from four state health and public safety agencies warned the public about U4 as a response to a nonfatal overdose in eastern Iowa. In November the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration categorized U4 among drugs with the highest potential for abuse or addiction, comparable to methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin.

Huff says his department is warning parents that U4 poses great risks to high school and college students.

Postal worker pleads not guilty to mail theft in Iowa

News

February 3rd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Sergeant Bluff man has pleaded not guilty to accusations that he stole mail while working for the U.S. Postal Service. Online court records say a trial is scheduled to begin April 3 for 42-year-old Kirk Baird in U.S. District Court in Sioux City. The charge carries a maximum prison sentence of five years without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors say in a news release that from August through Oct. 20 last year, Baird took letters and other pieces of mail and removed from them cash, gift cards and other valuable items.