United Group Insurance

House Fire in Audubon Sunday morning

News

December 18th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

(Update 6:17-a.m.) Firefighters in Audubon fought a house fire under freezing conditions this (Sunday) morning. Audubon Fire Chief Tyler Thygesen told KJAN News the structure at 311 Pacific Street was fully involved when they arrived on the scene a little after 2-a.m., and the home was a total loss. A male occupant of the home suffered what were thought to be minor injuries. More manpower was requested from the Exira Fire Department at around 3-a.m. to provide relief to crews that had been battling the blaze. No firefighter injuries were reported.

Thygesen said they battled cold and icy conditions. The temperature in Audubon at 4-a.m. was -11, with a wind chill factor of -24. The flames were extinguished and the scene secured. Crews returned to the fire station at around 5:30-p.m.

Posted in News |

NWS forecast for Cass & area Counties: Sunday, 12/18/16

Weather

December 18th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Wind Chill Warnings and Advisories are posted through late this morning (See the Weather page for more details)

Early This Morning: Mostly clear. Bitterly cold. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Wind chill readings 20 below to 30 below zero.
Today: Sunny. Very cold. High 5 to 10 above. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph shifting to the southwest in the afternoon. Lowest wind chill readings 20 below to 30 below zero in the morning.
Tonight: Clear. Not as cold. Low zero to 5 above. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: Sunny. Very cold. High in the upper 20s. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph with gusts to around 25 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear. Not as cold. Low 15 to 20. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph with gusts to around 30 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny. High in the mid 30s. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low in the lower 20s.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. High in the mid 30s.

Posted in Weather |

Chiefs place linebacker Derrick Johnson on injured reserve

Sports

December 18th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs placed veteran linebacker Derrick Johnson on injured reserve Saturday after he ruptured his Achilles tendon last week, and elevated defensive lineman David King from the practice squad. Kansas City plays the Tennessee Titans today (Sunday). We’ll have the game for you following our 11-a.m. church services (Noon kick-off) on KJAN.

Johnson hurt his Achilles tendon in the Chiefs’ win over Oakland on Dec. 8, but didn’t make a roster move until the weekend so they could keep their options open. They opted to bring King to the active roster because defensive lineman Kendall Reyes is questionable with a wrist injury.

D.J. Alexander and Terrance Smith are expected to replace Johnson on Sunday, though Frank Zombo could also factor into the mix. Ramik Wilson will take over the headset duties for Johnson.

Posted in Sports |

Mitrou-Long’s 37 points help Iowa State beat Drake 97-80

Sports

December 18th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Naz Mitrou-Long poured in a career-high 37 points and Iowa State held off Drake 97-80 on Saturday night, its seventh win in its last nine tries against in-state opponents. Monte Morris had 20 for the Cyclones (7-3), who finished with a 21-4 run to put away a game that was much tighter than most expected.

Mitrou-Long drilled a 3 to make it 85-78 with 3:25 left, and his corner 3 two minutes later allowed the Cyclone-heavy crowd to finally exhale. Mitrou-Long, who shot just 39 percent in Iowa State’s first nine games, was 14 of 18 from the floor and 8 of 12 on 3s. He also had six rebounds, five assists and just one turnover.

Billy Wampler scored 23 points for Drake (1-9), which remains winless against Division 1 opposition. But the Bulldogs were within a possession of the Cyclones for much of the second half.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa and Drake women collide today (Sunday) in Des Moines

Sports

December 18th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Hawkeye women can sweep the in-state series with a victory today (Sunday) at Drake. The Hawkeyes have won the last 14 games in the series.

Iowa coach Lisa Bluder says close games have been common in this series.

The men have their annual Big Four Classic in Des Moines but Drake coach Jennie Baranczyk is happy the women still play round robin.

Drake is 5-3 against a non conference schedule that Baranczyk says is designed to challenge her team.

Tip-time at the Knapp Center in Des Moines, is 2-p.m.

Posted in Sports |

Farmers Business Network continues to grow

Ag/Outdoor

December 18th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

A relatively new organization is bringing farmers together to share data and lower input costs. In less than two years, the Farmers Business Network (FBN) has grown from a concept developed by some farmers in Illinois to a network of thousands of farmers across the U.S. Analyzing and sharing crop data is the major focus, but F-B-N also allows farmers to share pricing data on agricultural inputs. F-B-N’s Sarah Mock says they want farmers to be treated fairly in a marketplace where there’s growing consolidation.

“Farmers don’t always get a fair deal and we don’t believe in that,” Mock says. “So we’re using our data to help farmers make decisions. We’re using the collective power of the network to help farmers stay independent financially.” Mock is a researcher with FBN. “A lot of what I do is with the data science team. We look at the enormous data set that we’ve built at FBN with our farmers and look for the most interesting thing things to share to help them find ways to be more profitable on their farm everyday. I also spend a fair bit of time out in the field talking to farmers,” Mock says.

FBN is also launching a new crop marketing program, which Mock says will give farmers marketing information and opportunities to market their crops. Mock spoke with Brownfield Ag News this week at FBN’s Farmer2Farmer conference in Omaha.

(Reporting by Ken Anderson, Brownfield Ag News)

Posted in Ag/Outdoor |

Wind Chill Warning & Advisory update (3:30-a.m. Sun., 12/18)

Weather

December 18th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

CASS-ADAIR-MADISON-ADAMS-UNION-TAYLOR-AND RINGGOLD- COUNTIES…A WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON TODAY (12/18), AND UNTIL 11-A.M. FOR POTTAWATTAMIE-MILLS-MONTGOMERY-FREMONT AND PAGE COUNTIES, WHERE WIND CHILL VALUES…WIND CHILL VALUES OF 20 TO 25 BELOW AT SUNRISE WILL GRADUALLY MODERATE TOWARD MIDDAY.

A WIND CHILL WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON TODAY FOR AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-DALLAS-SAC-CRAWFORD AND CARROLL COUNTIES, AND UNTIL 11-A.M. FOR HARRISON AND SHELBY COUNTIES, WHERE WIND CHILL VALUES MAY FALL TO AS LOW AS -35 THIS MORNING. A WIND CHILL WARNING MEANS THE COMBINATION OF VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS WILL CREATE DANGEROUSLY LOW WIND CHILL VALUES. THIS WILL RESULT IN FROST BITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA OR DEATH IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.

* WINDS…NORTHWEST WINDS OF 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS REACHING 25 TO 30 MPH AT TIMES.

* TEMPERATURES/WIND CHILL VALUES…THE WIND CHILL HAVEN FALLEN TO 25 DEGREES BELOW ZERO THIS MORNING, WITH -30 VALUES POSSIBLE. AS TEMPERATURES AND WIND CHILLS PLUMMET…FROSTBITE TO EXPOSED SKIN COULD OCCUR IN 10 TO 30 MINUTES.

* IMPACTS….VISIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND SNOW AND ICE COVERED ROADS WILL ALL LEAD TO HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS. THIS WILL RESULT IN FROST BITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN. IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS, MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A HAT AND GLOVES.

Posted in Weather |

Saturday’s (12/17) area basketball scores

Sports

December 18th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

BOYS BASKETBALL

POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS
ADM, Adel vs. Gilbert, ppd. to Jan 7.

Glidden-Ralston vs. Charter Oak-Ute, ppd.

Boyer Valley, Dunlap vs. Paton-Churdan, ppd.

Woodbine vs. CAM, Anita, ppd. to Dec 19.

Ar-We-Va, Westside vs. West Harrison, Mondamin, ppd.

MAC Shootout

All games postponed

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Sioux City, East 61, Bishop Heelan Catholic, Sioux City 56

Sanford Classic
Western Christian, Hull 56, Sioux Falls O’Gorman, S.D. 53

POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS
ADM, Adel vs. Gilbert, ppd. to Jan 7.

Glidden-Ralston vs. Charter Oak-Ute, ppd.

Woodbine vs. CAM, Anita, ppd.

Ar-We-Va, Westside vs. West Harrison, Mondamin, ppd.

Hudson vs. West Marshall, State Center, ppd.

Clarksville vs. Nashua-Plainfield, ppd.

Oskaloosa vs. Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, ppd.

Saint Ansgar vs. North Union, ppd.

Boyer Valley, Dunlap vs. Paton-Churdan, ppd.

Posted in Sports |

1 dead, 1 injured in Madison County crash, Saturday

News

December 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

An accident in eastern Madison County claimed the life of a St. Charles woman, late Saturday morning. The Iowa State Patrol reports 79-year old Joyce Daniels, of St. Charles, who was a passenger in a 1995 Chevy Suburban, died at the scene of the crash that happened at around 11:30-a.m., west of the Holliwell Bridge Road.

The Patrol says the vehicle was traveling west on the St. Charles Road, when the driver, 79-year old Jack Daniels, also of St. Charles, lost control on the ice covered road.

The Suburban left the road and rolled once before coming to rest on its top. Jack Daniels was injured in the crash and transported to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines by ambulance. The Patrol says the couple were wearing their seat belts.

Posted in News |

Winter Weather Update (6-p.m. 12/17)

Weather

December 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-DALLAS COUNTIES: WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS EVENING… WIND CHILL WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON CST SUNDAY.

CASS-ADAIR-ADAMS-MADISON-UNION-TAYLOR & RINGGOLD COUNTIES:  WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 9-P.M. (12/17). WIND CHILL ADVISORY FROM 9-P.M. (12/17) UNTIL NOON SUNDAY (12.18).

HARRISON-SHELBY COUNTIES: WIND CHILL WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM CST SUNDAY.

POTTAWATTAMIE-MILLS-MONTGOMERY-FREMONT AND PAGE COUNTIES: WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11-A.M. SUNDAY.

Wind Chill Advisory (light blue); Wind Chill Warning (slate gray blue); Winter Weather Advisory (purple).

* SHORT TERM TRENDS…OCCASIONAL LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOW WILL END THIS EVENING BUT BLOWING SNOW WILL REMAIN. EXPECT AN ADDITIONAL INCH OR SO OF ACCUMULATION EAST OF INTERSTATE 35. WIND GUSTS TO 30 MPH OR MORE AND VISIBILITY MAY DROP TO A MILE OR LESS DURING MORE INTENSE PERIODS OF BLOWING SNOW.

* WINDS…WINDS WILL REMAIN BRISK WITH GUSTS REACHING 30 TO 35 MPH. * VISIBILITY…VISIBILITY MAY BE REDUCED TO A MILE IN SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW FROM MIDDAY INTO THE AFTERNOON.

* TEMPERATURES/WIND CHILL VALUES…THE WIND CHILL WILL REACH THE TEENS BELOW ZERO EARLY THIS EVENING. WIND CHILLS WILL DROP TO 30 TO 35 BELOW ZERO BY EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. OVERNIGHT LOWS OF 10 TO 15 BELOW ZERO WILL BE COMMON.

* IMPACTS….VISIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND SNOW AND ICE COVERED ROADS WILL ALL LEAD TO HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS… ESPECIALLY THROUGH EARLY EVENING. AS TEMPERATURES AND WIND CHILLS PLUMMET INTO SUNDAY…FROST BITE TO EXPOSED SKIN COULD OCCUR IN 10 TO 30 MINUTES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF BLOWING SNOW WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SLIPPERY ROADS, ICE-COVERED SURFACES, AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES DUE THE STRONG WINDS BLOWING SNOW AROUND. USE CAUTION WHEN TRAVELING, ESPECIALLY IN OPEN AREAS.

A WIND CHILL WARNING MEANS THE COMBINATION OF VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS WILL CREATE DANGEROUSLY LOW WIND CHILL VALUES. THIS WILL RESULT IN FROST BITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA OR DEATH IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS. THIS WILL RESULT IN FROST BITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN. IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS… MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A HAT AND GLOVES.

Posted in Weather |