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Exira man arrested on assault & child endangerment charges

News

July 1st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office today (Friday), said a man from Exira was arrested Thursday, following an investigation into an incident that occurred earlier, in the 500 block of Hill Haven, in Exira. 56-year-old Roger Thomas Waters, Jr. was arrested at around 8-p.m. on two counts of Domestic Abuse Assault and two counts of Child Endangerment. Waters was brought to the Audubon County Jail and later released after appearing before the Magistrate.

Farragut Community School District has dissolved

News

July 1st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

FARRAGUT, Iowa (AP) – The Farragut Community School District has involuntarily dissolved. The Daily Nonpareil reports that the district’s dissolution went into effect Friday after being placed into the Green Hills Area Education Agency’ receivership. The Iowa State Board of Education voted to revoke the district’s accreditation in November 2015, primarily because of years of spending more than what was allowed by the state.

The district’s superintendent, Tom Hinrichs, resigned a month after the district was put on the path to dissolution. Students have gone to the Shenandoah, Sidney, Hamburg and Fremont-Mills community school districts. Green Hills chief administrator Lane Plugge says the district’s buildings are now the property of the Shenandoah school district. Shenandoah now owns about 65 percent of the property.

(Update) Stuart woman arrested in connection with fugitive incident

News

July 1st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

An escapee from the Ft. Madison Correctional Facility was captured Thursday afternoon, in Stuart, and a woman from Stuart was arrested as an accessory in harboring him. Stuart Police said a Stuart Police Officer was investigating the reported sighting of an escaped fugitive, 31-year old Joseph Leclair, Jr., at around noon Thursday, in the 300 block of N. Main Street.  Lora Sue Baudler, of Stuart, answered the door when the officer knocked but refused to cooperate with the officer.

Baudler then left the property and allegedly made a false 911 call reporting LeClair to be at a different location. The officer called in assistance from Guthrie and Adair County Sheriff’s Offices and the State Patrol to surround the house, while he prepared a search warrant. At approximately 3:30-pm officers entered the house with a search warrant and found LeClair hiding inside.

LeClaire was arrested and transported to the Guthrie County Jail. Baudler was arrested on charges that include False Reports to, or Communications with, Public Safety entities, and Accessory after the Fact.

You may recall LeClaire was involved in a similar incident last year when he escaped from work release for over a two month period from May-July. He was subsequently arrested in Polk County following that incident.

“Operation Dry Water” nets 10 arrests for intoxicated boaters

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 1st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources say more than 700 vessels containing more than 2,200 boaters were contacted as part of Operation Dry Water during the weekend of June 25th-26th. The effort to focus on enforcement of Iowa’s boating while intoxicated law is intended to draw public attention to the hazards of boating under the influence going into the Fourth of July holiday weekend, traditionally one of the busiest times for vessels on Iowa waters.

In all, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources along with partner agencies issued 227 citations or warnings during the Operation Dry Water campaign. While most of the violations and warnings involved having the proper safety equipment on-board, a total of 10 boating while intoxicated arrests were made during the effort.

The waters targeted for this year’s effort were Coralville Reservoir, the Mississippi River, Brushy Creek Lake, Lake Manawa, Okoboji, Saylorville Reservoir and the Missouri River. The DNR received assistance in the effort from the Illinois, Wisconsin, and Nebraska DNR, Iowa State Patrol, local sheriffs and police departments and county conservation boards.

The Operation Dry Water effort resulted in 381 boaters being contact and 161 citations or warning being issued a year ago. Susan Stocker, boating law administrator and education coordinator for the Iowa DNR, said Operation Dry Water is an important mission to heighten boating safety awareness prior to the busy Fourth of July holiday. “One-third of all boating fatalities nationally involved alcohol and many of those victims were innocent bystanders,” Stocker said.

Iowa fares even worse than the national average with approximately half of the boating-related fatalities involving alcohol. “The effects of alcohol can be intensified when combined with wind and wave action and an extended time spent in the sun. Operators may not think they are under the influence, but their judgment, reaction time, balance and vision indicate that they are,” Stocker said.

There are slightly less than 220,000 registered boats in Iowa.

July 4th weekend events

News

July 1st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Several events are planned for this Independence Day weekend around the KJAN listening area.

The City of Exira’s 151st 4th of July Celebration begins today (Friday: July 1st) with a Carnival from 5-until 10-p.m. (wristbands are available). On Saturday ( July 2nd): The 35th Annual Exira Road Run gets underway at 8-a.m, a free-will donation Pancake Feed takes place at the Old Fire Hall from 8-  to 10-a.m.  That afternoon, a Co-ed Slow Pitch Softball Tournament will be held at Legion Park, beginning at 1 o’clock with concessions & beer garden available.

On Sunday, July 3rd there’s an Ecumenical Church Service at the Rec Center beginning at 10:30, and at 2-p.m., an Exira High School Class of 1966 Alumni Coffee at the Exira- EHK Middle School. Eira’s Independence Day Rodeo starts at 3-p.m., at the Kickapoo Park, with beer garden & concessions. Sunday evening, the Exira Community Club will hold a BBQ at the City Park, with Audubon County Cattlemen grilling burgers & hot dogs with beans, chips, watermelon & drink, from 5-until 7-p.m., along with a beer garden from 5-until 9-p.m.

On Monday, the 151st Exira 4th of July Parade themed “Hats off to the 4th!” starts and ends at Legion Ball Park. The parade begins at 10:30-a.m. And, the Grand Fireworks display starts at 9:45-p.m. at the Spartan Football Field. More details are available on Facebook.

The City of Oakland’s Independence Day Celebration runs Sunday and Monday. On Sunday, there’s Worship  in the Park, beginning at 10-a.m., and Zumba near the City Park gazebo, from 5-to 6-pm. At 7-p.m. the PEO Chapter EQ presents a “Whadda Ya Know” Trivia Night at the Community Center. On Monday, the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department will hold their Annual Pancake Feed from: 7-until10:30-a.m. There’s also tractor and car shows, musical entertainment, Midway games and activities, and the Independence Day Parade beginning at 5-p.m. Fireworks over Chautauqua Park begin to fly at dusk.

In Greenfield, the 4th of July Parade begins at 11-a.m. The Annual Marne July 4th Celebration will be held on July 4th at the Marne Park. The flag will be raised at 6 pm, with the meal to follow. Fireworks begin at dusk. All who attend are asked to give a free will donation to help pay for the fireworks.

In Atlantic, the Annual Jaycees Flight Breakfast at the airport takes place from 7-until 11-a.m. Monday, featuring pancakes from the “Pancake Man.”  The food is free for those who fly-in to the event. Drive-in’s will pay $6. And, the Kiwanis Club of Atlantic will hold a concession stand and DJ music, starting at 7 pm. Fireworks at the airport begin at dusk, with patriotic music being played.  See the KJAN Daily Diary page for more events and details at www.kjan.com.

Backyard & Beyond 7-1-2016

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

July 1st, 2016 by Jim Field

LaVon Eblen visits with Summarra Smith about the Oakland 4th of July Celebration.

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FRIDAY, JULY 1st

Trading Post

July 1st, 2016 by Jim Field

FOR SALE:  Bosch washer and dryer, approx 10 years old, front load, well cared for, washer needs work, dryer in good condition. Asking price $250.00 for the pair. Call Lana Westphalen at 712 243-1957, leave a message.

WANTED: Large round bales of hay and square bales, any amount. 712-420-2609.

Fireworks amnesty event in Council Bluffs, July 9th

News

July 1st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Pottawattamie County report that a public fireworks amnesty program will be offered on July 9th, to provide the public with a safe place to dispose of unused fireworks following the Independence Day weekend. The fireworks amnesty program is being offered by the Council Bluffs Police and Fire Departments along with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office. Bluffs Badge

The drop off location is no longer at the Family Dollar/Auto Zone parking lot. The new drop off site is in the parking lot of Pottawattamie County Sherriff’s Office at 1400 Big Lake Road. Fireworks can be dropped off between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., on July 9th.

Heartbeat Today 7-1-2016

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

July 1st, 2016 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with Freese-Notis meteorologist Dan Hicks about your holiday weekend weather.

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IA Ag Sec Bill Northey encourages farmers to update info. on IA Hay & Straw Director

Ag/Outdoor

July 1st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today encouraged Iowa hay and straw producers to register or update their listing on the Iowa Hay and Straw Directory.  The directory lists Iowa producers with hay and straw for sale, as well as organizations and businesses associated with promoting and marketing quality hay and straw. IA Dept of Ag-Land Stewardship

Northey says “The directory has been a great tool for both buyers and sellers and we hope farmers will take the time to review and update their information so that it remains a valuable resource. This directory can serve as a critical link for those producing hay and those looking to buy, so we encourage Iowans to take advantage of this free directory.”

The listing is available to interested buyers throughout the nation, however only sellers from within Iowa can be included on the list. Names are gathered throughout the year with added emphasis now that hay harvest has started. Sections within the Hay and Straw Directory include “Forage for Sale,” “Forage Auctions,” “Hay Associations,” “Forage Dealers,” “Hay Grinders” and “Custom Balers.”

Farmers interested in listing should visit the Department’s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov.  An application form can be found by going to the “Bureaus” link and then selecting “Agricultural Diversification and Market Development.”  Then click on “Hay & Straw Directory” on the right side of the page under “Directories.”

For those without internet access, please call the Hay/Straw Hotline at 800-383-5079.  The Department will fax or send a printed copy of the application to be filled out. The Department is also supporting the Iowa Crop Improvement Association’s “Iowa Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage and Mulch Certification Program.”  Through this program Iowa forage and mulch producers can take advantage of many emerging market opportunities for “Certified Weed Free” products.  For more specific information on this program producers should contact the Iowa Crop Improvement Association at 515-294-6921.  More information can also be found by visiting http://www.iowacrop.org/Forage_Mulch.htm.