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Funeral held for Iowa woman killed in fiery, wrong-way crash

News

April 4th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Funeral services were held over the weekend for a woman who was killed in a fiery, wrong-way interstate crash that also killed two Des Moines police officers and another driver. The Daily Nonpareil reports that a crowd gathered Saturday to mourn 32-year-old Tosha Nicole Hyatt, of Des Moines, during her funeral and burial in Council Bluffs.

Hyatt was in a police car, being transported from Council Bluffs to Des Moines on an arrest warrant, when the crash occurred March 26th. Des Moines police officers Susan Farrell and Carlos Puente-Morales and Benjamin Beary of Knoxville, the driver of the other vehicle involved, were also killed.

The Reverend Joe Laughlin of Victory Church in Omaha, Nebraska which Hyatt attended as a child, officiated. Laughlin said Hyatt was loved by her friends and family.

 

NWS forecast for Cass & area Counties in IA., 4/4/16

Weather

April 4th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

EARLY THIS MORNING…MOSTLY CLEAR. NORTH WIND 10 TO 15 MPH.

TODAY...SUNNY. MUCH COOLER. HIGH IN THE MID 50S. NORTH WIND 5 TO 10 MPH.

TONIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY THROUGH MIDNIGHT…THEN MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS AFTER MIDNIGHT. MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS EARLY IN THE MORNING. LOW IN THE UPPER 30S. SOUTHEAST WIND 5 TO 15 MPH. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 50 PERCENT.

TUESDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A CHANCE OF LIGHT SHOWERS IN THE MORNING…THEN A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON. BREEZY. HIGH IN THE MID 60S. SOUTH WIND 15 TO 25 MPH. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 50 PERCENT.

TUESDAY NIGHT…SHOWERS LIKELY AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH MIDNIGHT…THEN A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOW IN THE MID 40S. SOUTH WIND 5 TO 15 MPH SHIFTING TO THE WEST AFTER MIDNIGHT. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 70 PERCENT.

WEDNESDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A CHANCE OF LIGHT RAIN IN THE MORNING…THEN A SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON. BREEZY…COOLER. HIGH IN THE LOWER 50S. NORTHWEST WIND 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 35 MPH. CHANCE OF RAIN 40 PERCENT.

THURSDAY…PARTLY SUNNY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN. HIGH IN LOWER 50’s.

 

Advocates say tackling water quality concerns a “shared responsibility”

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 4th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The director of environmental programs for the Iowa Soybean Association says Iowa’s water quality issues have reached a “tipping point.” “We have to have strong soils. We have to have cleaner water. Our jobs and economy in this state depend on those things,” according to Roger Wolf, with the Soybean Association. A host of different ideas are percolating in the legislature for financing water quality projects.

They range from redirecting the “check-off” dollars farmers send to commodity groups when selling grain and livestock to using some state gambling taxes on water quality rather than state government infrastructure. Wolf says cleaning up Iowa’s water should be a “shared responsibility.” Jan Glendening, The Natural Conservancy’s state director, says it will take four BILLION dollars to address the problem.

“We have had significant water quality issues and natural resource issues for years here in Iowa,” Glendening says, “and it’s something we need to invest in.” On Friday, Iowa Environmental Council executive director Ralph Rosenberg floated the idea of collecting a “clean water fee” on every bottle of water sold in the state — to raise money for water quality projects.

“It’s urgent now. We don’t want to have a Flint,” Rosenberg says. “We want to be proud of our rivers and lakes. We want to be proud of our waters and that’s what’s urgent about it. And if it means we have to raise some taxes, then I think the public will support that as well.” Rosenberg, Glendening and Wolf all appeared on Iowa Public Television this weekend to discuss the issue.

(Radio Iowa)

Cardinals place catcher Pena on disabled list, sign Fryer

Sports

April 4th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

PITTSBURGH (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals reserve catcher Brayan Pena has started the season on the disabled list. Pena is dealing with a left knee injury sustained when he slipped while entering the dugout during an exhibition game. The team placed Pena on the 15-day disabled list on Sunday before the opener against Pittsburgh. Eric Fryer will serve as the primary backup behind perennial All-Star Yadier Molina.

Pitchers Jordan Walden (right shoulder strain) and Mitch Harris (right elbow strain), outfielder Jhonny Peralta (left thumb) and infielder Ruben Tejada (left quadriceps strain) joined Pena on the 15-day disabled list. Veteran starter Lance Lynn was put on the 60-day disabled list as he rehabs from right-elbow surgery.

The Cardinals also designated pitcher Jayson Aquino for assignment and added outfielder Jeremy Hazelbacker to the 40-man roster.

 

Iowa early News Headlines: Monday, April 4th 2016

News

April 4th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A House-backed measure that would increase penalties for repeat domestic abusers in Iowa is facing opposition from a group that advocates for domestic violence victims but opposes lengthening mandatory sentences. The repeat abuser bill has been pushed by a woman whose boyfriend held her hostage several years ago.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The South Dakota Board of Regents has approved a plan to offer in-state, undergraduate tuition to new Iowa students at four of its public universities. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports the plan to attract more Iowa students to South Dakota was approved Friday. At current rates, the tuition discount would reduce new Iowa students’ bills by $2,170.50 per school year.

CHEROKEE, Iowa (AP) — Iowa authorities are investigating the death of a 41-year-old man who was acquitted in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2000. The Sioux City Journal reports Jesse Wendelsdorf died at a Sioux City hospital on Thursday.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Donald Trump says he believes he’ll still end up with enough delegates to become the Republican presidential nominee even if he loses the Wisconsin primary on Tuesday. Trump is acknowledging in an interview on “Fox News Sunday” that last week wasn’t his best of the campaign. He spent much of it on defense over comments about abortion, NATO and nuclear weapons for Japan and South Korea. He says it’s always better to win and he wants to finish first in Wisconsin.

Family Fun in the Kitchen 04-02-2016

Podcasts, Family Fun in the Kitchen

April 3rd, 2016 by admin

Lavon and Miss NiNi talk about spring time growth and grilling asparagus.

GRILLED ASPARAGUS

Delicious, crispy asparagus grilled on an open flame releases the flavor and makes kids love their veggies. Add or reduce time cooking time to your liking. One pound will adequately serve 4 people but more veggies are always encouraged.

1 pound asparagus, trimmed
1 tablespoon olive oil
Kosher salt

Preheat grill to medium-high; lightly oil grill. Toss asparagus with oil until evenly coated. Sprinkle with salt. Lay crosswise on grill. Cook about 5 minutes then turn for another 5 minutes. Other grill seasonings may be used to suit your taste. Parmesan cheese is a good flavor combination. Sprinkle before grilling (may brown faster) or immediately after removing from grill to melt on the hot stalks.

Notes: Look for firm asparagus stalks with deep green or purplish tips. Check the bottom of spears. If they are dried up, they have been setting too long. Use as soon as possible but if you have to store, stand stalks upright in a glass or other container with a small amount of water in the bottom.Prepare by grasping each end and bending it gently until it snaps at its natural point of tenderness.

 

Play

Iowa lawmakers, advocates spar over domestic violence bill

News

April 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A House-backed measure that would increase penalties for repeat domestic abusers in Iowa is facing opposition from a group that advocates for domestic violence victims but opposes lengthening mandatory sentences. The repeat abuser bill, which has been pushed by a woman whose boyfriend held her hostage several years ago, easily passed the state House in March. Since then it has remained in the Senate, where lawmakers are discussing additional changes that would reduce the emphasis on mandatory minimum sentences.

The House bill’s supporters argue habitual offenders should serve at least 85 percent of their overall sentence, especially if they are seen as being likely to be violent upon leaving prison. The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence says the bill was well-intentioned, but longer prison sentences don’t make abusers less dangerous.

South Dakota approves in-state tuition for Iowa students

News

April 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The South Dakota Board of Regents has approved a plan to offer in-state, undergraduate tuition to new Iowa students at four of its public universities. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports the plan to attract more Iowa students to South Dakota was approved Friday. At current rates, the tuition discount would reduce new Iowa students’ bills by $2,170.50 per school year.

In 2010, Iowa students accounted for 15 percent of the freshmen class at the University of South Dakota. That had slipped to 11 percent by last year. Gary Steinke is president of the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. He says Iowa private colleges will be watching closely to see if South Dakota’s action affects enrollment.

Liriano dominates, Pirates open with 4-1 win over Cardinals

Sports

April 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Francisco Liriano tied a Pirates opening day record by striking out 10 and singled home the first run of the 2016 Major League Baseball season for good measure, sending Pittsburgh past the St. Louis Cardinals 4-1 on Sunday. It was 39 degrees when Liriano threw the first pitch of the year. He allowed just three hits and walked five in six shutout innings. His RBI hit in the second came off Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright.

David Freese, the 2011 World Series MVP for the Cardinals, had two hits against his former club in his debut with Pittsburgh. Francisco Cervelli and Gregory Polanco also had two hits apiece for the Pirates. Wainwright gave up three runs in six innings, walking three and striking out three in his first regular season start since tearing his Achilles last April.

The Cardinals tried to rally in the ninth against Mark Melancon, who led the majors in saves last year. Matt Carpenter hit an RBI single with two outs but Matt Adams, representing the tying run, flied out to end it.

1 killed, 3 injured in SE IA crash Sunday morning

News

April 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

One person died, three others were injured during a single-vehicle accident Sunday morning in southeastern Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2006 Cadillac SUV was traveling south on Appanoose County Road S-70, just north of 490th Street at around 4:40-a.m, when the vehicle left the highway and went out of control before rolling several times. The driver, 30-year old Chase W. McElvain, of Seymour, and two passengers were ejected from the SUV as it rolled. McElvain died at the scene.

Two passengers, 24-year old Kacey J. Wills, of Seymour, and 25-year old Brett M. Schultz, of Promise City, were flown by helicopter to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. A third passenger, 25-year old Courtney N. Hawk, of Corydon, was transported by ambulance to the Wayne County Hospital. Officials say Hawk was wearing a seat belt, while the other victims were not buckled-in.

 

The accident remains under investigation.