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Iowa early News Headlines: Fri., Feb. 5th 2016

News

February 5th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A bill proposed by House Republicans would require local police and county sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration officials by disclosing when they have in custody immigrants living in the country without legal permission. The measure would prevent local governments from adopting policies or procedures that limit or restrict the enforcement of any federal immigration law.

EXETER, N.H. (AP) — Stung by his second-place finish in Iowa, Donald Trump is facing new pressure to prove he can translate his massive crowds and poll leads into election wins. On Thursday, he increased the day’s number of planned New Hampshire events from two to five — the most he’d ever advertised.

KEYSTONE, Iowa (AP) — Three people were killed in a four-vehicle crash in eastern Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol says three people died and several others were injured Thursday morning after the driver of a minivan lost control of the vehicle on ice and another car crashed into it. The crashes occurred around 5:20 a.m. on an ice-covered section of Highway 30 near Keystone, west of Cedar Rapids.

MEDIAPOLIS, Iowa (AP) — A group of contractors has united to complete a custom-built home in Mediapolis after the original contractor died in a single-vehicle accident before finishing the project. The Burlington Hawk Eye reports that Darin Bush, co-owner of Schulte and Bush Contracting, died January 22nd in the accident near Sperry, about 13 miles north of Burlington.

Democrats propose bill to end Medicaid privatization

News

February 4th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Democrats in the Iowa Senate plan on passing a bill next week that would halt Gov. Terry Branstad’s plans to turn over management of the state’s Medicaid program to three private companies. The bill introduced in a subcommittee Wednesday directs the Iowa Department of Human Services to give a 30-day notice of contract termination to the three companies with which the state has contracted for private management of Medicaid.

It also directs the agency to continue previous efforts to improve patient outcomes, increase access to care and make the public management of Medicaid more efficient.

Senate leaders said Thursday they plan to pass the bill out of committees on Monday making it eligible for debate next Thursday. House Speaker Linda Upmeyer says the bill has no chance in the House.

Pollster warned University of Iowa of ‘party school image’

News

February 4th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A pollster warned the University of Iowa last year that its public standing was suffering from an image as a heavy-drinking school where sexual assault was too common. In a report obtained by The Associated Press, Washington-based pollster Chris Perkins tells university leaders that those perceptions mean the school “loses credibility as a serious academic institution.” He recommends specific messages for a communications strategy to combat the image.

The university has refused to release the December 2014 poll and others conducted by Perkins, who received the work under a no-bid contract. The AP obtained the report from a university employee who requested anonymity because the school didn’t authorize its disclosure. University spokeswoman Jeneane Beck said Wednesday the polling helped inform its communications and marketing strategies.

LOREN BAUDLER, 78, of Greenfield (Svcs. 2/8/16)

Obituaries

February 4th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

LOREN BAUDLER, 78, of Greenfield, died Thursday, February 4, at his home in Greenfield. Funeral services for LOREN BAUDLER will be held 10:30-a.m. Mon., Feb. 8th, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle. Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield has the arrangements.

The family will greet friends on Sunday at the Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.

Burial will be in the Fontanelle Cemetery. A luncheon will be held at the church following the burial.

Memorials may be directed to the Loren Baudler memorial fund to be established by the family.

LOREN BAUDLER is survived by:

His son – Matthew Baudler and wife Wendy, of Panora

His sisters – Judy McDowall and husband Rex of Fontanelle, and Leora Kingery and husband Neil of Casey

8 grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

RONALD R. AVEY, 74, of Lawrence, KS (Svcs. 2/8/16)

Obituaries

February 4th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

RONALD R. AVEY, 74, of Lawrence, KS, died Mon., Feb. 1st, at home. Funeral services for RONALD AVEY will be held 2-p.m. Mon., Feb. 8th, at the Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Anita.

Visitation with the family will be from 1-until 2-p.m. Monday, at the funeral home.

Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery at Anita.

Memorials may be directed to the Trinity Family of Faith Church, in Basehor, KS.

RONALD AVEY is survived by:

His wife – Connie Avey, of Lawrence, KS.

His sons – Jay (Mandy) Avey, of Belton, MO. & Nicholas (& fiance’ Stephanie), of Lawrence, KS.

His daughters – Marissa Ayotte, and Chris, of Lincoln, NE.

His brother – Maynard Avey.

and 7 grandchildren.

Livestock Master Matrix adopted in 88 out 99 IA Counties

Ag/Outdoor

February 4th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) report 88 of 99 Iowa 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. Animal producers in those counties must meet higher standards than other confinement producers who also need a construction permit. They must earn points on the master matrix by choosing a site and using practices that reduce impacts on air, water and the community.

With 11 exceptions, all counties will use the matrix during the next 12 months. Among the counties that will not use the matrix in 2016, is Fremont. Officials say Counties that adopt the master matrix can provide more input to producers on site selection, the proposed structures and proposed facility management. Participating counties score each master matrix submitted in their county and can also join in DNR visits to a proposed confinement site.

While all counties may submit comments to DNR during the review process for permit applications, counties that adopt the master matrix can also appeal approval of a preliminary permit to the state Environmental Protection Commission.

The deadline for enrolling in the program is Jan. 31st of each year.

Harlan and Atlantic boys meet on hardwood tonight

Sports

February 4th, 2016 by admin

The Atlantic Boys Basketball team is set to square off against the Harlan Cyclones tonight in Harlan.  The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday but was pushed back due to the winter weather conditions.

Atlantic is excited to get another crack at the Cyclones after Harlan won the first meeting 57-50 at the Atlantic High School gym back on January 5th.  Caleb Rasmussen had 16 points in the first meeting while Ethan Knudson chipped in 14.  Ryan Hawkins had 23 points in the loss.

Atlantic Junior Garrett Franken talked about the opportunity after a win at Red Oak Friday. “We definitely want to go in there and get a win in there gym.  They beat us in our home gym, so it’d be nice to go in there and return the favor.”

Atlantic Coach Alan Jenkins says his team will be ready, “Everybody knows how tough Harlan is in their gym.  We feel like we have a lot to prove.  We got beat up there last year in double overtime in a game we really felt like we could of/should of won. Harlan is not in our substate so for a lot of our guys we don’t know if we are going to get to play them again.  This is who we want to play, we want to play the best teams.   We’ll be ready. We are going to have to hit open shots and keep the ball moving.  There is nothing to lose, we are going to be well prepared and we are going to fly around the court and have fun.”

The Trojans and Cyclones are set for a 7:30pm tip-off at Harlan Community High School. We will have coverage for you here on KJAN AM 1220 and FM 101.1.  You can also listen online or on the KJAN mobile app and live video can be found on our TV page at kjan.com.

Atlantic Public Library offers music downloading and streaming

News

February 4th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Public Library is now offering music downloading and streaming. Library Director Natalie Struecker broke the news during Wednesday night’s meeting of the Atlantic City Council. Struecker says they began offering the downloading and streaming of music on Wednesday. The service was to have begun Monday, but got pushed back a couple of days. She says if you have a library card, you can download three songs a week and keep them, or you can stream three-hours of music.

The service comes through the online resource Freegal Music. In addition to your library card, you will need a password to access the service, which offers about 8 million songs, including Sony Music’s catalog of artists. There is no software to download.

Freegal Music, which allows users to select pre-set music lists or create their own playlists, is available as an app for both Android and Apple devices. Songs can also be downloaded to a computer and transferred to an mp.3 or IPod device.

For more information, stop by the Atlantic Public Library or give them a call.

IGHSAU names Berger new Executive Director

Sports

February 4th, 2016 by admin

The Board of Directors of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union have selected Winterset native Jean Berger as the organization’s fifth executive director.  Berger succeeds Mike Dick, who is retiring on August 31.

Berger currently serves as the Interim Director of Athletics at the University of Northern Iowa, succeeding former IGHSAU Executive Director Troy Dannen.

Berger has been at Northern Iowa since 2008.  She is the direct supervisor for five Panther sports: women’s basketball, softball, tennis, soccer and volleyball. She oversees academic services and athletic training while monitoring Northern Iowa’s gender equity plans.

Prior to coming to Northern Iowa, Berger spent 17 years at Drake University. She was named Drake’s senior women’s administrator in 1994 and was assistant athletic director for internal affairs.  In 2005, she was promoted to associate athletic director. Berger supervised 11 programs at Drake.

Nationally, Berger was the Missouri Valley Conference representative to the the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Issue Committee and served on the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee. She began a term on the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Committee in 2012.

Prior to beginning her administrative career, Berger was an assistant in the Drake sports information office. She served in a similar capacity at Wichita State and was the sports information director at Wayne State from 1985-to-1990.

Berger is a graduate of the University of Iowa, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a master’s degree in physical education and sports studies. Berger has two daughters, Jessica (27) and Jenna (21).

McFadden announces he won’t run again for Cass County Supervisor

News

February 4th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Another member of the Cass County Board of Supervisors has announced he will not be running for re-election during the June 7th Primary. District 1 Supervisor Duane McFadden told KJAN News about his decision during a visit to our studios this (Thursday) morning. McFadden will be completing his 12th year on the Board of Supervisors at the end of December.

He says he’s learned there are many up’s and down’s in trying to bring economic development to Cass County, especially with regard to bringing an ethanol plant to the County. Those efforts were bolstered late last week by a decision from the Iowa Economic Development Authority to award Farmers Energy Cardinal, LLC a $4.2-million tax break to create 49 jobs, of which 45 are incented at a qualifying wage of $18.67. The plant, originally planned in 2006, stalled and wasn’t completed.

When completed, the 150-million gallon per year, dry-mill corn ethanol plant will be Iowa’s 44th corn ethanol refinery and at 150 million gallons a year is among the state’s largest. The project will result in a capital investment of $189.9 million.

McFadden says when he leaves the Board, he’ll be moving to central Iowa. Duane worked for Lindeman Tractor in Atlantic for more than 20-years before he began his last campaign for office. He says whomever is elected to the District 1 seat on the Board of Supervisors has to know, especially if you’re elected Board Chair, like he was up until recently, it’s not just a couple of hours per week they’ll have to devote to the job, it’s a commitment to the County and its people.

Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green has announced he will be running to fill the District 1 seat in June. Mayor Dave Jones also has an interest in the seat, but he has not yet formally announced he’s running. Last month, Cass County District 4 Supervisor Chuck Rieken announced he too, won’t be seeking re-election.