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Iowa early News Headlines: Sunday, April 17th 2016

News

April 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 5:40 a.m. CDT

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa man granted a new trial after initially being convicted and sentenced to 50 years for the death of his infant daughter has now pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and been released from prison. Paul Hill, 26, was released from prison Friday after spending nearly six years behind bars. An appeals court had ruled that police obtained statements from Hill in violation of his right to remain silent.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — The Cedar Rapids Community School District will cut teachers and programs before the next school year starts in the fall to deal with a budget shortfall. Television station KCRG reports that the district has announced it will eliminate 10 elementary school and 13 high school teaching positions. It’s also getting rid of the Foreign Language in Elementary Schools program.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A psychiatrist says he plans to continue working as an expert witness in Iowa trials even though he no longer has a medical license. The Des Moines Register reports that Michael Taylor, of Cumming, surrendered his state license on April 8. The Iowa Board of Medicine says Taylor failed to maintain proper medical records on 11 patients.

SHERRILL, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say fire has caused an estimated $100,000 in damage to a Canadian Pacific railroad bridge in eastern Iowa. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports that the fire occurred Friday afternoon. No one was injured. The Dubuque County Sheriff’s Department says the fire remains under investigation.

Reds erase early 4-run deficit, beat Cardinals 9-8

Sports

April 16th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) – Brandon Phillips, Zack Cozart and Jay Bruce had two RBIs apiece for the Cincinnati Reds, who erased an early four-run deficit against St. Louis ace Adam Wainwright in a 9-8 victory over the Cardinals on Saturday. Stephen Piscotty had four RBIs for St. Louis, and his three-run homer made it 4-0 in the second.

J.J. Hoover allowed a two-run homer to Brandon Moss before finishing for his first save. Wainwright (0-2) retired his first eight before Reds starter Brandon Finnegan (1-0) singled with two outs in the third. The two-time 20-game winner was charged with seven runs in 5 1/3 innings and has struggled mightily with an 8.27 ERA after missing most of 2015 with a torn left Achilles.

House fire in Atlantic Sat. afternoon

News

April 16th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Firefighters in Atlantic were called to the scene of a house fire, Saturday afternoon. The call amount smoke coming from all sides of the home at 602 Spruce Street, came in at around 2:53-p.m.  Heavy, brown smoke was pouring from the structure when law enforcement and fire crews arrived on the scene. All the residents were out of the home and there was no report of injuries.

Discarded smoking materials may have caused the blaze, according to officials, but the exact cause remained under investigation. Firefighters were on the scene for just under two-hours.

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Ric Hanson (Photos)

Ric Hanson (Photos)

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Thousands in donations stolen from injured Iowa biker

News

April 16th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Thousands of dollars donated to help an Iowa motorcyclist who lost a leg in a crash have been stolen. Now, the Des Moines motorcycle community is stepping up to help. Des Moines television station KCCI reports that thieves stole more than $2,000 collected since last month to help 33-year-old Matt Brooks, who remains hospitalized following his March 17 crash.

Brooks’ friend, Bruce Cronk, says the money was collected in jars and containers and taken to Brooks’ mother’s house, where she kept the money in a safe. Police say it was stolen by two people who kicked in the woman’s back door on Friday. Cronk and several friends are now selling T-shirts and preparing benefits to help raise more money for Brooks.

Sioux City airport plan to see $4 million taxiway project

News

April 16th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Sioux Gateway Airport board has approved an agreement with the 185th Refueling Wing of the Iowa Air National Guard for a proposed $4 million taxiway project. Airport director Mike Collett tells the Sioux City Journal that the project will replace a current taxiway connector on the far north end of the main runway. Collett says the Guard’s refueling tankers require a wider taxiway.

Under the agreement approved Thursday, the 185th would pay $1.8 million of the total cost. The Federal Aviation Administration would front $2 million, and the city of Sioux City would pitch in the remaining $200,000. The agreement is expected to be presented to the City Council later this month for final approval.

Northwestern Iowa lottery player hits big prize twice

News

April 16th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

CHEROKEE, Iowa (AP) — Don’t tell Clark Voge, of Cherokee, Iowa, that lightning doesn’t strike the same place twice. The Sioux City Journal reports that the northwest Iowa man has hit two $30,000 lottery jackpots in as many months. Voge claimed a $30,000 prize Wednesday from a scratch-off ticket. He did the same thing just a month earlier. Both winning tickets were bought at Sparky’s, a convenience store in Cherokee.

The Iowa Lottery says the odds of winning the jackpot on that scratch game are 1 in 120,211. Voge says he plans to save most of his winnings.

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 4/16/2016

News, Podcasts

April 16th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

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

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(Podcast) KJAN Morning Sports report, 4/16/2016

Podcasts, Sports

April 16th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast w/Ric Hanson.

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(Podcast) KJAN Morning News & funeral report, Sat., 4/16/2016

News, Podcasts

April 16th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Skyscan Forecast & weather data for Atlantic – Sat. April 16th 2016

Weather

April 16th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Today: Mostly cloudy & breezy. High near 74. S/SE winds 10-20mph w/gusts to over 30.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy & breezy. Low around 56. SE wind 10-25mph.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy & breezy. High near 74. S/SE @ 10-25
Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers & thunderstorms. Low around 55
Monday: Cloudy w/a 40% chance of showers & thunderstorms. High near 70. SE @ 10-20.
Monday Night: Showers & possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 52.
Tuesday: A 40% chance of showers & thunderstorms, otherwise Partly sunny, with a high near 68.

Friday’s High in Atlantic was 75. The 24-hour Low thru 7-a.m. today was 48. Last year on this date, our High in Atlantic was 70 and the low was 44. The All-time Record High in Atlantic on this date was 88 in 1898. The Record Low was 19 in 1988.