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Suspect in fatal crash fails to show for court hearing

News

February 27th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A man suspected of being drunk and drag racing when he caused a fatal crash has skipped court. A judge revoked 19-year-old Eswin Mejia’s $50,000 bail on Friday when Mejia failed to show for his preliminary hearing. Officials weren’t surprised, as Mejia earlier this month skipped urine tests required for him remain free on $5,000 bond. Police have not been able to find Mejia – a Honduras national believed to have been in the country illegally.

Police say Mejia’s blood-alcohol content more than three times the legal limit when he crashed on Jan. 29 into an SUV, killing its driver, 21-year-old Sarah Root, of Council Bluffs.  Criticism has been levied at legal officials for allowing Mejia’s $5,000 bond to go unchallenged, as well as federal immigration officials for not seeking to hold Mejia.

Adair & Guthrie Storm Spotter Class March 16th followed by Severe Weather Awareness Week

News, Weather

February 27th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Agencies will host a joint 2016 Storm Spotter Class at the Menlo Community Center, beginning at 7:00 PM on March 16th. Robert Kempf, Coordinator for the agencies, says the class is free and open to the public.

The following week, March 21st-throught the 25th, is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Iowa. The highlight of Severe Weather Awareness Week is the annual statewide tornado drill scheduled for 10-a.m. Wednesday, March 23rd.  Schools, businesses, state and local governments, and individuals are strongly encouraged to participate in the drill. Additional information about the tornado drill can be found on local National Weather Service (NWS) website.

During Severe Weather Awareness Week, the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will post information on individual and family preparedness at www.BeReady.iowa.gov, including podcasts, public service announcements and videos. The NWS will promote severe weather safety on their websites and by issuing informative public information statements.

Williams has 32 as No. 23 Oklahoma women roll Iowa St. 85-54

Sports

February 27th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) – Kaylon Williams made 13 of 14 shots and scored a career-high 32 points in her last home game to lead No. 23 Oklahoma to an 85-54 win over Iowa State on Saturday. The Sooners (19-9, 10-7 Big 12) hit 9 of 15 shots in the first quarter in opening a 25-13 lead. They were up by nine at the half and used a 28-12 third quarter to decide the issue. Oklahoma shot 60 percent (33 of 55) from the field and held Iowa State to 33 percent (17 of 52).

Emily Durr led the Cyclones (13-15, 5-12), who have lost 11 of 13, with a career-high 24 points. Jadda Buckley added 16. Behind Williams and Peyton Little, who had 11 points and seven rebounds, Oklahoma had a 37-26 rebounding advantage and outscored the Cyclones 42-20 in the paint. Gioya Carter had six assists as the Sooners had 21 helpers on 33 baskets.

Timmer helps Drake beats Loyola of Chicago 69-59 in OT

Sports

February 27th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Reed Timmer scored the first six points in overtime as Drake broke away to beat Loyola of Chicago 69-59, wrapping up the regular season Saturday with just its second conference win. Timmer, who hit a 3-pointer to force the overtime at 48-48, ended the game with 17 points. Seven-foot freshman Dominik Olejniczak had a breakout game scoring a career-best 19 points with nine rebounds and six blocked shots — also a career best.

Graham Woodward added 12 points for Drake (7-23, 2-16 Missouri Valley Conference), 10th seed into the conference tournament. Milton Doyle scored 20 points for Loyola (14-16, 7-11), which enters the tournament as the No. 8 seed and plays Bradley Thursday in St. Louis. Doyle had a potential game-winning shot blocked by Casey Schlatter with three seconds left in regulation. He was 2 of 7 from the floor in overtime.

Northern Iowa holds off Evansville for 54-52 win

Sports

February 27th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Wes Washpun made four free throws down the stretch and blocked a shot with three seconds left to secure Northern Iowa’s 54-52 win over Evansville on Saturday. The win assures Northern Iowa (19-12, 11-7), which has won nine of its last ten games, the No. 4 seed in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.

Washpun had 14 points, five assists, three steals and three blocks. Klint Carlson added 10 points. Northern Iowa held Evansville to just 16 points in the first half; the lowest UNI has held any opponent in the initial half this season.

Evansville, tied for second in the conference, rallied in the second period to close to 53-52 with 13 seconds remaining. Northern Iowa’s Jeremy Morgan split a pair of free throws and the Purple Aces missed their last two shots. D.J. Balentine led Evansville (23-8, 12-6) with 19 points. Egidiju Mockevicius added 14 with 16 rebounds.

Judge to announce verdict Monday in stabbing death trial

News

February 27th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A judge says she will announce next week the fate of a Council Bluffs woman accused of fatally stabbing her ex-boyfriend. The Daily Nonpareil reports that District Judge Kathleen Kilnoski will announce a verdict Monday in Jodie Sherman’s case after the trial ended Friday.

Sherman is charged with first-degree murder in the July 2014 death of Douglas Richt, her ex-boyfriend. Sherman is accused of stabbing Richt in the throat during an argument after he picked her up in a car. Richt died while being taken to a hospital.

Her attorneys have argued that she’s not guilty by reason of insanity. Kilnoski is weighing a verdict because Sherman waived her right to a trial by jury.

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 2/27/2016

News, Podcasts

February 27th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

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

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(Podcast) KJAN Morning Sports report, 2/27/2016

Podcasts, Sports

February 27th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

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

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(Podcast) KJAN Morning News & funeral report, Saturday, 2/27/2016

News, Podcasts

February 27th, 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: 2/27/16

Weather

February 27th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Today: Sunny & breezy. High near 65. SW winds 10-20mph w/gusts to near 30.
Tonight: Mostly clear & breezy. Low around 42. S/SW @ 10-25mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny & windy. High near 55. W/NW @ 15-35 during the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. NW @ 10-20.
Monday: Partly sunny & breezy. High near 59. S/SW winds @ 10-20 in the morning becoming northerly @ 15-30 during the afternoon
Mon. Night: Cloudy w/a 30% chance rain or snow. Low around 28.
Tuesday: A 30% chance of snow, mainly before noon, otherwise Partly sunny & breezy. High 35.

Friday’s High in Atlantic was 50. The 24-hour Low ending at 7-a.m. today was 21. Last year on this date we reached 20 for a High and -13 was the low. The All-time Record High in Atlantic on this date was 68 in 1976. The Record Low was -16 in 1960.