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Will that temporary holiday job become permanent? Economist: probably not…

News

December 14th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

There are “help wanted” signs in the windows of many Iowa businesses lately as the year-end holidays approach. Many employers say there is a possibility those temporary jobs will become permanent after the Christmas rush is over, but Creighton University economist Ernie Goss is something of a Grinch on the topic. Goss predicts few employers will keep holiday workers on the payrolls very far into January.

“Not many, particularly with health care reform now staring down the face of many of the employers,” Goss says. “When the hours go above 30, they have to provide some sort of health care and that means they’re less likely to do that now than they have been in previous years.” Early indicators show this may be a weak holiday season for retailers in Iowa and across the Midwest. Goss says that doesn’t mean people aren’t spending money.

“One of the reasons we’re not seeing the growth in retail sales we’re normally seeing is, a lot of consumers are buying products we don’t include in retail sales,” Goss says. “That trip to Aruba, those vacations are not included in retail sales and a lot of consumers are spending that way.” On the job front, there are about two-million more people working nationwide now compared to a year ago but Goss says many of those jobs are part-time and most of those jobs are not in the Midwest.

(Radio Iowa)

KJAN listening area weather forecast: 12/14/15

Weather

December 14th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Early This Morning: Rain. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.
Today: Breezy. Rain and light snow in the morning…then a slight chance of light rain in the afternoon. Snow accumulation up to 1 inch. High around 40. Northwest wind 15 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Low in the lower 30s. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph shifting to the northeast after midnight.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. High in the lower 40s. East wind 5 to 15 mph with gusts to around 25 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy. A chance of light rain through midnight…then a slight chance of light rain and light snow after midnight. Low in the mid 30s. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph shifting to the south after midnight. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. Breezy. High in the upper 30s. West wind 15 to 20 mph with gusts to around 30 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy. Colder. Low in the mid 20s.
Thursday: Partly sunny. High in the lower 30s.

Flood Warnings remain in effect for s.w. Iowa

Weather

December 14th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

(Update) 327 AM CST MON DEC 14 2015 …

The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in southwest Iowa:

  • Nishnabotna River Near Hamburg affecting Fremont County.The river was 2.8-feet below the 25-foot Flood Stage early Monday morning. Moderate flooding is forecast.
  • West Nishnabotna River At Hancock affecting Pottawattamie County.The warning is in effect until Tuesday afternoon. At 3-a.m. Monday, the river was 5.4-feet below the 14-foot Flood Stage. Minor Flooding is forecast.
  • West Nishnabotna River At Randolph affecting Fremont County.The warning is in effect until Wednesday morning. At 3-a.m. Monday, the river was 2.2-feet below the 16.8-foot Flood Stage. Minor flooding is forecast.
  • West Nishnabotna River Near Riverton affecting Fremont County. At 2:45-a.m Monday, the river was at 22.4 feet,  or 0.9 feet above flood stage. At 21.5 feet, the Riverton Road (CR J-46) will be threatened by flood waters.
  • East Nishnabotna River At Red Oak affecting Montgomery County. At 3-a.m. Monday, the river was 1.6-feet below the 18-foot Flood Stage. Minor flooding is forecast.

Do not drive cars through areas where water covers the road. The water depth may be too great to allow your vehicle to pass safely. Turn around…don`t drown!

Bluffs woman hit by car Sunday night

News

December 14th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A Council Bluffs woman who was struck by a car Sunday night, suffered from a fractured leg, ribs, lacerations and other, non-life threatening injuries. Bluffs Police said 64-year old Charlotte Meyer was transported to the University of Nebraska Medical Center following the accident that occurred at around 6:50-p.m., near the Pilot Truck Stop at 2647 S. 24th Street, in Council Bluffs.

The driver of the vehicle, 66-year old Cheryl Larson, of Omaha, told police
she was traveling North on South 24th Street, and had stopped at the traffic lights of South 24th and 27th Avenue. A male pedestrian and Meyer, were wearing dark clothing. That, along with the rain and limited visibility she said, made it difficult to see both pedestrians. Larson swerved to avoid hitting the unidentified male, but was unable to avoid hitting Meyer.

Following the collision, Larson remained at the scene until Police arrived and could interview her. Officers indicated in their report neither speed nor alcohol were factors in the accident. No charges have been filed.

No. 4 Iowa State beats UAPB 78-64

Sports

December 14th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Jameel McKay scored 18 points with eight rebounds, and No. 4 Iowa State held off Arkansas-Pine Bluff 78-64 Sunday for its ninth straight win. Matt Thomas had 17 points in his first start of the season for the Cyclones (9-0). They rested guard Naz Mitrou-Long, who is still working his way back from offseason surgery to repair both hips.

The Golden Lions (2-8) hung around for about 35 minutes against an Iowa State team three days removed from an emotional 83-82 win over rival Iowa. But Monte Morris’ alley-oop to McKay gave the Cyclones a 70-54 lead with just more than 5 minutes left.

Ghiavonni Robinson scored 15 points for Arkansas-Pine Bluff, which lost its third straight.

Iowa early News Headlines: Monday, Dec. 14th 2015

News

December 14th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Several flood warnings have been issued in southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa after prolonged steady rain in the area. Heavy rain fell in the area where Nebraska and Iowa meet Saturday night. More than two inches of rain was recorded in some places between 7 a.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. Sunday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa GovernorTerry Branstad — a graying little man who relies on Midwestern stick-to-itiveness rather than personal flair — is about to enter the political record books as the longest serving governor in American history, dating all the way back to colonial times. On December 14th, the six-term Republican will mark his 7,642nd day of service as governor.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A 21-year-old man who called police to report an attempted burglary wound up being arrested himself. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports the man called police to his apartment around 10:40 p.m. to report that someone had tried to break in. The officers who responded asked if they could look around for a suspect. While doing that, the officers saw marijuana stems and seeds in plain view and later found two grams of the drug.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Crews have begun mapping the bottom of the Cedar River as part of an effort to develop a $2.6 million whitewater park and kayak course near downtown Waterloo. The Courier reports a few people were out on the river Saturday in a boat equipped with expensive sonar equipment.

Weather Service warns of flood potential in Nebraska, Iowa

News, Weather

December 13th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Several flood warnings have been issued in southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa after prolonged steady rain in the area. The National Weather Service issued the flood warnings for several areas around the Missouri River in southeast Nebraska and around the Nishnabotna River in western Iowa.

Heavy rain fell in the area where Nebraska and Iowa meet Saturday night. More than two inches of rain was recorded in some places between 7 a.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. Sunday, and the rain was continuing. The Weather Service says moderate flooding is possible over the next couple days along those rivers.

CHRISTOPHER J. ANSTEY, 35, of Atlantic (Svcs. 12-18-2015)

Obituaries

December 13th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

CHRISTOPHER J. ANSTEY, 35, of Atlantic died Saturday, December 12th at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic.  Memorial services for CHRISTOPHER J. ANSTEY will be held on Friday, December 18th at 10:30 am at the Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic.

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Visitation with the family will be held on Friday from 9:00 am to 10:30 am at the funeral home. The family will also visit with friends at a lunch in Hockenberry’s community room following the memorial service.

Burial in the St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Massena.

CHRISTOPHER J. ANSTEY is survived by:

Mother:  Kelli Anstey of Atlantic

Son:  Dante Anstey of Humboldt, AZ

The mother of his son, Kendall Drake of Humbolt, AZ, other relatives and friends.

Marshalltown man injured by accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound while deer hunting

News

December 13th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A Marshalltown man suffered a self-inflicted injury to his hand from a shotgun slug while deer hunting Sunday in Palo Alto County. The Iowa DNR says 70-year old David William Clark was sitting on a log with his loaded shotgun when it discharged as he was changing position striking him in the hand at approximately 7:45 a.m. Sunday at Basswood Recreation Area approximately one mile west of Emmetsburg.

Clark was taken to Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg where he was being treated for a non-life-threatening injury. The incident remains under investigated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Chiefs’ goal-line stand preserves 10-3 victory over Chargers

Sports

December 13th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs kept the San Diego Chargers out of the end zone twice in the final seconds Sunday, preserving a 10-3 victory and their seventh consecutive win. Alex Smith threw for 191 yards and a touchdown, along with his first interception after a franchise-record 312 attempts. But it was a banged-up defense that held San Diego without a touchdown for the second time this season that allowed the Chiefs (8-5) to escape.

The Chargers (3-10) took over at their own 11 with 5 minutes left and quickly moved into Kansas City territory, converting fourth down three times. But after San Diego was called for delay of game at the Chiefs 1 with 5 seconds left, Philip Rivers threw incomplete into the end zone.

San Diego still had 2 seconds left, and an incomplete pass that would have ended the game was blown dead for a false start. With the ball pushed back to the 11-yard line, Rivers scrambled to his right and threw to the end zone, where his pass final pass fell incomplete. The Chiefs spilled onto the field to celebrate another big win in their playoff chase.