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(Podcast) KJAN Morning News & funeral report, 11/16/2015

News, Podcasts

November 16th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

(Delayed post due to internet issues)

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

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School District Dissolving – Farragut

News

November 16th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Farragut Community School District will have to find a new superintendent if it manages to survive this week’s State Board of Education meeting. The Board is expected to act Wednesday on a proposal to dissolve the district. A report given to the state board in October indicated that enrollment is down 28 students from last year’s 167 students. The district has also exceeded its spending authority.

Superintendent Tom Hinrichs has told state and local boards that he’s leaving at the end of the school year. The Daily NonPareil reports that Hinrichs says his decision to leave is being made for personal and family reasons, citing his 75-mile commute from west Omaha.

Creston Police report, 11/16/15

News

November 16th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Creston Police Department reports the arrest on Saturday, of 55-year old Robert Fleharty, of Creston. Fleharty was taken into custody just after 6-p.m. in the 200 block of E. Montgomery Street, on an OWI 1st offense charge. He was later released from the Union County Jail on $1,000 bond.

And, a Macksburg man reported to the Creston P-D Sunday morning, that someone had stolen a utility box containing miscellaneous tools. The box was taken from a truck parked at his business on S. Mulberry Street in Creston, sometime between 1-p.m. Saturday and 9:30-a.m., Sunday. The loss was estimated at $300.

Iowa fire department has hovercraft at its disposal

News

November 16th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — The Council Bluffs Fire Department says its new hovercraft has already aided its rescue capabilities, and should come in handy this winter. The Daily Nonpareil reports the department purchased the hovercraft for about $60,000 last summer. According to department Technical Services Captain Jason Sorenson, the hovercraft can fly 9 inches off the ground and can travel over water, grass, ice and snow.

The department was able to rescue a 23-year-old man trapped in the West Nodaway River in Clarinda due to flooding less than a month after acquiring the vehicle. According to department officials, the hovercraft will be an asset when ice begins to appear in Lake Manawa. Department chief Justin James says it’s difficult to deploy rescuers through bad ice on the lake due its large size.

Assault in Council Bluffs leads to 2 arrests

News

November 16th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Council Bluffs say an investigation into a report of a man bleeding and a female screaming in the parking lot of the Ameristar Casino early this (Monday) morning, resulted in the arrest of two people. Officers determined that that the victim, identified as Jose Castillo, had given a ride to 30-year-old Latisha Medina and 25-year-old Austin Brown.

Once the three arrived in the area of the casino, Brown and Medina allegedly attacked Castillo by punching him. Brown then allegedly attacked Castillo with a machete that Castillo uses for work that Brown had found in the vehicle. Castillo was able to bring the vehicle to stop in the parking lot where he was able to flee on foot. He flagged down a passerby and asked them to notify police. The incident happened at around 1:25-a.m.

Police say Castillo suffered non-life threatening lacerations to both hands and his left leg. He was treated and released at the scene by Council Bluffs Fire Department paramedics. Brown and Medina were arrested at the scene and transported to Pottawattamie County Corrections for processing.

Bluffs Police seek vehicle/driver involved in pedestrian hit & run

News

November 16th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Council Bluffs Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the driver of an accident that took place this (Monday) morning at approximately 7:30. The accident happened at the intersection of 25th and Broadway. Officials say a 17-year old female was crossing the intersection southbound on the west side of the intersection, in the crosswalk. A red, crossover-type SUV vehicle, driven by a white female, was facing north on 25th street and attempted a left turn to go west onto Broadway. The vehicle struck the pedestrian in the crosswalk.

photo1 photo2The driver of the vehicle stopped and made contact the pedestrian, and remained on scene until the Fire Dept arrived. Paramedics transported the pedestrian to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, where she was treated for minor injuries and released.

The driver of the vehicle left the scene before police arrived to investigate the crash. Authorities are asking the driver, or anyone who knows who the driver is, to contact the Council Bluffs Police Traffic Unit at 712-328-4948. Any assistance would be appreciated.

Greenfield man arrested on drug charges

News

November 16th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports a Greenfield man was arrested on drug charges, last week. 43-year old Robert Lee Reeves was taken into custody Nov. 9th, by Greenfield Police, following the execution of a search warrant at his home in the 300 block of Public Square, in Greenfield. Authorities recovered drugs and drug paraphernalia, including marijuana, and a crystallized substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine. Reeves was charged with two counts of Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd offense. He was later released on $5,000 bond.

Last Wednesday, deputies in Adair County arrested 39-year old Donathon Eugene Ebrecht, of Adair, on a warrant for Harassment in the 2nd degree. Ebrecht was sentenced to time served. On Thursday, Greenfield Police arrested 33-year old John Robert Lemon, of Greenfield, for Public Intoxication, Criminal Mischief in the 3rd degree, and Interference with Official Acts. He was cited for the offenses and released.

Young Professionals help to construct Kiddie Korral at Sunnyside Park

News

November 16th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Parks and Rec Dept. Assistant Director Seth Staashelm reports that the Atlantic Parks and Recreation department started the construction of the New Kiddie Korral Shelter at Sunnyside Park last Saturday, with the help of the Young Professionals of Atlantic. The Young Professionals, he says, were a tremendous help with providing plenty of volunteers to the event to help the City raise the new shelter.

Kiddie Korrall skeleton

Kiddie Korrall skeleton

On behalf of the Atlantic Parks and Recreation Board and the Staff, Staashelm said they would like to give a special thanks to: The Young Professionals for providing  volunteers; Chris O’Brien, of Iron Specilities, for his building expertise, and Don Sontag, for the use of his lift.

The shelter, he says, would have never been completed if it wasn’t for their help. Staashelm said also, “We appreciate all the help and support and hope that the community will enjoy this shelter for many years to come once it is completed. We hope to have a ribbon cutting of the shelter in the spring/summer of 2016!”

Audubon Police report 5 arrests

News

November 16th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Audubon Police Department, today (Monday) issued a report on recent arrests. Police Chief Matt Starmer said on Sunday, his officers arrested 25 year old Elizabeth Renee Melby, of Moorhead, on a warrant out of Crawford County. Moorhead was subsequently released to Crawford County authorities.

Last Friday, Audubon Police arrested 44 year old Lynn Allen Frohlich and 41 year old Tracy Lynn Frolich, both of Audubon, for Child Endangerment and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Both were transported to the Audubon County Jail to appear before a magistrate.

On Nov. 9th, 19 year old Tyler John Eugene Weitzel, of Audubon, was arrested for Driving While Revoked. Weitzel was transported to the Audubon County Jail to appear before a magistrate.

And, on Nov. 4th, Audubon Police arrested 42 year old Chad William Darrow, of Audubon, on a warrant from Shelby County. Darrow was then turned over to Shelby County authorities.

Got turkey? Expect slightly higher prices, thanks to bird flu

Ag/Outdoor, News

November 16th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Thanksgiving is ten days away and Iowans will likely be paying a little more for the centerpiece of the feast, according to poultry science expert Ron Kean. “Turkey prices will be up slightly this year,” Kean says. “We’re still suffering some effects from the avian influenza outbreak. Probably, prices will be up 10 to 15% from last year.”

Prices will be even higher, he says, for fresh turkeys or organic turkeys. “For frozen turkeys, the typical price will be maybe $1.15 to $1.20 a pound, would be my expectation,” Kean says. “And again, there will always be sales and some stores will cut that price to get you in the store.”

The bird flu wiped out about 10% of nation’s turkey production this spring. Iowa had more than 70 outbreaks of bird flu in 18 counties, which led to some 32-million turkeys and chickens being euthanized. There is concern migrating wild birds — ducks and geese — will bring another round of avian flu as they make their way south this fall but, so far, so good.

(Radio Iowa)