United Group Insurance

Gas prices in Iowa are lowest for August since 2009

News

August 5th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Gasoline prices are dropping slowly and steadily as Iowa motorists are seeing the lowest pump prices for August since 2009. Gail Weinholzer, spokeswoman for Triple-A-Iowa, says the national average has dropped for 19 days in row and the statewide average is now two-68 a gallon. She says there’s a lot of buzz about whether gas prices will keep falling and dip below two-bucks a gallon.gas 1.99

Weinholzer says, “I would not expect that we would approach $2 a gallon anytime prior to Halloween, perhaps as late as Thanksgiving.” July and August are usually high travel months as so many people are taking road trips, so gas prices typically rise during the summer due to increased demand. This year, however, that’s not the case. Indications are, prices will continue falling for the next several weeks, perhaps the next several months.

“We have to go through the switchover from the summer to the winter driving season, and that will push prices down about a quarter per gallon,” Weinholzer says. “I wouldn’t expect anything close to $2 until late fall or the early start of the winter.” Oil prices fell sharply in July based on what’s called “oversupply,” domestic oil supplies are about 25-percent higher than a year ago, while domestic oil production is up 12-percent. Gas prices will likely continue slipping as long as two things remain constant.

“One is any sort of heavy activity in the hurricane region down on the Gulf Coast,” Weinholzer says. “We saw with Katrina in 2008 what devastation that can be. We also have to keep an eye on the Middle East and make sure none of the unrest spreads to any of the significant oil fields.” The Triple-A survey finds Iowa’s most expensive gas is being sold in Des Moines, averaging two-76 a gallon, while the state’s cheapest gas can be found in Davenport, averaging two-56. Iowa’s highest-ever gas prices were recorded in July of 2008 when the statewide average reached $4.02 a gallon.

(Radio Iowa)

Farm Leasing Arrangements Meeting Scheduled for August 11th & 26

Ag/Outdoor

August 5th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

As summer winds down, the ISU Extension Farm Management Team is hosting Farmland Leasing informational meetings across the state. The annual meetings are offered to address questions that land owners, tenants or other interested individuals have about leasing farmland, as well as to provide resources to make decisions regarding farmland ownership, management, and leasing practices as they plan for the future.

Cass County Extension will be hosting a meeting on Tuesday, August 11th from 9-until 11:30-a.m., at the Cass County Community Center, 805 West 10th Street in Atlantic. A meeting in Page County will be held in Shenandoah on August 26th, also from 9-until 11:30-a.m., at the Rose Garden on W. Ferguson Avenue.

The Farm Leasing Arrangements meeting in Atlantic will focus on current issues related to farmland ownership, management and leasing arrangements. Tim Eggers, ISU Extension & Outreach Field Agriculture Economist will discuss Trends in Farm Land Values, Cash Rental Rates and Costs of Production. The special emphasis topic for this year’s farm leasing arrangements is negotiating a fair cash rental rate. Attendees will gain understanding of current cash rental rate surveys and factors driving next year’s rents such as market trends and input costs. Additional information on the 2014 Iowa State Land Value Survey, 2014 Farm Bill, flexible leases, Corn Suitability Rating Index (CSR2) and Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy will also be discussed.

The Farm Leasing Arrangements meetings in Atlantic and Shenandoah cost $15 per person, and pre-registration is requested by August 10th for the Atlantic session, and August 24th for the meeting in Shenandoah, to ensure space is available. Each registrant will receive a 100-page workbook with resources regarding land leasing agreements such as surveys, sample written lease agreements and termination forms and many other publications, as well as a copy of the day’s presentation.

To pre-register for the Atlantic location, call the Cass County Extension office at 712-243-1132 or email xcass@iastate.edu. To pre-register for the Shenandoah session, call the Page County Extension Office at 712-542-5171.

Information on other leasing meeting locations around the state, as well as links to ISU Extension farmland leasing resources, can be found on the Ag Decision Maker website at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/info/meetings.html

Atlantic Ambassadors visit new Cass Co. 911 Comm. Center

News

August 5th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Ambassadors with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce paid a visit to the new Cass County 911 Communications Center, this week.  According to 911 Coordinator Rob Koppert, “Our old facility, including a bathroom and equipment storage, was about 134 square feet.” Their new building across the street from the courthouse, offers enough room for several offices, a small conference room, the 911 communications center, a server room, and more room to grow.

Rob Koppert and the Cass County 911 Communications team. Ambassadors Pictured: Carol Seddon, Carole Schuler, Sara Nelson, Don Rossell, Lana Westphallen, Rich Perry, Gerald Brink, Dan Mehman, Dr. Mitch Peerbolte, John Lund, Nedra Perry, Kathy Hockenberry, Crystal Christensen, Dr. Jim Kickland, Connie Wailes, Dolly Bergmann, Bill Saluk, Michelle Heath, Kerry Jepsen, Arlene Drennan, Russ Joyce, Debbie Leistad, JoAnn Runyan, Duane McFadden, Tracey Marshall, Nick Harris, Mark Wedemeyer, and Ouida Wymer.

Rob Koppert and the Cass County 911 Communications team. Ambassadors Pictured: Carol Seddon, Carole Schuler, Sara Nelson, Don Rossell, Lana Westphallen, Rich Perry, Gerald Brink, Dan Mehman, Dr. Mitch Peerbolte, John Lund, Nedra Perry, Kathy Hockenberry, Crystal Christensen, Dr. Jim Kickland, Connie Wailes, Dolly Bergmann, Bill Saluk, Michelle Heath, Kerry Jepsen, Arlene Drennan, Russ Joyce, Debbie Leistad, JoAnn Runyan, Duane McFadden, Tracey Marshall, Nick Harris, Mark Wedemeyer, and Ouida Wymer.

Currently the Center has two dispatch stations in place, and has received a grant for $100,000 for a third station. The Cass County 911 Communications Center made the move into their new residence on March 23rd. The Center handles calls 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, offering assistance to all of Cass County’s citizens, as well as visitors.

The Cass County 911 Communications Center answers landline 911 calls for all of Cass County and some of the southeastern portion of Pottawattamie County. The center staff also answers all of the wireless 911 calls that originate in Cass County.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5th

Trading Post

August 5th, 2015 by Jim Field

FOR SALE:  Three musical globes. Large ones are $35 and small one is $25.  712-250-0931.

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FOR SALE: Stihl Chainsaw, MS 250 C-BE. 18” Bar. 2 years old, used one time. Like New! $275 712-254-7989.

GARAGE SALE:  Two family garage sale at 1203 Maple from 9-4 on Friday August 7th. Children’s clothes, 2-3x ladies clothes, Nascar Winner Circle Sam Bass collectibles of Dale Sr. Dale Jr and Jeff Gordon, Lamps, one end table, dvds, vcr tapes, books and lots of knick knacks. Also have two patio tables. See you there.

2 people arrested on drug charges in Glenwood

News

August 5th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Police in Glenwood report the arrest of two people on drug-related offenses, Tuesday. 25-year old Dnae McConahay, of Malvern was arrested on a Mills County warrant for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $300. And, 18-year old Mark Dupre, of Council Bluffs was arrested for Possession of a controlled substance and Poss. Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $1,300.

Heartbeat Today 08-05-2015

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

August 5th, 2015 by admin

Jim Field talks about the Sales Tax Holiday Weekend.

Play

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 8/5/2015

News, Podcasts

August 5th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

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

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Voters reject bond measure for new Dallas County jail

News

August 5th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Bond proposals to build a replacement jail in Dallas County and new recreational facilities in Polk City have been rejected. Dallas County officials say 52 percent of voters Tuesday nixed plans to issue $16.8 million in bonds for a jail and law enforcement center. Voters in 2013 and 2014 also refused to fund a new jail and erect other county administration offices.

The bond issue in Polk City would have funded an aquatic center and 13 athletic fields. Existing baseball and softball fields at the Polk City Sports Complex would have been upgraded. Polk City voters had rejected a 2011 bond referendum to upgrade recreation facilities.

(Podcast) KJAN Morning Sports report, 8/5/2015

Podcasts, Sports

August 5th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast w/Jim Field.

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Afton woman arrested in Creston in connection w/earlier drug charge

News

August 5th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Police in Creston say a Union County woman was arrested late Tuesday morning on a warrant for Failure to Comply with her pre-trial release on original charges of two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, 3rd or subsequent offense, and Driving While Revoked. 38-year old Sara Exline, of Afton, was brought to the Union County Jail and later released on a $5,000 cash bond.

An 11-year old male from Creston was referred to Juvenile Authorities from the Law Enforcement Center, Tuesday, with regard to 4th Degree Theft charges. The boy was subsequently released to the custody of his mother.

And, a Creston resident reported to Police Tuesday that sometime between July 25th and August 1st, someone took from her residence a Wii game system, Wii controller and five games. The woman said also, an electric scooter was taken from her garage. The loss was estimated at $500.