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Bankers: rural economy improving but little growth expected

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 18th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — More stable crop prices have improved the economic outlook for rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states, but bankers expect little growth in the next few months. The overall economic index for the region crept into positive territory above 50 at 50.1 in May from April’s 44.6. This is the first time the overall index was above neutral since August 2015.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the slightly better commodity prices helped improve the outlook, but the bankers surveyed remain concerned about farmers. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

City of Atlantic set to shut down portion of 3rd Street for Whitney Inn construction

News

May 18th, 2017 by admin

The City of Atlantic announced on Thursday that they will be shutting down a portion of 3rd Street due to construction work on the Whitney Inn. The closure will impact 3rd street between Chestnut Street and the alley on the east side of the Whitney Inn. The roadway will be closed starting Monday, May 22nd and is expected to be closed for a little over a month.

Stanton man arrested for driving through a yard

News

May 18th, 2017 by admin

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of a Stanton man on Thursday after he drove a pickup through a yard with the intent to cause damage.  At 4:30pm deputies arrested 58-year-old Darwin Eugene Schurr of Stanton and charged him with Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree. He is being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 bond.

Planned Parenthood to close 4 Iowa clinics after funding cut

News

May 18th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Planned Parenthood says it’s closing four of its 12 clinics in Iowa after the Republican-led Legislature cut its state funding. Local affiliate Planned Parenthood of the Heartland said Thursday the closings will reduce its facilities in the state that provide abortions from eight to five. More than 30 employees will be laid off.

Republican lawmakers agreed last session to give up millions in federal Medicaid money to create a state-run family planning program that excludes organizations that provide abortions.

The health centers slated for closing are in Sioux City, Bettendorf, Burlington and Keokuk. Planned Parenthood says more than 14,600 people visited the four closing clinics in the past three years.

Perry girl who died weighed 56 pounds, parents facing charges

News

May 18th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Police chief in Perry says the parents of a 16-year-old girl found dead last Friday are each facing multiple counts of child endangerment. Chief Eric Vaughn says they found Sabrina Ray dead at her home after getting a 9-1-1 call about an unresponsive person. “Although final autopsy results are not expected for a few weeks pending further laboratory testing — sever malnutrition was noticed by the medical examiner. At the time of her death, Sabrina’s weight was 56 pounds,” Vaughn says.

Vaughn says 41-year-old Marc Ray and 40-year-old Misty Ray were arrested and each face four counts of child endangerment causing serious injuries, three counts of neglect or abandonment of a dependent person, and one count of child endangerment resulting in death. He says four of the charges are related to Sabrina’s death and the others are related to two young girls who were removed from the home on the day they found Sabrina dead. Those two children are 12 and 10 years old. Both are being held on a one million dollar bond.

A third child was also removed from the home and Vaughn was asked if there may be additional charges in connection with the treatment of the children.He says the case is still under investigation and he can’t comment on any pending or future charges. Vaughn also could not say what condition the other two children are in. “I really can’t comment on their conditions at this time, other than they are being treated by a physician,” Vaughn says. The Rays operated a daycare center and had reportedly adopted the children.

D-C-I Special Agent Rick Mortvedt says they are working with the Department of Human Services, but he says they can’t say much about the other investigations associated with Sabrina’s death. “A lot of this is an ongoing investigation, obviously the priority is dealing with the death investigation first,” Mortvedt says. “And there’s going to be a lot of follow up investigations that all the agencies involved is going to have to take place,” Mortvedt says.

He says those other investigations will answer a lot of the other questions about the case. Sabrina’s death is the second of a teen girl in a home which had been flagged over child welfare concerns, and the is says it is hiring “an outside expert” to examine how the Iowa Department of Human Services handles such cases. An adopted 16-year-old starved to death in her West Des Moines home last fall, even though neighbors and school officials had reported the girl was malnourished.

(Radio Iowa)

Oakland man sentenced to 15-years on child porn conviction

News

May 18th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A man from Pottawattamie County was sentenced Wednesday to spend 15-years in prison following his convictions on receipt and possession of child pornography. U-S Attorney Kevin Vanderschel says 60-year old Kevin Timothy Morrissey, of Oakland, was also ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release following his imprisonment and to pay a $15,000 fine.

On December 21st, 2016, a jury convicted Morrissey on both counts of receipt and possession of child pornography. In January of 2016, law enforcement discovered, during a routine home visit, Morrissey was accessing the internet in violation of his parole supervision conditions. Subsequent examination of electronic devices seized from Morrissey’s Oakland residence revealed numerous images and one video of child pornography.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation Task Force, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation – Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Iowa Probation and Parole Office for the 4th Judicial District, and Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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Atlantic Police: “Atlantic Community Magazine” phone scam

News

May 18th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Police Department is warning the public about a phone scam. Police Chief Dave Erickson said today (Thursday), the some people are receiving calls from a man from Peoria, IL, who asks to sell advertisements for the “Atlantic Community Magazine.” Erickson says the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce is the only entity who will call for the magazine.

He advises that if anyone else calls for the magazine, do not give out any personal or bank information. If you have elderly family members, please advise them not to give out and bank or personal information, as well, to persons who call.

Strawberry season getting underway across Iowa

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 18th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today (Thursday) said that many strawberry growers across the state are predicting a bumper crop and encouraged Iowans to take advantage of these delicious, fresh berries by visiting a local strawberry patch at a local farmers market.

Northey said “The mild winter and wet spring have created a nearly ideal growing situation for fruits and vegetables in Iowa and strawberries are leading the way. Growers across the state are reporting tons of blooms.”

Strawberries go from bloom to fruit in about 30 days and are best eaten within a few days of being picked. Strawberry harvest season only lasts about 3 weeks in Iowa and harvest times vary across the state.

Northey said “Fresh picked strawberries are a delicious treat that often kickoff the growing season and summer full of enjoying fresh, Iowa-grown fruits and vegetables. Visiting a local farmers market or going to a you-pick farm is a great way to find fresh berries that can be enjoyed fresh, used in baking or preserved as jellies or jams.”

As a favorite fruit among many Iowans, strawberries are low in calories and fat-free, in fact one-cup of unsweetened strawberries only has 55 calories. Strawberries are also a good source of vitamin C, folic acid, potassium, and fiber. Support a local grower and treat your family to a fun-filled trip to the strawberry patch and make memories that will last a lifetime. If visiting a strawberry patch, be sure to call or check the website for their harvest information. While you’re there you may just find blueberries or raspberries as well.

You can find strawberry growers by visiting our Fruit and Vegetable Farms Directory at https://www.idalsdata.org/fmnp/index.cfm or on the Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association “farm search” page at http://www.ifvga.org/en/about_us/farm_search/.

Farmers Market Vouchers for Seniors 2017

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 18th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Connections Area Agency on Aging have announced that the State of Iowa is continuing the Farmers Market voucher program for older Iowans. With this program, seniors meeting income requirements can obtain vouchers that they can use at participating area Farmers Markets to buy $30.00 worth of fresh, locally grown produce.

If you have questions about eligibility, please check with your local senior center. Applications for the vouchers will be available at your local senior center the week of May 22nd, 2017. Your completed application guarantees you a booklet, but there is a limited number, so contact your local senior center if you are interested in this program. Once you have a completed application, you can return to your local Senior Center to pick up your vouchers on or after June 12th. If you have questions about eligibility, please call 800-432-9209 ext. 8110.

The Cass County Distribution of Farmer’s Market vouchers will be held on Thursday, June 8th from noon – 2pm at the Atlantic Senior Center, 411 Walnut in Atlantic. If you are interested in obtaining a booklet of vouchers, please plan to be at the distribution. There are a limited number of booklets, so distribution will be on a first come, first served basis.

Applications for Council Bluffs residents will be available at The Center, located at 714 S. Main Street on May 30th, 2017 as well. The distribution date for Council Bluffs vouchers will be once again held at The Center on Monday, June 12th from 9am – noon. Again, your completed application guarantees you a booklet, so you may come at any time on June 12th to the Center to present your completed application and obtain your vouchers.

Seniors (age 60 and older) in all other communities in Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby counties will receive their vouchers through their local senior center.

Program Criteria:
. Must be at least 60 years of age or older
. Annual income must be less than
$22,311 Single
$30,044 Married
. Only one original application allowed per individual. No photocopies or duplicate applications allowed. Married couples can jointly apply on one application.

Dates to Remember:

. May 22nd, 2017: Applications are available at all local senior centers and The Center in Council Bluffs.
. June 12th, 2017: Council Bluffs Farmers’ Market vouchers are available for pick up at local senior centers in Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page Pottawattamie and Shelby counties. Council Bluffs distribution will be held at The Center, 714 S. Main from 9am – Noon for seniors with a completed application.

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 5/18/2017

News, Podcasts

May 18th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.(Delayed post due to connection issues)

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