In an effort to provide continuing education to Iowa’s beef producers, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) will hold 3 educational forums in January, 2016, two of which will be held in western Iowa.

On January 19th, ICA will partner with the Iowa Beef Center and ISU Extension to offer a Feedlot Forum in Sioux Center,  at the Terrace View Event Center from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. The event will focus on defending agriculture, sustainability, competitiveness, antimicrobial usage and profitability. The cost to attend is $25 and $10 for students. Registrations are due Jan. 12 to the ISU Extension and Outreach office in Sioux County. 

The third event, another feedlot forum, held in Carroll at the Carrollton Inn on January 20th, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., will offer a market outlook and discussion on the quickly approaching Veterinary Feed Directive. Attendees will have the opportunity to listen to area producers share their environmental compliance stories and learn from state officials the state’s response plan during a Foreign Animal Disease outbreak. The event is free and includes lunch. Contact ICA at 515-296-2266 to RSVP.

ICA will also hold pasture walks and other educational events around the state later this year in order to provide each segment of the cattle industry information on critical topics to them.

In its mid-morning update, the National Weather Service says a major winter storm remains on track to impact much of Iowa today and tonight. The storm track has shifted a bit east, though, and as a result the greatest expected snowfall amounts have also shifted east a bit. In western and southwest Iowa, the Weather Service predicts anywhere from 4-to 7-inches is possible, with Guthrie County and points north and slightly northwest receiving 6- to 10-inches of snow.

As much as 12″ of snow or more is possible across northeast Iowa, while much of northern and portions of central Iowa may see 6-10″ of snow through tonight. The combination of strong winds and heavy snow (snowfall rates of 1″ per hour at times) is expected to cause blowing snow over central and northwest Iowa. A wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow remains in the forecast for southeast Iowa. With the potential for significant icing over areas such as Ottumwa and northeast towards the Quad Cities, where as much as a half inch or more of ice is possible. Damage to power lines and trees will be possible as well, especially with additional force from expected high winds.

Travel conditions will continue to be treacherous at times, especially as another round of moderate to heavy precipitation is expected to arrive by mid-afternoon. Do not travel unless absolutely necessary today. Click here for the latest briefing and forecast information: http://www.weather.gov/dmx/dssforecast

Sheriff’s officials in Guthrie County are continuing to investigate the death and butchering of a cow, the remains of which were left in a ditch in the southern part of the County. Deputies were investigating a rural farm site burglary in Southern Guthrie County Christmas Day, and while checking neighboring farms North of Menlo, they came across blood on the snowy roadway and noticed raw cow flesh and hide in the ditch next to a cattle corral.

A gate to the corral was ajar. After walking into the adjoining pasture, deputies discovered a cow had been butchered behind the corral. A person or persons unknown had killed the cow and gutted it. The cows head had been removed and the cow had been cut into two pieces dividing the front and rear quarters of the animal. The rear quarters of the animal were missing.The loss was estimated at about $2,000.

Authorities say the act was committed by a human, and was executed very precisely. Those involved in the crime could face possible misdemeanor charges of trespassing and livestock abuse, as well as felony theft and felony criminal mischief charges.

Iowa House Speaker Select Linda Upmeyer (A Republican from Clear Lake) has announced that Representative Tom Moore (Republican from Griswold) will serve as the Vice Chairman of the House Education budget subcommittee. Upmeyer said “As a former teacher, Representative Moore will continue to make education a priority in the state budget.”

Moore will also serve on the Education, Environmental Protection, Human Resources and State Government committees. Moore was recently elected State Representative in a special election for House District 21 in earlier this month. The appointments become effective at the start of the next legislative session, which begins January 11, 2016.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Dec. 22nd, of 19-year old Brandon Lane Barrett, of Afton. Barrett was taken into custody at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, on a Union County warrant for probation violation. He was being held in the Union County Jail without bond.

And, deputies in Union County investigated two, separate accidents on Dec. 24th. At around 12:20-a.m., pickup trucks driven by 20-year old Dylan Hudson, of Arispe, and 21-year old Brandon Parsons, of Diagonal, were rounding a curve westbound on 240th Street in Union County, when both vehicles went out of control.

Hudson’s 1995 Dodge Ram 2500 entered the ditch and hit a tree. Parsons’ 1998 Chevy K1500 followed the Dodge into the ditch and hit the side of Hudsons’ pickup. Hudson complained of pain and was transported to the hospital in Creston. No citations were issued. Damage from the crash amounted to $10,000.

The second accident happened at around 10:20-a.m. Thursday, in Creston. Authorities say 17-year old Elijah Hoyt, of Orient, was traveling south on Cherry Street Road, when a non-contact vehicle in front of him began to slow. Hoyt told deputies he applied his brakes and lost control of the 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee he was driving, because of snow on the road.

The SUV skidded into the northbound lane and hit a 2007 Chevy Cobalt, driven by 20-year old Justin Queener, of Creston. The SUV then entered a ditch, while the car spun around and came to rest in the northbound lane, facing south. Both drivers were wearing their seat belts.

Queener suffered from minor/possible injuries, and was transported by ambulance to the Creston hospital. Authorities say Hoyt was cited for Failure to provide proof of insurance/accident-related.

MAURICE, Iowa (AP) – A northwest Iowa day care operator has been charged with child endangerment involving a toddler in her care. A news release from the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office says 32-year-old Dianna Winder also was charged last week with assaulting the 15-month-old boy at her home day care in Maurice. No details about how the injuries occurred have been released.

The Sheriff’s Office says an investigation began in November, after a health care provider reported suspicions about the boy’s injuries.

The end of one year and beginning of another is the traditional season of resolutions. Often, these resolutions focus on better health. Many Iowans resolve to lose weight, quit smoking, or commit to another healthy lifestyle change. Unfortunately, setting goals too high or expecting too much too soon can lead to disappointment.

“It’s not a sign of personal defeat to find you are unable to stick to all the big plans you had for better health,” said Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk. “Common mistakes in setting goals include making them too big, too high, or not specific enough to actually complete. It’s better to take small steps.” With each small victory, Quinlisk says you’ll find greater motivation to continue your journey to good health.

“There are simple resolutions we can all keep,” said Quinlisk. “If you do each of these things every day, you’ll be on your way to better health.” Quinlisk’s Five Simple Rules for 2016 include:

Drink one glass of water before each meal – research shows this easy action increases hydration and decreases hunger.
Stand up once every hour at a minimum – studies show that sitting for long periods may be as damaging to your health as smoking.
Eat one fruit or vegetable with each meal – you’ll add fiber and anti-oxidants to every meal.
Walk for at least 15 minutes or more every day – an easy way to add exercise to your daily routine.
Stand on one foot while brushing teeth – it’s harder than it sounds! You’ll improve balance and strengthen core muscles.

For more tips on healthy eating, exercises, and wellness, connect socially with IDPH on Facebook at www.facebook.com/IowaDepartmentOfPublicHealth; on Twitter at www.twitter.com/IAPublicHealth; and on Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/iapublichealth.

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

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Two teens from Creston were referred to Juvenile Authorities over the weekend, after they were allegedly found to be in Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Publicly Intoxicated, Saturday. 16-year old Dean William Mongar and 15-year old Issac Jade Davis were subsequently released to the custody of their parent.

And, a Creston woman reported to Creston Police, Saturday, that sometime between 9-a.m. Friday and 3:30-p.m. Saturday, someone entered her home in the 1000 block of Crest Drive, and stole a 42″ Vizio tv, a safe, and a prescription. The loss was estimated at $800.

The 7:06-a.m. Newscast, w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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