On Wednesday, February 26th, members of the Atlantic FFA chapter hosted the Sub District Career Development Events with several advancing to District FFA Convention, which is to be held on Saturday, March 8, in Denison. FFA member Clint Hansen competed in Extemporaneous Speaking and Adam Freund competed in Ag Broadcasting, both advancing to Districts. Clayton Saeugling was the alternate in the Job Interview category. Colin Peterson competed in the FFA Creed. Freund, Hansen and Marshal McDermott competed in the Farm Business Management Test, each earning a bronze rating. Haylee Valeika and Morgan Barkley competed in the Greenhand Quiz. Valeika earned a silver and Barkley a bronze. FFA advisor Eric Miller commented, “I was proud of all the hard work each member put into preparing for their event.”

Haley Carlson was a candidate for District Office. She had a series of interviews beginning with an individual interview, which was a long process to help sort the candidates. After five candidates had each completed their interview, a group interview was held. The group interview is a team exercise designed to see how each member works in a group. This year team members had to make a mock presentation to a school board trying to convince them to start an FFA Chapter. Each contestant also took an FFA knowledge quiz. Although Carlson was not chosen to be on the ballot, this was an excellent springboard in preparation for next year. Carlson said, “It was a great experience! I learned a lot and that will help me prepare for next year. I also made many new friendships in the process.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Builders in Iowa would be required to install radon mitigation systems in new homes under legislation that has won approval in an Iowa Senate committee. The bill moved out of the State Government Committee on Wednesday. Under the proposal, new homes must be built with radon mitigation pipes. If the homeowner discovers radon, they can add a fan to use the system.

Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that can leak through cracks in building foundations. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calls radon the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. The agency also says Iowa’s 99 counties are in the agency’s highest risk zone for exposure.

A similar bill was approved by the Democratic-majority Senate two years ago but failed to advance in the Republican-controlled House.

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — A trial has again been delayed for a 45-year-old northwest Iowa man accused of killing his mother. The Sioux City Journal reports that a judge allowed the postponement in the trial of Jonathan Neunaber scheduled to begin March 31 so that his attorney could have more preparation time. A new trial date hasn’t been set. Online court records originally list a Dec. 9 start date for the trial.

Neunaber has pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge in the slaying of his 80-year-old mother, Esther Neunaber. Her body and that of her husband, 83-year-old Donald Neunaber, were found July 9 in the Akron home they shared with their son. Authorities say Donald Neunaber died of natural causes. An autopsy determined his wife died of blunt for injuries.

Firefighters from Atlantic and Marne were dispatched to a controlled burn that got out of control late this (Wednesday) morning. The call came just after 11:45-a.m. Thick black smoke could be seen from the KJAN studios rising from the vicinity of 58475 Marne Road, just east of Fayette Road. The fire had reportedly spread to a grassy area, but there were apparently no structures in danger.

Northwest winds at 15-to 25-miles per hour were helping to fan the smoke and flames.

Police in Red Oak are investigating a hit-and-run property damage accident that happened sometime between 10-p.m. Tuesday and 8-a.m. today (Wednesday). The owner of a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix reported to authorities their vehicle was struck by a vehicle unknown overnight, causing $1,500 damage. The incident took place in the 1100 block of East Corning Street, in Red Oak.

A temperature swing of 40-degrees is expected over the next 48 hours across the state. But, before the warmup, National Weather Service meteorologist Roger Vachalek says another blast of bitterly cold air will push into Iowa. “Low temperatures overnight tonight will hit around 10-below-zero near the northern border, while central Iowa and the southern portion of the state will be near zero to five above,” Vachalek says.

Much warmer air will begin to move into the state tomorrow (Thursday). “During the afternoon, we’ll warm up about 20 degrees or so and should be in the teens to lower 20s throughout central and northeast Iowa, with temperatures in the upper 20s and lower 30s in the southwest,” Vachalek says.

High temperatures on Friday and through the weekend should climb into the 40s. “We may even see highs reaching 50 on Sunday and early next week, there’s the possibility of temperatures in the mid-to-upper 50s returning to the state of Iowa,” Vachalek says.

(Radio Iowa)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A House panel has approved a bill that would require a physician to offer an ultrasound image to a woman seeking an abortion in Iowa. Members of a human resources subcommittee approved the bill Wednesday. It heads to a full committee for consideration, where it will need to advance by Friday to beat a procedural deadline in the Legislature.

The bill would require a physician to perform an ultrasound on a woman and give her an opportunity to view an image of the fetus. The woman would be given the option of hearing a description of the ultrasound image and the potential heartbeat of the fetus. Physicians could face jail time and fines if they didn’t comply. It’s unlikely the bill will advance in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Police in Harlan say no injuries were reported following an accident that took place last Saturday. Officials say a 2001 Mercury driven by Shawn Gessert, of Harlan, was traveling north on 6th Street and had entered the intersection with Pine Street, when his car was hit on the right front corner by a 2000 Dodge that failed to stop as it traveling west on Pine. The car was driven by Brian Parker, of Harlan.

After the impact, Parker continued to drive up into a yard of a residence to avoid further damage to Gessert’s vehicle. Parker was subsequently cited for Failure to Obey a Stop or Yield sign.
Damage from the collision amounted to $3,500.

Police in Harlan report five people were arrested over the past week. On Feb. 24th, 50-year old Curt Anstey, of Audubon, was arrested in Harlan on a charge of impersonating a public officials, after police investigated complaints of harassing messages and texts. Anstey was brought to the Shelby County Jail.

On Feb. 26th, 21-year old Nhial Lam, of Denison, was taken into custody when officers investigated a suspicious vehicle. Lam was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of contraband.

On Feb 25th, three people from Harlan were arrested after officers were called to a domestic disturbance in the 1700 block of 6th Street. 43-year old Timothy Sorensen was charged with domestic abuse assault, possession of stolen property, and possession of drug paraphernalia. 29-year old Marcia Finch was charged with criminal mischief and assault. 43-year old Pamela Frieze was also charged with assault.

Officials report also, following a traffic stop, 31-year old Lindsay Schulte, of Portsmouth, was cited Feb, 27th, for driving under suspension and failure to obey stop or yield sign. Schulte was given a date to appear in court, and released.

And, Police in Harlan were called to the 1700 block of 6th Street on March 1st, after receiving a report  tires had been slashed. The investigation showed that a total of eight (8) tires had been slashed. The estimated cost of damage was $1,500. The case remains under investigation.

Shelby County Emergency Manager Bob Seivert says a bridge on Timber Road will be closed beginning next Monday (March 9th), while the bridge is removed and replaced with a culvert. The affected area is between 149 and 117 Timber Road, over an unnamed tributary of Walnut Creek, between Monroe Townships 34 and 35.

The road will be closed for about 5- to 6-weeks, weather permitting. Residents and emergency responders who use the affected section of road will need to find an alternate route. If you have any questions, call the Shelby County Engineer’s Office at 712-755-5954.