w/ Ric Hanson

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Persons looking for something to do Saturday in Cass County, have opportunities to get outside and enjoy the forecast mild conditions. The Cass County Conservation Board is holding two event events. The first, is a Wildflower Walk at the Pellett Memorial Woods, beginning at 9-a.m.  Join Naturalist Lora Kanning for a walk through the early Spring wild flowers, where you will learn their names, uses and history. Pellett Memorial Gardens is located one-half mile north and three-quarters of a mile east of the KJAN Studios, on North Olive Street.

The second event Saturday, runs from 10-a.m. until Noon, also at the Pellett Memorial Woods. It’s a Wildflower Geocaching Walk, where GPS units and guides will be available to help you locate early Spring wildflowers. Please pre-register by calling 712-249-2372, to obtain a GPS unit.

Above normal rainfall was received over the last two weeks in Iowa, with the statewide average was 2.3 inches, as compared to the normal 1.7 inches. However, in its latest Water Summary Report, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources notes more, slow steady rains are needed to bring us out of the drought. The National Drought Monitor indicates improvement in all categories of drought conditions across the state over the past two weeks. Over 35 percent of the state continues to be rated in moderate drought, and just over 5 percent is rated in severe drought. Nearly 60 percent of the state, however, is now shown without drought or just abnormally dry. Those driest areas continue to be two small locations in west-central and southeast Iowa.

The DNR says that although shallow groundwater levels in southern central, eastern and northeastern Iowa have benefitted from the rainfall, parts of southwest and northwest Iowa received very little rain and shallow groundwater levels are much lower than the previous April. Water supply operators in northwest Iowa are seeing reduced production, dropping water levels and historically low levels.

Stream flow has improved statewide, but remains below average. Northeast Iowa remains the wettest, while northwest Iowa is the driest. Groundwater conditions are still low across much of the state, but normal spring rains should continue to bring improvement.
Compared to a year ago, shallow groundwater levels are one to four feet lower in Johnson, Jefferson, Lucas and Montgomery counties, and the same or slightly higher in Marshall, Fayette, Crawford and O’Brien counties.

Compared to two years ago, shallow groundwater levels are 2 to 12 feet lower in Crawford, O’Brien, Jefferson, Johnson, Lucas and Montgomery counties.

w/ Ric Hanson

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Firefighters in Atlantic have organized a fundraising walk for a 5-year old Atlantic girl who is fighting metastatic colorectal cancer since her diagnosis last September. Riley Slauson’s cancer has spread and she is undergoing rounds of chemotherapy. A walk in her honor and will take place tomorrow (Sat., April 26th). Shawn Sarsfield, a 13-year veteran of the Atlantic Volunteer Fire Department, has been following the girl’s saga on her Facebook page “Super Riley.” Sarsfield says he’s been captivated by her story.

Riley Slauson (from the Super Riley Facebook page)

He says the girl has put together a “Bucket list,” which includes a trip to Disneyworld with her family, and to become a firefighter. To make that part of her wish come true, the Atlantic Fire Department will make Riley an “Honorary firefighter.” The walk involves members of the Atlantic Fire and Rescue Department, Atlantic Police Department, Cass County Sheriffs and The Iowa State Patrol. Each of the participants will be wearing their respective uniforms. It takes place tomorrow (Sat., April 26th), from 8-a.m. to 5-p.m., beginning at the Atlantic Fire Station.

The walk will proceed east on 7th Street to Wal-Mart, around to Hospital Drive and onto 10th Street. The participants will then turn north onto Chestnut Street toward the downtown area, before winding their way back to the fire station. Afterward, Riley will be presented with her Honorary Fire fighter Shirt and Certificate.

Those wanting to help Riley’s parents with the medical and other expenses, can drop-off your pledges or donations at the Atlantic Fire Station on Saturday, from 8- to 5, or, leave donations with any of the walkers as they make their way through town tomorrow. There’s also an account set-up at Wells Fargo Bank in Atlantic. All the funds raised will be directed to Riley’s family.

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) – The five Republicans seeking Iowa’s U.S. Senate nomination have met to debate at Iowa Public Television’s studios near Des Moines. College professor Sam Clovis of Sioux City, state Sen. Joni Ernst of Red Oak, retired business executive Mark Jacobs of West Des Moines, businessman Scott Schaben of Urbandale, and former U.S. attorney Matt Whitaker of Clive all participated in Thursday night’s 90-minute live broadcast.

It’s the first statewide televised debate for the candidates, who are vying to win 35 percent of the vote in the June 3 primary. If no candidate meets the threshold, a party convention will decide the nomination.

The Republican nominee will face U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley of Waterloo, the only Democrat seeking the seat held by retiring five-term Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) – The five Republicans seeking Iowa’s U.S. Senate nomination have met to debate at Iowa Public Television’s studios near Des Moines. College professor Sam Clovis of Sioux City, state Senator Joni Ernst of Red Oak, retired business executive Mark Jacobs of West Des Moines, businessman Scott Schaben of Urbandale, and former U.S. attorney Matt Whitaker of Clive all participated in last night’s 90-minute live broadcast.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A bill to extend tax credits for renewable fuels has been sent to Governor Terry Branstad. The bill originally extended renewable fuel tax credits for ethanol and biodiesel in the state to January 2nd, 2020, but the House amended it to 2018. The Senate yesterday accepted the amendment voting 48-0 to send the bill to the governor.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Governor Terry Branstad has signed a bill into law that is meant to crack down on prostitution and pimping including minors. The bill signed into law yesterday removes offenses from the records of anyone previously convicted of prostitution as a minor.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A bill ending greyhound racing in Council Bluffs but allowing dog owners to operate a track in Dubuque has passed the Senate committee process and could be debated on the floor as early as Friday. Casinos in Council Bluffs and Dubuque, which spent $10 million subsidizing dog racing last year, say the industry is dying. The casinos have worked to end racing for years.

The 2014 Stars Over Iowa Finalists were selected for recognition as part of the 86th Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa, April 27-29, 2014. Twenty three finalists were selected in four different areas: Agricultural Placement, Agriscience, Agribusiness, and Agricultural Production. The finalists were selected from a pool of 686 FFA members that will earn the Iowa FFA Degree—the highest honor the Iowa FFA Association can bestow upon an FFA member.

The star awards recognize students who have developed outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through their career development programs and demonstrated outstanding management skills. These finalists will be interviewed and an overall winner in each area will be announced on stage during the 4th General Session of the Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference Tuesday, April 29th.

Stars Over Iowa finalists receive a plaque and a cash award. The Stars Over Iowa program is possible with support from DuPont Pioneer and SFP through the Iowa FFA Foundation.  Wyatt Saeugling is the son of Aaron and Danna Saeugling of Atlantic and is a Finalist for Stars Over Iowa in Ag Placement.

Wyatt has worked at R&B Feeds in Atlantic since he was freshman. Wyatt has a strong love for agriculture. “My dad graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Agronomy and my mom also graduated from Iowa State with a degree in Ag Studies. Whether I was playing with my farm toys or riding in the tractor with my grandpa, I have always been involved in agriculture. One of my favorite memories from growing up was when I would help my grandpa
do chores. He has a dairy farm in Northern Iowa and we would go and visit almost every weekend when I was younger. Now that I have gotten older and have started to take care of my own cattle, I don’t get to travel up there as often but I’m glad that my grandpa set a great example of caring for livestock.” Saeugling said.

I can’t describe how grateful I am to have some of the relationships that I have gained over the years working at R&B Feeds whether it has been employees or customers. I have learned so much about how people work and what is best for their livestock needs. I’ve also learned that there is a lot more to feeding livestock than just opening a bag and dumping it out.

The Iowa FFA Association has 219 local chapters with over 14,200 FFA members. FFA is a national organization of nearly 580,000 members preparing for leadership and careers in science, business and technology of agriculture. Local, state and national programs provide opportunities for students to apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom. FFA’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) – All five Republican seeking Iowa’s U.S. Senate nomination will debate at Iowa Public Television’s studios in suburban Des Moines.

College professor Sam Clovis of Sioux City, state Sen. Joni Ernst of Red Oak, retired business executive Mark Jacobs of West Des Moines, businessman Scott Schaben of Urbandale and former U.S. attorney Matt Whitaker of Clive are expected to participate in the 90-minute live broadcast, beginning at 7 p.m.

It’s the first statewide televised debate for the candidates, who are vying to win 35 percent of the vote in the June 3 primary. If no candidate meets the threshold, a party convention will decide the nomination.

The Republican nominee will face U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley of Waterloo, the only Democrat seeking the seat held by retiring five-term Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A bill ending greyhound racing in Council Bluffs but allowing dog owners to operate a track in Dubuque has advanced to a full Senate committee. Casinos in Council Bluffs and Dubuque, which spent $10 million subsidizing dog racing last year, say the industry is dying. The casinos have worked to end racing for years.  Under the bill, Mystique Casino in Dubuque would pay $7 million and Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs casino would pay $65 million into a fund.

Half of it would be used as a retirement fund for breeders and owners who stop racing. The other half would help the Iowa Greyhound Association lease the track in Dubuque. Racing in Council Bluffs would end on Dec. 31, 2015.

The Senate Appropriations Committee will consider the bill Thursday afternoon.