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Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa, Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!
KJAN News can be heard at five minutes after every hour right after Fox News 24 hours a day!
Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa, Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!
(Radio Iowa) – Inflation is making the dollar not go as far as it used to and that is a good reason for you to be sure you haven’t left any money unclaimed. State Treasurer, Michael Fitzgerald, says his office may be holding some or your dollars. “The State of Iowa is holding 460 million dollars — we have about a million names. It could be an estate — most of them are individuals — but it could be business, a church a little league,” he says.
The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt seeks to get that money back to those who maybe didn’t even know they had it coming. “Last fiscal year, January to December, we brought in 49 million dollars that belonged to Iowans. And our goal is to return every penny of it — but it just comes in so fast we can’t do it,” Fitzgerald says. Fitzgerald says there are a lot of ways people leave money behind. “People still forget about bank accounts, checking accounts, savings accounts, and lockboxes. People buy stock and they forget about it or they move and for some reason the company can’t find them and send them dividends and it becomes abandoned and they send it to us,” Fitzgerald explains. “Check do get lost in the mail. And in this day and age — and they think it is junk mail.”
Fitzgerald says you can go to the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt website and enter your name to see if there’s anything there that belongs to you. “Put in your whole name like Michael Fitzgerald instead of just Fitzgerald, it will narrow it down. But if you just put in your last name and you might see some of your relatives on there. This is all public information,” Fitzgerald says. “So we ask people after you check your own name peruse it, you might see some of your relatives…check it out you might help somebody else find their money.”
Go to www.greatiowatreasurehunt.gov to see if you have any unclaimed money.
(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Board of Education would be directed to adopt standards for public high school courses on the Bible if a bill that’s cleared initial review in the Senate becomes law. Republican Senator Jeff Taylor of Sioux Center is a co-sponsor of the bill. He says public schools wouldn’t be required to offer a Bible course, but it could become an option as a social studies elective if school boards approve.
“I would welcome more teaching of religion from a religiously neutral point of view in our public schools and this one is saying the Bible,” Taylor says. “And why the Bible? Well, because obviously it has a disproportionate influence in American history and American culture and in western culture in general…For just reasons of cultural literacy, there’s merit to this bill.” William Jeynes is a professor at California State University Long Beach who is an advocate of Bible classes in public schools.
“The goal is to increase academic achievement and help students understand literature and history and clearly the Bible more than other religious books, much more than other religious books, has an impact in that way,” he said. “…I’ve done research on what’s taught in world religion classes and very understandably people are especially interested in the Muslim faith so that tends to be taught the most, by far, and so we do need this course.”
A lobbyist for the Iowa State Education Association says some schools are already offering classes on world religions, including Christianity. Phil Jeneary, a lobbyist for the Iowa Association of School Boards, says the state Board of Education already has a process for reviewing social studies curriculum. “We certainly feel that it should not be at the whims of the legislature,” Jeneary says. “…We don’t want the legislature to say that: ‘You have to learn this,’ and then a few years later a different make-up (of the legislature) comes and says: ‘No, you can’t teach that, but you’re going to now teach this.'”
Senator Herman Quirmbach, a Democrat from Ames who’s a retired Iowa State University professor, says the bill’s narrow focus doesn’t fit an increasingly diverse society. “I think it sends the wrong message from the state of Iowa that we are unwilling to learn from all of the great insights into spirituality and religion and the human condition,” Quirmbach says.
The bill is eligible for a vote in the Senate Education Committee and must clear that committee by Friday to remain eligible for debate in the full Senate.
The UNI women’s basketball team had a tough time finding their shooting rhythm and lost at Missouri State 66-57 on Sunday afternoon.
Sydney Wilson scored 18 points and Abigayle Jackson scored 16 for the Bears. They coupled four players in double figures with their stifling top rated defense to earn the win.
UNI had two players in double figures with guards Karli Rucker and Kam Finley. The two guards both had 14 points in Sunday’s contest, including all but one of the team’s treys. Forwards Grace Boffeli and Bre Gunnels were just behind in scoring with eight and seven points respectively.
UNI is 16-8 overall and 9-4 in the Valley. Next up the Panthers host Drake on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Administrator in Atlantic reports the upcoming City Council meeting that begins 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, “Will be a longer meeting.” John Lund says “[there are ] A lot of important things to cover, including the FY 2023 Budget, 10 year budget forecast and 10 year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). In addition, Lund says “We also have an important presentation from the Housing Committee, swearing in our newest member of the Police Department, project approvals for the Airport Bridge and Bull Creek, an updated Clerk Agreement with Marne, and setting the dates for the annual debt for the landfill and the maximum tax dollars resolution.”
The agenda includes the swearing-in of Anthony Snyder as an Officer of the Atlantic Police Department. The A-PD recently lost Sgt. Cameron Ward to the Cass County Sheriff’s Department, and Sgt. Spencer “The Mountain” Walton. Snyder was recruited from Lake City. He’s originally from California, and began working with the Atlantic Police Department last week. He is already State-Certified, and as such does not have to attend the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in Johnston, saving the City time in getting more boots on the ground.
Former Atlantic 2nd Ward Councilwoman Kathy Somers, who chaired the Housing Committee, will make a presentation to the Council with regard to the findings of a Rural Housing Readiness Action Plan report, which is 251 pages…but will be in a summary form for Wednesday’s meeting. Somers is also expected to address some of the progress the Committee has made on promoting housing development in Atlantic.
The Council will then act on an Order allowing Mayor Grace Garrett to sign all of the documents necessary to facilitate the joint Airport Bridge Rehabilitation Project with Cass County. The Board of Supervisors have already approved the County’s share of the costs associated with the project on 6th Street (Bridge #289) – known as the Airport Bridge. The project cost has increased slightly from projections made in 2019, at $203,000, as opposed to the earlier estimate of $200,000. A 28-E agreement between the City and County means the City/Council will split the cost 50-50, once the City officials signs on-board.
The Council will receive also, a presentation of the final plans and specifications for the Bull Creek Improvement Project. Thanks to the efforts of Parks and Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen in cooperation with Snyder and Associates Engineers, John Lund says the costs have been vastly reduced from earlier versions, and has received approval from the U-S Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps helped reduce the costs as well, when they pared down some of the more expensive elements, while still retaining the essential function of erosion control and habitat preservation. The final cost estimate is $435,535, with a five-percent match required. The City is offering a more generous 25% match to demonstrate its commitment and secure Water Infrastructure Grant funds. And, instead of using all of the ARPA resources, Lund says now, only $108,883.75 will be necessary.
In other business, the Atlantic City Council will act on a Resolution setting the date for a Public Hearing on a proposal to enter into a General Obligation, Solid Waste Management Loan Agreement (and to borrow money) not to exceed a principal amount of $90,000. That’s with regard to the City’s 28-E agreement to support the Cass County Landfill. The Council is expected to approve the renewal and updating of a City Clerk Services Agreement with the City of Marne. Another task for the Council, is to set the date for a Public Hearing on Maximum Tax Dollars, as March 2nd, 2022. John Lund says on the property tax statements of properties where no changes in assessed or taxable value have occurred, the City will show an increase of 2.92% – not the 3.86% shown on the public notice, due to a four-dollar debt service levy that is hidden from the notice, and accounts for $1,014,669 dollars the city will tax.
Lund says “While the 2.92% is the increase in dollars generated, it is not going to be reflective of the impact on property taxes levied against individual properties. There is no way to know what the impact will be in year-to-year impact on taxpayers.” The taxpayer can, however calculate the changes in their property taxes, once the other authorities have set their levies. The formula is as follows:
And, in his report to the Council, City Administrator John Lund will present the FY 2023 Budget, 10-year Budget Projections, and 10-year Capital Improvement Plan. The Council has 13 days to review the documents before the preliminary budget hearing is scheduled for approval on March 2nd, 2022, and set the date for a Public Hearing on approving the final budget. March 16, 2022 is the date the final budget will be adopted. The budget is due-in to the Iowa Department of Management by March 30th.
(Radio Iowa) – The Dubuque County Treasurer has resigned after being arrested in a prostitution sting. Sixty-year-old Randy Wedewer, of Epworth — the now former Dubuque County Treasurer — is among 11 men arrested last week at a Dubuque hotel. Authorities say the men responded to social media posts from police who were posing as sex workers. The Dubuque County Board of Supervisors appointed Wedewer as county treasurer in early January to replace the county’s long-time treasurer who retired. Wedewer had worked in the Dubuque County Treasurer’s office for 33 years. He submited his resignation on Friday. The criminal complaint against Wedewer said he paid $75 for a sex act after responding to the social media advertisement. He was then arrested after arriving at the hotel at 4:51 p.m.
The Dubuque County Auditor announced Wedewer’s resignation at 8 p.m. Friday and, by law, the auditor is now the acting treasurer for Dubuque County. According to a written statement, the county’s board of supervisors will meet in the coming weeks to determine next steps. County treasurers are elected to four year terms and voters in all 99 counties will have a chance to vote for a county treasurer candidate this November.
Others arrested during the sting include:
Vincent J. Hanson Jr., 59, of rural Dubuque; Timothy J. McAndrews, 57, of rural Dubuque; Kevin M. Bockenstedt, 41, of Sherrill, Iowa; Joshua J. Vondran, 40, of Epworth, Iowa; Ryan P. Besler, 21, of Farley, Iowa; Timothy Murphy, 55, of Peosta, Iowa; Jordan H. Watkins, 38, of Bellevue, Iowa; Timothy A. Griffin, 32, of Dickeyville, Wis.; Kevin Stanton, 63, of Cuba City, Wis.; and Craig A. Mason, 57, of Stoughton, Wis.
Authorities noted that the investigation is ongoing and additional charges related to the sting are possible.
(Anita, Iowa) – The CAM School District’s Board of Education will hold their regular monthly meeting beginning at 6:30-p.m. Monday, in the CAM High School Superintendent’s Office (in Anita). On the Consent Agenda for approval, are any: Open Enrollments; Resignations, and Contracts. Discussion and/or action items include, but are not limited to:
(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak, Saturday, arrested a woman for Harassment in the first degree, and Interference with Official Acts. 29-year-old Amanda Joy Williams, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 1:30-p.m. and transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where her bond was set at $2,000.
(Anita, Iowa) – One person was flown from the scene of a head-on crash northwest of Anita this (Saturday) morning. According to Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Kyle Quist, the collision occurred at around 8:40-a.m. on Dallas Road, between 730th and 740th Streets.
A 2008 Chevy pickup driven by Brent J. Asberry, of Exira, collided with a 2015 Chevy Malibu, driven by Dennis C. Wahlert, of Anita. Anita Fire and Rescue and Cass EMS freed Wahlert from the vehicle wreckage. Wahlert was transported by LifeFlight helicopter to the hospital for treatment of injuries he suffered.
Asberry suffered minor injuries, but was not transported. Quist said an investigation will result in Asberry being cited for Failure to Yield half of the roadway. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Iowa State Patrol.
(Worldwide) — The 25th Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is set to take place from Friday, February 18 through Monday, February 21. Volunteers from around the world are invited to count the birds they see for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, then enter their checklists at birdcount.org. Anyone with internet access can participate, no matter what their skill level—it’s a great family activity, too. Officials say a lot has changed since the first Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) was held in 1998. Each year brings unwavering enthusiasm from the growing number of participants in this now-global event. All the data contribute to a snapshot of bird distribution and help scientists see changes over the past 20 years.
Varying weather conditions so far this winter are producing a few trends that GBBC participants can watch for during the count. Jon McCracken, Bird Studies Canada’s National Program Director, reminds participants in Canada and the U.S. to keep watch for snowies. He says, “The GBBC has done a terrific job of tracking irruptions of Snowy Owls southward over the past several years. We can’t predict what winter 2020 will bring, because Snowy Owl populations are so closely tied to unpredictable ‘cycles’ of lemmings in the Arctic. These cycles occur at intervals between two and six years. Nevertheless, there are already reports of Snowy Owls as far south as Virginia.”
Tufted Titmouse
In addition to counting birds, the GBBC photo contest has also been a hit with participants since it was introduced in 2006. Since then, tens of thousands of stunning images have been submitted. Learn more about how to take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count at birdcount.org where downloadable instructions and an explanatory PowerPoint are available. The GBBC is a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society with partner Bird Studies Canada and is made possible in part by sponsor Wild Birds Unlimited.
This is a wonderful family program for bird watchers of all ages and is free of charge. All you need is basic knowledge of bird identification! It is not required that you record every species you see, only those that can be properly identified. To participate in the bird count either call the Conservation Board at 712-769-2372 and receive everything you need in the mail (or pick up in the office), or go to the website: http://www.birdcount.org/ and follow the instructions.
Learn how to participate on-line step by step directions, at the following (AREA) locations:
Get ready to be involved in a great citizen science project! Organizers will show and explain how to participate in the project. They will also include some tips on identifying birds.
(Atlantic, Iowa) – You’re invited to join Cass County Conservation and Atlantic Parks and Recreation, for a FREE, “No school Winter Recreation Afternoon!” February 18th, from 2-until 4-p.m. Activities take place Sunnyside Park, near the Kiddie Korral. Cass County Conservation will have their snowshoes available for check out near Kiddie Korral shelter. The Atlantic Parks and Recreation offers an assortment of winter recreation opportunities for all ages and skill levels. Cross country skis and sleds are available to be checked out from the Parks and Rec Office at (712) 243-3542.
There are several miles of trails around the park for cross country skiing, rustic hiking trails, cleared trails along the hard surfaced road, and there are Fox and Goose trails made for all to enjoy. The Parks and Rec Department is currently hosting a Snow Sculpture Contest with plenty of space for people and snow for everyone to take advantage of. Hot Chocolate will be available!
Be sure and dress for the weather. The event WILL be CANCELLED IF there is no snow.