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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) – Stoplights in Spencer are back in action, but power is still out in many neighborhoods following flash flooding that hit the city ten days ago. Spencer Mayor Steve Bomgaars says initial estimates indicate 40 percent of homes in Spencer have flood damage. “Some of our friends on the southside of the town who are without electricity still,” he says, “and we even have some pockets on the north side of town that don’t have electricity.” FEMA representatives went door-to-door in southeast Spencer on Saturday. Bomgaars says the latest tally shows nearly 15-hundred Spencer residents have applied in person or online for some form of federal assistance.
Iowa Department of Transportation dump trucks started hauling debris out of Spencer this weekend. Kevin Robinson, the deputy city manager in Spencer, says the first D-O-T crews who rolled into Spencer on Saturday collected 152 loads of debris — including 350 appliances from the north central area of Spencer. “Their run time is going to be from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.,” Robinson says. “They work straight through. They don’t take breaks. They eat their meals in transit.”
Some Clay County residents who live outside of Spencer have brought their flood damaged debris into Spencer for disposal, but Clay County officials say residents in rural areas can also arrange for crews to pick-up flood debris at their homes.
(Clarinda, Iowa) – Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports his Officers recently made two arrests, in connection with an investigation concerning the distribution of methamphetamine in Clarinda. On Friday afternoon, June 28th, officers arrested 54-year-old Lowell Richard Wilcox, of Clarinda, and 44-year-old Cindy Jo Gray, of New Market. Wilcox and Gray are both charged with felony distribution of methamphetamine, felony possession of methamphetamine and failure to affix drug tax stamps.
The pair are currently in custody at the Page County Jail on $25,000 bond, pending formal charging decisions by the Page County Attorney’s Office.
“All defendants are presumed innocent under [the] system of criminal justice, until found guilty in a court of law.”
(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Guthrie County say no injuries were reported following two accidents that took place last week. Wednesday morning, a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 18-year-old Mason Joseph Sawyer, of Coon Rapids, was traveling north on Andrews Terrace. When Sawyer attempted to turn into a driveway, the SUV went out control and rolled over before coming to rest against a tree. Authorities say he was driving too fast for conditions, but there were no citations issued. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $4,500.
And, on June 23rd, a 2010 Chevy Traverse driven by 49-year-old Kerry Ann Stonehocker, of Linden, backed into a gas pump at Sparky’s Gas Station, in Guthrie Center. The woman told authorities she was backing-up and thought she saw someone in her peripheral vision. She accelerated in reverse into the gas pump, to avoid a potential collision. No citations were issued. Damage to the car amounted to $4,000. Damage to the gas pump was estimated at $50,000.
Authorities said also, Panora Police covered the accident that took place Friday. Three juveniles were injured – two were ejected. Additional details were not immediately available.
(Radio Iowa) – The Independence Day holiday is going to be a long one with the 4th falling on Thursday, and that could mean a lot more celebrating across the state. State Patrol Trooper Paul Gardner says they don’t want the celebration to spill over to the highways. “July 4th, there’s gonna be a lot of celebrations and we want to make sure that everyone is partying responsibly,” he says, “and if those parties do involve alcoholic beverages that need to just make sure that they’re going to be having designated drivers to get everyone home safe.” He says a special holiday enforcement effort will start on Wednesday.
“And that’s really going to focus on O-W-I enforcement so we’ll have extra troopers on the roads we’ll be working with our local law enforcement agencies as well,” Gardner says. Gardner says alcohol and driving can be fatal for you and others. “Last year in 2023, statewide we had 377 traffic fatalities and we were at a five year high and we’ve seen a reduction in that so far this year, but last year’s total also included 38 percent of those that were killed in traffic crashes were involving drunk drivers,” Gardner says.
The special holiday traffic enforcement will run through Sunday July 7th.
(Radio Iowa) -A top administrator in one of Iowa’s leading health care systems says the safety of staff is becoming a concern. Scott Curtis is vice president of network development for MercyOne. “We aren’t that much unlike what we hear about in the airline industry, for example, certainly law enforcement,” Curtis says, “but our health care workers are continually put in situations that are not safe and that’s a challenge.” An Iowa Hospital Association survey found hospitals in the state reported nearly 37-hundred incidents of what it classified as workplace violence last year. That includes verbal threats as well as being kicked, punched and scratched.
Curtis recently discussed the issue with U-S Senator Joni Ernst during her visit to a MercyOne clinic in Forest City. “We continue to talk with the senator and other representatives about the type of laws that we could put in place that would heighten the ramifications to folks that bring harm to our workers,” he says. Nearly 40 states have laws with enhanced penalties for assaults on health care workers. A recent report from a company that surveys patients and employees throughout the country found nearly 17-thousand assaults on nursing staff in U-S hospitals were reported last year. That’s a record.
(Greenfield, Iowa) – Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater, today (Monday), reports two arrests took place last week. Thursday night, 71-year-old Dennis Devee Buckner, of Fontanelle, was arrested for Harassment in the 3rd Degree, after the Adair County Communications Center received a report that a minor child working at the Casey’s Store in Fontanelle, was being harassed at the store. The incident was authenticated through video surveillance and by a witness statement.
Buckner claimed he had known the girl since she was little, and that anything he said was a joke. He was transported to the Adair County Jail and released that same evening on a $3,000 cash or surety bond.
And, at around 10-p.m. Friday, Adair County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 22-year-old Igor Stovan, of Lincoln, NE, for OWI/1st offense. His arrest took place following an investigation into a reported road rage incident on Interstate 80. In addition to his OWI arrest, Stovan was cited for Open Container – Driver 21 years and older. He released Saturday night on a $1,000 bond.
(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Fire Department was dispatched to 7th and Birch Streets at around 9:32-a.m. today (Monday), following a reported gas line that was struck while a company was digging in the area. Authorities were beginning an evacuation of some houses south of 7th Street. Alliant Energy responded to the scene as well. Authorities reported the line was “hissing” pretty good, at around 9:42-a.m.
The gas leak was stopped by 10:30-a.m. Alliant Crews requested the area be blocked-off for about an hour once the leak was stopped, so that repairs could be made to the line.
(Atlantic, Iowa) – In an update to our previous reports, the Atlantic Police Department reports a teenager from Louisiana was injured during a motorcycle accident Saturday evening, on Atlantic’s north side. 13-year-old Hazel Clark, of Calhoun, LA, was riding a pit bike in the grass along the sidewalk of the Schilberg Recreation Area Campgrounds, when she attempted to cross the sidewalk. The rear tire of the bike caught the concrete, causing Clark to be ejected from the machine. The accident happened at around 6:36-p.m.
Clark suffered a head injury and was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital (CCHS). Her parents tell KJAN News the teen is recovering from her injuries.
DES MOINES – State, federal and local law enforcement agencies encourage all boaters to avoid alcohol and drugs this busy holiday weekend to ensure everyone’s safety on Iowa waters. “Operation Dry Water,” July 4-6, is a national campaign to reduce the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities on the water throughout the year. This effort to deter impaired boating and enforce Iowa’s boating while intoxicated (BWI) laws reminds boaters to stay sober and alert, always wear your life jacket, and take a boating safety education course.
Susan Stocker, boating law administrator and education coordinator for the Iowa DNR, says “Recognizing that impaired boating is as dangerous as impaired driving is vital. Together, we can prevent incidents and save lives.” Alcohol and drugs (legal and illegal) can severely impair a boater’s judgment, reaction time and ability to operate a vessel safely. The effects of alcohol, drugs and some medications can be intensified when combined with sun, wind and wave action. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating fatalities. The risk of serious injury is equal for operators and passengers. Intoxicated passengers can easily slip, fall overboard or suffer other life-threatening incidents. Stocker says “One-third of all boating fatalities nationally involved alcohol.“Many of those victims were innocent bystanders.”
DNR Water Patrol boat
In 2023, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and its partners contacted more than 1,487 vessels containing 5,2634 boaters resulting in 531 citations or warnings as part of Operation Dry Water. The DNR has partnered with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, and local police and sheriff’s departments as part of previous Operation Dry Water campaigns.
2023 top areas for BWI arrests
DES MOINES, Iowa – As the Fourth of July holiday weekend quickly approaches the forecast predicts very warm weather which will draw thousands of people to state parks, beaches, lakes and rivers.
BEACH & SWIMMING SAFETY:
Wherever you choose to swim this weekend or this summer, whether it’s a backyard pool, a pond or lake, or a public pool, please follow these safety tips:
Because the beaches are busier this summer, staff encourage visitors to visit during the non-peak times and days. For the busier beaches/parks, the non-peak days are usually Sundays through Thursdays, and Fridays before 5:00 pm. If you plan to go to the beaches on Saturdays, the non-peak hours are usually before noon.
Parks staff may temporarily close parking lots when they become full and limit the number of visitors at that point. The DNR recommends visitors go to another nearby park or beach that is not as heavily populated. Visitors are reminded to only park in designated parking spaces. Violators will be cited by staff.
BOATING SAFETY:
STATE PARKS/CAMPGROUNDS SAFETY:
The Fourth of July is one of the busiest times to visit a state park as people enjoy beaches and outdoor activities in the summer sun. Please use these safety tips to ensure an enjoyable time:
PADDLING SAFETY:
Whether it be tubing, kayaking or canoeing, paddlers are enjoying the splash of the water, scenic views, and wildlife viewing from Iowa’s rivers, rapids and streams. Many new paddlers are getting out on the water for the first time this summer. Stay safe each time you paddle with these simple safety tips: