United Group Insurance

KJAN News

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!

Corning man arrested Monday night

News

January 15th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Adams County say a Corning man was arrested Monday night following a traffic stop on Highway 34. 23-year old Ian Gepner was arrested at around 8:10-p.m. for Driving While Revoked, a Serious Misdemeanor. Gepner was brought to the Adams County Jail and later released on $1,000 bond.

Iowa early News Headlines: Tue., Jan. 15th 2013

News

January 15th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Governor Terry Branstad has given a $5,000 bonus to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission director, commending her for firing problem employees and reducing its case backlog. The bonus announced yesterday for Beth Townsend signals Branstad isn’t backing off his controversial practice of granting bonuses to agency leaders that he believes deserve them. But spokesman Tim Albrecht says Branstad will continue using bonuses in “the rarest of circumstances” to reward high-performers.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A Fairfax man who successfully appealed a murder conviction has agreed to plead guilty to lesser charges in the case. Jacovan Bush pleaded guilty yesterday in Linn County District Court to substituted charges in connection with Thomas Horvath’s death. They include voluntary manslaughter, intimidation with a dangerous weapon and going armed with intent.

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa man sought in a child endangerment case has been found and arrested. Authorities say 25-year-old Michael Blair of Swisher is being held in the Wapello County Jail on $200,000 bail. Police say Blair is suspected of child endangerment involving a seriously injured 2-month-old who was taken to an Ottumwa hospital on December 7th.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Prosecutors have dismissed a sexual abuse charge against Iowa State basketball player Bubu Palo, paving the way for him to rejoin the Cyclones. Palo was suspended from the team in September after being charged with sexually abusing a woman he was driving home in May.

Adams County teen confronted by gunman in Council Bluffs

News

January 15th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

A southwest Iowa teen says he was the victim of an attempted armed robbery Saturday night, in Council Bluffs. According to the Daily NonPareil, 17-year old Michael Kleindienst, of Villisca, reported to Council Bluffs Police the incident occurred in a parking lot at the Mall of the Bluffs, at around 7:30-p.m., Saturday.  The teen told the authorities he was walking to his van to retrieve his wallet while on break from work at the Hy-Vee Food Store at 1745 Madison Ave., when he heard a car door slam and footsteps approaching him.

The alleged robber was wearing a ski mask and was armed with a black handgun. He reportedly demanded the teen’s money, but when Kleindienst told the man he didn’t have any money, the gunman left the area. Police believe the man got into a newer, four-door, dark colored Dodge sedan. No money was taken and no injuries were reported.

Anyone with information on the incident should contact Crime Stoppers at (712) 328-STOP. Callers may remain anonymous and might be eligible for a cash reward.

Braley wants mandatory radon testing in schools

News

January 14th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Congressman Bruce Braley says his first piece of legislation this year will call for mandatory radon testing and mitigation in school buildings nationwide. The Democratic congressman announced his plans Monday at the state Capitol. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. All of Iowa’s 99 counties lie in the EPA’s highest risk zone for exposure to the colorless, odorless gas that leaks through cracks in building foundations.

Iowa law only requires radon mitigation in preschools. The End Radon in Schools Act would provide federal grant funding to high-risk states to test for radon and install mitigation systems. Mitigation systems cost school districts upward of $1,000. Braley hasn’t specified how much his bill would cost.

Authorities ID victims of NW Iowa crash

News

January 14th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have released the names of three people who were fatally injured in the crash of a vehicle into a creek in northwest Iowa.  The three were pulled from the vehicle early Sunday morning after it landed upside down in the frigid water of Sioux City’s Perry Creek. Two other people got out without help.  Police identified the three dead people as the driver, 21-year-old Torey Wickey; 23-year-old Dominique Nok; and 24-year-old Matthew Dean. All three lived in Sioux City.

The two injured people were identified as 23-year-old Anthony Carr, of Sioux City; and 22-year-old Alexander Brown, of South Sioux City, Neb.  Police suspect alcohol and excessive speed played roles in the accident.

Bridge repair work to close Redwood Road in Shelby County

News

January 14th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) reports bridge repair work will result in the closure of one section of Redwood Road for about two weeks. The bridge is located in the 900 block of Redwood between 900th Street and Highway 44, or between Center Townships sections 23 and 24.

Emergency responders in Harlan should note the west portion of 900th Street is a level “B” road, and you’ll  have to use 800th Street from County Road M-47 and approach from the south, on Redwood Road.  Road will be closed for about two weeks. Emergency responders are encouraged to plan alternate routes to nearby residences.

If you have questions, contact the Shelby County Engineers Office at 712-755-5954.

Western Iowans appointed to JNC by Gov. Branstad

News

January 14th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry E. Branstad today appointed eight Iowans to the Judicial Nominating Commission. Iowa Code changes require the State Judicial Nominating Commission to sunset on December 31, 2012. The previous commission composition was based on Congressional Districts from 1965 with one member from each district, for a total of seven members appointed by the governor. The new State Judicial Nominating Commission, based on Congressional Districts following the 2010 census, is effective January 1, 2013 in accordance with the Code of Iowa.

His appointments from western Iowa include, in Congressional District Three: Liz Doll, from Council Bluffs, whose term ends April 30, 2016, and, from Congressional District Four: Patricia Roberts, of Carroll, whose term ends April 30, 2014. The governor’s appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.

The new commission has two members from each Congressional District, one male and one female, for a total of eight members appointed by the governor. Lawyers elect eight lawyer members to the commission. Iowa law requires members serve staggered terms. Full terms are six years in length.

Warden ordered Iowa officer not to turn off movies

News

January 14th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – State lawyers are admitting that an Iowa prison warden ordered a guard to stop shutting off movies that she felt had inappropriate violent and sexual content for inmates. The Iowa Attorney General’s Office released its response Monday to a lawsuit brought by Kristine Sink, a correctional officer at the Fort Madison prison.

Sink’s lawsuit describes how she’d complained about the practice of allowing mentally-ill sex offenders and murderers to watch programs with graphic violence and sex. She says superiors dismissed complaints about the movies, which aroused inmates and made them hostile.  The response denies that Sink’s superiors retaliated against her and failed to protect her safety. But it admits Warden Nick Ludwick ordered Sink in 2011 to “discontinue shutting off movies that have been screened and deemed appropriate for viewing.”

Governor releases $187 million plan for schools

News

January 14th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Minimum pay for entry level teachers in Iowa would rise from $28,000 to $35,000 annually under a new education plan from Gov. Terry Branstad.  Branstad unveiled the proposal, which will need support from state legislators, on Monday. The plan also includes tuition assistance for some aspiring teachers and pay bumps for teachers who take on more responsibilities.

Branstad says the plan would cost $187 million over the next five years. It will be paid for through the state budget surplus of nearly $1 million.  Branstad called the plan “transformational reform” and expressed hope that it would receive support from legislators. Lawmakers begin the Iowa legislative session Monday, with Branstad set to release his full budget Tuesday.

Fewer plastic bags in violation of toxic metals laws

News

January 14th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

A recent screening of 125 various shopping bags in a dozen states, including Iowa, found three bags contained high concentrations of lead. Iowa DNR Environmental Specialist Kathleen Hennings says – in past years – plastic bags found to be in noncompliance with laws associated with toxic metals in packaging were manufactured overseas. “This time, we got one from here in Iowa,” Hennings said. “That was a really big surprise to us, as it was to the manufacturer here in Iowa.” The shopping bag was manufactured in Des Moines, but it was the film supplier that was at fault for the lead.

Hennings said the bags were immediately removed from stores. “They’ve been gone, off the shelves, for a good year,” Hennings said. Toxic metals are regulated in packaging by 19 U.S. states, including Iowa. The metals are found in the inks used to print or color the bags and become a problem when the ultimately end up in the landfill. “Over time, that bag is going to break down, but heavy metals won’t. Those heavy metals are still going to be in the landfill for years and years, decades and decades,” Hennings said.

Overall, compliance has improved with state toxics in packaging laws. A screening project released in 2007 showed almost 17-percent noncompliance for plastic shopping bags.

(Radio Iowa)