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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!
(Red Oak, Iowa) The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports two men were arrested on separate warrants, today (Thursday). 42-year-old Robert Lee Bopp, of Shenandoah, was arrested at the Page County Jail, on a warrant for Violation of Probation. His bond was set at $20,000. And, 37-year-old Cory Ross Smith, of Elliott, turned himself-in to the Sheriff’s Office, on a warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine. His bond was set at $1,000.
(Radio Iowa) – The governor has signed a bill into law that requires testing for radon gas in public school buildings. The legislation is named in honor of Gail Orcutt, a retired teacher from Pleasant Hill who died of radon-inducted lung cancer in 2020. She had lobbied for the bill for a decade. Senator Jackie Smith of Sioux City is among the lawmakers who paid tribute to Orcutt before voting “yes” on the bill. “This is a bill about the lungs,” Smith says, “but it was pushed by the heart.” The bill lets school districts use local option sales taxes to install radon mitigation systems. Testing to screen school buildings must be completed by July 1st of 2027. Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City voted for the bill, but raised concerns about that deadline.
“Do you think it makes sense to wait five more years to have a radon test in a building that might have a radon problem and kids being exposed to radon gas for the next five years?” Bolkcom asked. Senator Craig Johnson of Independence says it’s his understanding many schools have already been tested for radon, but this will spur others to do so. “My wife works in a public school,” Johnson says. “Believe me, I want this to get started as soon as possible myself.”Officials estimate about 400 Iowans will die of radon-inducted lung cancer this year. Radon is an odorless gas that seeps into homes and buildings through cracks in the foundation and every Iowa county is considered to have high levels of radon in the soil. In addition to testing of existing school buildings, the new law requires radon control systems to be part of any new school construction projects.
Representative Art Staed of Cedar Rapids is a retired teacher. “This will save lives,” Staed says. “It’ll save students’ lives and it’ll save teachers’ lives.” The bill passed with the support of all but two members of the legislature. The governor held a private bill signing ceremony on Tuesday for advocates who’d pressed for passage of the legislation.
(Radio Iowa) – A northeast Iowa man with multiple previous convictions is going to spend more than 15 years in federal prison for dealing meth. Fifty-five-year-old David Alan Tafolla of Oelwein pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance., Tafolla admitted that he was involved in drug trafficking from October 2020 to May 2021 and sold meth on four occasions.
Officers searched his home in May of 2021 and recovered meth, marijuana, and more than 36-thousand dollars in cash from drug sales. Tafolla has previous convictions in more than twenty cases that include assaults, going armed with intent, burglary and stalking.
(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Animal Shelter at 309 Sunnyside Lane, in Atlantic, had numerous visitors this (Thursday) morning, during the Shelter’s Grand Opening, following the addition of a “cattery” and many improvements for both cats and dogs. Factoring-in COVID, the project took roughly 2 ½ years to complete.
Animal Control Officer Kris Erickson said a generous donation got the ball rolling on making the shelter a better place for dogs and cats while they await adoption or, in the case of lost animals, returned to their owners.
The $135,000 gift from the Lorraine Eppelsheimer Estate was based on the stipulation that it would benefit animals at the shelter, and included a provision the dog and cat areas be separate. The addition includes new floor and office space, an increase in the number of cat cages in a separate area from the dogs, proper food storage, as well as an exam and grooming table, in addition to a more efficient water heater.
In addition to the bequeath, the Shelter went after and obtained grants and methods to reach their funding goal for the project, which was originally estimated to cost around $151,620, but ended-up being $215,000.
Erickson said there are so many people to thank for making the improvements possible.
She said while the cattery and other improvements are finished, there’s still a “wish-list” of items they want to add to make life better for the animals.
You can help out by attending their fundraisers, buying a “Don’t poop” sign for your yard or other areas where picking up animal droppings should happen. You can adopt a cat at the Atlantic animal shelter for only $100, or a dog for only $200. Vet Fees may apply. Follow them on Facebook for events and notification of animals up for adoption. The Shelter is open Monday-Tuesday-Friday, from 9-a.m. Until 3-p.m. For more information, call (712) 243-5281.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – May 26, 2022 – Two major changes to the interstate near I-29/I-480/West Broadway will occur late this week and early next week.
Eastbound I-480/West Broadway:
On Friday, May 27 by 6 a.m., eastbound I-480/West Broadway will be shifted to its new permanent alignment.
Avenue G ramps:
The southbound I-29 ramp to Avenue G will be closed beginning Tuesday, May 31, at 6 a.m. This ramp will be closed until mid-July. The ramp from Avenue G to southbound I-29 will be permanently closed.
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Iowa DOT is working hard to keep the public informed of construction impacts and actively seeks opportunities to update the public. For more information or to sign up for alerts, visit the program website at www.CouncilBluffsInterstate.IowaDOT.gov.
You can also contact the program office at 712-216-3339 or info@CouncilBluffsInterstate.com.
CRESTON, Iowa – May 26, 2022 – A project to repair the Iowa 92 bridge over Jordan Creek one mile east of Carson will require closing Iowa 92 in both directions between U.S. 59 and Pottawattamie County Road M-47 starting Wednesday, June 1 at 7 a.m., weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Creston construction office. The closure is expected to be in place until Aug. 18. During this project, traffic will be detoured around the work zone using U.S. 6, U.S. 59, and Iowa 48 (see map below).
The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.
The latest traveler information is available anytime through the 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter (find links at https://iowadot.gov/511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.
(Radio Iowa) -The first days of the summer travel season arrive this weekend and the Iowa Department of Transportation reminds that despite it being a holiday, drivers need to obey the rules in construction zones. Pete Hjelmstad, with the D-O-T’s Mason City office, says even though work crews will likely not be in those areas this weekend, you need to obey the posted speed limits. “Those speed limits, when those signs are up, whether people are there working or not, you need to slow down to that new speed limit,” Hjelmstad says. “As long as the sign is telling you to slow down, I don’t care if it’s 3 in the morning when you are working an overnight shift and you’re driving through a work zone with nobody there, or if it’s a Saturday and there’s a lane closure and there’s nobody working, you still need to slow down to that new speed limit.”
Hjelmstad says during this Memorial Day weekend, Iowans need to slow down and focus on driving — and not other things inside the car. “Keep the cell phones down,” he says. “We always talk about that as a distraction, but there are all kinds of other distractions in the vehicle, too, as far as from talking to your passengers, to looking in the back seat to see what the kids are doing, to playing with a navigational system or radio or whatever. Anytime you’re driving, try to leave that stuff alone, but it’s even more important when you’re driving through a work zone.”
The D-O-T’s Pete Hjelmstad says you can use the D-O-T website 511ia.org to find out about where road construction is happening. He adds, most states have their own version of that website.
ISP via Facebook
On Wednesday, the Iowa State Patrol posted on social media, a picture of a dash-mounted radar showing a vehicle was traveling 111-mph on I-35 southbound, near Van Wert. Trooper Nguyen encountered the Kansas City driver that was passing through Iowa Monday. The driver claimed they were “unaware of the speed limit”. The Patrol said ” NEWSFLASH – nowhere in the United States is the speed limit OVER 100 MPH on a roadway.”
(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Dept. reports an eastern Iowa man was arrested early today (Thursday). Authorities say 44-year-old Antoinio Derone Ross, of Waterloo, was arrested at 1501 W. Adams Street. He was charged with Possession of Controlled Substance Marijuana/3rd Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Ross was taken to Union County Jail. Bail is set in the amount of $2300 cash or approved surety.
(Iowa DNR News) – Iowa state parks and forests are gearing up for a busy Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of the outdoor summer recreation season. “Park visitors are excited to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather after a long winter inside,” said Sherry Arntzen, chief of the DNR’s State Parks, Forests and Preserves Bureau. “Our parks offer a variety of activities for all enthusiasts from hiking the trails to picnicking, fishing and swimming. There’s something for everyone while enjoying the outdoors.”
Campers are urged to plan ahead when visiting Iowa state parks and forests for Memorial Day weekend. Most electrical and full hookup sites in busy parks are already reserved, so campers may want to consider non-electric sites or at “hidden gem” parks a little further away from home. Additionally, Iowa state parks and forests offer around 1,200 non-reservable sites available on a first-come, first-served basis, with most people choosing to stay today (Thursday) through the weekend.
To find site availability and make a reservation, go to https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/ For an up-to-date list of park and trail closures due to renovations or weather-related alerts, visit: http://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Alerts-and-Closures
Park visitors can help take care of the parks by cleaning up trash after themselves, and carrying out what they brought in. Please park vehicles in designated parking lots and not along roadways. If visiting beaches, be aware that most swimming areas do not have a lifeguard on duty, and pets must be kept off beaches and be on a leash. “We hope that campers enjoy their time and make memories while staying in our parks and recreational areas, and do so safely and return again,” Arntzen said.
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(Radio Iowa) -The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration predicts dry conditions will continue for western Iowa and expand eastward. Meteorologist Adam Hartman authored the report. “Much of what I leaned on was the below normal soil moisture anomalies that are currently in place across the state along with the long term dryness. In addition to, we are in La Niña,” he says.
La Niña weather conditions are a climate pattern that produces drier days. U-S Ag Department meteorologist, Brad Rippey, says the weather’s impact on crops depends largely on the timing of the heat waves.
“Especially since crops are going in a little bit late this year. And so if heat and dryness expand at the wrong time, for example, corn and soybeans that could have an effect on some of the summer crops,” Rippey says. Much of the northwest region of the state is already experiencing abnormally dry conditions. Woodbury, Plymouth and Monona counties face severe drought.