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!

Cass County wind turbine worker injured in a fall

News

November 28th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A construction worker was injured during a fall inside a wind turbine located in Cass County, Tuesday afternoon. Cass County Emergency Management Director Mike Kennon told KJAN News the accident happened at around 1:45-p.m. at Rolling Hills turbine #144  located near 720th and Yankton Road, southwest of Massena.

Dispatch reports indicated the man suffered from broken ribs, and other, possible injuries. He was flown to an undisclosed hospital.

The turbine was designed, and is operated by, MidAmerican Energy. A spokesperson for the energy company had not returned a call for comment, Tuesday. Cumberland and Massena Rescue, Medivac Ambulance and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

City leaders in western Iowa to take action against casino

News

November 28th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Leaders in a western Iowa city say they’ll ask the courts to block a proposed tribal casino that officials in Nebraska also oppose. The Daily Nonpareil reports the Council Bluffs City Council is organizing to take legal action against a recent National Indian Gaming Commission decision that approved a plan from the Ponca Tribe to build a casino in nearby Carter Lake. The tribe has been trying to pursue the project for about 10 years.

The decision was announced during a City Council meeting on Monday. Some council members say the proposed casino would compete with Council Bluffs’ three casinos. Council members say they will have a strategy for how to move forward within the coming weeks.

University of Iowa to test new program for Greek events

News

November 28th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The University of Iowa says it’ll allow some fraternities and sororities to serve alcohol at one event following a ban on such events after the death of a student. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that university officials are testing a pilot program this week for 26 eligible Greek chapters to host one formal party with limits on hard liquor and serving time. The moratorium still applies to all chapters outside the single event for those that qualify.

Officials say the moratorium and the pilot program are measures being taken to reduce high-risk drinking and to improve the university’s reputation. The ban has been in place since 19-year-old freshman Kamil Jackowski was found unresponsive while attending a formal in April. There’s no set time for when the moratorium will be lifted.

Two hunters injured while hunting in Audubon County

Ag/Outdoor, News, Sports

November 28th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources report Conservation Officers responded to a hunting incident at around 3:30 p.m., Saturday, in Audubon County. Authorities say 56-year old Arthur Goupille, of Negaunee, Mich., was hunting pheasants in Audubon County when his gun discharged hitting two members of his hunting party standing about six feet away.

The group had completed a drive and was taking a break when the incident occurred. Goupille’s gun fell over, discharged, and struck the nearby hunters. The hunters were taken to the Audubon County Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. They were treated and released.

The DNR reminds hunters to use safe hunting practices, treat every firearm as if it is loaded and always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.

Iowa, Nebraska road projects see boost from gas tax increase

News

November 28th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Two years after Iowa and Nebraska raised their gas taxes, both states are seeing a flurry of new roadway projects at a time when national infrastructure efforts have stalled. Officials say the extra revenue has allowed them to move forward quickly with overdue bridge repairs and plans for major highway projects. Both states raised their gas taxes in 2015 with support from farm groups, truckers and even some conservative Republicans who champion tax cuts.

Iowa passed its 10-cent-per-gallon increase first, in February 2015. A recent analysis shows the tax has generated an extra $515 million for projects in all 99 counties. Nebraska approved a 6-cent increase in May 2015. The following year, state officials created a program that will funnel $400 million into road and bridge projects.

Authorities say man died near where grass fire began

News

November 28th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

GRINNELL, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man has died near where a grass fire began in central Iowa. Grinnell firefighters dispatched to a property west of Grinnell around 2:45 p.m. Saturday found the man’s body. He’s been identified as 86-year-old Bernard Willfang. Authorities say the fire and Willfang’s death appear to have been accidental.

The fire blackened about 40 acres of land and burned 70 bales of hay.

Man must pay back store, lottery for scratch ticket theft

News

November 28th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — A Fort Dodge man has been ordered to pay back his former employer and the Iowa Lottery for stolen scratch tickets. The Messenger reports that 31-year-old Christopher Breyfogle pleaded guilty Monday to theft and lottery theft. He’ll be on probation for three years and must pay back nearly $11,500 to the lottery and more than $12,400 to Yesway. Another theft count was dismissed in exchange for Breyfogle’s pleas.

Authorities have said an Iowa Lottery employee saw Breyfogle scanning and redeeming scratch tickets at another retail location in Fort Dodge. The lottery contacted the convenience store where Breyfogle worked, and it was determined that scratch tickets were missing from the store’s inventory.

Hit & run accident followed by pursuit in Page County

News

November 28th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

An investigation into a hit-and-run property damage accident Friday in Page County, resulted in the arrest of a man on a warrant for Felony Eluding. The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports 43-year old Jason Ludwig Reents, of Coin, also faces multiple traffic offenses. His arrest occurred during the investigation into an accident that occurred at 4:45 p.m., Friday.  Police were called to investigate an incident where a vehicle had left the roadway and struck a carport and supporting structure at 501 N. 10th St., causing an estimated $500 damage to the structure.

When police arrived, the driver fled the scene in a beige 1997 Lincoln Mark VII. Clarinda Police and Page County Sheriff’s Department Deputies pursued the vehicle for a period but terminated the pursuit. A subsequent investigation identified the driver as Reents. On Monday, November 27th complaints were filed in Page County District Court and an arrest warrant was issued for Reents. He was taken into custody by Page County Deputes at his place of employment, Monday afternoon. Reents is currently being held in the Page County Jail on $2,000 bail.

Police reports have been submitted to the offices of Page County Attorney Carl M. Sonksen for review regarding the filing of formal charges.

NE woman injured in Mills County accident

News

November 28th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A woman whose vehicle struck a deer last week in Mills County, was transported to a hospital in Council Bluffs. Authorities say on Friday, 40-year old Duana Dodendorf, of Bellevue, NE, was traveling in a 2016 Mazda at around 6:30-p.m., when a large deer ran out in front of her vehicle. The woman said she did not have time to take evasive action. After her car hit the deer, Dodendorf initially reported no injuries, but when she tried to exit her vehicle, the woman briefly collapsed, complained of chest pain, and had difficulty breathing.

She was transported by Glenwood Rescue to Jennie Edmundson Hospital to be checked out and treated as necessary.

Mills County Sheriff’s report, 11/28/17

News

November 28th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports six arrests took place over the past week. On Monday, 39-year old Joseph Corey Jack, of Malvern, was arrested at the Mills County Jail, on a warrant for Violation of Probation. His bond was set at $2,000. On Nov. 26th, 24-year old John Wayne Vermuele, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000.

Last Friday night, 45-year old Ray Leslie Knipe and 32-year old Troy Edward Grindle, both of Glenwood, were arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Knipe was also charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance. Both men were being held in the Mills County Jail, where Knipe’s bond was set at $1,300, and Grindle’s bond was set at $300.

On. Nov. 23rd, 36-year old Jessica Lynn Ballinger, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. Bond was set at $1,000. And, on Nov. 22nd, 47-year old John David Stone, of Braddyville, was arrested by Mills County Deputies at the Page County Jail, on a warrant for Theft in the 2nd Degree, Theft in the 4th, and Trespassing.