Iowa hunters will have a new option this fall while hunting deer during the youth season, disabled hunter season and both shotgun seasons – rifles that are capable of shooting straight walled cartridges. The new straight wall cartridge law was passed without dissent by the Iowa Legislature, and then signed by then Governor Terry Branstad on April 13. It was enacted to allow for a lower recoil option for older and younger hunters, but is available to all hunters in those four seasons.

The law allows for straight wall ammunition that was previously approved for pistol hunting to be used in rifles. The list of acceptable calibers is in the Iowa Hunting and Trapping Regulations (p. 31, www.iowadnr.gov/hunting) along with criteria for similar sized ammunition not on the list.

Depending upon the caliber, some straight wall cartridges will be effective up to 100 yards, but most will be effective to around 50 yards. The new law requires individuals caught with a rifle capable of shooting ammunition not on the approved list while hunting deer to have their hunting privileges suspended for two years and receive a $250 fine.

The Iowa deer hunting tradition will be passed on to about 10,000 youths who will participate in the youth deer hunting season, which opens on Sept. 16. This season provides an opportunity to teach deer hunting, wildlife behavior, and safe hunting practices to resident youths while they are under the watchful eye of a licensed adult.

Jim Coffey, forest wildlife research biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, said “This season is all about creating a positive experience for the hunter. It’s a learning season where mentors work one on one with the youth teaching hunting ethics and woodsmanship skills.”

The goal of the hunt should be an enjoyable and ethical experience, and harvesting a deer should be considered a bonus, not define the success of the hunt. Coffey said during late September, hunters should set up near movement areas, like between bedding sites and food sources, along known deer paths and by acorn producing white oak trees.

The youth season coincides with the disabled hunter deer season for hunters who meet eligibility criteria.  Both seasons runs Sept. 16 through Oct. 1. Youth hunters must be under direct supervision of an adult mentor, with a valid license and habitat fee (if required).  The youth license is valid statewide.

In addition, an unfilled youth season tag is valid for use during the early or late muzzleloader season or one of the two shotgun seasons. That youth must follow all other rules specified for each season. However party hunting with a youth tag is not allowed. A deer must be harvested by the youth with the tag. Youth hunters are also allowed to obtain deer tags for other season, just as any other hunter can do.

The youth deer season can bring mild temperatures and biting insects.  Hunters should be prepared for success by talking to the meat locker ahead of time and bringing frozen water jugs and/or bags of ice to cool the deer cavity. They may want to bring a protective cover like cheese cloth to help keep bugs off the fresh harvest as well.

All deer taken must be reported using the harvest reporting system before midnight the day after the deer is recovered. Harvest reporting is a very important part of the deer management program in Iowa, playing a vital role in managing deer populations and hunting opportunities.  Hunters have three options for reporting their harvested deer, the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov, by calling the toll free reporting number 1-800-771-4692, or at any license vendor.

(This article is another in a series from Healthy Cass County):

Healthy Cass County strives to improve the health of Cass County residents, which includes helping people move towards a more healthy weight.  Activity, including walking, is a method for helping control weight.  Some of the opportunities for an enjoyable walk in the county are:

• Walk the paths at Schildberg Recreation Area in Atlantic.  This can be an individual or family activity, even the dog can join.  An organized walk is planned at Schildberg’s on October 4, 2017 from 11:00- 1:30 as part of Iowa’s Healthiest State Walk. Area schools and businesses are encouraged to plan walking events on their campuses for this date as well.
• Enjoy the paths around Lake Anita or walk through the camping and picnic area at Cold Springs Park in Lewis.
• Follow the walking maps of downtown Atlantic.  Maps are available at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and Atlantic City Hall.
• Walk the school tracks in the county.
• Enjoy the walking paths in Atlantic, including the outdoor fitness stations at the Heritage House Campus.
• Join Live Healthy Next Step Challenge that runs through October 20 (LiveHealthyIowa.org).
• Check out the 18 hole Frisbee golf course located at Sunnyside Park.
• Join Nishna Valley YMCA, Anita Wellness Center, Anytime Fitness in Atlantic or 712 Fitness in Griswold.

Having a walking buddy or making a set time for family walks help make this activity a reality by holding everyone accountable. Good Nutrition is also part of the equation for moving toward a healthy weight.

•  Plan a grocery list and meals ahead of shopping and stick to your list.
•  Set a goal of cooking more family meals at home. Make cooking a family event to teach your children important kitchen skills.
• Learn to read labels-following portion sizes and limiting added sugars.
• Enjoy the fresh produce which will be available at the county Farmers Markets through the end of September.  The markets offer a variety of fresh, local fruit and vegetables. All of which are low in fat and calories and high in vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants.
• Watch for upcoming Farm to School activities in each of the school districts.

Many of the work places in the county have wellness programs, which help their employees engage in healthy lifestyles, see what your worksite is willing to do for you.  Cass County women have the opportunity to get a snapshot of their health by attending the Women’s Health Fair this Saturday, September 16 from 8:00-10:30am.  The fair is sponsored by Cass County Health System and will be located in the hospital cafeteria and Healing Garden.  Call Public Health for more information 712-243-7546.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office today (Wednesday), released a report on recent arrests. Officials said 48-year old Karen Ann Wilburn, of Oakland, was arrested Tuesday night for Child Endangerment without injury, after a Pott. County Deputy was called her home on Oakland, to check on the welfare of Wilburn’s 17-year old autistic son. The woman was determined to have been intoxicated and placed under arrest. The boy’s father was notified and picked-up the 17-year old.

A man from Carson was arrested for OWI 1st offense, late Tuesday night, after a deputy responded to a reported suspicious vehicle in the area of 251 Christy Lane. In the area of 246 Christy Lane, the Deputy found a car high-centered on a berm at that location. The driver of the vehicle, 19-year old Jonathan Allen Johnson, of Carson, admitted he had been drinking, and was placed under arrest.

At around 3-p.m., Tuesday, 23-year old Michael Timothy Mortensen, of Blair, NE., turned himself-in to the Sheriff’s Office. Mortensen was wanted on a warrant out of Mills County. He was being held at the Pott. County Jail pending return to Mills County.

37-year old Jason Allen Byers, of Council Bluffs, who was already being held in the Pott. County Jail, was charged under the authority of a warrant, with Dominion/control of firearm or offensive weapon by a domestic abuse offender. Byers was read the warrant and returned to the custody of corrections department staff.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Members of the Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will meet 5:30-p.m. today in the High School Media Center, for a regular session. On their agenda is a report from Brielle Cerven, with regard to the English Learner (EL) Program, and, Superintendent Steve Barber will report on enrollment as well as the Line Item Budget.

Action items on the Board’s agenda include the second reading of a revised Board Policy for Purchasing and Bidding. Among the revisions is two pertaining to Goods and Services. One part states “For goods and services costing at least $10,000 and up to $100,000, the superintendent shall receive proposals, quotations, or bids for the goods and services to be purchased prior to board approval. The quotation process will require written quotations.”

The second part states “For all purchases of goods and services over $10,000, the district will provide public notice to possible bidders via the local newspaper, the district’s website and/or local radio.” In past bidding experiences, the Board has been inconsistent in accepting a local bid higher than the lowest provided, which has created some consternation among local business owners.

The Atlantic School Board will also act on approving an Atlantic FFA trip for 12-to 14-students, to Indianapolis, IN., Oct. 24th through the 28th, for the National FFA Leadership Conference. All students must be in good academic standing in order to attend. School administrators have the final say in who is permitted on the trip.

Several contracts and/or Letters of Assignment will also be approved tonight, including: Ryan Henderson as Head Varsity Track Coach and Freshman Volleyball Coach.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Just over 150 restaurants across the state are involved in an upcoming event organized by the Iowa Tourism Office. The inaugural Main Street Iowa Restaurant Week begins Friday and includes eateries in 16 towns and cities. Among them is Avoca, Greenfield and Woodbine. Shawna Lode, with the Iowa Tourism Office, says each community will offer special menus and rewards.

“We want to give Iowans and our visitors a chance to get out and explore the restaurants and foods that are unique to Iowa,” Lode said. The event runs 10 days – through September 24. “We wanted to give people an opportunity to visit as many restaurants as the can,” Lode said. “We know when people travel they want to eat where the locals eat.”

Included among the communities involved in Main Street Iowa Restaurant Week is: Avoca, Burlington, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Fort Madison, Greenfield, Hampton, Marshalltown, Mount Pleasant, Mount Vernon, Osceola, Oskaloosa, Spencer, Waterloo, West Branch, West Des Moines and Woodbine.

(Radio Iowa)

The Iowa Utilities Board is spreading the word about the federal Lifeline Program which helps low-income residents of the state pay for communications services. I-U-B spokesman, Donald Tormey, explains how the program works. “They’re entitled to receive a discount of at least nine dollars and 25 cents per month off their monthly telecommunications bill,” Tormey says. “And that nine dollars and 25 cents per month can be applied toward a landline telephone, a cellular telephone, or internet broadband access.”

He says the eligibility for the program is based on income and you should check to see if you qualify. Tormey says you can go to the Utilities Board website at IUB.iowa-gov/lifeline. “And that has all the information about how they can apply. It has a form they can fill out to apply, it explains the program. There’s also other websites that do the same thing. They can contact their local community action agency or the Iowa Department of Human Rights.

He says all participants have to enroll annually and the subscribers have to reverify their eligibility. Tormey says current subscribers should get a form from the subscribers, and if you don’t get the form you should call the company.

This is “Lifeline Awareness Week” and the I-U-B and its counterparts across the country are trying to let everyone know about the program. “If anyone does have any questions, they can call the utilities board toll free at: 877-565-4450. Or again, visit the I-U-B website,” according to Tormey.

Approximately 32-thousand Iowans participated in the Lifeline program in 2016.

(Radio Iowa)

School board elections were held yesterday (Tuesday), plus voters in one eastern Iowa district approved the largest school bonding plan in state history. Iowa law requires 60 percent of voters to approve any district’s plan to issue bonds and raise money for school construction.

In the Iowa City School District, a record 20 percent of eligible voters cast ballots — and 65 percent of them voted “yes” on a massive bonding plan. Iowa City officials now have the go-ahead to spend 191-and-a-half MILLION dollars on school facilities in the district. A new elementary school will be build in North Liberty and existing school buildings throughout the Iowa City district will be upgraded.

Nearly 53 percent of voters in the Linn-Mar School District supported an 80-MILLION dollar bonding plan for the district, but that was short of the 60 percent threshold needed. The plan would have financed construction of two new schools as well as upgrades to four existing schools. In the Clear Creek Amana School District, 71 percent of voters approved a nearly 34 million dollar bonding plan.

The mere existence of a small eastern Iowa district was on yesterday’s ballot, too. Nearly 70 percent of voters in the Gladbrook-Reinbeck School District opposed a plan that would have dissolved the district and enrolled students in five neighboring districts.

(Radio Iowa)