OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Funding has been pulled for adult day care for veterans in Omaha and western Iowa due to a $2.5 billion shortfall in the Department of Veterans of Affair’s health care budget. The Omaha World-Herald reports that the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System will no longer cover adult day care and other forms of non-skilled nursing care after July 31st.

VA spokesman Will Ackerman says that officials understand that it’s an inconvenience to veterans and their families but that they must be good stewards of taxpayer dollars.  Ackerman says the VA will work with veterans’ families to ease the transition.

Iowans may’ve noticed the sun was a strange color this (Tuesday) morning — and  Monday evening. That’s because of fires taking place in Canada. The afternoon sun, Monday, had a sort of golden-yellow hue and the sunset was spectacular. National Weather Service meteorologist Craig Cogil says it’s due to smoke from at least 40 wildfires in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, fires sparked by lightning.

“We’re seeing Canadian wildfires producing quite a bit of smoke and that smoke is moving southeast into the Midwestern part of the United States and causing some obscuration of the sun during the afternoon and evening hours,” Cogil says, “and also the moon during the overnight was a dusky orange.” Cogil says Iowans will likely see the sun through the smoky filter for a bit longer.

“It does look like we may continue to see this smoke down across us during the day today as we see the upper flow continue from the northwest out of Canada,” he says. If you have asthma or other breathing issues, the smoke shouldn’t bring you any trouble. “Most of the smoke is in the upper levels of the atmosphere, not really down near the surface, so it doesn’t appear so at this time,” he says.

(Radio Iowa)

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey is encouraging Iowa hay and straw producers to register or update their listing on the Iowa Hay and Straw Directory. The directory lists Iowa producers with hay and straw for sale, as well as organizations and businesses associated with promoting and marketing quality hay and straw.

Northey says “The directory has been a great tool for both buyers and sellers and we hope farmers will take the time to review and update their information so that it remains a valuable resource. This directory can serve as a critical link for those producing hay and those looking to buy, so we encourage Iowans to take advantage of this free directory.”

The listing is available to interested buyers throughout the nation, however only sellers from within Iowa can be included on the list. Names are gathered throughout the year with added emphasis now that hay harvest has started. Sections within the Hay and Straw Directory include “Forage for Sale,” “Forage Auctions,” “Hay Associations,” “Forage Dealers,” “Hay Grinders” and “Custom Balers.”

Farmers interested in listing should visit the Department’s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov. An application form can be found by going to the “Bureaus” link and then selecting “Agricultural Diversification and Market Development.” Then click on “Hay & Straw Directory” on the right side of the page under “Directories.”

For those without internet access, call the Hay/Straw Hotline at 800-383-5079. The Department will fax or send a printed copy of the application to be filled out. The Department is also supporting the Iowa Crop Improvement Association’s “Iowa Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage and Mulch Certification Program.” Through this program Iowa forage and mulch producers can take advantage of many emerging market opportunities for “Certified Weed Free” products.

For more specific information on this program producers should contact the Iowa Crop Improvement Association at 515-294-6921. More information can also be found by visiting http://www.iowacrop.org/Forage_Mulch.htm.

Police in Glenwood report the arrest on Monday of 23-year old Theodore Brayman. The Glenwood man was charged with Public intoxication and Disorderly Conduct. His bond was set at $600.

A couple of public hearings will take place during the City Council meeting in Atlantic, Wednesday evening. The meeting begins at 5:30-p.m. The first hearing is with regard to the Plans, Specifications and Form of Contract for the Connector Trail and Pedestrian Bridge Project. The hearing, as required by State Law, allows public input on the project for which the City has agreed to contribute $50,000 from the Local Option Sales Tax (or, LOST) Progress Fund. City Administrator John Lund has indicated the fund has grown significantly over the past year, and uses for the fund are limited. And, since the trails system in Atlantic serve as a potential launch pad for a number of economic development opportunities, the LOST fund would be an appropriate use of the money, according to Lund.

The second public hearing is with regard to the Southeast Urban Renewal Plan Amendment, as it pertains to the Ash Street Housing Development project being proposed by Boose Building Construction. The estimated value created by the development, according to Lund, is Tax Increment Finacing (TIF) amounting to slightly more than $1.02-million. Boose has requested TIF from the City to support the project, which the City’s Personnel and Finance Committee has thoroughly reviewed and recommended for passage, by the Council. The site plan was approved by the Council during their meeting on April 15th.

Following both hearings, the Council will act on Resolutions approving both matters, along with a review of the bids for the Connector Trail Project and awarding of a contract for that project. They will also act on a Resolution authorizing an Internal Advance of Funds for the Urban Renewal Project, the TIF agreement for which amounts to $80,000. Lund says setting up an internal loan simplifies the process for all parties involved, and will be made out of the General Fund. It will be repaid through revenue from the TIF district over the agreed upon terms outlined in the development agreement.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (5.8MB)

Subscribe: RSS

In an update to our report at noon, Monday, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office said today (Tuesday), a man from Pottawattamie County and a woman from Shelby County were arrested following a chase, crash, and one-mile perimeter search. The incident began at around 9:20-a.m., when authorities received a call about suspicious activity around a rural residents’ vehicle located off of 900th Street, between Oak and Orange Roads.

Brittni Finken

When deputies approached the scene, the suspects sped-off in a dark colored car in an easterly direction on 900th Street. With deputies in pursuit, the suspect’s vehicle turned north onto Quince Road and crossed Highway 44 at speeds of around 100-miles per hour. The suspect’s vehicle lost control at the T-intersection of Quince and Nishna Roads, and crashed into the north ditch before coming to rest on its top.

The male and female suspects took off on foot into a corn field and were located hours later in a culvert, thanks to the assistance of the Omaha Police Department’s helicopter, “Able 1,” and the Shelby County K-9 Unit. Both suspects were taken into custody and transported to the Shelby County Jail.

The suspects, 28-year old T-J Lebaugh, of Council Bluffs, and 25-year old Brittni Finken, of Harlan, face charges that include: Carrying a concealed weapon; Manner of conveyance of a fire arm; Possession of a Controlled Substance; and, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Lebaugh faces additional charges related to traffic violations. The pair were being held in the jail on $2,000 bond, each.

Assisting with the search for the suspects was officers with the Harlan Police Department, deputies with the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office, and Trooper with the Iowa State Patrol. Additional assistance was provided at the accident scene by the Harlan Fire Department and Medivac Ambulance.

(8-a.m. News)

Creston Police are investigating an incident of vandalism that was reported this (Tuesday) morning. Officials say a woman told police someone shot the windshield of her car with a BB gun twice, while the vehicle was parked behind the Elms Club, at 108 N. Elm, in Creston. The incident happened sometime between 10-p.m. Monday and 1:50-a.m. today (Tuesday). Damage was estimated at $300.

The 7:06-a.m. report w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (3.9MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Auditions for the Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre’s original musical production of “Alladin and His Magic Lamp” will be held Monday, July 6th, beginning at 1-p.m. in the Atlantic High School Auditorium. According to Melissa Ehrman Johnson, Atlantic Children’s Theatre Group Vice President/Secretary, two professionals from the PFCT will direct the production, which requires up to 81 local young people to play one of numerous roles, including Alladin, Harmonia, the Sultan, Princess Serena, and more.

Auditions are open to any area youth that has completed the 1st through 9th grades. No preparation is required. Rehearsals will be held from 1-to 5:15-p.m. throughout the remainder of next week, with performances scheduled for 7-p.m. Friday, July 10th, and 2-p.m. Saturday, July 11th, at the Atlantic High School.