712 Digital Group - top

Exira Lions Club/Godwin Endowed Scholarship Fund Deadline Is Near

News

March 7th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Audubon County Community Foundation has announced the Exira Lions Club/Harold and Beverly Ann Godwin Endowed Scholarship Fund will result in one scholarship for $1,000.  The scholarship is open to any high school senior from the Exira-EHK School District pursuing a two or four year degree, full-time, at any accredited vocational/technical or educational institution or a college or university. The deadline for submitting applications for the scholarship is March 31st. Those interested in seeking the scholarship need to complete an application available from your High School Guidance Counselor.

For more information surf to: http://omahafoundation.org/improving-our-community/community-foundation-of-southwest-iowa/

Ex-youth pastor gets probation in sex case

News

March 7th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A former Council Bluffs youth pastor who plead guilty to sexually abusing a teenager has been put on probation and ordered to get sex offender treatment. Brent Girouex was sentenced on Wednesday in Pottawattamie County District Court. He pleaded guilty in November to one count of third-degree sexual abuse. He entered an Alford plea to two counts of sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist. Under an Alford plea, Girouex didn’t admit guilt but agreed that evidence likely existed for a conviction. Girouex, a former youth pastor at Victory Fellowship Church, told investigators he had sexual contact with one teen over a four-year period. Several other young men stepped forward after his arrest. Girouex had faced 89 charges. Prosecutors consolidated the charges.

Atlantic City Administrator talks about Chicago to Omaha Rail Route

News

March 7th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic City Administrator Doug Harris, Wednesday, urged the Council and public to visit an Iowa Department of Transportation Website designed to receive input on the desire and feasibility of a Chicago to Omaha passenger rail route.  The Federal Railroad Administration, in cooperation with the Iowa DOT, will analyze improvements to the regional intercity passenger rail service from Union Station in Chicago, through Iowa, to a terminal in Omaha.

The study will include a Tier 1 Service Level Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the corridor. The potential improvements will help complete the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative’s (MWRRI) vision for developing an improved and expanded passenger rail system in the Midwest. The study will be a major step in assessing the viability of a high-speed, regional passenger rail system in this highly populated corridor. Harris says there are five routes being studied.

That includes: The Canadian National Railway, that passes through Dubuque and Ft. Dodge; A Union Pacific Railroad route that passes through Cedar Rapids and Ames; A Canadian Pacific/Burlington Northern Santa Fe, or BNSF route through Cedar Rapids and Savannah; an Iowa Interstate Railroad route which passes through Iowa City, Des Moines and Atlantic; and, the Chicago-Burlington-Quincy Railroad, which passes through Burlington and Osceola.

Harris said some forecasts by the DOT indicate 246,800 passengers could travel the route each year. The trains would travel at speeds ranging from about 80-to 110-miles per hour, except through towns along the route. He says by going to the Iowa DOT’s website, you can find out more about the study, and leave your comments and suggestions. The website is www.iowadot.gov/chicagotoomaha.

He says there are several elements to the 18-month study that will have to be considered before approval is given, but the thing that’s needed right now, is public input via the website. The study began this Winter by analyzing the project scope. Potential routes will be analyzed this Spring. Over the Summer, an environmental impact study will be conducted, which includes public and agency input, and an environmental analysis. In the Fall, a draft of the Tier 1 Schedule will be created, and with the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) ready for final public input and agency review by the Spring of 2013.

No Speed Limit change on 22nd Street in Atlantic – for now

News

March 7th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

There won’t be a reduction in the speed limit on sections of 22nd Street in Atlantic, at least for now. The City Council Wednesday night unanimously voted against approving the second reading of an ordinance which would have ultimately reduced the speed from 45- to 35-miles per hour from Highway 71 to Olive Street and Chestnut to Highway 6, citing opposition from residents, the lack of accidents and a need to re-evaluate other options for improving the safety of both residents and pedestrians.The resolution was also defeated, despite a recommendation by Police Chief Steve Green and the Community Protection Commission.  Councilman Steve Livengood said of the people he’s spoken with or heard from, most wanted the speed limit to stay the same as it is, and even though he had some reservations, he voted against the ordinance.

Councilman Chris Jimerson conducted an unscientific poll through Facebook. He said the responses he received we also vastly opposed to reducing the speed limit. He says there 103 votes to leave the speed limit at 45, 21 votes to lower it to 35. Jimerson went so far as to knock on the doors of 52 residents along East 22nd Street, in an attempt to get a better perspective on the speed limit issue. At 28 homes, no one answered the door, 24 people responded. 16 persons who responded want the speed limit at 35-mph, 7 wanted it to stay the same, and one didn’t care either way. Some of the residents suggested more speed limit signs be erected, others suggested sidewalks be installed.

The issue of sidewalks was brought up by more than one person. Jimerson said a woman he spoke with came upon a jogger who motioned her to go around on a hill, but she didn’t. If she had, she discovered she would have had a head-on collision with another vehicle. Councilman Dana Halder said joggers and pedestrians who won’t move to the side of the road, are a source of irritation for drivers he’s spoken with. Mayor Pro-Tem Steve Livengood said the issue can be addressed again at a later date, if there is a petition to reduce the speed limit. In the meantime, he urged drivers not to drive in excess of 45-miles per hour, and to use extra caution approaching the hills because of blind driveways.

ORVILLE CLAYTON YOUNG, 88, of Hancock (SVCS 3/10/12)

Obituaries

March 7th, 2012 by admin

ORVILLE CLAYTON YOUNG, 88, of Hancock, died on Tuesday, March 6  at the Avoca Nursing and Rehab Center.  Funeral services for ORVILLE YOUNG will be held on Saturday, March 10 at 10:30 AM at the United Lutheran Church in Shelby.  Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca has the arrangements.

—————————–

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 9 from 1 to 9 PM at the funeral home. Family will greet friends from 6 to 8 PM.

Burial will be at the Silver Valley Cemetery in Hancock

ORVILLE YOUNG is survived by:

Wife:  Carol Young of Hancock

3 sons:  Larry (Carmen) Young of Story City;  Ronald (Teresa) Young of Monroe;  Brian (Alina) Young of St. Louis, MO

2 step-sons:  Phil Hobus of Avoca;  Roger (Peggy) Hobus of Avoca

2 step-daughters:  Sharyn (Phil) Zimmerman of Earling;  Colleen (Ron) Taylor of Montezuma

Brother:  Darrell (Arleta) Young of Hancock

6 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, 11 step grandchildren, 3 step great grandchildren

Nodaway Man Arrested After Traffic Accident

News

March 7th, 2012 by admin

The Adams County Sheriff’s office reports the arrest of a Nodaway man following a traffic accident early Tuesday morning. Officials say 19-year-old Johnathan Locke, of Nodaway, was taken into custody, after an investigation into the crash. Locke was traveling eastbound near 2107 Corning Carl Road at around 12:20-a.m. Tuesday, when he swerved to miss a deer. The vehicle entered a ditch and hit a driveway before it vaulted into the air and hit a utility pole. The pole fell into the north ditch and set it on fire.  Locke and a passenger in the vehicle, Hannah Cross, of Corning, suffered minor injuries during the crash. 

Locke was picked up later in the day Tuesday, on an Adams County warrant. He was charged with driving while suspended, public intoxication, minor in possession, and interference with official acts.

Hall of Fame to Honor 3 Cardinal Managers

Sports

March 7th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — Baseball’s Hall of Fame will honor three generations of St. Louis Cardinals’ World Series champions on July 21, the day before this year’s induction ceremonies. The Hall said Wednesday there will be a special recognition for the living managers who led the Cardinals to Series titles: Red Schoendienst (1967), Whitey Herzog (1982) and Tony La Russa (2006 and last year). Hall president Jeff Idelson says “these three managers have united a fan base for generations and provided endless memories for Cardinals fans everywhere.” Schoendienst and Herzog are both members of the Hall. La Russa also led Oakland to the 1989 championship. They will be praised during the Hall’s awards presentation, when Tim McCarver is honored for excellence in broadcasting and Toronto Sun columnist Bob Elliott is recognized for writing.

Records: Ferentz’s Son Will Report to Iowa AD

Sports

March 7th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — University officials say newly-hired Iowa offensive line coach Brian Ferentz will report to athletics director Gary Barta and not his father, head coach Kirk Ferentz. The university on Wednesday released details of a plan to manage the conflict of interest between Brian Ferentz and his father, which is required under a school policy that discourages nepotism in hiring and salary decisions. Barta wrote in a memo that he was “very interested in pursuing” Brian Ferentz to join the football staff due to his experience and success as an assistant for the New England Patriots. Barta wrote that he, not Kirk Ferentz, interviewed four applicants for the job and recommended Brian Ferentz based on his “credentials and candidacy.” Under the plan, Barta will conduct Brian Ferentz’s annual performance review and compensation.

Backyard and Beyond 03-07-2012

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

March 7th, 2012 by admin

Lavon Eblen speaks with Denise Coder, Cass County Home Care Site Manager, about some Women’s Health Preventative Check-Up opportunities in the area.

Play

NW IA School Superintendent explains why “Bully” film is not shown to students

News

March 7th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

A school superintendent in northwest Iowa is responding to media reports that he rejected the showing of a documentary on bullying to students. Sioux City Schools Superintendent Paul Gausman says the movie, which is titled “Bully,” cannot be shown in any schools right now. “Truthfully, at this time, the district cannot show the film in our schools as the film is not yet ready for school based release,” Gausman said. “When the film becomes available, we will make the appropriate decisions related to how we might infuse the film into the very progressive activities we have already placed in our schools.” 

Parts of the documentary were filmed in a Sioux City elementary school. The Motion Picture Association of America has given the film an “R” rating for foul language, upsetting supporters of the project who believe it will prevent the film from being shown to students to demonstrate the impact of bullying. Gausman says parental involvement is important in teaching children about bullying — which goes beyond whatever decision is made on the R-rated documentary. “We must have parent engagement to watch a film with that rating,” Gausman said. “Similarly, the solutions for bullying in the American school system must also include parental engagement and community engagement as we enact any programs, curriculum or even documentaries as a solution for the challenges that face the American schools related to bullying.” 

The Sioux City School District has partnered with the Waitt Institute for Violence Prevention for 12 years in efforts to stop bullying and harassment in public schools.

(Pat Curtis/Radio Iowa)