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Report: More than 37% of Iowa adults are obese

News

September 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A new report shows Iowans are continuing to pack on the pounds, with more than one in every three Iowa adults now being considered obese. Dr. Nadine Gracia, president and CEO of Trust for America’s Health, says the national report places Iowa tied for seventh with Indiana for the most overweight states. “Iowa, in the latest data shows that the rate of obesity among adults is at about 37%, not a significant difference from the previous year, but what’s more important is really that we look at trends,” Gracia says. “When we look at the state over the past five years, there has been a significant increase, demonstrating that there is a need to continue to really work on addressing adult and childhood obesity.”

The report shows Iowa’s young people are mirroring the adults in seeing elevated weights. “Rates of childhood obesity at the national level is at about nearly 20%,” Gracia says. “For children in the state of Iowa, between the ages of six to 17, that rate is about 15%, again, also seeing over time increases.” About ten years ago, the report found -zero- states with an adult obesity rating over 35-percent, while the new report puts Iowa — and almost half of all states — in that category.

“Now, 23 states have adult obesity rates at or above 35%,” Gracia says. “When we also look at the last five years, we’re seeing that actually about more than half of all the states in the country have experienced an increase in their adult obesity rate.” Obesity is a complicated issue to diagnose, and she calls it a national public health issue that goes far beyond individual behavior. “We also know how your environment, whether you have access to affordable, healthy, nutritious foods, living in a neighborhood where you can engage safely in physical activity,” Gracia says, “those types of structural factors are really important as it relates to risk for obesity.”

Trust for America’s Health graphic

Other factors may include medications, genetics, other health issues, and stress. The report shows West Virginia has the highest obesity rate at 41-percent, while Colorado ranked the lowest with 25-percent.

See the full State of Obesity 2024 report.

Red Oak woman arrested Thursday afternoon

News

September 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak report a woman was arrested Thursday afternoon for Driving While Barred. 38-year-old Sara Sue Batten, of Red Oak, was taken into custody in the 300 block of Alix Avenue at around 4:15-p.m. Batten was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $2,000 bond.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: Friday, Sept. 13, 2024

Weather

September 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 83. E/SE winds 10-15 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. E/SE winds 5 to 10 mph w/gusts to near 20.
Tomorrow: Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tom. Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny & breezy, with a high near 85.

Thursday’s High in Atlantic was 86. The Low was 52. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 81, and the Low was 46. The All-time Record High in Atlantic for Sept. 13th, was 98 in 1898 & 1939. The Record Low was 25 in 1902. Sunrise today: 6:57-a.m.; Sunset: 7:33-p.m.

Hinson backs ban on drones made by company linked to China

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson says farmers should be wary of agricultural drones manufactured in China and sold in the U-S by a company called D-J-I. “Every farmer needs to be eyes wide open about the technology they are currently using on their farms,” Hinson says. There are nearly 10-thousand registered agricultural spray drones in the U.S. today and Hinson says many of those were made by D-J-I, which has ties to the Chinese military.

“They have sophisticated sensing technology designed to help monitor the health of crops and direct the spray to the appropriate area,” Hinson says, “but that also means that these drones are actively collecting granular level detail on our ag industry that can be weaponized by the CCP.” Hinson says that means the C-C-P — the Chinese Communist Party — could have leverage over the U-S food supply, making this a national security issue.

D-J-I says it has no ties to the Chinese military and any ban on its products would deprive U-S farmers of the benefits D-J-I spray drones offer. D-J-I is the world’s largest drone manufacturer and 80 percent of the consumer drones sold in the U-S were made by D-J-I. This week, the House passed a bill that would ban all *future* D-J-I drone models from operating in the United States.

“Communist China is the most significant threat to the United States’ security, economy and global leadership,” Hinson says. “For decades the U-S has taken, frankly, a delicate approach to our relationship with communist China, and hoping that if we bring them into the rules based international order that they would act accordingly.”

Hinson says appeasing China hasn’t worked and it’s time to change tactics. Hinson, a Republican from Marion, is a member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.

Reports of credit card fraud at the Redfield Casey’s Store

News

September 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

redit card fraud are being reported at the Casey’s General Store in Redfield. ias happening right now in the town of Redfield. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office says at least four people claim they were scammed at the store.

The victims reported finding a skimmer at the particular store. But after investigating, officials say they were not able to find one there. Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante said no skimmers were found at the gas pumps nor inside the store, so the incidents are being investigated by other means. He said  officials with Casey’s Corporate are aware of the situation.

If you’ve been scammed, the sheriff’s office recommends reporting it right away to protect your credit score and line of credit.

Vikes at Home to Faceoff Against Kuemper Catholic

Sports

September 12th, 2024 by Christian Adams

On Friday night, the Kuemper Catholic football team will travel to Avoca to face the 2-0 AHSTW Vikings in AHSTW’s second consecutive home game. The Vikings are also coming off their second straight come-from-behind win as they shut out Riverside in the fourth quarter scoring 16 unanswered points. AHSTW put up 564 yards of total offense including 262 passing yards from senior quarterback Camden Soukup and 213 rushing yards from senior back Luke Sternberg. Although he knows his team will need a good start against the Knights, Head Coach Grant Harris likes his team’s ability to battle back.

Sternberg is poised to be one of the Vikings’ biggest offensive weapons on Friday. Through two games Sternberg has compiled 427 all-purpose yards which is second in the Western Iowa Conference while his 224 rushing yards rank sixth. Harris believes that his versatility and football IQ have led to Sternberg’s on-field success.

In addition to Sternberg, AHSTW has a lethal duo with Soukup and senior receiver Zeb Hall. Soukup and Hall connected for four touchdowns last week in the 42-22 win over Riverside. Hall’s 225 receiving yards leads the WIC while ranking third in receptions. On the flip side Soukup ranks second in the conference in touchdowns and passing yards, third in passing touchdowns, completions, and yards per completion.

On Defensive the Vikings are led by senior linebacker Blake Akers. Akers is off to a fast start to the season leading the WIC in both total and solo tackles. Akers will look to replicate last week’s 12 tackle performance and Harris knows that his intensity will be an important factor against the Knights.

Kuemper Catholic will be a tough test for this Vikings team. The offense is led by junior quarterback Brock Badding who has thrown 359 yards and 2 touchdowns. Senior receiver Carson Kanne is off to a good start with 163 yards and a touchdown, while sophomore Jarin Hoffman has 163 yards on the ground. It’s an offense that Harris sees as one to come out swinging.

The defense brings senior Tate Bieret to the table compiling 18 tackles and four tackles for loss in the knights’ two games. Harris is expecting a tough and hard-hitting game from the Kuemper Catholic defense.

Coach Harris’ keys: Balance and physicality.

 

 

Neola Man Sentenced to 292 Months in Federal Prison for Transportation of a Minor and a Firearms Offense

News

September 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Neola man was sentenced today to a total term of 292 months in federal prison for transporting a minor for the purpose of engaging in sex acts and possessing firearms as a felon.

According to public court documents, Steven Earl Adkins, 56, communicated with a minor on Craigslist. He drove to a truck stop in Nebraska, picked up the minor, and brought the minor to his home. Adkins provided necessities to the minor in exchange for sex acts. During a search warrant at Adkins’s residence, law enforcement located 16 firearms and ammunition. In 2011, Adkins was convicted in Nebraska of the felony offense of strangulation, which prohibits Adkins from possessing firearms.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Adkins will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Adkins will be required to register as a sex offender.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the FBI, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Omaha Police Department, and Colorado Springs Police Department.

Greene County football plays in Atlantic on Friday

Sports

September 12th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The 1-1 Greene County Rams have seen improvement heading into a week 3 matchup against the 3-0 Atlantic Trojans. The Rams last game was a 36-7 victory against Perry that showed a Greene County offense which saw more success in their ground game compared to their week one 34-21 loss to Carroll. When recapping last Friday’s win against the Blue Jays Greene County head coach Caden Duncan pointed out that his team vastly improved in one week.

That success and improvement on the ground game was largely contributed by senior running back Nick Stream who has rushed for 285 yards and 5 touchdowns on the season. Coach Duncan had nothing but praise for Stream’s consistent energy and leadership for the Rams.

Coach Duncan had also seen a surge in defensive production by junior linebacker Christopher Daughtery who leads the team in tackles with 25.5. Daughtery is a perfect with the defensive scheme that the Rams like to run.

This Friday’s match for Greene County on the road against the Trojans will be a tough one. When watching film on the run heavy Atlantic team, coach Duncan knows his team has to bring a gritty and physical mindset.

Atlantic has been stellar with their run game eclipsing the 1000-yard rushing mark last week in their win against Glenwood. Part of that sharp run game for Atlantic is the acceleration of senior running back Tyson O’Brien who has collected 534 yards of rushing on the year. Coach Duncan want’s his team to score quickly and minimize penalties and turnovers.

KJANTV is covering Friday’s matchup with the pregame show beginning at 6:30pm and kickoff is set for 7:00pm.

Atlantic Area Chamber to Host Drive-In Movie Experience With “Ghost Busters”

News

September 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Meyer & Gross Real Estate, will host a Drive-In Movie experience Saturday, October 5th. Chamber Programs Director Kelsey Beschorner says “Drive-In Movie Night has become an annual tradition that I look forward to every year. We are excited to bring this classic movie to the big screen this fall.”

Beschorner added, “The Drive-In is a fun, nostalgic experience for community members and those in the surrounding area to enjoy. This also gives us the opportunity to show off our town and encourage people to shop and eat before coming to the movie.”  The Drive-In Movie will be at the Cass County Fair Grounds in the grandstand area beginning around 8:30 PM with a showing of “Ghost Busters”.

Cars may begin parking at 7-p.m. The screen is 60 feet long with a high definition projector. Speakers will be available next to the screen for people to utilize. A transmitter will be provided for those enjoying the movie from their car. Attendees will turn their radio to a certain station and the transmitter will play the audio through their car speakers.

Entry is $25 per vehicle and tickets can be purchased at www.atlanticiowa.com or day-of at the gate. People are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets to sit on. Inside parking for the Drive-In is limited, so pack a chair or blanket as precaution. Moviehouse & Event Center will have concessions available for purchase on the fairgrounds.

For more information, visit www.atlanticiowa.com, call the Chamber at 712.243.3017 or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com. The Drive-In is sponsored by Meyer & Gross Real Estate.

Audubon Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

News

September 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – An Audubon man was sentenced today to 25 years (300 months) in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a minor.

According to public court documents, William Roland Brubaker, 27, initiated a sexual relationship with a minor and produced videos of child sexual abuse material of the minor. The videos were recorded on a cell phone and shared with Brubaker through a social media application.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Brubaker will be required to serve a 10-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Brubaker will be required to register as a sex offender.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Audubon County Sheriff’s Department, Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation’s Cyber Crime Bureau, Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and FBI Child Exploitation Task Force.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the resources tab.