United Group Insurance

Avian Influenza confirmed in Osceola County, IA

Ag/Outdoor

April 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Monday, confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic
H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI) at a commercial laying facility in Osceola County, Iowa.
The facility has 5.3 million hens and is the second confirmed case in the state.avianinfluenza

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Iowa Department of Public Health considers the risk to people from these HPAI H5 infections in wild birds, backyard flocks and commercial poultry, to be low. No human infections with the virus have ever been detected.

The flock experienced increased mortality and as a result samples were sent to the
South Dakota State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for preliminary
testing. The APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, confirmed the findings. NVSL is the only internationally recognized Avian Influenza
reference laboratory in the United States.

USDA APHIS is working closely with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land
Stewardship (IDALS) on a joint incident response. State officials quarantined the
premise and birds on the property will be humanely euthanized to prevent the spread
of the disease.

All bird owners, whether commercial producers or backyard flock owners, should
continue to practice good bio-security, prevent contact between their birds and wild
birds, and report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to state/federal officials,
either through their state veterinarian at 515-281-5321 or through USDA’s toll-free
number at 1-866-536-7593.

Underwood schools placed on lockdown following an incident off campus

News

April 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

An incident in Pottawattamie County late Monday morning resulted in the arrest of an Underwood man on a trio of charges and local schools being placed on lockdown. Sheriff Jeff Danker reports at around 11:23-a.m., deputies were dispatched to the Jack Link’s plant in Underwood, in reference to an employee making threats toward another employee. The reporting party indicated that 52-year old David A. Roth had allegedly threatened to return to the Jack Link’s facility and shoot another employee.Pott Co Sheriff
At approximately 12:15-p.m. Roth was located at an apartment in Underwood, and taken into custody without incident. He was brought to the Pottawattamie County Jail and charged with Harassment in the 1st Degree; Possession of Controlled Substance/Marijuana; and, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
During the incident, Underwood Schools were placed in “lock-in” status, which allows for classes and interior movement to continue as normal. There are no outside activities and main doors are monitored by administration.

ODELLA ANN ROOF, 88, of Adair (4-24-2015)

Obituaries

April 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

ODELLA ANN ROOF, 88, of Adair died Sunday, April 19th at The New Homestead in Guthrie Center.  Services for ODELLA ROOF will be held on Friday, April 24th at 11:00 am in the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Adair.  Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Adair has the arrangements.

———————————————————————-

Visitation with the family will be held on Thursday from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the funeral home.

Burial in the Franklin Cemetery south of Wiota.

ODELLA ROOF is survived by:

Daughter:  Connie Rana (John) Scarlett of Anita

Sons:  Craig Howard (Michelle) Parrott of Firestone, CO & Curt Robert (Barbara) Parrott of Urbandale

2 arrests; 1 accident in Mills County

News

April 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Two people were arrested recently, in Mills County, and one accident was reported. Sheriff’s officials say 32-year old Tristan Aaron Bonilla, of Glenwood, was arrested Saturday night for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000. And last Thursday, 54-year old Kathy Ann Johnson-Hart, of Pacific Junction, was arrested on a warrant for being a Fugitive from Justice. Her bond was set at $2,000.

And, no injuries were reported following an accident Saturday afternoon near 195th and Hilman Road, in Mills County. Sheriff’s officials say a 2007 Nissan driven by Gale Clark, of Red Oak, was traveling west when the vehicle began to hydroplane on the road at around 2:25-p.m. As the vehicle spun 180-degrees and traveled in reverse, the driver’s side hit a steel guard fence on the north side of the road. The vehicle then went across the roadway and came to a rest in the median, facing west.

Atlantic woman arrested Sunday

News

April 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

An Atlantic woman was arrested Sunday on a Cass County warrant for Operating a Vehicle without the Owner’s Consent. 18-year old Selena Hansen was booked into the Cass County Jail.

Man & woman from C. Bluffs arrested in Cass County on drug charges

News

April 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Two people from Pottawattamie County were arrested today (Monday), in Cass County. The Sheriff’s Office reports 19-year old’s Russell Logan Barker and Emily Shelby Green, both of Council Bluffs, were arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine/1st offense and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Green also faces a charge of Possession of Marijuana/1st Offense. Both individuals were taken to the Cass County Jail. Barker later released on his own recognizance, while Green remains held on a Pottawattamie County warrant.

WASTEWATER DISCHARGE IN AUDUBON

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Dept. of Natural resources reports a citywide power outage in Audubon caused an estimated 200,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater to discharge to Bluegrass Creek south of Audubon, Sunday night. The city lost power about 5:30-p.m. Sunday and a backup generator at the wastewater treatment plant failed to start. Although city crews restored power about 10-p.m., the discharge continued until an electrician made repairs at the treatment plant Monday morning.

Officials say residents should keep children and pets away from Bluegrass Creek for the next 48 hours. The DNR is working with the plant operator to determine why the backup generator failed and will continue to monitor the situation.

Iowa to spend $700 million on road projects this year

News

April 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Department of Transportation says it plans to spend a record $700 million on construction on state and interstate highway projects this year.Road work ahead The Des Moines Register reports the department spent $656 million on road projects in 2014. A 10-cent-per-gallon tax gasoline tax increase, which took effect March 1, will provide about $200 million annually to cities and counties across the state. There are statewide plans to fill potholes, repair aging bridges and install new concrete and asphalt pavement.

Des Moines Public Works Director Jonathan Gano estimates the city’s budget will receive an additional $3.7 million annually because of the tax increase. Officials say that up to 500 work zones will be set up statewide from now until the end of the road construction season in November.

SBA Names City of Manning as the 2015 Iowa SBA Small Business Community of the Year

News

April 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration has named the City of Manning as the recipient of its 2015 Iowa SBA Small Business Community of the Year.Manning This is the inaugural year for the award, which highlights community efforts to support small business. Communities (defined as a city, town, county, regional economic development or planning district) were invited to submit nominations to the SBA’s Iowa District Office showcasing their efforts to support small businesses.U.S.-Small-Business-Administration Submissions were judged on the following criteria:

• Key programs and incentives implemented to attract and retain small businesses.

• Leveraging of community resources with other federal, state, county and local programs to benefit the small business community.

• Examples of how the community directly contributed to the success of a local small business.

Manning, a community with a population of about 1,500 in Carroll County, was selected for demonstrating an ideal collaborative environment for small business success, utilizing revolving loan funds, TIF financing, Main Street program, Iowa Challenge Grants, tax abatement policies, funding from local utilities, Community Block Grant Programs and local community foundations.

Manning’s leveraging of federal, state and local government, higher education and community resources was also recognized for helping the community create an ideal small business culture. The city also identified cultural, health care and education initiatives as critical resources for small business success.

Jayne Armstrong, district director of the SBA’s Iowa District Office, says “The SBA is honored to recognize Manning as the inaugural winner of the SBA Iowa Small Business Community of the Year. The city has leveraged a large number of programs and partners to create an ideal environment for small business.”

The award will be presented to Manning at the Iowa Smart Conference in Des Moines on May 7th. The SBA also plans to re-present the award at a special ceremony in Manning at a later date this spring. Manning was selected among 11 nominations from small towns, larger cities and regional economic corridors from throughout the state.

Ambassadors Celebrate 95 years of the Atlantic Rotary Club

News

April 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Ambassadors recently celebrated the 95th Anniversary of the Atlantic Rotary Club and the 110th Anniversary of the International Club. This year’s Rotary Auction will be held on November 21, 2015. The Rotary Auction has provided funds back to the community for many organizations since the first auction in 1983.

Pictured: Dave Chase, Ted Robinson, Dolly Bergmann, Kellie Jimerson, Brian Harris, Sue Muri, Nedra Perry, JoAnn Runyan, Sara Nelson, Megan Roberts, Jolene Roecker, Carole Schuler, Arlene Drennan, Lana Westphalan, Debbie Leistad, Kathie Hockenberry, Janet Cappel, Dianne Gipple, Pat McCurdy, Russ Joyce, Steve Tjepkes, Melissa Inhan, Todd Hudspeth, Chrystal Christensen, Lucas Moiser, Melanie Petty, Dr. Keith Leonard, Dr. Jim Kickland, Rich Perry, Dr. Mitch Peerbolte, Dan Rossell, Dr. Haley Kickland and Donnie Drennan.

Pictured: Dave Chase, Ted Robinson, Dolly Bergmann, Kellie Jimerson, Brian Harris, Sue Muri, Nedra Perry, JoAnn Runyan, Sara Nelson, Megan Roberts, Jolene Roecker, Carole Schuler, Arlene Drennan, Lana Westphalan, Debbie Leistad, Kathie Hockenberry, Janet Cappel, Dianne Gipple, Pat McCurdy, Russ Joyce, Steve Tjepkes, Melissa Inhan, Todd Hudspeth, Chrystal Christensen, Lucas Moiser, Melanie Petty, Dr. Keith Leonard, Dr. Jim Kickland, Rich Perry, Dr. Mitch Peerbolte, Dan Rossell, Dr. Haley Kickland and Donnie Drennan.