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House panel OKs bill on ultrasound before abortion

News

March 4th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A House panel has approved a bill that would require a physician to offer an ultrasound image to a woman seeking an abortion in Iowa. Members of a human resources subcommittee approved the bill Wednesday. It heads to a full committee for consideration, where it will need to advance by Friday to beat a procedural deadline in the Legislature.

The bill would require a physician to perform an ultrasound on a woman and give her an opportunity to view an image of the fetus. The woman would be given the option of hearing a description of the ultrasound image and the potential heartbeat of the fetus. Physicians could face jail time and fines if they didn’t comply. It’s unlikely the bill will advance in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Non-injury accident in Harlan

News

March 4th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Police in Harlan say no injuries were reported following an accident that took place last Saturday. Officials say a 2001 Mercury driven by Shawn Gessert, of Harlan, was traveling north on 6th Street and had entered the intersection with Pine Street, when his car was hit on the right front corner by a 2000 Dodge that failed to stop as it traveling west on Pine. The car was driven by Brian Parker, of Harlan.

After the impact, Parker continued to drive up into a yard of a residence to avoid further damage to Gessert’s vehicle. Parker was subsequently cited for Failure to Obey a Stop or Yield sign.
Damage from the collision amounted to $3,500.

Audubon man arrested for impersonating a public official

News

March 4th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Police in Harlan report five people were arrested over the past week. On Feb. 24th, 50-year old Curt Anstey, of Audubon, was arrested in Harlan on a charge of impersonating a public officials, after police investigated complaints of harassing messages and texts. Anstey was brought to the Shelby County Jail.

On Feb. 26th, 21-year old Nhial Lam, of Denison, was taken into custody when officers investigated a suspicious vehicle. Lam was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of contraband.

On Feb 25th, three people from Harlan were arrested after officers were called to a domestic disturbance in the 1700 block of 6th Street. 43-year old Timothy Sorensen was charged with domestic abuse assault, possession of stolen property, and possession of drug paraphernalia. 29-year old Marcia Finch was charged with criminal mischief and assault. 43-year old Pamela Frieze was also charged with assault.

Officials report also, following a traffic stop, 31-year old Lindsay Schulte, of Portsmouth, was cited Feb, 27th, for driving under suspension and failure to obey stop or yield sign. Schulte was given a date to appear in court, and released.

And, Police in Harlan were called to the 1700 block of 6th Street on March 1st, after receiving a report  tires had been slashed. The investigation showed that a total of eight (8) tires had been slashed. The estimated cost of damage was $1,500. The case remains under investigation.

Backyard and Beyond 03-04-2015

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

March 4th, 2015 by admin

Lavon Eblen speaks with Ed Moran, Indoor Horticulturalist at Reiman Gardens in Ames, about the gardens and his speaking engagement at the garden seminar.

Play

Heartbeat Today 03-04-2015

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

March 4th, 2015 by admin

Jim Field speaks with Marla Anstey, Cass County Master Gardener, about some Master Gardener Grants that are available.

Play

Cass County Extension Report 03-04-2015

Ag/Outdoor, Podcasts

March 4th, 2015 by admin

w/ Kate Olson

Play

Shelby County road closed while bridge culvert installed

News

March 4th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Shelby County Emergency Manager Bob Seivert says a bridge on Timber Road will be closed beginning next Monday (March 9th), while the bridge is removed and replaced with a culvert. The affected area is between 149 and 117 Timber Road, over an unnamed tributary of Walnut Creek, between Monroe Townships 34 and 35.Timber

The road will be closed for about 5- to 6-weeks, weather permitting. Residents and emergency responders who use the affected section of road will need to find an alternate route. If you have any questions, call the Shelby County Engineer’s Office at 712-755-5954.

Decision on a Western IA School name could come soon

News

March 4th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A decision on what to call a school district in western Iowa facing reorganization, could come later this month. The AHST and Walnut community school districts have been discussing what to name a reorganized school district, as Walnut students prepare to vacate Walnut Community School next year. Jesse Ulrich, the shared superintendent of both districts, told the Daily NonPareil, the school boards are weighing three approaches to naming a merged district: Avoca Community, AHSTW or choosing a neutral name not naming specific cities.

All three approaches are used across the state. For example, Malvern and Nishna Valley came together to form East Mills, while Glenwood and Harlan both emphasize “Community” after their high school names. A joint school board meeting will be held March 17, which Ulrich said could see a decision made on the name. The choice carried political consequences, with voters needing to approve the proposed merger.

Ulrich said a vote is being targeted for Sept. 8, the last date in the year approved for school special elections. He said the districts have missed the deadline to have a vote scheduled in June. While the Walnut school district might exist as a stand-alone entity next year, he said the expectation is students will be attending AHSTW’s school in Avoca. That plan has already been communicated to the Walnut community.

Once voters approve the reorganization, the districts will come together, which will solve a looming problem for Walnut where the school district would eventually be spending too much according to state regulations. Plans are already underway for what happens following a reorganization, which includes a discussion between the Walnut school board and the City of Walnut about possible uses for the Walnut Community School building. Ulrich said no commitments have been made, but the ultimate decision will be made by Walnut officials alone, not by anyone from Avoca or elsewhere.

Carroll County to be named “Home Base Iowa Community”

News

March 4th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today (Wednesday) announced that they will travel to Fort Dodge on Friday, March 6, 2015 to recognize five new Home Base Iowa Communities and three new Home Base Iowa Certified Higher Academic Military Partner (CHAMPs).

Among the communities to be announced as Home Base Iowa Communities this Friday, is Carroll County. The communities will join Union County, Mitchell County, Dubuque County, Greene County, Howard County, Clarke County, Floyd County and the City of Marion as current Home Base Iowa Communities.

The Governor says “The Home Base Iowa initiative aims to ensure that members of the military leaving the service are met with an abundance of career and academic opportunities right here in Iowa.” Branstad said he and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds “Continue to be impressed by the outpouring of support for the Home Base Iowa initiative through the Home Base Iowa Community and Home Base Iowa CHAMPs programs.”

Reynolds said  “With thirteen Home Base Iowa Communities and twelve Home Base Iowa CHAMPs institutions, it is clear that Iowans are ready to welcome veterans and their families to our great state. I encourage all Iowa communities and higher education institutions to consider joining our Home Base Iowa initiative.”

The Home Base Iowa initiative does the following:

· Fully exempts military pensions from state income tax.

· Gives veterans, their spouses and dependents in-state tuition at Iowa’s colleges and universities.

· Allows Iowa’s licensing boards to adopt rules allowing credit for military training and experience in the licensing process.

· Allows private-sector companies to follow the public sector’s lead by allowing a preference in hiring and promoting veterans.

· Eliminates the special plate issuance fees charged for plates associated with military service.

· Expands eligibility for the Military Homeownership Assistance Program, which provides $5,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. Additional funding for the program is provided in a separate appropriations bill.

Public hearing Thu. in Walnut on FY 2015-16 budget

News

March 4th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A Public Hearing will be held tomorrow evening (Thursday) in Walnut, with regard to the Fiscal Year 2015-16 Budget. Following the hearing, the Council will discuss the budget and act on a Resolution to adopt it.

In other business, the Council will continue with discussions on the possible acquisition of the Walnut School Building. Last month, the City was offered the chance by Walnut Superintendent Jesse Ulrich to acquire the building, which is owned by the Walnut School District. City Clerk Terri Abell said Ulrich wanted to give the City the first opportunity to do something with the building. The decision was then made to form a committee comprised of the Mayor and two Council people, School Board members, and members of the public, to decide what they want the facility to become. They also discussed the possibility of hiring a consultant or an architect to conduct a feasibility study and facility study on the building.

The Walnut City Council will also discuss a proposed Community Garden, the 2016 Walnut Antique show and other, regular business matters. The meeting begins at 5-p.m., Thursday.