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Western Iowa arena manager says finance improving

News

April 19th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — The general manager of the Mid-America Center in western Iowa’s Council Bluffs says the arena’s financial outlook is improving. Mark Vacanti with Caesars Entertainment tells the Council Bluffs Nonpareil that the city-owned arena and convention facility finished fiscal year 2013 with a $729,000 loss. Vacanti says that was below the average annual loss from the previous 10 years. But he notes that from October through December, the facility — which sit just across the Missouri River from Omaha, Neb. — showed a $52,000 profit.

A portion of the $729,000 loss, provided by Caesars’ accounting staff, was a company investment of $67,000 for replacing equipment and utilities. So far this fiscal year, Vacanti says, the Mid-America Center is showing a profit of $19,000.

Judge orders separate trials for robbery suspects

News

April 19th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A federal judge has ordered separate trials for three Iowans charged with robbing drug dealers. One of the defendants, 22-year-old Jamal Dean, is currently serving a 25-year sentence for attempted murder in the shooting last year of a Sioux City police officer.

The Sioux City Journal reports that a judge on Friday granted the separate trials requests of Omaha, Neb., attorneys for Dean, 24-year-old Levon Dean Jr., and 33-year-old Sarah Berg. The three were to have been tried together on May 12.

All three are charged with the April 15, 2013, robbery of a drug dealer at a Sioux City motel room. The Dean brothers are also charged with a similar assault and robbery of a second drug dealer a little more than a week later.

Iowa assistant Johnson leaves program

Sports

April 19th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa recruiting coordinator Eric Johnson is leaving the program after 15 seasons with the Hawkeyes. Coach Kirk Ferentz announced Johnson’s sudden departure on Saturday, saying he left to pursue a career opportunity outside of football. Johnson spent the past 10 years coordinating Iowa’s recruiting efforts.

Johnson, who has been with Ferentz since 1999, also worked with Iowa’s defensive line the past two seasons. Johnson says his tenure in Iowa was a “great time” in his family’s life and added that Ferentz was the best teacher and leader he’s ever been around.

(Podcast) 8-a.m. News, 4/19/2014

News, Podcasts

April 19th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Area and Iowa News with KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Iowa’s egg industry is tops in the US and Easter weekend is a bonus

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 19th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Many Iowans will celebrate Easter this weekend by dunking eggs in colored dye and hiding them for young ones to find and place in their baskets. Katie Coyle, spokeswoman for the Iowa Poultry Association, says it’s one the busiest weekends of the year for Iowa’s egg producers.  “We see an increase in egg sales during this time of year because people are decorating them as Easter eggs,” Coyle says. “When people are out purchasing their groceries, we always say grab an extra dozen.”

Coyle says Easter is also the kickoff leading into May which is National Egg Month. Iowa egg producers have some 60-million laying hens producing nearly 15-billion eggs each year. Iowa is the nation’s number-one egg producer, she says, by far.  “Just hands down, there isn’t really any competition,” Coyle says. “The number-two and -three states still don’t produce as many eggs as Iowa combined. It’s a great month for us to get out the message about eggs and the importance of them to the Iowa economy.”

Iowa’s egg industry contributes about two-billion dollars in total sales to the state’s economy and is responsible for nearly eight-thousand jobs. Coyle says eggs are very nutritious and are basically a multi-vitamin in a shell.

(Radio Iowa)

(Podcast) 7:19-a.m. Sports – 4/19/2014

Podcasts, Sports

April 19th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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(Podcast) 7:06-a.m. News/Funeral report: Sat. 4/19/2014

News, Podcasts

April 19th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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(Podcast) Skyscan Forecast: Sat., April 19 2014

Podcasts, Weather

April 19th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The (podcast) National Weather Service forecast for the KJAN listening area and weather information for Atlantic from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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GLADYS FERN OCKER, 81, of Linden & formerly of Ankeny – Private Svcs.

Obituaries

April 19th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

GLADYS FERN OCKER, 81, of Linden (& formerly of Ankeny), died Wed., April 16th, at home. A Private Graveside service will be held for GLADYS OCKER. Johnson Family Funeral Home/ Stuart Chapel has the arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

JACK ROGERS, 80, of Manning (Svcs. 4/24/14)

Obituaries

April 19th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

JACK ROGERS, 80, of Manning, died Fri., April 18th, at his home. Funeral services for JACK ROGERS will be held 10:30-a.m. Thu., April 24th, at the United Church in Manning.  Ohde Funeral Home in Manning has the arrangements.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 4-to 7-pm on Wed., April 23rd. Visitation will resume 9-a.m. Thursday, at the United Church in Manning.

Burial will be in the Nishnabotna Cemetery near Manilla.

JACK ROGERS is survived by:

His wife – Kae Rene Rogers, of Manning.

His daughters – Sherri Bromley, of Lake Havasu City, AZ., & Paula Knotts, of Clayton, NY.

His step-daughter: Karen Elwell & fiance’ Terry Gordon.

His sisters – Betty Lewis, of Anaheim, CA., & Rose Smith, of Conway, AR.

His in-laws, other relatives and friends.

6 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren