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Titan Machinery to close 8 stores across US

Ag/Outdoor

April 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

WEST FARGO, N.D. (AP) – Titan Machinery says it is closing eight construction stores across the country, including two locations in Iowa. The company based in West Fargo, North Dakota on Thursday cited a slow recovery in construction sector among the reasons for the move, which will leave 128 people unemployed.  The stores being closed are located in Clear Lake and Oskaloosa, Iowa; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Flagstaff, Arizona; Rosemount, Minnesota; and Helena, Bozeman, and Big Sky, Montana. All locations will cease operations by the end of April.

The company sells and rents agriculture and construction equipment. CEO David Meyer says the decision will help the company improve its pre-tax profits. The company says affected employees will receive benefits and severance package and the option to apply for jobs at nearby stores. Titan Machinery will continue to operate 96 stores in the U.S.

Buddy Lazier to enter Indianapolis 500 in U of I sponsored car

Sports

April 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) – Buddy Lazier will return to the Indianapolis 500 this season in a car fielded by Lazier Partners Racing.  The announcement Thursday was expected after the family-organized team also entered Lazier last season, one month after forming the team. Lazier started 32nd last May, ran only 44 laps because of a fuel pressure issues, and retired with a 31st-place finish.

The 46-year-old Lazier will drive the No. 91 Chevrolet with sponsorship from the University of Iowa Stephen A. Wynn Institute for Vision Research. The research center specializes in cures for rare, inherited retinal diseases.

Jacqueline Lazier, the drivers’ 12-year-old daughter, was born with Aniridia, which is a complete or partial absence of the colored part of the iris. Jacqueline has lost vision in her right eye.

Tony La Russa awed by Baseball Hall of Fame

Sports

April 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) – Tony La Russa has toured the Baseball Hall of Fame, and says he’s “getting overwhelmed.”  La Russa, the third-winningest manager in major league history, took in the sights Thursday in preparation for his induction this summer.  The 69-year-old La Russa, who led Oakland to the 1989 World Series title and the St. Louis Cardinals to championships in 2006 and 2011, was unanimously elected in December by the Hall of Fame’s expansion-era committee along with former managerial colleagues Bobby Cox and Joe Torre.

They will be inducted July 27 along with pitchers Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine and slugger Frank Thomas, who were elected in January in their first time on the writers’ ballot.  La Russa calls the scenario perfect because Cox and Torre were contemporaries and are right behind him in wins.

Wacha following up on October rookie breakout

Sports

April 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) – Take it from the Cincinnati Reds: Michael Wacha’s breakout postseason was no fluke.  In his first two starts for the St. Louis Cardinals, the 6-foot-6 right-hander has stared down one of the National League’s top lineups. Just like last fall, he’s been impervious to pressure, too.

After the Reds mustered a single run in 12 2-3 frustrating innings against the 22-year-old Wacha, Jay Bruce said it was like facing a carbon copy of Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright, also lean and lanky and among the majors’ best pitchers for several years.

On the rare occasions you get a pitch to your liking, Bruce said, you’d better not miss.

Iowa News Headlines: Fri., April 11th 2014

News

April 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An effort to reopen the Iowa Juvenile home closed by Governor Terry Branstad in January has been rejected by the Iowa House. House Minority Leader Mark Smith, of Marshalltown on Thursday attempted to tack on a provision to the health and human services budget to reopen the facility in Toledo and revamp programming for delinquent girls. The amendment failed in a 48-to-51 vote.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A nonprofit group that supports low-income families who can’t afford to bury their children would receive state funds under a budget provision approved by the Iowa House. While debating the health and human services appropriation yesterday, lawmakers adopted an amendment to provide $100,000 to the organization Sing Me To Heaven.

WEST FARGO, N.D. (AP) – Titan Machinery says it is closing eight construction stores across the country, including two locations in Iowa. The company based in West Fargo, North Dakota on Thursday cited a slow recovery in construction sector among the reasons for the move, which will leave 128 people unemployed. The stores being closed in Iowa are located in Clear Lake and Oskaloosa.

GLENWOOD, Iowa (AP) – Officials in the southwest Iowa city of Glenwood are using buckets to catch sewage from a damaged main. The state Department of Natural Resources said in a news release yesterday that city officials recently discovered a corrosion hole in the sewer main while working on lines in the area.

NWS Forecast for the KJAN listening area: Friday, 4/11/14

Weather

April 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

  • Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. West southwest wind 6 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
  • Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. South wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
  • Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 13 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
  • Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. South southwest wind 7 to 11 mph becoming north in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
  • Sunday: Showers. High near 52. Windy, with a north northeast wind 13 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
  • Sunday Night: A chance of rain before 1am, then a chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
  • Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. Breezy.

Medical marijuana bill may surface in Senate

News

April 10th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal says he will sponsor a bill legalizing the sale of medical marijuana in Iowa, reviving an issue once thought dead this year. The persistent efforts of woman who have children with epilepsy changed lawmakers’ perceptions on the issue.

New policy measures cannot be raised late in the legislative session unless leaders in the House or Senate bring them up. Since Gronstal, a Democrat, will sponsor a bill its fate relies on Minority Leader Bill Dix, a Republican, to sign on too to move it forward. Dix says he will make that decision when a bill is presented to him.

Gov. Terry Branstad has talked recently with governors who have signed bills legalizing use of cannabis plant oil that isn’t smoked and doesn’t create a high.

THURSDAY, APRIL 10th

Trading Post

April 10th, 2014 by admin

GARAGE SALE: Today and April 11th & 12th, 10 am – 5 pm, 804 Mulberry St, Atlantic.

FOR SALE: Cocker Spaniel puppies – purebred puppies will be ready in May but you can pick the one you want before then. $250 per puppy; White Maytag stove, has propane orifices on it, very clean $100. 249-6930

Iowa releases list of barred workers after denial

News

April 10th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa’s human resources agency has released a list of hundreds of former workers who are barred from returning to state employment.  Its release came days after its now-fired director repeatedly told lawmakers no such list existed.

A spreadsheet released by the Department of Administrative Services identifies 975 workers who’ve been disqualified from future employment because they were either fired or resigned before termination, dating to 1990. The majority are barred from any of the executive branch’s 42 agencies.

The department released the data to The Associated Press four days after its then-director Mike Carroll told lawmakers that “there is no list.” Gov. Terry Branstad fired Carroll on Tuesday. The AP reported last month that state government has continued the little-known practice of barring former workers despite questions about its legality.

Senate sends underage drinking bill to Iowa gov

News

April 10th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A bill making it illegal for landowners to allow drinking by minors on their property has won the final approval of the Iowa Senate. The Senate voted 47-0 Thursday to send the legislation to Gov. Terry Branstad. The measure originally prohibited landowners from permitting anyone under 21 to drink. The Senate concurred with a House amendment that limits offenses to those who permit people younger than 18 to drink on their property. Lawmakers also agreed to pass a provision exempting landlords and other property managers who may be unaware of minors drinking.

Under the bill, first violations would carry a simple misdemeanor charge and a $200 fine.  Sen. Robert Hogg, a Cedar Rapids Democrat, says despite changes to the legislation, it makes progress in fighting underage drinking across the state.