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Warm weather wakes up ticks so wear insect repellent

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Forecasters predict Iowa will have another unseasonably warm weekend ahead, and one downside to the spring-like temperatures in the 60s and 70s is that creepy-crawly ticks will be on the move. Entomologist Tom Klubertanz says if you’ll be spending any time outdoors, especially hiking in the woods, wear insect repellent, and be sure to check yourself for ticks after you come back inside.

“It doesn’t even have to be that warm,” Klubertanz says. “Even in typical winters, if we get a warm spot into the 40s, it’s enough to get tick activity, but this is kind of extreme and the longer ticks are moving around, the more chance we’ve got of attracting them.” Ticks aren’t something Iowans would typically worry about in early March, but a warm winter means otherwise. Klubertanz says a longer tick season brings the threat of southern tick species migrating north.

Asian longhorn tick (ISU Extension photo)

“The two that come to my attention are the Lone Star tick and the Gulf Coast tick,” he says. “Both can transmit diseases, not Lyme disease, but other diseases.” There’s another tick to be watchful for, especially if you raise cattle or horses in Iowa. The Asian long-horned tick has been found in at least 19 states, including Missouri.

Rep. Hinson discusses budget deal, E-15

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson says there is a deal in the works to fund the federal government. Hinson talked about the deal during her weekly conference call with supporters. “An agreement in principle has been reached to fund the government and so I will keep you updated on that legislation we’re hopeful we’ll see it sometime this weekend,” Hinson says. The federal government’s fiscal year started October 1st, but Congress has not agreed on a budget for the year. The Farm Bill has been put off, but Hinson says it is not forgotten.

“I think it’s also important that we still prioritize the farm bill it’s why…. I think it was in December we sent a letter to Speaker Johnson urging him to still move forward and work on a farm bill our priority this week does need to be getting these bills done so we can complete the appropriations process and move on to the next one,” she says. Hinson also talked about the need to keep the pressure on the E-P-A to approve the year-round sale of E-15 gasoline.

“There are so many different elements of our economy that are dependent on this decision and delaying it is frankly unacceptable and irresponsible, so I will continue pushing for not only the waiver for this summer but going forward prompt responses from the E-P-A,” Hinson says. The E-P-A announced it would make E-15 available year-round for eight Midwest states starting in 2025. Hinson and the rest of the Iowa Congressional delegation sent a letter to the Biden administration calling for the ethanol-blended fuel to be allowed for this summer’s driving season.

LINDA GAY JONES, 79, of Atlantic (Svcs. 3/2/24)

Obituaries

March 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

LINDA GAY JONES, 79, of Atlantic, died Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, at the Heritage House in Atlantic. Funeral services for LINDA GAY JONES will be held 1-p.m. Saturday, March 2nd, 2024, at the Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Avoca.

The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Saturday, from 11-a.m. until 1-p.m.

Burial, at a later date, is in the Parkhill Cemetery in Avoca.

LINDA GAY JONES is survived by:

Her husband – Ken Jones, of Walnut.

Her sons -Nelson (Donna) Pipkins, of Pensacola, FL; Les (Terese) Pipkins, of Albany, Georgia, and Kenneth (Eve) Jones, Jr., of Omaha.

Her daughters – Teresa Pipkins, of Columbus, Georgia, and Wendy (Chris) Yarnell, of Omaha.

Her sister – DeLois (Frank) Schwider, of Chicago, IL.

8 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Friday, March 1st, 2024

Weather

March 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Sunny, & windy. High near 59. S/SW @ 15-30 mph.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 35. South wind 10-25 mph.
Saturday: Sunny & windy. High near 69. S @ 10-25 mph.
Sat. Night: Mostly clear & windy. Low around 53. S @ 15-40 mph.
Sunday: Sunny & windy. High near 75. S-W @ 20-40 mph.
Sun. Night: P/Cldy & windy w/a 20% chance of rain. Low around 40.
Monday: A 20% chance of rain before noon, otherwise Mostly sunny & windy. High near 64.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.

Thursday’s High in Atlantic was 58. The Low was 28. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 51 and the Low was 24. The Record High for March 1st was 77 in 1992. The Record Low was -32 in 1962. Sunrise: 6:55.  Sunset: 6:10-p.m.

Iowa House passes ‘Religious Freedom Restoration Act

News

March 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU) — Iowa House lawmakers passed a “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” after the state senate passed the measure more than a week ago. Republicans said the bill will protect Iowans’ constitutional right to practice their respected religions, while Democrats said this will allow discrimination against people such as LGBTQ people.

The legislation would propose a higher legal standard in situations where an individual claims that government action has restricted their exercise of religion. If a person believes a government entity’s actions “substantially burden” their religious practices, they could take the issue to court. People could seek damages or other means to address the violation.

Gov. Kim Reynolds’ released a statement in support of the legislation’s passing:

“The right of religious freedom is endowed upon us by our creator – not government,” the statement reads. “Our founders recognized this principle, and today the Iowa House took a step forward to protect it. Twenty-three states around the country, with both Republican and Democrat governors, have passed similar laws. Now, it’s Iowa’s turn.”

Meanwhile, the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa also released a statement on what they called the “discriminatory” bill.

“It is a sad, and for many frightening, day in Iowa with the passage of the religious exemptions legislation inserting discrimination into Iowa law,” the statement reads in part. “The bill passed by Republicans in the Iowa Legislature will harm the LGBTQ and other marginalized communities in our state.”

The bill heads to Gov. Reynolds’ desk.

Eastern IA man sentenced to 720 months on child pornography charges

News

March 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

KEOKUK, Iowa (KCRG) – A Keokuk man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in producing, receiving, and possessing child pornography.

Court records show 45-year-old Christopher Douglas Black was found with a minor who was reported missing from the Keokuk area. Following Black’s arrest, investigators found child sexual assault materials on Black’s cell phone.

Black was sentenced to 720 months in federal prison on Tuesday.

Following his term of imprisonment, Black will be required to serve ten years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

SE Iowa officials ID body found in a vehicle pulled from a river

News

March 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

WAPELLO COUNTY, Iowa [WHO-TV] — A body pulled from the Des Moines River on Tuesday has been identified.

On Monday the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office received a report about a submerged truck in the middle of the Des Moines River near Rock Bluff Park.

The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office, Ottumwa Fire Department, and Deran’s Towing and Recovery pulled the truck from the river on Tuesday, where they found the body of an adult man. The deceased individual has been identified as 53-year-old Lee Alan Lukehart, of Ottumwa.

The sheriff’s office continues to investigate what led to Lukehart’s death.

Central Iowa student faces weapons charges for having a firearm on school grounds

News

March 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

A Story County high school student has been charged with a felony after school leaders found a loaded firearm in his vehicle on school grounds. The Story County Sheriff’s Office said it took 17-year-old Mason McKinney of Zearing into custody, on Wednesday.

McKinney is a student at Colo-NESCO Senior High School. School leaders were tipped off by a social media post from an account belonging to McKinney about him bringing a gun to school. McKinney is charged with carrying weapons on school grounds, a Class D felony.

According to the criminal complaint, before turning his phone over to law enforcement, Zearing sent a text to his mother saying, “Pls just say you had the gun in the car. I found it.”

Unattended campfire blamed for a Harrison County fire Thursday

News

March 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Little Sioux, Iowa) – Officials with the Missouri Valley Fire Department report that at approximately 3-p.m., Thursday, crews were dispatched to provide mutual aid to the Little Sioux Fire Department, to fight a multi-structure fire. One engine and one tanker were sent northbound to the location. Authorities say crews remained on scene until around 8-p.m., Thursday. They added, “Unfortunately, all structures at the site were a total loss due to reports of an unattended campfire that sparked the blaze.”

Harrison County S/O photo

The incident is currently being handled by both the Little Sioux Fire Department and Harrison County Sheriff’s Office.

Missouri Valley FD Facebook photos

At least nine departments, along with the Monona County EMA, DNR, fire and law enforcement personnel participated in handling the incident.

High School Girl’s State Basketball Tournament Thursday Semifinal Scores

Sports

February 29th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Class 3A

#1 Estherville Lincoln Central 45, #4 Mount Vernon 37
#3 Solon 49, #2 Des Moines Christian 25

Class 4A

#1 Clear Creek Amana 50, #5 North Polk 48
#2 Waverly-Shell Rock 41, #3 Bishop Heelan 37

Class 5A

#1 Johnston 74, #4 Waukee 33
#3 Dowling Catholic 59, #7 Cedar Falls 48