712 Digital Group - top

3 tank cars remain in Iowa creek after fiery derailment

News

March 13th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

GRAETTINGER, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say three tanker cars of ethanol remain in a rural creek, three days after a fiery train derailment in northwestern Iowa. Environmental specialist Amber Wolf with the Iowa Natural Resources Department said Monday the fire finally went out midday Sunday.

The blaze erupted after the derailment around 1 a.m. Friday on a trestle bridge spanning Jack Creek near Graettinger, about 160 miles northwest of Des Moines. Federal safety officials say 20 tanker cars filled with ethanol left the tracks, with five plunging into the creek.

Wolf says two of the five cars have been pulled out, but three were left in the creek Sunday after recovery work was suspended because of a snowstorm. The department says creek water checks downstream found no obvious signs of a spill.

12 Urban Water Quality Demonstration Projects Selected to Receive Funding

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 13th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa Sec. of Agriculture Bill Northey have announced 12 urban conservation water quality initiative demonstration projects have been selected to receive $820,840 in funding. The 12 projects will provide nearly $1.18 million in matching funds to support water quality improvement efforts as well as other in-kind contributions.

Among the area communities participating in newly announced projects is Denison. The City of Denison received a grant award amount to $73, 560 for the installation of four bioretention cells and one permeable paver system in the downtown area as part of this project. The total project cost is $147,120. The retrofit demonstration project will offer multiple water quality benefits, along with strong local support and community involvement, in a highly visible area with the goal of using the project as an example for future community infrastructure projects.

The various projects will focus on conservation measures that capture and allow stormwater to be absorbed into the ground and reduce a property’s contribution to water quality degradation, stream flows and flooding. They also include strong partnerships and outreach/education components to disseminate information to promote increased awareness and adoption of available practices and technologies for achieving reductions in nutrient loads to surface waters.

More information about the urban water quality practices can be found at www.cleanwateriowa.org/residential-practices.aspx. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship received 34 pre-applications for this funding after it was announced last fall and 14 projects were invited to submit full proposals. Twelve projects were selected to receive funding through the Water Quality Initiative. This is the third time that urban conservation projects have been funded through the Water Quality Initiative and there are currently 22 active or completed urban demonstration projects across the state . The state awarded these initial 22 projects over $1.63 million in funding and partners and landowners participating in the projects are providing over $5 million to support these urban conservation efforts.

Theft reported in Arispe

News

March 13th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Union County Sheriff’s Office says an Arispe resident reported Sunday, someone had entered his home and taken several items. Those items include two wallets, a cell phone, and a purse.  The loss was estimated at $850.

Public hearings in Atlantic during Wed. School Board mtg.

News

March 13th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Two public hearings are set to kick-off a regular meeting of the Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education, Wednesday. The hearings at 5:30-p.m., are with regard to the Proposed 2017-18 School Calendar and 2017-18 Certified Budget. The meeting and related hearings, take place in the Atlantic High School Media Center.

The proposed 2017-18 School Calendar calls for the first day of school to be held August 23rd, 2017, and last day as May 24th, 2018. Christmas Break would be held Dec. 22nd 2017 through Jan. 3rd 2018, while Spring Break is tentatively set for March 19-23, 2018. The District’s Certified 2017-18 Budget, which must be submitted to the State, is $26,570,911, and includes keeping the tax rate flat for FY2018, while building cash reserves for the District’s General Fund.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board will act on approving the resignation of Mary Beth Fast as Business Manager/Board Secretary, a position she’s held since 2010. Fast has accepted a position with the Urbandale School District as their Chief Financial Officer. The Board will also act on accepting the resignation of Brenda Buman, as High School Level 3/BD Teacher. They’ll also act on contracts and/or Letters for Assignment for the following persons/positions: Joe Brummer – Head 7th grade Boys Track Coach; Oran Perkins – Assistant Soccer Coach; Brielle Cerven – Homebound Instructor; Pam Russell – Long term sub for the Middle School Guidance Office; Donna Green – additional para-educator hours; Blake Meneely – Summer Grounds Mowing, and Nick Sandbothe – Assistant Mechanic.

Other Board Action include: approving the purchase of a 2017 Chevy Suburban from Deter Motor Company for $39,400 through their Price Match Program; A Budget Adjustment Resolution for 2017-18 in the amount of $108,803. The adjustment puts off the impact of declining enrollment for one-year;The Board will also act on approving the School Business Official Job Description, with the change of job title from Business Manager to Finance Director. The position will be posted on the IASBO website as well as the district’s and Teach Iowa websites.

And, the Atlantic School Board will act on approving a recommendation by the Administration for one school make-up day due to the number of days the district missed because of inclement weather. The proposal is to extend the school year for non-graduating students to May 26th, 2017. The District missed five days due to inclement weather during the 2016-17 school year, but Superintendent Mike Amstein recommends one makeup day, which still allows the district to exceed the required number of instructional hours set by the Iowa Dept. of Education.

Among the final action items on their agenda, is to approve the Summer 2017 Capital Projects recommendation by the administration and supervisors in the district, in the amount of $748,000. The top projects include: Teacher Computer replacement ($150,000); 1-to-1 Laptop payment ($125,000); Phase 2 heat pump replacement at AHS ($183,000); Bus/vehicle replacement $155,000. The remaining three projects amount to less than $50,000 each. And, the Board will move to approve termination of a 5-year building lease with the Car Guys, LLC, for a facility at 1209 Sunnyside Lane, effective June 30, 2017. The facility currently serves as the site for the Behavioral Program and Alternative High School. Ending the lease agreement would save the District more than $51,253 per year.

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 3/13/2017

News, Podcasts

March 13th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

Play

Heartbeat Today 03-13-2017

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

March 13th, 2017 by admin

Jim Field speaks with Lucas Mosier with the Atlantic School Foundation about the Richard Hellman Vocational, Industrial Technology, and Trade School Scholarship.

Play

(Podcast) KJAN Morning Sports report, 3/13/2017

Podcasts, Sports

March 13th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast w/Chris Parks.

Play

2 Colorado men arrested in Creston on drug & other charges

News

March 13th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Two men from Colorado were arrested Saturday morning in Creston, on drug and other charges. Creston Police arrested 38-year old Cameron Murphy, of Denver, CO., at 800 W. Taylor Street at around 3:30-a.m., for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and OWI/1st offense. Murphy was later released on a $5,000 bond. 46-year old Kenneth Scott, also from Denver, CO., was arrested at around 6-a.m. Saturday also at the same location, for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Scott was later released on a $1,000 bond.

Friday night, 40-year old Shawn Parmenter, of Creston, was arrested in the 500 block of N. Cherry Street in Creston. Parmenter was booked into the Union County Jail on a Union County warrant for Unauthorized Possession of Offensive Weapons. He was later released on a $5,000 bond.

26-year old Trevor Kinkade, of Creston, was arrested Friday night at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, for Public Intoxication and Possession of a Controlled Substance. He was later released on a $1,000 bond. And, at around 2:37-p.m. Friday, Creston Police arrested 42-year old Jeremy Hiatt, of Creston, at the Union County Law Enforcement Center on a warrant for Interference with Corrections Officials. He was later released on a $1,000 bond.

(Podcast) KJAN Morning News & funeral report, 3/13/2017

News, Podcasts

March 13th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

Play

Franken first-team, Leonard and Alexander second-team All-Hawkeye 10 selections

Sports

March 13th, 2017 by admin

The Hawkeye 10 Conference announced their boys basketball All-Conference selections over the weekend. Atlantic Senior Garrett Franken was a unanimous first-team selection. Trojan Juniors Scott Leonard and Austin Alexander were second-team honorees.  Atlantic Senior Jake Olsen was also named to the Hawkeye 10 boys basketball All-Academic team. Honorees must be Senior letterwinners who have attained a cumulative 3.5 GPA during their high school career. Full team selections are listed below.

2017 HAWKEYE 10 ALL CONFERENCE BOYS BASKETBALL TEAMS

FIRST TEAM
1 Chad Moran Lewis Central Sr. Guard
2 Kyle Arrington Lewis Central Sr. Center
3 Matt Dentlinger** Kuemper Catholic Sr. Forward
4 Garrett Franken** Atlantic Sr. Forward
5 Nate Mohr** Glenwood Jr. Guard
6 Andrew Blum** Glenwood Jr. Forward
7 Caleb Rassmussen** Harlan Sr. Guard
8 Kylan Smallwood Creston Soph Guard
**Denotes Unanimous Selection

2ND TEAM
1 Josh Simmons Lewis Central Soph Guard
2 Parker Badding Kuemper Catholic Jr. Guard
3 Scott Leonard Atlantic Jr. Center
4 Austin Alexander Atlantic Jr. Guard
5 Christian Stanislav Glenwood soph Forward
6 Shane Chamberlain Harlan Jr. Forward
7 Jake Carley St. Albert Catholic Jr. Guard
8 Steven Martin Shenandoah Sr. Forward

HONORABLE MENTION
1 Evan Wiebers Denison-Schleswig Jr. Guard
2 Josh Degase Clarinda Sr. Foward
3 Weston Rolenc Red Oak Sr. Forward
4 Jacob Schaefer Kuemper Catholic Sr. Guard
5 Sam Auen Kuemper Catholic Jr. Guard
6 Max Duggan Lewis Central Soph Forward
7 Matt Fagan St. Albert Catholic Jr. Forward
8 Tyler Blaha St. Albert Catholic Jr. Guard
9 Cody Crawford Creston Sr. Guard
10 Evan Jacobson Creston Jr. Guard
11 Ryan Lundgren Red Oak Sr. Guard
12 Jake Farley Denison Sr. Guard

Hawkeye 10 Boys Basketball All Academic
Criteria: Senior letterwinners who have attained a cumulative 3.5 GPA during their high school career.

Jake Olsen Atlantic
Brenden McDowell Creston
Cody Crawford Creston
Morgan Shawler (MGR) Creston
Jackson Marten Denison-Schleswig
Sam Weber Denison-Schleswig
Joshua Cheek Harlan Community
Caleb Rasmussen Harlan Community
Matthew Bjoin Harlan Community
Matthew Dentlinger Kuemper Catholic
Ryan Feauto Kuemper Catholic
Ben Grote Kuemper Catholic
Gage Gunnerson Kuemper Catholic
John Hensel Kuemper Catholic
Von Kraus Kuemper Catholic
Chase Netusil Kuemper Catholic
Susan Pottebaum (MGR) Kuemper Catholic
Chad Moran Lewis Central
Wil Prine Lewis Central
Ryker Connell Red Oak
Connor Johnson Red Oak
Ryan Lundgren Red Oak
Weston Rolenc Red Oak
Ryan Ruzek Shenandoah
Jordan Miller Shenandoah
Kevin Armbruster St. Albert Catholic
Danny Koch St. Albert Catholic

Basketball Cheerleading

Antonia Wallin Clarinda
Cora Green Creston
Erin Hanson Creston
Jennifer Hughes Creston
Leah Schuler Creston
Mackenzie Ricke Denison-Schleswig
Cosima David Denison-Schleswig
Haley Palmer Glenwood
Alysa Jensen Glenwood
Taylor Kuhl Glenwood
Alexis Gustin Glenwood
Madelyn Bauer Kuemper Catholic
Ashlyn Smith Lewis Central
Hannah Smith Lewis Central
Natalie Holben Shenandoah
Kileigh Cerny St. Albert Catholic
Ashley Meyerring St. Albert Catholic
Caitlin shugart St. Albert Catholic
Marilyn Cepeda