United Group Insurance

Clarinda man arrested on Cass County warrant

News

September 6th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports 24-year old Tanor Devon Jimmison, of Clarinda, was arrested Friday on a warrant for Failure to Appear (in court). Jimmison was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $2,000 bond.

Branstad offers history plan, can’t guarantee state funding

News

September 6th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad announced recommendations for improving the teaching of Iowa history in schools but acknowledged he can’t promise he’ll support funding the effort. Branstad announced the history teaching recommendations Tuesday at a Des Moines elementary school before at least two dozen children, who sat on the floor between the governor and reporters.

The proposals came from the Iowa History Advisory Council, which was formed last year and issued a report this month. The recommendations include coordinating professional development for teachers and ensuring adequate state staffing to create Iowa history materials. Despite supporting the concept, Branstad says Iowa is “facing some challenges,” and there may not be money available in the state budget to help implement the ideas.

Branstad expressed interest in a public-private partnership for funding but offered no details.

Kirk Ferentz re-signs with Iowa through 2025 season

Sports

September 6th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa has signed coach Kirk Ferentz to a six-year contract extension through the 2025 season. Ferentz, who is in his 18th season leading the Hawkeyes, will see his salary jump to $4.5 million per year under the new deal announced Tuesday.

Ferentz’s last contract, which was for 10 years at roughly $40 million, was set to expire in 2020. Ferentz’s massive buyout was subject to scrutiny under his previous deal, but a 12-2 season capped with a trip to the Rose Bowl quieted that talk.

Ferentz and Oklahoma’ Bob Stoops are the nation’s longest-tenured coaches, having been hired within days of each other in 1999.

Missouri River waterfowl hunting zone remains the same for 2016

Ag/Outdoor

September 6th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Waterfowl hunters who plan to hunt in southwest Iowa are reminded that the Missouri River zone has not changed for the 2016-17 hunting season. The current Missouri River zone includes all lands and waters in Iowa west of I-29 and north of Hwy. 175. The zone map is on p. 3 of the 2016 Iowa Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations. The expanded Missouri River zone will be available to hunters in the fall of 2017.

(Iowa DNR)

Tree stand safety focus of awareness campaign

Ag/Outdoor

September 6th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

A campaign is underway by tree stand manufacturers, retailers, media, natural resource agencies and deer hunters to reduce and eliminate tree stand accidents by raising awareness of this issue and providing education about safe tree stand hunting best practices. Falls from tree stands are annually the number one cause of death and serious injury to deer hunters and involve all types of stands. Nearly all of these incidents are preventable by implementing three simple measures: First, inspect your equipment. Second, wear a full-body harness and third, stay connected from the time your feet leave the ground. It really is that simple.

Tree stand accidents can happen to deer hunters of all skill levels and result in serious injury or death. In Iowa last year, there were three tree stand incidents- two resulted in injury and one in death. Since September is traditionally a busy time for deer hunters who are preparing for the upcoming hunting season; it has been chosen as Tree Stand Safety Awareness Month. “Hunters are encouraged to take treestand safety seriously, every time you hunt from, hang, or move a tree stand,” said Megan Wisecup, hunter education administrator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

To help prevent injuries, the Iowa DNR is offering the following safety tips:

• Always wear a safety harness, also known as a fall arrest system (FAS), when you are in a tree stand, as well as when climbing into or out of a tree stand.

• A safety strap should be attached to the tree to prevent you from falling more than 12 inches.

• Always inspect the safety harness for signs of wear or damage before each use.

• Follow all manufactures’ instructions for use of a safety harness and stand.

• Follow the three point rule of tree stand safety. Always have three points of contact to the steps or ladder before moving. This could be two arms and one leg holding and stepping on the ladder or one arm and two legs in contact with the ladder before moving. Be cautious that rain, frost, ice, or snow can cause steps to become extremely slippery. Check the security of the step before placing your weight on it.

• Always hunt with a plan and if possible a buddy. Before you leave home, let others know your exact hunting location, when you plan to return and who is with you.

• Always carry emergency signal devices such as a cell phone, walkie-talkie, whistle, signal flare, personal locator device and flashlight on your person at all times and within reach even while you are suspended in your FAS. Watch for changing weather conditions. In the event of an accident, remain calm and seek help immediately.

• Always select the proper tree for use with your tree stand. Select a live straight tree that fits within the size limits recommended in your tree stand’s instructions. Do not climb or place a tree stand against a leaning tree.

• Never leave a tree stand installed for more than two weeks since damage could result from changing weather conditions and/or from other factors not obvious with a visual inspection.

• Always use a haul line to pull up your gear and unloaded firearm or bow to your tree stand once you have reached your desired hunting height. Never climb with anything in your hands or on your back. Prior to descending, lower your equipment on the opposite side of the tree.

• Always know your physical limitations. Don’t take chances. Do not climb when using drugs, alcohol or if you’re sick or un-rested. If you start thinking about how high you are, don’t go any higher.

(Iowa DNR)

Iowa’s youth deer season begins September 17

Ag/Outdoor, Sports

September 6th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa deer hunting tradition will be passed on to about 10,000 youths who are participating in the youth deer hunting season, which opens on Sept. 17. This season provides an opportunity to teach deer hunting, wildlife behavior, and safe hunting practices to resident youths while they are under the watchful eye of a licensed adult.

For many young hunters, this will be their first experience hunting deer, and mentors are encouraged to take the needs of the new hunter into account when planning the hunt. The goal of the hunt should be a positive, enjoyable, and ethical experience, and harvesting a deer should be considered a bonus, not define the success of the hunt.

The youth season coincides with the disabled hunter deer season for hunters who meet certain criteria. Each season runs September 17 through October 2. Each youth must be under direct supervision of an adult mentor, with a valid license and habitat fee (if required). The youth license is valid statewide.

An unfilled youth season tag may be used during the early or late muzzleloader season or one of the two shotgun seasons only. That youth must follow all other rules specified for each season. However party hunting with a youth tag is not allowed. A deer must be harvested by the youth with the tag. However, that tag holder may obtain deer tags for other season, just as any other hunter can do.

The youth deer season usually has mild temperatures and biting insects. Hunters should be prepared in case they youth harvests a deer by bringing bags of ice to cool the deer cavity and by having a locker that can accept the deer for processing. All deer taken must be reported using the harvest reporting system by midnight the day after the deer is recovered. Harvest reporting is a very important part of the deer management program in Iowa, playing a vital role in managing deer populations and hunting opportunities.

Hunters can report their deer on the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov, by calling the toll free reporting number 1-800-771-4692, or at any license vendor.

(Iowa DNR)

Money Talk Series for Women Offered in Atlantic

News

September 6th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Cass County Extension will host “Money Talk,” a 5 week financial course for women, starting in mid-September. The first session meets on September 15th, but the registration deadline is September 8th, to ensure materials will be available for first class, so call today to sign up!

“Women are often vulnerable when it comes to their financial future,” says Sandra McKinnon, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach family finance specialist. “Women tend to live longer than men, have lower wages, are more conservative in their investments and are in and out of the workforce.”ISU Extension

“This program is designed for women to improve their money management skills and level of financial knowledge. Participants develop confidence in decision making and gain control of their finances,” explains McKinnon.

The 5-session class meets on Thursdays from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, starting September 15, at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic. Registration deadline is September 8.

Instructors include McKinnon, and local professionals on these topics:

September 15: Financial Basics – Sandra McKinnon
September 22: Insurance Essentials – Tammy Cullen

September 29: Investment Fundamentals – Jenny Johnson

October 6: Retirement Realities – Dan Mehmen

October 13: Legal Issues – Jennifer Plumb

The program is strictly educational and does not promote any company or product. The cost for the 5 week program is $25 per person. This includes all 5 sessions, handout materials and a 192-page workbook that participants will use to track their goals and progress. This program registration fee is below the usual course fee of $75 per person due to support from the Cass County Extension Council and local sponsors Cullen & Associates; Wiges & Johnson, Ameriprise Financial; Megan Roberts, State Farm; and Otto, Lorence & Wiederstein, PLLC.

(Press Release from ISU Ext./Cass County)

Sen. Grassley says he’s taken pay cuts, criticizes opponent Judge

News

September 6th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley’s new T-V ad criticizes his opponent Patty Judge for not volunteering to take a pay cut during the recession when she was Iowa’s lieutenant governor. During a conference call with Iowa media, Grassley was asked if he’s ever taken a voluntary pay cut or refused his check during his four decades of public service in the Iowa legislature, the U-S House or the U-S Senate.

“Several times in the last five or six years, we’ve taken a pay cut because the automatic cost of living increase applies to members of Congress,” Grassley says. “We have voted as an institution and decided it wouldn’t be appropriate to take the pay increase.” Grassley, a Republican, says he opposes how he and his colleagues get pay hikes every year.

Grassley says, “I co-sponsored the Vitter amendment that would require a vote on any pay raise for Congress in the future instead of it being an automatic pay raise.” Grassley also harkened back to a vote in July of 1975, shortly after he was first sent to represent Iowa in Washington. House leaders were calling for a voice vote on a plan to set up automatic pay increases for members of Congress and Grassley says he’s on record opposing the idea.

“You will read there two words that Chuck Grassley said as a freshman member of Congress: ‘I object,'” Grassley says. “So, they had to have a roll call (vote) and everybody was on record and that record came out that it passed by about two votes to have the automatic pay raise that we have right now.” Grassley says he has “consistently voted for measures to deny all the congressional pay raises.” He says, when a raise can’t be justified, like when Americans face a dismal economy, “then the least we can do is not boost our own salary.”

(Radio Iowa)

Guthrie Center man arrested for OWI Sunday morning

News

September 6th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

A traffic stop in Exira at around 2-a.m. Sunday, resulted in the driver of the vehicle being arrested for OWI/1st offense. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office says 34-year old Arthur Dean Holle, of Guthrie Center, was taken into custody and brought to the Audubon County Jail. He was later released and is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 8th.

Backyard & Beyond 9-6-2016

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

September 6th, 2016 by Jim Field

LaVon Eblen talks about garage sales.

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