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Proposed Atlantic Ethanol plant needs more investors, but work continues

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 24th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

A proposed 150-million gallon per year ethanol plant in Atlantic is still millions of dollars away from becoming a reality. Mark Wedemyer, with the Cass County Board of Supervisors said today Wednesday, that a meeting was held Monday night in Oakland for potential investors in the Ohio-based Farmers Energy Cardinal plant. Wedemeyer said the needs to raise about $15-million more dollars before construction can begin. He said there is a meeting next Monday night at the Atlantic Airport to try and generate more investor interest.

In January, the Iowa Economic Development Authority approved tax benefits in the form of $4.25-million in sales tax refunds for the project that promises to create 49 jobs.

Wedemyer said they’re making pretty good progress on plans for the plant, but there are some sticking points as far as the railroad is concerned, with regard to the rate the company will pay for transportation of Dried Distillers Grain (DDG) and Ethanol the plant will produce. Snyder and Associates Engineer Tim Teig told the Board of Supervisor’s negotiations are underway to resolve the transportation issue.

Wedemeyer said Atlantic is in a good position geographically, to make transportation of those products to both coasts. The proposed ethanol plant will be designed and built by Minnesota-based Fagen, Incorporated. Once constructed, it will be one of the State’s largest. Snyder’s Tim Teig said even with their investment goal still out of reach, officials are anxious to get some work done, because they are confident the plant will become a reality.

He says there’s some early activity with regard to getting side tracks for storage of numerous railcars Fagan purchased. The land has been purchased the needed land and have a contractor lined-up to start grading. The project will require additional crossings of the railroad tracks, north of the existing crossing.

The plans have been submitted to the County Engineer and Snyder and Associates for review, to make sure there are no conflicts with the road design for future paving of the road by the County. To that end, the Board approved giving the firm authorization to assist in the coordination, planning and review of various improvements necessary for the plant, that may impact the Glacier and Echo Road paving projects.

Clarinda Police Officers Encounter Samurai Sword While Making Arrest

News

August 24th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Clarinda Police Tuesday night responding to a domestic assault situation, encountered a woman who said she had been hit with a fist, pushed, and threatened with a Samurai sword wielded by her husband. Upon further investigation, 66-year old Jay Dee Allison, of Clarinda, was arrested at around 10:35-p.m. at the residence, which is located in the 700 block of E. Stuart Street.

Allison was taken into custody without incident, on suspicion of aggravated domestic abuse assault. He surrendered the Samurai Sword to officers without incident, as well. Allison was booked into the Page County Jail and held without bond, pending an appearance before the court.

The female victim of the alleged assault suffered minor injuries and was examined by paramedics who responded to the home at the request of officers. Police reports concerning the incident have been forwarded to the offices of the Page County Attorney, for review and consideration of formal charges being filed.

More details released on fatal stand-off in Oakland

News

August 24th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker, today (Wednesday), released additional information about a fatal stand-off that took place Tuesday night, in Oakland. Danker says at around 7:15-p.m., Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were dispatched to 320 Gates Street in Oakland, with regard to man who was inside the residence with a loaded long gun.The individual was identified as 44-year old Marshall Deshong, of Oakland.

Early reports were that Deshong made comments that he had four bullets, three for responding law enforcement and one for himself. Assistance was requested and Deputies from Shelby and Cass County as well as Officers from the Iowa Department of Transportation and Troopers from the Iowa State Patrol responded to assist. As law enforcement set up a perimeter around the residence and secured the neighborhood contact was made with the man.

Attempts to talk Deshong into exiting the residence and surrendering peacefully, were unsuccessful and communications ultimately deteriorated. Just before 8-p.m., Deputies report hearing a loud “bang,” and hearing glass shattering. A couple of minutes later, a second “bang” was heard and Deputies report seeing what was described as “orange sparks” near the area they were taking cover. A third “muffled” bang was heard, and it was later discovered that one of the Sheriff’s Office Uniform Patrol Vehicles had a hole in the rear bumper cover that is believed to be from a shot fired by Deshong.

Deputies and the other Law Enforcement Officers on scene maintained the perimeter of the scene until the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team (ERT) arrived on scene and took over the incident. Efforts to re-establish communications with Deshong were unsuccessful. Ultimately a tactical robot was deployed into the residence by ERT members. Inside the residence Deshong was observed by the tactical robot camera, to be lying on the floor unresponsive.

Entry was made into the residence and at approximately 12:20-a.m. today (Wednesday), Deshong was found with a fatal self-inflicted gunshot wound. His body will be transported to the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. The incident remains under investigation.

Backyard & Beyond 8-24-2016

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

August 24th, 2016 by Jim Field

LaVon Eblen visits with Emily Paulsen of Brun Ko Farm about visiting local farms.

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Afton woman arrested for Homicide by vehicle in connection w/Jan. 2016 crash

News

August 24th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports an Afton woman was arrested Tuesday morning at her home, on a Union County warrant for Homicide by Vehicle/OWI. The charge against 61-year old Donna Jo Spare was in connection with a January 16th crash on Highway 34 about three-miles east of Creston. The accident claimed the life of 49-year old Deanne Lee Hoffman, of Creston.

The Iowa State Patrol said Spare was driving a 2001 Chevy Impala, when the car crossed the centerline on Highway 34 and struck a 1997 Buick LaSabre driven by Hoffman. Hoffman was transported to Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston, where she was pronounced dead.

Following her arrest Monday, Spare was released from the Union County Jail on $25,000 bond.

2 Atlantic residents arrested on drug charges

News

August 24th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Police Department reports two local residents were arrested Monday on drug charges. 19-year old Lucas Stone, and 25-year old Alexandra Stone, both of Atlantic, were taken into custody on Cass County warrants for Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver. The couple were booked into the Cass County Jail.

High School Volleyball Scoreboard Tuesday 08/23/2016

Sports

August 24th, 2016 by admin

Atlantic 18-22-15, AC-GC 21-20-9
Atlantic 21-21, Earlham 19-19

Alta/Aurelia 25-25-25, OA-BCIG 13-16-14
Council Bluffs, Abraham Lincoln 25-23-15, Stanton 22-25-13
Council Bluffs, Abraham Lincoln 25-25, Riverside, Oakland 14-13
PCM, Monroe 21-21, Nodaway Valley 3-19
Southeast Polk 21-21, Nodaway Valley 10-10
Stanton 25-25, Riverside, Oakland 16-10
Urbandale 19-21-15, Nodaway Valley 21-8-4

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 8/24/2016

News, Podcasts

August 24th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

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

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Heavy overnight rains swamp northeast Iowa

News, Weather

August 24th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

NEW HAMPTON, Iowa (AP) – The National Weather Service has issued flash flood warnings for several northeast Iowa counties following heavy overnight rains. The service said Wednesday that more than 5 1/2 inches has fallen in Dorchester and more than 4 1/4 inches in Riceville and Bluffton.

Winneshiek and Allamakee county officials say several roads are washed out or are covered with runoff. Sandbagging is underway in Spillville and Fort Atkinson. School has been canceled in Decorah, Riceville and several other towns because of the heavy rain and flooding.

Creston Police arrest and accident report (8/24)

News

August 24th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Creston Police Department today (Wednesday) released a report on recent activity. Monday morning, 28-year old Danica Hornyak, of Creston, was cited for allowing an animal to run at-large. Hornyak was released on a promise to appear later, in court. And at around 12:45-a.m. today (Wednesday), 28-year old Courtney Mitchell, of Sioux Falls, SD., was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, on a charge of OWI/1st offense, Mitchell was being held in the Ringgold County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

Authorities said also, no injuries were reported following an accident Monday afternoon at the intersection of Townline Road and Sumner Avenue. Officials say vehicles driven by 75-year old Joy Standley, of Greenfield, and 22-year old Danielle Schafroth, of Lenox, collided at around 2:10-p.m., when Standley failed to yield the right-of-way, while making a left turn. No citations were issued. Damage from the collision amounted to $2,000.