United Group Insurance

Bluffs shooting investigation suspended

News

June 25th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Council Bluffs have suspended their investigation into a shooting incident which occurred early Wednesday morning, because the victim has refused to cooperate with detectives. 41-year old James Andrews, of Council Bluffs, suffered a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. Bluffs Police Investigator Ron Branigan said Friday investigators were able to identify a suspect after interviewing Andrews, but the man has since refused to cooperate.

Officers were called to Andrews’ home on the city’s west side at around 12:40-a.m. Wednesday. Andrews was found outside the home, near the rear of the residence. He was transported to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

3 felony arrests in Adams Co., Friday

News

June 25th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Adams County Sheriff’s Department reports three people were arrested Friday on felony charges. Friday night, 41-year old James Castillo, of Prescott, was arrested on charges of aiding and abetting a fugitive with felony warrants. Castillo was being held in the Adams County Jail on $2,000 cash bond.

And, 24-year old Garret Templeton along with 20-year old Zach Gilbert, both of Corning, were arrested on warrants for an incident of vandalism to a vehicle which occurred on June 12th. The men were being held in the Adams County Jail on $5,000 cash bond.

Iowa DOT to implement flood mitigation measures for Iowa 175 near Onawa

News

June 25th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa – June 24, 2011 – The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) will be
implementing flood mitigation measures along Iowa 175 to help keep the road open as
long as possible. This road is an important transportation connection between Onawa,
Iowa, and Decatur, Neb., as well as other communities along the Interstate 29
corridor.  

The success of these mitigation strategies remains dependent on the level of
continued rising river and ground water levels. They are being deployed at this time
due to the increased release of water by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is
projected to raise river water elevations from .5 to 1 foot. Those levels would
cause inundation of portions of the roadway.

Preliminary sandbagging will be performed this weekend along the shoulders of the
roadway in lower-lying areas. Starting Monday, additional measures will be taken to
address a rise in river water levels of up to 1 foot. 

If water levels exceed 1 foot, conditions will be created within the overall basin
area that will make it impossible to contain the water and keep the roadway open. In
that event, the roadway will be closed.   

An additional benefit of these mitigation strategies is the fact that it may allow
the roadway to be reopened sooner, if closed. 

Next week, contractor employees will be placing sandbags and concrete barrier wall
along the west side of Cashew Avenue. In addition, sandbags and barrier wall will be
placed along the north side of Iowa 175. The lowest-lying areas will be the target
of the sandbagging effort. 

The Iowa DOT has already strengthened the shoulders of the north side of Iowa 175 at
certain locations to help mitigate damage to the roadway surface.

Gov. Branstad, Gen. Derek Hill, Congressman Steve King to tour flood-affected areas along the Missouri River on Monday

News

June 25th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad will join Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency
Management Director Gen. Derek Hill and Congressman Steve King on Monday, June 27,
2011 in traveling via Black Hawk helicopter for an aerial tour of the flood-affected
areas along the Missouri River.

The trio will visit with local officials and hold press conferences in Sioux City
and Council Bluffs regarding flood damage, and prevention efforts, along the
Missouri River. They will then conduct an aerial surveillance of the flood-affected
areas while traveling from Sioux City to Council Bluffs.

IGHSAU Softball Rankings

Sports

June 24th, 2011 by Jim Field

2011 5th Iowa Girls High School Softball Rankings
Compiled by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union
6/24/2011
Class 4A
4A
SCHOOL
Record
LW
1
Des Moines East
25-1
1
2
Bettendorf
29-0
2
3
Muscatine
20-4
3
4
Cedar Rapids Jefferson
23-4
6
5
Burlington
19-4
5
6
Ottumwa
21-6
8
7
Iowa City West
18-6
7
8
Davenport West
21-4
9
9
Ankeny
22-4
10
10
Sioux City East
19-5
4
11
Waukee
17-6
15
12
Johnston
17-8
11
13
Dowling Catholic
16-10
13
14
Cedar Rapid Xavier
18-7
NR
15
Dubuque Hempstead
23-3
NR
Dropped Out: North Scott (12), Des Moines Lincoln (14)
Class 3A
SCHOOL
Record
LW
1
Clear Creek-Amana
26-1
1
2
Carlisle
24-1
3
3
Dallas Center-Grimes
23-4
5
4
Winterset
21-8
4
5
Chariton
18-5
2
6
Keokuk
16-6
12
7
Solon
20-7
6
8
West Delaware
25-5
7
9
Charles City
22-3
8
10
Waverly-Shell Rock
18-4
10
11
Sergeant Bluff-Luton
18-4
13
12
Glenwood
18-5
15
13
Creston
20-4
11
14
Mount Vernon
22-6
9
15
Harlan
15-6
14
Dropped Out: None
Class 2A
SCHOOL
Record
LW
1
Central Springs
23-0
1
2
Durant
19-3
4
3
Bondurant-Farrar
22-4
2
4
Alta-Aurelia
18-5
3
5
West Burlington
13-4
8
6
Logan-Magnolia
15-2
10
7
Iowa City Regina
14-9
5
8
Emmetsburg
16-5
7
9
Wilton
17-7
6
10
Missouri Valley
17-4
13
11
Albia
15-8
NR
12
Sumner-Fredericksburg
22-6
NR
13
Mediapolis
19-4
11
14
Estherville-LC
11-6
NR
15
Ogden
17-6
NR
Dropped Out: Colfax-Mingo (9), Jefferson-Scranton/P-C (12), West Marshall (14), Interstate-35 (15)
Class 1A
SCHOOL
Record
LW
1
Akron-Westfield
20-1
1
2
Martensdale-St. Marys
24-0
2
3
Preston
19-2
4
4
NSK-AR
24-3
5
5
Hinton
16-8
3
6
Don Bosco
20-3
8
7
Earlham
19-5
11
8
Treynor
19-3
13
9
North Mahaska
19-3
6
10
Newell-Fonda
15-8
7
11
Lynnville-Sully
16-4
10
12
Janesville
21-4
9
13
Des Moines Christian
15-4
NR
14
West Lyon
13-3
NR
15
WCLT
20-4
15
Dropped Out: Woodward-Granger (12), Van Meter (14)

Calif. man arrested on gun charge in Cass Co., IA

News

June 24th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports a California man was arrested today (Friday), for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. 27-year old Christopher Lawrence Gaul,  of Hemet , CA,  was brought to the Cass County Jail and is being held on $5,000 bond.
The Sheriff’s office reports also, 26-year old Sarah Shanelle Olsen, of Griswold, was arrested Thursday, on a charge of Public Intoxication. Olsen was brought to the Cass County Jail, pled guilty to the charge and was released the next day.

3 Iowa soldiers injured in Afghan explosion

News

June 24th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Three Iowa National Guard soldiers have been injured when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier says the incident happened Tuesday.

National Guard Maj. Mike Wunn tells the Courier in an e-mail from Afghanistan that the three soldiers suffered minor injuries and have returned to duty.

Wunn says names of injured soldiers aren’t released unless their injuries require evacuation and more extensive treatment.

The soldiers are members of the Waterloo-based 1st Battalion 133rd Infantry Regiment. They have been in Afghanistan since October and are expected to return home later this summer.

Delayed accident report

News

June 24th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

In a delayed report from the Iowa State Patrol, officials said a couple from Anita was injured during an accident on Interstate 80 in Cass County. The crash occurred just after 12-p.m. on June 11th.
Officials say the accident happened as 75-year old Richard Wayne Lewis and his 73-year old wife Mary Bernita Lewis, were traveling west on I-80 and passing another vehicle. A camper trailer being pulled by the Lewis’ pickup truck began to sway, causing Richard Lewis to lose control. His pickup hit both sides of a bridge near the Cass-Pottawattamie County line and came to rest blocking both westbound lanes of traffic.
Richard Lewis was transported by Trooper Todd Granner to the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic. Mary Lewis was taken to the hospital by Walnut Rescue. Both were had been wearing their seatbelts.

Friday, June 24th

Trading Post

June 24th, 2011 by Jim Field

For Sale: Reduced for quick sale — Frigidaire upright large deep freeze good for meat and other storage $75 OBO.  Older Firestone refrigerator good for garage $25 OBO.  Both have been used and are in good working condition.  Have pick-up and would help deliver.  Call 249-1726.

For Sale: Ramp for a semi or trailer, about 12-15 feet.  249-4005.

Wanted: Child’s seat you hook onto a bicycle and a small helmet for a child under 5 years old.  712-778-5121.

Wanted: Gas range cooking stove.  712-762-4362.

For Sale: Console radio/record player $25.  Large record collection of 50’s, 60’s & 70’s, over 50 record for $50. 42″ digital TV (not a flat screen) asking $40.  712-764-4391.

For Rent: One bedroom house on Locust Street in Atlantic $250 rent plus $300 deposit.  Pay own utilities.  Six month or one year lease required, available in July.  249-6223.

Backyard and Beyond 06-24-2011

Podcasts

June 24th, 2011 by admin

Lavon speaks about looking for and getting rid of mold in your home.

Play