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Iowa motorists warned to watch for slow moving farm vehicles

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Harvest season will kick into high gear once Iowa gets an extended period of dry weather and that means large farm machinery will be traveling the state’s roadways. Iowa State Patrol Trooper Vince Kurtz is calling on motorists to be patient and prepared. “Even though you may end up following a tractor for several miles at 35 miles an hour, in the grand scheme of things, it’s really only going to cost you a couple minutes of your time,” Kurtz says. “As opposed to the danger that you could be putting yourself and your family in by making a poor pass or by going too fast, not paying attention, and possibly rear-end that implement coming up over the top of a hill.”

Farmers can help reduce the chances of a crash by properly marking their machinery. “That all begins with a SMV (slow moving vehicle) triangle at the back of every vehicle you’re pulling,” Kurtz says. “So, if you’re pulling a wagon, you have to have that SMV triangle on the back of that wagon and visible. If you’re pulling another piece of equipment, make sure you have it at the back of that train.”

Farmers working after dark should also have a red light at the rear of the vehicle and flashing amber lights. Kurtz says he’s been called to three or four accidents involving farm equipment within the last month.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Mold a concern in harvesting corn

Ag/Outdoor

October 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — The continued wet weather may prove to be problematic for farmers wanting to harvest their crops. Iowa State University Extension Grain Quality Specialist, Charlie Hurburgh believes the wet conditions add a new issue to the harvest. “It’s just been a difficult fall — and now we are going to have mold problems in the fields for sure,” Hurburgh says. “And farmers need to scout their fields and look to see which fields seem to be more less affected by mold problems and harvest them first.” The wet conditions led to growth issues that are now showing up as farmers head to the fields.He says there is a lot of corn that is down because the stalk health wasn’t great and he says the down corn is more likely to spoil in the field than the corn that is standing up. “All in all we will have a little bit of a problematic harvest.”

The Iowa State grain quality specialist says the condition of this year’s grain is slightly below last year’s harvest.  “The kernel fill wasn’t just tremendous like it was last year. And the kernals weren’t as deep and they aren’t as big, which means our test weights will be okay, average, 54-55 pounds, but I don’t think anything exceptional,” according to Hurburgh. “From a livestock and ethanol persepctive, that’s really not too serious.” Hurburgh adds that the quality of the grain may deteriorate if we continue to have cool wet days — as there really hasn’t been a lot of natural drying days. “We only had maybe two days of really good drying weather right after the Labor Day deluge. There were two or three days where we got a lot of drying and then we went right back into the water again,” Hurburgh says. “The moisture reports have been all over the place.”

He says soybeans are seeing similar problems with high moisture levels. Hurburgh says for long-term storage of grain, corn moisture needs to be around 15 percent moisture, and for soybeans, the moisture content should be around ten to twelve percent.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor |

Skyscan weather forecast & weather data for Atlantic, 10/8/2018

Weather

October 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

**Flood Watch 7-a.m. Today thru 7-a.m. Wed.**

Today: Showers & occasional thunderstorms. High 65. SE @ 10-20.

Tonight: Showers w/periods of heavy rain. Low 60.

Tomorrow: Showers w/areas of heavy rain. High 72. S @ 10-20.

Wednesday: Cloudy to partly cloudy w/showers ending. High 52.

Thursday: P/Cldy. High 52.

Yesterday’s High in Atlantic was 57. From 7-a.m. Sunday through 7-a.m. Today, we received .77” rain. Our 24-hour Low was 45. Last year on this date our High was 82 and the Low was 51. The record High in Atlantic on this date was 93 in 1893. The Record Low was 19 in 1908 & 2000

Posted in Weather |

Third district congressional candidates meet in radio debate

News

October 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Republican Congressman David Young and his Democratic challenger, Cindy Axne, both say they favor hiring more agents and using drones to patrol some areas. But the two quarreled about another immigration-related issue last (Sunday) night during a debate broadcast on K-M-A Radio.
“If we lose this seat and Nancy Pelosi becomes speaker, their agenda is basically to have a borderless society and to get rid of ICE.”

Young is referring to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Axne responded. “I have never once said that I would abolish ICE,” Axne said. “…I don’t think scare tactics are an appropriate way to address these issues.” This summer, a group of House Democrats introduced a bill to abolish the agency and appoint a commission to examine how asylum seekers are handled at the southern border. During last (Sunday) night’s debate, Young, Axne and Libertarian Party candidate Bryan Jack Holder all expressed opposition to the policy of separating children from parents crossing the border and seeking asylum in the United States.

The U.S. health care system was also an issue of pointed discussion during last (Sunday) night’s debate. Holder revealed he’s been uninsured for several years because he has a pre-existing condition. “When the Democrats were in charge of congress, they could have put through single payer, but they didn’t have the political courage to do that,” Holder said. “instead, they threw us to the wolves, to the predatory health insurance companies.”

Young and Axne quarrelled over Young’s record on federal policy toward Americans with pre-existing conditions. The candidates also used some of their air time last (Sunday) night to introduce themselves to voters. Holder, the Libertarian, touted what he calls the “Iowa Compromise.” It would double the size of the U.S. House of Representatives from 435 to 870 members, so there would be smaller districts.

Posted in News |

(Updated 10/8/18) – FLOOD WATCH expanded

News, Weather

October 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The National Weather Service has expanded a FLOOD WATCH which is in effect from 7-a.m. today (Monday) through 7-a.m. Wednesday, for the entire KJAN listening area.

* Periods with heavy rainfall are forecast through the period. Expect an area with heavy rain beginning this morning with additional bouts tonight and again Tuesday and Tuesday night. Total accumulations after multiple days of rain may reach as high as three to six inches.

* Saturated soils in addition to expected heavy rainfall will lead to significant runoff into area streams and may result in extensive overland flooding and ponding water. Localized flash flooding may also occur. In addition, widespread river flooding may occur across the northern half of Iowa.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

Posted in News, Weather |

1st degree Murder & FIP warrants issued for Council Bluffs man

News

October 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Police in Council Bluffs say warrants have been issued in connection with a murder that took place Sunday afternoon. Active warrants charge 69-year old Kenneth Still, of Council Bluffs, with Murder in the 1st Degree and Felon In Possession of a Firearm, in connection to the death of 21-year old Devon M. Theisen, of Council Bluffs. Still is considered to be armed and dangerous. He’s believed to be driving a green 2000 Nissen Xterra SUV with license plate G-O-M 2-6-2

Suspect’s green Nissan Xterra

Kenneth Still

Authorities say officers were called just before 3-p.m. Sunday to 127 Park Avenue, for a shooting that had just occurred at that location.  When officers arrived, they found Theisen on the front porch, with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head.  Witnesses told officers at the scene that the victim was involved in a disturbance with the suspect, Kenneth Still.

They told police that at some point during the incident, Still grabbed a shot gun inside the residence and fired one round, striking Theisen in the head.  Still then left the area in the Nissan SUV and had not been located as of the latest report. Theisen was transported by ambulance to the Nebraska Medical Center where he died from his injuries.

If you have any information on Still’s location please call 911.

Posted in News |

Iowa early News Headlines: Monday, Oct. 8 2018

News

October 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Sen. Cory Booker says President Donald Trump’s recent criticisms don’t bother him, and he welcomes a discussion of his record as the former mayor of Newark and his work in the Senate. The New Jersey Democrat is in Iowa, the lead-off presidential caucus state, as he weighs running for president in 2020.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A Davenport man has been arrested and charged in the June shooting death of another man. The Quad-City Times reports that 37-year-old Deondra Lamont Thomas appeared in court Saturday morning to face charges of first-degree murder and a weapons county in the June 9 shooting death of 46-year-old Jason Roberts.

COLO, Iowa (AP) — A registered sex offender in Iowa faces new charges after investigators say he molested several young boys on camping trips to a Story County park. Des Moines television station KCCI reports that 30-year-old Michael Ferguson took several boys between the ages of 9 and 14 camping at Hickory Grove Park in Colo between May 2017 and February. Court documents say Ferguson forced at least four children to perform sexual acts.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — The western Iowa jury has found a man guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of another homeless man at a Council Bluffs homeless shelter. The Daily Nonpareil reports that 46-year-old Vance Good was found guilty Friday in the March stabbing death of 44-year-old Lee Johnson. Good is one of four men charged in Johnson’s death, including 20-year-old James McCauley, who also faces a first-degree murder charge.

Posted in News |

Latest outlook for flooding from the NWS (updated 7:20-p.m. 10/7)

News, Weather

October 7th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The National Weather Service, in its Flood Outlook for the next few days, reports moderate to heavy rain starts later tonight and continues on and off through Wednesday morning. This rain will lead to rises on area creeks/streams/rivers and may cause localized flash flooding. Widespread river flooding is possible over northern and parts of central Iowa. For More information -> https://www.weather.gov/dmx/sitrep.

Posted in News, Weather |

FLASH FLOOD WATCH issued for Cass & area Counties thru Wed. morning

News, Weather

October 7th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The National Weather Service has issued a FLASH FLOOD WATCH in effect from 7-a.m. Monday through 7-a.m. Wednesday for the following area counties: Cass-Adair-Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas, Pottawattamie, Mills, Harrison, Shelby, Sac, Crawford, and Carroll.

A frontal system south of Iowa this evening will lift into the state overnight and then stall southwest to northeast Monday and Tuesday before finally exiting Wednesday morning. Unusually high amounts of moisture for fall will be in place near the system allowing for repetitive moderate to heavy rains. Total accumulations after multiple days of rain may reach as high as four to six inches across west central and northwest Iowa with two to four inch totals possible central and southeast.

* Soils are already at or near saturation so much of the rainfall will runoff into streams, creeks and rivers and may result in extensive overland flooding and standing water, ponding water on roads and even localized flash flooding. This is in addition to the potential of widespread river flooding across the northern half of Iowa.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

Posted in News, Weather |

Chiefs get pick-6, march all over Jags in soggy 30-14 romp

Sports

October 7th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Turns out the Kansas City Chiefs can play a little defense, too. The Chiefs’ beleaguered bunch forced Jacksonville quarterback Blake Bortles into five turnovers, including a pick-6 by defensive tackle Chris Jones, and Kansas City merely had to supplement with the NFL’s highest-scoring offense in a 30-14 romp over the Jaguars on Sunday. Patrick Mahomes threw for 313 yards and ran for a touchdown, though he also threw his first two picks of the season, and Kareem Hunt added 87 yards and a touchdown on the ground as the Chiefs (5-0) marched all over the league’s top-ranked defense at soggy Arrowhead Stadium.

Tyreek Hill, who was frequently matched up with the Jaguars’ Jalen Ramsey in an entertaining one-on-one affair, had four catches for 61 yards in a game that grew testy on both sides. Jones was ejected in the second half after he dropped an elbow on a Jaguars lineman while both were on the ground following a point-after attempt. Pass rusher Dee Ford joined him in the locker room later in the half when he was whistled for his second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Hunt was flagged for head-butting linebacker Telvin Smith Jr. earlier in the game.

Nobody had a worse day than Bortles, though. He was 33 of 61 for 430 yards with a touchdown and four interceptions , and also ran for a TD — though most of his yardage came in garbage time. Bortles also was strip-sacked in the first half as early rains soaked the field. By that point, the Chiefs were on their way to a 20-0 halftime lead. Mahomes led them 73 yards on their first possession, finishing the drive himself with a short scramble for a touchdown. Then he led the league’s high-powered offense 82 yards for a field goal a few minutes later, leaving Jacksonville’s vaunted D second-guessing itself.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars’ offense was having all kinds of problems.

Jacksonville (3-2) drove inside the Kansas City 5 early in the second quarter, but an incomplete fade on third down and another incompletion on fourth turned the ball over. Bortles was strip-sacked on the first play of their next possession, and he threw the pick-6 to Jones on the first play of the next. Jacksonville’s calamitous half ended when Bortles, trying to force a pass into the end zone, instead bounced it off his offensive lineman’s helmet and right to Steven Nelson for another interception. In Bortles’ defense, his offensive line didn’t give him a whole lot of time. He was sacked five times and the Chiefs had another 11 hurries, spending most of the game right in his face. Bortles’ only real highlight came late in the game, when he escaped the collapsing pocket and angled toward the sideline, then lowered his shoulder to finish off a 21-yard touchdown run . The Jaguars recovered the onside kick, only for the Chiefs to force another turnover on downs.
INJURIES
Chiefs: OLBs Justin Houston (hamstring) and Tanoh Kpassagnon (ankle) and FSs Armani Watts (groin) and Eric Murray (lower leg) left the game in the first half. RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif left in the final minutes with a left ankle injury.
UP NEXT
Chiefs: Head to New England for a Sunday night showdown.

Posted in Sports |