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Iowa State research park faces big loss in firm’s bankruptcy

News

September 21st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa State University Research Park is facing a major financial loss after a once-promising tenant was allowed to fall behind on rent for years before going bankrupt. The Ames business hub says it’s likely the single biggest creditor of Etrema Products and is owed roughly $480,000 in uncollected rent payments.

Research Park director Steve Carter said Wednesday the park considered evicting Etrema but gave the company time as it sought to turn the business around. The company was seeking to commercialize Terfenol-D, a metal that was thought to have numerous applications.

Carter said the company made “irregular” rent payments but its debt built up over recent years. The company’s lease was reduced last year to about $12,000 monthly. Etrema and its parent company filed for bankruptcy June 30.

Groups wants Branstad to back moratorium on hog confinements

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 21st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A new consortium of environmental groups is asking Gov. Terry Branstad to support a statewide moratorium on new and expanded hog confinement operations because of polluted waterways. The Iowa Alliance for Responsible Agriculture announced itself at a Wednesday Capitol news conference and sought Branstad’s backing.

The alliance, which includes more than 20 groups, wants the moratorium in place until the state improves water quality in its lakes and streams. Alliance members blame hog confinements for polluting waterways and creating health problems for nearby residents.

Branstad spokesman Ben Hammes rejected the alliance’s proposal, calling it an “extreme” plan that would hurt agriculture and Iowa’s economy.

The alliance is separate from the recently formed Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy Coalition, comprised of agriculture, business and conservation groups that support increasing the sales tax to fund natural resource programs.

Tractor/manure spreader hits bridge s.w. of Atlantic – 1 hurt

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 21st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

One person suffered what were described as non-life threatening injuries during an accident southwest of Atlantic Wednesday afternoon.Cass County Chief Deputy Sheriff John  Westering told KJAN News a John Deere 8310-R tractor hauling an empty liquid manure hauler/spreader, was traveling north on Highway 6 at around 12:48-p.m., when part of the trailer clipped east side the Trooper Stanley Gerling Memorial Bridge, over Turkey Creek, about a mile south of Memphis Road.

The impact caused the both the tractor and tanker to go out of control and crash into the concrete bridge railing on the west side of the bridge. The tractor and tanker went over the concrete railing and toppled about 25 feet, with tractor ending up on the north side of the ditch and part of the tanker in the creek.

8310-2

Photo’s by KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

The driver of the tractor, 31-year-old Timothy McFarland, of Waukee, was freed from the machine by non-mechanical means and was said to be up and walking around. He was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital by Medivac Ambulance.

The tractor was considered a total loss. The accident remains under investigation.

8310-1 8310-3 tanker1 tanker2

Rescue crews called to accident southwest of Atlantic

News

September 21st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Fire and Rescue and Medivac were called to the scene of a single vehicle accident at around 12:50-p.m. southwest of town on Highway 6, near Memphis Road. A vehicle had left the road and hit the bridge before ending up in the creek below. LifeNet was put on standby. Additional information is not available at this time.

More info. released on arrest of Dsm man following Tue. pursuit

News

September 21st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office today (Wednesday) released more information on the arrest of a man who led authorities on a pursuit early Tuesday morning. Officials say 30-year old Nicholas Allen Cannon, of Des Moines, was taken into custody at around 3:10-p.m. Tuesday, after deputies deployed a Taser, causing the man to become immobilized.

He was arrested after officers were called to the Red Oak Hy-Vee Store for a suspicious subject on the north side of the building. Upon arrival, officers located the subject, and determined he matched a description of the man involved in the incident earlier in the day, Tuesday. When they tried to take Cannon into custody, he took off on foot with officers in pursuit and was finally apprehended after the Taser was used.

Cannon was transported to the Montgomery County Hospital by Red Oak Rescue, and treated for minor injuries he suffered during a fall after being tased. Cannon was then transported to the University of Nebraska Hospital’s trauma center by Red Oak Rescue, for further evaluation. Tests at the hospital determined Cannon had suffered internal injuries resulting a car crash that happened early Tuesday morning as he was being pursued. Cannon was reported to be under observation at last report, and in stable condition, with non-life threatening injuries.

He faces felony charges that include Eluding and Possession of a Stolen motor vehicle, along with Possession of a Controlled Substance/marijuana, and interference with official acts. He also faces a felony, Criminal Mischief in the 2nd degree charge, after Red Oak Police determined Cannon damage two vending machines and a change machine at a laundromat Tuesday, prior to his being caught. The damage was estimated at $4,000.

The incident involving Cannon began to unfold at around 3:15-a.m., when Adams County Deputies, who had stopped a separate vehicle for a traffic offense 3 miles east of the Adams/Montgomery County line, saw a vehicle drive by at about 85-miles per hour. The deputies engaged in a pursuit of the speeding car, with speeds approaching 110-miles per hour on Highway 34, as the vehicle entered Montgomery County.

As the pursuit entered Red Oak city limits, Cannon’s vehicle hit a deer. The accident resulted in the vehicle entering a ditch near the intersection of Highway 34 and Eastern Avenue. The vehicle continued westbound in the ditch and barely missed a light pole and stop sign. Cannon jumped out of the vehicle as it crossed over Eastern Avenue going about 40-to 45-miles per hour, and continued to flee on foot. The vehicle continued west across Eastern Avenue, down into the ditch and came to rest about 150-yards southwest of the intersection.

Sheriff’s K9 Units from Montgomery and Cass Counties searched for the suspect for a considerable amount of time before their efforts were called-off. At around 8-a.m., Tuesday, the Montgomery County’s Communication Center received a call regarding a theft of a cell phone from a residence located on 200th Street, about three-quarters of a mile east of Cannon’s last known location. Authorities searched the area but came up empty. They think Cannon used the stolen cell phone to contact an ex-girlfriend in the Des Moines area.

Agencies involved in the search for Cannon included Deputies with the Adams, Montgomery and Cass County Sheriff’s Offices, Cass and Montgomery County K9 Units, and Red Oak Police.

Tri-Center Cross Country Meet 09-20-2016

Sports

September 21st, 2016 by admin

TC Cross Country Results for 9/20/2016

BOYS

  1. Joe Weber Boyer Valley 19:16
  2. Connor Garrett Boyer Valley 19:32
  3. Gage Graeve Valley 19:37
  4. Justin Ambrose Boyer Valley 19:43
  5. Zach Ambrose Boyer Valley 19:52
  6. Lane Ausdemore Tri-Center 20:11
  7. Adam Thompson SWI  20:15
  8. Jake Wohler Tri-Center  20:17
  9. Dalton Fischer AHSTW  20:24
  10. Grant Guinan Valley 20:09

Team Results

  1. Boyer Valley 33 pts
  2. Tri-Center 55 pts
  3. Valley 75 pts
  4. Underwood 113 pts
  5. Woodbine 132 pts
  6. LOMA 148 pts
  7. AHSTW 158 pts
  8. Southwest Iowa 188 pts

GIRLS

  1. Jeanette Schraft               East Mills                          22:37
  2. Taylor Sporrer                  LOMA                                23:37
  3. Emily Copic                       Exira-EHK                        23:51
  4. Lexie Cook                        Mo. Valley                          24:38
  5. Jaycee Schueman            AHSTW                              24:46
  6. Heidi Hall                         AHSTW                              24:55
  7. Mackenzie Christiansen  LOMA                               25:14
  8. Ashlyn Cook                       Mo. Valley                        25:48
  9. Claire Hansen                    Mo. Valley                        26:04
  10. Shelbi Wilson                     Exira-EHK                       26:03

Team Results

  1. Mo. Valley  46 pts.
  2. AHSTW  52 pts.
  3. LOMA  68 pts.
  4. Tri-Center  87 pts
  5. Exira-EHK 103 pts
  6. Southwest Iowa 145 pts

2 from Des Moines die in Missouri plane crash

News

September 21st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. (AP) – Authorities say an Iowa pilot and his passenger have died after a single-engine plane crashed at a suburban Kansas City airport. Lee’s Summit police Sgt. Chris Depue says the crash happened around 6:10 p.m. Tuesday at Lee’s Summit Municipal Airport. Responding crews found the 1964 Piper PA-28 on the west side of the airport tarmac. The victims were identified Wednesday as 53-year-old Vincent Basile and 24-year-old Kelli Basile, both of Des Moines, Iowa.

Depue says the initial investigation indicates they crashed while traveling to Lee’s Summit to meet family. Depue says no one else was aboard the plane, and no other injuries were reported.

Backyard and Beyond 09-21-2016

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

September 21st, 2016 by admin

Lavon Eblen speaks with Michelle Heath from the Nishna Valley Family YMCA about Iowa YMCA appreciation month.

Play

Pott County Sheriff’s report (9/21)

News

September 21st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a Council Bluffs man was arrested Tuesday night on drug and other charges. Authorities say at around 11:35-p.m., a deputy on patrol saw a vehicle whose driver was possibly intoxicated or tired. A traffic stop of the vehicle resulted in the arrest of 18-year old Jackson Butler Rackley, of Council Bluffs, for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

The Sheriff’s Office reports also, 45-year old Frankie Jo Garren, of Irwin, was arrested at around 8:50-p.m. Tuesday, for Driving While Barred. Her arrest took place after a deputy responded to a report a pickup truck was traveling on Interstate 80 without its headlights on.

A Pott. County Deputy arrested 21-year old Cole Bernard McKenzie, of Council Bluffs early this (Wednesday) morning. McKenzie was taken into custody for Driving While Barred, following a traffic stop at around 3-a.m. in the 24000 block of Greenview Road.

State holds free workshop on revitalizing “brownfield” areas

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 21st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

A workshop is being held in central Iowa today (Wednesday) to help communities find the needed resources to help redevelop and revitalize areas that may have environmental contamination. Mel Pins, spokesman for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says the workshop is focused on what are known as “brownfield” areas, and he offers an example.

“If there’s a closed gas station in your community that’s been sitting there for a number of years, why has it not been redeveloped?” Pins asks. “That’s probably because somebody fears contamination. Whether there are problems or not, that perception or that stigma holds up reuse and redevelopment.”

The all-day workshop is free and open to anyone, targeting Iowa community leaders and non-profit groups. “The workshop is designed to cover some of the things we can offer, both technical and financial assistance, to help investigate environmental issues at these sites, to see if they’re suitable for reuse, and if necessary, even to help clean them up.”

The D-N-R workshop is underway at the Octagon Center for the Arts in Ames.

(Radio Iowa)