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Report places Iowa #11 on list of Best School Systems in America

News

August 1st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Iowa’s public school system is one of the best in the country, according to an analysis by the personal-finance website WalletHub. Iowa is ranked 11th on WalletHub’s list of “Best School Systems in America.” The report examined each state across 17 metrics, ranging from student-teacher ratio to average SAT and ACT scores to dropout rate. Iowa has the lowest dropout rate in the country at 9.5 percent.

The report places Massachusetts at the top of the list of states with the best school systems — with New Jersey, Connecticut, Vermont, and Wisconsin rounding out the top five.

On the web at https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-best-schools/5335/

(Radio Iowa)

July saw around two more inches of rain than normal

News, Weather

August 1st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

State climatologist Harry Hillaker says most of the state got more rain than normal in July. “Statewide averaging a little bit over six inches — and typically you get about four-point-two inches or rainfall during the month,” Hillaker says.

In Atlantic, at the KJAN Studios, we received 7.78” of rain during the month, which was 3.16” more than average. The most rain fell on July 11th (1.25″), July 17th (1.38″), July 19th (1.68″), and July 27th (1.5″). Hillaker says there was one area of the state that missed out on the extra rain.  Hillaker says “The far northwest corner along the South Dakota border, where some areas are only roughly about half the usual amount of rain up that way. And fortunately they had had fairly good rainfall earlier this season, but  got left out for the most part during July.”

All the rainy days were offset by the sunny ones when it came to the average temperature. “Overall averaged out to just two-tenths of a degree cooler than usual,” Hillaker says. “Had a couple of episodes of unusually cool weather, one to start off the first three or four days of the month where our temperatures were well below normal, a very cool Fourth of July for example.”

In Atlantic, the average high of 83 was 2.17-degrees cooler than the normal, while the average low of 62 was one degree cooler than normal. The warmest day was July 21st (92 degrees), while the coolest morning was the 17th (51 degrees). Hillaker says Iowa also had one week near the end of the month where high heat and humidity made it feel “pretty miserable” outside.

He says we had heat index of 110 degrees or higher four days in a row from the 20th to the 23rd.  The heat index factors in what it feels like with the heat and humidity combined. ” And the highest heat index reading of 119 degrees came in Shenandoah,” according to Hillaker. That was on July 21st.

(Radio Iowa/KJAN weather data)

Flood Warning until Tue. morning for Taylor/Ringgold Counties

Weather

August 1st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED A FLOOD WARNING FOR TAYLOR AND RINGGOLD COUNTIES UNTIL 1015 AM CDT TUESDAY.

* AT 1009 AM CDT…DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCING HEAVY RAIN WHICH WILL CAUSE FLOODING. AS MUCH AS 5 TO 7 INCHES OF RAIN HAS FALLEN.

* SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLOODING INCLUDE…
MOUNT AYR…BEDFORD…LENOX…CLEARFIELD…DIAGONAL…BLOCKTON…
GRAVITY…SHARPSBURG…REDDING…BENTON…CONWAY…MALOY…
DELPHOS…ATHELSTAN…MT AYR MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AND LAKE OF THREE
FIRES STATE PARK.

Authorities ID crop-dusting pilot killed in Iowa crash

News

August 1st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

SAC CITY, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have released the name of a crop-dusting pilot who was killed when his plane crashed in western Iowa. The plane wreckage was discovered around 9:45 a.m. Friday by a crew responding to a power outage about 3 1/2 miles south of Sac City. The Sac County Sheriff’s Office said Monday that a preliminary investigation shows the plane clipped the static lines on high-voltage lines and came down in a cornfield.

The Sheriff’s Office says in a news release that the pilot has been identified as 44-year-old Mark Watson, who lived in Burlington.  An autopsy has been ordered.

Steve King to hold Town Hall meeting in Onawa next week

News

August 1st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Republican Congressman Steve King has announced he’ll hold a Town Hall meeting next Monday (August 8th), in Onawa. The meeting takes place from 11:30-a.m. until 12:30-p.m., at the Onawa Public Library (707 Iowa Avenue).

Significant Weather Advisory: Shelby & Harrison Counties

Weather

August 1st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

1024 AM CDT MON AUG 1 2016

SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN SHELBY AND NORTHEASTERN HARRISON COUNTIES UNTIL 1100 AM CDT…

AT 1023 AM CDT…DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF DUNLAP…OR 16 MILES SOUTHWEST OF DENISON…MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH.

NICKEL SIZE HAIL AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH
THIS STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE…
HARLAN…EARLING…IRWIN…DEFIANCE…PANAMA…WESTPHALIA…
KIRKMAN AND MANTENO RECREATION AREA.

THIS INCLUDES HIGHWAY 59 IN IOWA BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 80 AND 91.

AUGUST 2016

Birthday Club

August 1st, 2016 by admin

August 1st:

  • Larry Jessen of Exira (Winner)
  • Karen Thompson of Cumberland
  • Roger Lyons of Atlantic

August 2nd:

  • Toby Thomas of Atlantic (Winner)
  • Maxine Blunk of Atlantic

August 3rd:

  • Rachel Jensen of Brayton (Winner)
  • Riley Smith
  • Clarissa Terpstra of Exira

August 4th:

  • Linda Petersen of Exira (Winner)
  • Brad Johnson of Exira
  • Clint Johnson of Exira
  • Kelsey Templemen of Wiota
  • Mike Krull of Atlantic

August 5th:

  • Martin Nelson of Elk Horn (Winner)
  • Jean Granger of Atlantic
  • John King of Casey

August 6th:

  • Dwain Thompson of Exira (Winner)
  • Wendell Weideman of Atlantic
  • Franklin Andersen of Exira

August 7th:

  • Chuck Sorensen of Exira (Winner)

August 8th:

  • Linda Eilts of Massena (Winner)
  • Kyler Edie

August 9th:

  • Ann Martin of Exira (Winner)
  • Linda Eilts of Massena
  • Gloria Sutton of Audubon

August 10th:

  • Zoey Nielsen of Exira (Winner)
  • Jason Beymer of Atlantic

August 11th:

  • no birthdays

August 12th:

  • Dale Langenfeld of Exira (Winner)
  • Swede Johnson of Exira

August 13th:

  • Herb Wahlert of Exira (Winner)

August 14th:

  • Linda Riesberg of Exira (Winner)

August 15th:

  • Irma Schaaf of Atlantic (Winner)

August 16th:

  • Hannah Housh of Atlantic (Winner)
  • Mallory Pope of Harlan
  • Dorothy Jorgensen of Exira

August 17th:

  • Janice Peterson of Atlantic (Winner)
  • Becky Pamley of Brayton
  • Margo Wolf of Atlantic
  • Darlene Hockenberry of Anita
  • Savannah Hays of Hamlin

August 18th:

  • Colby Madsen of Kimballton (Winner)
  • Barb Larsen of Exira
  • Bobbie Davis of Atlantic
  • Pat Saltmarsh of Atlantic

August 19th:

  • Isaac Hart of Atlantic (Winner)
  • Rose Tanner of Atlantic

August 20th:

  • Sandra Schmelling of Casey (Winner)

August 21st:

  • Denny Stuetelberg of Atlantic (Winner)
  • Ardella Petersen of Exira
  • Juliann Daniels of Atlantic

August 22nd:

  • Jake Skartvedt of Atlantic (Winner)
  • Margie Herbert of Atlantic
  • Todd Nielsen of Exira
  • June Kees of Atlantic
  • Dick Wright of Atlantic

August 23rd:

  • Jovie Trailer of Brayton (Winner)
  • Lori Sampson of Atlantic
  • JoAnn Gerlock of Cumberland

August 24th:

  • Claire Paulsen of Exira (Winner)
  • Sharon Foster of Griswold
  • Barbara Jean DuVall of Audubon
  • Sandy Kneisel of Griswold
  • Tyler Mosier of Atlantic
  • Joyce Andersen of Atlantic
  • Mark Jespersen of Atlantic
  • Doug Jensen of Audubon

August 25th:

  • Ryan Schueman of Avoca (Winner)
  • Brenda Swope of Atlantic
  • Megan Potter of Griswold
  • Karen McFadden of Urbandale

August 26th:

  • Julie Mortensen of Kimballton (Winner)
  • Janice Kinnison of Atlantic
  • Jeannette Wittrock of Anita

August 27th:

  • Chance Lauritsen of Exira (Winner)

August 28th:

  • Madonna Nisson of Atlantic (Winner)
  • Irene Rydl of Anita
  • Juli Seemann of Atlantic
  • Darrell Jensen of Audubon

August 29th:

  • Melanie Larsen of Audubon (Winner)
  • Alberta Becker

August 30th:

  • Fern Lindvall of Atalntic (Winner)
  • Charlene Johnson of Atlantic
  • Catherine Leonard of Atlantic
  • Donnie Schlater of Exira

August 31st:

  • Kim Sorensen of Atlantic (Winner)
  • Janelle Hockenberry of Wiota

Backyard & Beyond 8-1-2016

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

August 1st, 2016 by Jim Field

LaVon Eblen visits about fresh fruits and vegetables.

Play

Glenwood P-D report (8/1/16)

News

August 1st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Glenwood Police Department reports three, recent arrests. Today (Monday), 22-year old Colton McDaniel, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for Attempted Burglary and Domestic Abuse Assault. McDaniel was being held in the Mills County Jail without bond, until making an appearance before a Magistrate Judge.

Saturday, Glenwood Police arrested 26-year old Herndon Buie, of Ashford, AL, on a charge of Public Intoxication. Bond was set at $300. And, on Friday, 55-year old Carl Carlson, of Shenandoah, was arrested in Glenwood for 4th degree Theft and Trespassing. Bond was set at $1,300.

Cass County Sheriff’s report (8/1/16): 3 arrested on drug charges

News

August 1st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports three men from Maryland were arrested Saturday on drug charges. 24-year old Daniel Zachary Damiba, 25-year old Shem Christian Smith, and 27-year old Daquon Brandon Vickers, all of Maryland, were each charged with Possession of Marijuana/1st Offense. They were taken to the Cass County Jail and released Sunday on their own recognizances.

Last Friday, deputies in Cass County arrested 29-year old Craig Steven Mumm, of Anita, on charges of Domestic Abuse and Obstruction of Emergency Communications. Mumm was taken to the Cass County Jail and was released later that day on $1,000 bond.