United Group Insurance

Creston man arrested for assault

News

November 30th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A man from Creston was arrested Sunday morning on an assault charge. 35-year old Mangus Welch was taken into custody at his residence at around 4-a.m., and charged with Domestic Abuse/Simple Assault. Welch was being held in the Union County Jail while serving his sentence.

Iowa Cookie Crumbs have already sent 31K cookies overseas

News

November 30th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Nearly 31,000 cookies packed in nearly 2,100 boxes have already been packed, sent and, in some cases, eaten. The Daily Nonpareil reports that the volunteer group since 2007 has been sending home-baked cookies to U.S. troops overseas.

On Nov. 10 at Emanuel Lutheran Church, more than 60 volunteers helped pack the boxes. Since its founding in 2007, Iowa Cookie Crumbs more than 928,000 cookies have been sent to the troops. Along with cookies, the organization also sends comfort items such as games, blank holiday cards, 2016 calendars, personal hygiene products and an assortment of snacks, drink mixes and candy.

The Iowa Cookie Crumbs is part of the national Treat the Troops organization and is funded by donations.

Former SW Iowa land owners to receive Practical Farmers award

Ag/Outdoor, News

November 30th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Three siblings who grew up on a farm in southwest Iowa will be honored early next year for their actions in selling the property. Dale Nimrod says his father died of cancer not long after purchasing the farm, near Stanton in Montgomery County, in 1944. Nimrod’s mother stayed on the 240-acre farm and raised her children — with help from neighbors and the community. In 2005, the Nimrod children decided it was time to sell the property.

Sunny and Dale Nimrod on their farm near Decorah.

Sunny and Dale Nimrod on their farm near Decorah.

“We were looking to give back to that community that helped raise us in the absence of my dad,” Dale said. The Nimrod family hoped to find a young family that would appreciate “the land, the community, and the church.” They settled on Mark and Melanie Peterson, a couple raising five children. “When we sold it to them, two of (the children) thought they may want to go into farming,” Dale said. “Mark was determined, if they wanted to farm, he’d have something they could work on.” The farm was sold to the Peterson family at a below-market-value price.

“(We) were willing to sell it on its economic value, its productivity value, not whatever its market value is – which is not very relevant, I don’t think, to anything,” Dale said. “So, we had (Mark) fill out some forms from Iowa State, like the kind of forms you’d fill out if you’re going to take out a farm loan, so he could see what he’d need to do in order to make the payments and we set the payments accordingly.” The 75-year-old Nimrod taught chemistry for many years at Luther College and lives on a farm near Decorah with his wife Sunny. He and his siblings, Faith and Vance, were recently selected as the 2015 winners of the Practical Farmers’ Farmland Owner Award.

The award will be presented to the Nimrod Family at the Practical Farmers of Iowa’s annual conference on January 22 in Ames. According to the organization, the Farmland Owner Award is given to non-operator landlords “who use their land to advance stewardship and help get the next generation started on the land.”

(Radio Iowa)

Lighted Parade Seeking Entries

News

November 30th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The annual Lighted Parade will fill downtown Atlantic with holiday cheer this Saturday, December 5th, starting at 6 p.m. To be a part of the parade, stop in the Atlantic Area Chamber and pick up your entry form now until December 5th. Cate Christensen, Chamber Programs Director, says“This is a great opportunity for local groups to have fun and showcase their holiday spirit.

Each float must have a holiday theme, lighting and organizers always encourage music.
You may have any holiday theme you would like but officials ask you NOT to include Santa on your float, as he will be on a float at the end of the parade. Awards will be  given for: Best Overall, presented by Rancho Grande; Best Holiday Spirit, presented by McCurdy Investments; and Twinkle Twinkle, presented by Atlantic Feedwater Systems. AtlantiCash will be given for 1 st, 2nd and 3rd place. Winners will be notified before the parade.
Fireworks, sponsored by A.M. Cohron & Son and Meyer & Gross Real Estate, kick off the Christmas magic over the Rock Island Depot, starting at 6 p.m. Capture the Christmas magic with #MyAtlanticIa and post to the Atlantic Area Chamber’s
Facebook and Instagram (@AtlanticIowaFan) page. Contact the Atlantic Area Chamber with any questions at 712-243-3017 or at the Rock Island Depot, 102 Chestnut Street.

Clarinda man arrested on drug charges

News

November 30th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Police in Red Oak report the arrest Sunday night of a man from Clarinda. 26-year old Jason Lee Myers was taken into custody following a traffic stop at around 9:15-p.m. near the intersection of W. Reed and N. Broadway Streets. Myers was charged with OWI/Drugged and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond at the Montgomery County Jail was set at $1,000.

Dissolved Iowa school district to begin settling liabilities

News

November 30th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

FARRAGUT, Iowa (AP) – A southwest Iowa school district that was dissolved now has to close its books, settle its liabilities and dispose of property such as desks and buildings. The Daily Nonpareil in Council Bluffs reports that Lane Plugge, a former Iowa City schools superintendent, is overseeing the process.

Plugge is charged with oversight as part of his role as the chief administrator of the Green Hills Area Education Agency. State law gives him the authority to approve financial and personnel decisions, taking the power away from the local school board.

The Iowa Board of Education voted to close the Farragut School District earlier this month after officials said it was operating with a negative financial balance and sub-minimal education standards.

Weather Warning/Advisory update (4:30-a.m. 11/30)

News, Weather

November 30th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A WINTER STORM WARNING remains in effect until 6-p.m. today (Monday) for Cass-Adair-Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Crawford-Carroll-Pottawattamie-and Mills Counties, and until midnight for Monona-Harrison and Shelby Counties.

11301In the immediate KJAN listening area, widespread freezing rain this morning is expected to transition to snow by early this afternoon and then back to rain. Total snow accumulations of 1-3″ can be expected, with ice accumulating to two- to three- tenths of an inch. This may lead to hazardous travel conditions, especially this morning. The heavy, wet snow will also be difficult to remove. 2-to 5 inches of snow is possible in counties west/northwest of Cass.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY remains in effect until 6-pm today for Adams-Madison-Union-Taylor and Ringgold Counties, where freezing rain and drizzle is expected, with up to 1/10th of an inch possible.

NWS forecast for Atlantic & the area, 11/30/15

Weather

November 30th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

**Winter Storm Warning until 6-p.m. today (Monday)**

Early this morning: A chance of freezing rain before 4am, then a chance of rain between 4am and 5am, then freezing rain after 5am. Steady temperature around 33. East wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total nighttime ice accumulation of 0.1 to 0.2 of an inch possible.
Today: Snow and freezing rain, possibly mixed with rain before 2pm, then rain, possibly mixed with snow between 2pm and 4pm, then rain likely after 4pm. High near 35. East wind 6 to 8 mph becoming south southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New ice accumulation of 0.1 to 0.2 of an inch possible. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Tonight: Rain and freezing rain likely, possibly mixed with snow before 10pm, then snow likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain between 10pm and 11pm, then snow likely after 11pm. Cloudy, with a low around 27. South wind 6 to 15 mph becoming west southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 33. Breezy, with a west southwest wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.

‘Surging’ Cruz on campaign swing through Iowa

News

November 30th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz is making a three-day campaign lap around the state, with stops in 10 cities this weekend and three more today (Monday). “I just want to say thank you all for being here. Thank you for standing up. I’m here asking for your support, asking for your help. We are building a grassroots army.” That was Cruz, speaking at the Windrow restaurant in Creston on Saturday afternoon. Wally Miller of Creston was there to show his support for Cruz.

“He’s the only one that makes sense,” Miller says, adding he has a screening test for candidates. “When I look at someone, would I trust them with my grandkids or my chores? And I would.” Scott McLain of Creston compared Cruz’s positioning in the race to a NASCAR move. “He’s drafting right behind the leader at just the right time and right before the Iowa Caucuses then he will go right by the leader on the last lap,” McLain says. A recent Quinnipiac University poll found Cruz’s support in Iowa has doubled in the past month, to 23 percent — just behind Donald Trump’s 25 percent. Union County Republican chairman Joe Owens sees similar movement.

“A couple of months ago it was real strong for Trump and, believe it or not, Huckabee had some strong following — people from ’08, but Ted’s really making a surge,” Owens says. A month and a half ago Roger Burger of Lenox signed up to be a volunteer for Cruz. “I told them I wanted yard signs right now,” Burger says, “and everything else.” Burger was in the crowd of two dozen who gathered at the Tiger Den restaurant in Lenox to hear Cruz Saturday afternoon. Burger asked Cruz about “ObamaCare” and Cruz revealed his own family’s policy is being cancelled and he has to get new health insurance.

“Now I’m not unique in that situation,” Cruz said, adding the policy cancellation was news to his own campaign manager. “There are millions of Americans who get their policy cancelled…This is a disaster.” Cruz is promising to make the 2016 election a “referendum” on the repeal of “ObamaCare”. Cruz may have spent more time at the Tiger Den than originally scheduled. Someone on the campaign team locked the keys in the S-U-V Cruz was riding in and the Taylor County Sheriff was called to open the vehicle.

(Radio Iowa)

Toledo’s Matt Campbell to be named Iowa State coach

Sports

November 30th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Iowa State has announced Matt Campbell as the next Cyclones football coach. Campbell agreed to a six-year contract with a first-year salary of $2 million. The Des Moines Register reports Campbell will be officially introduced at a news conference in Ames at noon, today (Monday). At Iowa State, Campbell will replace Paul Rhoads.

The anticipated announcement would come on Campbell’s 36th birthday, making him one of the youngest head coaches in FBS. In four seasons with the Rockets, he is 35-15. Toledo athletic director Mike O’Brien told the AP on Saturday the school had offered Campbell a contract that would make him the highest-paid coach in the Mid-American Conference.

According to USA Today’s salary database, Western Michigan coach P.J. Fleck’s salary is $800,000 this season, highest in the MAC. At Iowa State, Rhoads made $2.2 million this year.