United Group Insurance

Feds back most of Iowa’s Medicaid expansion plan

News

December 10th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Federal authorities are granting approval to Iowa’s proposal to expand low-income health care. Officials from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service announced Tuesday that Iowa’s request was granted with “virtually all the initiatives the state has proposed.” But authorities are not giving the Gov. Terry Branstad as much flexibility as he sought to charge premiums to the very poor.

Iowa sought a waiver enabling the state to receive more federal Medicaid money for the proposed Iowa Health and Wellness Plan. The new health insurance program would cover up to 150,000 residents. The state wanted to charge small monthly premiums to those with incomes over half of the federal poverty line starting in 2015. Federal officials said Iowa could only charge those with incomes above 100 percent of poverty.

Reid says Senate will not extend farm law

Ag/Outdoor

December 10th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

WASHINGTON (AP) – Majority Leader Harry Reid says the Senate will not extend current farm law if Congress can’t agree on a new farm bill before adjourning next week.   House leaders have reserved space on their agenda this week for extending the current law until the end of January. Lawmakers fear that milk prices might rise sharply if dairy subsidies expire Jan. 1.  The House and Senate have passed separate versions, but with widespread differences over crop subsidies and how much to cut food stamps.

House Speaker John Boehner said last week that the House should extend the current law while negotiators seek a compromise.  Reid’s response Tuesday, in his words: “Let them vote on it. We’re not going to do it.”  Some senators fear an extension relieves pressure to get a deal.

Proposed Jefferson casino details released

News

December 10th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Supporters of a proposed Jefferson casino say they’ve reached an agreement with the casino operator to share 5 percent of the revenue with charitable organizations in Green County and the surrounding counties.  Grow Greene County Gaming Corp., the nonprofit organization applying for a gambling license and Wild Rose Entertainment, the company planning to run the casino announced details of their operating agreement Tuesday.

Casinos in Iowa share an average of 4.1 percent of revenue with charitable groups. The state requires at least 3 percent. Tom Timmins, Wild Rose CEO says the Jefferson casino should generate $30 million a year, providing $1.5 million for charitable groups in Greene and surrounding counties.  Wild Rose operates casinos in Emmetsburg and Clinton. It’s proposing a casino, restaurant and hotel complex for Jefferson.

ARLENE M. CHRISTENSEN, 96, of Audubon (Svcs. 12/12/13)

Obituaries

December 10th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

ARLENE M. CHRISTENSEN, 96, of Audubon, died Mon., Dec. 9th, at the Friendship Home in Audubon. Funeral services for ARLENE CHRISTENSEN will be held 10:30-a.m. Thu., Dec. 12th, at the 1st United Methodist Church in Audubon. Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon has the arrangements.

Friends may call at the funeral home. A family visitation will be held at the 1st United Methodist Church from 9:30-a.m. until the time of service on Thursday.

Burial will be in the Arlington Heights Cemetery in Audubon.

ARLENE CHRISTENSEN is survived by:

Her children – Marilyn (Keith) Grabill, of Audubon, & Nadene (Russell) Peppers of  Prescott Valley, AZ.

Her step-children: Neil (Janelle) Christensen, of MN; Ronald (Barbara) Christensen, Gary (Janice) Christensen, all of Audubon; Judi (Dr. Roger) Alexander, of CO; Randy (Elizabeth) Christensen, of HI; Lynn (Peggy) Christensen, of CO.

Her sister – Bernice (Bud) Farnum, of CO.

Numerous grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, 12 great-great grandchildren; numerous step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren and step-great-great grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10th

Trading Post

December 10th, 2013 by Jim Field

WANTED:  Looking for antenna towers. Either standing or taken apart.  712-254-2350.

WANTED: Steamer to steam linoleum & laminate flooring or any hardwood floor. 712-249-3807.

Backyard and Beyond 12-10-2013

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

December 10th, 2013 by admin

Lavon Eblen speaks with Jodi Smith, Assistant Director of the Red Oak Chamber of Commerce, about holiday happenings in Red Oak.

Play

Cass County Supervisors to act on deputy sheriff appt. & purchase of a building

News

December 10th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Wednesday, is expected to act on approving the purchase of a building across the street from the courthouse in Atlantic. The building at 707 Poplar Street is currently owned and occupied by the Cambridge Law Firm.

Late last month at a meeting of the Cass County Public Safety Commission, Commissioner Gaylord Schelling, who also sits on the Board of Supervisors announced “We have a contract” for the purchase of the building. It remains to be determined whether the lower level of the Cambridge building will be used for a new 9-1-1 Center, or the offices of the County Assessor and Engineer. Moving those offices would likely open-up enough space for an expansion of the current Communications Center on the lower level of the courthouse. Discussions on how to handle the space needs of the Cass County 911 Center, along with new equipment necessary for Next Generation 911 (NG-911) services, has been ongoing for more than two-years.

The Supervisors are also expected to act Wednesday on approving a Resolution proposing the County lease a portion of the Cambridge Building to the law firm following its purchase, for more than three-years. A public hearing will need to be held on the matter before the move becomes final.

In other business, the Board will act on a Resolution approving the appointment of a deputy sheriff, and increasing the number of deputies by one. Their meeting begins at 9-a.m.

GENE BAUGHMAN, 86, of Earling (Svcs. 12/13/13)

Obituaries

December 10th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

GENE BAUGHMAN, 86, of Earling, died Sun., Dec. 8th, at the Little Flower Haven Nursing Home. A Mass of Christian Burial service for GENE BAUGHMAN will be held 1-p.m. Fri., Dec. 13th, at the 1st Baptist Church in Harlan. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

Visitation at the funeral home is from 1-to 7-pm Thursday, with the family present from 5-to 7-pm.

Burial will be held at a later date in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Kirkman.

GENE BAUGHMAN is survived by:

His step-children: Michael (Judi) Dickmeyer, of Omaha & Lynette (Jim) Hyndman, of Grimes.

His brother – Dale (Elsie) Baughman, of St. Cloud, FL.

8AM Sportscast 12-10-2013

Podcasts, Sports

December 10th, 2013 by admin

w/ Jim Field

Play

2 arrests Tuesday in Montgomery County

News

December 10th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Montgomery County report two arrests early this (Tuesday) morning. Officials say 30-year-old Stephen Ray Adams was arrested at around Midnight, for obstruction of emergency communications. Adams was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond.

And, officers with the Red Oak Police department arrested 48-year-old Michelle Marie Adams on a domestic abuse assault charge. Adams was brought to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on $300 bond.