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The Freese-Notis Forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: 5/22/14

Weather

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

(Updated 5-a.m.)

Today: Mo. Cldy w/scattered showers & thunderstorms, mainly this morning. High 72. E/NE @ 5-10. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. E @ 5-10.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. E/SE @ 5-10.
Fri. Night: Mo. Cldy w/a 20% chance of showers & thunderstorms after midnight. Low around 55. E/SE @ 5-10.

Saturday: Mo. Cldy w/a 50% chance of showers & thunderstorms. High near 78. SE @ 10-20. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sat. Night: Cldy w/a 60% chance of showers & thunderstorms. Low around 62.

Sunday: Mo. Cldy w/a 40% chance of showers & thunderstorms. High near 82.

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Wednesday’s High in Atlantic was 85. Our 24-hour Low (ending today at 7-a.m.) was 55. Rainfall in Atlantic this morning (thru 7-a.m.) was .03″.

Posted in Weather |

County auditors open May 31 for early voters

News

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — County auditors are opening their offices Saturday May 31 for voters who want to cast ballots early for the June 3 primary. Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz says voters not yet registered may register at their county auditor’s office using election day registration procedures and cast their ballot. The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is 5 p.m. Friday, May 30. Absentee ballots received in the county auditor’s office by 9 p.m. on June 3, are eligible for counting.

Schultz says his office also has developed a smart phone app that allows voters to check voter registration information, fill out the Iowa voter registration form, find the correct polling place, and request and track an absentee ballot.

Posted in News |

SW IA teen seriously injured in Page County crash

News

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa State Patrol says a teenager from southwest Iowa was injured during an accident Wednesday evening between his motorcycle and a pickup. 16-year old Payton Montana Casteel, of Coin, was flown by Mercy One helicopter to Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha following the collision, which happened at around 6:25-p.m. in the Page County town of Coin.

Authorities say a 1998 Dodge pickup driven by 47-year old Patricia Cherie Wray, of Coin, was traveling eastbound and slowing to turn left into a residential driveway at 608 Main Street. When Casteel attempted to pass on the left side, the 1989 Honda motorcycle he was driving hit the left side of the pickup. He told authorities he was not wearing a helmet.

Page County Sheriff’s Deputies and Coin Fire and Rescue assisted the State Patrol at the scene.

Posted in News |

10th anniversary of Iowa co-ed track meet

Sports

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The state co-ed track meet turns ten years old this week and organizers says it is a tradition that will continue. Prior to 2005, the  Iowa High School Athletic Association and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union held their state meets on separate weekends. That all changed in 2005 and the Iowa High School Championships has become one of the biggest track meets in the country. Dave Anderson of the IAHSAA, says merging the two meets was discussed for a few years before it actually happened. Anderson says the meet has been so successful there is no chance of returning to the old format.

This weeks meet will be the final one for Anderson who is retiring on June 30th after 25 years with the Association. Mike Dick, executive director of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, says the state meet is a cooperative effort between the two governing bodies. Dick says the coed meet has been more successul than he had hoped it would be, and he sees the format continuing into the future.

The first of three days of competition at Drake Stadium begins this (Thursday) morning with action in Class 1A and 4A.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in Sports |

Report: Iowa 13th in nation for senior health

News

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Iowa has dropped a few spots in an annual ranking of the states on the health of adults aged 65 and older. The United Health Foundation’s report places Iowa 13th in the nation for senior health, down from 7th last year. Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) medical director Dr. Patricia Quinlisk says there’s plenty of positive news in the report, such as Iowa’s best-in-the-nation influenza vaccination rate among seniors.

“This means we do a pretty good job at protecting our seniors against one of the top 10 causes of death and that’s influenza and pneumonia,” Quinlisk says. The report shows just over 70-percent of Iowans 65-and-older got the flu vaccine last year. Nearly 30-percent of Iowa seniors are listed as being obese, placing the state as one of the worst in the nation in that category.

“This is an issue, obviously, because obesity can lead to other issues like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and other things that can very significantly impact our seniors and their health,” Quinlisk says. She notes the IDPH has several programs in place that are designed to improve older Iowans’ health. “We have quite a few programs that are trying to encourage people to get out there and move,” Quinlisk says. “Movement is basically anything that gets you up and off the couch, so you’re moving. It could be anything from walking around the block to gardening. It doesn’t necessarily mean going to the gym, wearing workout clothes, and things like that.”

Volunteerism among Iowa seniors ranks 6th in the nation, according to the America’s Health Rankings Senior Report. You can view the report in its entirety at www.americashealthrankings.org/senior

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in News |

Farmers Market Vouchers for Seniors 2014

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Connections Area Agency have announced that the state is continuing the Farmers Market voucher program for senior citizens. With this program, seniors meeting income requirements can obtain vouchers that they can use at participating area Farmers Markets to buy $30.00 worth of fresh, locally grown produce. If you have questions about eligibility, check with your local senior center. Applications for the vouchers will be available at your local senior center by May 28th.

Your completed application guarantees you a booklet, but there is a limited number, so contact your local senior center if you are interested in this program. Once you have a completed application, you can return to your local Senior Center on June 9th or thereafter, to pick up your vouchers. Seniors (age 60 and older) in Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby counties will receive their vouchers through their local senior center.

Program Criteria:
· Must be at least 60 years of age or older
· Annual income must be less than
$21,590 Single
$29,101 Married
· Only one original application allowed per individual. No photocopies or duplicate applications allowed

Dates to Remember:
· May 28, 2014: Applications will be available at all local Senior Centers and in Council Bluffs at The Center, 714 S. Main
· June 9, 2014: Vouchers will be available for seniors with completed application forms at all local Senior Centers outside of Council Bluffs
· June 17, 2014: Council Bluffs Farmers’ Market voucher distribution at The Center, 714 S. Main from 9am – Noon for seniors with a completed application.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

NWS Forecast for the KJAN listening area: 5/22/2014

Weather

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

EARLY THIS MORNING…MOSTLY CLOUDY. NORTHEAST WIND 5 TO 15 MPH.

TODAY…PARTLY SUNNY. ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS UNTIL LATE AFTERNOON. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS BEFORE NOON. HIGH IN THE MID 70S. NORTHEAST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 20 PERCENT.

TONIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY THROUGH MIDNIGHT THEN BECOMING MOSTLY  CLOUDY. LOW IN THE LOWER 50S. EAST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH.

FRIDAY...PARTLY SUNNY. HIGH IN THE UPPER 70S. SOUTHEAST WIND 5 TO 15 MPH.

FRIDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A 40 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOW IN THE UPPER 50S. SOUTHEAST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH.

SATURDAY…CLOUDY WITH A 50 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. HIGH IN THE MID 70S. SOUTHEAST WIND 5 TO 15 MPH. GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.

SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 50 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. LOW IN THE LOWER 60S. HIGH IN THE UPPER 70S.

Posted in Weather |

Nat’l. Sports Headlines: 5/22/14

Sports

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The San Antonio Spurs turned on the jets and blew by the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-77 to take a 2-0 advantage in the Western Conference final. Tony Parker led the way with 22 points and Danny Green added 21 on seven 3-pointers.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)— Indiana’s Paul George suffered a concussion in Tuesday night’s playoff loss to Miami and his status for the rest of the series is up in the air. George will have to undergo NBA-mandated testing before he’s cleared to play again.

CHICAGO (AP) — Jeff Carter scored three of Los Angeles’ six straight goals, and the L.A. Kings beat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-2 to knot the NHL Western Conference final at one game apiece. The Blackhawks won their first seven home playoff games this year, but the Kings skated right by Chicago after the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks took an early 2-0 lead.

CLEVELAND (AP)— The Cleveland Indians finished a three-game sweep of AL Central-leading Detroit in most unusual fashion. Al Albuquerque balked home Asdrubal Cabrera in the bottom of the 13th inning to give Cleveland an 11-10 win over Detroit at Progressive Field.

DETROIT (AP)— And don’t look for Prince Fielder back in Detroit for the first time since he was acquired by the Texas Rangers. The portly first baseman is scheduled to be examined Thursday by a specialist after missing four games because of a herniated disk in his neck and will miss at least the opener of the Rangers’ weekend series in Motown.

Posted in Sports |

St. Louis Cardinals baseball news

Sports

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Cardinals beat Diamondbacks 3-2 in 12 innings

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Arizona shortstop Chris Owings threw wildly to the plate on a bases-loaded grounder in the 12th inning, allowing Matt Holliday to score the winning run in the St. Louis Cardinals’ 3-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night. The Cardinals cut down the go-ahead run at the plate in the 10th on Daniel Descalso’s perfect relay throw from down the left field line to nail Ender Inciarte trying to score from first on Paul Goldschmidt’s two-out double.

Holliday walked off Trevor Cahill to start the 12th. Matt Adams doubled and Yadier Molina was walked intentionally. Allen Craig hit a grounder and Owings had plenty of time for a force play of the plate but his throw eluded catcher Miguel Montero. Seth Maness allowed a hit in the 12th for the Cardinals.

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Wacha leaves after getting hit by foul in dugout

ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha was taken out after getting struck on the right elbow by a foul liner while sitting in the dugout in the sixth inning against Arizona. The team said the rookie was taken out for precautionary reasons with a bruised elbow on Matt Adams’ foul liner leading off the bottom of the sixth Wednesday. The Cardinals led 1-0. Wacha allowed two hits in six scoreless innings, ending a run of five straight outings of seven or more innings by the St. Louis rotation. Cardinals recall OF Robinson, option Butler

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ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals have added bench experience, recalling outfielder Shane Robinson from Triple-A Memphis. Rookie outfielder Joey Butler was optioned to Memphis in moves announced before Wednesday night’s game against Arizona. Robinson batted .371 in 18 games in the minors and hit .524 against left-handed pitchers. He had multihit games in six of his last eight starts, including three hits Tuesday night at Colorado Springs.

Robinson was 2 for 20 to start the year, with 11 pinch hit appearances, before being sent to the minors on April 27. He had 144 at-bats in 99 games last year for St. Louis, batting .250 with two homers and 16 RBIs. Butler’s contract was purchased from Memphis on May 9. He was 0 for 5 with three strikeouts and a walk and three appearances as a pinch hitter.

Posted in Sports |

Chiefs sign quarterback Murray to contract

Sports

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs have signed quarterback Aaron Murray, their fifth-round pick, leaving only first-round pick Dee Ford among their unsigned players from this year’s draft. The Chiefs announced the signing Wednesday. They open a three-day rookie minicamp Saturday.

Murray was considered a first-round talent a year ago, but he had this past season cut short by a torn ligament in his knee. The former Georgia star is also considered small for the position, standing 6-foot and weighing about 200 pounds.

Still, the Chiefs believe Murray could push second-year pro Tyler Bray for the No. 3 job, and perhaps even supplant Chase Daniel as the backup to starter Alex Smith.

Posted in Sports |